Councilman Fox invites the public to attend the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of a new District 13 business, Boom Box Fitness, located at 8501 Als Way in the Outer Loop & New Cut Rd. Center.

• Grand Opening Saturday February 29 at 9:00am – 4:00 pm.
• Ribbon Cutting will be at 12noon

“Many of our residents have expressed their desire to have a gym in the district.  Boom Box will be a very welcome addition to the New Cut Road corridor and give our neighbors a place to train for an event or just reduce stress and get healthier,” CM Fox.

Owners, Kelly and Damon Smith, feel BoomBox Fitness provides more than working out and sweating, it is truly about the community. “We strive to create a business in the community where you can come and workout along side your friends.  You can leave everything that’s stressing you at the door and for one hour focus 100% on yourself.  "We truly want everyone to feel welcome and to realize how great and amazing they are.  Our motto is dig deep rise up. It’s truly a reminder that no matter how much you want to quit if you just dig deep you will always end on top.” Kelly Smith.  

They are offering a Grand Opening special if new members sign a month contract. They offer a variety of additional discounts and give discounts for first responders, military, teachers and employees of Ford and UPS since those companies employ so many people in our community.  There is a Groupon that will allow people to try the gym at an extremely discounted rate.  

In addition to operating this business, Kelly and Damon Smith both work for JCPS at the WEB Dubois school.  Damon is the head coach for the Male track and cross country team as well

The U.S. Census will help determine Louisville's future for the next 10 year — representation in government, the allocation of federal resources affecting communities and families, education funding, and much more. 

Mayor Greg Fischer and the Louisville Municipal Complete Count Committee are working to help ensure a complete and proper count of all Louisville residents, and are seeking the community's help in getting out the word. The official Census 2020 date is April. In three weeks invitations will arrive at households and residents will be able to respond to the 2020 Census! Learn more. 

https://louisvilleky.gov/census

The Census is fast approaching – Timeline

• March 12-20 – An invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census.
• March 16-24 – A reminder letter.
• March 26-April 3 – A reminder postcard. (if you haven’t responded yet)
• April 8-16 – A reminder letter and a paper questionnaire

With all of the heavy rainfall we have been experiencing, and the prospect this weekend of more flooding, safety is a huge priority right now. Please be extremely cautious during this rainy time and whenever you see water pooling in the area. Below are some helpful flooding tips for you to read!

Safety Tips:

• Obey flood warning signs.
• Do not drive around barricades.
• If you see any standing or moving water deeper than four inches, turn around, don’t drown!
• Residential/Businesses: Clear the street gutter, catch basin, storm drain of any debris to allow optimal water flow.

Stay informed, sing up for emergency notification alerts at LENSAlert and Smart911

Report:

• where it happened
• describe the vehicle(s) involved
• include license plate number(s) if available
• upload pictures if available

For more information about illegal dumping, including a link to the reporting form visit our illegal dumping webpage.

Today, the average life expectancy is at a record high of 79 years, As we get older, even the most independent among us may experience physical declines or financial hardship that strips away their independence. Add to that an increase in geographic mobility of our families, and the result is millions of seniors left behind, hungry and alone.

9 out of 10 say Meals on Wheels helps them live independently!

How can you help? Volunteers are always needed! Call (502) 935-0310 to learn more. They serve seniors in 40258, 40272, and 40117.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness is offering free radon test kits while supplies last.  You can request a kit by calling 574-6650.

     Radon is a gas that you cannot smell, taste or see. It forms naturally when uranium, radium and thorium break down in rocks, soil and groundwater. People can be exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that comes in through cracks and gaps in homes and other buildings. Radon can cause lung cancer through prolonged exposure. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, causing between 15,000 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year.

     The entire state of Kentucky is at high risk for radon exposure with about 40 percent of homes estimated to have unsafe levels. The only way to know if radon exists at dangerous levels in your home is to test for it.

     "Radon can exist at dangerous levels in homes in Louisville, but people may not know it because it’s a gas that you can’t smell or see,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and the city’s chief health strategist. “We encourage people to take advantage of the free test kits to test their homes for radon.”

     The lung cancer risk factors of tobacco smoke and radon are related. More radon-related lung cancers occur in individuals with a history of exposure to tobacco smoke. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

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.

