Louisville Metro Council Holiday Food Drive is now on-going through December 5th

The Louisville Metro Council and District ​18 have teamed up with the Association of Community Ministries to host a Holiday Food Drive collecting essential foods for those most in need this season. All donations will be provided to the Association of Community Ministries to be divided evenly amongst the 13 Area Community Ministries.

• WHEN: November 11^th  - December 5th
• WHERE: You may drop off your food donations at:
• Main Donation site - City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, 40202
• Local Donation site - District 18 drop off location: Douglass Hills City Hall, 219 Moser Rd, 40223           (8 A.M. - 5P.M.) 
• Additional regionally available drop off locations: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/2024-holiday-food-donation-drive
• WHAT IS NEEDED:
• Canned Protein (beef stew, canned chicken, canned tuna, hearty soups)
• Tomato Sauce
• Diced Tomatoes
• Canned Potatoes
• Boxed Potatoes

Can't drop off food but want to donate monetarily instead? Visit: https://www.louisvilleministries.org/ and click "Donate" to give. 

Questions / more information? Call President Markus Winkler's Office, 574-1192

Metro's Fall Leaf Drop-Off now on-going through 12/7/24

Fall Leaves Mowing over leaves to mulch them back into your lawn is a great option for reducing waste. Mulching not only returns vital nutrients to the soil, but experts say that it can help your grass grow even better the following year! Never blow leaves into the street! If you see Street Sweeping signs posted on your street, please make sure to move your vehicle so any leaves that fell naturally on the street can be properly cleaned.  *ALSO: MSD asks if you see a catch basin covered with leaves, in front of your home or near by please collect them/clear the basin! That will assist in proper drainage and helps everyone.* Leaf Drop-Off Sites (coming soon!)  The Metro Public Works free leaf drop-off sites will be open Tuesday-Saturdays, now through December 7. Drop-off will not be available on November 28 and 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Only leaves will be accepted. Leaves can be loose, in paper/compostable bags, or reusable containers. Containers used to bring leaves to the drop-off sites must be taken back by residents. Locations and hours: Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane), Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Public Works East District Operations Center, 595 N Hubbards Lane, Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Shawnee Park, 230 Southwestern Parkway (Athletic Complex), 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. This service is for residents ONLY and not for businesses!!

Nutcracker Family Storytime with the Louisville Ballet is at the Northeast Regional Library December 4th and the St. Matthews Library December 5th

Louisville Ballet and the Louisville Free Public Library are excited to announce the return of Nutcracker Family Storytimes, through December 5, at select LFPL locations. The annual event has become a holiday tradition for families across Louisville. What started out in 2010 as a single event at the Main Library, has expanded to include the Iroquois, Northeast, St. Matthews, Shawnee, South Central, and Southwest libraries. 

These free, family-friendly events feature two Louisville Ballet dancers, in costume, reading the classic story of The Nutcracker, along with music, dancing, crafts, and more! Plus, one lucky family at each event walks away with four tickets to see Louisville Ballet’s production of The Brown-Forman Nutcracker.

Join us for one of these Nutcracker Family Storytimes:

• Wednesday, December 4, 6:30 p.m. – Northeast Regional
• Thursday, December 5, 6:30 p.m. – St. Matthews Library     

For more information, visit LFPL.org/Nutcracker, or call the Main Library Children’s Department at (502) 574-1620.

Light Up Louisville and the Downtown Holiday Market December 7th

Step into a Winter Wonderland as we kick off the Holiday Season in Downtown Louisville at this year's "Light Up Louisville" Powered by LG&E!

Join us on Saturday, December 7th from 3pm - 9pm at Jefferson Square Park for an evening full of festive fun do the entire family!

What to expect:

• BRAND NEW! Video-Mapping Show on Metro Hall
• BRAND NEW! 200-Drone Holiday Show 
• Local, holiday shopping along the Mistletoe Market 
• Delicious bites at Frosty's Food Court
• Live entertainment across 2 stages
• The magical Lots of Lights Parade (Starts at 6:00 pm)
• Free photos with Santa & Friends inside Santa's House
• Free trackless train rides aboard the Jolly Jingle Express
• Fun, free activities for kids and so much more!

