District 9 eNews - Thursday, September 17, 2015

 
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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...


Google Fiber Eyeing Louisville

google fiber

Google Fiber and Mayor Fischer announced last week that Louisville is one of three additional cities being considered for a fiber-optics network that could provide ultrafast Internet service, at lower prices than is now being charged for other services.  Google Fiber can provide broadband speeds of a gigabit per second, or 1,000 Mbps, where download speed in Louisville now averages 11.9 Mbps. The monthly residential costs in other cities with the service are $130 for TV and Internet or $70 for only Internet.

Louisville was named along with Irvine and San Diego, two California cities, for a joint planning process between Google Fiber and city leaders.  First steps involve a detailed study of factors that affect construction, such as local topography, housing density, and the condition of existing infrastructure. Meanwhile, cities will complete a checklist of items - such as providing a map of utility lines—that will prepare them for a large-scale fiber build.  Google Fiber says the process, which it has used in other cities which eventually received the service, takes a massive infrastructure project and breaks it into manageable pieces. 

When the planning process is completed, Google Fiber will determine if and when it can begin providing its service in the city.  

Google Fiber’s announcement noted that Louisville and the other two cities “are growing tech hubs with entrepreneurial cultures—great places to show us what’s possible with gigabit speeds.  We’re looking forward to working together as we explore bringing Google Fiber to these communities.”

To show your interest and receive updates from Google on its progress, enter your physical and email addresses here:  https://fiber.google.com/about/louisville


Haldeman Water Main Work

Haldeman

Last week there were three water main breaks on Haldeman Avenue in Clifton. It’s been a rough period for residents as crews closed the street, worked to connect a temporary water service line and prepared the street for work on the water main. The Louisville Water Company determined the water main needs to be replaced and work started last week by removing the old bricks on the street. Louisville Water plans to clean the bricks and then replace them back onto Haldeman after the new main has been installed.

Louisville Water will work to begin the installation of the new water main the week of September 21. It anticipates the project taking several months but plans to work hard to minimize lane closures and temporary water outages. Stay tuned for additional information about this project.


Sustainability Story: Solar

Solar

Last month, Metro Council approved a resolution encouraging more solar energy facilities -- both in private and public spaces in Louisville.  I was proud to be one of the two original sponsors. 

D9 resident Steve Ricketts is an owner of Solar Energy Solutions (SES) (http://www.solar-energy-solutions.com/), which installed the solar panels off Cannons Lane that power the Air Pollution Control District's station and other facilities there (featured in our August 27 eNews).    The company is currently completing solar arrays on Louisville Metro Housing  Authority' s Sheppard Square revitalization in Smoketown.   The former Presbyterian Community Center at the site will be transformed into housing for the elderly and disabled, including apartments for disabled veterans. The rehabilitation of this property also includes community space on its main level, which will house a variety of offices and a large community room. It will be powered by a 200-panel solar system.   SES will start the installation in October and be complete by year end.  In addition, seven apartment buildings, with eight units each, will have solar.  Each of these buildings will have a 20-panel solar system.  The photo shows progress at the site earlier this summer.

President Obama recently announced a series of measures designed to put more solar panels on low-income housing and expand access to solar power for renters.  The plan's goals include tripling the amount of solar power installed on low income housing and promoting “community solar" -- solar panels on public property that supply clean power to renters or others without the ability to put panels on their roof.   The plan is part of the administration's overall plan of transitioning to cleaner energy by offering support for renewables.  The administration notes that the cost of a typical rooftop solar system has fallen by 50% since 2010, and that last year more solar power was brought online every three weeks than in all of 2008.

D9’s Steve Ricketts thinks the combination of solar and affordable housing has great potential.  He also hopes Metro Council's recent resolution will be a first step in Louisville taking more of a role in an area where it has lagged.  I do too!

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


PARC Parking Meters

Passport

The Parking Authority of River City (PARC) recently launched a new system so residents and visitors to Downtown Louisville could pay for their parking transactions by mobile phone. Motorists may initiate parking sessions from the comfort of their vehicle, or while walking to their destination – without ever needing to deal with credit cards or coins!

To use the new PassportParking system, customers register for free from their mobile phone by downloading the mobile app, calling the toll free number on the signage or sticker or at www.passportparking.com.

Once registered, motorists can use a mobile app, the internet, or a mobile phone call to 502-785-7230 to pay for parking. The phone number is displayed on signage throughout the city and on the parking meters and pay stations.

After setting up the account, customers can immediately start using the system with their registered mobile phone. Motorists can also select the option for reminders to receive text message & in-app reminders before your time expires. Motorists can track parking expenses & print reports through PassportParking’s secure site.


Volunteer for the 2015 Tax Season

tax prep

For the past seveal years, the District 9 office has hosted a mobile tax preparation site at United Crescent Hill Ministires, offering free tax prepration to individuals and families under a certain income bracket. Each year we depend on volunteers to help prepare taxes and greet clients at our mobile site. We have a few dedicated volunteers that help us out every year, but we need more! This year we’d like to offer additional tax preparation dates and hope you’ll consider joining our team! If you are interested in volunteering for the 2015 tax season (February-April 2016) please contact Kyle Ethridge at kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov or call 574-1109. The first volunteer training will be offered on December 12.


