August 10, Back to School Festival at Olmsted Academy North, 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.

• Open to all students in grades Kindergarten through high school. 
• Free backpacks, school supplies and health and hygiene products will be provided while supplies last.
•  Educational and community resources will be available to help offer a strong start to the new school year. 
• The festival will also include vision and hearing screenings, blood pressure and diabetes checks, clothing assistance referrals and more. 
• Lunch will be provided for children and adults. 
• Sponsored by South Central Neighborhood Place, Diamond Cluster MC, Olmsted Academy North and South YSC, Kenwood Elementary FRC, Hazelwood Elementary FRC,  Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services, & Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. 
• Located at 4530 Bellevue Ave. Call 313-4089 for more information. 

Getting to jobs, the movies, recreational activities and fun events around Louisville is affordable and easy for young people with the TARC Summer Youth Pass, which goes on sale Mon., May 22.

The pass costs $30 and is available to anyone 6-19 years old.  With the pass, youths can take unlimited TARC rides on all routes from June 1-Aug. 31.

The pass can be ordered from TARC’s website, www.ridetarc.org, or purchased at the following locations:

• Union Station, 1000 W. Broadway
• Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway
• All Fifth Third Banks
• Louisville Free Public Library, 3rd & York

To order by mail, send a check or money order for $30, with your name, address and phone number, to SUMMER YOUTH PASS; c/o TARC cashier; 1000 W. Broadway; Louisville, KY  40203.

• The Cultural Pass provides free access to many of Greater Louisville’s arts and cultural institutions for children of Metro Louisville.  
• The Pass is valid for one-time general admission at each of the participating institutions and is valid from June 3 to August 12.  
• The 2017 Cultural Pass may be picked up at any Louisville Free Public Library branch along with the Summer Reading Program.  
• Pass holders can register and track the progress of your Cultural Pass online at www.lfpl.org/culturalpass.  

Cultural Pass holders will be honored until August 12:

• Wednesdays 10:00am - 2:00 pm 
• Saturdays 11:00am - 4:00 pm 

 
Drop-in Weaving Wednesdays:

Drop-in Weaving Ages 6 & up   Create hand woven projects:  purses, bags, cats on mats, mice in a bag, bean bags, scarves, and more. Cost $25, all supplies included. Reserve in advance at (502)-367-4792 or email  thelittleloomhouse@gmail.com 

• Wednesday August 16th Session One- 10am - 12pm.  Session Two -1 - 3pm
• Wednesday August 23rd  Session One- 10am - 12pm.  Session Two -1 - 3pm
• Wednesday August 30th Session One- 10am - 12pm.  Session Two -1 - 3pm

Saturday August 19

• Saturday August 19th 11:00am – 4:00pm Artists’ Reception for “Art, Health, Hope!”, a new work/learning program for young people with incarcerated loved ones. Their work will be on exhibit through August 30.  Join participants in the program at the Little Loomhouse to learn more about the program’s positive impact on youth affected by incarceration.  The reception is free and open to the public.  328 Kenwood Hill Rd. Call 502-367-4792 for information.  
• Saturday August 19th  12:30 – 2:00pm Intro to Weaving at the Little Loomhouse Beginners class Ages: 15 years and up. Call 502-367-4792 to register. 328 Kenwood Hill Rd
• Saturday August 19th  2:30 – 4:00pm Intro to Spinning at the Little Loomhouse Beginners class will learn to spin on a drop spindle.  Ages: 15 years and up. Call 502-367-4792 to register. 328 Kenwood Hill Rd

Call 367-4792 or email us at thelittleloomhouse@gmail.com to register & for information.  328 Kemwood Hill RD.

Louisville Grows is forming a body of community representatives to support Love Louisville Trees (LLT). These individuals are Citizen Foresters or other volunteers, Love Louisville Trees treecipients, and/or citizens representing the communities in which LG operates. 

This Tree Advisory Committee (TAC) will contribute to LLT’s policies and help to set  strategic direction by identifying solutions to challenges and creating opportunities for innovation and adoption of best practices in the field. Members of the Tree Advisory Committee will use their creativity, insights, and diverse viewpoints to enhance LLT’s forestry program. 

If this sounds like your area of interest, would you consider being a member? To learn more about TAC's role or to join now, fill out the Tree Advisory Committee Application.

Solar Over Louisville (SOL) announces its 2017 community workshop series for all with an interest in having their own solar system.  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.          

 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.   

 For more information, contact 

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

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides income eligible seniors with $28 in checks per season to purchase fresh, unprocessed, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs at nine area approved farmers markets.

 Apply at any Neighborhood Place (click here for locations), Dosker Manor Apartments, Dare to Care at 3360 Commerce Center Place, or Louisville Metro Health and Wellness at 400 East Gray Street. Click here for more details on the program. 