Bring the whole family for a night of holiday magic -- it's the perfect way to begin the season! FREE admission for all. 

ALSO:

In collaboration with Light Up Louisville, LDP will host its annual Downtown Holiday Market on the same day!

This event will transform the Plaza on Fourth, between Jefferson & Market Streets, with a unique outdoor pop-up shopping and food vendor market in the heart of Louisville. This festive event offers a unique opportunity for the community to shop local, support small businesses, and enjoy the holiday spirit in a vibrant downtown setting. 

The Downtown Holiday Market will also take place from 3p - 9p and will be decorated with lights, infltables, and photographable experiences. This event is free to the public. Get festive and join us!

Louisville Sports Commission free volleyball clinic 12/20/24

Holiday or Anytime tips!

Handwashing is one of the most important things you can do to prevent food poisoning when preparing food for yourself or loved ones. Your hands can spread germs in the kitchen. Some of these germs, like Salmonella, can make you very sick. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is an easy way to prevent germs from spreading around your kitchen while handling and preparing foods.

When to wash hands at home

Handwashing is especially important during some key times when germs can spread easily:

• Before, during, and after preparing any food.
• After handling uncooked meat, chicken or other poultry, seafood, flour, or eggs.
• Before and after using gloves to prevent germs from spreading to your food and your hands.
• Before eating.
• After touching garbage.
• After wiping counters or cleaning other surfaces with chemicals.
• After touching pets, pet food, or pet treats.
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose

Cooking your Turkey Safely

Thawing turkey safely

There are two safe ways to thaw a turkey: in the refrigerator or in cold water. Thawing a frozen turkey on the kitchen counter, in hot water, or in the garage is not safe. Even though the center of the package may still be frozen, the outer layer of the food is in the Danger Zone between 40 and 140 degrees F — a temperature range where foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly. No matter which method you use, thawing a turkey takes time.

Cooking turkey safely

The USDA also has helpful tips on cooking turkey based on your preferred cooking method. Regardless of how your turkey is cooked, insert a food thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing and the innermost part of the thigh to check that its internal temperature at all three spots is at 165 degrees F.

Food safety specialists are here for you – even on Thanksgiving Day

Need more information about Thanksgiving food safety? Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) , email MPHotline@usda.gov or chat live at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday to talk to a food safety specialist in English or Spanish. The Meat and Poultry Hotline will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST.

You can also visit our Holiday Food Safety for Home Cooks webpage.

Leash Laws for Dogs, including Metro Parks!

Visit the Metro Animal Services Website to view all their Animal programs they offer!

Visit the Metro Animal Services website to view some of what they offer. Below is a list of a few of specific sites: Adopt a Pet Long-Stay Champions License a Pet Foster a Pet Find/Report a Lost Pet Volunteer Donate Animal Abuse Registry Click the following link to view: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services Louisville Metro Animal Services (MAS) is the only open intake shelter in Jefferson County. Serving as an authority for public safety and the humane treatment of animals, MAS provides a wide range of services including adoption, foster, and volunteer programs, animal care and control enforcement, and collaborative efforts with local partners around our city. MAS strives to create a safer and more compassionate environment for all residents, human and animal alike.

Employment Opportunities

LMPD Seeking Applicants

Recruitment 101  Requirements for application: Must be at least 20 years of age (if he/she will be 21 years of age at the time of becoming certified as a Police Officer (KRS 15.380 to 15.404)) No felony convictions  U.S. citizen  High school diploma or equivalent To learn more, please contact our Recruitment and Selection Unit @ LMPDRecruiting@louisvilleky.gov.  or visit this site.

Metro Public Works & Assets is Hiring

Serve the Louisville community through a rewarding public service career! The Department of Metro Public Works & Assets is currently hiring.

IMPORTANT! The link below is for all of Metro jobs currently open. To learn about career opportunities specifically in Public Works, once you've clicked the link, follow these 3 easy steps:

1. click the filter tab
2. click Departments
3. click Public Works on the dropdown menu

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisvilleky