Drop-off sites will recycle trees into mulch that citizens may take home

Metro Public Works will provide curbside pickup of Christmas Trees within the Urban Services District (the old City of Louisville boundaries) after the holiday. 

Beginning Tuesday, December 26, residents with City curbside yard waste pickup may set their Christmas trees and greenery out on their regular collection day. Trees must not be in plastic bags, and all decorations must be removed.

Drop-off sites will also be available for all Louisville/Jefferson County residents at three locations. Two of the three drop-off sites will also instantly recycle trees in to mulch that will be offered back to citizens for home use.

Those wishing to receive mulch must bring an appropriate container in which to carry it. Trees picked up from curbside will also be recycled but not offered as mulch. All lights and ornaments should be removed from trees before they are set out or dropped off.

Residents normally serviced by private waste haulers should check with those companies to see whether and when tree pickup is available. 

• East District Recycling Center, 595 N. Hubbards Lane 12/26/17 - 29 & Jan. 2.  (Bring containers to take home fresh mulch.)
• Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Highway 12/26/17 - 29 & Jan. 2.(Bring containers to take home fresh mulch.)
• Waste Reduction Center - 636 Meriwether Avenue Thru Jan. 31  (Tree drop-off only. Mulch is not available at this location.)

Don’t throw away that old television, computers or other electronic device that’s you just replaced. Let Metro Public Works recycle those newly obsolete devices instead.

Free post-holiday electronics drop-off service is available at our Waste Reduction Center at 636 Meriwether Avenue. Drop-off will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on these three Saturdays: January 6, January 13 and January 20.

The special holiday promotion is in addition to our regular year round electronics recycling program. Details on the regular program are available on our website at https://louisvilleky.gov/recycling.

Most of us look forward to winter and its encouragement of hot cocoa, fuzzy clothes and warm houses. It’s also the peak season for the second leading cause of home fires in the US - heating equipment. Over 70% of these fires are due to improper use of space heaters, fireplaces and chimneys. The Louisville Division of Fire would like to remind you to keep 3 feet of clearance around space heaters and make sure they plug directly into a wall (not an extension cord or power strip). Ensure that they are turned off when you leave the room or go to sleep. FEMA and the US Fire Administration recommend all chimneys and vents should be cleaned and inspected yearly.

In addition to this seasonal information, please make sure that you have working smoke alarms in your home. If you are unable to test yours or have none and live in the Urban Services District, please call 311 and request that the Louisville Division of Fire come out to test or replace your smoke alarms free of charge. We can also provide a home safety check to ensure you are as safe as possible.

Finally, we would like to remind you that three of the largest causes of fires are careless smoking, electrical equipment malfunction and unattended cooking. If you would like to request a home safety check for any of these issues, please let us know and we will assist you.

Brian S. Meurer, Lt. Colonel
Asst. Chief/ Fire Marshal
Louisville Division of Fire

The Center for Neighborhoods is pleased to announce the Spring 2018 Neighborhood Institute. It is a leadership education program designed to equip neighborhood leaders with skills and resources needed to initiate positive change in the community through their neighborhood, homeowner, and condo associations. Classes meet every Thursday, 6:00 - 8:30PM at the Center for Neighborhoods Offices, 507 South Third Street, for 12 consecutive weeks (January 25th, 2017 – April 12th, 2018), including a Graduation Celebration. Dinner is provided each week. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited, and advance registration is required. Applications will be accepted through January 12th, 2018.

The Neighborhood Institute Spring 2018 is open to all neighborhoods, Metro Council Districts, and the whole community.

To apply for the 12-week program, visit 

www.centerforneighborhoods.org, or contact John Hawkins at 502-589-0343 or johnh@centerforneighborhoods.org.

The Subsidy Phase of LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, begins Nov. 6. Applicants must be Jefferson County residents within 130% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Appointments are required in advance and can start being made beginning Oct. 30th.  Call 502-991-8391 or visit louisvilleky.cascheduler.com..

