Kentucky will be taking part in National Trails Day on June 2 with events across the state to recognize the excellent trails in the Bluegrass State.

National Trails Day was launched by the American Hiking Society in 1993 to help promote exercise, trail development and the outdoors. It has grown to more than 2,000 events around the country.

The Kentucky State Parks have more than 250 miles of hiking trails. For more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Kentucky has more than 2,500 miles of hiking trails. To find a trail in your area, visit the Office of Adventure Tourism website at www.getoutky.com. For more information about National Trails Day and related events, visit: http://www.americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/

Here is a listing of some of the events planned at Kentucky State Parks and other locations around Kentucky. All events are on June 2 unless otherwise noted:

Kentucky State Parks:

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet Battlefield Walk Learn more about the fascinating history of Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park. This one-hour walk is an easy, leisurely pace. Your guide will share information about the Battle of Blue Licks and the Revolutionary War. The free walk begins promptly at 1 p.m. at the Pioneer Museum. There is a nominal fee to tour the museum which houses Revolutionary War memorabilia as well as fossils, mastodon bones and pioneer artifacts. This walk is offered on several dates throughout the summer. Call the park at 1-800-443-7008.

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn National Trails Day and Free Fishing Weekend Borrow a free fishing pole from the marina to hook a fish, or hike part of the park’s two miles of trail. Programs will be given on learning to fish, Project Learning Tree and Project Wild. Guided walks will be offered to interpret history, wildlife and ecology of the park. Other hiking opportunities in the area will be presented. Ideal for all ages. Call 1-800-325-0058.

Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus Visit the park for a History Hike starting at 10 a.m. Walk through the park earthworks and nature trail. See the Civil War museum. Water provided and snack bar is available. Call 270-677-2327.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup National Trails Day Hike Join Greenbo Lake for a 10 a.m. hike by meeting at the parking lot of the Jesse Stuart Lodge. The hike will include the Fern Valley Trail, go along the lake shore and continue by the Buffalo Iron Furnace and Claylick One-Room Schoolhouse. The entire hike will cover about 3.5 miles and last two hours. Bring water and wear appropriate shoes. You may want to bring a camera. Call 1-800-325-0083.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg Jenny Wiley Trail Hike Join us for this excursion that will trek all 4.5 miles of one of the most scenic trails in eastern Kentucky. Meet at the entrance to the May Lodge at 8:30 a.m. for a brief meeting about the trail and terrain. We will then make our way to the trailhead to begin our hike. The park staff will provide garbage bags for trail cleanup and will discuss important factors that make trails sustainable. The Jenny Wiley Trail is one of the most strenuous trails in the park system, as you will climb and descend in elevation of 500 feet or more three different times. Please allow 5-6 hours for this hike, wear comfortable clothing and appropriate shoes, and be sure to bring a bottle of water. Call 1-800-325-0142.

John James Audubon State Park, Henderson Creatures of the Night Adventure Trek/National Trails Day Venture out with our interpretation staff on National Trails Day and discover mysterious nighttime creatures. Dress for the weather, bring a flashlight and meet us at the Audubon Museum for this free event from 6:30-9 p.m. Call Julie McDonald at 270-826-2247. The park will also be participating in Free Fishing Weekend. The Ohio Valley Fly Rod Club will hold a free demonstration from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. across from the park office on June 2.

Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz National Trails Day In celebration of National Trails Day, Lake Barkley State Resort Park will offer a series of hikes throughout the day. At 9 a.m., the park naturalist will lead a nature hike in search of flora and fauna that call the park home. The estimated time of the hike is 1.5 hours. Guests should wear sturdy shoes, dress appropriately and bring water. At 3 p.m., there will be a guided hike focusing on the history of the park, lasting approximately 45 minutes, and at 7:30 p.m., join the naturalist for a night hike. All hikes meet at the breezeway at the main lodge. Call 1-800-325-1708.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade National Trails Day In honor of National Trails Day, you are invited to join the staff at Natural Bridge State Resort Park for a volunteer work day in which improvements to the trail system will be made. Trail work may include cutting vegetation along the trail edge, carrying trail material to an improvement site, clearing or installing water bars, changing trail grade for proper drainage, picking up trailside trash, or clearing steps of debris buildup. Work starts at 9 a.m. and will end by 3:30 p.m., and will include brief training. Preregistration is required, and space is limited. This work day is intended for adults and children ages 10 and up. Ages 10–17 must be accompanied by an adult. Approximately 1-3 miles of hiking will be required. Contact Tyler Morgan at tyler.morgan@ky.gov or (606) 663-2214.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs Moonlight Canoe Trips Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park will offer guided canoe trips by moonlight on June 2 and 30 and July 28. Bring water, insect repellent and a flashlight. Registration is $20 per canoe. Participants must be 10 years old or older. Registration is required by one week before trip. Limited number of canoes. Call 1-800-325-1711.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville Adventure Hike to Tri-State Peak Stand on the vaulted spot (1,990 feet) where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia come together. You’ll also stand in the saddle of the gap where more than 300,000 followed in the footsteps of Daniel Boone as they made their way into unknown country. You’ll also enjoy commanding mountain vistas and the best view of the Middlesboro meteor crater. Aside from the commemorative shrine of the tri-state peak, the site also includes a marker denoting the location as being astride the Royal Colonial Boundary of 1665. Other stops on this outing include Pinnacle Overlook (2,440 feet), and the Newlee Iron Furnace (circa 1819). The registration fee is $10 per person and van transportation will be provided to the first 10 persons. Participants are encouraged to bring a day pack with water, snacks, and a lunch. Total hiking distance is 3 miles. Hiking boots are recommended. Total field trip time is 5-6 hours. Advance registration is required; departure time from the park is 8 a.m. Register by e-mailing Dean.Henson@ky.gov or by phone at (800) 325-1712.

