Want to safely get rid of those old prescription drugs or shred some documents you don’t need anymore? Then come to the free Drug Toss and Shredding Event sponsored by Metro Public Works, Metro Police and Metro Council on Saturday, October 18, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at 1032 Phillips Lane, across from the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center.

There is no limit on the amount of material residents may bring. Businesses may not participate in this event. All paper materials will be shredded on site and recycled to make materials such as compost, tissues and toilet paper. Qualified items include documents, discs, hard drives, credit cards and other confidential materials. Shredding donated by the Louisville Branch of Shred-It Louisville.

The Drug Toss will be done as a drive-through event. Bring expired or unused medications, bulk or loose tablets and capsules, or medications that should have been kept cold but were not.  Black out all personal information on ALL medication containers that will be tossed.

For safety reasons, we cannot accept sharps, needles, lances, cosmetics, personal care or hygiene items. Hospitals and medical offices may not participate in this event.

Medication products should NEVER be flushed down the toilet or drain, burned in the open or thrown in the trash because they can contaminate the environment if they get into the drinking and ground water.  They may kill bacteria or produce drug resistant bacteria in sewage treatment plants and septic systems if flushed down the drain. Burning can release toxic pollutants into the air. They can be scavenged from your trash receptacles to be illegally used or sold.  They can be taken mistakenly and cause serious health problems.

Additional tips to prevent identity theft:

• Do not keep Social Security cards in wallet or purse
• Do not put bills or checks in home mailbox for pickup
• Check credit reports, bank statements and credit card statements often for irregularities
•  Shred all documents with personal information
• Never give personal information to someone on the phone, internet or email claiming to be your bank
• Do not store credit card numbers on shopping websites

The 9th District Urban Services District (USD) will have junk collection set-out on a select weekend in October 2014, 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 http://www.louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/residential-recycling. You may now sign up for junk set out reminders by email and text under “MyLouisville”.

Please join me and my staff on Saturday, October 25th, for the 16th Annual Fall Community Cleanup along Brownsboro Road.  Plan to meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Kroger parking lot (2200 Brownsboro Road), please park in the spots closest to Brownsboro Road.  Enjoy coffee donated by Heine Brothers’ Coffee and breakfast sandwiches donated by McDonald’s in Clifton.  Gloves, tools and Louisville PureTap water will be provided to all volunteers.  Please bring your own reusable water bottle.  We’ll also pass out FREE t-shirts on a first-come, first-serve basis to volunteers.  The cleanup will officially begin at 9:00 a.m.  For more information please contact my office at 574-1109. 

Join the World Affairs Council on Thursday, October 16th at Louisville Collegiate School (2427 Glenmary Ave.) for their China Town Hall Event. The registration and reception will be at 5:30 with a presentation at 6:00pm to follow. The presentation will feature David M. Lampton, Author of "Following the Leader: Ruling China from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping" and Director of SAIS-China and China Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. The Live webcast with President Jimmy Carter will be at 7pm. If you are interested in attending please click here to register.

Simchat Torah (Jewish) - Begins the eve of Oct. 16th. Throughout the year, a set portion of the Torah is read each week. On Simchat Torah that cycle is finished when the last verses of Deuteronomy are read. The first few verses of Genesis are read immediately afterward, thereby starting the cycle again. For this reason, Simchat Torah is a joyous holiday celebrating having completed the study of God's word and looking forward to hearing those words again during the coming year. In Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated on the twenty-second day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, directly after Sukkot. Outside of Israel it is celebrated on the twenty-third day of Tishrei. The differences in date are due to the fact that many holidays celebrated outside the land of Israel have an additional day added to them because in ancient times the rabbis worried that without this extra day Jews might become confused about the date and accidentally end their holiday observances early. Simchat Torah services begin in the evening, at the start of the holiday. The Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and given to members of the congregation to hold, then they march around the synagogue and everyone kisses the Torah scrolls as they pass. This ceremony is known as hakafot, which means "to march around" in Hebrew. Once the Torah holders return to the ark everyone forms a circle around them and dances with them. There are seven hakafot in total, so as soon as the first dance is completed the scrolls are handed to other members of the congregation and the ritual begins anew. In some synagogues it is also popular for children to hand out candy to everyone. During Simchat Torah services the next morning many congregations will divide into smaller prayer groups, each of which will use one of the synagogue's Torah scrolls. Dividing the service up this way gives every person in attendance the opportunity to bless the Torah. In some traditional communities only the men or pre-bar mitzvah boys accompanied by adults bless the Torah (post bar mitzvah boys are counted among the men). In other communities women and girls are also allowed to take part. (Source: Interfaith Paths to Peace)

Please plan to attend this benefit concert for MedWater and United Crescent Hill Ministries this Saturday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 2800 Frankfort Avenue. Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at the church office on 2800 Frankfort Avenue, by phone at 896-4425, or through the church website at www.chbcky.org.

MedWater is a Louisville non-profit organization that is collaborating with global health organizations with established relationships in the Ecuadorian Amazon. MedWater works directly within communities to build their understanding of the need for safe water and helps them learn the skills to sustain it. As understanding about safe water grows, the whole community will become active participants in the collaboration. The outcome is significantly improved and sustainable community health.

United Crescent Hill Ministries is a community ministry for Crescent Hill, Clifton, Clifton Heights, and Butchertown. The ministry serves these communities with a wide range of services that include: emergency financial assistance, Dare to Care food, youth programming and homework assistance, Meals on Wheels, health prevention services, senior citizen meals and activities, including trips. UCHM is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.

On Wednesday, October 22, Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh will be honored with the “Tough Cookie Award” for the Girl Scouts’ Louisville Alumnae Celebration. The celebration will be from 11:30am-1:00pm at the Olmsted located at 3701 Frankfort Ave. The event is free, but you must RSVP. For more information or to RSVP contact Suzy Gessner at sgessner@gskentuckiana.org. Please click here to view the invitation. 

Enjoy the glow from thousands of artistically-carved, illuminated pumpkins will light up a wooded walking trail in Iroquois Park. The Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular, produced by Passion for Pumpkins, will take place nightly starting at dusk through Nov. 2. The trail is open from dusk to 11 p.m., staying open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets range from $9 to $15, with discounts for seniors and children 12 and under. Proceeds from the event benefit the Louisville Metro Parks Foundation. The event is held rain or shine.

The wooded trail begins just outside of Iroquois Amphitheater (1080 Amphitheater Road) and weaves its way for a third of a mile through the trees with themed sections set to music. An “A Journey Though Time” theme features different snap-shots throughout history along the path, with carved, lit pumpkins representing the most famous icons, moments, and historical figures associated with them. There is also a strong local theme with UofL, UK, Derby, and local celebrities featured. The pumpkins rotate on a weekly basis creating a different experience each weekend.

New this year, a Trail Pass that provides unlimited visits to the event, will be available for $40. Discounts are available at the Box Office when using your Thorntons Refreshing Rewards Card. Not to be combined with any other discount offer or special.

Individual tickets may be purchased daily, starting at 9 a.m., for use the same evening at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office or online at www.jackolanternlouisville.com