This morning at the monthly Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) meeting in Frankfort, a TIF of $21.4 million was authorized for Paducah. The project is designed to help revitalize downtown Paducah with state and local dollars, as well as helping developers with public infrastructure. City leaders Mayor George Bray, Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson, and City Manager Jim Arndt were all very excited about the approval. “As a city government, we look for opportunities to spark development and set the right foundation for growth, job creation, and business expansion. Paducah’s downtown is the heart of this city, and we want to keep it healthy by reinvesting in long-term economic success. I’m thrilled that KEDFA has provided a generous final approval for Paducah’s TIF,” said Mayor Bray. The TIF project revitalizes the block bound by 2nd Street, N. Water St., Broadway, and Jefferson St. Weyland Ventures is a private investor with plans to develop a hotel, parking, open space, and mixed-use buildings. Developer Bill Weyland said, “Weyland Ventures is very excited about KEDFA’s approval of the TIF for Paducah. It has been a long process, but it is a significant accomplishment for the entire Paducah community. Our company has valued its relationship with the City of Paducah, and we are looking forward to the next steps in implementing the TIF, breaking ground on City block, and looking ahead to more redevelopment projects in the city.” What is TIF financing? Tax increment financing is an economic development tool that permits local governments to capture future increases in property and other taxes generated by new development within a geographic area. It’s not a new tax; it’s reinvestment in the district based on growth. In Kentucky, taxes collected by the State also are eligible to be directed back to the city which produces a new revenue source for the city.
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Seven years ago, Tyler Davis and his Dad founded Big River Propeller, a propeller repair shop in La Center, Kentucky. In reality, it's been over a decade since Davis wrote the business plan using a Word document on his computer. As the company has grown, so has the need to be closer to the office. A three hour roundtrip commute from Cape Girardeau, MO to Paducah during the week takes a chunk of time out of a work day. After some negotiation with wife Liz, the couple took up stakes, bought a three-story home, and moved the family to Paducah. Davis could be described as a ‘self-made man.’ The phrase was first used by Henry Clay, a former U.S. senator during the American Revolution. Born on a modest farm in Virginia, Clay rose in the ranks of the political scene and even ran for president several times, though unsuccessfully, yet respected just the same. The term “self-made man” means that success lies within the person and not from outside sources. It’s a person who earns his success through hard work, not through inheritance, family connections, or privilege. When Davis was young, his mother passed away leaving his dad to raise their three children ages two, four, and six. At the time, Davis’s dad Sam was working at Missouri Dry Dock in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. As money became increasingly tight, Sam realized there was little to no potential for advancement at the shipyard and decided to ‘follow the money’. The first move was to Houston, Texas. In Houston, Sam could show off his ‘mad skills’ as a propeller repairman. The owner of the propeller repair shop offered no guarantees. Sam agreed to the terms. He saved money, bought a house, and moved the children to Houston. Sam’s 17 years of experience was a definite drawing card. For four years, Sam worked at the shop. On Saturdays, Davis would tag along. Davis said, “As a kid in Texas, I loved going to the propeller shop with Dad.” Sam is a third generation river industry man. Davis is a fourth generation. Quite simply, it’s in their blood. After Houston, another opportunity presented itself. This time it was in Jacksonville, Florida. Sometimes working on the river was a six-day a week job. On Sam’s days off, he would take the children to Barnes and Noble to expand their horizons. “Dad’s a dreamer. He’s always wanted his own shop.” said Davis. On these trips, he would sit down with a ‘get rich’ magazine and read it from start to finish. The children and Sam used their imagination to dream up lots of ideas. “We would dream about buying things at Lowes to create elaborate backyard landscapes.” Not only would they have discussions about fictitious plans they would draw them out on pieces of paper. The imagination and artistry that went into their designs was phenomenal. Part of the downside of being a dreamer was moving from town to town to find better paying jobs. “Sometimes the moves were to bad parts of town and the school systems weren’t very good,” said Davis. “I didn’t enjoy school. I have a visual form of dyslexia. In school, I didn’t test well and teachers chalked it up to ignorance.” Though Davis didn't enjoy school, he did enjoy making money. When Davis was 12 years old, he started working for a local contractor after school and on weekends. Instead of playing ball or video games during summer vacation, he worked construction. “I enjoyed woodworking. I’ve never been much of a sports person so I spent summers working.” said Davis. “Because of all the moving around, I didn’t feel like I was a scholar. I enjoyed working with my hands. The world I’m in now, I never thought I’d be doing this,” said Davis. “I had plans to be a welder after graduating high school. I didn't think I was cut out for college plus I didn't have the money.” Instead of attending college, Davis went to work for Lowes Home Improvement Store. At age 18, Davis was making a living in Jacksonville, FL working for one of the top, if not the top, home improvement store in the U.S. Shortly after joining the Lowe's team, he was promoted to department manager. The next move was to Cape Girardeau and it proved to be a successful one. Within the year, he rose in the ranks to ASM (Assistant Store Manager). Davis was on the fast-track. After one year as an assistant manager, Davis was promoted to senior management. “I found I had a knack for management. I excelled more than most. My career continued to snowball,” he said.
Senior management was very impressed with Davis. He quickly became the ‘go to’ guy, the one they sent to turn a store around. “The corporate atmosphere was fantastic. I had great mentors and people who believed in me.” said Davis. In fact, he was green-lighted to ‘go all the way’ within the company. He 'aced' the management test and fit the profile for a corporate officer. Davis’ goal was to become vice-president within the Lowe's family. As Davis climbed the corporate ladder, his fascination with owning his own business didn’t wane. He built elaborate business plans that might take a year to complete. “I would get engulfed in it,” said Davis. Dreams of being a ‘serial entrepreneur’ would run through his mind. "It's about building wealth and owning multiple businesses that makes big wealth possible," said Davis. The Big River Propeller business plan took several years. It started on a Word document and grew from there. Davis was 24 years old when he put 'pen to pad' on the plan that would change his life. Part of the business plan was deciding on a site. Somewhere between Cairo, Illinois and Paducah was ideal. Davis would take a weekend, jump on his Harley, and scour the area for potential shop locations. Once he found the perfect place, it was time to look for a building. For this process, the concrete depth on the floor and the height of the building were crucial. Davis would drill holes in the concrete, with the owner’s permission, to unveil the thickness of the concrete. The height of the building was important too. The company repairs propellers weighing a potential 10,000 pounds. Massive equipment is needed to transport the ‘wheels’ inside the shop. After finding the building, it was time to get a loan. Davis had a five-year plan. Sam would run the shop side and Davis the business and sales side. Time to start pitching banks. Though it took several tries, First Community Bank in La Center took a chance on the venture. “We put everything on the table,” said Davis. Sam and Davis needed to live on their savings for at least a year and a half until the business could support both families. It actually took three years for the business to make an impact. “The river industry is tough to break into,” said Davis. The big boat companies already have various businesses they rely on for different services. So, Davis and Sam decided they would ask for their ‘problem set.’ They had confidence in their abilities, equipment, and the crew. After several successful repairs, Big River Propeller started to make a name for itself. “After three years, it blew up,” said Davis. Davis spent nearly 10 years in management at Lowe’s. He firmly believes that going the corporate route before owning a small business is the best approach. Going through the corporate environment made all the difference in the world. “It’s a thought process that’s needed to own a business,” said Davis. Liz and Davis married five years ago. They met while Davis was 'flipping' his third house. Liz was a dietary manager at Life Care Centers of Cape Girardeau. After leaving the residential care facility, Liz became a stay-at-home mom to their son. When Cash was born, “I thought this was the coolest thing to ever happen in my life,” said Davis. “It completely changed my thought process.” Davis believes that everybody needs to have goals whether it’s family, finances, or business. As the business grows, so does his passion for family. The family owned business is everything Davis and Sam have ever wanted. It truly is a dream come true. CEO and Chairman of the Board Steven Powless with President and COO David Culbertson Computer Services, Inc., a Paducah-based company, announced a planned promotion of executive management in a news report released today, Monday, March 1. Steven Powless will be named executive chairman of the board and David Culbertson will become chief executive officer beginning July 8, 2021. Powless currently serves as chairman of the board and CEO and Culbertson is president and chief operating officer.