Louisville has a new Farmers Market Association (LFMA).  The purpose of the new association is to support farmers markets, farmers and local food producers to promote access to a healthy and sustainable food system. LFMA does this by providing assistance such as marketing, financial advice, vendor and volunteer recruitment to increase the capacity of farmers markets.  It also helps to facilitate better access to healthy fruits and vegetables for everyone by helping the markets support SNAP (food stamps) participants through the Double Dollars Program and Free EBT Equipment and seniors through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. 

Beechmont Open Air Market  

• 4574 S. 3rd Street 40214
• PAYMENT: Cash, Senior Vouchers (SFMNP) 
• June 10 - October 7 SATURDAYS 
• 8:00 am - Noon 
• Find Us on Facebook at Beechmont Open Air Market

South Points Farmers Market 

• 4148 Taylor Boulevard 
• PAYMENT: Cash, Credit Card, SNAP 
• May 7 - September 24 SUNDAYS 
• 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 
• www.facebook.com/spfmky

Southwest Farmers Market

• 10200 Dixie Hwy, Valley High School 
• PAYMENT: Cash, Credit Card, SNAP 
• May 27 - October SATURDAYS 
• 9:00 am - 1:00 pm 
• www.southwestfarmersmarket.com

Sun-Valley Fresh Stop Market

• Sun Valley Community Center 6505 Bethany Ln, 
• 502.509.6770 
• June 7 - October 25 Every other WEDNESDAY 
• 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm 
• http://www.newroots.org/ sun-valley-market.html

For a list of all of the Farmers Markets and Fresh Stops in Louisville Metro, please visit the website here: https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/final_printed_lfma_local_food_resource_guide.pdf.  

Louisville Metro Animal Services recently tested eight of its shelter dogs for the canine flu after they began exhibiting signs of respiratory distress. While four of the diagnostic tests are still pending, four have come back positive for H3N2; the new, highly contagious strain of dog flu.

LMAS began vaccinating all of its shelter dogs for both strains of the dog flu (H3N2 and H3N8) on June 20. As a precautionary measure, LMAS will begin treating all of its dogs for the flu, as it can remain dormant in a dog’s system for about three days before exhibiting symptoms.  

CANINE INFLUENZA

Pet Influenza or “Dog Flu” is a highly contagious virus that can affect dogs and cats of any breed, age, sex or health status. Almost ALL dogs exposed to the virus will become infected and the majority of dogs (80% of infected dogs) will develop flu symptoms. Most dogs recover within 2-3 weeks.               

 TRANSMISSION:  The virus travels from infected dogs to non-infected dogs and cats through:

•  Direct contact
• Coughing, barking and sneezing
• Contaminated objects; clothing, surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes
• People moving between infected and non-infected animals
• Dogs that socialize with other dogs are at greater risk (dog parks, grooming facilities, etc.)

COMPLICATIONS: Secondary bacterial infection can occur and lead to more severe illness and pneumonia.

PREVENTION:

• Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s health and if the canine influenza vaccine is right for your dog. The vaccine is a two-part series given two weeks apart.
• At this time there is no vaccine for cats.
• Avoid exposing your dog or cat to obviously sick dogs.
• Avoid taking your dog to areas where dogs gather (dog parks, grooming facilities, boarding kennels, etc.).
• If your dog or cat is showing signs of illness, isolate it from other animals and seek veterinary care.
• Wash your hands after handling any animal.
• Clean all surfaces with disinfectants.
• Do not share toys between healthy and obviously sick animals. 

TREATMENT:  

• It is always best to consult a veterinarian if you believe your pet may be ill!!!!

Medications may be necessary for severe illness or secondary bacterial infections. 

At this time, gates at the LMAS Animal Care Center (3705 Manslick Rd.) are closed.  While LMAS is still accepting sick, injured, aggressive and stray pets, people are encouraged to not pick up strays, as they risk contaminating themselves and their cars, and spreading the virus to other pets. Strays should be reported to LMAS at (502)473-PETS. For adoptions and licenses, visit the LMAS Animal House Adoption Center (3516 Newburg Rd.) Click here to license your pet online.  

Under the new process, owners wanting to surrender their pets will first fill-out and submit a Pet History Form and submit to the LMAS Animal Care Center (3705 Manslick Rd.) or online at www.louisvilleky.gov/animalservices. 

A staff member will contact the pet owner within two business days to set an appointment. Owners who surrender their pets will be charged a $25 impoundment fee to help cover the cost of care for their pet.

For more information call (502) 473-PETS, stop by the LMAS Animal House Adoption Center at 3516 Newburg Rd. or call (502) 473-PETS.   www.louisvilleky.gov/animalservices

Alley Cat Advocates can help get outdoor cats fixed and vaccinated at NO COST TO YOU!  

Cat Caretakers living in the following Jefferson County zip codes 40208, 40209, 40213, 40214, 40215, 40216, 40217, 40219, 40258 and 40272 are eligible  for spay/neuter services for unowned community cats,  They will be vaccinated, spayed/neutered, treated for flea and ear-mite medicine, given a great vet visit, ear-tipped (the universal symbol of a neutered cat) and returned.

When there are no more kittens; the number of cats gradually goes down  and annoying behaviors such as yowling, fighting, spraying stop.