As a member of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, a grass-roots organization dedicated to progress in Kentucky, I was thrilled to go over to disadvantaged neighborhoods in the West Side last semester to register voters.

For months, the pounding bass drum beats, the acrid spray paint, the soft steps and words permeated the neighborhood wedged between Veterans Memorial Parkway and Old Morgantown Road. Tuesday night, they finally crossed the tracks. The youth art program Kaleidoscope exhibited its multimedia performance called Voices4Justice last night at Broadway United Methodist Church before an audience of about 50.

Syleethia Holesome was at church one Sunday, absently listening to her friends, when her eyes wandered to a house across the street. It looked old and run-down. She had always assumed it was condemned. Then she saw a little girl come out of the house and start to play.

On Friday, local opthamologist Rand Paul watched his 8-year-old son William sink two free throws. His wife Kelley couldn’t believe she missed it. Last week, Rand Paul had to miss his 11-year-old-son Duncan’s basketball game. So Kelley took over his coaching duties.