“CSI’s board is very pleased that David Culbertson will soon become the company’s chief executive officer,” stated Powless. “Plans for David’s promotion to CEO started in 2016 as part of our board’s strategic review of our management succession plans. David was selected from a pool of almost 90 candidates from across the nation. He was the clear stand out, and we knew we had the right person for the role.” As it stands, the audit, risk, and acquisition teams will report to Powless with the remainder of the teams’ reporting to Culbertson. In July 2022, all teams will report to Culbertson. Powless will remain chairman of CSI’s board of directors. “I’ve worked hard everyday to prepare myself for this transition. I’m honored and humbled to have been selected,” Culbertson said. “I’ve spent my entire career at CSI, and I’m committed to our ongoing success.” Culbertson was promoted to COO in April 2017 and president in June 2018. He has been with CSI for more than 31 years and has the confidence of the board of directors. The company reported record results for their third fiscal quarter of 2020 and expects 2021 to have continued success. CSI delivers innovative financial technology and regulatory compliance solutions to financial institutions and corporate customers across the nation. Through a combination of expert service, cutting-edge technology and a customer-first mentality, CSI excels at driving businesses forward in a rapidly changing industry. For more information, click on: csiweb.com In a statement released today by Martin & Bailey, Inc., the proposed Huck's gas station has withdrawn their application to develop the property located at the corner of North Friendship Road and Alben Barkley Drive. The proposed site was the former Guy Gray building located next door to LOTUS, the child advocacy and sexual assault resource center.
The company said they had no intention of building a truck-stop for large semi-trucks. The proposed Huck's market was to be a 'beautiful store, creating 40 or more good paying jobs and offering the neighborhood the facility it deserves.' Due to the 'overwhelming campaign against our application to develop a Huck's Market on this site' Martin & Bailey are rescinding its application for Conditional Use of the property. LOTUS and others in the community came together and voiced their concern for the proposed Huck's Market due to the environmental, health, and safety impacts on those served. Nearly 1,500 signatures were gathered during the campaign to halt the development of the property. To read the letter from Huck's representatives in its entirety, read below. The quiet power of preservation told by Brent Leggs during this morning's Paducah Chamber breakfast2/4/2021 The Power in Partnership breakfast sponsored by the Paducah-McCracken County NAACP Chapter and McCracken County Community Career Endowment featured former Paducah native Brent Leggs. His presentation on historical marker preservation of black heritage was incredible. The history behind the storyline is both remarkable and concerning. Remarkable in that the black community has such an incredible story to tell that still remains to be told. Concerning because it still remains to be told.
Opening remarks at today's breakfast were given by Paducah Chamber President and CEO Sandra Wilson. After a brief presentation on upcoming meetings, she introduced the 2021 Paducah Chamber Chair and President of WKCTC Dr. Anton Reese. Dr. Reese discussed 'regular business' and then proceeded to 'speak from the heart'. He said that he approaches everyday promoting diversity, inclusiveness. and education for all. He said 25% of our Paducah community is black and he has two goals in mind as chamber chair. The first is to have more diverse businesses join the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. The second is to form an advisory group of black and Hispanic representatives to help guide his tenure as chair of the Chamber. Next, was the slide presentation from Leggs. Brent Leggs is the Executive Director of the African American Cultural heritage Action Fund for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He shares the story of activists, entrepreneurs, artists and civic leaders who advocate on behalf of African American historic places. He's a Harvard University Loeb Fellow and author of "Preserving African American Historic sites by The Smithsonian Institute. " Leggs is also the 2018 recipient of the Robert G. Staton National Preservation Award. During his presentation, Leggs discussed the "quiet power of preservation." He shared that he became interested in architectural history after having a casual conversation about it with a colleague. After which he enrolled in the school of architecture. Later, he would be asked to get involved in researching and recording black historical monuments. This is where he uncovered the Rosenwald schools. Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee graduate and American educator and Julius Rosenwald, American businessman and philanthropist created a fund that built 5,000 Rosenwald schools. The schools were distributed in 15 states throughout the south. In Kentucky, 158 were built and 41 are standing today. One of the Rosenwald schools is located in Paducah on Poole Street named Woodland Schools. Leggs shared other interesting and concerning facts such as of the 100,000 sites registered with the National Registry of Historic Places only 2% reflect the black experience in American history. He said 'the black community is fighting for recognition of their contributions to our nation.' For more information on Leggs follow his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/brent.leggs The Paducah Planning Commission met Monday evening to discuss a proposal for a Huck’s convenience store that would be located at the corner of Alben Barkley Drive and Friendship Road. Formerly the Guy Gray Supply Company location, the proposed service station would reside across the street form WKCTC, Ceglinski Animal Clinic, and next door to LOTUS Children’s Advocacy and Sexual Violence Resource Center.
At a previous meeting, the commission asked the developers Martin & Bailey, Inc. to perform a traffic study of the area. As of this meeting, the traffic study hadn’t been completed. At last night's virtual meeting, there were several local residents and a LOTUS representative on hand. Each wanted to discuss the negative impact a large service station would have on the area. Representatives of Martin & Bailey weren’t on the call. Acknowledgment of the missing participants wouldn’t be discovered until later in the conversation. One of the neighborhood residents against the project is Jill Love. Her home is located behind the proposed Huck’s service station. She said that because Huck’s would be operating 24 hours a day, “they (Huck's) want to be able to accommodate trucks causing more havoc on our environment, and our peace, and our quiet.” Love continued, “A 24-hour Huck’s doesn’t fit the neighborhood.” Lotus Executive Director Lori Brown said the center has spent millions over the past three years expanding their services that include an outdoor sanctuary project funded by a state grant. Many of the clients at LOTUS have PTSD and loud noises can trigger events. LOTUS started a petition more than a week ago, “Save our sanctuary: Stop the proposed Huck’s Food and Fuel Station.” The petition is on Change.org. On the petition, the opening statement reads: The proposed Huck's Food and Fuel Station at the intersection of Alben Barkley Drive and Friendship Road in Paducah, Kentucky will have a negative impact on the quality of life of residents and clients of Lotus Children's Advocacy and Sexual Violence Resource Center, which is located adjacent to the proposed site for the gas station. We need your help in ensuring a sanctuary of safety, comfort, and healing for countless survivors and families in this community now and for years to come! As mentioned, representatives for the Huck’s service station weren’t online for this particular Paducah Planning Commission meeting. Interestingly, Huck’s funds a charity for children called Karing for Kids. Huck’s charitable foundation gives annually to children in need. One of their projects is to give kids a great Christmas by buying gifts for those who might not otherwise receive one. Other charitable gift giving includes children cancer treatments, backpack programs, and St. Jude scholarships. At Monday’s meeting, Paul Bradford, Paducah Planning Commissioner, motioned to remove the proposed project from the table and the motion passed in a 4 - 3 vote. As soon as it was discovered that Huck’s representatives weren’t on the call, the matter was moved back on the table. Bradford said he would like to have them on the next call because he wants it to be removed from the table with or without the traffic study. The plan is to revisit the issue at the next meeting on February 15. The red zone has potentially affected the plans for the sports plex in McCracken County. The sports plex project is set to break ground this year, however, the money designated for the project has been strained due to the pandemic.
McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer said, "It's made us have to look and see if we can find other avenues of revenue." The sports plex was designed to replace the old Paducah City ball fields located at Noble Park in Paducah and the soccer fields located at the former McCracken County landfill. The money to build the new outdoor sports plex was to be generated from the hotel occupancy sales tax. The budgeted amount for the project is one million dollars. As of the first of December 2020, $800,000 had been collected. The tourism industry which includes hotels has been greatly affected this year due to the pandemic. The hotel industry and the restaurant industry have been two of the hardest hit across the board. Both could fall under the category of tourism. In McCracken County, hotel occupancy rates are down 22.3% at 44.8% for 2020. With fewer hotel stays there's less taxable income being collected. Judge Clymer is discussing other ways to work around the shortfall. He suggested the possibility of revenue bonds or a financial partnership with the City of Paducah. Regardless, the project won't be postponed. There is a likelihood that the number of available fields may be reduced at the start with a plan to build more fields later down the line. The county acquired Bluegrass Downs last year and the plan was to build the outdoor sports plex on the land donated to the county. The location of Bluegrass Downs is down the road from the old Noble Park ball fields. The McCracken County Sports Tourism Commission paid for a study last year to ensure the project wouldn't affect the land or the flow of water, according to the commission chair Jim Dudley. This summer the indoor recreational sports plex was a great addition boosting tourism and promoting future tournaments. The idea behind each of the projects is to have tournaments that generate dollars for the community. The indoor summer tournaments played in 'a bubble' much like the NBA. For reasons that are obvious, the 'bubble' was designed to keep activities moving forward while being extremely COVID cautious. Fewer crowds were easier to social distance and the venue was more easily sanitized...not to mention better contact tracing in case of an outbreak. After red zone counties experienced a second school shutdown late in the year, tournaments were suspended. The hope is that tournament play can get back to semi-normal soon and give the hotel businesses a boost generating the dollars needed to complete the sports plex project as planned. Getting the economy up and running again is essential to all of us. Getting COVID-19 vaccinations will be a real game changer moving forward for spring and summer tournaments. The Paducah Board of Commissioners meeting was held at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, January 12 with Mayor George Bray and Commissioners' Sandra Wilson, Raynarldo Henderson, David Guess, and Carol Gault. Also in attendance was City Manager Jim Arndt and the city clerk. There were several items on the agenda tonight up for a vote. The first was the appointment of the Mayor Pro Tempore and various board members and reappointments. The second was the decision regarding the Lose and Associates, Inc. contract for the Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Center. Third, was the alcoholic beverage license renewal municipal order.
As expected, the commissioner with the most votes was unanimously voted in by the city commission as the Mayor pro-tem. Commissioner Sandra Wilson received the most votes in the November 2020 election. Other board appointments and various reappointments took place as well. Next on the agenda was the decision on whether or not to continue with the design project with Lose Design for the Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Center. Last year, the project was placed on hold and a decision on how to proceed was to fall on the incoming city commission. Discussions took place before the vote. New commissioner's Guess, Gault and Henderson all agreed the timing was off for this particular project, partially due to the effects of COVID-19. Commissioner Henderson went on to say it wasn't a concept issue but one of timing. Commissioner Wilson said, " The Wellness Center project was affected by COVID-19. It was the hardest of times. There were major decisions that needed to be made. We had no idea what it would do to our city." Wilson said she appreciated the new direction the new commission was taking and agreed that the timing for the project wasn't good. There was discussion about the possibility of a YMCA coming to Paducah and if this was the case, they would want to use their own design firm. Mayor Bray said, "COVID has had an impact on this (the project). There may be opportunity to work with the Y." He said the structure would need to be totally rethought. More partners would need to be identified; those with 'skin in the game'. The city would look for the right partners going forward. In the end, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved the municipal order to terminate the professional design and construction management agreement with Lose and Associates, Inc. for the Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Center. The City entered into the agreement in August 2019 with the agreement paused in August 2020. Each member of the Board stated that this is not the best timing for the project. After voting on the Aquatic Center, an emergency ordinance was introduced. The order related to the waving of fees pertaining to alcoholic license renewal. Bray said, "Paducah is known as a restaurant town." He said we want the industry to know how important they are to our community and to our economy. By waving the fees for the upcoming year it would act as a "signal from the city that these restaurants are very important to us," explained Bray. Commissioner Henderson said, "Anything we can do to lighten the load." The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved the emergency ordinance to waive the 2021 renewal fees that are due January 31, 2021, for certain alcohol license types. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Executive Orders from the Governor’s office, many businesses were required to either close or operate at a diminished capacity with restaurants and bars seeing a substantial financial impact. The Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has allowed for a 12-month fee waiver for certain license types. This action by the City of Paducah mirrors the State’s action and provides a benefit to the businesses totaling approximately $97,000. In Paducah, 108 business which have a total of 201 licenses (some businesses have more than one license) will benefit from the renewal waiver. Rick Murphy jumped on to discuss some of the ordinances that were inherited from the previous commission as well as the introduction of several ordinances as first time readings. At the end of the meeting, each commissioner was asked if they had further comments. Mayor Bray discussed vaccine distribution and COVID-19. He said he gets calls everyday about the vaccine and citizens wanting to know when they would be eligible for their inoculation. Bray said in a report today from our local health department, McCracken County has seen 4,500 positive COVID-19 cases and 75 deaths. Bray said, "I personally have lost two friends to COVID." He said the process needs to be accelerated and those over 70 years of age need to be vaccinated. Bray said that the city is willing to do whatever it takes to help. "The state of Kentucky allocates the vaccine and we're expecting more this week and next week." said Bray. He continued, "I know how important it is." The Green Timber Duck Club located in Ballard County, Kentucky owned by Desiree' Owen and David Jones. Pictured with Owen and Jones are county music singers Walker Montgomery and Travis Denning as well as a couple of other friends. Just a small town girl living in Barlow, Kentucky with a 150 acre farm and big plans. Waterfowl hunting is a sport that’s either loved or never tried again. The love/hate relationship may lie in the hands of the teacher.
