The program that helps prevent low income residents of Jefferson County from being disconnected from utility services will begin on Monday, January 6th.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by the Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. The LIHEAP Crisis Component will run from Jan. 6 - March 31, or until available funds have been expended, whichever comes first.

This year’s Crisis Program will allow residents receiving a current utility bill with a past due amount and residents receiving a disconnect notice to apply for assistance.

To apply, residents must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system. Beginning Dec. 30, 2019, appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. The toll-free service is currently open and is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Applicants must be a resident of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $2,790.00). 

Applicants must also meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Received a disconnect notice from metered utility service provider, or
• Received a current bill with a past due amount, or
• Received an eviction notice if utilities are included in the rent, or
• Be within four days of running out of bulk fuel; or
• Be within ten days of running out of pre-paid electric service.

Applicants must provide the following documents.

• Proof of all household income for the preceding month (Food Stamp award letter, Social Security Award letter, pay stubs, or proof of $0 income). Note: Zero Income forms are available at the LIHEAP offices or at 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201 or by clicking here.
• Social Security card(s) or (official documentation with Social Security Numbers) or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household; and
• Disconnect notice or a current bill with a past due amount for metered utilities; or
• Eviction notice and copy of lease if heating expenses are included in the rent. or 
• Statement from utility company that shows 10 days or less of service if participating in pre-paid electric service. 

Individuals who are unable to apply for this program in person may send an authorized representative on their behalf with a signed, written, note including the applicant’s name, address, phone number, Social Security Number, and the name of the designated representative.  The authorized representative must provide a picture ID to verify they are the person designated in the note. Residents who are homebound and who are unable to send a representative may call 502/780-7937.

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

• Northwest Neighborhood Place/Academy at Shawnee, 4018 W Market St., 40212
• South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 40215
• Neighborhood Place Ujima/Duvalle Education Center, 3610 Bohne Ave., 40211
• Neighborhood Place/Bridges of Hope, 1411 Algonquin Pkwy., 40210
• Newburg Community Center/East, 4810 Exeter Ave, 40218
• Southwest Government Center/Dixie Highway location. 7219 Dixie Highway, 40258 

AARP Tax-Aide, has a mission to serve any person who comes through the door, with special attention to those 60 and older. The AARP site at the Southwest Government Center (7219 Dixie Hwy) is now open and accepting appointments.

For a full AARP schedule and listing, including sites in Southern Indiana and mobile sites, visit http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org or call (502) 394-3443.

To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring: 

• Picture ID and Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return
• Copy of 2019 tax return with all attachments and schedules
• W-2s and 1099s from your employers
• Other 1099s for interest, dividends, state tax refund or other income
• 1095-A for health insurance
• 1098 for education credit, plus a detailed financial statement from the school
• Bank account number and routing number for direct deposit as well as savings account number (if applicable)
• Childcare information, including Provider ID and actual amounts paid
• Summarized list of other income/expenses for those who itemize or are self-employed
• Additional tax information that may be required

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.

Upcoming Classes:

Intro-Intermediate Silver and Metal-Smithing

Advanced Oil Painting

Intro to Glass Mosaics

Drawing

Intro-Intermediate Lost Wax Casting

Adult Pottery

Jewelry/Metal Enameling

Beginning Watercolor

Youth Pottery

For detailed class and registration information, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/metro-arts-center

Bet You Can’t Eat Just One!

• Saturday, February 22; 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Listen to a picture book about George Crum, the African American inventor of potato chips! After, test your taste buds at our potato chip tasting and vote which potato chip is best! All ages

Shh... It's a Speakeasy: Party Like It's 1920!

• Saturday, February 29; 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• An adults only Books & Brews 502 after-hours event! Put on your swankiest glad rags and step back in time for some roaring 20s style fun. Casino games, music, dancing, costume contests and more! Against the Grain will be on hand with tasty brews for those 21+. This juice joint is password protected – Click here or call 502-933-0029 to receive the password.

Movie Monday: Aladdin

• Monday, March 09; 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Join us as we watch the new 2019 Aladdin, have some snacks, and do a craft. All ages

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

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.

