Take a trip to the riverfront for Belle of Louisville Riverboats’ second First Mate’s Market, a FREE dockside shopping and social event aboard the historic Belle of Louisville on Saturday, November 19, 11:00am - 5:00pm. The market is the perfect opportunity to discover unique holiday gifts for friends and family, all while supporting Louisville’s small business community.

First Mate’s Market was created with a vision of bringing together a broad spectrum of local small businesses and the community at-large at a Louisville icon and National Historic Landmark. The Belle recently celebrated turning 108 years old and is the oldest Mississippi River-style steamboat in the world!

First Mate’s Market will feature:

• 30+ small business vendors (including jewelry, baked goods, woodwork, art, soap and more!)
• Santa & Mrs. Claus meet-and-greet
• Food trucks
• Giveaways
• Pilot House Tours
• Cash Bar
• And more!

The Belle crew will also be giving out a free limited-edition poster to the first 100 guests. No tickets are required to attend this FREE dockside event; however, those who pre-register will receive this limited-edition poster and be entered to win a 2023 Belle of Louisville Riverboats membership! Posters must be picked up at the event and can be claimed while supplies last. To be entered in the giveaway, pre-register for a free ticket to attend First Mate’s Market before 11:00am on Saturday, November 19, 2022 by clicking here.

After a two year hiatus, the Louisville Ballet and Louisville Free Public Library are excited to announce the return of in-person Nutcracker Family Storytimes to six library locations! This annual tradition kicks off on Tuesday, November 15, 6:30pm, at the South Central Regional Library (7300 Jefferson Blvd).

Children of all ages and their families are invited to join a Louisville Ballet dancer for a reading of the classic holiday story The Nutcracker, followed by Nutcracker-inspired dancing and crafts. In addition, every family at each storytime can enter for a chance to win four tickets to see Louisville Ballet’s upcoming production of The Brown-Forman Nutcracker.

Join us for one of these Nutcracker Family Storytimes:

• Wednesday, November 16, 6:30pm - St. Matthews Library
• Thursday, November 17, 6:30pm – Iroquois Library
• Tuesday, November 29, 6:30pm - Southwest Regional Library
• Wednesday, November 30, 6:30pm - Northeast Regional Library
• Thursday, December 1, 6:30pm - Main Library

Nutcracker Family Storytimes are free and open to the public. For more information, visit LFPL.org/Nutcracker.

Every Journey, a Story: 23rd annual Design-a-Bus

TARC is celebrating its 23rd annual Design-a-Bus contest with a focus on stories from the students in our community, in partnership with the Louisville Free Public Library.

Local students are invited to submit artwork focused on the theme, “Every Journey, a Story.” Student artists are encouraged to think about a personal journey from their lives that resulted in learning something new, or expanding the breadth of their knowledge about the world, then create an illustration reflecting that as a story. Art must be submitted by February 10. The winning submissions by students will be featured on a bus that will travel in the 2023 Pegasus Parade during the Kentucky Derby Festival and on TARC routes throughout the metro region following Derby festivities. For more information, please visit their website.

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy begins to provide utility assistance for income-eligible residents

Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services is accepting appointments for the annual Fall Subsidy Component of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which operates November 7 through December 16, 2022, or until funds are depleted.

During LIHEAP Subsidy, individuals or families in Jefferson County at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines who are responsible for home energy cost, whether directly or as an undesignated portion of rent, are eligible for assistance.  Residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills.

The Subsidy component provides households a one-time ranging from $50 to $200 depending on income levels and housing category. Payments are be made directly to the heating vendor (i.e. LG&E).

Appointments are required in advance to apply. The toll-free automated appointment system is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to schedule an in-person appointment at one of seven locations. The automated scheduler will provide details about these locations as well as eligibility and required documentation.

Please note residents who applied for LIHEAP Fall Subsidy in October during the early registration phase for elderly and disabled citizens, do not need to reapply during the regular LIHEAP Subsidy Phase. 

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy Component

How to apply: Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Eligibility:

• Jefferson County households within 130% of 2022-23 Federal Poverty Guidelines
• Must be responsible for home heating costs or pay heating costs if utilities are included as an undesignated portion of rent.
• LIHEAP Subsidy is a one-time benefit. You do not need to have a past-due balance or disconnect notice to be eligible.