On the one hand, duck season takes place during the winter months when it’s cold, damp, and generally miserable. Much time is spent in the mud and the muck. The hours are long and feelings of being cold, wet, and tired are likely to be experienced at the same time. On the other hand, if there’s a proper guide that leads you to the ducks, shares the ethereal beauty of the sunrise in the wee hours of the morning, and encourages the challenge of the hunt, it could be the best time of your life. Desiree Owen and partner David Jones bought a farm in the Barlow River Bottoms five years ago with development plans for premier waterfowl hunting. This isn’t the first time Owen has ventured out in favor of unconventional and ‘out of the box’ career moves. “I was fortunate to grow up in such a beautiful area where you could enjoy lake life and farm life.” said Owen. A native of Lyon County, Kentucky, Owen enjoyed both boating and horseback riding growing up. Her mom had been a teacher for the Lyon County Schools for 28 years. In this western Kentucky county, Owen received a well-rounded education in life. Her dad was very interested in the events of the day. “My father read two newspapers everyday as well as two weekly news magazines...I ensured that I did too.” Owen said she knew at 15 years old she wanted a career in broadcast journalism. In addition to being an avid reader, Owen took dance lessons and twirled a baton for many years. She was involved in beauty pageants and was the Captain on the Drill Team at Lyon County High School. After graduating, Owen went to Murray State University to pursue a career in news. Majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in political science and advertising, Owen was making all the right moves to prepare herself for her dream job. There were several professors and mentors that looked out for Owen and encouraged her to go after what she wanted. While at MSU, Owen was on the Homecoming Queen Court furthering her allure to the beauty pageant world. As a former beauty queen, she worked as a consultant to other beauty pageant contestants. From time to time Owen sat in the judges seat at various local pageants. But the world of pageantry was only a stepping stone to bigger and better adventures. Owen's first job after graduating college was with the radio station in Paducah, WKYX/WKYQ. “I answered an ad for a sales job but the owner of Bristol Broadcasting made a rare visit to Paducah and sat in on my interview. He told the GM to ‘put her on the air’.” They offered the Lake Patrol position. It made sense, Owen was from Lyon County. The county’s two tourist towns Eddyville and Kuttawa are both located on Lake Barkley. Approximately one-third of Lyon County lies in the Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area. LBL offers a wide range of attractions including hunting, boating, fishing, bird and wildlife watching just to name a few. The Lake Patrol broadcast started with a couple of disc jockeys making small talk on the radio about lake events. Owen decided to make it her own. She reported on fishing, lake festivals, interviewed locals, and created a real ‘buzz’ around the lakes. Of course, at this time there were no cell phones so all reports had to be called in by landline. After the summer gig, she was promoted to afternoon news anchor. As the rising anchor started covering city hall, school board meetings and other events happening in the region, she was quickly promoted to news director and morning anchor. During her time at the station, she won various awards such as Best Reporter, Best Newscast, Best Investigative Reporting, Best Documentary, and the list goes on. She said, “This was one of my most enjoyable jobs ever and I couldn’t have asked for a better work family.” Owen was in demand. She received simultaneous offers from two different companies. WPSD, the local television station, offered a morning anchor position and WKCTC (formerly Paducah Community College) wanted her as their Public Relations Director. Owens chose option two. She said, “It opened a lot of doors for me.” After WKCTC, she became Executive Director at Kentucky's Western Waterlands, a nonprofit marketing organization that served 14 western Kentucky counties. Next, she took a position as Development Director for the KY Tourism Council in Louisville, Kentucky which worked closely with the Cabinet. Then, she became Development Director for the Paducah Chamber of Commerce. One of the biggest, most widely respected and admired community projects in recent years was the development of the Luther F. Carson Four River Center commonly referred to as 'The Carson Center' in downtown Paducah. Owen was hired as the executive director of the center to appoint a board of directors and formulate a funding plan for the 'then' Four Rivers Center. At the end of the day, the $46 million event center was built to completion in January 2004 opening its doors the following month. Owen participated in other local and regional projects for the next several years. She was never one to be swayed from the hard stuff. In fact, Owen was ready to get back to her roots. She was craving the outdoors and all of the beauty and splendor that went along with it. Five years ago, the purchased Ballard County farm named The Green Timber Duck Club became Owen's happy place just as the lakes and farm land in Lyon County had been her refuge as a child. “We’ve built roads, levees, installed deep wells with the capacity to flood corn fields, timber, or potholes for ducks.” Some of the best duck hunting can be found in the smallest and least obvious spots. “It’s important to go where the ducks want to be on any given day.” said Owen. Currently, the farm has four floating duck blinds. Floating duck blinds are camouflaged to its natural surroundings enabling the hunter to get a closer shot. It’s truly an architectural masterpiece. The next phase of the expansion for the property is to build a hunting lodge. The plan is to have the lodge completed by next season along with a long range shooting area. The farm offers a small number of club memberships. Owen said, “We hunt 60 days of duck season and spend the other 300 odd days preparing for it.” Owen's partner Jones is a lifelong outdoorsman and is a professional hunting and fishing guide as well as a professional bass tournament angler. Both Owen and Jones were named Persons of the Year by the Ducks Unlimited Wetherby Chapter in Frankfort March 2020. They are active members in the nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the conservation of wetlands as well as waterfowl, and other wildlife. Most of Owen's downtime is spent around her passion which is the outdoors. When vacationing, she enjoys traveling out west. She and Jones fish on Kentucky and Barkley lakes. They love to visit national parks and historical markers. The two participate in competitive rifle shooting. It’s true love and admiration for the outdoors. Famous women throughout history have made it possible for women to become outdoor enthusiasts. Today’s women are on Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms sharing their passion and influencing young women to get involved in a predominantly male dominated sport. Owen is one of those women that is opening doors for other women to actively pursue their passion. Paducah Board of Commissioners meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be conducted entirely by video and/or audio conferencing. The meeting is available on the City’s public access channel, Government 11 (for Comcast subscribers), and will be streamed live for the public’s convenience on Youtube at https://youtu.be/WiZheQcPVKs.
For those who want to comment on an agenda item virtually, submit a Public Comment Card by 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and a link/phone number to access the meeting will be provided. The agenda, packet, and public comment card can be found at http://paducahky.gov/2021-city-commission Paducah City Manager Jim Arndt will not seek to renew his contract that expires June 30, 2021. The city manager told the Board of Commissioners and team leaders of his intentions this week. Arndt and other city leaders have been battling the effects of COVID-19 on city finances and controversial projects like the Paducah Aquatic Center and the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district for nearly a year.
