Pothole Blitz through April 30 -
From Metro Public Works:

The annual blitz to rid Louisville Metro streets of the parting pothole gifts of winter is underway. We’re moving across the city in a grid pattern to patch all the potholes we can find. Of course, we respond to reports and patch potholes year round, but we especially want the public's help though the blitz that ends on April 30. Here's how you can report a pothole:

• On Twitter, use the hashtag 502pothole. Just include the address or intersection where the pothole is located along with the hashtag in a tweet, and you’re done.
• The pothole reporting form that you can find at the top of the city’s webpage, Louisvilleky.gov. Just click on the “Report a pothole” link and fill in the location information.
• Contact Metro311 in one of these ways
• Call them at 311 or 574-5000
• Download the Metro311 app on your smartphone and use it to report a pothole

Email them at metro.311@louisvilleky.gov

From the Solid Waste Management division of Louisville Metro Public Works: The volume of yard waste set out for collection by residents of Louisville’s Urban Services District has been heavy since the April 1 start of yard waste collection season. The high volume has led to delayed or missed collections in some cases.

To handle to high volume and get collection on schedule, we shifted the daily start time of yard waste collection. Crews are now starting out on their yard waste collection routes at noon instead of the previous 6 a.m. start time. That creates a better match between the availability of yard waste collection workers and equipment.

The new schedule means the regular yard waste collection schedule will extend into the evening. However, residents should continue to set yard waste out by the morning of collection day. If yard waste has not been collected by 8 p.m. on the assigned day, residents should contact Metro311 the following morning at 311 or 574-5000.

The walking bridge in the north section of Joe Creason Park that crosses Beargrass Creek near Bellarmine will be closed through the end of April for a construction project. The Beargrass Creek flooding in February and March delayed these repairs.

It's that time again for a favorite pre Derby event at Monnik: The Spring Schnitzelburg Walk and Rock. They block off the street for a fun filled evening of beers, brats, and bands! The event is kid friendly and dog friendly. 

Break out your orange clothing and join in celebrating King's Day, the traditional way: street sales, games, beer, food and music.

Per Holland.com, King’s Day is when the Dutch celebrate the birthday of their king. King Willem Alexander was born on April 27 and so there are many parties, flea markets and, of course, the king himself visits one or several cities with his family.

The Flea Off Market opens at 11 a.m. and continues throughout the day, until 6 p.m.

Bands will perform from 6 to 11 p.m. with feel-good music by DJ Furniture in between bands:

• King Kong Louisville
• Cereal Glyphs
• The Kids Born Wrong
• JANE.the band
• Adventure

Monnik is at the corner of East Burnett and Hickory. 

May 11 - Nature's Works and Quirks

It's back! A program the whole family can enjoy. Nature's Works and Quirks is a program that is focused on all things nature. All sessions are from 10 a.m. to noon. 

Investigate your natural surroundings and learn to understand the relationships of wildlife and the ecosystem! Each themed month lets your child explore science in fun ways to better understand the natural world! Environmental games, animal encounters, nature crafts, stories, and other nature activities help to illustrate and reinforce the ecological concepts covered in daily adventures. Upcoming themes include:

• May 11 - Turtles - register by May 4 (moved to the second Saturday for Derby)
• June 1 - Trees - register by May 25
• July 6 - Birds - register by June 29

The Louisville Zoo's Party for the Planet monthlong celebration continues, with: 

April 27 - ZooPoopyDoo Compost and Mulch Sale from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

April 27 - Save the Rhino Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Charge on over and learn more about rhinos. Enjoy special keeper talks and meet Letterman and Sindi, our southern white rhinos, plus our new rhino mascot Leroy.  

April 28 - Earth Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day with special keeper talks, more than 20 community eco-partner displays (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and $8.25 Zoo admission all day courtesy of the LG&E and KU Foundation — plus FREE parking! Visit LG&E and KU’s Mini City display and Louie the Lightning Bug mascot. To purchase online discount tickets for this day, click here. 

