Councilman Mulvihill, State Representative Jim Wayne spoke to U of L social work students
 Councilman Mulvihill, U of L lecturer Liz Dumbaugh-Martin, center, and State Rep. Jim Wayne at University of Louisville.
Councilman Mulvihill and State Representative Jim Wayne spoke with social work students at the University of Louisville January 17. They joined lecturer Liz Dumbaugh-Martin's class to discuss social issues and the importance of constituent relations.
Flu kills one in Louisville, have you had a flu shot?
 The Louisville Metro Health Department confirmed Wednesday an older patient with underlying medical conditions died from the flu.
Flu shots are available at doctor's offices and many pharmacies. The Affordable Care Act covers immunizations as preventive services, so many people will have no out of pocket expenses to pay. To find the closest place to get a flu shot, visit cdc.gov/flu/consumer/index.html and enter your ZIP code
Camp Taylor
area/Poplar Level and Trevilian Way MSD sanitary sewer replacement project
updates
  
Eastern Parkway water
main replacement
 Willow Avenue is currently closed to through traffic from Eastern Parkway to Alexander Road. Local access is allowed but there will be no on street parking during the closure.
 Eastern Parkway is closed from Bardstown Road to Willow Avenue. Road closures range from one lane to all lanes and is expected to last through January 20.
Report those potholes!
 Cherokee Parkway is closed from Willow Avenue to Longest Avenue. This road closure is effective January 20 to February 28.
Report those potholes!
Metro Public Works (MPW) Roads and Operations Division works
year round patching potholes whenever they are reported. MPW encourages anyone
who spots a pothole in Louisville to report it to MetroCall as quickly as
possible. There are several ways to do it:
Whichever method you choose, make sure to be as specific
with location information as you can. Don't assume someone else has reported
it.
January 25 - Donation to Jim King MUSCL Senior Center from What the Germantown?! Festival
 Wednesday, January 25 at 2 p.m., What the Germantown?! Festival entities will present a $1,310 check to the Jim King MUSCL Senior Wellness Center at Schnitzelburg. The donation was raised by the fall What the Germantown?! Festival.
Upcoming events at the center include:
- January 27 - Bunco at 11 a.m.
- January 30 - Crochet Circle to make lap blankets for Parkway Rehab and Nursing Center residents.
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January 27 - Coffee with a Cop at BEAN on Goss
 Join your neighbors and police officers for coffee and conversation on Friday, January 27 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at BEAN, 1138 Goss Avenue. Questions? Contact Jessica.Morrison@louisvilleky.gov or call 502-574-7010.
January 27 - South East Associated Ministries trivia fundraiser
Germantown baseball,
softball, T-ball signups
 Online registration started January 1. Regular in-person sign ups are February 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and
February 5 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Details at germantownbaseball.com.
German-Paristown
Neighborhood Association – Monday Bingo
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German-Paristown Neighborhood Association's Monday Bingo is at the
GPNA center, 1094 E. Kentucky Street. Doors open at 9 a.m. For more information on the GPNA,
visit www.gpnalouisville.com. |
Louisville Nature
Center events
 Enjoy nature at the Louisville Nature Center.
- January 21 - Birding
for Beginners: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- January 28 - Winter
Hike 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- January 28, - Tanagram
Fun: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- February 4 – It’s Winter!
Where’s the Chipmunk? 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
- February 4 – Chipmunk Craft
– 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
- February 11 – Winter Hike,
1 to 2 p.m.
Events may require registration and a fee. Please check louisvillenaturecenter.org for
details.
Did you know the Louisville Nature Center has rental space available?
Birthday parties, baby showers, graduation parties, family gatherings, receptions, staff meetings? Host your event at the Louisville Nature Center. Your guests will enjoy a natural setting with views of the adjoining forest, kitchen access, and more. Call 458-1328 for more information.
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Win tickets to Wild Kratts Live!
