District 9 eNews - Thursday, February 4, 2016

 
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Bill Hollander

Councilman Bill Hollander
601 West Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1109
Email Bill

 

kyle ethridge

Kyle Ethridge
Legislative Assistant
(502) 574-3908
Email Kyle


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In this issue...


St. Matthews Library Expansion!

St. Matthews Library

There was great news for Library lovers last week, when Mayor Greg Fischer announced that he will ask Metro Council to make a $1 Million appropriation for the expansion of the St. Matthews Eline Library, located at 3940 Grandview Avenue.  The Mayor made the announcement in his annual State of the City address. 

St. Matthews Eline is the highest circulation library in the Louisville Free Public Library system.  It is located in District 9, in space provided by the City of St. Matthews, but is used by residents of a number of Metro Council districts.

The City of St. Matthews has proposed expanding the building to make more room for the library and it is estimated that it will spend at least $3 Million on the expansion.  Louisville Metro would add $1 Million.  I have been an enthusiastic supporter of the project, and Louisville Metro’s participation, since hearing of the possibility early last year.  It is great to see this kind of cooperation between Louisville Metro and the City of St. Matthews, to better serve the citizens we jointly represent.  Many thanks to St. Matthews and Mayor Rick Tonini for taking the lead on this investment in lifelong learning.

Mayor Fischer’s request for the Louisville Metro investment needs Metro Council approval and will first be considered by the Budget Committee, on which I serve.

Read more about the expansion plans in Martha Elson’s story from the Courier-Journal: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2016/01/28/fischer-proposes-1m-st-matthews-library/79451004/


Sustainability Story: Reuse, Recycle Shopping Bags

Just Creations

Both plastic and paper single-use checkout bags have significant environmental impacts. The manufacture and distribution of plastic bags uses fossil fuels that are in limited supply and better used for other, more critical things. Many of these bags wind up as litter along the roadsides and in our waterways, where they can be harmful to wildlife.  Paper bags are made from trees and use electricity and water in the production process.  

Just Creations, our local not-for-profit Fair Trade Marketplace, recognizes the environmental problems with single-use checkout bags and does not buy new bags for customer purchases. Throughout its 26-year history, Just Creations has reused bags that customers collect and donate. The store saves money that it uses for its mission - and it helps the environment by making single-use bags available for multiple uses.  It accepts all sorts of bags – including grocery bags, shopping bags and gift bags.

(While plastic grocery bags cannot be recycled at curbside, many stores provide bins to deposit them – another great sustainability practice.)

Just Creations is located at 2722 Frankfort Avenue.  Its mission is to provide marketing assistance to low-income craftspeople in the developing world.   The sale of products at the store helps to provide a fair wage for the artisans and enables them to pay for food, education, health care and housing.  Read more about Just Creations here: http://justcreations.org/

We’d like to feature your sustainability story - a resident or business doing good things for the environment.  Riding the bus, bicycling, walking, gardening and more - our eNews will feature practices which can benefit all of us.  Send your story to Bill Hollander or Kyle Ethridge


Cameras Installed at Bingham Park

Bingham Park camera

Bingham Park is on Coral Avenue, just south of Brownsboro Road, in Clifton.  One of eighteen Olmsted Parks in Louisville, Bingham features a playground, spray pool, restrooms and a well-used basketball court. Unfortunately, like many of our parks all over the city, Bingham was vandalized last year, resulting in significant damage to a restroom.

As a result of the vandalism and other concerns raised by neighbors, my office recently appropriated District 9 funds to install security cameras in the park.  The cameras are monitored at LMPD’s Real Time Crime Center and recordings are available in case they are needed. 

Bingham Park cameras 2

We are blessed with many parks in District 9, including Champions, Seneca, Eva Bandman, Crescent Hill (home of the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center), Beargrass Creek Greenway, Bingham, Breslin, Clifton, Eastover, Irish Hill, Kennedy Court and Story Avenue.  Maintaining them is a priority for my office and improving security is one way to do that.


D9 Community Conversation – Feb. 16

LMPD

The next Community Conversation is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Tuesday, February 16 at Whitehall House and Gardens, 3110 Lexington Road.  I have invited Major Shara Parks, 5th Division Major, to speak about recent crime in the neighborhood and to provide helpful information to protect your home and property. This is also an opportunity for you to visit with me about any concerns, issues or suggestions at a time and place we hope will be convenient to you.  Please mark your calendar and stop by – and bring along a friend or neighbor!


Tax Preparation Appointments Available

tax prep

My office is partnering with the Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) to provide FREE tax preparation services again in 2016. The service is FREE if you earned $55,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or less in 2015 or if you quality for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Call the office today to see if you qualify and make your appointment! Appointments are available on four Fridays (Feb. 5, Feb. 19, Mar. 18 and Apr. 1) between 9:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please call the office at 574-3908 to make an appointment. 

Do you instead file your own taxes? Through the LABC website there are two options to self-file online. The “Turbo Tax Freedom Edition” is available if you have $31,000 or less in income. The software has a well-designed interview process that guides you through the process of making decisions about your filing status, inputting your income and making decisions about deductions and tax credits for which you may qualify. The other option is “My Free Taxes”, which is available if you make $60,000 or less. This program is developed by H&R Block and uses an interview process. Please visit, http://labcservices.org/index.php/free-tax-filing-at-labc-services, for more information.


