Jefferson County Public Schools and Catholic Schools will be on Spring Break next week, March 29 – April 2. Here are some free or low-cost options for keeping students active and engaged this year.

Louisville Free Public Library

Families can pick up a free spring break backpack from any LFPL location (while supplies last). Each backpack will include activities families can do together in their backyard, at the park, or wherever their adventures take them.

From March 29 – April 3, the included Field Guide will feature a different topic and set of activities to do that day—from nature exploration to messy art to suggested reading lists. Special nature-inspired Book Bundles are also available by request and can be customized based on a child’s age, interest, and reading level. Simply visit LFPL.org/BookBundles to order in advance.

For more information, visit www.LFPL.org, or call (502) 574-1611.

Louisville Parks and Recreation

Families are encouraged to visit any of the city’s 120 parks, where most amenities, including basketball goals, tennis nets and playgrounds, have been re-opened after having been closed because of COVID-19. Hiking opportunities abound at Jefferson Memorial Forest, where more than 35 miles of trails await those looking to get away and enjoy a scenic outdoor opportunity just 15 minutes from downtown Louisville. For a listing of the city’s hiking trails, visit louisvilleky.gov/government/jefferson-memorial-forest. Please be aware that because of recent heavy rains, trails may be muddy. Residents are reminded to please be safe while hiking and bring a change of dry clothes.

The Olmsted Parks Conservancy is also hosting an animal habitat scavenger hunt. The non-profit is encouraging kids to do this project either in their backyard or in one of the city’s 17 Olmsted-designed parks, https://www.olmstedparks.org/activities/animal-habitat-scavenger-hunt/.

The Louisville Zoo

The Zoo is a living classroom and a perfect place to keep young minds active, while parents get in a little exercise. Learn more at https://louisvillezoo.org/member-benefits/.

Kentucky Science Center

The Kentucky Science Center is offering several spring break camps for various age groups and an opportunity to sign up now even further into April and May. During spring break, the Kentucky Science Center will extend operating hours, staying open until 7 p.m. each day. For more information or to register for upcoming programs and events, visit https://kysciencecenter.org/.

Jefferson County Public Schools

Jefferson County Public Schools is offering free virtual spring break programming for JCPS students in grades three, four, and five. Parents and guardians can register their child to receive links for five days of activities in each of the following: karate, hip-hop, yoga and soccer. Students will listen as a JCPS teacher conducts a read-aloud.

There will also be engaging literacy activities that accompany the text that students can participate in from home. Literacy activities will be followed by guided lessons in a new skill from a community partner. Registration is open at https://forms.gle/9xRJVoJ26tZtjH2y6

BLOCS Network of Youth Programs

BLOCS Network providers offer academic and enrichment supports to children K – 12 grades. Many are providing Non-Traditional Instruction supports along with a diverse array of enrichment activities from arts and music to sports and recreation.

To connect with a BLOCS program, go to the BLOCS Louisville website to find out what they are offering for spring break and beyond, https://www.louisvilleblocs.org/blocs-for-parents/#Programs.

D9 Newsletter Break

Metro Council is taking a break too, just before we gear up for a busy FY22 Budget season, when I will be chairing dozens of hearings. Th D9 newsletter will be taking a two-week break and will resume on Thursday, April 15.

Vaccinations have now opened to everyone 50 and older in Kentucky and to others in Tier 1C (individuals ages 16-59 who have qualifying medical conditions and essential employees)

Individuals can get information and sign up for vaccines at these websites:

Norton Healthcare 
U of L Health
Baptist Health
Walgreens
Kroger
CVS
Whitney Young Elementary

For residents who don’t have access to technology or have difficulty using an online process, the staff at Louisville Metro’s COVID-19 Helpline, (502) 912-8598, can assist with scheduling an appointment at LouVax, the Broadbent Arena vaccination site.

With the city’s COVID-19 positivity rate no longer in the Critical Zone, the Louisville Free Public Library is expanding in-person services at all locations on Friday, March 26.

Patrons will be encouraged to browse and pick up library materials and check out using self-check kiosks. Building capacity will be limited to ensure social distancing, and visits will be limited to no more than 90 minutes.

In order to expand services safely, the Library has reconfigured furniture, computer stations, and equipment to ensure safe physical distancing can be maintained. Masks and temperature checks are required to enter library facilities, and all patrons (age 5 and older) must properly wear a face covering at all times during their visit. The Library will have masks available for patrons who arrive without them. 

