Mayor Greg Fischer was joined today by officials from the Louisville Free Public Library, the Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Parks and Recreation and Jefferson County Public Schools to encourage local children to take advantage of the dozens of free and low-cost activities offered by those organizations during the upcoming spring break April 1-5.

“We want kids to enjoy the time off with their family and friends, and to come back ready to finish the school year strong,” Fischer said. “It’s important to keep those young minds and bodies healthy and active.” 

Those include camps run through parks and recreation community centers, including a free basketball clinic by former University of Louisville basketball player Robbie Valentine on April 2-3 at the Cyril Allgeier Community Center; activities that include free movie viewings, STEAM instruction, workshops, classes and more at local Louisville Free Public Library branches; and literacy classes for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders through JCPS.

“We want kids to have fun, stay safe and out of trouble during the break from school,” Fischer said. “There are several opportunities daily for them to remain active and engaged through guided programming. Hopefully the weather’s nice and they’ll be able to spend some time enjoying the outdoors as well.”

More information: 

Louisville Parks and Recreation 

Louisville Free Public Library

Jefferson County Public Schools

Kentucky Science Center

Councilwoman Donna Purvis will host a community meeting to bring representatives of Metro Government to the people of District 5 on Tuesday, March 26th.

          “I want everyone to have an opportunity to meet with those departments of government that bring services to us every day,” says Councilwoman Purvis. “If you have a concern or an issue you would like to have addressed, please come and join us.”

          The Community Meeting will be held at the Shawnee Golf Course Clubhouse at 4600 Northwestern Parkway beginning at 6:00pm.

          The Councilwoman will join representatives from Codes and Regulations, the Louisville Water Company, MSD, Louisville Fire, Louisville Metro Police, Solid Waste Management, Metro Public Works, TARC, LG&E, Develop Louisville and the Air Pollution Control Board.

          For those who come out, chili will be served.

          “This is your chance to let us know what we need to do for you,” says Councilwoman Purvis.

For more information about the Community Meeting in District 5, contact councilwoman Purvis office at 574-1105.

Solid Waste Management Systems Enforcement officers have located an impounded the first vehicle of 2019 for illegal dumping in Louisville Metro.

A citizen photographed an individual on March 7th who was dumping debris in the 4400 block of Bardstown Road. The citizen then contacted SWMS, who located the individual and he admitted to the illegal dumping and the vehicle was impounded.

“I want to thank the alert citizen who caught this activity and I also want to thank SWMS officers for their continued follow through to catch illegal dumpers in our city,” says Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin (D-2). “When the Metro Council changed the law to impound vehicles for dumping, the message was simple: if you are going to illegally dump in our city, it will be costly if we catch you.”

The individual was issued a citation totaling $500, and the owner will have to pay approximately $250 for impound and storage fees.

Class Act Federal Credit Union and the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation will host dozens of talented kids at the Academic Challenge this weekend. The quick-recall tournament is set for this Saturday, March 23, at Spalding University in the Mansion Building. The tournament is coordinated by Jefferson County Public Schools is scheduled for 8 AM to 3 PM.

“More than just a competition, the Academic Challenge is a great way to showcase the academic achievements of both our local students, and the public schools,” said Jeff English, President of the KDF Foundation.

The Academic Challenge is an opportunity for elementary students from all over the county to test their acumen by answering questions pertaining to math, science, social studies, language arts and humanities. This year’s competition will feature 12 teams from local elementary schools and 150 students.

One of running’s most iconic figures, Kathrine Switzer will participate in her first ever Derby Festival race. Switzer was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967, and recently ran it again 50 years later in 2017. (The run was only 24 minutes slower than she did in her first marathon at age 20.) On Saturday, April 27, Switzer will run the Derby Festival’s Marathon Relay as member of the Humana Relay Team.

“I’m thrilled to team up with Humana to continue spreading awareness about the importance of active aging and the pursuit of healthy social, emotional, and physical habits,” said Kathrine Switzer. “With the relay you can train for as little as a 5K or 10K. Whether you’re an experienced runner or trying something new, I encourage everyone to come out and run with us.”

Humana is the title sponsor of the Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon, which mark the largest day of road racing in Kentucky. 2019 will be the 46th year for the miniMarathon and 18th year for the Marathon.

Switzer is an athlete, author, spokeswoman, commentator, and advocate. She will always be best known as the woman who challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon and became the first woman to officially enter and run the event in 1967. Throughout her career, Switzer has run 41 marathons. In 1975, her two-hour and 51-minute marathon in Boston was ranked sixth in the world and third in the United States. She won the New York City Marathon in 1974 and then, 43 years later, in 2017, she ran through the streets again and finished 2nd in her age group. She has run for 59 years. Switzer also advocates for women’s sports participation throughout the world and continues today with the creation of “261 Fearless”, a global non-profit movement that empowers women through running.

“We’re honored to have Kathrine Switzer, who has paved the way for so many female athletes, running with us in April,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “Women have been participating in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s races since the mini started in 1974, and now make up more than 50% of our running field.”

The mini, Marathon and Relay all start simultaneously on April 27th at 7:30 am on Main Street near Slugger Field and will finish at Preston and Witherspoon streets. Registration is still open online at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com.

Metro Council members Stuart Benson (District 20), Anthony Piagentini (District 19) and Robin Engel (District 22) invite you to participate in the South Floyds Fork Vision Plan Open House on Monday, March 25, 2019 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The open house will take place at the Gheen’s Lodge at the Parklands of Floyds Fork (1421 Beckley Creek Parkway).

During the open house, visitors will be able to receive updates and ask questions about topics such as new development, transportation connections, community services, public utilities as well as make comments or suggestions about the plan. The Floyds Fork Vision plan will provide guidance for authentic, healthy, equitable, sustainable and well connected growth in the South Floyds Fork Area in Southeastern Jefferson County

For more information on the Floyds Fork Vision Plan visit www.floydsforkvision.com/ or call the Office of Metro Councilman Stuart Benson at 574-1120.

The call is going out for volunteers as Council Members begin planting 166 trees in four Metro Council Districts as part of this year’s Planting O’ the Green.

“I want to encourage anyone who would like to help us expand our city’s tree canopy to come out between now and Saturday to roll up your sleeves and pitch in,” says Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8). 

Council Members Keisha Dorsey (D-3), Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) and Donna Purvis (D-5) are also putting out the call for their districts.

Starting today and March 21st, Algonquin Park will be the first location where 46 trees will be planted between 9:00am and 2:30pm. On March 22nd, volunteers will help plant 46 trees at Clay and Breckinridge Streets between 10:00am and 12:00pm.

On the same day, Elliot Park will see new trees planted between 9:00am and 2:30pm. The effort wraps up on March 23rd, when Ellison, Crown and Rufer Avenues will receive the final 46 trees to be planted by volunteers.

“I will be joining my volunteers on Friday and I hope everyone who can will come out and help us officially welcome spring and make Clay and Breckinridge Streets beautiful with new trees,” says Councilwoman Sexton Smith (D-4).

The Council Members are partners with representatives of TreesLouisville, MSD, Brightside, Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the Ancient Order of Hibernians as part of the Planting O’ the Green effort.