A $2,500 gift has become a $1 million dollar partnership. The Fund for the Arts announced a $1 million grant from Kosair Charities that will be used to "create arts education and experiences for children" in the Louisville area. It will be used to bolster existing programs in Louisville and expand into surrounding counties. More than 100,000 students and 500 special needs children will be impacted. Before retiring, former President & CEO Barbara Sexton Smith secured a $2500 gift from then President of  Kosair Charities Randy Coe which enabled the Louisville Ballet to perform for the students at Heuser Hearing and Language Academy. The students LOVED IT! 

Dreams really do come true!

Two amazing groups of young people were honored  in the Council Chambers of Historic City Hall during the August 23rd Metro Council Meeting. 
Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton honored  The West Louisville All-Stars baseball team competed in the Babe Ruth World Series championship in Arkansas. The All-Stars beat Crown Point in the Ohio Valley regional tournament July 30 to advance to the World Series. They lost to Midwest Plains. The last time that this team made it this far was 21 years ago. They captured the hearts of a community.

Councilman Brent Ackerson honored Brandon Bishop and the Jeffersontown Strike 11U for for their community spirit and completing the season as State Runners-Up. Eleven-year-old Brandon is a lifelong fan of the sport of baseball and battled a brain tumor until its removal on July 2nd. The team came to know his story and invited Brandon to travel with them to the State Play-Off game where they presented him with a personalized Allstars Jersey and invited him to “throw out the first pitch. 

The Keynote speakers honored the struggle and accomplishments of women educators in our community, and included comments by the Presidents of Louisville’s three universities:  

Tori Murden-McClure of Spalding University   

Dr. Susan Donovan of Bellarmine University

Dr. Neeli Bendapudi of University of Louisville

B96 was in the Park for Funk Fest 2018 - Drop it like it’s hot!

Jecorey Arthur, 1200, received Community Service Partner Award from Funk Fest 2018.

Miss Kentucky Katie Bouchard was all smiles at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Ham Breakfast. The winning ham went for $2.8 Million.

See Something Say Something!!!!

We all know that illegal dumping--putting waste on property that is not licensed as a disposal facility--is an eyesore that is expensive to clean up, diminishes quality of life, discourages economic development and even sends plastic debris into our waterways.

That's why people caught dumping along our city's alleys, sidewalks, fields and roadsides are subject to fines and impoundment of any vehicle used in the dumping. That's where citizens can help with the problem. If you witness illegal dumping while it's happening, report it.

We've developed a new online form you can use to tell us where it happened, describe the vehicle(s) involved, preferably with license plate number(s), and even upload pictures. Of course you can always call Metro Call 311 or 574-5000. For more information about illegal dumping, including a link to the reporting form, visit our illegal dumping webpage.

The Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle is a twice annual event held every Memorial & Labor Day. Thousands of participants flock to Waterfront Park to enjoy a morning full of fun. Bring the entire family for this free, healthy community event. Various fitness demonstrations start the day including yoga, tai chi and zumba. There are numerous vendor booths available for information and giveaways. After all of that, take your pick from a 5k hike, 12.5-mile bike ride or a paddle on the Ohio River. This event is not a race. It is open to participants of all levels and we encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the festivities!  
Free t-shirt while supplies last. Go Green! Bring your own water bottles!  Fill stations are available at Waterfront Park.
For more information CLICK HERE.

 Mayor Greg Fischer announced that Louisville Forward’s Small Business Development team is accepting applications for the second cohort of the city’s Entrée-preneurship Series, a free program designed to foster the development of new restaurateurs and food entrepreneurs.

The interactive 10-class series, originally called the Food Entrepreneurship Series, will run from Sept. 8 to Dec. 1, and will be taught by local industry-leading professionals. All classes will meet at Chef Space, 1812 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., on Saturdays from 8:30 – 11 a.m.

The inaugural Food Entrepreneurship Series launched earlier this year and graduated nine entrepreneurs with skills needed to start or grow their businesses in Louisville’s food industry.

Registration is open, but space is limited. To participate, individuals must be over 18 years of age, attend 9 of the 10 classes and be a Louisville resident. There is no fee to participate in the series. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive continued assistance and connections to resources from Louisville Forward’s small business development team. 

To apply for the Entrée-preneurship Series visit

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/entree-preneurship-series

Get damaged garbage carts replaced.

It's free once a year if damage is shown.

A damaged garbage or recycling cart is bad for multiple reasons. The damaged cart won't hold the garbage or recycling as well as it should which can lead to litter and attract animals. Broken handles or wheels also make it difficult and potentially dangerous for our Solid Waste Tippers to lift and empty carts.

 So let us know if you have a damaged cart. Call MetroCall at 311 or 574-5000. Provide them with your name, address and daytime phone number along with the serial number from the cart and a description of the damage. Or complete this online form.

This week Metro Public Works is highlighting sections of the Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances that often come as a surprise to residents. They basically require property owners and residents to keep the area around homes clean and free of obstructions, from the center line of the street to the center line of any adjacent alley.

§ 156.051 RESPONSIBILITY OF PERSONS.

(1)         Cleanliness.  Every occupant of a structure or part thereof shall keep that part of the structure or premises which that occupant occupies, controls, or uses in a clean, safe and sanitary condition, and in the case of a single-family structure, the owner shall keep the premises free of all weeds...to the center line of such street, easement or alley as are adjacent to or abut the premises.   

That includes that patch of grass between the sidewalk and the curb known as a verge.

What is a Right-of-Way Obstruction?

Any structure that may prevent or impede the full and free use by the public of the entire sidewalk, street, alley, or public way (right of way).  Some examples of right-of-way obstructions:  basketball goals left on the curb line, concrete pyramids, piles of brush, items being sold, political/advertising signs, trees, shrubs, retaining walls, cars parked in the right of way, and any obstructions to cross visibility. 

Notice of Application for Demolition Permit of Historic Structure      

The Office of Planning Permitting and Design--Construction Review has received a demolition permit application for the property listed below:

Subject Property:  2209 W Madison St.

Case Number:    WR1061707

The above reference property is listed or potentially eligible for listing in The National Register of Historic Places.

Per LMCO (150.110), the requested demolition permit can be issued on September 1, 2018.

For additional information regarding this application visit the website: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/construction-review 

or contact Mike Beard, Plan Review Supervisor at 574-3321 or

Cynthia Johnson, Metro Historic Preservation Officer at 574-2868.

Louisville Metro Develop Louisville, Office of Planning Permitting and Design--Construction Review

444 S. Fifth Street, Suite 100, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-4313