District 9 eNews - Thursday, March 19, 2015

 

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Bill Hollander

Councilman Bill Hollander
601 West Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1109
Email Bill

 

kyle ethridge

Kyle Ethridge
Legislative Assistant
(502) 574-3908
Email Kyle


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Visit the District 9 Website

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See NDF/CIF Spending

In this issue...


Meet with Bill – TODAY, March 19

We are always happy to hear from constituents.  To make meeting with us in person more convenient, we’ll be holding office hours at various places around District 9.  On Thursday, March 19, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., we’ll be in the boardroom at Mellwood Arts Center, 1860 Mellwood Avenue. Stop by with any questions or concerns.


Help Report Potholes

potholes

Message from Metro Public Works

Citizens are urged to report potholes to MetroCall by dialing 311 or 574-5000. Reports may also be made through an online service request at www.louisvilleky.gov/government/metrocall-311. You can now download a smartphone application to report issues, for more information click here. Potholes on interstate highways should be reported to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 1-877-For-KYTC (367-5982).

Potholes result from a combination of water that seeps through cracks caused by normal wear and tear in asphalt, repeated freezing and thawing temperatures, and the weight of traffic. Cold temperatures cause the water to freeze and expand, weakening the pavement. The weight of traffic on the weakened pavement then breaks the asphalt, eventually leaving a hole that grows as more traffic goes over it.

Please continue to help us by reporting them to MetroCall.


D9 Community Conversation – March 24

Community Conversation

The next Community Conversation is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 at Whitehall House & Gardens, 3110 Lexington Road. We’ll hear a short report from Lorri Roberts with Brightside. But most of the time and focus at the meeting will be on you.  We are hoping for unscripted, open conversations about your vision for D9 and the City. Given that Brightside will be represented, we’d particularly like to hear your ideas about sustainability initiatives. Please mark your calendar and join us – and bring along a friend or neighbor!


Register for the Spring Community-Wide Cleanup

Brightside

Join us on Saturday, April 18th for a cleanup starting from the parking lot at Frankfort and Keats Avenues at 8:30 a.m. or organize your own cleanup by registering for the Brightside/Passport Health Plan Spring Community-WideCleanup.  The cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 18th with the suggested cleanup times of 8:00am – 12:00pm. We know what you are thinking, “that’s the same day as Thunder Over Louisville!”  You would be right.  Due to the dates of Jefferson County Public School’s spring break and a couple of other major events in our city, Brightside felt that April 18th would be the best day for everyone.  What better way to prepare for a day of fun and fireworks than doing some good work to make our community Derby ready before the festivities begin! (If the date we have set doesn't work for your group, that's OK, they will support any cleanup that takes place in the weeks surrounding April 18th.)

Brightside welcomes all groups, large and small, to participate in the cleanup. Simply register your group online at www.brightsideinc.org, or complete and return the downloadable registration form. All cleanup teams will receive bags and gloves at no cost, and the first 5,000 volunteers to register will also receive a free t-shirt! You won’t want to miss out on an exciting new design for our t-shirts this year made in collaboration with a great local artist and business owner, Jason Pierce.

Supply pick upwill be held on Saturday, April 11th at the Iroquois Park Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Rd, 40214 from 10:00am– 2:00pm.  All supplies are pre-packaged by group for team leaders to collect. If a group fails to pick up their supplies on April 11, and they have t-shirts, the t-shirts go to other volunteers on a first come first serve basis. Groups who do not have t-shirts can call Brightside on Tuesday, April 21 to see if any t-shirts have been returned. Supplies will also be available at our satellite location located at Joe Creason Park, 1235 Trevilian Way, 40213 from 2:00- 5:00pm on Tuesday, April 21st and Friday, April 24th.


Premium Compost Sale Returns March 21st!

compost sale

Brightside and Waste Management of Kentucky will be holding a spring compost sale on Saturday, March 21st and Saturday, April 25th from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. each day at the Outer Loop Recycling and Disposal Facility, 2673 Outer Loop.

Pre-bagged compost will sell for $2.50 per bag and a Bobcat scoop will be $30.

Proceeds from the compost sale will benefit Brightside’s community education and beautification efforts. For more information about their Premium Compost, visit the Brightside website.