Study rooms and meeting spaces are not available for use at this time. However, as it has since August, computer access, printing and free faxing services will still be available at the libraries. More information can be found online at www.lfpl.org/appointment/.

LFPL’s popular curbside pick-up of library materials, which began on June 1, also will continue at all locations, six days a week. For information on the Library’s curbside service, please visit LFPL.org/curbside, or call (502) 574-1611.

Pop-Up Drop-Offs are free recycling and large item disposal events for residents of Jefferson County. Through a partnership between the Department of Public Works, the Waste Management District, and Metro Council, these events are held monthly, March through November, at various locations.

The first event of 2021 is this Saturday, March 27, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Sun Valley Ball Field Complex, 10401 Lower River Road, located in the southwestern part of Jefferson County.

Residents can have documents shredded, recycle electronics, tires, and scrap metal, dispose of prescription medication and bulky items, and compost yard debris. Items must be separated into those various categories for easy off-loading at each area. Limitations and guidelines are found at Louisvilleky.gov/PopUps. 

The goal is to give all Jefferson County residents opportunities to dispose of unwanted items properly and to keep as much material out of the landfill as possible. 

Future events will be announced and are posted on the Recycle Coach app calendar.

You can also recycle up to three electronic devices, up to four tires, and dispose of up to three large household items for free year-round at the Waste Reduction Center at 636 Meriwether Avenue. 

Watch this video to learn more about the Pop-Up Drop-Off events! 

Compost bins, rain barrels, and accessories are offered at wholesale prices again this year! Purchase items in advance and pick up at the Pop-Up Drop-Off events! The online store is open and the first chance to pick up your order is on Saturday, March 27 at the Sun Valley Ball Field Complex.

Online store: louisvillecompostersale.ecwid.com.

Regular yard waste collection in the Urban Services District of Louisville has been suspended since mid-January. It will resume the week of April 5. For most of D9, yard waste collection is on Fridays, and regular service will resume on April 9. (You can check your date for all Metro services by going to https://louisvilleky.gov/, clicking on “Services Near Me” and entering your address).  

The seasonal shutdown is possible because yard waste collection volumes are very low in the winter months. Thanks for your patience during this seasonal suspension.

As yard waste collection resumes, below is a list of collection guidelines.

There is no limit on the number of bags or cans of yard waste that may be set out for collection. When a holiday occurs, yard waste collection is delayed, like garbage or recycling pickup. Guidelines for collection of yard waste:  

• Yard waste may be set out in metal or plastic containers (20-40 gallon capacity with handles), paper bags, or compostable bags as long as each can or bag weighs no more than 60 pounds.

• All yard waste must be set out by 6 AM on collection day - no earlier than 4 PM on the day before collection day.
• All containers must be removed from the street or alley no later than 4 PM the day after collection and stored on the property.
• Yard waste such as grass, leaves, or other yard waste must be free of other garbage or plastic flower pots, etc.
• Woody waste (such as tree limbs and shrub trimmings) should be less than 2 inches in diameter and should be cut into 4-foot lengths and securely tied into bundles light enough to be easily handled by one individual.

Recently I have received a number of calls and emails about litter in the City. In January, Metro Council appropriated more funds to litter cleanup efforts and a “Clean Collaborative” crew, primarily tasked with collecting litter and debris along Metro roadways, hit the streets on February 24. Since then, the crew has collected thousands of pounds of litter. More about that effort is in this WHAS11 report.  

But we need volunteer help too – and that’s where you come in. With more residents getting vaccinated and following social distancing protocols, now is the time to help out your neighborhood! There are several neighborhood cleanups you can get involved with, including the D9 Spring cleanup on Saturday, April 17. If you are interested in organizing your own cleanup, please fill out the online form to make arrangements with Brightside here.  Volunteers can also contact my office about borrowing City-owned supplies.  

Please plan to join me on Saturday, April 17, for the D9 Spring Community Cleanup. Volunteers should plan to meet for supplies at the corner of Brownsboro Road and Lindsay Avenue at 9:00 a.m. Volunteers will receive bags and gloves. Volunteers are asked to follow social distance protocols and wear masks during the cleanup if not working with their immediate family members. For more information, please contact the D9 office at 574-1109 or email kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov.

Other Neighborhood Cleanups

Butchertown Neighborhood Association Clean-up

Saturday, March 27 from 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Volunteers should plan to meet at the corner of Mellwood/Frankfort and will work towards River Road. Bags, gloves and other items will be provided, but bring your favorite broom, rake or litter-picker-upper.