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.

Individuals who require more information can contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or (502) 574-5000, email metro.311@louisvilleky.gov, visit the website’s On-line Customer Service at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro311, tweet @LouMetro311, or download the free Mobile 311 app from the website. Residents can also call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service.

What is PAL?

Parents of Addicted Loved ones is a support group of parents helping parents. They meet every week on Sundays. Our primary goal is to provide hope through education and support, at no charge, for parents dealing with addicted loved ones.

• When: Sundays; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• Where: St. Raphael the Archangel Church (2900 Bardstown Rd.) 
• For more information, please contact mmeeks13@bellsouth.net or (502) 609-0926. 

AARP Tax-Aide, has a mission to serve any person who comes through the door, with special attention to those 60 and older. 

AARP sites in Louisville will open the first week of February at the following locations:

• Buechel Park Baptist Church, 2403 Hikes Lane
• Central Government Center, 7201 Outer Loop
• St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2822 Frankfort Ave.
• Iroquois Branch Library, 601 W Woodlawn Ave.
• Jeffersontown Senior Center, 10631 Watterson Trail 
• Lyndon Baptist Church, 8025 New LaGrange Rd.
• Middletown First Baptist Church, 11711 Main St.
• Portland Branch Library, 3305 Northwestern Parkway
• Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Hwy.
• Walnut Street Baptist Church 1143 South 3rd St.

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

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!

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. 

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

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

Louisville Parks and Recreation is offering free lifeguard training to those who are willing to work at two Metro-owned outdoor pools and the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center for the summer 2020 season.

The next training class begins Sunday, March 1, at Mary T., located at 201 Reservoir Avenue near the Crescent Hill Reservoir within Crescent Hill Park. Lifeguards must be 16 years of age and be able to fulfill prerequisites relating to swimming, diving, and water treading skills prior to successful completion of the course. Training for lifeguards not employed by Louisville Parks and Recreation is available for $200/per person.

For more information, call 502-897-9949. The department is looking for at least 15 lifeguards for the upcoming season at Mary T. and the two outdoor pools that will be open this summer, Sun Valley in southwest Louisville and Algonquin in west Louisville.

To learn more about what’s expected of Louisville Parks and Recreation lifeguards, click here. You can also find out more by watching this video featuring training instructor and Aquatics Manager Keith Smith.

Louisville Parks and Recreation is offering a free tee-ball league for children ages six and under. 

 Sign-ups will continue through March 6, and again, participation is free. Parents can sign up at louisvillerbi.leagueapps.com or at the following community centers

• Beechmont Community Center, 205 Wellington Avenue, 40214 
• South Louisville Community Center, 2911 Taylor Boulevard, 40208 
• Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane, 40272   

Games begin April 11 and will be played at Wyandotte Park, 1104 Beecher Street, 40215. Louisville Parks and Recreation is also seeking coaches and volunteers to help run the league. For more information, call (502) 574-4515 or e-mail Brady Buckley at Brady.Buckley@louisvilleky.gov.  

Louisville Parks and Recreation is partnering with Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities (RBI) program to increase interest and participation in the game of baseball and softball as well as to encourage academic participation and the value of teamwork. RBI operates in 200 cities worldwide

On the eve of its 82^nd season, the historic Iroquois Amphitheater unveiled a revamped website today with a modern ticket purchasing solution, a playlist featuring artists who have played at the amphitheater, a photo gallery from past concerts and a more modern, vibrant look befitting one of the local area’s most beloved venues.

Tickets are on sale at the new website for the following shows:

• Louis The Child with Jai Wolf and Evan Giia, Thursday, April 30
• The Head And The Heart with Margo Price, Monday, May 18
• AJR with Almost Monday, Tuesday, May 19
• Three Dog Night, Thursday, June 4

In addition, tickets to the June 10 Glass Animals show will be going on sale soon, and the July 31 REO Speedwagon show is sold out. More shows are likely to be added this winter and early spring.