Come to the Louisville Nature Center and your name will be put in a drawing for four tickets to the show. Drawing will be held January 31.
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Redevelopment of Colonial Gardens moves forward, will house local restaurant options
  Plans were filed Thursday for a $5 million redevelopment of Colonial Gardens
in south Louisville.
The adaptive reuse project includes renovating the 7,000-square-foot
historic Colonial Gardens building, as well as adding two new, one-story
buildings that will share a common patio and garden area.
Citizens sought successfully to designate the iconic Colonial Gardens
building, located across from Iroquois Park, as a local landmark in 2008. The
city purchased the property in 2013 to help foster its commercial redevelopment.
The site’s developer, Underhill Associates, is in talks with local
restaurant groups to occupy the space on the corner of Kenwood Avenue and New
Cut Road.
“Redevelopment will establish Colonial Gardens as a key anchor to south
Louisville and Iroquois Park once again,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “I applaud
our south Louisville Metro Council members and Underhill Associates for their
commitment to making this project a success.”
Construction is expected to begin on the property in mid- to late spring
2017.
Redevelopment submissions sought for former Urban Government Center in Paristown Pointe
 At the UGC site, 810 Barret Avenue, above, is the largest building. The site also includes 850 and 768 Barret Avenue, and the steam plant to the west of 850 Barret.
Louisville
Metro Government has issued a Solicitation of Interest for the redevelopment of
the former Urban Government Center (UGC) site in Paristown Pointe. The city
seeks a unique proposal to create and to implement an innovative and
sustainable development plan for property at 768, 810 and 850 Barret Avenue,
1235 E. Breckinridge and 814 Vine Street.
Redevelopment submissions should reflect the goals
established in Vision Louisville—sustainability, economy, livability,
connectivity, creativity, health and authenticity—and the community priorities
establishing through visioning meetings held in summer and fall 2016. A summary
of priorities can be found here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/urban-government-center
Respondents are strongly encouraged to attend at least one of two informational
sessions intended to provide an opportunity to view the UGC and to ask
representatives of Louisville Metro Government questions. These sessions will
take place on January 26 at 5:30
p.m. and February 4 at 10 a.m. at
768 Barret Avenue, on the UGC Property. Responses to
the proposal are due no later than March 15.
The 11.85-acre site is in the Paristown Pointe
neighborhood, with close proximity to Shelby Park, Germantown and Smoketown.
Immediately to the north of the UGC Property, $28 million is being invested
to redevelop the northern portion of Paristown Pointe into an arts and cultural
district that will include a 2,000-seat performance venue for the Kentucky
Center for the Arts, an expansion of the existing Louisville Stoneware and a
variety of food and beverage concepts to support these uses.
For the full Solicitation of Interest, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/urban-government-center
For questions concerning the Solicitation of Interest, please contact Laura
Ferguson at (502) 574-3503 or laura.ferguson@louisvilleky.gov.
First
RiverLink invoices will be mailed soon - drivers can open accounts and reduce charges
 Vehicle owners without prepaid RiverLink accounts will
soon receive their first invoices for tolled bridge crossings between
Louisville and Southern Indiana. Not all vehicle owners will receive invoices
at the same time. The first invoices were sent today, with additional
mailings to follow in the coming days.
Drivers with prepaid accounts and transponders pay the
lowest toll rates. For drivers without prepaid RiverLink accounts, cameras
capture license plates and invoices are mailed to registered vehicle owners.
Toll rates are higher because of higher administrative costs.
Vehicle
owners who receive bills in the mail can still receive lower toll rates, if
they contact RiverLink customer service, open a prepaid RiverLink account and
request a transponder.
As
with any bill or financial statement, vehicle owners are encouraged to check
their RiverLink invoices carefully for accuracy.
