The Wire

LIGHT UP FAIRDALE SATURDAY DECEMBER 3

Free Leaf Drop-Off - Through December 10th

Mowing over leaves to mulch them back into your lawn is a great option for reducing waste. Mulching not only returns vital nutrients to the soil, but experts say that it can help your grass grow even better the following year! Never blow leaves into the street! Leaf Drop-Off Sites The Metro Public Works free leaf drop-off sites will be open Tuesday-Saturdays, November 8 through December 10. Drop-off will not be available on November 24 and 25 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Only leaves will be accepted and they must be in paper/compostable bags or reusable containers. Containers used to bring leaves to the drop-off sites must be taken back by residents. Locations and hours starting Tuesday, November 8: Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane) Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm Public Works East District Operations Center, 595 North Hubbards Lane Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm Shawnee Park, 230 Southwestern Parkway (Athletic Complex) Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue Tuesday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Flu and COVID-19

As the temperatures continue to decrease, many schools in counties around Louisville and in Southern Indiana are temporarily closing because of an increase in flu, COVID and other infectious illnesses. There are many similarities between influenza (flu) and COVID-19. Both are contagious respiratory illnesses that can lead to severe illness for many. And the good news is there are safe, effective vaccines for both. The Centers for Disease Control recommends the influenza (flu) vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. To best protect yourself and others, please consider getting an influenza (flu) vaccine this season. Immunizations are considered preventative services and are covered by most health insurance companies with no out of pocket expenses to pay.   If you would like to track cases of the flu in Jefferson County, please view our Weekly Flu Reports. To find a flu or COVID-19 vaccine location near you, please visit vaccines.gov.

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy begins to provide utility assistance for income-eligible residents through December 16

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.

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.

Center For Neighborhoods is now accepting applications for the Spring 2023 Neighborhood Institute!

The Neighborhood Institute is a leadership education program designed to equip neighborhood leaders with the skills and resources needed to initiate positive change in the community through their neighborhood, homeowner, and condo associations. Classes meet every Thursday, 6:00 - 8:00PM at Center For Neighborhoods Offices (1126 Berry Blvd. Suite 300), for 11 consecutive weeks (January 26th, 2023 – April 6th, 2023), followed by a Graduation Celebration. Dinner is provided each week. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited, and advance registration is required. Applications will be accepted through 12:00PM on January 17th, 2023. 

The Lucille Leggett Neighborhood Institute Spring 2023 is open to all neighborhoods, Metro Council Districts, and the whole community. 

To apply for the 12-week program, contact Ja’mel Armstrong at 502-589-0343 or jamela@centerforneighborhoods.org. You can also apply online at www.centerforneighborhoods.org. 

Winter Break Youth Programs

• Robbie Valentine Winter Break Basketball Camp
  During this FREE, three-day camp, boys and girls of all skill levels will learn the fundamentals of basketball, principles of teamwork and individual responsibility with local sports legend, Robbie Valentine.

This camp is offered to kids ages 6-16 and will take place December 19, 20 and 21, 11:00am - 1:00pm at the Cyril Allgeier Community Center. Participants are encouraged to wear proper basketball attire.

*Camp is limited to the first 100 youths who sign up. To register and for more information, click here.

• Winter Break Camp
  Sun Valley Community Center (6505 Bethany Lane, 40272) is offering camps to youth on December 19-23 and December 27-30. The registration fee is $10 and the price for camps is $40 per week. To register, click here.
• Dinner with Santa
  Come out to the Beechmont Community Center (205 W Wellington, 40214) on December 15 for a dinner with Santa Claus! This event is FREE and will take place from 5:30 - 6:30pm. To register, visit bestparksever.com and click on “Recreation Class Registration” on the homepage.
• Youth Basketball Leagues
  Louisville Parks and Recreation is offering youth basketball leagues for age groups 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-14 and 15-16 at the Cyril Allgeier Community Center (4101 Cadillac Ct, 40213) beginning in January and running through March. The fee is $25 per player and registration can be found at bestparksever.com. The deadline to sign up is December 18 and the fee must be paid at registration.
• Louisville Metro Police Activities League (PAL) In an exciting partnership with Dare to Care, the Louisville Metro Police Activities League is offering a Christmas Candy Making class.  LMPD’s very own Dawn Hall and her daughter Samantha are talented and accomplished chocolatiers. The two will teach youth simple recipes for making a variety of Chocolate Christmas treats. In this program, kids will learn that they do not need fancy or expensive equipment to make delicious chocolates. Instead, they will be taught how to make all kinds of amazing candies using the most basic kitchen appliances found in their own homes. These delicious creations will make great gifts for their teachers, family and friends… just in time for the holidays!

