Do you love your veggies? New Roots would love to hear from you!

The Fresh Stop Markets (FSM) are run by leaders in a grassroots food justice movement that operates from the belief that fresh food is a basic human right. FSMs are volunteer, community-driven farm-fresh food markets that pop up bi-weekly at local churches and community centers in neighborhoods that do not have grocery stores or farmers’ markets. Shareholders (“customers”) agree to cooperate and pay ahead of time, on an income-based sliding scale, for ten varieties of seasonal, local, organic produce that can then be picked up at a given time and day, at one of the 17 different Kentucky and southern Indiana Markets. This cooperation and financial commitment ensures that farmers don’t face the same degree of risk as with traditional farmers’ markets. The sliding scale means food is affordable and everyone is included.

WIC participants pay $6, those at or below 185 percent federal poverty guidelines pay $12, others pay $25, and those who would like to invest in the community pay $40. SNAP IS ACCEPTED. Everyone gets the same food! At every Market a chef hosts a cooking demonstration, offering samples and recipes for the very same vegetables and fruits that shareholders bring home. There is a diverse, family reunion atmosphere. Food justice workshops and the Fresh Stop Training Institute (FSTI) organize Fresh Stop Market leaders to unite around the pursuit of a healthy, just food system for all.

The growing season kicks off the week of June 4th. The location and times of the New Roots Fresh Stop Markets for 2018 can be found on our website at https://newroots.org/fresh-stop-markets/ or by calling 502-509-6770, Ext. 0, or by emailing info@newroots.org. We look forward to hearing from everyone soon. Your veggies are waiting!

Sun-Valley Fresh Stop Market Sun Valley Community Center 

Date: September 12th, September 27th, October 10th, and October 24th

Time: 4:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m.

I get calls every week about speeding on our D14 streets - and with good reason. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that most people who are speeding through residential areas actually live in the neighborhood! You might be eager to come home after work, but that’s no excuse if a child is hit and injured. Quite literally, speed kills: If you hit a pedestrian at 20 mph, 5% will die. If you hit a pedestrian at 30 mph, 45% will die. At 40 mph, 85% will die. 

Driver behavior is crucial to safety in residential neighborhoods.  When you’re driving, go slow enough to see and respond to every new circumstance. Look under parked cars, and you may see children’s feet from the sidewalk, though you can’t see them otherwise. If it’s dark, take another 10 mph off your speed, just in case. In short, take every precaution necessary to avoid bringing tragedy to your own neighborhood.

Please use good judgment when you are driving and remember that, in most cases, traffic behind you will be forced to slow down if you do.

The festival, which runs Friday, Aug. 31 to Monday, Sept. 3 on the Belvedere, will feature a revamped layout to enhance the visitor experience, including new locations for both the West Lawn and Fountain Stages, as well as the addition of a third stage on the Overlook. More than 70 local and regional entertainers will offer a variety of music, dance styles and beats ranging from African drumming to Reggae to Indian, Celtic, Arabic, Latin, Caribbean music.

Headliner acts include Etnopolis, featuring Luca Ciari in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Chicago, the British Invasion Experience, Ville Casineras, The Pearls and more.  The Overlook Stage will host Noche Latina, or Latin Night, with song, dance and sizzling Latino sounds from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1

More than 100 vendors will participate, with 30-plus food vendors serving a global sampling of cuisine and culture. Along with food, attendees can purchase unique international crafts and visit the World of Information to learn about various international agencies in the area. Admission to WorldFest is free all four days because of Passport Health Plan, and other sponsors’ generous support. WorldFest highlights include:

·         Global Village – A kaleidoscope of Louisville’s culture, where you can interact with representatives of more than 20 nations. All nine of Louisville’s Sister Cities will be represented again this year. Located on the Overlook.

·         WorldFest Children’s Area – Will feature activities from WKU’s Confucius Institute, Home Depot and Parks & Recreation’s Rec on the Go all located on the Overlook on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

·         Parade of Cultures – On Saturday at noon, more than 50 units will march from Metro Hall to 6th Street to Main Street to the Belvedere wearing traditional attire in this colorful showcase of heritage and cultures from around the world. The parade is presented by the UK Confucius Institute.

·         Stella Biergarten – This new feature on the Overlook will feature a selection of international and domestic beers, plus a great view of the festival.

·         WorldFest Selfie Station – Nestled within the Stella Biergarten on the Overlook, this photo opportunity spot offers a sweeping view of all the WorldFest activities to share on social media.

