On Friday, August 9 a group of volunteers with the North American Youth Congress helped clear invasive species and trash from “The Doorway to the Avenue” at River Road and Frankfort Avenue, near the Heigold Façade.  A group of neighbors and businesses have been focused on cleaning this area over the past year.  Thanks to these youth for their hard work while visiting Louisville!

From Bike Louisville:

Louisville Metro Council approved $300,000 for 28 new miles of bike facilities. These bike lanes will be concentrated in Old Louisville to connect U of L to Old Louisville to downtown, thus becoming the first truly connected bike-friendly neighborhood. The mayor said that as the city paves streets under the new budget, bike lanes will be added everywhere possible. Louisville Metro is planning to stripe these bike facilities as soon as this fall.  

Metro officials will be partnering with Bicycle for Louisville to host the below public involvement meetings to better understand what type of bicycle facility will encourage more people to bike. We are encouraging people to fill out this survey, especially if you cannot attend one or more of the below public meetings. At the conclusion of the public meetings, participants’ responses will be reviewed, documented, and reported back to participants.

This survey takes approximately 7-10 minutes to complete.  Since your privacy is important, your individual responses will not be shared.  

Thank you for your support,

Bike Louisville Team

Urban Bicycle Network Report Back (Old Louisville, U of L, and Downtown)
Wednesday August 21, 2013 
Location: 325 West Cardinal Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40208
Time: 5:30- 7:00 p.m.

Urban Bicycle Network Report Back (Lexington Rd. and Grinstead Rd.)

Tuesday August 27, 2013
Location: 2115 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206
Time: 5:30- 7:00 p.m.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/X27Y5X7

Park Stewards are individuals who put forth a little extra effort toward the restoration of our Frederick Law Olmsted Parks. Their service not only benefits the parks, but it also provides a way to connect with our community in Louisville’s most treasured urban landscapes. The training program teaches you about the history of the Frederick Law Olmsted Parks and their importance in our community, how to identify plants, as well as how to properly remove invasive plants and plant native trees and shrubs. If you have a passion for parks, the Park Steward training program will provide you with knowledge and skills so you can assist with park restoration projects, volunteer events and/or community outreach.  

To qualify, you must be 18 years or older and have a deep commitment to our historic parks. Contact Sarah Wolff at 502-456-1623 for more information and to apply to become a Park Steward today!  

Park Steward Trainings: The informational session took place on August 15.

Olmsted Overview August 22, 6:30pm
Plant Identification Techniques August 29, 6:30pm
Integrated Pest Management September 5, 6:30pm
Horticultural Techniques September 12, 6:30pm
Volunteer Management & Community Outreach September 19, 6:30pm

Training sessions will be held at Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s office at 1299 Trevilian Way. Register now!

Send the Green Triangle photos of what you are doing to go green, and we’ll upload them to the Green Triangle website and Facebook page.  Email photos to katie.holmes@louisvilleky.gov. Send us your name, neighborhood, and a short description of the photo.  These could be photos of your vegetable garden, rain barrel, compost pile, a neat technique you’re using to save water, or anything that you’re doing to lead a greener life. While you’re at it, take time to create or update your Green Triangle profile, so we can measure all the green steps in the 9th District.

Center For Neighborhoods (CFN) is seeking part-time Interns.  CFN is looking for committed folks who want to put their civic engagement and community building skills to active use in our community. Interns will support the programs and initiatives of CFN. Some of these programs may be... 

• Neighborhood Institute
• Green Institute
• Walkability Assessments
• PAINT (Partnering Art In Neighborhoods Together)
• Neighborhood Start-Ups and Assessments
• Neighborhood Assistance/Technical Support 

The work may include data input and research in the office, seeking best practices for one of our programs, participating in a neighborhood presentation/meeting or working a booth at a community event.   

Qualifications/Interests:  

Civic Engagement, Community Building and Planning, Healthy communities, Sustainable communities   

Desired Skills:  

• Computer skills - excel/word processing, adobe, data entry to list building
• Research capabilities - surveys, program development, best practices  
• Writing skills - ability to develop flyers, workshop agendas, neighborhood articles  
• Electronic Marketing - web sites, Facebook, Twitter, email marketing, Constant Contact 
• Facilitation - ability to work with diverse groups and individuals

If you are interested in assisting a great organization that has cultivated strong neighborhoods, partnered with community organizations and provided tremendous networking opportunities throughout our community, CFN wants YOU!!! 

To apply, please contact Lisa at 502.589.0343 or lisad@centerforneighborhoods.org. You may also click HERE to download an application and return to CFN. 

Now that the temperatures in Louisville are heating up again, it’s a good time to think about how to cool our homes efficiently.  Here are some tips to help save energy and money when cooling your home:

• Use ceiling fans when you are in a room, but turn them off when you leave the room.  The fan cools you and not the room.
• When you leave home, close your curtains and shades to keep the sun’s rays from heating your home.
• Use a programmable thermostat, which can save up to $180 a year.
• Check your HVAC filter each month to see if it is dirty, and replace it if so (replace at least every three months).  A dirty filter will make the system work harder and use more energy.
• Have your HVAC system checked annually to make sure it is working efficiently.  LG&E offers a discounted service program.
• Change out incandescent light bulbs for CFLs, which use less energy and give off 75% less heat.  This will help save energy for lighting and for cooling.

Source: EPA website, where you can find more ideas for saving on cooling this summer.