Note: The early registration for elderly and disabled residents continues through Oct. 31st.  Eligible residents who missed this pre-registration time period may also apply during the regular Subsidy Phase.

LIHEAP applications will be completed at the time of the appointment at one of the locations listed below. 

• South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 40215
• Southwest Government Center/Dixie Highway location. 7219 Dixie Highway, 40258

Individuals who are unable to apply for this program in person may send a representative on their behalf with a note including the applicant’s signature and phone number. Residents who are homebound and who are unable to send a representative may call 502/780-7937.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

•    Must be owner occupied for at least one year.
•    Not available on rental property.
•    Must meet income guidelines (See Intake staff) 
•    May receive assistance once in a five year period.
•    Louisville-Jefferson County only!

TYPES OF REPAIRS

•    Furnace Repair or replacement (October-April only)
•    A/C Unit- Repair or replacement (Requires medical statement, Available May-Sept. only)
•    Electrical repairs/upgrades. 
•    Water Line repairs/replacement.
•    Sewer Line repairs/replacement.
•    Water Heater repair/replacement, Gas or Electric.
•    Gas Line leaks.

For further information contact Jackie Wilson-Rudy at 502-574-5850 or Jacqueline.Wilson-rudy@louisvilleky.gov

The BBB has released the

 "12 Scams of Christmas"

"Whether you shop online or in the malls, you are exposed to a variety of holiday scams and frauds". Here is what you should look out for:

• 1. Look Alike Websites       
• 2. Social Media Gift Exchange 
• 3. Grandparents Scam 
• 4. Temporary Holiday Jobs
• 5. Free Gift Cards 
• 6. Free e-Cards
• 7. Fake Shipping Notifications 
• 8. Phony Charities
• 9. Letters from Santa 
• 10. Unusual Forms of Payment 
• 11. Travel Scams 
• 12. Puppy Scams    

Unfortunately, the BBB says this list is just the tip of the ice berg. They encourage everyone to to be alert and careful especially during the Christmas season. 

Republic Conduit, a division of Nucor, the nation’s largest steel and steel products manufacturer and largest recycler is seeking to assemble a hiring pool of qualified applicants for entry-level jobs. Starting pay is $19-21. Must be 18 years old to apply.

Share with interested parties, especially those working seasonal positions.

Apply through link: https://careers.nucor.com/en-US/job/entry-level-production/J3W4SC62SY2MBWBTLZW

City's Resilience and Community Services Launches New Online Screening Tool

Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS) launched "Am I Eligible", a new online screening tool for Louisville residents.  “Am I Eligible” invites individuals to complete a brief online survey to determine which RCS programs and services are available to them. 

This tool is featured on the RCS homepage at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services or can be accessed at https://amieligible.louisvilleky.gov/.  Survey participants are asked to answer questions related to household size and monthly income; whether or not there are children present in the household; is there a disability; as well as what programs are of interest.

Based on the answers to the questions, participants receive a customized list of programs and services for which they may be eligible including educational scholarships, housing and financial assistance, help starting a microbusiness, assistance with budgeting or opening a bank account, and more.

 “Am I Eligible” can be completed anonymously or participants have the option of submitting their name, contact information as well as selecting a Neighborhood Place most convenient for them.  An RCS staff member assigned to the designated Neighborhood Place will then contact the participant by phone or email for further follow-up.

Senior citizens who live in Jefferson and surrounding Kentucky counties are encouraged to take a brief survey online or over the phone to help analyze social service needs for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

For the second year, the University of Louisville Institute for Sustainable Health and Optimal Aging will conduct a community needs assessment on behalf of the Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA).

The assessment can be found online or by calling 502-852-8953. The institute can provide a paper copy upon request or at senior centers within the seven counties. The deadline to complete the assessment is Feb. 1, 2018.

For more information, visit www.optimalaginginstitute.org/kipda or contact Dr. D’Ambrosio at joe.dambrosio@louisville.edu or 502-852-7811.