Arndt has been city manager since July 2018 and is originally from Charleston, Illinois. His plan is to open a local government management consulting firm to be closer to his grandbabies and family. “The dream of opening my own consulting business has been in my mind for years. I feel that I’m ready to pursue it and share with other government leaders the knowledge that I have gained while working as a professional city manager. Being a member of Team Paducah and this incredible city over the past few years has provided me with a wealth of information and experiences, best practices, and treasured memories. I will miss this warm, inviting community and the incredible city employees,” said Arndt in a news release by the city. Mayor George P. Bray was surprised and disappointed to hear the news. Mayor Bray said, “I wish Jim and his family the best. He has clearly made an impact on Paducah, and during my first days as mayor, I have developed the utmost respect for his professionalism, positivity, and drive to excel.” Arndt went on to say that COVID-19 has made him realize how important those special moments are with family. He and his wife Kim, would like to move back to Illinois to spend more time with the twin grandbabies. Over the past year, the pandemic is one of several major issues facing city leaders. Coming up for a vote in the first city commission meeting of the new year is the fate of the aquatic center. The project has been on pause since July and deciding if the center will move forward or be permanently halted will be on the table. If the aquatic center is voted down, the city will have to find a different way to invest the $20 million dollars slated for the project. Both sides, the ‘for the aquatic center’ and the ‘against the aquatic center’ have their reasons for wanting to see the project either advance or stopped. Dr. Shiraz Patel is an orthopedist in Paducah and a volunteer coach on the Paducah Swim Team. He and others have discussed the need for a ‘YMCA” type facility for years and this was an opportunity to see it to fruition. He explained in previous interviews that a town with two major hospitals and a premier art center could benefit from the use for their ‘everyday grind.’ Those against the aquatic center would like to see the money put to use by fixing roads and infrastructure. They want the newly-elected commission to do what they said they were going to do and improve/fix the city’s stormwater problem. Arndt has been in the storm of controversy with the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district project. TIF would allow the city to divert future property tax revenue generated within that district toward economic development projects. The agreement with Weyland Ventures of Louisville was to create a boutique motel, residential property, and commercial spaces. Those for the project see potential for economic growth and the revitalization of the downtown area. Those against say the city will be taking on more debt and the loss of parking spaces would affect city festivals. The project is currently influx. Arndt has offered to stay after his contract ends to assist with the transition if needed. Mayor Bray added, “We will begin an immediate search for a new city manager, and Jim has committed to remain 100% engaged through July 1." “I got my stimulus check!” is one of the posts on Facebook this morning. United States Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin said that relief checks began direct deposits at midnight on Tuesday for those that qualified for the $600 per person, $1,200 per couple, and $600 per child under the age of 17. President Trump’s push for $2,000 per person checks stalled in the Senate on Tuesday evening as $600 per person checks were being cut.
Most Republicans in the Senate are opposed to bigger spending stating the funding isn’t going where it’s needed the most. Pushing the amount to $2,000 (more than tripling) the agreed upon per diem will cost nearly $400 billion additional dollars. Republican Senator from Texas John Cornyn said that $4 trillion has already been spent on coronavirus aid. As of Tuesday evening, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell filed a new action linking the President’s demands for bigger checks to two other Trump priorities. One is looking to repeal tech company liability shields in “section 230” of communication law. Trump has stated that companies like Facebook and Twitter are unfair to conservatives. The second link is to the President’s desire for a 2020 presidential election review. The result of linking the three issues into one may likely be one of inaction when all is said and done. Leaders are concerned about the President’s veto on the defense bill that has been approved every year for the last 60 years. Further negotiations over Trump’s demands on the COVID-19 relief bill is taking away from actions on overriding the veto on the defense bill. As the stimulus checks are going out, there have been some changes as to who receives a check and who doesn’t. For those that receive automatic payments, the following appears on the IRS website: “Payments are automatic for eligible taxpayers who filed a 2019 tax return, those who receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who didn’t file a tax return. Payments are also automatic for anyone who successfully registered for the first payment online at IRS.gov using the agency’s Non-Filers tool by November 21, 2020 or who submitted a simplified tax return that has been processed by the IRS.” College students that are still being claimed by their parents, won’t receive a second stimulus check, however, they might be able to file for relief on their 2020 federal income tax to receive an equivalent Recovery Rebate Credit. Others that don’t receive automatic direct payments or a paper check, may also be able to file a 1040 SR. For more information, click on the following link to the Treasury and IRS payments. In the second relief package, there’s help for individuals and businesses such as the $300 extra weekly jobless benefits through March 14, 2021. The Paycheck Protection Program of grants to businesses to keep workers on the payroll. Also, the extension on eviction protection and rental assistance funding. As Americans wait and see if their ‘checks in the mail’ the coronavirus rages on as holiday gatherings continue through the New Year. Written by Sharrie Thompson, RN, CCA and Raachel Carroll, NTP ...And You Want to Encourage Them But Have No Idea How Someone on your gift list is seeking better health, and you have no gift ideas! Gift baskets won't work; folks striving for better wellness don't eat sugary-goodies or use scented lotions. Themed fuzzy socks are an option, but you did that last year! Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash So, now what? Below are some ideas for that wellness-minded individual based on our own wellness-lifestyles, training, certifications, and research.
(This article contains affiliate links for which we receive payment when you order) Houseplants reduce stress and purify the air: Face it, we're in the throes of Covid-19, and everyone is stressed! A study measured participant's pulse rates after 3-minutes of looking at or talking to their small desk plant. The participant's pulse rate lowered significantly, indicating a stress reduction! Houseplants used in the study were:
Here are some other low-maintenance houseplants that can brighten up any home:
Keep in mind: if the giftee is a pet parent, some plants may be toxic to critters. Checking for pet-friendliness before buying is wise. A healthier immune system: The body's lymphatic system provides essential immune functions by moving fighter cells and trash removers through the body. One hitch: the system has no pump and requires movement of our skeletal muscles to operate. As sedentary as some of us can be, it usually needs a bit of help. A massage can help to stimulate the movement of lymphatic fluid manually, and it feels good! So give your friend a massage gift certificate. Dry skin brushing moves lymph fluid, aiding in detoxifying the body, and has the bonuses of exfoliating skin, increasing circulation, and unclogging pores per the Cleveland Health Clinic. Treat yourself to a dry skin brush when you pick one up for your friend! You won’t regret it! Yoga classes are a gentle way to promote lymph movement and reduce stress! During Covid, many classes are offered by zoom. Arrange a class for your health-conscious buddy; maybe you can join virtually too! Gifts to help improve sleep and energy: “The worst health stressor,” per Judy Hinojosa, NMD, “is not sleeping.” The blue lights used in technology screens can reduce melatonin's natural production (a sleep hormone) and inappropriately trigger the brain into thinking its day-time (time to be active). Blue light screens close to bedtime can create an inability to fall asleep. To counter this phenomenon, consider blue light blocking glasses for the friend who absolutely cannot avoid their screens the recommended 1-3 hours before bed. Maybe an old-fashioned alarm clock that doesn't tick loudly, so setting alarms doesn't have to involve a screen. Kitchen supplies for your ‘always-cooking-something’ friend: Nonstick and aluminum cookware are attractive due to price & convenience, but it's not ideal for the wellness-minded person. Nonstick coating flakes off into the food, and the safety of