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Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Hanukkah 2022 began on the evening of Sunday, December 18 and ends on the evening of Monday, December 26. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.
Hello Neighbors and Friends,
On last Thursday, the Metro Council conducted its last meeting of the year. From 6 - 10:30 p.m., we debated items on the agenda and managed to pass several key ordinances and resolutions that will soon go into effect (see Council meeting summary below). The most moving part of the meeting was saying goodbye to many of my colleagues. Several of them are retiring, and three of them will be joining the Greenberg administration in January. They were dedicated to their constituents and made some major decisions about the future of Louisville. I will miss each of them, and their districts will miss them, too. We all took the time to wish them well and present them with "autographed" Louisville Slugger bats and a proclamation.
There are several holiday celebrations and traditions that occur during December. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another religious or traditional holiday, I hope you are staying safe and warm. Please take precautions around friends and relatives who are ill and check on others who may be experiencing loneliness. Tis the season to be jolly --- but not for all folks. A number of people find the expectation that they should be happy, cheerful and celebrate during the holiday season unrealistic and stressful.
People who are dealing with health issues, taking care of someone who is, or have lost a loved one in recent months and years, often struggle to find joy or be in a celebratory mood. Comparing themselves with family, friends, neighbors or colleagues, and perceiving themselves as coming up short can cause stress, anxiety and sadness. Please be mindful of and present for the thoughts and feelings of others and check in on those you suspect may be anxious or lonely during this holiday season. It may also be helpful to reach out to them and plan an outing together.
If you are among those who feel lonely during the holidays, first, acknowledge your feelings, so that you can challenge unhelpful thoughts that may deepen your feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or despair. This will help you put things in perspective and avoid the trap of expectations imposed on you by others. Second, you should re-think your own expectations. The holiday season can take a toll on you, if you let it. So, pace yourself, tell yourself that you don't have to be perfect or do everything all at once, and give yourself permission to rest, pamper yourself, or hang out with family and friends. Seeking out social connections instead of withdrawing inwards is important. Stay in touch with others. And if you think you cannot cope and need someone to talk with, please call 988. Someone is waiting by the phone 24/7 to talk with you.
Lastly, my friends, while Council members are officially on a holiday break, our offices remain open, and you are welcome to call or email our legislative assistants. I will periodically check emails, so if you email me directly, I will acknowledge receipt of your email or forward it to my legislative assistant, Rhonda, and ask her to assist you.
You will receive another newsletter this Friday, filled with holiday cheer. However, the Message from McCraney column will only be a brief well wish for the season. (Brevity is not my strong suit, but I will give it a try. Lol). Until I return to the office on January 3rd, I am wishing you all the joy, peace, and love this time of year brings, and sending you light and laughter for good memories and a bright and healthy 2023.
Six-year-old Mr. Jadein Nenni, the grandson of Councilman Stuart Benson's (left) Legislative Assistant, served as the Louisville Metro Council Page during the last meeting of 2022. He is a District 7 resident and such a handsome little gentleman. It was a delight to have him around to lend a helping hand in the historic City Hall Chambers.
Happy Holidays, Jadein! May the spirit and joy of Christmas forever be in your heart.
Below is a recap of select agenda item(s) presented during the last Metro Council meeting of 2022, held on Thursday, December 15th.
1. The Council upheld the Planning Commission's recommendation to DENY the zoning change in Case No. 22ZONE0086, located at 4301 Westport Road. The property will remain as R-4 Single Family Residential.