This class is being offered to kids ages 8-17.  Act fast, space is limited.

To register, visit louisvillepal.org.

• The Louisville Zoo The Louisville Zoo is excited to offer our NEW School’s Out Safari Discount to help provide the community with fun, safe and educational experiences at the Zoo this fall and winter.

On the below dates, guests can receive one free child admission (ages 3-11) when they buy one adult general admission ticket. The offer cannot be redeemed for more than one child admission per single adult admission. This discount cannot be combined with any other offer. Children 2 and under do not require a ticket. More information at louisvillezoo.org/schools-out-safari.

Friday, November 25
December 19–23
December 26–30
Monday, January 2
Tuesday, January 3
Monday, January 16

• Winter Break Camps
  Louisville Zoo week-long winter break camps are almost sold out but there are still a few slots left for the Polar Plunge for 7- and 8-year-olds and for Winter Workshop for 6- and 7-year-olds. These two weekly camps are Dec. 19-23, 8:30am - 5:00pm, and are $350 for members and $375 for non-members. Visit LouisvilleZoo.org for more details. (Note: the single-day camps are already sold out).

Additionally, The Zoo is open daily year-round. Zoo hours are 10:00am - 4:00pm (enjoy the Zoo until 5:00pm). The Zoo will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days.

• Louisville Free Public Library 
  The Louisville Free Public Library will offer more than 100 FREE programs for kids, teens, and families while school is out, including: Storytime, crafts, film screenings, games, and more. As always, the Library also offers a wide selection of books, eBooks, DVDs, and streaming movies to keep kids reading and entertained during the break — all for free! A complete list of programs is available at www.LFPL.org.
• Kentucky Science Center
  When school’s out, science is in! Kentucky Science Center’s mission is to help your child learn, even when JCPS is closed. 
• Kentucky Science Center Pay-by-Day Camps:

In pay-by-day camps, your child will develop skills and make friendships that will last a lifetime. $70 per day for members/$80 for non-members. More information at https://kysciencecenter.org/schools-out-science-camp/.

• December 19-23
• December 26-30
• January 2-3
• $5 Movie Showings:
  See a holiday classic on Kentucky Science Center’s 4-story screen! All tickets only $5 per person. More information at https://kysciencecenter.org/make-your-season/.

Sunday, December 18 at 2:00pm: “Elf”

Tuesday, December 20 at 2:00pm: “Polar Express” 3D

Thursday, December 22 at 2:00pm: “Polar Express” 3D

Noon Year’s:

Ring in 2023 at the stroke of noon at the annual Noon Year’s celebration. It’s the perfect New Year party for families who can’t stay up until midnight. Enjoy fun activity stations throughout the building and join in a countdown to welcome the Noon Year. Included free with your general admission to Kentucky Science Center. Tickets start at $20. More information at https://kysciencecenter.org/make-your-season/.

Saturday, December 31, 10:00am – 2:00pm

Winter Woods in Iroquois Park through January 1

Now through January 1st Winter Woods Spectacular features millions of twinkling lights integrated into dazzling holiday displays set to music, while guests weave their way through the magical woods of historic Iroquois Park. This immersive holiday experience is like none other and is great family fun! New for this year, get out and enjoy this amazing walk-thru event at Iroquois Park. Tickets for adults are $15, Seniors 65+ are $12, Child 3-12 are $10, and age 2 and under are free! Purchase your tickets here. Make Winter Woods Spectacular your new holiday tradition! 1080 Amphitheater Rd., Louisville, KY, 40214