·         World of Information – A one-stop shop showcasing international agencies and services available to all immigrants and citizens. Located on the West Lawn.  

·         Naturalization Ceremony – A Naturalization Ceremony where more than 300 immigrants will become full U.S. citizens will take place the following Friday, Sept. 7 at the Muhammad Ali Center.

For more information about WorldFest, visit www.worldfestlouisville.com. Let us know if you plan to attend, via our Facebook event page. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AroundLou!

Thousands of hikers, bikers and paddlers will hit the streets and the Ohio River on Labor Day, Sept. 3, for the 28th Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle at Waterfront Park. “One of Louisville’s core values is to create a healthier city, and there’s no better time than the annual Hike, Bike & Paddle to come together with residents from all parts of our city for fun and exercise,” Mayor Greg Fischer said.

Subway Restaurants is the title sponsor of Hike, Bike & Paddle, with presenting sponsors Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, Norton Healthcare and Neil Huffman Subaru, and contributing sponsor Academy Sports + Outdoors. 

Starting at 8 a.m., Hike, Bike & Paddle participants can warm up on the Great Lawn with various fitness activities including Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, Pickleball and Rock Climbing. From the main stage, 106.9 Play! radio personality Jordan Rivers will kick off the event with announcements and energetic music throughout the morning.  Patrons can also walk down to Harbor Lawn and try their hand at stand-up paddle boarding until 1 p.m. More than 50 vendors and information booths will open at 8:30 a.m. at Waterfront Park.  Participants can take home one of the free 3,000 free Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle T-shirts commemorating the event. These are available while supplies last.

Along with free T-shirts, participants can expect to take home other giveaways as well. The event title sponsor, Subway, will be passing out $2 cash cards at their tent. Neil Huffman Subaru will be giving away a chance to win a free bicycle and kayak, and free reusable water bottles. Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated will offer free Powerade to hikers. Participants are encouraged to be “green” and bring their own water bottles which they will be able to fill at Waterfront Park, the Iroquois Park Spray Grounds near the Amphitheater, and the base of the Big Four Bridge, as part of Louisville Water’s Pure Tap To Go. 

After the event, TARC will offer a shuttle service from New Albany back to Waterfront Park for paddlers to retrieve their vehicles at the launch site. This is the 14th year for the Hike, Bike & Paddle events, which are held each Memorial Day and Labor Day. The events are part of the city’s Healthy Hometown Movement, created to encourage Louisville residents to be more active and make healthier lifestyle choices. To view interactive route maps and for more information, go to hikebikeandpaddle.org.

Already know you’re coming? RSVP on our Facebook event page. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AroundLou!

The Louisville Bats are once again hosting Louisville Metro Government Nights. Community Involvement Vouchers are available for groups and organizations doing good works in the community. Tickets are available on Monday night, September 3.  

To request tickets please contact Jessica Adell at jadell@batsbaseball.com. Please include your Metro Council District, contact name, mailing address, daytime phone and number of tickets requested.

You are invited to attend the Fall, Fowler Forum Community Meeting! 

Councilwoman Fowler has made accessibility to her constituents a priority while in office and wants to maintain this commitment by continuing the widely successful Fowler Forum. This Forum is a public meeting that allows you an opportunity to learn more about your local government and voice your concerns.

The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), Department of Codes and Regulations (IPL), Public Works (PW), and Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department (PRP F.D.) will have staff on hand to answer questions and concerns as well.

WHERE: Conrad Bachmann Auditorium, Valley High School (10200 Dixie Highway)

WHEN: Thursday, October 4th, 2018; 6:00 p.m.

Requirement went into effect in July

A new Kentucky law that took effect July 14 requires vehicles passing a bicycle to use the adjacent lane if available. If an adjacent lane is not available, then the passing vehicle should pass to the left at a distance leaving no less than three feet between the widest part of the bicycle and the widest part of the vehicle. If the bicycle is in a bicycle lane, the passing vehicle should still be at least three feet from the bicycle. 

If the road is too narrow to give three feet clearance, then the passing vehicle should use reasonable caution. The new law also allows passing vehicles to legally cross a double yellow line to pass a bicycle if there is enough sight distance to safely pass.

Thirty-four states have similar safe passing laws to use the adjacent lane or give three feet or more. Like all states, Kentucky law also requires cyclists to follow the basic rules of the road.  Like any operator of a vehicle, a bicyclist must ride with traffic, obey traffic laws and stop at stop signs and red lights. The three foot law is at KRS 189.300.

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.

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.