2. An ordinance creating a rental registry. The registry will include information on Louisville rental properties and their owners. Under this ordinance, landlords will have to submit an affidavit saying their property is up to code provide their contact information so that residents can contact them to report necessary property maintenance needs. The ordinance also enforces random inspections for 10% of the rental properties in the city each year. PASSED
3. An ordinance establishing the Greater Louisville Lodging Management District. Instead of the state or city managing the hospitality industry, the Lodging Management District, made up of industry leaders and other community leaders, will manage how the industry within the boundaries of the "district" operates, including fees or taxes charged to customers. PASSED WITH AN AMENDMENT
4. An amendment to Louisville's houseless ordinance. The changes make it illegal to camp or store personal property in public areas. People could be fined $1 - up to $5 per day for a violation. It is an amendment to a 2018 ordinance that required a 21-day notice to clear camps. In addition, the ordinance gives metro government authority to dispose of items not picked up within 30 days of an encampment clearing. The items could be disposed of immediately if in areas considered permanently off-limits. PASSED
5. A resolution to implement a plan that will ensure equitable access to and equitable investments in the Louisville Metro Public Parks System and the Louisville Parks and Recreation department by dedicating more financial resources and allocating those financial resources for maintenance, rehabilitation, recreation programming and capital improvements for every public park in every neighborhood. PASSED
6. An ordinance changing the zoning of properties located at 6500 Forest Cove Lane, 7301 River Road and Parcel ID No. 020600480000 from R-4 Single Family Residential, R-5A Residential Multi-Family and OR-1 Office Residential to C-1 Commercial and R-7 Residential Multi-Family. PASSED
If you would like to see the agenda for any of the Metro Council Committee meetings, click HERE.
Louisville Metro Council livestreams all of its regular meetings and committee meetings on Facebook Live. To see all meetings on Facebook Live, go to the Metro Council Facebook page by clicking here.
The public can also view all council and committee meetings on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
To read about the most recent VA Medical Center construction events, go to:
https://www.va.gov/louisville-health-care/programs/new-robley-rex-va-medical-center
To request weekly updates about the construction events, send an email requesting updates to: LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
For ALL construction-related inquiries, please email:
LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
Check us out on social media:
Three of the Metro Public Works free leaf drop-off sites will remain open through December 23.
Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue
Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Saturday, December 17, 9am-3pm
Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)
Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm
Public Works East District Operations Center, 595 North Hubbards Lane
Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm
Only leaves will be accepted and they must be loose or in paper/compostable bags or reusable containers. Containers used to bring leaves to the drop-off sites must be taken back by residents.
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Published by LOUToday
We know the question on your mind, Louisvillians - when’s it going to get cold? Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in our city for December, January, and February. While exact weather conditions typically can’t be predicted more than a week in advance, here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for what winter will bring. Reminder: The first day of winter is on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Temperature
Think of typical winter temps for LOU. This winter, Derby City has a 34% chance of temperatures being normal - highs of 45 degrees and lows of 28 degrees.
Precipitation
Expect slightly more precipitation. Louisville has a 44% chance of seeing higher than average snow and rainfall amounts this winter.
Drought
Drought conditions are expected to remain but improve this season.
What December has in store
Typically in Louisville, December’s temperatures fluctuate between an average low of 31.8°F and an average high of 44.1°F, but expect to see more of those mid-40° days this year. December is also the month that sees the shortest days, with an average of 9 hours and 34 minutes of daylight. The sun rises at 7:41 a.m. and sets at 5:23 p.m.
Onward to January
January has consistently been the coldest month of the year in the 502, with an average low of 25.9°F and an average high of 38.8°F. If you’re a fan of snow, this is when you can start to look for accumulation. The most likely months for snowfall in LOU are January-April - it typically snows 7.3 days in January.
February's Forecast
February tends to be frosty in River City with an average low of 28.9°F and average high of 43.7°F. If you’re over the dark and dreary days by this point, here’s some good news. February is when Louisville starts to see longer days, averaging 10 hours and 48 minutes of daylight.
Just remember: the key to tackling Kentucky’s unpredictable weather is successful layering!
Have you been feeling down and lacking energy? Your mood changes could be a sign of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - a type of depression that recurs each year for about four to five months, most often beginning when the days get shorter in the fall and ending when longer hours of daylight return in the spring and summer.
Sometimes called “winter blues,” the seasonal depression affects about 5 percent of the U.S. population and impacts women far more often than men.
Treatments are available that can help many people with SAD. They fall into four main categories that may be used alone or in combination:
- Light therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Vitamin D
- Antidepressant medications
Please talk to your primary care provider about which treatment is best for you.
Or, if you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, do not hesitate to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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Cyber scams are nothing new. Every day, con artists are looking for the best “marks.”
