Thursday, February 13, 2014
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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Scam artists take advantage of every major event or holiday to launch scams, and Valentine’s Day is no exception! For more tips, go to www.bbb.org or call 1-800-388-2222. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns, look out for these scams:
Social Media Scams
Beware of any “free” love giveaways, like flowers, perfumes, or vacations. These “free” giveaways take you to a third-party site, where your personal information can be compromised.
Phishing
You receive an email warning that the gift or flowers you ordered cannot be delivered because of a problem with your credit card. The email has a link that directs you to a spoof site where you have to re-enter your credit card information.
Ecards
An email from “a friend,” links to an online greeting card, but when you attempt to download the card, malware goes onto your PC and your personal information is compromised. If you get a Valentine’s Day email from someone, unless you confirm that they sent it, don’t follow the link!
Instant Messages
If you receive an instant message inviting you to become involved in a romantic online chat, think again. The infamous “Flirt-bot” is a great example of an automated chat program that works with instant messaging sites, trying to get victims to share information about themselves, then it takes the victim to a website that requests a credit card number supposedly for proof that the person is over 18. This is a phishing attempt!
Catfishing
Scammers use online dating sites to target singles. This is known as catfishing. The scammer creates a fake profile, reals the victim in, and then asks for personal information or money. If your “match” asks for money to cover travel expenses or has a sudden emergency requiring a lot of money, there is a high probability it is a scam.
Valentine Apps or Games for your Mobile Device
Get them only from trusted application markets, and read the fine print! Do they really need all of your personal information? And, remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
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The Louisville Metro Board of Zoning and Adjustment, which must approve the conditional use permit that allows JBS Swift to operate, is holding a hearing on Monday, February 17th at 8:30 am, to decide whether JBS Swift can expand its facility at the Story Avenue Site. The hearing will be held in the Mayor’s Gallery, 527 W. Jefferson Street, 4th Floor.
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A group of 18 citizens and elected officials would be responsible for helping propose which capital projects could be put to voters in a citywide referendum and funded with a temporary one percent sales tax, under a proposal announced today. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Metro Council President Jim King and Bill Dieruf Mayor of Jeffersontown and president of the Jefferson County League of Cities, have proposed the creation of the Community Investment Commission. It would be charged with gathering community input on what building projects could be put on the ballot under the local option sales tax, now being considered in the Kentucky General Assembly. Among other things, the commission would hold public meetings and develop a potential list of building projects and create cost estimates -- and then forward the findings and recommendations to the Metro Council, which has the final authority to decide what projects are put on the ballot.
The commission’s 18 members (17 voting, 1 non-voting chair) would include:
- Six (6) citizens appointed by Metro Mayor (three from A/B/C former county commission districts inside the Urban Services District; three from the A, B and C districts outside the Urban Services District);
- Seven (7) representatives from the Metro Council, appointed by Metro Council President and they would represent the partisan balance on the Council at time of appointment;
- Four (4) representatives from the Jefferson County League of Cities, representing the 82 small cities within Jefferson County.
The commission would hold public meetings and conduct online forums to gather citizen input and recommend which projects would be put to voters for approval or denial.
The Metro Council must approve the projects by a majority vote before they are sent to voters. If the Metro Council wanted to amend, delete or add a project or projects, it would require a supermajority vote (60 percent).
Fischer, King and Diuref said the commission structure ensures that there is wide representation of urban and suburban citizens, both elected and non-elected, and those who live in and outside of the Urban Services District (the boundaries of the former city of Louisville prior to merger).
The work group will meet again at 11 a.m. Monday to hear more details from Mary Ellen Wiederwohl, Fischer’s Chief of Strategic Initiatives and Deputy Chief of Staff. Dieruf said the investment commission is a fair way to advise on projects -- and it ensures that suburban cities are at the table in a significant way. The proposal for the commission follows the introduction of the local option bill in the Kentucky Senate by Sen. Paul Hornback, R-Shelbyville. Hornback's bill would amend Section 181 of the Kentucky Constitution to allow for up to a one percent sales tax that would be levied in a city or county for specific capital projects. The projects and the tax would be put to voters in a referendum and, if approved by a majority, money collected would be used for the project or projects -- and when the projects are paid for, the tax goes away. For more information, visit liftkentucky.com
The city, in partnership with OpportunitySpace, has launched an online platform that publishes details about every government-owned parcel of land and building in the Louisville region. The database can be accessed at beta.opportunityspace.org. The comprehensive catalog brings together property data from various government agencies and centralizes it in a single, searchable website that is free and open to the public. One of its current uses is for the city’s “Lots of Possibilities” land use redevelopment competition for vacant properties, in which residents can submit ideas to repurpose a vacant lot in the city. By compiling and sharing this data, OpportunitySpace and Louisville Metro aim to engage citizens and the private sector in community development. Small business owners looking to open new storefronts can find government property available for sale. Concerned citizens can reclaim underutilized lots for community gardens, bike lanes, or art installations. Real estate developers can identify parcels and neighborhoods that are prime candidates for investment. The company is providing design and technological support to the “Lots of Possibilities” competition, which runs until February 24. The winning entry will receive funding from the city to develop the idea. Full details about the competition can be found on the city’s VAPStat website: http://vapstat.louisvilleky.gov.
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My office is partnering with the Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) to provide FREE VITA tax preparation services again on four Fridays in February/March 2014. Call our office today to sign up for a FREE tax preparation appointment. This service is for individuals/families who earned $52,000 less in adjusted gross income in 2013. If you received income from the sale of your home, own rental property OR received $10,000 in cash in self-employment and $5,000 in expenses you are not eligible for this FREE tax service. FREE tax preparation will be offered on Friday February 14, 28, March 14 and 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at United Crescent Hill Ministries, located at 150 S State Street. Call 574-1109 today to make an appointment!
Do you like to self-file your taxes?
- Did you make $31,000 or less in AGI in 2013? Then click here to use Turbo Tax Freedom Edition.
- Did you make $58,000 or less in AGI in 2013? Then click here to use My Free Taxes to self-file.
If you are interested in volunteering to help prepare taxes please call or email Kyle Ethridge for a list of training dates and information.
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Message from Kathy Weisbach, Crescent Hill Radio
I am writing to ask you all to help me get out the word. Crescent Hill Radio needs more shows to fulfill our obligation of 8 hours of local programming per day, once we go low-power FM. I had originally thought that since the playlist was full of local music that would count - but the FCC has specifically ruled out any kind of automation programming to be counted toward that 8 hours. Eventually, once we have more income into the station I will be looking for more live shows and DJ's. Those require more expenses and work hours, so right now I am looking for anyone who is interested in creating more pre-recorded programming for us. These would be made at the show creators home or facility and sent to me on a weekly basis. Underwriting/sponsorship for such a show can be acquired by the show creator using our 501(c)3 status to compensate for the work involved. If you or anyone you know is interested, please let me know or forward this information to them.
Pre-recorded shows would be one hour, could be talk/interviews or music, but music would have to be from Louisville, Kentucky or Southern Indiana. The show creator would have access to our music database online. Any talk show content would have to fall within the perimeter of our mission - to help bring the community together.
A working knowledge of simple audio editing would be needed and a decent microphone and computer. For more information contact Kathy Weisbach at Kathy@crescenthillradio.com.
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LG&E and KU are willing to work with residential customers challenged by the cold weather’s impact on their utility bills. Residential customers anticipating difficulty paying their bills are encouraged to contact customer service representatives, who will address their individual situation. LG&E residential customers can call (502) 589-1444. KU residential customers can dial (800) 981-0600.
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The Jefferson County Extension Office is hosting Food Preservation Canning Classes this spring. Sign up today. Classes will be located at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Services (Metro Government Building).
Class dates are as followed:
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April 23rd 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
- April 30th 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
- May 21st 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Please RSVP to Valerie Holland or Monique Pearce at 502-569-2344 or by email to Dorothy.pearce@kysu.edu or vmhollan@uky.edu
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The Pace Car Program is a citizen-based traffic calming initiative that encourages residents to take responsibility for their own driving while setting the "pace" for safer streets and neighborhoods. Residents will be able to sign an official Pace Car registration form and pledge the following:
“Drive the speed limit on city streets, especially in residential areas, setting the pace for vehicles behind me; stop completely at STOP signs and don’t run red lights; be courteous to all bicyclists; pedestrians and other motorists; give myself enough travel time so that I am not sacrificing safety or courtesy; devote my full attention to driving by avoiding distractions, i.e.: cell phones; not be pressured by the impatience of other drivers to exceed the speed limit; keep my sense of humor, life’s too short to let driving stress my out!; and display the Metro Pace Car Program decals or bumper stickers.”
By signing this pledge you will receive an official Pace Car bumper sticker or car window sticker to display on your vehicle. The sticker will alert other drivers that they are taking part in the citizen-based effort to address the problems of traffic speed and safety.
To sign up for this program please click here to download the Official Pledge Form. Read, sign and date the form and return it to our office. Please indicate if you would prefer a bumper or window sticker for the program.
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Below are some Ninth District calendar events! To view a full listing of events please visit the Ninth District Blog at www.district9news.wordpress.com
If you would like to submit events to be considered for the blog calendar please email Kyle Ethridge.
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Thursday, February 13 - Friday, February 14: The Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission will host its 2014 Race and Relations Conference at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., and Jefferson Community & Technical College, Health Science Building, ASB Auditorium, 109 E. Broadway Street. This year’s Luncheon Keynote is Dr. Pedro Noguera, the Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education at New York University, and workshops to address issues in the areas of Employment, Parental Engagement, Understanding the Stand Your Ground Law, Housing, The Voting Rights Act, Immigration, Media, Recent Supreme Court Decisions, and The Science of Unconscious Bias and its Effects on EEO. Interested persons and groups may register with credit card on-line at www.louisvilleky.gov/humanrelations/. The deadline for registration is February 6th.