Joining Volunteers for Meals on Wheels

meals on wheels

I was honored to deliver meals this week as part of the national “Meals on Wheels” campaign, joining volunteers Kevin Hisel, Daniel Castillo (both from D9 business D.D. Williamson) and Rosie Scott. 

Last year over 100,000 hot noontime meals were delivered to homebound Louisville residents. In District 9, volunteers deliver meals from United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) in Clifton and the Jewish Community Center (JCC) on Dutchmans Lane.   The support of the volunteers and meals they provide are critical to helping homebound residents maintain enough independence to stay in their own homes, as was evident on my route with Rosie this week. 

In addition to the meals delivered to residences,  106,000 meals were served last year to active seniors at more than 20 congregate meal sites across the community,  which offer seniors an opportunity for a nutritious lunch, socialization and activities.  On the same day that I delivered meals,  I enjoyed speaking at the UCHM congregate meal site as part of its “Lunch and Learn” series.  JCC is also a congregate meal site. 

To learn more about eligibility for meals or how to volunteer, click here:  http://louisvilleky.gov/government/community-services/senior-nutrition-congregate-meals-and-meals-wheels or call (502) 574-6325. 


Sustainability Story: Heine Brothers’ Coffee

Heine Brothers'

Mayor Fischer has a goal to make the City a nationwide leader in recycling and sustainability practices, increasing the amount of material diverted from our landfill annually and achieving a 90% diversion rate within 30 years — and we need the help of residents and businesses to get there!  A business recycling webpage is intended for business owners and property managers and provides resources and tools for launching a recycling program.  You can find it here: http://louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/business-recycling-home

Among the case studies featured there — and our sustainability story for the week — is Heine Brothers’ Coffee — which is based in and has stores all over District 9.  Heine Brothers realized early on the environmental benefits of launching a business recycling program and has taken full advantage of Louisville Metro’s curbside recycling program offered within the Urban Services District.  As early as 2012, the company’s 13 area locations recycled nearly 8,000 pounds of newspaper and office paper, 34,000 plastic milk jugs, and all of their cardboard boxes. In addition, Heine Brothers’ Coffee composted approximately 54,000 pounds of used coffee grounds and tea leaves!  While some additional cost was incurred when implementing its recycling and composting programs, the company has reduced its garbage hauling cost and built a loyal following of customers by proving itself as a responsible local business.

We’d like to feature your sustainability story - a resident or business doing good things for the environment.  Riding the bus, bicycling, walking, gardening and more - our eNews will feature practices which can benefit all of us.  Send you story to bill.hollander@louisvilleky.gov or kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov.  


“Give A Day” Week of Service, April 18-26

Give a day

A tractor-trailer load of toys and supplies for school kids in need, bikes for refugees from war-torn countries and a community drive for stuffed animals for kids who have experienced crime, fires or other crisis. Those are some of the projects planned during the fourth annual Give A Day volunteer week April 18-26. The week of service helps launch the 2015 Kentucky Derby Festival.

New projects and initiatives this year include:

  • An entire tractor trailer of toys and school-related supplies will be distributed to school-age children by the Kids Wish Network and its Holiday of Hope Tour, working with JCPS and volunteers;
  • Individuals and bike shops can put older bikes to new use by donating them to the Pedal Power Project, providing basic transportation for refugees in Louisville who’ve fled war-torn nations and other calamities. Bikes can be taken to Beargrass Christian Church, 4100 Shelbyville Rd., or call 502-896-1161;
  • A special Give A Day eve concert on April 17 will raise funds and encourage volunteers. Alex Wright & The Maven Down, Thirty Spokes and a special guest will perform along with an art auction. 8 p.m. In the Mayor’s Gallery at Metro Hall. It’s a ticketless event, but donations are suggested.

 Other ways to be involved include:

  • Joining the Brightside communitywide cleanup on April 18;
  • Providing a stuffed animal to the Bears on Patrol program at Kosair Charities so kids will have a special friend in times of violence, fire or other crisis. Stuffed animals can be dropped off at all Comfy Cow locations;
  • Giving new or gently used shoes to WaterStep, helping fund the Louisville-based organization’s work of providing clean drinking water around the world;
  • Donating a dollar while eating at local Wendy’s, Fazoli’s or Mark’s Feed Store restaurants, through March 31. Money raised goes to local non-profits for supplies to make more projects possible during the volunteer week.