Vehicle
owners with questions about their invoices can contact RiverLink customer
service by phone (855-RIV-LINK), by email (riverlink.inquiry@riverlink.com) or in person at one of the two RiverLink customer
service centers - 400 E. Main Street in Louisville and 103
Quartermaster Court in Jeffersonville. The centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EST)
Monday through Friday. They are also open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (EST) Saturday.
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Neighborhood Place
events
Couponing Support Group, January 24 and 31, 11
a.m. to noon at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Avenue. Call 485-6145 for
more information or to register.
Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower, January
26, 1 to 3 p.m. at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road. Join us
at to explore the do’s and don’ts of a healthy pregnancy in a free, fun
setting. RSVP is required to Mendy Mason at 502-341-5400 or Melynda.Mason@centerstone.org.
About Neighborhood Place
A partnership of Louisville
Metro Government (including Community Services and Public Health and Wellness),
Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family
Services and Centerstone (formerly Seven Counties Services) -- provides
one-stop centers that bring together health care, education, employment and
social services at eight locations across the community. To find a Neighborhood
Place in your neighborhood, please call Metro Call at 311.
LMPHW syringe exchange
program
Louisville Metro
Public Health & Wellness maintains syringe exchange sites at:
- Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3640 River Park Drive, Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Inside LMPHW at 400 E. Gray
Street, Monday through Saturday)
- 1455 Bicknell Avenue (corner of
Bicknell and Taylor), Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Lake Dreamland Fire Station, 4603
Cane Run Road, Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The number of participants to the syringe exchange program
continues to grow. LMPHW is making an impact at stopping the spread
of diseases, connecting people to medical and treatment services, and keeping
used needles out of Metro streets and neighborhoods.
Metro Louisville rental properties must be registered by March 1
 Effective March 1, 2017, all property
in Louisville Metro and occupied or offered for occupancy in exchange for money
or any other consideration must be registered with Louisville Metro Government.
Information required includes the rental unit street address along with
current contact information of the owner and managing operator.
New owners, or any change in contact information, must be
updated on the registry within thirty days of that change.
Registration is FREE but requires an account with Develop
Louisville. Click the links below to establish an account and access the
registry, or to get detailed information and instructions on registry
requirements.
For more information about the registry, visit the Codes &
Regulations website here.
The need for the
Rental Registry was prompted after concerns were raised by code enforcement
inspectors, citing the difficulty in finding people responsible for problem
properties.
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Mayor's SummerWorks provides jobs and more
 If you're 16 to 21 years old, you can get a quality job this summer through Summerworks
It's an opportunity to earn a paycheck, but even more importantly, you'll get valuable business experience that could shape your future education and career. You might even land a summer job that ties in with what you are already learning in school.
We work to cultivate Louisville’s young talent by preparing and connecting youth to summer jobs and other work-based learning opportunities.
Our vision is that all Louisville young adults possess the skills and attributes that lead to lifelong career success. Youth signup deadline is May 1. Go to summerworks.org/sign-up to apply.
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Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) continues with Crisis Phase
 Some
Louisville residents at risk of being disconnected from utility services due to
financial hardship can now apply for aid through the Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance Program – or LIHEAP.
The program provides funding directly to
utility companies for qualifying residents living at or below 130 percent of
the poverty line. A family of four must earn less than $2,600 in gross monthly
income to qualify.
The Crisis Phase of LIHEAP will run through March 31,
or until available funds have been expended, whichever comes first.
Residents wishing to apply must make an appointment in advance
utilizing the new, automated appointment system: call 502-991-8391, or
schedule online at www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com
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Let's find these dogs from Louisville Metro
Animal Services a home
Free tax preparation for residents begins Monday
 Louisville Asset Building Coalition's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, and AARP Tax Aide programs utilize trained, IRS-certified volunteers who offer free tax services at more than 20 free sites across the city. The free service is available to individuals and families who earned less than $64,000 in 2016.
Appointments are recommended for VITA free tax assistance service and can be made now by calling 502-305-0005 or scheduling online at https://louisvillekyvita.cascheduler.com. For a complete list of VITA locations, including mobile sites, as well as hours of operation, visit http://labcservices.org/ or call Metro United Way’s 211 help referral service.