aluminum cookware discussion continues. You'll find heavy stainless steel and cast iron pots, pans, and skillets in a health-conscious kitchen. Chainmail scrubbers for easy cleaning of these materials make good stand-alone or accompanying gifts! Stainless steel cooking utensils and glass cutting boards are preferable for meats and fish since they aren't porous and don't trap raw food particles that can lead to bacteria growth, even after washing. Food storage is best when made of a non-porous material that won't leach chemicals into your foods. We suggest clear glass storage containers and clear glass jars with lids. Just be sure to choose clear, newer-made glass containers. Vintage glass and colored glass have a reported problem with lead. A juicer is an excellent gift for a nutrition-focused friend! Juicing is an easy and tasty way to support the lucky recipient in their search for optimal nutrition. Juicing allows the consumption of nutrients in larger quantities, and it's pretty fun trying out new recipes. A juicing recipe book for home remedies is good too! Slow-cookers are a life-saver, whether you're wellness-focused or not. Everyone should have at least one slow-cooker. Slow-cookers make the busy person's life easier: put good quality meat with some veggies into the slow-cooker and let it cook all day on low—easy way to eat well with little effort. A slow-cooker cookbook is also an inspiring gift! Trendy insulated lunch boxes liven up meals: Does your friend bring their lunch to work or (pre-COVID) to social gatherings because they eat a specific diet style or don't want ingredients commonly used in restaurants? Fun bento-style lunch boxes make the practice more fun, and, as individuals who eat mostly brought-from-home food, we can attest that you can never have too many lunch boxes. The gift of clean water: Your giftee may not drink tap water because of contaminants. They may also be hesitant about the quality of water in the plastic bottles available for purchase. Since it takes about 5-6 bottles to maintain adequate hydration, the environmental and budget impact of buying bottles may be of concern for your friend, as well. Gift them a water filter and resolve their worry! When purchasing, look for filters that remove heavy metals, chlorine, and bacteria from regular tap water. The more a filter removes, the better but, removal of any contaminant is better than nothing! Countertop water filtration systems remove undesirable contaminants from the tap water and allow your buddy to fill their water bottle before leaving the house. You can find a countertop style pretty much anywhere, and there are even whole home filter systems! If you're looking for extensive filtration, we, personally, use the Berkey System . Berkey filters are our countertop choice, and they offer a sports-style water bottle with an attached straw filter that we love as it allows safe refilling from the tap while on-the-go. Glass to-go water bottles and stainless steel to-go mugs: Hydration is essential for wellness, and many carry water bottles wherever they go. However, buying one for your wellness-minded friend can be a little tricky when it comes to the water containers themselves. Clear glass bottles are always a good idea. Worried about the bottle getting accidentally broken? Glass bottles with silicone sleeves help protect from short drops. You can even find some bottles that have ounces marked on the side for that friend who has a daily hydration goal! Stainless steel to-go mugs for warm drinks are an extraordinary gift for anyone, especially for your friend that prefers warm beverages sourced from home. The stainless steel mugs won't leach chemicals into the drinks and often come double-insulated for the longevity of drink warmth and protection of the hand holding the warm drink. These mugs aren't non-porous with a smooth lining, so they won't hold onto drink particles and grow bacteria. Most are also dishwasher safe for convenience! DIY gifts: If you like to make gifts, here’s a couple you might consider: A rice-filled heating pad offers heat when you're cold and comfort when you're achy. Here’s an easy, no-sew one we found on the internet. You can also buy microwavable heating pads if you're not into DIY projects. Huggaroo is our favorite brand. They offer an unscented option, and their heating pads are larger than what you can usually buy elsewhere. Relaxed muscles and better sleep; yes, please!! Grab some Epsom salt that is free of scents and additives and a clean 8-ounce clear glass jar with a lid, and make your friend an Epsom bath salt soak! Add two teaspoons of Castile baby soap, two teaspoons of organic olive or almond oil, and ten drops of your choice of essential oil(s) to the jar.. Here's the essential oils, organic line, of course, we use if you don't have a preferred brand. Below are a few essential oils free of contraindications, as noted in Dr. Scott A Johnson's 2015 book Evidence-Based Essential Oil Therapy:
Gifting people who have a lifestyle different from your own (or are trying to change and aren't sure how) may not be easy, but we hope we've offered some helpful insight. Happy gifting! Sharrie Thompson, RN, CCA: seeing clients for stress reduction and wellness lifestyle https://www.facebook.com/itsonlynaturalpaducah Raachel Carroll, NTP: seeing clients who desire to use food for better health and seeking a wellness lifestyle https://www.facebook.com/Well-Rounded-Wellness-110042257559616 Written by Sharrie Thompson, RN, CCA
Gingerbread, oranges studded with cloves, apple cider, delightful food, and the tree; ah, the smell of the tree!!! It truly evokes the season, doesn't it! A live tree with a root ball to plant after Christmas is an excellent way to get that Christmas smell in your house. My mom planted a Douglas fir in 1984, and it's 150 feet tall today. The secret: she dug the hole before the ground froze, plopped the tree in the hole after Christmas, and added excellent soil to finish filling the spot. For many, a live-cut tree has lost some of its allure this year. Untold numbers of trees perished in wildfires this year. Since our planet's health depends significantly on trees, trees still growing in the ground are cherished. Cue the artificial Christmas tree: convenient, long-lasting, reusable, and the Christmas smell can still exist! Yep, essential oils can make your fake tree smell like Christmas! Essential Oils that generate Christmas smells
Reported properties of each oil per Dr. Scott A. Johnson in Evidence-Based Essential Oil Therapy (2015): Cinnamon: helps with morale and courage, uplifting. (p83) Clove: promotes self-confidence, self-assurance, and courage. (p92) Ginger: encourages feelings of balance and stability, reduces mental fatigue. (p119) Orange: reduces anxiety, stress management. (p181) Lime: uplifting, stress management, reduces anxiety. (p154) Pine: Reduces anger, reduces anxiety, relieves fatigue. (p203). Cedarwood: Stress management, reduces anxiety, fear, and insecurity. (p80) Fir: corrects negative emotions, emotionally stabilizing, aids concentration, and meditation. (p52) Spruce: Relieves exhaustion, grounding, calming, reduces mood swings, encourages self-confidence and forgiveness. Relieves anxiety and promotes a sense of security. (p245) With that list of wonders, is there any doubt why the smells of Christmas are loved?!? Smells tap into your memory bank. If the smell of cinnamon evokes being in your grandmother's kitchen and you have fond memories of being there, that's a good one for you to use. Conversely, if cinnamon takes you to grandmother's kitchen and it was fraught with tension and anger, it won't be a good one for you as it'll bring that memory back too. And, who wants to be tense and angry at Christmas!! Essential oils without pesticides and insecticides are preferable to prevent contaminating the air; look for organic essential oils to be sure. (These are the ones I use if you don’t have a favorite brand.) A few drops of essential oil (try using 2-3 different oils) placed on cotton balls that are in a dish to protect surfaces is called ambient diffusing and considered safe. Good to know Keep essential oils out of reach of children and away from pets. Store in a dark, cool place. Do not apply essential oils to your body without direction from a certified clinical aromatherapist (CCA). Find one on the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy site. Type in your location, and you'll see who in your area has had training and continues the education necessary to be certified. Essential oils are concentrated plant material and can cause issues if not used prudently. Not all essential oil guide books were written by clinicians who have studied botany, chemistry, safety information, interactions, side effects, safe usage...; many provide incorrect information. Be a wise consumer. Essential oils can significantly enhance life when used wisely! Embrace your ambient diffusing of Christmas smells and Happy Holidays! Sharrie Thompson, RN, CCA https://www.facebook.com/itsonlynaturalpaducah It's a beautiful Saturday and 13 days 'til Christmas. Venture to downtown Paducah for a unique shopping experience or pick-up a delicious lunch from one of several restaurants available to hungry diners. And the caveat…A FREE CARRIAGE RIDE! A generous sponsor has made it possible for all wanting to experience a little nostalgia may do so with a horse and carriage ride.