Individuals or groups wanting to find a project should visit www.mygiveaday.com where projects and needs submitted by local non-profit agencies and other groups are listed. Fischer urged individuals and companies to also use the website to report their own community service.


Mark Your Calendars for These Upcoming Events

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest - www.bernheim.org

  • Smart Gardens & Landscapes: Water-wise Vegetable Gardening, March 21st from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Members $10; Non-Members $15
  • Smart Gardens & Landscapes: Organic Gardening, March 21st from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Members $10; Non-Members $15
  • ECO Kids Discovery Days: Spring Lookout, Saturday, March 21st from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Early Wildflower Walk, March 28th from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
  • Join Wren Smith, Interpretive Programs Manager, for an opportunity to scout for and celebrate early spring beauties, Members $7: Non-Members $10, (502) 955-8512.

Kentucky Hemophilia Foundation 

Flower Power Sale, Orders: Due by March 23, Pick up: Saturdays, March 28th and April 4th from 10 AM to noon. Orders, please call (502) 456-3233; (800) 582-2873. www.kyhemo.org

Kentuckiana Herb Society 

  • Spring Education Day: "Herbs Past and Present." Saturday, March 28th at Huber Orchard and Winery, 19816 Huber Road, Borden. Registration: $35, includes presentations, continental breakfast, buffet lunch, raffle and vendors. (812) 590-4604. www.kentucianaherbsociety.org

Billy Goat Hill Community Garden and Magnificent Mushrooms 

  • The Benefits of Growing Mushrooms, April 12th and 26th and May 3rd and 17th
    from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street. 502 645 4192. 

Olmsted Parks Conservancy

  • Volunteer Events at Seneca Park, Meet in parking lot near the Seneca Park basketball courts on Pee Wee Reese Road, just past Cherokee Gardens. www.olmstedparks.org
  1. March 17th from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
  2. March 21st from 10 AM to 12:00 PM
  3. March 24th from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM

The Louisville Nature Center - LouisvilleNatureCenter.org

  • Story Walk: "Duck and Goose Go to the Beach" by Tad Hill, Saturday, March 28th between 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM
  • LNC's Spring Garden Series: "Let Nature Do the Work", March 24th, April 2nd, April 9th, and April 14th from 7 PM to 8:30 PM. The cost is $60 for the series which includes a coupon for $25 off a rain barrel. 458-1328

ABC Notifications

ABC notifications

Change in Ownership memo and Courier Journal Legal advertisement for a Quota Retail Liquor by the Drink and ABC Caterer's License(s) being applied for, located at 3624 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY. 40207.  The ad ran in The Courier Journal Friday, March 13, 2015


Help Beargrass Creek

Beargrass Creek

Beargrass Creek is the name given to several forks of a creek in Jefferson County.  As the forks wind through the area that has become Louisville's East End, they have contributed to the geography that has shaped the area. The earliest settlements by Europeans in the area were built in the form of stations, or forts, along the banks of the creek. The three forks continue to drain about 70 square miles (181 km²) of land.

The Middle Fork flows through Cherokee Park until it meets the South Fork between Lexington Road and the Home of the Innocents.  The creek flows from there to the Ohio River near Eva Bandman Park. 

The Beargrass Creek Alliance, a local volunteer watershed group of the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, does outreach and projects to improve the quality of Beargrass Creek.  More information is here: http://kwalliance.org/what-we-do/watershed-planning/current-projects/beargrass-creek-alliance/ .  Patrick Piuma of the Urban Design Studio challenges all of us to think differently about the creek in this presentation, which is well worth a look:   http://udstudio.org/v4/2015/02/beargrass-creek-an-urban-acupuncture-opportunity/

More immediately, there are two fund raising initiatives, one for a planning study for an extension of a path along the creek and one for a documentary about the creek:

  1. The Trail. Metro Parks, on behalf of the Beargrass Creek Trail Committee (a community group made up of representatives from the Office of Sustainability, UofL, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, the Beargrass Creek Alliance, Bicycling for Louisville, Get Outdoors KY, Waterfront Development Corporation, Botanica and MSD) is seeking contributions to fund a conceptual plan to connect the missing link of the Beargrass Creek Trail between Waterfront Park and Cherokee Park, creating a continuous off-street path connecting two of Louisville’s most significant recreational assets. The project would also include an evaluation of strategies to improve water quality and wildlife habitat along Beargrass Creek. Metro Parks has received a pledge of $75,000 in funding from the Army Corps of Engineers to start the planning stage of the project; however, the funding requires $75,000 in matching funds from the community. $37,500 – 50% of our goal – has been obtained so far. But we need your help! Your donation of $100, $1,000, $2,500, or any amount would help Metro Parks attain the $37,500 still needed. The fundraising deadline is April 10th. Please send your tax deductible contributions to: Metro Parks (Attn: Lisa Hite), P.O. Box 37280, Louisville, KY 40233-7280. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Webster in the Office of Sustainability, at (502) 574-6285. More information in this Courier-Journal story by James Bruggers.
  2. The Documentary.  The Beargrass Creek Alliance is working with David Wicks, Morgan Atkinson and Kentucky Waterways Alliance to create a documentary about Beargrass Creek. This documentary is in need of funding to move forward. Beargrass Creek Alliance is donating time to help review the content. How can you help as an individual? Here are a few ways:

Beargrass Creek can be much more of an asset to the City and to District 9 - and you can help now. 


Take a Survey for St. Joe’s

St. Joe's

Our community neighbor, St. Joseph Children’s Home, is in the early stages of a comprehensive strategic planning process that will help guide the future of how they provide the best possible services and programs in serving children and families. They are seeking your confidential and candid input to help them do that work better by completing a quick online survey.

Just follow the link below to complete a short survey that should take no more than 8-10 minutes of your time to complete. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StJosephChildrenHome

A consolidated summary of all replies will be made available to the Strategic Planning Committee as a part of their overall process.

As an expression of gratitude for your participation, please know that at the end of the questionnaire you will have the option to provide them with your name to be entered into three separate drawings for a $50 Visa cash card.

St. Joe’s is asking that you please complete all questions by Thursday, March 19, 2015, and thank you again for your thoughtful answers and kind investment of your time.


Volunteer Opportunities at the VA Hospital

VA Hospital

The Robley Rex VA Medical Center, 800 Zorn Avenue, is always looking for interested volunteers to help clients of the hospital during normal business hours Monday-Friday. Below are some areas they need assistance with.

  • Looking for Volunteer Drivers needed to drive veterans to and from the medical center, community-based outpatient clinics, and authorized healthcare facilities for scheduled appointments. The greatest need is in rural areas.
  • Looking for customer service/phone experience volunteers for the business office as well as walk “rounds” in their out-patience areas to direct Veterans needing assistance with where their appointments are located and using the kiosks.
  • Projects that groups could assist with are creating maternity baskets for new mothers. Female Veterans are the fastest growing group of veterans, many single moms and having a basket of items with formula, diapers, blankets, baby clothes, etc. to start them off from the hospital. Another project would be to create toiletry kits and cold weather gear. Donated gift cards for homeless Veterans.
  • Groups could adopt a different clinic area of the hospital, such as the emergency room or hospice. They could provide snacks for patients who are waiting for appointments.

Interested volunteers or community groups should contact Rita Flowers at 502-287-4449 or email rita.flowers@va.gov. Additional information is also available online at http://www.louisville.va.gov/giving/index.asp


District 9 Calendar Events

Below are some Ninth District calendar events!  To view a full listing of events please visit the District 9 Blog at http://district9news.wordpress.com/.  If you would like to submit events to be considered for the blog calendar please email Kyle Ethridge or call 574-1109.

Thursday, March 19: “Meet with Bill” from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Mellwood Arts Center 1860 Mellwood Avenue. Not everyone has the time to come downtown to meet, so we wanted to make this easy and informal with no appointment necessary to let me know if you have any concerns or questions about anything going on in the district or Metro Louisville.

