After repainting a room, you inevitably have paint leftover. After several projects, these paint cans start to pile up. Have you ever wondered what to do with your leftover latex paint? Through a partnership between Louisville/Jefferson County Waste Management District, Louisville Metro Department of Public Works and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, you can recycle that leftover latex paint.

The Latex Paint Recycling Program is simple. Drop off your usable, latex paint and it will be sorted by color and re-blended by Habitat ReStore. The paint is then sold at Louisville Habitat ReStore locations for $13 per gallon. This money goes right back into our community by supporting Habitat for Humanity’s mission to create housing solutions for qualified families in Louisville.

Here’s what you need to know:

• This recycling program is for LATEX PAINT ONLY. Anything oil based or requiring paint thinner or other solvents for cleanup is a hazardous material and should be taken to HAZ BIN for disposal: 7501 Grade Lane, Louisville, KY 40219
• Paint that has been frozen and thawed will not be accepted.
• Leaking, unlabeled and empty containers will not be accepted.
• Containers with open lids or obvious cracks will not be accepted.
• Excessively rusted containers will not be accepted.
• Must pass the shake test; paint should move inside the container when shaken.
• If less than 1 inch of paint remains, allow it to dry out and discard in the garbage.
• Like colors may be combined prior to dropping off. 

Once you have your recyclable latex paint cans ready to go, they can be dropped off at the following Habitat for Humanity ReStore Louisville locations:

• 2777 S Floyd St, Tues-Fri: 10 a.m.-6p.m., Sat: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• 4044 Taylorsville Rd, Mon-Sat: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
• 1631 Rowan St, Wed-Fri: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mowing over leaves to mulch them back into your lawn is a great option for reducing waste and it adds nutrients back into your soil. Residents with yard waste collection can also set them out in paper bags or containers. And all Louisville Metro residents will have the option to dispose of them for free at a drop-off sites beginning November 5.

Metro Public Works is offering a free leaf drop-off service November 5 through November 30. Drop-off will not be available on November 28 and 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Only loose leaves will be accepted. Containers used to bring leaves to the drop-off sites must be disposed of off-site by residents.

Leaf drop off site:

Public Works Yard

10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)

Tuesday – Saturday

9 a.m. – 3 p.m

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that helps low income residents of Jefferson County with their utility bills begins on Monday, Nov. 4, 2019.

LIHEAP is a federally funded, income-based program that provides financial help to low-income households in meeting the costs of heating their home. The LIHEAP Subsidy Component is a one-time assistance benefit, which is paid directly to the heating vendor. The LIHEAP Subsidy Component begins Monday, Nov. 4, and will operate through Dec. 13, 2019.

Residents wishing to apply must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system. The appointment system is currently open and is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling (502) 991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Applicants must be Louisville Metro/Jefferson County residents with a household income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For the Subsidy Component of LIHEAP, residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills. Applicants must also provide the following documentation.

• Proof of all household income for the preceding month (Food Stamp award letter, Social Security Award letter, pay stubs, etc. or proof of $0 income. Note: Zero Income forms are available at the Office of Resilience and Community Services office at 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201 or by clicking here.
• Proof of Social Security number for each member of the household.
• Most current heating bill; or statement from your landlord if heating expenses are included in your rent; or statement from your utility company if you participate in a pre-pay electric program. Please bring the account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric.

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 home bound and who are unable to send a representative may call (502) 780-7937.

The Metro Arts Community Center offers classes for children and adults in the fine and applied arts. If you're looking to acquire or refine a particular artistic skill – from guitar playing and cartooning to pottery and silversmithing – the Metro Arts Center has a fun, affordable class for you.

Registration is required for all classes and begin immediately from 9:00am to 6:00pm at one of our 5 payment sites; Beechmont, Joe Creason, Southwick, Sun Valley, and Mary T. Meagher. Cash and Checks (made payable to Louisville Parks and Recreation) only. 

For more information, please visit this link.

Dino-vember Dino Dig

• Saturday, November 16th; 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• We’ll explore dinosaurs through a brief storytime followed by activities, crafts, and a pretend play dinosaur dig!

DIY Holiday Maker Fair

• Saturday, November 23; 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Join us as we make unique gifts for the upcoming holiday season. Stations include design your own wrapping paper, canvas art, picture frames, and bath bombs! Please call 502-933-0029 to register.

Holiday Dance Party for Kids

• Saturday, November 30; 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• Dance to silly Santa songs and enjoy our reindeer games, parachute play, bubbles, and a wintery snack. Shake your sillies out with us!

http://www.lfpl.org/events/

Southwest Community Ministries food closet is in need of toilet tissue and shaving supplies for men and women. These include shaving cream, razors, after shave etc. These items along with non perishable food items can be taken to Southwest Community Ministries (8504 Terry Rd.).

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact (502) 935-0310.

JustServe.org is a free volunteer website dedicated to bringing communities together through volunteerism. 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, they never ask for donations to maintain the website, they never sell advertising and they never sell any information. All those connected with JustServe.org are volunteers and there is no paid staff. The website is zip code driven, easy to use and 100% free.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities, this is a perfect place to start looking! There are plenty of organizations to chose from that are conveniently located in your area.

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.

Interested in Volunteering?

Do you have time to participate in Meals on Wheels?

Southwest Community Ministries is looking for kindhearted, friendly people to deliver meals to home-bound seniors in the 40272 and 40258 zip codes.

Delivery takes about an hour weekly. There is a route on Tuesdays that departs from Sun Valley Community Center (10:00 am) or a route on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays route departing from St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital in the afternoon (3:30).

If you want to make a difference in a senior's life please contact Jessica Burnett 502-935-0310 ext. 244. 

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.

Another illegal dumping vehicle impounded

Pickup was used in two separate incidents

This week Solid Waste Enforcement tracked down a white pickup truck that was recorded by surveillance back in February as it was used to illegally dump tree debris in the 3600 block of Parthenia Avenue. The offender was found through information received as we investigated a separate illegal dumping incident in the 4100 block of Craig Avenue in April for which the person was also determined to be responsible. In total, the illegal dumper will owe $1,500 in fines and approximately $250 impound fees.

With 6,600 acres, Jefferson Memorial Forest offers many opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy and explore the outdoors. The forest features more than 35 miles of marked hiking trails, fishing and primitive camping.

To learn more, please visit this link.