If you're interested in filing your own taxes online, go to https://www.labcservices.org/index.php/free-tax-filing-at-labc-services. Starting Monday, two software packages — MyFreeTaxes and Turbo Tax Freedom Edition — will be available for those who meet eligibility.
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 In addition to the VITA sites, AARP Tax Aide's mission is to serve any person comes through the door, with special attention to those 60 and older. AARP sites will open February 1. For a full AARP schedule and listing, including mobile sites, visit http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org or call 502-394-3443.
VITA and AARP volunteers will help determine if residents are eligible for the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families. Eligibility for the EITC is based on income, the number of family members and other criteria, as is the amount of your credit. Working families who earn about $53,000 or less may be eligible, with average credits last year more than $2,400.
Collectively, tax refunds filed by Louisville residents last year through the VITA campaign and AARP sites processed over 20,000 returns, adding over $19 million to the local economy, including more than $6 million in Earned Income Credits to residents.
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Community Financial
Empowerment Certification program offers new training classes
 "Dealing with Debt" - January 26 from 10
a.m. to noon in the first floor Conference room at the NIA Center (2900 W.
Broadway). Participants will learn about resources and tools concerning debt
management, debt reduction, and specific debt topics like student loans. This
training will count as continuing education credit in the certification
program. Any questions or concerns, please contact Joseph Cecil at 502-574-1969
or joseph.cecil@louisvilleky.gov.
To register for this class, please follow this link: http://www.cnpe.org/learnings/a051A00000FcAITQA3
"Reading Credit Reports" - February 22 from 10 a.m. to noon in the third floor Conference room at the
NIA Center (2900 W. Broadway). A bank expert will demonstrate how to read
credit reports and spot issues, plus discuss the impact bad credit or no credit
can have on access to employment, housing, and other aspects of your clients’
lives.
To register for this
class, please follow this link: http://www.cnpe.org/learnings/a051A00000FcAIYQA3
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Start Fresh! class to
help people get on the path to financial stability
 Bank On Louisville's Start Fresh! is a free workshop for people
who with negative (non-fraud) banking histories, are in ChexSystems, or are
banking for the first time.
It will help participants gain new information and tools to use
second chance or new checking accounts, think about their relationship with
money, and plan how they will make mainstream financial services work for them.
Upon completion of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate to use
to open a new account with one of Bank On Louisville's bank or credit union
partners. Upcoming workshops:
- February 9: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
at Louisville Urban League
- March 14: 10 a.m. to noon at
NIA Center
- April 11: 10 a.m. to noon at
NIA Center
To register for any of these workshops or get more information,
call Bank on Louisville at 574-5156.
Youth baseball,
softball and tee ball return to Wyandotte Park after 25 years - coaches are
needed
 For
the first time in more than 25 years, Metro Parks and Recreation will be
operating youth baseball and softball leagues at Wyandotte Park in south
Louisville for children ages 6-18. Sign-ups are available online now at this link. Tee ball will be
available for children ages 6 and under. Volunteer coaches are needed.
For
more information, click on this link: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/louisville-metro-parks-and-recreation-youth-baseball-softball-league
TARC seeks student
artists for "Design-A-Bus" contest
 TARC
and TreesLouisville, Inc. are partnering this year for the 18th annual
Design-a-Bus contest, featuring artwork by schoolchildren throughout Louisville
and Southern Indiana.
This year’s artwork will highlight the theme “Trees
Louisville” to draw attention to the need to plant trees for a more
livable and healthy community now and for future generations.
The Design-a-Bus contest is open to all elementary and middle
school students in Jefferson, Oldham and Bullitt counties in Kentucky and Floyd
and Clark counties in Southern Indiana. Twelve winners will be chosen to have
their posters displayed on a TARC bus, and winners and their adult guests will
be invited to participate in the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade on Thursday, May
4, celebrating their victory. Artwork becomes the property of TARC.