UCHM After-School Program Underway

UCHM

United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) has begun an After-School program for the 2015-16 school year. It is open Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. to allow time for both middle and elementary school youth to participate. 

The program’s goals include:

  • Work on important school “stuff” (homework assignments & tutoring);
  • Allow the kids to learn from each other;
  • Eat healthy snacks;
  • Balance work with play – in UCHM’s game room or outdoors;
  • Encourage creative thinking;
  • Offer opportunities for expression through arts & crafts projects;
  • Maintain a safe space with qualified supervision; and
  • Work with each child and his/her family to best meet individual needs.

For additional information, to enroll your child, to volunteer, or to learn other ways you can participate, please contact Gayle Collins at 893-0346, ext 102.  Please enroll your child(ren) as soon as possible so they can plan staffing and programs more effectively.


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, September 17: UCHM, 150 State Street, to host Karaoke with The Larry Hale band at 11:30 a.m. Bring your friends and get the weekend started early.

Thursday, September 17: Carmichael’s Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue, to host Gerry Stribling at 7:00 p.m. A tough former Marine leads Buddhist basic training for the average Joe. In Buddhism for Dudes: A Jarhead’s Guide to Mindfulness, Gerry “Strib” Stribling, former Marine and all-around good guy, answers questions on life and living with a healthy dose of Buddhist wisdom for the regular guy. Strib takes a look at who the Buddha was, meditation, karma, and more. With good humor and without sentimentalism, he explains these down-to-earth insights in everyday language. Showing how Buddhism boldly approaches life’s problems head on, unflinching and alert–like a soldier in a forward listening post in the dark of night–Strib emphasizes the Buddhist call to moral action for the good of oneself and others. Questions please contact the store at 896-6950.

Friday, September 18Big Rock After Dark at 6:00 p.m. held at Great Flood Brewing and Vines & Canines, 1985 Douglass Blvd. Custom Crafted Big Rock IPA and Original Bourbon Cocktail! Food Trucks—“Get it on a Bun at Booty’s” and “Tasty Tuxedo”. Music by Drew Miller and Internet Friends.

Friday, September 18: The Clifton Center, located at 2117 Payne Street, will host a concert by one of the most influential bands in bluegrass history when Hot Rize performs at 8:00 p.m. The band, which last performed in Louisville in 1987, is enjoying 4 nominations from the 2015 International Bluegrass Association Awards, including Album of the Year (When I’m Free), Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist (Tim O’Brien) and Guitarist (Bryan Sutton). Tickets are $32 and can be purchased online at www.cliftoncenter.org or at Carmichael’s Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue.

Saturday, September 19: Metro Parks to host annual NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Louisville Champions Park soccer fields, 2050 River Road. Children in five separate age divisions (6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15) compete against each other in punting, passing and place kicking in a fun and engaging forum. The competition is free and open to every youngster who wants to participate. For rules and more information, visit www.nflppk.com

Saturday, September 19: The Alexander Hamilton Historical Society of Kentucky will host its monthly book review at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Matthews branch library, 3940 Grandview Avenue. The speaker is Senator W. Scott Miller and the topic is John Paul Jones. Questions: please email ahhsky@gmail.com.

Saturday, September 19: The third annual “CQ Jam for WaterStep” beginning at 3:00 pm at Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille, 5700 Captain’s Quarters Road in Prospect. The event will feature a waterfront stage where bands will perform, allowing the local boating community to beach or anchor and enjoy the festivities. The $20 suggested cover charge, as well as a portion of the evening’s food and beverage sales, will benefit WaterStep, a Louisville-based organization that works to save lives around the world with safe water. Special VIP ticket upgrades, which include food and beverage perks and special seating, are also available. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at Captains Quarters Restaurant. Attendees are asked to bring their gently used shoes to the event to donate to WaterStep. WaterStep’s shoe program not only generates funds for the organization, but it also keeps tons of waste out of landfills by repurposing the shoes. Any size, style, and condition of shoes is accepted. For more information, call (502) 568-6342 or visit www.waterstep.org.

Sunday, September 20: Join the City of Lyndon for Summer Nights at Romara Place – a FREE summer concert series from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Bands will be playing music from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Just bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and enjoy some great music. Please park at Lyndon City Hall, 515 Wood Road, and then catch a shuttle over the Romara Place. Disorientated Pedestrians are set to play in September.

Monday, September 21: St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Avenue, to host Microsoft Excel 1 at 9:00 a.m. This class is an introduction to Microsoft Excel, a program used to create spreadsheets. Topics include entering data, simple formatting, and basic formulas. Call to register. Questions please call 574-1771.

Tuesday, September 22: St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Avenue, to host starting a business at 6:30 p.m. Toni Sears of the Small Business Development Center will discuss issues and questions common to first-time entrepreneurs. Business reference librarian Seth Cohen will then present library resources that help entrepreneurs research their business. Questions please call 574-1771.

Tuesday, September 22: Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Avenue, to host Dr. Eric Roorda, History Department with Bellarmine University at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Roorda will discuss the history of the Dominican Republic with special focus on the involvement of the United States and events in the twentieth century. Questions please call 574-1793.


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