John's PASS Carriage Service will take a tour of downtown Paducah with music, a beautiful horse, white carriage, and a driver with a sweet puppy dressed in red velvet attire. Now until 2 pm, catch the carriage at the gazebo in front of Doe's Eat Place on Broadway. While taking pictures, Paducah City Commissioner Brenda McElroy arrived with her grandchildren in tow. All were very excited to take a ride on the horse drawn carriage. The horse's name is Patton, 'like General Patton' explained one of the associates with John's Pass. A wonderful day to shop downtown! The Independence Bank family of banks is offering $100,000 in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors throughout its 12 county locations. Pictured: Murray, Kentucky location. The Independence Bank application process for over $100,000 in scholarship money has begun for high school graduates 2021. High school seniors that attend schools in the following counties are eligible: Calloway, Daviess, Franklin, Graves, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, Jefferson, McCracken, McLean, Warren, and Webster. Scholarship money will be based on a written essay, high school grades, ACT scores, financial need, community involvement, extracurricular activities and personal interview.
It sounds like a lot of hoops to jump through...and it is. After reviewing what it takes to be considered for a scholarship, some may feel like throwing in the towel. But, don’t. College debt is huge. If you have the grades, are interested in going to college, and know you’ll have to get loans in order to do so, apply for as many scholarships as you can. The essay choice will come from predetermined topics. You may choose which one to address. And if you’re applying for a specific scholarship such as agriculture, there’s an essay question for that too. Click on the highlighted link for 1776 scholarships. A good time to start getting your ducks in a row is now. Holiday break is coming up soon. Virtual learning is happening now through January 4. Reach out to your teachers for help in this process. The deadline for the Independence Bank Scholarship program is February 1. Other scholarship deadlines will be just around the corner as well. If you’ve been affected by COVID-19, this is a way to help yourself and your family. Hard choices need to be made and applying for scholarship programs like Independence Bank can help lighten the load. Independence Bank has a variety of scholarships available from trade school, community college, and four year institutions. The program began in 2001 with a $10,000 donation. Over the last nearly two decades, students have been awarded over $1 million in scholarship funding. It all started with a wish from the late Charles A. Reid who was a founding partner of Independence Bank and dad of current CEO and Chairman, Chris Reid. As it goes, when Reid was a high school senior, he had to either pay for his college with no scholarship or choose an alternative. He chose to join the Navy to get a GI Bill to pay for his education. From that experience, he wanted to financially help high school seniors go to college. The money has been collected from the bank, employees, the Community Board of Directors and Reid family friends. Lauren Patton, AVP and Charitable Foundation Manger said, “Our program looks at the shole student, taking into account that they have a story to tell outside of what appears on paper. There’s no denying that education has become unconventional during this year, but I think the wonderful thing about it is how it is shaping these students. They are going to be innovative, flexible and resilient. We don’t want the current circumstances to deter a single one of them from chasing their dreams, no matter what that dream may look like.” A local RN no longer lives with pain, fatigue, and a host of other autoimmune symptoms after making significant changes in her life. Sharrie Thompson, is a Paducah resident, happily married, and living her best life, but that's not always been the case. Thompson and her husband Lennis both had careers in the medical field. Thompson was a registered nurse and Lennis a hospital administrator. While living in Corbin, she was diagnosed with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and fibromyalgia. The family moved back to Paducah in order for Lennis to have help with their two children, a household, and a sick wife. Thompson confessed, "I hadn't always been living my best life."
Thompson graduated nursing school from Murray State University in 1981 and worked 16 years for the Baptist Healthcare System in Paducah, La Grange, and Corbin. It was here she found solace in snack cakes, cigarettes, and coffee while leaving her untamed stress level to fate. There have been numerous studies on this very scenario. Nurses advise their patients to stay physically active, eat healthy, manage stress, get plenty of sleep, and keep up strong, satisfying relationships. The thing is, it doesn’t always translate into nurses' self-care. Thompson said, "At that time, nurses were the worst patients. Many of us smoked, drank too much coffee, lived for the adrenaline rushes, ate out of the vending machines, and slept little. There was an 'invincibility thinking' that ran in the culture.” After many years of taking care of others, Thompson fell ill and took a forced break from nursing in 1997 which lasted until 2013. Before falling ill, her health consisted of frequent colds, viruses, flu, headaches, heartburn {GERD], chronic bronchitis, and other minor infections. She was placed on antibiotics and steroids several times each cold and flu season. By 1997, Thompson had no energy, muscle aches, short-term memory loss, poor vision, swollen lymph glands, and trouble walking without assistance. It was during this time, she received the diagnosis of CFS and fibromyalgia. Thompson didn’t like the diagnosis. Though her doctor in Corbin knew her well, she sought second, third, and fourth opinions in Paducah and surrounding metropolitan areas, enduring many tests only to have the same answers. Acceptance was the next step. Then came the move to Paducah. Thompson was spending 16 to 20 hours a day in bed or on the couch. The family was in crisis. The journey to healing began with cleaning up nutrition. At a loss and with limited information, Lennis started cooking salmon and making fresh salads every night. He would print articles for Thompson to read and set them by her bedside. Lennis did his research too. He found an article on yoga instruction and concluded that this mind and body practice could be a piece of the puzzle for those suffering from CHF and fibromyalgia. At that time, there weren’t any yoga instructors in Paducah. Thompson said that by divine intervention a hand-delivered flyer appeared in their mailbox about a new instructor in town, Suzi Renaud, and she was going to offer a weekend of free classes right across the street from Thompson's home. “The first class was brutal,” said Thompson. The months of inactivity had caused muscle wasting. Thompson started private classes and after a year, physical therapy. Shortly afterwards, Thompson started seeing Dr. Michael Winters a local chiropractor. Dr. Winters' individualized approach focuses on the prevention, management, and cause of a complex chronic disease. Dr. Winters posed the question, “How much change are you willing to do to get better?” That’s when ‘the clean’ lifestyle started. A clean lifestyle includes clean foods, hydration, sleep, checking and removing toxins, and the use of supplements to support the body as it begins to heal. “Our body is designed to be self-healing if supported correctly,” said Thompson. A nutritional therapy practitioner, Victoria Lafont, also became a huge part of the healing journey. She worked with Thompson prescribing foods as medicine, focusing on the body's best functioning ability, managing the root problem, and providing support. Thompson’s daughter, Raachel Carroll, became a NTP and moved her practice from Elizabethtown to Paducah. Since moving back home, she's now a big part of her mom’s wellness program. The practice, Well-Rounded Wellness. is on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Well-Rounded-Wellness-110042257559616 The combination of treatments lasted for several years. After such time, Thompson began to thrive and once again became a productive, get-out-of-bed kind of person. In 2013, Thompson started her practice, I. O. N. Wellness LLC (It’s Only Natural). Thompson is a RN living with autoimmune disease. In her practice she doesn’t diagnose, treat or prescribe; rather she teaches clients supporting techniques and how to merge them easily into their life. “While working through my health issues, it was basically a lot of trial and error, research, and sadness.” reflected Thompson. “I’ve been through it and wanted to share what I found, how it’s done, and an easier way.” Her complementary care approach uses conventional healthcare in conjunction with mind, body, and spirit wellness. Thompson's other specialties include a clinical certification in aromatherapy or essential oils. She facilitates focusing energy where it’s needed through specialized training as a Reiki Master and Advanced Pranic Practitioner. She also educates as a Heart Rhythms Protocol Facilitator and Indigenous Style Spiritual Healer. Clients of I.O.N. Wellness begin with an intake assessment covering physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional issues. “Prayer is a huge part of recovery,” said Thompson. She goes back to the question posed by Dr. Winters, “How much are you willing to change?” Thompson said, “If someone is so bogged down with stress that they're frozen, that’s not the time to discuss eating organic vegetables.” It’s left up to the client how much work they want to do and their time frame. There are a few local people who are influencers in Thompson’s practice. Jennifer Hunt with Living Arts Center is one of those influences. “She was my massage therapist as I began my travels to better health,” explained Thompson. Another influence is Janice Mickle out of Nashville, TN. She is Thompson’s mentor in indigenous training. “Both are very wise, spiritual women,” shared Thompson. When discussing Thompson’s lifestyle, there are things to consider. She said, “Any of the old symptoms creep back in if you take some time off your healthy lifestyle. If I walk the walk that I talk, I do great. When I decide to step off the path, I’ll have pain the next day with brain fog and processing issues as well as exaggerated fatigue.” She encourages clients to discuss with medical doctors the methods used at I.O.N. The connection between mind, body, and spirit taught in nursing programs is the central focus of her practice. Combining traditional medicine with complementary healthcare could be the best reward a client could give themselves. Thompson said, “It makes no sense to treat the wound but leave the knife that caused the wound in place.” I.O.N. has a Facebook page and would welcome the opportunity to discuss treatment options. Check out their page and send a private message. https://www.facebook.com/itsonlynaturalpaducah
Paducah - At the height of the pandemic, two new barbecue restaurants will be opening in Paducah, Kentucky within weeks of one another. Western Kentucky is known for its fabulous BBQ. Hometown favorites such as Starnes, Harned’s Drive-In, and Backwoods are just to name a few. Banks Market and Dairyette in Lone Oak make delicious BBQ too. One of the premier events and ‘claims to fame’ takes place annually in downtown Paducah and that's the festival known as BBQ on the River. This year’s festival was canceled due to COVID-19 but it’s on the docket for 2021.
