Join us for the first Coffee With Your Councilman of 2015 on January 31st beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Sister Bean's Coffeehouse (5225 New Cut Rd). This is an opportunity to chat with us about any topic or let us know of any concerns in the district. There is no formal program so please stop by for a cup of coffee on us! 

When: January 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Where: Sister Bean's Coffeehouse, 5225 New Cut Rd. 

Do you know the location of the water shut-off valve that controls the flow of water in and out of your home? If not, now is a good time to find the valve and “tag it.” 

During the extreme cold weather in 2014, Louisville Water received hundreds of calls from customers after their private water lines had burst.  This year, Louisville Water is offering free hangers that attach to the water shut-off valve so customers can minimize damage or risk of pipes bursting.  Customers can request a hanger through Louisville Water’s Facebook and Twitter channels or pick up one at the downtown office (550 South Third St). You can also use a bright colored ribbon to tag the valve, something that won’t be destroyed if it gets wet.

Need help finding the valve and turning if off?  Watch a video here. 

The Southwest Women's Roundtable kicks off another great year of networking at the Southwest Regional Library (9725 Dixie Hwy) on Wednesday, January 14th from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The mission of the group is to provide professional women with resources to maximize their potential by offering networking opportunities and guidance from other businesswomen, with a focus on Southwest Louisville. Visit their Facebook page here. 

The Dixie Area Business Association will be hosting their networking and planning meeting on Wednesday, January 14th from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Louisville Dream Center (4413 East Pages Ln). Attendees are requested to RSVP by noon on January 12th at 502-367-3880. Lunch will be provided for $10 for non-prepaid guests. 

Free help is available for citizens pledging to save more money or get out of debt in the New Year. Louisville Metro Government's Financial Empowerment/economic Development team is dedicated to helping improve the financial stability of households by making quality financial education and empowerment services more accessible.

The Financial Fitness Resource Fair will be held on January 8th and 9th from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Urban Government Center (810 Barret Ave.) to share materials for financial education opportunities 

The Financial Empowerment Services Center provides free, professional financial and legal counseling. Call 502-574-5191 to make an appointment with assistance on topics such as budgeting, credit counseling, free tax preparation and finding a health plan through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Start Fresh! is a two-hour workshop created by Bank On Louisville geared specifically towards those in the community looking for a second-chance bank account and a way back into the banking system. Call 502-574-5156 to sign up for one of the upcoming classes offered in January and February. For more information and dates, click here. 

Finance 4 U is a six-week workshop covering SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) as well as providing tools for creating a spending diary, savings, couponing and more. Call 502-574-7301 to participate in the next Finance 4 U series, to be held January 21st through March 4th at the Urban Government Center.

With the inclement weather approaching fast, we want to remind constituents to be safe and plan ahead.

It is always a good idea to prepare a disaster kit. Suggested items to include are: water, non-perishable food items, can opener, flashlight, battery-powered radio, batteries, first aid kit, medications, cell phone and chargers, emergency contact information, a whistle and blankets. 

You should also prepare a kit for your vehicle, with snow removal items, sand or salt as well as extra clothing or blankets. Be sure to inspect your car to make sure it is prepared for the winter, including checking antifreeze levels, brakes, the exhaust system, fuel and air filters, oil, lights and hazard lights and windshield wiper equipment. Also make sure your tires have adequate tread. 

Be sure to winterize your home as well. Insulate your walls and attics, caulk doors and windows, clear rain gutters, maintain heating equipment and chimneys, install storm windows or cover the windows with plastic from the inside, insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and allow faucets to drip but learn how to shut off your water valve in case a pipe bursts. 

Please keep in mind that generators should never be used indoors and carbon monoxide poisoning is an incredibly serious threat, resulting in 20,000 emergency room visits and over 400 deaths a year. Any device that uses gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal should be kept at least 20 feet away from doors, windows and vents. Consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm and quickly move to an area with fresh air if it sounds. 

Don't forget that you can always find information online about snow routes in the city by clicking here. Stay safe and warm this winter!      

The year is off to a fantastic start at the Southwest Regional Library, with plenty of events and activities for the entire family to enjoy. Be sure to check out their website for the full calendar here and don't miss these events: 

Teen Game Nights every Wednesday beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Learn to Stitch (ages 12-19) on January 8th at 3:30 p.m. 

Toddler Dance Party (ages 0-5) on January 10th at 10:00 a.m.

The Story of the Southwest Library on January 13th at 6:30 p.m.

Don't forget about the Read Away the Winter Blues Reading Contest (ages 18+) and be sure to mark your calendars for the JCPS Job Fair on January 20th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. You can always get assistance with your resume by scheduling a one-on-one appointment with a staff member. 

The library is located at 9725 Dixie Hwy.

The University of Louisville is offering FREE grants for veterans who wish to start their own business: VetStart. It is a 10 week program that meets once a week on Thursdays from 6:00-9:15 p.m. at the Nucleus, 300 E. Market St. Awardees receive one-on-one mentoring, start up training and limited funds for eligible start-up expenses. Awardees will learn to hone their business ideas, develop strategy and - most importantly - build a network of others who can help.

The deadline to apply is February 1st and classes started February 19th. Access the application here or contact Dr. Mary Tapolsky at 502-569-2059 or mtapolsky@nucleusky.com if you have any questions. 

Archaeologists have been digging with the public at Riverside for nearly 20 years. But archaeology is much more than digging! Now, you have an opportunity to see and participate in the other side of archaeology. Join an archaeologist from the Kentucky Archaeological Survey to get an up-close look at the artifacts that have been found at Riverside, participate in the process of how archaeologists learn about the past from them, and see what has been learned.

Participants will have an opportunity to wash, identify, and study artifacts. A behind-the-scenes archaeology tour also will be offered, weather permitting. This tour, led by a KAS archaeologist, will take visitors to the locations of past and active archaeological sites at Riverside. Visitors will get a perspective of life behind the big house and how archaeology has contributed to the identification and reconstruction of outbuildings. 

Drop in for this free family program between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm this Thursday, January 8th and Friday, January 9th. The archaeology tours will take place at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm each day (weather permitting). Contact us with questions at 502-935-6809 and at info@riverside-landing.org. For a full listing of dates, click here. 

Actors Theatre of Louisville invites the local community to join for a community conversation inspired by the performance of The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney — A lyrical tale of brotherly love, pulsing with the rhythms of the Louisiana Bayou.  How does our community help an ex-offender transition to a productive post-incarceration life? Click here to read more about the plot line. 

Now in its 10th year, Actors Theatre’s Community Conversation events focus on exploring important topics in Louisville’s cultural landscape, particularly through the lens of our productions on similar themes. The evening will include a preshow reception inclusive of hors d’oeuvres and an open bar in the Sara Shallenberger Brown Lobby starting at 6:30 p.m., a performance of The Brothers Size beginning at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude with a dynamic conversation from 10:00 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.

Tickets to the event are $20 and can be purchased by calling 502-585-1210. Your ticket includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a performance of The Brothers Size. This is only for the January 15th performance. Be sure to purchase yours before they sell out! We are very proud to support the work of Actors Theatre. 

Serving on a board or commission is a great way to utilize your talents. We hope you will consider volunteering your time with us and encourage you to browse the openings regularly for opportunities that would best utilize your experience and knowledge. We have approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety. It is important that these boards have adequate representation from all areas of town, including District 12 and Southwest Louisville, as they are responsible for evaluating many important decisions that impact our city and its citizens.

Please click here for more information. Be sure to alert the District 12 office once you have applied. Thank you for your interest!