Irish Hill Neighborhood Association Clean-up

Now through Wednesday, March 31, volunteers are encouraged to work on their own schedule.  Please wear gloves or use a litter grabber and don’t touch your face. Please do not overload litter bags and dispose of them with your own trash or in Irish Hill Park next to the utility pole.

Recently, I had an opportunity to speak with the 5^th Division’s new Major, Major Jason Grissom. We spoke about traffic concerns all around the District. When LMPD is able to recruit more staffing in the 5^th Division, the Major shared that he would like to hire a full-time traffic officer to help reduce speeds in D9. In the meantime, the speed monitor D9 owns is being deployed again and more officers are enforcing traffic laws, including writing tickets.

Major Grissom asked me to share some reminders. Please lock your vehicle whenever you leave it, even if you plan to be away from it for a very short time. Criminals work fast and can steal your personal items in a flash. Never leave your keys in the vehicle because it can be stolen quickly too.

LMPD advises everyone to illuminate their property at night. Leave outside lights on, check lights regularly and replace burnt out bulbs. If you see a streetlight that isn’t working, report it here. We can make our neighborhoods safer by turning on the lights!

Also, LMPD warns residents of unemployment fraud. Recently the 5^th Division has received several calls reporting unemployment fraud. If you received a 1099-G form that indicates you received unemployment benefits, but you never filed for them, please report it. Click here for more information.

Finally, know how to contact LMPD if you need assistance. In an emergency, always call 911. If you don't feel it is an emergency, but you would like to report it to the police, you can always call the non-emergency line, 574-7111. You will hear a recorded message, you can press 5 and it will go straight to a call taker. If it’s a non-emergency issue and you would like to speak with someone, please call the 5^th Division at 574-7636.

Louisville Grows' annual Seeds & Starts Sale has begun! This is a chance to buy locally grown, low-cost plants. The community can feel good about shopping at this fundraiser, knowing that purchases will go to support a sustainable food system through the Louisville Grows Community Garden Grant program.

This year, the sale will function a little differently for the safety of patrons. Louisville Grows will offer one in-person sale day. All other purchases will be online with curbside pickup dates. See below for a schedule.

• March 21: Online sales for cole crops only begins.
• March 27: Curbside pickup for cole crops begins.
• April 17: In-person sale date at greenhouse. Must register for a time in advance, tinyurl.com/inperson2021.
• April 20: Online sales for all other plants, trees, bushes and materials begin.
• April 22: Curbside pickup for online orders begins.

To look through the plant list and place online orders, visit www.seedsandstarts.org.

Now’s the time to begin ridding Louisville Metro streets and alleys of the potholes formed this winter. 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
• Report a pothole online, click here, select “pothole” and continue with the required information
• Contact Metro311 in one of these ways:
• Call them at 311 or 574-5000
• Download the “Louisville Metro 311” app on your smartphone and use it to report a pothole
• Email them at metro.311@louisvilleky.gov

Metro United Way is proud to partner with Louisville Metro Government again this year for the annual Mayor's Give A Day Month of Service. Yes, you read that right—the entire MONTH of April will be devoted to community service, and you’re invited you to participate!

Nonprofit agencies from across the region have posted volunteer projects, and they need YOU to get the job done! It is easy to get involved; simply follow these two steps:

1. Click "Select a Project" below or visit mygiveaday.com to find a project that fits your interests and availability. Community groups, families, and individuals are encouraged to participate!
2. Log your acts of compassion below or at mygiveaday.com. Whether you give an hour or a day, serve at an in-person or virtual project, or call and check on your neighbor, no act of service is too small to be counted!

As an extra incentive this year, the Kentucky Derby Festival will be offering an opportunity for one lucky volunteer to win a special Derby Festival gift package including a framed 2021 Derby Festival Official Poster by Louisville Artist Andy Perez and a $100 gift card for Official Derby Festival merchandise! To be eligible to win, volunteers must register by March 25 at mygiveaday.com or at the link below. One package will be given away.

Ready to sign up, click here.

Already volunteering, log hours here.

Questions, click here to learn more.

In-person school is back in session at JCPS.  Students who attend school in-person will receive free breakfast and lunch. After Spring Break, curbside meal service will move to Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at various sites, including Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary, beginning Saturday, April 10 and continuing through May 22, with the exception of Derby Day, on May 1. In lieu of that, sites will be open Oaks Day, Friday, April 30. A full list of sites is here.

While this is NOT a JCPS program, the American Rescue Plan Act has extended P-EBT payments for free/reduced price meal eligible families to purchase meals they would have otherwise received at school. That federal program will be administered by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.