Junior Naturalist Program 

• Third Saturday of each month, January - April; 10:00 a.m. - noon
• Beginning in January, Jefferson Memorial Forest will be launching a free Junior Naturalist Program for children ages 7-10. This 4-part series will take place on the 3rd Sat of the month from January through April. Each month’s program will have a different theme and will be filled with exciting adventures and hands-on activities. Participants will learn to explore, observe, and think like a naturalist! Those attending all 4 programs in the series will receive a special certificate and Junior Naturalist Toolkit packed with essential tools for outdoor exploration. FREE! Ages 7-10. A parent/legal guardian must accompany anyone under the age of 18. Call to preregister

Wherever you travel in Kentucky, you are never far from one of our 45 Kentucky State Parks.

Beginning Monday, February 24th the Waste Reduction Center at 636 Meriwether Ave. will be closed for maintenance until further notice. A push wall on the loading pad has to be reconstructed before it can open again.

The wall at the loading pad has become unsafe for staff and customers. The project is anticipated to take four to six weeks to complete and reopen.  Hopefully no weather delays occur during the reconstruction of the wall and we can see this facility open again soon!  

During construction, up to 3 household electronic items will still be accepted.

The operator of Church's Chicken is expected to open in April, 2020! Louisville's first Church's Chicken will be located at 10711 Dixie Hwy, near the Valley-Station Kroger.

Church's Chicken is a rapidly growing fast-food chain that specializes in "bringing that down home flavor" to southern style chicken! Their Menu consists of a 2-piece, 3-piece, or 4-piece mix of spicy or original chicken and a variety of sides. 

For more information about Church's Chicken CLICK HERE!

The Louisville PVA offers a homestead exemption for property owners 65 years of age or older and persons with disabilities who own and occupy the property as their primary residence on January 1 of the year in which they apply for the exemption. The homestead exemption for 2019-2020 is $39,300. If you are eligible to receive the exemption, the year’s exemption amount is subtracted from your property’s assessed value, reducing your property tax liability.

Only one exemption (Homestead or Disability) is allowed per household. Once approved for the Homestead Exemption, you are not required to reapply annually.  You are eligible for the Homestead Exemption on residential or commercial property if you own and occupy the property as your primary residence and meet all other qualifying criteria. If you move, it is your responsibility to notify the PVA Office and reapply for the exemption on your new residence.

For more information and to apply online, please click here.

Kentucky Kingdom has begun hiring for 1,400 seasonal positions, including lifeguards, ride operators and water park technicians with some ability in plumbing. Pay rates begin “above the minimum wage”. Some jobs are available for workers as young as 14. The park needs seasonal help in more than 20 departments, including kitchen staff, ride technicians, landscaping and warehousing.  Job applicants can get more information on the parks’ official website

Are you or anyone you know interested in golf? If so, I have the perfect deal for you!

The Louisville Metro golf passes are on sale NOW. For just $500 per year, you can have unlimited play at any of the fantastic Metro owned golf courses. This is one opportunity you don't want to pass up!

A seven-day unlimited play pass, good for unlimited play including weekends and holidays after noon, is $500. A five-day pass, Monday-Friday only, is $350.

You can download the application here or fill it out in person at the Joe Creason Park Golf Desk. Let's make 2020 the year for GOLF!

If you have any questions, please call my office at (502) 574-1114. 

The Miracle League of Louisville is a baseball league and complex located in Fern Creek Park but serves all Louisville Metro Districts and Kentuckiana for children and adults with physical, cognitive, and/or emotional disabilities.The league had a very successful summer and fall season in 2019 and are now seeking volunteers for the upcoming 2020 spring baseball season!

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Buddy (each player in the league has their own Buddy who assists them on the field and in the dugout for each game)
• Coach
• Assistant coach
• Umpire
• Team mom
• General game day help

The spring baseball season games will be played on Saturdays from April 11 through June 13 with the exception of Derby Day and Memorial Day. The volunteer commitment will require a minimum of one hour, or longer if interested each week.  Church groups, athletic teams, corporate groups, civic groups, and school clubs are just a few examples of individuals that can come together to serve our community.  Volunteering as an individual or a group for The Miracle League of Louisville will build camaraderie and a sense of community involvement!

If interested in volunteer opportunities, or you have any questions regarding our upcoming baseball season please visit the Miracle League of Louisville website, or contact us at (502) 445-9430 at your earliest convenience. 

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.

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.