Join the District 12 office for our next District Dialogue. This is a great opportunity to talk with representatives from a variety of agencies and hear from the Jefferson County PVA regarding the 2023 reassessment.
Mark your calendars now! Councilman Blackwell will be participating in the February 18 event at the Southwest Regional Library.
Last week Metro Council committees met for the first time this year to discuss several noteworthy topics.
The Planning and Zoning Committee approved several zoning changes and held discussions over the North One Park development at Grinstead and Lexington Road. It will be discussed next at the committee’s February 7 meeting.
The Council’s Labor and Economic Development Committee approved incentives for Confluent Health and discussed an ordinance which would require organizations, doing business or receiving any amount over $50,000 with Metro, to report instances of workplace sexual harassment and prohibiting them from entering into non-disclosure agreements. One exception to disclosure is when the victim does not want the information reported. The ordinance is scheduled to be discussed again at the committee’s February 7 meeting.
The Community Affairs and Equity Committee hosted a discussion with Jefferson County Parent Association for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Care, and removed the child stipulation for receiving eviction court assistance.
The Government Oversight and Audit Committee approved over a dozen appointments to various boards, commissions, and overlay districts. The committee also discussed a contract with UofL which would study the revenues and appropriations by Jefferson County taxing districts (aka county, fire districts, urban services district, and suburban city taxing districts). The Louisville Metro Comprehensive Review Commission was created by the 2022 General Assembly (HB 314) to study Jefferson County government.
Finally, the Budget Committee discussed prioritizing unspent ARP funds.
Metro Council meets this Thursday, February 2, and committees will meet again February 7-9.
EAF and HUD Competitive Applications Due by February 3, 2023 at 5:00pm
Reminder: Applications for the City's External Agency Fund Competitive Grants and the Housing and Urban Development Competitive Grants (for CDBG, ESG & HOPWA) are due by 5:00pm on Friday, February 3, 2023.
See more info including application guidelines and application links here:
The Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA, provides trained, IRS-certified volunteers who offer free tax services at 11 sites across the city. VITA is available to individuals and families who earned less than $66,000 in 2022.
To help preparers accurately determine prepare returns EITC eligibility at VITA and AARP Tax Aide sites, individuals should bring:
Picture ID and Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return
Copy of 2021 tax return with all attachments and schedules
W-2s and 1099s from your employers
Other 1099s for interest, dividends, state tax refund or other income
Form 1099-G for any unemployment compensation received during the year
1095-A for health insurance
1098 for education credit, plus a detailed financial statement from the school
Bank account number and routing number for direct deposit as well as savings account number (if applicable)
If you do not have a bank account, we can help you open a Bank On certified account.
Childcare information, including Provider ID and actual amounts paid
Summarized list of other income/expenses for those who itemize or are self-employed
Additional tax information that may be required
Masks are required at all VITA sites
Waterfront Park has been nominated for Best Riverwalk by USA TODAY 10Best for the 2023 Readers' Choice awards!
This is the third consecutive year Waterfront Park has been nominated in the national competition. Last year, the park competed with 19 other riverwalks across the country and placed fourth in the category. This year, they are looking to claim first place – but they need YOUR HELP. Here’s what you can do:
Keep voting every day between now and February 6th.
Send the voting link to all of your friends and family and ask them to cast their vote for Waterfront Park every day!
Share that you voted for Waterfront Park on social media.
Voting is open until Monday, February 6 at 11:59 a.m. and votes can be cast once per day.
The Louisville Free Public Library celebrates Black History Month with programs throughout
This February, the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) is offering more than thirty free programs in celebration of Black History Month. Programs include book discussions, film screenings, history talks, storytimes, and more, designed to inform, inspire, and engage audiences of all ages.
Coming up at the Main Library –
This month, the Main Library (301 York Street) plays host to a number of professors and local experts exploring aspects of Black history too often overlooked. On Saturday, February 4 (2:00pm), members of the Chickasaw Book Project will share their stories about life in the Chickasaw neighborhood during the 1940s-70s. Sponsored by Louisville Public Media, this panel discussion will be led by WAVE-TV’s Dawne Gee. Register online at LFPL.org/Authors.
On Monday, February 6, (6:30pm), UofL’s Dr. Thomas Wayne Edison will present BLatinX: Celebrating Puerto Rico’s African Heritage. The free talk will highlight the history, music, and poetry that reflect Puerto Rico’s communities of African heritage. Register online at LFPL.org/MyLibraryUor call (502) 574-1623.
Join local author Jermaine Fowler, host of the top-rated history podcast The Humanity Archive, on Tuesday, February 28 (7:00pm) for the launch of his new book of the same name. This sweeping survey of Black history challenges dominant perspectives and goes outside the textbooks to reveal America’s hidden history. Presented in partnership with Carmichael’s Bookstore, this program is free. Register online at LFPL.org/Authors.
February also marks the return of the Black History Month Film Series. Presented in partnership with UofL Health Sciences Center Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Lean Into Louisville, the series is held every Sunday in February at the Main Library and features thought-provoking and award-winning films, followed by discussions with university professors and local experts. The 2023 lineup features the film Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, Sundance Film Festival-winning documentary Aftershock, 2022 biographical drama Till, and acclaimed 2021 documentary My Name is Pauli Murray (sponsored by Louisville Public Media). To register for this free series, visit LFPL.org/BHFilms.
For the complete list of LFPL’s Black History Month programs, please visit LFPL.org/BlackHistory.
The Louisville Zoo is excited to announce the return of one of the largest lantern festivals in the nation, Wild Lights: Around the World, March 10 through May 21, 2023.
Tickets are on sale at louisvillezoo.org/wildlights.
With an almost entirely new lineup of lanterns, guests will be able to see sights from around the world on their 1.4-mile excursion through the Zoo. Famous landmarks, flora and fauna from North and South America, Africa, Europe, Australia and Asia will be highlighted in six different zones. As families venture through the Zoo’s pathways each evening, they will experience hand-crafted, illuminated art displays comprised of silk-covered, metal frames and LED lightbulbs. The event will feature over 50,000 LED lightbulbs, 18 interactive displays, 8 animated lanterns and 10 light changing pieces that together present a spectacular feast for the eyes. A few lantern highlights include a walk-through cobra corridor, giant blue morpho butterfly, and a 9-foot, shark-themed photo opportunity. Other lanterns to look forward to include the Statue of Liberty, Sydney Opera House, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Hall of Supreme Harmony and so much more!
This 46-night immersive experience features live cultural performances including Chinese folk dances, acrobatics and more. There will also be unique handcrafted goods available for purchase along with snacks and cocktails by Service Systems Associates (SSA) – the Zoo’s food and amenity vendor.
The event is wheelchair and stroller-friendly on a paved path. The festival is a rain or shine event and will be held 6:30 – 10:00pm, Thursday through Sunday nights from March 10 – May 21, 2023 and nightly from March 30 – April 9, 2023.
PRICING
Early Bird pricing available March 10 – 31, 2023. General admission is $20, Louisville Zoo members receive $17 discounted admission. Children 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket. Family Four Pack tickets are available for $65; Zoo members may purchase the Family Four Pack at a discounted rate of $55. Family Four Pack ticket holders must enter the event together. Tickets are available for purchase in advance online only.
From April 1 – May 21, 2023, General admission is $22, Louisville Zoo members receive $19 discounted admission. Children 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket. Family Four Pack tickets are available for $75; Zoo members may purchase the Family Four Pack at a discounted rate of $65. Family Four Pack ticket holders must enter the event together. Tickets available for purchase in advance online only.
Regular daytime Zoo admission tickets and Wild Lights tickets must be purchased separately. Parking for this event is $7 and can be purchased in advance online during your purchase or at the Zoo admission windows. For more information, visit louisvillezoo.org.
Pets of the Week
Cat of the Week:
They say new year, new you, but what Hermes needs most isn’t change. He’s been through a lot recently, having had his front leg amputated after coming to the shelter. Now that Hermes has recovered, it’s time to find a purrrmanent home where he feels comfortable to show his sweet side. Hermes’ adoption fee is waived for an approved adopter, thanks to the Pay It Forward Program. He’s already neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations. For more info about Hermes, call 502-473-PETS. To meet or adopt Hermes, visit Animal House Adoption Center, located at 3516 Newburg Road, 12:00-6:00pm daily. To view more adoptable cats at LMAS, click here.
Dog of the Week:
What a face! Samberg the adorable is ready to find a furever home. Samberg is a bit bashful but a friendly boy. His adoption fee is waived for an approved adopter and includes one-year free membership to Club K9 Dog Bar. Samberg’s an approximately 1-year-old Boxer mix. He weighs 47lbs. and he's already neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations. Dog and cat testing are offered by request. Meet Samberg, 12:00-6:00pm daily at Animal House Adoption Center (3516 Newburg Rd.) – no appointment required. To view more adoptable dogs at LMAS, click here.