Think you’re not worth being the target of online predators? Think again!
Hackers don’t need to know how much is in your bank account to want to get into it. Your identity, your financial data, what’s in your email...it’s all valuable. And cyber criminals will cast as wide a net as possible to get to anyone they can. They’re counting on you thinking you’re not a target.
So how can you reduce the chances of falling for the scams? Learn the signs!
Let’s start with the basics of “cyber hygiene,” easy and common-sense ways to protect yourself online. Here are the four things you can do:
- Implement multi-factor authentication on your accounts and make it significantly less likely you’ll get hacked.
- Update your software. In fact, turn on automatic updates.
- Think before you click. More than 90% of successful cyber-attacks start with a phishing email.
- Use strong passwords, and ideally a password manager to generate and store unique passwords.
Our world is increasingly digital and increasingly interconnected. So, while we must protect ourselves, it’s going to take all of us to really protect the systems we all rely on. Being cyber smart is contagious. Take the four basic steps outlined above and help two friends do the same.
For more information, visit CISA’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month Resources page
If your string lights aren't working (and you can't repair them), recycle them at the Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Ave. along with other electronic devices! Never put them in recycling - they'll get tangled in the sorting machinery!
Scrap metal recycling facilities and some hardware stores also accept string lights for recycling.
Grants season is gearing into full swing and the YES! division of the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods needs critically thinking individuals to help evaluate grant applicants.
YES! is Youth Engagement Services and works to transform social and government systems that systematically repress the youth voice and their rights to lives equitably lives. Volunteers will review applications from vendors and services that work to reduce the chances of any Louisville youth becoming a victim of violence and that challenge systematic barriers youth face.
Evaluators will look for particular traits in an applicant’s program, i.e., the program’s impact on youth, if the program fits targeted needs, what are the program’s risks and opportunities, among others. Volunteers should be critical, objective and have an interest in the community and our youth. A knowledge of grant processing is preferred but not required. To apply, contact: Bethany Olson at 502-574-6884 or email at Bethany.Olson@louisvilleky.gov.
Deliver meals (weekdays) to home bound seniors and disabled adults. Two hours one day a week or one day a month. Contact Melissa at Eastern Area Community Ministries: 502-896-2316.
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This Louisville Ballet holiday classic returns to the Kentucky Center to delight audiences of all ages. Join Marie and her Nutcracker Prince as they travel to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Filled with magic, artistry, awe-inspiring sets, and costumes, “The Brown-Forman Nutcracker” brings the joy of the holiday season to life. Featuring choreography by Val Caniparoli with live music performed by The Louisville Orchestra. For remaining dates and ticket information, please visit louisvilleballet.org.
This heartwarming holiday classic brings you close to the action in our first performance at the Opera Center, 708 Magazine St. Jim and Della cannot afford to buy each other presents for Christmas, so they pawn their most prized possessions to purchase gifts for each other. But their surprises go awry in this adaption of O. Henry’s classic story, delivered with beautiful melodies sung in English. For remaining dates and ticket information, please visit kyopera.org.
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Looking for something festive to do with the whole family? Join the Kentucky Derby Museum, 704 Central Avenue, this December to experience holiday magic with Kentucky Derby flair! The kids will stay entertained with two holiday crafts, a scavenger hunt, and storytime. Don't forget to visit Ari at the Stable, explore the Museum's two floors of interactive exhibits, view our signature 360° movie, and take a guided visit to Churchill Downs Racetrack. You'll get a gift bag with antlers to wear, an ornament to decorate, a postcard to color and drop into our UPS holiday dropbox, crayons, candy cane, and scavenger hunt map. December hours are 9am-5pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm-5pm on Sundays. Click here for more information.
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Now through December 30th, visit Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Avenue, to enjoy a sparkling winter wonderland of swans, snowflakes, deer, Moravian stars, oversized flowers, light bursts, candles and a multicolor tunnel of lights. Wander the gardens under icicle arches and over a waterfall stream aglow. Visit Santa and his sleigh in the Graeser Family Education Center and Mrs. Claus' Cottage in the Ellen T. Leslie Botantical Classrooms.
