What's Happening Update @ November 22, 2013

Keeping you in touch and up to date-

- The last regular board meeting of 2013 was held at Monday, November 18. The board voted on the amended 2014 budget. It approved $2,200 in the budget for the garage mural, $750 for general maintenance, $200 of this for Rain Garden close down and $500 for painting inside the building. The board also voted to add wording to by laws about paid members needing to be in good standing to vote. All persons on our current mailing list will be asked to join at $5 per year starting in 2014. If a person joins they will receive our short neighborhood history book for free at the time they sign up. It was agreed that the current email list being used would be maintained to assure all people on it know what the happenings at GPNA are. Board recommended the calling of a Work Group session to plan goals for 2014. Steve Magre will lead this effort. Anyone interested in participating will be welcome to do so. This effort is not limited to board members.

- GPNA's 2013 work group agreed in early in the year to communicate GPNA issues via 4 separate ways. The first way was to make sure updates of what's happening were posted to the website twice a month. The other goal was for our website to become a repository of information that will keeping electronic versions of document tied to our compliance requirements and to the long history of our association.

#2 Way- The newest more popular way of folks communicating is what the board has chosen to focus most if its attention on. Thus we started our own Facebook Page. There will always be more frequent postings made to the Facebook page. We ask you to check it out, bookmark it, and definitely "like" us. Please visit often. Here is the address/link-

http://www.Facebook.com/GermanParistownNeighborhoodAssociation.

The third means is the production and posting of a quarterly GPNA e-newsletter. The newsletter will be placed to the Facebook page and will also be forwarded to all on our email listing via an email blast. The e-newsletter will also be up on the Danny Mac's Facebook page. In fact all posted updates to our website will be placed to Danny's. Thank you for this Danny. If you want to get onto our email listing please email Steve Magre at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The fourth way is one we use a lot less often. But on occasion we do like to produce hard copy notices. We generally distribute at stations provided by a number of our area retail businesses. And at times we will drop door to door throughout the area.

Please use the internet connect options to stay updated.

Membership and a free book-

After years of not charging an annual membership fee the Board decided the time has come to do so again. The good news is the cost is only $5. The better news for this coming year's membership is this. At the time you pay dues you will be given at no charge the newly published booklet titled "A Short History of Germantown and Paristown".  This book contains history of the association not shared before. It contains document proof that there was a neighborhood titled Paristown, and it lets all readers know the process to research your home address. The book is chalk full of interesting facts about shotgun houses, the mills and even the churches.

All we need for you to join is to provide your name, address and email address and $5. Those joining by an email simply email the info to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Steve will then bill you for the $5 and drop a book to your address. The other means of joining is by attending any function GPNA hosts.  At every event there will be a a welcome table where new members can complete their application. Persons signing up in this way would pay the $5 then and be handed the book. We will take cash if the new member is joining at an event but that is the only time we would do this. If forwarding payment for membership by mail we ask the individual to make a check out to "GPNA" for $5. The address to mail to is GPNA Center, 1094 E Kentucky Street, Louisville, Ky. 40202-1936. The other option is to drop the check into our front door mail slot at the center. Again, no cash if dropping off. Make sure it is in a sealed envelope marked "Membership".

Thank you, thank you, thank you-

GPNA items available to buy-

The supply of our unique and beautiful Shotgun Festival 2013 clay mugs is dwindling. The very talented Alex Adams is the artist that made these. The cost has is $10 per. The proceeds help offset building cost of the association. We have our Frogtown Mural coasters available but only a few are left. They were produced by Lima Bean and are a true conversation piece. The coaster sells at $3 per.  The short neighborhood history book just released is tied to membership as noted above. But if you want to purchase the book separately to have an added copy or copies to give out we welcome that. The book sells for $5. If you have interest in ordering one or all please email to Steve Magre at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Steve will work with you to complete the transaction.

Best neighborhood association bingo in the state-

Our Monday Bingo is in its 27th year of continual operation. Doors open at 9 AM and games start at 10:15 AM. The last game is normally played out by 12:15 PM. Our gaming license number is 00058 and posted. This long running weekly event offers residents a unique and fun experience. It certainly allow regulars attending to get to know their neighbors well. If you have not dropped by to play please do so. The weekly bingo session is held GPNA center, 1094 E. Kentucky Street. The location is just west of St. Therese Catholic Church. We can lay claim to this "best" title because we know of no other neighborhood association with a state gaming license approved to operate bingo sessions. The money raised has been so helpful in meeting our budget projections.

Compliance status- GPNA keeps on file its approval letter from the IRS. This letter stipulates that GPNA is a 501 (C4) non-profit organization. To stay in good standing we file an IRS-990 each calendar year. We also file with Kentucky to maintain legal recognition with the Commonwealth. The overall reporting to the state requires our forwarding an Annual Report and we must provide quarterly to the Department of Charitable Gaming detailed gaming activity reports.  We are required to complete annually a gaming license application.  GPNA is currently in full compliance and in good standing with the federal, state and city governments and all the reports listed have been filed on time.

A final reminder- The various updates here are shared for two reasons. In laying out these details please know we want you to think out how what you are good at might have helped. We hope you see opportunities to become involved. We would love to tap into your talents and commitment. If interested the easiest and best way to do so is to contact our administrator, Steve Magre. His phone number of 502-855-0223. Or send him an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You may also want to click on the category titled Board of Directors and see if any of the persons listed there are people you know. Any board member would welcome your call and would help you become involved.