After all of the snow, we hope our constituents will join us for a warm cup of coffee this weekend. This is a great opportunity to stop by and chat about any questions or concerns you may have. There is no formal program so please stop by and have a cup of coffee on us! Call 574-1112 if you have any questions. 

When: February 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

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

The Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District recently completed its inspection for the Insurance Service Office Public Protection Classification Program, which pertains to the structural fire suppression delivery system provided to our community. 

The PRP Fire Protection District achieved a ranking of 2, with 1 being the best and 10 being the worst. This new classification will benefit our community as a whole due to this classification playing an important role in the insurance industry as far as personal and commercial property insurance by improving the predictive value. 

We are very proud to have such an outstanding Fire Protection team to keep our communities safe. Thank you for your hard work.

Ready to launch a new career in manufacturing? Or are you looking for an opportunity to certify your skills in the manufacturing field and get a better job? The Kentucky Manufacturing Career Center will offer the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council "Certified Production Technician" course at the NIA Center in West Louisville beginning March 16 and running through April 10. Classes are held 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, with testing each Friday.

Such companies as GE Appliance Park, Westport Group, Universal Woods, Paradise Tomato Kitchen, Mondi, Dakkota Integrated Systems and Derby Fabricating Solutions have expressed a preference for candidates with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council's "Certified Production Technician" credential. Graduates will have opportunities to be interviewed by these and other companies who recognize the credential. More than 40 companies have participated in the past year.

Your first step is to attend a required Orientation Session at the Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway, Third Floor Conference Room. Call 502-574-4100 soon to pre-register for an Orientation. At the Orientation Session, you will learn more about the classes and the requirements for admission. Act now to start the process -- seats in the class are limited. To qualify for the course, you must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED. You also must pass the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate assessment at the Silver level and pass a drug screen.

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and March 6th is Dress in Blue Day. Join the statewide campaign to raise awareness about the importance of colon cancer screenings, wear blue, and encourage those around you to get screened!

Here are 5 steps you can take to fight colon cancer in March:

1.      Raise awareness! Wear blue on March 6 and tell people why. Share information about prevention and end the day at the Bottoms Up Bash at the Mellwood Arts Center.

2.      Talk with your family about any family history of polyps or colon cancer.

3.      Talk with your doctor about the right time for you to be screened, and the test that’s right for you. Colon cancer can be prevented with screenings. All Kentuckians age 50 and older should get regular colon cancer checks. People with a personal or family history of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or who are experiencing symptoms are considered high risk should talk with their doctors about having earlier or more frequent tests.  

4.      If it’s time for you to get screened – schedule the screening! Make March the month you check it off your list.

5.      Volunteer for the cause. Contact the Colon Cancer Prevention Project at (502) 290-0288 or info@c2p2ky.org to learn about volunteer opportunities in our area. 

Louisville Metro Government is now accepting External Agency Fund applications for FY16 (July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016) from non-governmental, or "external” agencies, that contribute to the city's cultural, social and economic vitality. Visit here for more information. 

For grants administered by Community Services: Qualified non-profits committed to providing services that achieve meaningful outcomes for Louisville citizens in the following key areas are encouraged to apply:

• Decreasing homelessness;
• Increasing household financial stability;
• Increasing youth, teen, and/or young adult engagement
• Increasing access to services and resources for a targeted population.

Click here for the Social Services funding program application, due by 5:00 p.m. on March 13th.

Click here for the CDBG, ESG, and HOPWA Competitive Funding Process, due by 5:00 p.m. on March 19th.

Louisville Metro Department of Economic Development, Louisville Forward is administering the Arts and Cultural Attractions funding program. Click here for application.

New Directions Housing is now accepting application for Repair Affair 2015 until April 30, 2015. Repair Affair is completely volunteer-drive. All repair work is performed by volunteers. Repair Affair is not a decorating, remodeling, or an emergency repair program. Repair Affair is for small repairs that improve the safety, security, and weather efficiency of the home. We do not guarantee assistance to everyone who applies. There is no cost to apply, but there are several eligibility requirements for Repair Affair: To qualify you must:

• Be 60 years of age or older or certified disabled;
• Own and reside in a single-family home;
• Qualify as low income

If you know of anyone who would like to apply, please have them call Jacie Morgan at (502) 719-7153.

It’s time for Doing Our Part From The Heart! Until the end of March, Councilwoman Madonna Flood, with the help of the community, will collect toiletries, snacks and other items to send to our military overseas. These are items we take for granted but to service men and women stationed in a remote desert or outpost, these items lift spirits and make life easier. Money is also being raised for postage, which is $15 per box. 

Items needed: Chewing Gum/Mints/Lifesavers, deodorant, lotion, foot powder, razors, body wash, band-aids, q-tips, hand sanitizer, wet ones, Kool-aide/Gatorade (individual packs), peanut butter, individual snacks/candy (that won't melt), chips, pretzels, Neosporin, beef jerky, sun block, after sun lotion, nasal spray, Tylenol/pain relievers. 

Drop off locations include any Republic Bank (“From the Heart Account”), Jackson-Hewitt Tax Preparers (all locations), BC Roosters (4420 Dixie Hwy), City Hall (601 W. Jefferson) and various other locations around the city. For a full listing and updates about the campaign, please click here.

Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing will offer the opportunity to learn about the archaeology projects that have taken place at the historic property in southwest Louisville through a free new program that will be ending soon!

While visitors have long been able to join in archaeology digs at the site, “The Other Side of Archaeology” offers the chance 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 be able to wash, identify, and study artifacts, and take a behind-the-scenes tour. Led by a Kentucky Archaeological Survey archaeologist, the tours will take visitors to the locations of past and active archeological sites at Riverside, providing a perspective of life at the Farnsley-Moremen House and how archaeology has contributed to the identification and reconstruction of outbuildings on the property, like the detached kitchen, slave (later tenant) houses, smoke house, wash house, ice house and barn.

The Other Side of Archaeology will be offered from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on February 27th & 28th as well as March 5th & 6th, with archaeology tours taking place at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on each day (weather permitting). For more information, call 502/935-6809 or email info@riverside-landing.org.