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Every year on January 21, National Hug Day is observed all across the globe. The main objective of this day is to encourage people to hug their loved ones which also includes friends and families more frequently. It is believed that a warm hug from close ones after a long tiring day can take away all the fatigue. Moreover, a hug has a unique emotional energy that even helps an individual’s immune system function better. Also, it is a very powerful tool to boost one’s self-esteem when someone feels lonely and depressed (Anwesha Majumdar, 2022, Republic World).
A hug is not just a physical act but an expression that guarantees people that someone is there for them at their worst or best. It is a sign of love, safety, and comfort. In addition, as per research, embracing someone for an extended period might cause the brain to produce oxytocin, a chemical that stimulates attachment and can significantly improve mood (Anwesha Majumdar, 2022).
So, today – as always, I’m sending you a big HUG to thank you again for the opportunity to serve as your Metro Councilwoman. It has been nothing short of amazing to get to know you and care for your needs. District 7 is a great place to live, and together we have seen it grow and flourish. Maintaining District 7’s beauty and charm is my focus in 2022, along with public safety, overseeing construction and development projects in District 7, holding your government accountable, and monitoring the American Rescue Plan spending. To do this, I have asked for and was assigned to the following Council Committees, which will formally begin next week: Government Oversight and Audit, Public Safety, and Budget.
I plan to make my membership on these Committees count! I will be fully engaged in the issues and look for ways to introduce meaningful legislation to help guarantee living in Louisville Metro shall continue being a great experience. Here are the functions of each Committee on which I will serve:
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Government Oversight/Audit: Responsible for oversight of appointments to boards and commissions, audits, ethics, investigations of Metro departments and agencies, and Council rules.
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Public Safety: Responsible for oversight of police, EMS, EMA, Fire, Metro Safe, Suburban EMS, Suburban Fire, and other public safety-related issues.
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Budget: Responsible for oversight of Metro annual budget, budget adjustments, bonds, budget reporting, and budget hearings.
Through this weekly eNewsletter, I will keep you informed of what goes on in each Committee. If you wish to tune in to the meetings, please CLICK HERE and join the fun. (NOTE: All Metro Council meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and U-verse Channel 99. Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.)
Should you have a question, comment, or concern about an issue, please contact me via email at paula.mccraney@louisvilleky.gov or telephone at (502) 574-1107.
Have a great week, and don’t forget to HUG someone!
Click here to access the notice as a file.
Click here for Planning & Design's Upcoming Public Meetings.
Click here for the Planning & Design Website.
Contact Metro Planning & Design
Dante St. Germain: dante.st.germain@louisvilleky.gov
Click here to access the full file.
Click here to access the Zoom link.
Contact Metro Planning & Design:
Jay Luckett: (502) 574-5159 / Jay.Luckett@louisvilleky.gov
Click here to access this notice as a file.
Email
These notices are sent out weekly by the VA. If you would like to directly receive these notices, email LOUVAMCconstruction@usace.army.mil saying, "I would like to subscribe for weekly updates." You can also email this same address with general construction questions.
Website
https://www.va.gov/louisville-health-care/programs/new-robley-rex-va-medical-center/
Presentation
Click here to access the presentation from the VA Forum in December.
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
The tests:
- Are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR
- Can be taken anywhere
- Give results within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
- Work whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms
- Work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines
- Are also referred to as self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests
Click here to order & for more information.
COVID cases in Louisville are still very high, at over 300 cases per 100,000 citizens. While cases remain this high, please remember to mask up, get vaccinated and get tested.
Click here for the Metro COVID Data Dashboard.
Many mental health experts have been seeing an increase in patients — adults and children — dealing with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues during the pandemic. Here are several ways you can reach out for mental help:
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Metro's Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens has released the 2022 Resources Guide. This provides resources for seniors, people with disabilities, families and caregivers in the Louisville area.
This is a free directory and is meant to help adults over the age of 55, as well as persons with disabilities. In addition to this assistance, topics like employment and federal and state benefits are covered.
Featured content includes:
- Care for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities
- Counseling and Mental Health Services
- Health and Fitness
- Crime and Safety
- Educational Opportunities
- Employment Services
- Financial Matters
- Food and Home Delivered Meals Information
- Housing and Transportation
- Recreational and Social Activities
- Volunteer Opportunities
The OADC Resources Guide will be updated on a bi-annual basis. To submit a new service, edit a current listing, or request assistance with a printed copy, contact Alli Woosley at Allison.Woosley@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-5092.
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A new and flexible housing type has recently been permitted in Kentucky’s two largest cities. Most commonly referred to as the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), this housing type is defined as a secondary independent unit on a single-family lot. ADUs are versatile in both form and function, meeting the needs of young professionals, those aging-in-place and everyone in between. Such an opportunity has citizens and industry professionals alike asking – How might I make the most of this new housing option?
This conference is intended to offer national expertise on areas that are critical to the success of Accessory Dwelling Units as an emerging housing type.
Keynote address by Daniel Parolek, Founding Principal, Opticos Design. The renowned urban designer, architect, and author of Missing Middle Housing will explain how Accessory Dwelling Units complement the transformative “missing middle” concept.
Register for this free, virtual conference - bit.ly/LouLex_ADU or for more information visit https://imaginelexington.com/ADU
The Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services is accepting applications for the annual Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis Component and the new Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). Applications will be accepted first-come, first-served during enrollment periods, or until funds have been expended.