Holiday beverages will be available for purchase in the Jingle All the Way Cafe. No outside food or drink, pets, smoking, or vaping allowed inside the gardens.
Admission is $7.50 for WBG members, $10 for non-members, $5 for ages 7-12 and free for ages 6 and under. On peak nights: $11.25 for WBG members, $15 for non-members, $7.50 for ages 7-12 and free for ages 6 and under.
For more information and to reserve your tickets, click here.
Answers to the scramble are listed at the bottom of this newsletter.
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.
Message from the LMPD 8th Division
Please make note of the below tips to help make sure theft doesn't happen to you.
- Never leave anything of value in your vehicle; this includes laptops, purses, GPS devices and even loose change.
- Do not leave your vehicle running while unattended.
- Always lock your vehicle doors.
- Remove garage door openers from vehicles when parked outside.
- Do not leave your keys in your vehicle, this includes key-fobs.
- Do not leave the windows of your vehicle open, or partially open.
- Try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
- Never leave a firearm unprotected in your vehicle.
- Immediately report any suspicious person, or vehicle to (502) 574-7111.
Stay aware of new development in your area! Sign up for Gov Delivery notifications at:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYLOUISVILLE/subscriber/new
On January 1, 2019, a new Comprehensive Plan, called Plan 2040, went into effect. As a resident of District 7 (or any district in Louisville), it is important to review the Comprehensive Plan if you are interested in development that is proposed for the neighborhood. The Comprehensive Plan is the guidepost for all development, and the Planning Commission must use it as one of the guiding principles and tools for making decisions regarding the approval or denial of a neighborhood development project.
Read The Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040)
The Comprehensive Plan is representative of over 6,000 voices, including Metro staff, an advisory committee, and resident volunteers. The Advisory Committee, made up of diverse representatives from neighborhood and community organizations as well as development and business interests, finalized its recommended goals, objectives, and policies on February 21, 2018.
On April 16, 2018, the Planning Commission recommended the Comprehensive Plan for approval. The document was then reviewed by the Metro Council as well as 12 local municipalities with zoning authority for formal adoption. Those 12 local municipalities are: Anchorage, Douglass Hills, Graymoor-Devondale, Hurstbourne, Indian Hills, Jeffersontown, Lyndon, Middletown, Prospect, Shively, St. Matthews, and St. Regis Park.
Louisville COVID-19 case counts are holding steady at the red-alert level. Health experts recommend people living in high community-level counties to wear a mask indoors in public, stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if experiencing symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness
Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for this week:
- Daily average incidence rate of 56.1 cases per 100,000 population
- Weekly incidence rate of 376.79 cases per 100,000 population
- 3,013 new cases reported over the previous week
- 1 newly reported death
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4.4% staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19
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5.9% staffed ICU beds are in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19
- 47.6 of those fully vaccinated have received a booster dose
- Wastewater testing data shows the BA.5 variant to be the dominant variant.
Need help finding a COVID test or vaccination location? Have you tested positive for COVID, but aren't sure what to do? Call the LOU Health COVID-19 Helpline, 502-912-8598, available Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Language translation services are available.
Subscribe to Louisville Metro's Covid-19 e-newsletter for the latest news!
Monkeypox tends to spread through close contact with someone who is infected with the virus. It can spread through prolonged face-to-face contact and intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex. The virus can also be spread through materials, like bedding, that has previously touched an infectious rash or bodily fluids. Click here for more information: monkeypox
Louisville Metro Council livestreams all of its regular meetings and committee meetings on Facebook Live.
To see all meetings on Facebook Live, go to the Metro Council Facebook page by clicking here.
The public can also view all council and committee meetings on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
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 email the District 7 office at paula.mccraney@louisvilleky.gov prior to event attendance.
Winter Word Scramble Answer Key
1. Pinecone
2. Ice
3. Mittens
4. Coat
5. Fireplace
6. Gingerbread
7. Frozen
8. February
9. Snow
10. Wood
11. December
12. Skate
13. Boots
14. Hockey
15. Icicle
16. January
17. Cold
18. Socks
19. Chimney
20. Scarf
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