Thursday, February 13 – Friday, February 14: Do you want to give your special someone a big surprise for Valentine’s Day? Try a Singing Valentine! For $40, a quartet from the Pride of Kentucky Chorus will deliver a song, a flower, and a personalized card to your special someone anywhere in the Louisville metropolitan area (including Southern Indiana). They also deliver Ringing Valentines by telephone anywhere in the USA. Delivery dates February 13-14 or by special arrangements. Call 502-368-7664 or go to their website, www.prideofkentuckychorus.org to order.
Thursday, February 13 - Sunday, February 23: 4th Annual Chocopalooza - two weeks to celebrate the one and only, chocolate! With 10 different chocolate inspired ice cream flavors, chocolate brownies, chocolate cookies, chocolate truffles and more! Visit their 2221 Frankfort Avenue location for some chocopalooza!
Thursday, February 13 - Saturday, February 15: Varanese Restaurant, located at 2106 Frankfort Avenue, will celebrate Valentine's Day by offering "A Taste of Love Aphrodisiac Dinner". The dinner will include a special seductive menu of appetizers, entrees, and desserts that are comprised of aphrodisiac ingredients designed to stimulate the appetite and inspire the heart. All items can be ordered a la carte, and the regular menu (excluding sandwiches) will also be available. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (502) 899-9904 or emailing letsdine@varanese.com.
Friday, February 14: Whitehall House & Gardens, 3110 Lexington, hosts a Valentine's Day dinner at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy a 5-course feast served by romantic candlelight inside the historic mansion. $75 per person for dinner or $100 for dinner and wine. To make a reservation please call 897-2944 or email whitehall@historichomes.org. $30 per ticket is tax-deductible. Gratuity is not required.
Friday, February 14: Renowned roots musicians Ruthie Foster and Eric Bibb will perform their "Thanks for the Joy" concert at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street at 8:00pm. Tickets are $24 and may be purchased at CliftonCenter.org or at Carmichael's Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue. Ticket holders are invited to a pre-concert Valentine's Day party with a cash bar featuring Korbel champagne and complimentary chocolates. A cash bar will be available during the concert as well. "Thanks for the Joy" is part of the Center's MINI of Louisville LIVE concert series. For more information, please visit www.CliftonCenter.org or call (502) 896-8480.
Saturday, February 15: The Mayor's Youth Opportunity Showcase at the Kentucky International Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 1A/B, 221 S. 4th Street, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Showcase is open to Louisville young adults ages 16-21 who want part-time, summer and full-time employment. Those attending should come dressed to interview with employers and have their I.D.s and copies of their resumes. Youth must register online at www.kentuckianaworks.org by Feb. 12, 2014, to attend. For more information about the Mayor’s Youth Opportunity Showcase, go to www.kentuckianaworks.org.
Saturday, February 15: Carmichael's, 2720 Frankfort Ave, welcomes J.D. Wilkes for a discussion of his new book Barn Dances and Jamborees Across Kentucky. at 4:00 p.m. Questions please call 896-6950 or visit http://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/event/barn-dances-and-jamborees-across-kentucky
Wednesday, February 19: Neighborhood Meeting Notice re 1373 Lexington Road and Irish Hill Neighborhood Meeting. Cityscape Residential is planning to file an application to rezone the property from M-3 Industrial to R-8A Multi Family Residential to construct an apartment community on the property. Meeting will be held at 6:30 pm at Kentuckiana Girl Scouts, 2115 Lexington Road.
Wednesday, February 19:Varanese Restaurant, located at 2106 Frankfort Avenue, will host a "Francis Ford Coppola Wine Dinner" with a reception at 6:30pm and dinner at 7:00pm. The evening will feature special guest speaker Todd Vice of Republic National Distributing Company and a six-course dinner paired with wines from Francis Ford Coppola's Sonoma & Napa Estates. The cost is $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (502) 899-9904 or emailing letsdine@varanese.com
Wednesday, February 19: 91.9 WFPK Radio Louisville's free winter concert series returns! Now in its second season, WFPK Winter Wednesday concerts will take place once a month, November through February at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street. Programming announcements and details will be made as concert dates approach. Check in to WFPK.org for the latest information. Doors open at 6:30pm. The music will start at approximately 7:30pm. Preferred seating is available to members of 91.9 WFPK and the Friends of the Clifton Center. Members will receive information via email to reserve their seats prior to the general public.
Wednesday, February 19 - March 5: Bourbons Bistro, 2255 Frankfort Avenue, is a proud partner in this year’s 502 Restaurant Week, benefiting Dare to Care. The special 3-course menu for two totals $50.20.
Thursday, February 20: Irish-American band Solas will appear at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street at 8:00pm. The performance is part of the Center's Louisville Heritage Project, a four-part series designed to provide opportunities to learn about the diverse cultural traditions of Louisville's residents, as well as rich cultural traditions from other parts of the world. In addition to performing their multi-media spectacle, Shamrock City, during the first half of the concert, the legendary Celtic ensemble will offer a full set of the band's greatest hits in the second half. Tickets are $23-$27 per person and can be purchased at CliftonCenter.org or at Carmichael's Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue.
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