For more information,
and further inspiration, students are encouraged to visit https://treeslouisville.org/ or ridetarc.org. This year's entry deadline
is Friday, February 24.
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"Keep Kroger" rally January 21
Metro Council members Barbara Sexton Smith and David James plan
to hold a "Keep
Kroger" rally at the Second Street store tomorrow at 11
a.m. The Kroger is scheduled to close January 31 after a dispute with the
landlord. While Kroger has offered to run a weekly shuttle bus to another
location, the closing would adversely affect the many elderly residents in the area,
as well as clients at the Center for Women and Families and the Bridgehaven
mental health program nearby. To sign the petition go to www.ipetitions.com/petition/food-is-a-human-right-in-louisville or call 1-800-576-4377 x3 to leave a message
Kind Fair - January 21
 The Kind Fair, "Uniting the Mighty Kind Coalition,"
will be January 21 at the Tim Faulkner Gallery from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is
an opportunity to become an ally of organizations working to make Kentuckiana
kinder for ourselves, each other, and the earth. Make a commitment to get
involved and create the community you want. The Tim Faulker Gallery is at 1512
Portland Avenue.
Happy 90th to the Speed Art Museum! Party January 21
 Come celebrate 90 years at the Speed Art Museum 90th Anniversary
Community Celebration January 21 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The celebration is
free and open to the public.
Owsley Sundays at the Speed:
Thanks to a generous contribution from Brown-Forman, anyone can
visit the Speed for free on Sundays through March 2021. The free Sunday admission is named in honor of the late Owsley
Brown II. Visit Sundays noon to
5 p.m. at 2035 South Third Street.
January 22 - Louisville Food Co-op Fundraising Meeting
 There will be a Louisville Food Co-op fundraising meeting Sunday, January 22 at the Main Library at 301 York Street from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. If you have ideas for raising funds, connections to funding, budget writing experience, and/or energy or time to put towards talking to people and getting the message out about the need for funds, please attend!
If you would like more information about the Louisville Food Co-op, attend their next public meeting on February 2 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3640 W River Park Drive. If you haven’t, please take the Louisville Food Co-op survey and follow their Facebook page for upcoming opportunities to get involved.
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January 22 - Learn about Louisville's community bike shop
 The first Falls City Community Bikeworks Meeting will be Sunday, January 22 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Center for Neighborhoods, 507 S Third Street.
This will be a great
opportunity to get an overview of the past year at FCCB, to learn about what’s
in store in 2017 and beyond, AND to find out ways to get involved. FCCB is looking for people to serve
on committees to help the organization fulfill its mission.
Check out FCCB online
or watch a video
about what they do.
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February 2 - State of the City Address
In a nod to one of Louisville Metro Government’s
biggest announcements of 2016 – a $29.5 million federal grant to redevelop the
Russell neighborhood –Mayor Greg Fischer will deliver his 2017 State of the
City address from the Baxter Community Center at Beecher Terrace.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, with the
program starting at noon (1125 Cedar Court). Lunch is $30 – sign up here: http://www.louisvillerotary.org/make-a-payment.php
February 10 - Legal Aid Society Know
Your Rights clinic
 The Legal Aid Society in conjunction with the Jefferson County
Public Law Library is offering a Know Your Rights Clinic to citizens who are
interested in learning about domestic violence hearings in our Family and
District Courts. (EPO, IPO, DVO).
- WHAT: Know Your Rights Clinic:
Domestic Violence Hearings
- WHEN: Friday, February 10 at
noon
- WHERE: Jefferson County Public
Law Library (514 W. Liberty Street, second floor.)
- PURPOSE: Clients will receive
assistance from attorneys regarding filing protection orders.
- Safety will also be
discussed.
- RSVP: Call the Law Library at
502-574-5943 to make a reservation.
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