(LOUISVILLE, Ky. - (May 16, 2005) To kick-off the registration drive for this year's LG&E Energy Foundation Street Ball Showdown, several local dignitaries tipped off the River City's biggest-ever game of "WIN," at 4th and Liberty, near the entrance to 4th Street Live.

Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson, WHAS Radio personality Terry Meiners, former Louisville star Robbie Valentine, and local media personalities went head-to-head to see who had the sweetest jump-shot, lay-up or trick shot this side of Freedom Hall. All they had to do is get three letters to beat their opponent...WIN.

Although the winner was determined by who misses the least amount of shots, the real champions are the families and children served by The Cabbage Patch Settlement House, who are the direct beneficiaries of the proceeds raised through the LG&E Energy Foundation Streetball Showdown.

The "Tip-Off" event began with speeches from Mayor Jerry Abramson, Tracy Holladay, executive director of The Cabbage Patch Settlement House and Laura Douglas, LG&E Energy's director of external communications, but the real fun began shortly before high Noon, when the players took to the court.

"We know the players are champions in the community - now we get to see how they fare on the hardwood," said Laura Douglas, LG&E Energy's director of External Communications. "In addition, this game will help drive Streetball Showdown registrations that will benefit a great organization that provides much needed services in our community."

The actual Street Ball Showdown is scheduled for June 25 and 26, in a parking lot at Slugger Field, on Main Street.

The Cabbage Patch Settlement House is a nonprofit organization that empowers families and children to be self-sufficient by helping them maximize their spiritual, social, emotional, physical, moral, economic and educational potential. The Cabbage Patch has staged Streetball Showdown since 1988 as its primary fundraiser. Streetball Showdown has grown into the area's largest, outdoor amateur athletic event, featuring 3,500-4,000 players of all ages and more than 70,000 spectators.

The LG&E Energy Foundation is an independent, nonprofit business entity established in 1994 to support education, community outreach, environmental projects and the arts in the communities served by LG&E Energy LLC and its subsidiaries. The Foundation has awarded more than $13.2 million in grants. Nonprofit organizations must be classified as IRS code 501(c)(3).



LG&E Energy LLC, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a diversified energy services company. LG&E Energy owns and operates Louisville Gas and Electric Company, a regulated utility that serves 318,000 natural gas and 390,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties, and Kentucky Utilities Company, a regulated electric utility in Lexington, Ky., that serves 518,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.