Upcoming Junk Pick Up in February

junk collection

The 9th District Urban Services District (USD) will have junk collection set-out on a select weekend in February, depending on your address.  You may begin setting out your junk Friday afternoon prior to your junk pick-up week and must have it all out by Monday at 6:00 AM.  For your specific junk set-out weekend please visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-9 and scroll to the bottom of the page to “MyLouisville” and enter your address, call the office at 574-1109, or email Kyle Ethridge.  For collection guidelines please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/services/junk-and-bulk-trash-disposal. You may now sign up for junk set out reminders by email and text under “MyLouisville”.


Chenoweth Lane Public Meeting - Feb. 29

KYTC

Plan to attend the second Chenoweth Lane Public Meeting on Monday, February 29 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Broadway Baptist Church, 4000 Brownsboro Road, 40207. This meeting is to get input from the public on potential changes to Chenoweth Lane between Shelbyville Road and Brownsboro Road. Representatives from the KY Transportation Cabinet and their consultants will be available to answer questions. 

State officials have announced the proposed 3-lane widening of Chenoweth Lane will no longer be considered, a decision I supported. Other alternatives are still being considered and will be presented at this public meeting. Some changes suggested include drainage, pedestrian and bicycle facilities. 

Written and oral comments will be accepted during the meeting. Written comments will be accepted at the District Five Office, Attn: Judi Hickerson, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, 8310 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40242. 


Please Consider a Donation to UCHM

UCHM

The current needs at United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) include:

  • Donations for emergency financial assistance to help families with housing costs, most specifically rent payments.
  • Reception volunteers
  • Toliet tissue, diapers (sizes 3,4,5 most needed), protein sources (peanut butter, canned tuna, chicken, salmon, beef stew, etc.)

Please call UCHM at 893-0346 if you can help provide any of the above items.


FleaTiques at Mellwood Antiques

FleaTiques

Mark your calendars for FleaTiques at Mellwood Antiques, 1860 Mellwood Avenue. The event is held the 2nd weekend of the month beginning in April on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This is an outdoor market and the event is rain or shine. Each month will benefit a local charity, www.mellwoodantiques.com.

FleaTiques is now accepting applications for vendors for the 2016 season. Please email vendor requests to Kelli@renaissancebydesign.com.

2016 Dates:

April 9,10 – May 14,15 – June 11,12 - July 9,10 – August 13,14 - September 10,11 – October 8,9


District 9 Calendar Events

Below are some Ninth District calendar events!  To view a full listing of events please visit the District 9 Blog at http://district9news.wordpress.com/.  If you would like to submit events to be considered for the blog calendar please email Kyle Ethridge or call 574-1109.

Thursday, February 4: St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Avenue, to host Lincoln Slept Here: Presidential Visits to Louisville at 2:30 p.m. While George Washington never visited here, many other U S Presidents have: from Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln, to FDR, Harry Truman, and JFK. Steve Wiser will provide the fascinating details of their visits as well as where they slept. He will also discuss Louisville’s own President: Zachary Taylor. Questions please call 574-1771.

Thursday, February 4: Carmichael's Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue, to host Bob and Vicky Ullrich for a book signing, discussion and photo presentation about the integral role that German Americans have played in the history of Louisville at 7:00 p.m. Questions please call 896-6950.

Thursday, February 4: Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Avenue, to host a talking book discussion group at 7:00 p.m. Plan to discuss Room by Emma Donoghue. Books available at branch circulation desk. Questions please call 574-1793.

Thursday, February 4: Crescent Hill Community Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Peterson-Dumesnil House, 301 S. Peterson. For more information visit, http://www.crescenthill.us/.

Thursday, February 4: The Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street, to host Eric Bibb and Corey Harris at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online.

Friday, February 5: Did you earn $55,000 or less in Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in 2015?  If the answer is yes, you might qualify for FREE tax preparation!  The 9th District has partnered again with the Louisville Asset Building Coalition to provide FREE VITA tax preparation to anyone making $55,000 or less.  To make an appointment or for more information please call the 9th District office at 574-1109.  Appointments are available between 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at United Crescent Hill Ministries, located at 150 S State Street.

Saturday, February 6: Bingham Park volunteer opportunity from 10:00 a.m. - Noon.  Bingham Park is located on Coral Avenue off Frankfort Avenue.  Cleanups are scheduled the 1st Saturday of every month.  Please note these dates are subject to cancellation due to weather. For more information and to register, please call Sarah Wolff at 456-8125 or visit www.olmstedparks.org/events

Saturday, February 6: American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, to host the art of bookmaking from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Please make reservations by Noon on February 5. The art of bookmaking has been around for centuries, from the beautiful illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages to the unique embellished journals found in gift shops today. If you can glue, stitch, or fold you already have the basic skills to create some spectacular gifts and keepsakes. Free to the public but space is limited so registration is required. Call 502-899-2213 or email kcarpenter@aph.com to register. Best for ages 10 and up.

Monday, February 8: St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Avenue, to host iPad for beginners at 3:00 p.m. Learn the basics of iPad usage including adding/removing apps, taking pictures, using facetime and basic care taking tips. Call to register. Questions please call 574-1771.

Wednesday, February 10: WFPK Winter Wednesday FREE concert at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and performances begin at 7:30 p.m. There is a pre-concert reception from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Visit wfpk.org for more info.

Wednesday, February 10: Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Avenue, to host great decisions 2016 at 7:00 p.m. A group discussion on many of today’s most urgent foreign policy issues that is intended to engage citizens in learning about the world. Participants should make a commitment to attend all 8 sessions. Space is limited. Call 574-1793 to register.

Thursday, February 11: Carmichael's Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue, to host Garth Greenwell for a free book signing and discussion of new narrative What Belongs to You at 7:00 p.m. Questions please call 896-6950.


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