Other National Trails Day events include:

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Golden Pond Land Between the Lakes has been providing opportunities for outdoor recreation to citizens and visitors of western Kentucky for decades. A great spot to spend National Trails Day, here are some of the things LBL has planned throughout the day: Be an Outdoors Kid (basic outdoor skills); Pond Prowl; Garbage in the Garden. For more information, visit www.lbl.org.

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Clermont Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is excited to offer free admission June 2, in celebration of National Trails Day. Activities include: ECO Kids Discovery Day, Pollywog Play Parties, Family Fishing Day, Half Millennium Trail Hike and Bernheim Trail Marathon Sponsored by Trail Runners of Louisville. For more information visit www.bernheim.org

Jefferson Memorial Forest, Louisville Jefferson Memorial Forest will host guided hikes and educational sessions for National Trails Day. Kids Fishing Derby is offered for those 17 years old and younger. Tackle and bait will be provided; all they need to do is pick a spot to cast their lines. www.louisvilleky.gov/metroparks

The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky, various locations The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky plans to host guided hikes at the following nature preserves at 11 a.m.: • Jim Beam Nature Preserve in Jessamine County • Mantle Rock Nature Preserve in Livingston County • Sally Brown Nature Preserve in Lancaster Visit http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/kentucky/events/index.htm

Trail Work Day in the Red River Gorge, Stanton The U.S. Forest Service, in conjunction with the Red River Gorge Trail Crew and Benchmark Outfitters, will host a trail work day on June 2. The event begins at 9 a.m. at Gladie Center, off of KY 715. The day will include clearing brush, painting blazes and dead tree removal. There will be a prize drawing following the event and a potluck dinner and fireside social. Register with the Red River Gorge Trail Crew at www.rrgtc.com or call Charlie Rowe, U.S. Forest Service, 606-663-0576, ext. 106.

Adventure Day at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill will host its popular Adventure Day on National Trails Day. This day includes plenty of fun and free activities. On tap for this year are fishing, hiking, paddling on the Kentucky River and a variety of nature programs. Learn more at www.shakervillageky.org

The Downtown Henderson Project announces the line up for the 12th Annual DHP Summer Concert Series in Henderson, KY. The DHP Summer Concert Series will be held on Friday evenings from June 22-July 27, 2012. There will not be a Friday concert on July 6th. The concert series will feature all local and regional bands and these bands are filled with talented musicians. You won’t want to miss a Friday evening this summer. The concerts will be held in Audubon Mill Park, located on the riverfront from 7:00 P.M till 9:00 P.M .

The Independence Bank 4th of July Celebration fireworks show will be held on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 on the riverfront. Entertainment for 4th of July will begin at 7:00 P.M. in the amphitheater. Food concessions will be open by 5:30 P.M., childrens’ activities will be from 6:00-8:00 P.M. in Audubon Mill Park and the fireworks show will begin at 9:00 P.M. Rain date will be Thursday, July 5, 2012.

The following is the summer concert line-up:

June 22 – HI FI Cultivation – Sponsored by: Rio Tinto Alcan and Faught & Jones Insurance – HiFi Cultivation is the perfect mix of soul and rock sounds. The band is made up of six local musicians with an abundance of experience playing with local acts such as The Huckleberries, Hog Maw, McFly! 80′s, The Gravetones, The Echo-Plexes, and The Amazing Soul Crackers . The band was formed in mid 2011 with the sole purpose to play music that the band members love but is rarely covered in the Evansville/Henderson area. Artists and bands such as Aretha Franklin, Grace Potter, Ike and Tina, Otis Redding, Joss Stone, Nikka Costa, The Stones, The Black Crowes, and Adele are part of the set lists played by The HiFi. The music is the perfect combination for music lovers who like to sit and listen or get up and shake it!