The LIHEAP Crisis component is available through March 31, 2022, to assist households who demonstrate a home energy crisis situation. Crisis benefits will cover the minimum needed to alleviate the crisis, not to exceed $600. Households can reapply each time they experience a crisis situation until they reach their maximum benefit.
LIHWAP, an emergency assistance program authorized by ARPA (the American Rescue Plan Act), provides water and wastewater assistance through various components through September 30, 2023, or until funding is exhausted. Applications for the Subsidy and Crisis Components will be accepted through June 1, 2022.
Click here for more information.
The Open Enrollment deadline for health coverage through Kynect has been extended to Jan. 31, 2022. To find no-cost assistance with enrolling in health coverage, call 1-855-4kynect (459-6328).
Click here to find a Kynector near you.
Louisville Metro Government’s Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS) announced it has selected an operating manager for the city’s Safe Outdoor Space, a pilot project where individuals experiencing homelessness can live temporarily outdoors, with access to food, showers and outreach services. It will be located at 212 East College St.
Local nonprofit The Hope Buss will oversee the $1.5 million project to outfit and operate the Safe Outdoor Space. The Hope Buss was founded by Stachelle Bussey to combat hopelessness by addressing community crises and root causes, including homelessness. The anticipated opening date is by March 1, pending weather conditions, logistics and supply availability.
Click here for more information
The Evolve502 Scholarship applications are now open for the Jefferson County Public Schools Class of 2022. The scholarships are for students who would like to attend any college in the Kentucky Community & Technical College System, including Jefferson Community & Technical College and Simmons College right here in Louisville. Scholarship recipients can pursue an associate degree, a professional certificate, or take 60 hours of credit tuition-free.
From the class of 2021, 14 students living in District 7 enrolled in postsecondary education through Evolve502. In total, nearly 600 JCPS students started on the path to postsecondary education tuition-free in August 2021.
Click here to learn more about the scholarship & apply.
Learn the tools needed to make a difference in your community! The next One Love Louisville Ambassador Training will be held in person on Saturday, February 26th from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Participants will meet at the St. George Episcopal Church located at 1201 S. 26th Street.
Participants will be trained in Mental Health 101 & Suicide Prevention, Community Organizing, Stop the Bleed, Conflict Resolution, Domestic Violence Awareness, and The Public Health Approach to Violence. Join over 500 participants who have completed the training since its inception in 2017. If you have ever wanted to learn how to get involved in violence prevention, this is your chance.
Registration is required. Click here to register.
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MAS Waives Redemption Fees
In an effort to avoid surpassing capacity, Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) announces waived redemption fees for owners who claim their stray pet at the LMAS Harshaw Family Foundation Shelter (3528 Newburg Rd). These redemption fees are waived through February 15th. Owners can claim their impounded stray pet Monday-Saturday, from 12-6 PM.
Redemption fees will only be waived for pet owners with no previous violations, and cover microchipping, licensing and vaccination fees. Court fees will not be waived. LMAS will work with owners who have outstanding balances and want to reclaim their pet.
Click here for more information.
Free Dog Crate w/ Adoption of Dogs More Than 40 Pounds
Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) announces every adopter of a large-breed dog weighing 40 pounds or more will receive a free dog crate for their new four-legged friend through Feb. 14th, thanks to funding from PetSmart Charities.
Click here for more information.
Virtual Panel: Ending Homelessness
January 23rd at 2:30 PM Louisville Free Public Library will host a virtual panel discussion. LFPL will be joined by a dynamic group of community leaders who are actively pursuing solutions on both individual and governmental levels. They will explore how can we, as a city, work to make sure all of our citizens live with a sense of security and a place to call home.
Homelessness is something that touches each of us, whether we recognize it or not. Register for the discussion to learn about what can be done to address this community-wide issue.
Registration can be completed by clicking here or texting (502) 574-1623 for a link.
St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Avenue
On Tuesday, January 25th, the St. Matthews Library will host a discussion on South Louisville Goes to War at 2:00 PM. Join in for a talk presented by local historian Bob Dawson about how new defense industries and facilities in South Louisville contributed to America's victory in World War II.
Click here for more information.
Grab your dancing shoes and head over to Blair's Ballroom (9321 New La Grange Rd.) for a night of Casino, Rueda, Suelta dances and more! Doors open at 7:45 PM. This free event will feature lessons by Ville Casineras starting at 8:15 PM.
From 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM, there will be open dance to Timba, Son and Cubaton!
Metro Louisville now has an interactive map that will allow you to see what is happening in your neighborhood as well as others across the city. The map updates daily and if you choose you can receive alerts for your area by subscribing using the red receive alerts button on the page. Click here to try it out: Interactive Map to Track Crime.
Subscribe to Louisville Metro's Covid-19 e-newsletter for the latest news!
NOTICE: All Metro Council meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and U-verse Channel 99.
Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.
OR access prior or current meetings here:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.
TO ACCESS MEETINGS THROUGH FACEBOOK: CLICK HERE
Agendas for these meetings can be viewed using the following link:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc
Click here for more info.
*District 7 Disclaimer: By taking part in District 7 events, you grant Councilwoman Paula McCraney full rights to use the images resulting from photograph/video filming. Councilwoman McCraney will have the right to any reproductions or adaptations of the images for inclusion in her e-Newsletter or other Council publications. This might include, but is not limited to, the right to use them in printed and online materials, social media and news releases.
If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform logan.fogle@louisvilleky.gov prior to event attendance.
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