April 28 - TreesLouisville Tree Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. TreesLouisville will be here April 28 giving away 225 trees on a first-come, first-serve basis to help promote a rebuilding of Louisville’s tree canopy. Join us and learn why our tree canopy is important.

April 29 - Fun Day Mondays - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy $5.25 Zoo admission, courtesy of the LG&E and KU Foundation. There will be special zoo keeper talks and LG&E and KU’s Mini City display plus appearances by Louie the Lightning Bug from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

The following streets will be closed during the following times Thursday, May 2 for the Pegasus Parade:

6 to 8 p.m.

• Barret Avenue from Broadway to Baxter Avenue
• Lexington Road from Barret Avenue to Baxter Avenue
• Alley at Rubel Park, southwest corner access to Barret Avenue
• Alley at Rubel Park, north corner access to Barret Avenue

1 to 8 p.m.

• Gray Street from Jackson Street to Hancock Street
• Swan Street from Lampton Street to Vine Street
• Lampton Street from Swan Street to Vine Street
• Vine Street from Breckinridge Street to Brent Street
• Stoneware Alley
• Mercy Way
• Benton Avenue
• Saint Anthony Place from Benton Avenue to Broadway
• Finzer Street from Logan Street to Campbell Street
• Campbell Street from Broadway to Finzer Street
• Rubel Avenue from Broadway to Breckinridge Street
• Rubel Avenue from Broadway to Rogers Street
• Gray Street from Preston Street to Jackson Street
• Brent Street from Vine Street to Breckinridge Street

4:30 to 8 p.m.

• Magazine Street from Eighth Street to Ninth Street
• Eighth Street from Broadway to Cawthon Street
• York Street from Seventh Street o Eighth Street
• Cawthon Street from Eighth Street to Ninth Street
• Breckinridge Street from Eighth Street to Ninth Street
• 9th Street from Broadway to Kentucky Street
• Broadway from Barret Avenue to 12th Street
• Barret Avenue from Breckinridge Street to Broadway
• Preston Street from Springer Alley to Broadway
• Logan Street from Finzer Street to Broadway
• Interstate 65 exit to Broadway
• Finzer Street from Logan Street to Campbell Street
• Campbell Street from Finzer Street to Broadway
• Kentucky Street from 6th Street to 9th Street
• Baxter Avenue from westside of Broadway to East Chestnut Street split
• Floyd Street from Gray Street to Breckinridge Street
• Jackson Street from Gray Street to Breckinridge Street
• Hamilton Avenue from Lexington Road to end
• Hancock Street from Gray Street to Broadway
• Roy Wilkins Boulevard from Chestnut Street to Broadway

Here are the street restrictions and/or closures for Derby week, Wednesday through Derby Day, in the area around Churchill Downs. 

7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Wednesday, May 1 to Saturday, May 4)

Restricted Traffic (Permitted vehicles only - no through traffic)

• Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Floyd Street
• Ninth Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• Homeview Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Warren Avenue from Thornberry Avenue to Homeview Drive
• Racine Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Wizard Avenue from Longfield Avenue to Queen Avenue

7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Wednesday, May 1 to Saturday, May 4)

• Fourth Street from Heywood Avenue to Oakdale Avenue

5 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Wednesday, May 1 to Saturday, May 4)

• Southern Parkway - all four (4) lanes will be southbound from Oakdale Avenue to Woodlawn Avenue. No northbound traffic.
• Third Street and Eastern Parkway - Southbound traffic will be rerouted to eastbound Eastern Parkway.

5:30 to 9 p.m. (Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4)

• Interstate 264 Watterson Expressway - East and West off ramps to Taylor Boulevard
• Interstate 264 Watterson Expressway - East and West off ramps to Southern Parkway

More details are at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/visitor-info/new-parking

Second annual What Works Cities Certification recognizes Louisville for using data and evidence to solve local issues and prepare for future challenges

Bloomberg Philanthropies announced Wednesday that Louisville Metro Government is one of seven cities to achieve 2019 What Works Cities Certification, a national standard of excellence in city governance. What Works Cities Certification evaluates how well cities are managed by measuring the extent to which city leaders incorporate data and evidence in their decision-making.