June 29 – The Hiding – Sponsored by: Home Oil & Gas Company and Weaver, Dalton and Associates – Out from the hills, sticks and backups of Southern Indiana come the Rock/Country ‘N Roll VARIETY band, The Hiding.

The Hiding, who definitively isn’t hiding anymore, stems from a wide variety of musical influences like The Beatles, Third Eye Blind, Johnny Cash, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muse, Neil Young and more. Last year The Hiding played well over 75+ Shows all over the region. The band has brought their cover song list to well over 150+ songs and growing every month, with songs from 60′s-00′s Rock/Country/Blues/R&B/Funk and more. Covering Artists like: CCR, Joan Jett, Miranda Lambert, The Commodores, Cameo, Sheryl Crow, Gnarls Barkley, Cupid, Johnny Cash, Collective Soul, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Wild Cherry, Pat Benetar, Hank Sr./Jr., Skynyrd, Tom Petty, Zeppelin, ELO, Green Day, Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Skynyrd, Little Big Town, Journey, Katy Perry, and much much more. It is major variety in song choice and genre they provide.

July 4 – Independence Bank 4th of July Celebration – Fireworks sponsored by Independence Bank, Musical Entertainment sponsored by Benton-Glunt, Tapp and Roselawn – The musical entertainment will begin on the riverfront at 7:00 P.M. with Keith Vincent. Keith Vincent has been performing in and around Henderson for more than thirty years. With a repertoire of more than 500 songs Keith has performed at most venues at in the area. At one time or another Keith has fronted rock, country, and bluegrass bands. He has worked as a solo artist for the last ten years. His music covers a number of genres from country to rock, singer-songwriter covers, as well as a healthy number of original tunes. In addition to his solo career, Keith is also the band director at Henderson County High School, music director at Chapel Hill united Methodist Church, and owner of Musician Services. He is a Henderson native and is married to wife Tina.

The fireworks show, sponsored by Independence Bank, will begin at 9:00 P.M. Food concessions from Rex’s BBQ and R&L Concessions will be available and open by 5:30 P.M. and childrens’ activities will be from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M..

July 13 – Green River Drifters – Sponsored by: Ohio Valley Financial Group, IWT Solutions and State Farm Insurance Agents Anne Boyd, Al Baity, Christina Sapp and Chris Trammel. The Green River Drifters are a four piece band out of Webster County, KY. What started out as just 4 buddies getting together to cut loose and play some tunes, has quickly become a highly sought after working band. The band is made up of singer Kevin Forker, bassist Adam Humphrey, drummer Heath Stone, and guitarist Dan Conn. With a sound all their own, which is best described as a refreshing mix of blues, country and rock. Green River Drifters have garnered a large devoted following of fans from the Tri-State area. The band attributes this to hard work and the band’s “song first” motto. “It’s all about the Songs”, says singer Kevin Forker. With a setlist spanning several decades and music genres, the band is sure to get the crowd moving.

July 20 – The Haire Family – Sponsored by: Medco Center of Henderson, Herb McKee and the Citi Center. Every so often a group comes along who just steals the heart of everyone they meet. The Haire Family fits this description to a tee. Not only does their family harmonies separate them from the pack so to speak, but their genuineness and their transparent love for God is evident.

Pastors and promoters all across the US have welcomed them as a part of their services. Fans have embraced them and have supported their music nationally for the last 5 years. Their first national radio release “Top of the Mountain”, reached number 28 on the Singing News Charts, an amazing feat for any artist. God has blessed them with at least 4 other top 50 songs including the hit single “Sheltered” which was number 3 on the Singing News Chart, and reached number 1 status in the Power Source Magazine. It is easy to see how God has blessed the Haire Family. In 2002 they were nominated for the prestigious Horizon Award given to those who the fans recognize as their favorite new group.

July 27 – Sticks & Stones – Sponsored by: Pittsburgh Tank & Tower and Dunaway’s Pharmacy. Sticks and Stones is a Rhythm and Blues band founded by Grammy Award winner Jeff ‘Stick’ Davis (Amazing Rhythm Aces). The band has developed a style they have named Noir Blues. With Brian Glick on drums and vocals, Ricky Byrne on guitar and vocals, Erick Scales on keyboards and sax, and Stick on bass and natural coolness, the band has more years of experience than they care to tell. Their set list consists of music ranging from Howlin’ Wolf to Al Green, from Muddy Waters to the Viscounts and everything in between. For the best in Noir Blues, check out Sticks and Stones, or as Stick would say, “be there or be L7″.

DHP Summer Concert Series Media Sponsors are The Gleaner, WSON Radio, Local 7 WTVW, WEHT ABC, Tristate Hompage.com and Townsquare Media.