Thursday, March 19: Carmichael’s Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue, to host Tania James at 7:00 p.m. From the critically acclaimed author of Atlas of Unknows and Aerogrammes, comes a tour de force set in South India. James’s new novel plumbs the depths and moral complexities of the ivory trade through the eyes of a poacher, a documentary filmmaker, and, in a feat of imagination, an elephant known as Gravedigger. Louisville’s own, Tania James, will be at Carmichael’s for a reading and book signing of The Tusk That Did the Damage. Questions please contact 896-6950.

Friday, March 20: We Are Kentuckians: Celebrating Our Common Heritage at the Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street, from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.  Join Kentuckians For The Commonwealth for this celebration of African American heritage through art, music, poetry, and storytelling. The second annual “We Are Kentuckians: Celebrating Our Common Heritage” honors the important but often unheard stories, culture, and heritage of Black Kentuckians. Kentucky writers, musicians, and artists will share their work, personal stories and vision for Kentucky’s Bright Future. The evening lineup includes: musicians Committed, Cynthia Fletcher, Joshua Outsey, and Yared Sound; poets Jeremy Clark, Joy Priest, and Tarsha Semakula; author and journalist Michael Jones; and speakers Cassia Herron, Tiffany Bellfield, and Eastern Kentucky Social Club members Benny Massey and Rutland Melton. This event is open to the public with a $10 suggested donation. There will be a cash bar, and food by Dasha Barbour Southern Bistro will be available for purchase. Purchase your tickets in advance at http://wearekentuckians.eventbrite.com or by calling 502-589-3188.

Saturday, March 21: Louisville’s Civic Data Alliance to hold Second Civic Hacking Event at American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue.  Admission is free, but space is limited, so only the first 50 people to register may attend.  Please register by noon on Thursday, Thursday, March 19 so they can make sure they have enough resources (and food) on hand to make the day flow smoothly. Sign up at http://www.meetup.com/Louisville-Civic-Data-Alliance/events/220786152/. Event runs from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Those who participate can expect a day of programming, design, mapping, and collaboration. They will learn how to mass import buildings and addresses into Open Street Map.

Sunday, March 22: Crescent Hill Neighbor, Local Architect and Historian, Steve Wiser will be presenting a stimulating lecture on “The Historic Houses of Frankfort Avenue” at the Peterson-Dumesnil House, 301 S. Peterson at 1:30 p.m. Wiser will talk about the history of houses in the Clifton & Crescent Hill neighborhoods, from River Road on the West (Heigold House) to the former ‘Turrets’ estate on the East, near Hillcrest Avenue. Steve is the author of several “House” books: Historic Houses of Louisville; Distinctive Houses of Louisville; Modern Houses of Louisville and Haunted Houses of Louisville. Come early and pick up pre-purchased books or purchase books at the event. Steve Wiser will be available to sign books. The ticket price for the lecture is $5. This event is a fundraiser to help preserve the historic Peterson-Dumesnil House property.

Monday, March 23: Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Avenue, to host The History of Louisville Beer at 7:00 p.m. Questions please call 574-1793.

Tuesday, March 24: District 9 Community Conversation at 6:30 p.m. at Whitehall House & Gardens, 3110 Lexington Road. We’ll hear a short report from Lorri Roberts, Events/Volunteer Coordinator with Brightside. But most of the time and focus at the meeting will be on you.  We are hoping for unscripted, open conversations about your vision for D9 and the City. Please mark your calendar and join us – and bring along a friend or neighbor!

Wednesday, March 25: Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Avenue, to host booked for lunch at 1:00 p.m. Bring a sack lunch to the discussion. Questions please call 574-1793.

Wednesday, March 25 – Saturday, March 28: Just Creations, 2722 Frankfort Avenue, to host their annual fair trade Oriental rug event featuring over 300 hand-knotted rugs. Since the store is not large enough to carry these rugs year round, they host this special event once a year to bring these one-of-a-kind, hand-knotted rugs to the community from the Main Rug Gallery at Ten Thousand Villages, Ephrata, Pennsylvania. When you visit the rug event, bring swatches of materials and upholstery, paint chips and pillows to help you choose a rug that will blend with your decor. Measure your room as well as the area you would want your rug to cover. Large rugs are impressive while smaller rugs can be more versatile. Be flexible in sizing and you will increase the number of rugs to choose from. Remember that an Oriental rug will last for generations, while your furniture, upholstery and home will change.


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