Louisville achieved Certification at the gold level, moving up from the silver level in 2018. In announcing Louisville’s increased level of Certification today, What Works Cities pointed to efforts led by the Office for Performance Improvement & Innovation to create on-demand traffic studies in partnership with the Waze app in place of more costly, slower-to-develop traditional traffic studies. What Works Cities also cited the city’s ongoing efforts to improve its engagement and quality of publicly open data.

Mayor Fischer created the Office of Performance Improvement & Innovation in 2012 to guide Louisville Metro Government in improving the use of evidence, data and innovation to achieve more efficient and effective services for residents. OPI2 has helped the city increase revenue, reduce staff time, increase program reach and avoid costly consultants. This includes:

• A 29% reduction in repair time at Louisville Metro Parks’ Central Services repair facility.
• Savings of $72,000 by taking over the Employee Engagement survey from an outsourced company while substantially increasing the participation rate.
• Hackathons that drew in community partners to help us better use our data.
• Getting more people involved in the digital platforms that are essential for the economy of today and tomorrow. That includes more than 500 low-cost internet sign ups with local providers and distributed more than 350 refurbished donated computers for residents in need in 2018.
• Bringing in more than $13.5 million in grants.

What Works Cities Certification evaluates how well cities are managed and how city leaders incorporate data and evidence in their decision-making. Cities are evaluated on factors such as whether they have dedicated staff responsible for helping departments use data to track their progress; whether contracts are awarded based on past performance; meetings are focused on numbers; key datasets are open to the public; and whether there is transparency both in the goals set and the progress toward achieving them. Cities must demonstrate that they have policies in place to manage the risks associated with sophisticated data practices. The program also requires that cities publicly communicate their use of data best practices and engage community stakeholders in the process.

To date, a total of thirteen cities have achieved certification, including Arlington, TX, Boston, MA, Kansas City, MO, Los Angeles, CA, Louisville, KY, Memphis, TN, New Orleans, LA, Philadelphia, PA, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, Scottsdale, AZ, Seattle, WA, and Washington, DC.

With volunteers cleaning neighborhoods, donating bikes to refugees, building beds for local youth and collecting canned goods and personal care items, Mayor Greg Fischer’s eighth annual Give A Day Week of Service made a big impact on the city and amounted to more than 235,000 acts of volunteerism and compassion during the week that ended Saturday, April 20, 2019.

That surpassed Louisville’s own 2018 world record of about 205,000 volunteers and acts of compassion.

The Mayor, who started Give A Day in 2011 and has since expanded it to eight days that now occur as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival, said seeing the city join together to help each other out was inspiring and encouraging.  

“What we saw this week was a true outpouring of compassion and shows the big impact each of us can have on our community by simply showing up and helping someone out,” Mayor Fischer said. “I’m inspired each year by seeing the new and creative ways people can chip in to keep our Give A Day effort growing, and by living our city core value of compassion during our week of service, and 365 days a year.”

The annual count is an estimate based on volunteers and groups who reported their work and acts of compassion, such as donated meals and other items. The success of Give A Day would not be possible without the support and coordination of Metro United Way, which matches volunteers with projects and organizations through the website, www.mygiveaday.com.

2019 Give A Day week of service — Notable Numbers:

• 327,699 total volunteer hours given to projects during Give A Day Week 2019
• 38,000 pounds of food donated through Kroger and Dare to Care food drives
• 17,456 Brightside volunteers cleaned up neighborhoods and parks in Louisville
• 4,400 thank you notes written by Global Game Changers
• $800 raised by Lucy Lu Bakes’ online bake sale with proceeds going to Scarlet’s Bakery
• 198 units of blood donated at Red Cross blood drives
• 158 beds built for JCPS students

JustServe.org is a free volunteer website dedicated to bringing communities together through volunteerism.

From JustServe.org: Non-profits can post the need for volunteers and those in our community can go to the website and see all the opportunities to volunteer. Because the website is self-funded, we never ask for donations to maintain the website, we never sell advertising and we never sell any information. All of us connected with JustServe.org are volunteers and there is no paid staff.

Are you a born relationship builder?

Center For Neighborhoods is looking for a dedicated person to help us make positive change in neighborhoods and within the city. The Neighborhood Liaison works directly with residents and neighborhood organizations to support safe, healthy, and attractive neighborhoods.

Click here to see the full description and how to apply.

Justin Thomas Foundation to benefit First Tee of Louisville, five other charities

Golf champion, Saint X graduate and Louisville native Justin Thomas announced the creation of his charitable foundation this week and it will benefit charities such as the First Tee of Louisville.

In Thomas's honor, the three-hole youth golf course at Shawnee will be named after Thomas.  Thomas said he would personally be heavily involved in the foundation, along with his family, including his mom Jani and father Mike, who has been the head pro at Harmony Landing since 1990.

“We’ve been very fortunate to be able to give back and do some behind-the-scenes things, but we felt like the timing was right to take the next step forward,” Thomas said. “The time was right to get the ball rolling, and it’s definitely been a fun process so far.” Thomas said the foundation would benefit the following charities: Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana; The First Tee of Louisville; the Kentucky Golf Foundation; The First Tee of Tuscaloosa; Convoy of Hope; and Folds of Honor. For more information about the foundation, visit justinthomasgolf.com. 

Income-eligible residents of Louisville now have more time to apply for funding to help with energy bills, thanks to an extension of the deadline for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LIHEAP Crisis operates on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted or through April 30, whichever comes first.  Benefits provided by this program are paid directly to the applicant’s heating vendor.

LIHEAP is made possible by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is a pass through block grant from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which contracts with Community Action Agencies across the state. Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS) serves as the administering agency of the Louisville Metro Community Action Agency. For more information about RCS, visit our website: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services or call Community Action Kentucky at 1-800-456-3452.

Charlie B is a sweet cat in need of extra TLC. The three-year-old is special needs due to a neurological condition which affects his fine motor skills and balance. Fortunately for Charlie B, it isn’t a severe case and he can lead a perfectly normal life. Charlie B loves to play with his toys, and he’s friendly with both children and dogs. Charlie B’s adoption fee is waived for an approved adopter. He’s already neutered, microchipped and up-to-date on vaccinations. You can meet Charlie B at the Lucky Cat Café & Lounge, 2230 Dundee Road, Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Please, send questions about Charlie B to animalservicesadoption@louisvilleky.gov, or call 473-PETS.

Duke is a spunky one-year-old Boxer mix that is always ready for an adventure! This friendly fellow loves to go walks and explore his surroundings. Duke gets along with other dogs, large and small. He can be tested with cats upon request, when you visit Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road, Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Send questions to animalservicesadoption@louisvilleky.gov, or call 473-PETS. 

LFPL is the place to take up knitting, crochet, and sewing! We have social groups, sewing lab hours, and activities for kids, teens and adults. Teens are welcome to join the Highlands-Shelby Park Knitting Bee every Friday afternoon where you can make something for yourself and something to be given to people in need. 

• Open Sewing Lab - South Central, Mondays, 2 to 3 p.m. 
• Sew Fetch! (teens) - South Central, Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m. 
• Hooked on Yarn (adults) Shawnee, Wednesdays, 1 to 2 p.m. 
• Knitting Club (kids) South Central, Thursdays, 5 to 6 p.m. 
• Knitting Bee (teens) Highlands-Shelby Park, Fridays, 3 to 4:30 p.m. 
• Textile Arts & Social Club (adults) South Central, April 25, 6 to 8 p.m.