For more information and to view the new website, visit https://iroquoisamphitheater.com/

Louisville Parks and Recreation annual golf passes are now on sale at the Joe Creason Park administration building (1297 Trevilian Way.)  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. Junior, team, and golf cart discount passes are also for sale through the golf desk at Creason, located in the parks administration building across from the Louisville Zoo. Those seeking a pass are required to fill out an application and to get a photo ID taken at the Creason golf desk. You can download the application here or fill it out in person. For more information, please call (502) 574-6454

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

89.3 WFPL News is hosting The Next Louisville: Civic Assembly, a community-driven virtual and in-person initiative designed to collectively explore the issues that matter most in Louisville.

Virtual Town Hall: From Feb. 10-21, WFPL will host an interactive online survey at wfpl.org/civicassembly to learn what Louisvillians believe should change in the city to make it a better place to live, work and spend time. The goals: to engage in civil conversation about civic issues, articulate areas of agreement and challenge assumptions about polarization. 

Community Conversations: The results of the Virtual Town Hall will be the basis for a series of in-person events to further explore ideas, challenges and solutions. Mark your calendar for Community Conversations at the following Louisville Free Public Library locations:

• Monday, March 9 at 6 p.m. • Northeast Regional
• Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. • Southwest Regional
• Monday, March 16 at 6 p.m. • Main Library, Centennial Room
• Wednesday, March 18 at 6 p.m. •  South Central Regional

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

There's no way to pick the best Kentucky State Parks because each park has its own unique attributes, from shorelines to majestic mountains, from winding caves to enchanting woodlands. 

Enjoy some of the most striking landscapes in Kentucky, find lakes that stretch as far as the eye can see, and stay at state park lodges that combine historic charm with today's conveniences. The best Kentucky State Parks experiences are closer than you think!

If you are interested in donating to our State Park Foundation, please click this link

Come Celebrate with Us!

March is Women’s History Month and we will be celebrating all month long starting with a reception for our Women’s History Month Exhibition: Women of the Ohio Valley Weavers. From the Archives, this is the public’s first chance to see the work of these women significant to the creation of the Lou Tate Foundation. 

In conjunction with this exhibition, we will be offering a panel lecture-discussion on March 21st  from 2 pm – 4 pm on the women instrumental in the creation of the Lou Tate Foundation, turning 40 years old this year.  Join Historian and Author, Stefanie Rae Buzan, former Lou Tate student, Sally Moss, and Loomhouse Director of Programming and Education, Michelle Amos to learn more about these amazing women and their efforts to create the Lou Tate Foundation. This is a ticketed event.

• Women’s History Reception is Free and Open to the Public,
• Saturday, March 7th, from 2 pm – 4 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

Beginning Monday, February 24, 2020, the Waste Reduction Center will be closed for maintenance until further notice. We have to reconstruct a push wall on the loading pad.  The wall at the loading pad has become unsafe for our staff and our customers.   The project is anticipated to take four to six weeks to complete and reopen.  Hopefully we will not experience any weather delays during the reconstruction of the wall.   

Below is a list of private waste collection vendor as an option (for a fee) to use while our Center is closed.  

• Waste Management of Kentucky 7501 Grade Lane, Louisville, KY 40219   502-785-8663  Our operation hours are between Monday: 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday: 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday: 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday: 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Please Note: If unloading by hand you need to be in an hour before we close.
• Rumpke  1101 W Oak St, Louisville, KY 40210  800-828-8171 The transfer station is open to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Republic  4446 Poplar Level Road, Louisville, KY 40213  502-634-2900  Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Smith Creek (2 locations)  Melton Ave.  (By the airport)  4574 Melton Avenue  Louisville, Ky 40213 Haunz Lane (East End)  5918 Haunz Ln, Louisville, KY 40241   Monday Thru Friday - Hours 7:00 am to 3:30 pm  No weekend hours  Contact Information:  502-377-9026 - Brett

 Accepting

•       Brush, Leaves, trees, grasses either bulk or in paper/compostable bags.

Not Accepting

•       Trash, dirt, rock, glass, metal, brick, pavers, railroad ties, telephone poles, fabric weed            barrier – all items must be

Under the ordinance, LMAS will maintain the Animal Abuse Registry, updating it at least once every 30 days. Anyone convicted of animal abuse outside of Jefferson County must register within 10 days of establishing residency. Failure to register or comply with the registry could result in a maximum 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

To view the Animal Abuse Registry and read the ordinance, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services