Knoth’s BBQ located in Grand Rivers, Kentucky will open a second restaurant in downtown Paducah continuing the tradition of 'the BBQ boom' in the area for lick lippin' goodness. The family-owned Kentucky business has been going strong for 55 years. They're known for their pulled pork that’s smoked on hickory coals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sometimes they serve brisket but it sells out quickly. They serve slaw, French fries, a tasty sauce, and REAL pork rinds made from the shoulder skins. Currently, Knoth’s Bar-B-Q in Paducah is hiring for kitchen staff. If you’re interested, go to their Facebook page and send them a private message. You can also apply on the spot on their page. The new location located at 225 Broadway plans to open in early December. The Grand Rivers location will close for the winter but the new Paducah location will be open year round. The downtown Paducah BBQ restaurant will be open seven days a week from 11 am to 7 pm. The second BBQ joint to open by November's end is Bandana's Bar-B-Q Restaurant. The new business is located at the former Hananoki hibachi grill on Hinkleville Road across the street from Kentucky Oaks Mall. The restaurant chain touts businesses in five states including Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and soon Kentucky. The restaurant situated at 5004 Hinkleville Road, by the Pear Tree Inn, is located right off I-24 and will welcome locals as well as travelers. The southern BBQ style flavor will be accompanied by a number of delicious sides. There will be choice of potato: French fries, baked potato, or potato salad. Also, baked and green beans, corn, applesauce, garlic bread, and okra. The meat is dry rubbed, cooked without a sauce, and smoked 24/7. The restaurant has a completely different look from the former hibachi grill. The new renovations include a new roof, signage, HVAC system, plumbing, electrical, flooring, and restrooms. COVID-19 slowed the opening of Bandana’s Bar-B-Q and was temporarily halted, but they're back at it. So far, the company has hired 50 employees. Bandana’s plans to open for dinner only the first couple of weeks and include lunch shortly thereafter...giving everyone time to acclimate. The company expects to get their certificate of occupancy this week. There will be some limitations to the hours and occupancy due to the high number of coronavirus cases in the community and the governor's executive orders and directives. The hope is to supplement dine-in with carry-out. The business will have a catering service as well. Bandana’s has been in business or 25 years starting with their St. Louis location. As the coronavirus marches across our country like it's going to battle, so does the tenacity of small businesses across our community. Let's support local business. The City Block Project, a $21 million private investment, includes the development of a hotel, parking, open space, and mixed-use residential buildings located on the 2.88-acre city-owned block bounded by Second Street, Broadway, North Water Street, and Jefferson Street. Last night's meeting via Zoom concerning the public spaces portion of the planned City Block Project in downtown Paducah registered 55 community participants in this particular 90 minute listening session. Paducah officials invited the public to participate with a discussion after the city portion of the presentation.
The project involves a private investment of approximately $21 million dollars in the downtown parking space across from the floodwall. Weyland Ventures is the private investor. The project has been on the agenda for the city for almost two years and participation from the public has always been welcomed. The public has been encouraged to express their thoughts and opinions on the project as well as interject their ideas. The city has held numerous stockholder meetings and public briefings at city commission meetings. Several topics were discussed during the meeting including a play area for children and incorporating space for the arts. Other topics included the parking spaces, the location of the gazebo and the number of trees. The public space included in the City Block Project would be owned by the city. The city will own it, pay for it, and operate it. The hotel, residential living, and mixed-use space will be owned and operated by Weyland Ventures. The space in question encompasses Broadway, 2nd Street, Jefferson Street, and Water Street. The current use of the parking space includes retail shopping, dinnertime for restaurants and bars, and an occasional parking lot for various festivals throughout the year. As COVID-19 continues to restrict businesses, this could be the light at the end of the tunnel for financially crippled downtown businesses. The pandemic will more likely than not continue into 2021. As we prepare for another possible six months to a year COVID-19 crisis, local businesses and the community could get a 'boost' from a more consistent downtown attraction once the project is completed. The investment of the $21 million dollars from Weyland Ventures is a 'big chunk of change." Most of the participation in Monday's meeting was favorable for the project. Paducah City Planning Director Katie Axt said that every time a meeting is called, new information is gathered along with new ideas. If you're interested in listening to the meeting, it's recorded and available on the city's website. The community of Paducah is invited to a virtual listening meeting regarding the City Block Project on Monday, November 9 at 5 pm. The public space at the foot of Broadway is being sought after by a private investment firm, Weyland Ventures, to the tune of $21 million dollars. The project includes multi-use development that's bounded by Broadway, 2nd Street, Jefferson Street, and Water Street. The center of the project's design would resemble a Town Square including off-street public parking, green space, and a promenade. A boutique hotel is also planned in the mixed-use space and would face Jefferson Street.
Paducah Main Street Director Katie Axt said, “The design team at Weyland Ventures is working to gather input and feedback on how the community would like to see this public space activated. During this listening session, the team will be asking questions and guiding discussions to learn more about how the public will use and enjoy this Town Square.” If you're interested in participating, you may do so virtually November 9, at 5 pm. It's a listening session on the Town Square portion of the City Block project. Be sure and request to participate by email to Axt by noon on Monday. Axt email is kaxt@paducahky.gob. Once the email is received, you'll get link for the virtual session. The session will be recorded. The public may submit comments on the Town Square to the same email address through November 16. |
Written byLiz Latta
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