Teens:

Knitting Bee Fridays at 3 p.m. Middle and high school ages.

Homeschool Social Club Thursdays at 3 p.m., ages 12-17

The Library – at the crossroads of knowledge and know-how. Visit www.LFPL.org to learn more.

If you are interested in volunteering for one of Louisville Metro Government's Boards and Commissions, now is the time to start. By being a part of a board or commission, you will offer your time and your talents to improve the quality of life in our community.

There are approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety.

The following boards have vacancies: 

• 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

To learn more about board applications, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/mayor-greg-fischer/interested-serving-board-or-commission

If you're renovating or remodeling, have a plan for disposing of the resulting debris. Construction and demolition debris in Louisville garbage and junk pickup collection is prohibited by ordinance, so hiring a hauling company or renting a dumpster may be in order. 

Options for disposal of construction and demolition debris include taking it to the Waste Reduction Center on Meriwether Avenue. Fees are variable depending on volume. More information and a fee schedule are available here. 

The new RecycleCoach app features notifications about garbage, recycling, bulk waste, and yard waste collection services. 

RecycleCoach will help Solid Waste Management Services communicate better by sending special messages such as bulk waste rule reminders or suspension of services for yard waste, etc.

The app also has a “what goes where” feature to allow a person to input a certain item to get information on disposal or recycling.  Download from the App Store or Google Play.

The Center for Neighborhoods' NeighborMap is now available online! This new, layered map comes loaded with data on neighborhood resources, grocery access, flood-plain locations, tree cover and more. NeighborMap can help individuals and community organizations visualize and understand the assets available in their neighborhoods, and identify improvements they would like to see.

Students from UofL's Kent School of Social Work contributed to the project by gathering data in urban neighborhoods, and will continue the partnership with CFN to help develop strong neighborhoods. NeighborMap was created in part with funding from Louisville Metro Government.

Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) will investigate and impose fines on anyone who comes into contact with an underground natural gas line while digging without having contacted 811 to have the lines located before digging.

Contact 811 (call 8-1-1 or submit an online locate request at 811.com) before you dig and make sure that anyone doing excavation on your behalf contacts 811 two working days before they start.

For more information, please visit lge-ku.com/safety/digging.

Some offices and VA hospitals offer a "Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program" that includes treatment methods including acupuncture, tai chi, and meditation instead of opioids, and they work with the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, Press 1) to provide support and treatment for PTSD and depression, the leading cause of suicide for veterans.

Additional references for VA material and assistance: www.vetcenter.va.gov or 1-877-WAR-VETS or (lifestyle changes for better health) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX9fLXrF4fA 

There is also a link for sexual trauma: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Military_Sexual_Trauma.asp

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 574-5850 or Jacqueline.Wilson-rudy@louisvilleky.gov.

If you wish to make a MetroCall 311 request, please use the following contacts. You'll receive a service request number that will help the District 10 office assist you.

 You can email metrocall@louisvilleky.gov, or go to www.louisvilleky.gov/metrocall where you can chat live with Metrocall, fill out an online form for a 311 service request, or download the free mobile 311 application. Or tweet @LouMetro311 or call 574-5000. 

We receive complaints about signs that are illegally posted on poles and at intersections in the right-of-way, including "We Buy Houses," "Express Cash" and others. 

If you walk by these signs or live somewhere where these signs are posted and may be removed safely, help clean up our community by taking them down and throwing them away. Or better yet, consider recycling the signs - search for "recycled yard sign projects" online for ideas. 

Click here to sign up for the LENSAlert (Louisville Emergency Notification System). 

In addition to receiving notifications, individuals can create a Safety Profile for themselves and their household that can include any information they want 9-1-1 and first responders to have in the event of an emergency. When individuals make an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right responders to the right location with the right information.

Information about medical history, allergies to medication, number of residents in a home and even a picture of the family dog can all be added to a Safety Profile.