Volunteers of America have recently opened new addiction recovery locations to better serve the community. They have several programs at 1436 South Shelby Street. Freedom House is a residential program for pregnant and parenting women. Shelby Men’s Recovery Center is also located on South Shelby. This is a 90 day residential program for men, where clients are able to work while seeking treatment. They have Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and services for men, women and families. These services are available at 2500 West Broadway and 4303 W Broadway. Transitional Housing will be available in July for homeless women with children who would like to continue their sobriety at 4303 W Broadway

If you are know someone who may be interested in VOA’s programs, please contact the intake office at 502-635-4530. They’re able to do a quick screening, verify their insurance, and set up an intake date and time.

Now on sale at Metro Golf Courses and the Creason Administration Building.  

The discount book makes a perfect holiday gift for the golfer in the family regardless of experience level.

The $25 gift provides more than $2,000 worth of dollars in savings throughout the year. Through the discount book, players can receive reduced greens fees, prices on pro shop merchandise, lessons and more. For more information on the discount book, call (502) 574-6454 or call or visit your nearby Parks and Recreation golf course

For more information, click here.  

Paint you no longer need can be remixed for sale in Habitat ReStore locations in Louisville and the money raised can be reinvested in our community to create affordable home ownership opportunities.

Drop off latex paint during business hours at the following locations:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore Locations (year round)

• 2777 S Floyd St, Louisville, KY 40209 
• Tues - Fri: 10 AM – 6 PM, Sat: 9 AM - 4 PM
• 4044 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40220
• Mon - Sat: 9 AM - 7 PM, Sun: 12 PM – 6 PM
• 1631 Rowan St, Louisville, KY 40203
• Wed - Fri: 10 AM - 6 PM, Sat: 9 AM – 4 PM

Louisville Metro Staffed Recycling Centers (March 15 -November 15 only)

• Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM
• 595 Hubbards Lane, Louisville, KY 40207
• 7219 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40258
• 7201 Outer Loop, Louisville, KY 40228

Guidelines:

• Latex paint only
• Cannot accept:
• Leaking containers
• Containers without labels
• Empty containers
• Containers with excessive rust
•  Must pass the shake test; paint should move inside the container when shaken
• Paint that is oil based or requires thinners or solvents for cleanup must be taken to HAZ BIN for disposal at 7501 Grade Lane Louisville, KY 40219
•  The Latex Paint Recycling Program is funded through a grant from the Kentucky Pride Fund.

Feeding Stray Cats?  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.

Metro Website List of Boards & Commissions 

Consider serving on a board or commission. It is important that these positions are filled by individuals representing all the diverse communities of Louisville and we would love to see our Southwest leaders become involved!

Below is a list of current vacancies. When you find something that strikes your interest, CLICK HERE  to access the application and please inform our office when you do so. Feel free to pass on the link to any friends or family that might be interested!

• Metropolitan Business Development Corporation
• Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board
• Bardstown Road Overlay District
• Building Code Board of Appeals
• Cemetery Board
• Civil Service Board
• Code Enforcement Board
• Community Action Partnership
• Jefferson County Public Law Library
• Deputy Sheriff Merit Board
• Downtown Development Review Overlay Board
• Downtown Management District
• Ethics Commission
• Fire Protection Districts (Fairdale, Harrods Creek, Highview, Lake Dreamland, Lyndon, Middletown, Okolona, St. Matthews, Worthington)
• Hazard Materials Ordinance Appeals & Overseers Board
• Housing Authority Board
• Human Relations Commission Advocacy Board
• Human Relations Commission Enforcement Board
• Kentuckiana Works
• Landmarks
• Library Advisory Commission
• Louisville Arena Authority, Inc.
• Louisville Public Media
• Merit Board
• Medical Center Commission of Jefferson County
• PARC Board of Commissioners
• Police Merit Board
• Redevelopment Authority
• Science Center
• Urban Renewal Commission
• Vacant Property Review Commission
• Waterworks
• Zoo Foundation Board 

Click Here to Apply for one of the Boards or Commission vacancies.