JCPS students, employees, and school clubs and organizations are encouraged to contribute winter clothing for the Wear It Forward Winter Clothing Drive. A communitywide campaign to collect new and gently used winter clothing will be held from Mon., Nov. 4, through Fri., Nov. 8, but the JCPS campaign to collect children’s and adult coats, sweatshirts, sweaters, gloves, and pants will be held from Mon., Nov. 4, through Fri., Nov. 22. While all new and gently used winter clothing will be welcomed, winter coats are the most-needed items. All collections will boost the depleted winter clothing at the 15th District Parent Teacher Association (PTA’s) Clothing Assistance Program (CAP).

Throughout the campaign, several clothing drop-off sites will offer convenient ways to contribute to the effort. To view all sites and various incentives for dropping off coats, click here.

Citizens will have three options for dropping off fall leaves at no cost.  The free leaf drop-off service by Metro Public Works will run from Tuesday, Nov. 12 – Saturday, Dec. 7. The drop off sites will be closed Sundays and Mondays. The service will also not be available on Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) and the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29).

The leaf drop-off sites and schedule:

• 10500 Lower River Road (corner of Bethany Lane) - Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• East District Public Works Yard, 595 Hubbards Lane - Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue - Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Only loose leaves will be accepted. All containers and bags must be emptied and the bags disposed of off-site by anyone who brings them. The leaves are turned into compost and used for mulching projects throughout Louisville. For more information, call MetroCall 311 or visit www.louisvilleky.gov.

Information provided by Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services, 444 S. 5th Street – Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40202-4313, (502)574-6230

Case No. 17249
You are invited to attend a proposal for a Record Plat Amendment to amend Note #7 in Plat Book 42, Page 6 to allow residents in Reservoir Park an alternate access point through Mockingbird Gardens as described in Note #3 on Minor Plat #17249.
Subject Property: 203 Waterleaf Way
Case Manager: David B. Wagner (david.wagner@louisvilleky.gov)
Meeting Type: Land Development and Transportation Committee
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2013
Time: Meeting will begin at 1:00 PM and continue until all cases are heard
Location: 514 W. Liberty Street 40202 

Case No. 18784
You are invited to attend a proposal for a partial Street Closure of GRINSTEAD DRIVE from Stilz Avenue to Frankfort Avenue.
Subject Property: 3015 Grinstead Dr.
Case Manager: David B. Wagner (david.wagner@louisvilleky.gov)
Meeting Type: Land Development and Transportation Committee
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2013
Time: Meeting will begin at 1:00 PM and continue until all cases are heard
Location: 514 W. Liberty Street 40202

Case No. 13Variance1042
You are invited to attend a Board of Zoning Adjustment review for variances from the Land Development Code to allow a proposed driveway and parking to encroach into required yards with landscape waivers.
Subject Property: 2710 Riedling Drive
Case Manager: Latondra Yates (latondra.yates@louisvilleky.gov)
Meeting Type: Board of Zoning Adjustment
Date: Monday, November 18, 2013
Time: Meeting will begin at 8:30 A.M. and continue until all cases are heard
Location: 514 W. Liberty Street 40202

For detailed case information please visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/PlanningDesign/.  Click on “Case Information – eCustomer Services” link.  Then under the “Planning and Design” tab click on “By Project No”.  Enter the project no and click “search”.  If you have any questions please contact Planning & Design at 574-6230.

The 9th District Urban Services District (USD) will have junk collection set-out on a select weekend in December 2013, depending on your address.  You may begin setting out your junk Friday afternoon prior to your junk pick-up week and must have it all out by Monday at 6:00 AM.  For your specific junk set-out weekend please visit http://mapit.louisvilleky.gov/ and enter your address, call the office at 574-1109, or email Kyle Ethridge.  There are a couple areas in the USD that have not announced their collection dates yet.  Please continue checking the above website for those dates to be announced.  For collection guidelines please visit www.louisvilleky.gov/solidwaste.    

My office is partnering with the Louisville Asset Building Coalition to provide FREE tax preparation services again in 2014.  We are recruiting volunteers to help prepare taxes on four Fridays in February and March 2014.  Full training is provided by the Louisville Asset Building Coalition on select dates in December or January.  To volunteer or to obtain more information please contact our office directly at 574-1109 or email Kyle Ethridge for a list of training dates and information.

More information on tax preparation dates will be posted soon.  The service is FREE if you earned $50,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or less in 2013 or if you quality for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). 

2013 Mud Fund Derby City Cup, Nov. 9-10 at Eva Bandman Park, brings UCI Elite Men, Women and Junior racing back to Louisville for the first time since the world championships last winter.   The Mud Fund is a Junior and U23 scholarship initiative started by US cyclocross superstar, Tim Johnson. The Mud Fund is waiving all entry fees for riders in the Junior categories during both days of competition.  For more information visit www.louisvillesports.org

On Friday Nov. 8 at 4:00 PM, Johnson will host a free clinic for Junior and U23 boys and girls at the Eva Bandman race venue. He will offer young riders a skills clinic, followed by a few hot laps on course. Concurrent with the youth clinic, Baptist Sports Health will hold a master's clinic, which will be facilitated by Steve Tilford, a four-time National Cyclocross Champion and two-time World Master Cyclocross Champion.

The following streets will be closed during the listed time for the Louisville Half Marathon on Sunday, November 10, 2013.

7 am - 3 pm:

• Witherspoon Street from Second Street to River Road
• Washington Street from Second to Preston Street
• Main Street from 21st Street to Story Avenue/Baxter Avenue
• Baxter Avenue from Main Street to Broadway
• Lexington Road from Baxter Avenue to Grinstead Drive
• All of Cherokee Park
• Alexander from Scenic Loop to Willow Avenue
• Cherokee Parkway from Cherokee Road to Grinstead Drive
• Grinstead Drive from Etley to Ray Avenue
• Liberty Street from Baxter Avenue to Roy Wilkins Boulevard
• Roy Wilkins Boulevard from Jefferson Street to Chestnut Street
• Muhammad Ali Boulevard from Roy Wilkins Boulevard to 13th Street
• 13th Street from Chestnut to Main Street
• Brook Street from Main to Witherspoon Street
• 10th Street from Rowan to Main Street

No Parking Areas
Midnight - 1 pm

• River Road from Witherspoon to Preston Street
• Witherspoon Street from Second Street to River Road
• Main Street from 21st to Fourth Street
• Main Street from Floyd Street to Baxter Avenue
• Baxter Avenue from Main Street to Broadway
• Lexington Road from Baxter Avenue to Grinstead Drive
• All of Cherokee Park
• Alexander from Scenic Loop to Willow
• Cherokee Parkway from Cherokee Road to Grinstead Drive
• Grinstead Drive from Etley Avenue to Grinstead Court
• Liberty Street from Baxter Avenue to Roy Wilkins Boulevard
• Roy Wilkins Boulevard from Jefferson to Chestnut Street
• Muhammad Ali Boulevard from Roy Wilkins Boulevard to 13th Street
• 13th Street from Chestnut to Main Street
• 10th Street from Rowan to Main Street

The Center For Neighborhoods is now accepting registrations for the Neighborhood Institute 2014.  Class size is limited. Enrollment is based on first come, first served.  The classes will run every Tuesday (January 28-April 15, 2014) from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. with dinner provided at New Directions Housing Corp, 1000 E Liberty Street.  The Neighborhood Institute Spring 2014 is open to all neighborhoods, Metro Council Districts and the whole community.  To register for the 12-week program, contact Lisa at 502.589.0343 or lisad@centerforneighborhoods.org

With the transition from summer to fall, people tend to spend more time outdoors enjoying “sweater weather” and taking in nature’s beauty as trees start to turn color. It’s also a time when people turn on their natural gas furnaces for the first time since spring. As you stroll through your neighborhood or local parks, be aware of the signs of a potential natural gas leak and know what to do if you suspect a leak.

Gas Regulatory Services recommends you use your senses and sensibility to recognize a leak.

• Smell: You may smell a gaseous or hydrocarbon odor (similar to sulfur or rotten eggs).
•  Sound: You may hear a hissing, whistling or blowing sound.
• Sight: You may see blowing dust, discolored vegetation or bubbling water in your yard.

If you suspect a leak:

• Leave the area immediately.
• Warn others to stay away.
• Call 911 from a safe location away from the suspected leak. 

If you see others in the area, advise them to take the following precautions.

• Shut down and abandon any equipment being used in or near the area.
• Avoid open flames or other sources of ignition. Do not start any motor vehicles or electrical equipment.
• Evacuate the area and prevent unsuspecting people from entering.
• Notify LG&E at 1-502-589-1444 (1-800-331-7370) immediately. Press 1-1-1 from the automated system that handles all calls.
• Get help from local law enforcement officials to isolate the area.
• Do not attempt to extinguish a natural gas fire. Request assistance from the local fire department to protect adjacent property.
• Do not attempt to operate pipeline valves.

LG&E will send someone to investigate and take any necessary corrective action if a leak is discovered.  For more information, visit LG&E’s natural gas safety information website at lge-ku.com/rsc/lge/gas_safety.asp.

On Wednesday, Mayor Greg Fischer joined youth golfers, public and corporate officials in teeing off at the new UPS/First Tee youth golf course at Seneca Park, officially dedicating the recently completed 9-hole course. Located within the Seneca Golf Course, it will serve youngsters and teens participating in The First Tee of Louisville, the local chapter of an international youth development organization. 

Initially planned as a 3-hole course, a $50,000 grant from UPS, along with $16,000 in funds from Metro Councilman Brent Ackerson, District 26, as well as nearly $30,000 in donations and in-kind contributions from other partners provided for the expansion to nine holes. 

The First Tee program introduces the game of golf and its inherent values to young people.  Designed for ages 5 to 18, and all golf skill levels, the program uses golf as the platform for cultivating life skills and ingraining core values that apply to all facets of life, such as respect, confidence, honesty, and responsibility.  Youth courses are typically designed with shorter holes and smaller greens than traditional courses to accommodate beginning golfers, but with enough variety of design to offer challenging play as skills develop.