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 Resilience and Community Services office at 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201 as well as the seven LIHEAP locations listed below or by clicking here. 
• Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) 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 all heating fuel sources and electric. 

Residents will also have the opportunity to apply for MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program, known as EWRAP.

Eligible households can apply for one or both LIHEAP Subsidy and MSD’s EWRAP with one single appointment.

EWRAP provides approved applicants in Jefferson County a 30% discount on wastewater charges and the consent decree surcharge.  Eligibility includes households at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Proof of an active utility account with the Louisville Water Company and MSD is also required.  This enrollment period is for new and renewing MSD discount program clients.

MSD EWRAP (Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program) How to apply: Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Eligibility:

• Jefferson County households within 150% of 2022-23 Federal Poverty Guidelines
• Must be an MSD residential wastewater customer
• Not currently receiving MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount as of date of application.

Documentation:

• Proof of social security number or permanent residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
• Must provide proof of all income received during the previous month by any member of the household (gross).
• Proof of active utility account with Louisville Water Company and MSD. (i.e. Named customers with MSD, receiving metered water service for a property used solely for residential purposes, and owned or leased by customer as principal residence).

MSD clients who do not meet the income eligibility for MSD’s EWRAP may be eligible for MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount Program, if the client is 65 years of age or older with a gross household income of $35,000 or less per year.   It is recommended you submit your MSD bill with your LIHEAP documentation to see if you qualify for a MSD discount program.

Discounts from the MSD programs will become effective on the next billing cycle following approval. 

Individuals who are unable to apply for LIHEAP or the MSD programs in person may send a representative on their behalf. Simply provide the representative with the documentation listed above as well as a hand-written note, dated and signed from the applicant, giving them permission to handle their application for services. Residents who are homebound and who are unable to send a representative may call 502/780-7937.

Visit louisvilleky.gov and search for “LIHEAP” for periodic updates about both of these programs, or for more details about the MSD Discount Programs, visit https://louisvillemsd.org/paymybill.

For more information about this process on how to apply for LIHEAP or the MSD discount programs, please contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or 574-5000, email metro.call@louisvilleky.gov, visit the website’s On Line Customer Service or Live Chat at www.louisvilleky.gov/metrocall, tweet @LouMetro311, or download the free Mobile 311 app from the website.

LIHEAP is made possible by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.  For more information about Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services -- visit our website at www.louisvilleky.gov/RCS  or contact Community Action Kentucky at 1-800-456-3452.

For more information on MSD’s EWRAP or Senior Citizen Discount Program visit https://louisvillemsd.org/paymybill or call 502-540-6000.

Cat of the Week 

It’s always free at LMAS to adopt adult cats. Come meet Captain Crunch. This stunning two-year-old Tabby is very friendly, extremely affectionate, and craves attention. He’d make the purrfect couch buddy! He weighs 13 lbs. and is already neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations. For more info about Captain Crunch, contact LMAS adoptions at 502-473-PETS. To meet or adopt Captain Crunch, visit Animal House Adoption Center, located at 3516 Newburg Road, 12:00pm - 6:00pm daily. To view all adoptable cats and kittens at LMAS, click here. (https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services/services/adopt-pet)

Dog of the Week

Our staff who’ve met Cranberry noted she's friendly but l-a-z-y! She even decided to take her picture laying down. If you need a cuddle buddy, this adorable black Lab's adoption fee is waived for an approved adopter, thanks to the Pay It Forward Program.  The 1-year-old is also sweet as pie and one of our playgroup superstars; she gets along great with other dogs! She weighs 52lbs. and she’s already spayed, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations.

Dog and cat testing are offered by request, during your visit. A meet and greet is mandatory for families with children. For more info about Cranberry, email animalservicesadoption@louisvilleky.gov. Meet Cranberry at Animal House (3516 Newburg Rd.), 12:00pm - 6:00pm daily - no appointment required! To view more adoptable dogs at LMAS, click here.

Below please find MSD's recently posted positions. For position descriptions, pay information, and to apply please visit their website:  http://www.louisvillemsd.org/Careers 

• Process Technician Trainee / U07 (3 positions) (Subject to Shift)