Campus teams from five Kentucky higher education institutions participated this week in an annual meeting of Access to Success, an initiative focused on closing achievement gaps for low-income and under-represented minority students.

Kentucky is among the 22 states whose higher education systems have pledged to cut the college-going and graduation gaps for low-income and minority students in half by 2015. Access to Success institutions serve more than 3.5 million students.

The teams representing Kentucky were from Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Northern Kentucky University and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The teams learned about high impact strategies on how to close achievement gaps for low-income and under-represented minority students.

Access to Success aligns with the Council’s strategic agenda, Stronger by Degrees, which outlines specific objectives and strategies to increase degree completion, improve graduation rates and close achievement gaps. State and institutional metrics will track Kentucky’s progress in these areas.

A recent report issued earlier this month by Access to Success, “Replenishing Opportunity in America,” showed gains being made in both enrollment and degrees conferred among low-income and minority students, but gaps still persisting.

For more information on Access to Success, visit: http://www.edtrust.org/issues/higher-education/access-to-success.

What police departments all around the nation are experiencing is also being seen here in Kentucky: a connection between a bad economy and domestic violence. The findings are part of a new report from the non-profit Police Executive Research Forum [PERF].

Sherry Currens, executive director of the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association, says that while economic strains aren’t likely to bring on domestic violence in homes where it hasn’t been present in the past, those incidents can escalate in households with a history of it.

“And we also know that unemployment is an indicator of increasing violence and it’s an indicator of homicides in domestic-violence situations.”

Currens says the economic downturn leaves some victims with few options.

“Many times, women believe that the only alternative they have is to return home, because at least they have a roof over their head and their children are clothed and fed.”

Currens adds that while the best defense against domestic violence is prevention, the current state of affairs makes it difficult for groups like hers to pursue prevention strategies, when funding on the state level isn’t going up any and, on the federal level, the money is getting less and less.

“Local governments are also in trouble and donations to all charitable institutions are down.”

The PERF poll of 730 domestic-violence shelters across the nation found nearly 80 percent reported an increase in women seeking help from abuse. Nearly three out of four victims report staying in an abusive relationship because they can’t afford to leave.

The complete PERF report is at www.policeforum.org.

Business Lexington reports:

With a $30 million investment and additional 80 jobs, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK) will increase production of engines at its Georgetown plant by around 25 percent.

The plant expansion to allow 100,000 more four-cylinder engines to be produced annually was announced Tuesday morning in a press conference with Governor Steve Beshear. With completion targeted for August of next year, the expansion will bring total employment to approximately 6,700 and plant investment to more than $5.96 billion in the more than 25 years Toyota has been in central Kentucky.

The engines will be used for Camry and Camry Hybrids being produced in Georgetown and will also be exported to Canada for use in RAV4s being manufactured in Woodstock, Ontario.

“This is great news for our team members and our company,” TMMK President, Wil James, said in a release. “This project is the result of the strong partnerships we have locally and across the state which will help grow our business and strengthen the communities where we do business.”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority granted preliminary approval for $6.5 million in tax incentives for Toyota late last month as part of the Kentucky Business Investment Program for the project. According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s website, the total investment from Toyota is expected to cost $31.9 million, adding total 86 jobs at a wage of $26.60 an hour.

“This engine production increase, and the several announcements before it, reflect our growing optimism for an improving North American market,” said Steve St. Angelo, former TMMK President and now Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

The automaker recently announced a string of production increases including Toyota plants in Indiana, West Virginia and Canada. Today’s announcement joins those previously announced to add approximately $565 million in investment and nearly 1,000 jobs in the areas.

The Green River Area Development District (GRADD) is currently accepting applications from artisans, craftsmen, and food vendors who wish to participate in the 40th Annual GRADD Arts & Crafts Festival. This unique autumn Tri-State tradition will be held at Henderson’s scenic Audubon State Park the weekend of October 6-7, 2012.

The fee for art/craft booths (15 feet by 15 feet) is $100, and concession spaces (also 15 feet by 15 feet) are $150 each. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis until all spaces are filled. There is no commission taken on sales. For art/craft vendors, only hand-crafted items may be displayed and sold (no mass-produced items).

In addition to art/craft and food booths, this year’s event will also feature: artisan demonstrations, children’s activities, hayrides, live music (by Heath Eric & Molly G and Brad Snapp & Jarred Green), furry friends from the Humane Society of Henderson County, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s “Drive Smart” rollover simulator, and a cross country 5K challenge (benefiting the Brain Injury Adventure Camp in Robards).

The festival will run Saturday, October 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, October 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more details or to register, please visit www.GRADD.com/ACF or call Beth Goetz at (800) 928-9093. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook for all the latest updates.

5.8 – Seeking Arts & Crafts Festival Vendors.pdf