Solar Over Louisville (SOL) is hosting a series of community workshops regarding solar. For anyone who is wondering if installing solar energy at their own home or business makes sense, or what factors to consider in this decision, these free workshops are designed to answer those questions.  Attendees will learn about solar energy basics, and how to determine if a solar system will be good for their specific circumstances.  The workshops will be held in branch libraries at the dates listed below.

Each workshop will cover basics about solar energy – what it is, how it works, its economic and environmental benefits, how to evaluate your site for solar potential, and next steps to take if you are interested in installing solar at your home or business. The presentations will be made by local solar installers.  Ample time will be allotted for questions and answers.

• Monday, July 31 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Ave.      
• Saturday, August 5 at 10:30 a.m. at Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Ave.
• Tuesday, August 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Main Library, 301 York St.                

Beyond the economic benefits, solar energy contributes to improved health and air quality, reduced carbon emissions, creating local jobs, boosting the local economy, and increasing energy security and resilience by diversifying the energy mix.  Going solar is a way to be an active participant in the rapid transition to a clean energy economy occurring today!

The City’s newly-designed Energy Project Assessment Districts (EPAD) program offers a way for businesses, nonprofits, and multi-unit residential facilities to finance their solar system through a property tax like assessment.  This removes the upfront costs that have previously served as a barrier to investing in solar.  In addition, the investment is tied to the building, not the property owner, so if the building is sold the remaining obligation is transferred to the new building owner who will now be receiving the benefits of the system.  The workshop will explain EPAD.  The City has published the EPAD application packet, which is available from the Office of Sustainability. 

For more information, contact Wallace McMullen, Solar Over Louisville Chair, at mcmulw@gmail.com or 502-963-5005.

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. 

APRON, Inc. is a non-profit that provides temporary, limited financial relief to professional food and beverage industry workers in the Louisville Metro area who work at locally owned establishments and who are experiencing financial distress due to illness, injury or other issues. Food service professionals who have suffered an accident, family emergency, criminal act committed against them or other catastrophic event are eligible for assistance.

You can help Apron and our local restaurant workers by participating in A Taste of Independents on Sunday, July 30, at The Olmsted, 3701 Frankfort Avenue, in D9.  The event features tastings from over 30 of Louisville’s top chefs, samplings of delicious adult beverages, Apron’s very popular Silent Auction, entertainment from the Robbie Bartlett Duo and presentation of the Corbett Award. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. More information and tickets are available here: www.aproninc.org/events. 

Shopping for Back to School supplies? Consider picking up some additional items and donating them to United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM), which serves residents in the 40206 zip code area, providing these supplies to children in grades K-8 who are in need of assistance. Below is a list of needed supplies. Please deliver them to UCHM, 150 S. State Street, during normal business hours.

• Backpacks (no wheels; assortment of girls and boys)
• Crayons (box of 24)
• Washable markers (box of 8)
• Pencil box or pencil pouch
• Pocket folders
• Scissors
• Ink pens (blue or black)
• Highlighters
• Composition Notebooks
• Notebook Paper

Please contact Katie Litanga at klitanga@uchmlouky.org or 502-893-0346 for more information.  

The upcoming school year is quickly approaching and back-to-school expenses can become a burden for many St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) parents.   St. MAM serves residents in the 40207 zip code and is hosting its annual “Back-To-School” supply drive to assist children in need of these items. Please consider purchasing any of the following items to drop off at the St. MAM offices, 201 Biltmore Road, 40207.  Please drop off items at St. MAM as soon as possible (hopefully by July 28) for distribution. 

• Pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, markers, crayons, yellow highlighters, colored pencils and red pens
• Spiral notebooks, pocket folders and loose leaf paper (college and wide ruled)
• Glue sticks, Fiskars blunt tip scissors, small pencil sharpeners, soft and hard pencil cases
• Composition notebooks, steno pads, 2” binders, backpacks and lunch boxes

St. Joseph Children’s Home, 2823 Frankfort Avenue, will host the 168th Annual St. Joe’s Picnic on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12. VIP tickets are still available by calling 893-0241; VIP tickets include air-conditioned tent, tables, chicken dinner buffet, live music, bar service and restrooms.

Sign up to volunteer during the event. This is a great opportunity for youth to gain service hours. Click here to sign up online.

St. Joseph Children’s Home is partnering up with St. Patrick’s Parish to collect cakes for the famous Cake Booth. The Cake Booth is one of the largest grossing gaming booths at St. Joe’s Picnic. Click here to purchase a cake from local Louisville bakeries and St. Joe’s will pick it up for you.