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Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Over the last two years, much attention has been focused on efforts to help the homeless in Louisville Metro. One organization works with the Metro Council and other agencies to find ways to address the problem.
Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24) announces the next South Central Regional Forum will focus on the work of The Coalition for the Homeless on Wednesday, October 16th.
“Homelessness is a great challenge for many cities and Louisville Metro is no exception,” says the Councilwoman. “The Coalition knows first-hand the scope of the situation and resources the city uses to deal with the problem.”
The forum is set for the South Central Regional Library at 7400 Jefferson Boulevard from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Natalie Harris, Executive Director of the Coalition has been invited to talk about the group’s mission. The Coalition educates the community about homelessness and inspires action, advocates for system change and coordinates the community response to homelessness through efficient use of resources and funding.
“If you have a question or would like a better understanding of the homeless issue in the community, then I encourage you to come and join us” says Flood.
Code Enforcement Officers and LMPD Officers will also be present at the forum to answer public safety and other questions.
The South Central Regional Forums are sponsored by Councilwoman Flood and Council members Mark Fox (D-13), Barbara Shanklin (D-2) and James Peden (R-23).
For more information about this South Central Regional Forum, contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124.
The popular Tom Owen CycLOUvia returns to Bardstown Road on Sunday, Oct. 20. The popular event showcases alternative transit and is named in honor of former District 8 Councilman Tom Owen, a lifelong advocate for bicycles and pedestrians in our community.
The event route is shortened this year due to budget constraints. The road will be closed to vehicular traffic along Bardstown Road from Douglass Boulevard to Highland Avenue from 2 to 6 p.m. Police will facilitate motor crossings at Grinstead Drive and Eastern Parkway.
“This fun event brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to promote healthy habits, sustainable modes of transit, and safety,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “CycLOUvia also gives residents the opportunity to celebrate the small businesses along a car-free Bardstown Road.”
Commercial establishments with frontage along the Bardstown Road corridor are encouraged to open their businesses during event hours and to engage participants.
During CycLOUvia, streets are opened to people of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds looking to improve their mental, physical, and emotional health.
Since 2012, CycLOUvia events have attracted tens of thousands of people to neighborhoods across the city. CycLOUvia promotes healthy lifestyles, alternative transportation, safety, and economic development.
For more information, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/cyclouvia.
It is one of the oldest community events in Southwest Jefferson County and this weekend, the 89th Annual Fairdale Community Fair will get underway with fun for everyone.
“This Fair has such a special place in the hearts of the people of Fairdale and this area and I want to commend the Fairdale Fair Board for another year of hard work and dedication,” says Councilman Mark Fox (D-13). “This experience is much like the old county fairs where people would come out to just see what’s going on, talk to friends and see exhibits, ride some rides and have a good time.”
The theme of this year’s event is “It’s Fall Y’all”.
The Fairdale Community Fair gets underway on Thursday night, October 10th with rides and then continues through Saturday night October 12th. All events are located at Fairdale Elementary and the Fairdale Playtorium, 10104 Mitchell Hill Road.
One of the highlights of the Fair every year is Saturday’s parade which begins at 12:00pm at Fairdale High School. There are some 21 entries in the parade this year which will leave the high school and continue down Fairdale Road then on to the fair. One of the special things about the parade is candy thrown by various groups to the crowds on the sidelines.
At the Playtorium, there will be a Homemakers Contest, Sweet Shoppe and Book Sale. Booths supporting local youth leagues, churches, cub scouts, the 4H, National Guard, local PTAs and of course the Fairdale Fair info booth will also be on hand.
On Stage for the Fairdale Community Fair:
- Friday, October 11th
- Step-N-Out Dance
- Hard times and the Big Nickle Band
- Saturday, October 12th
- Jeff Thomas
- Legacy School of Dance
- Turning Point
- Jenni Carr
“Fall is in the air and I want to encourage everyone to come out and join us for fun, entertainment and rides this weekend,” says Councilman Fox.
For more information about the 89th Annual Fairdale Community Fair, contact fairdalefair2019@gmail.com .
Families can enjoy fall color and outdoor fun at Jefferson Memorial Forest during the Wilderness Louisville Forest Adventure on Saturday, October 19, beginning at 4 p.m.
And, for the first time ever during this annual event, families are encouraged to pitch a tent and stay overnight. $25 will reserve one of the Forest’s family campsites and for $15, campers can set up in the field in the Horine Reservation.
Daylight activities include a children’s nature exploration area, a climbing wall, pumpkin decorating, guided hikes, activity at the nature center and more. Music will be performed by Grandma’s Boys, and food trucks will be on site.
Nighttime activities will include storytelling by the campfire along with night hikes and stargazing with the Louisville Astronomy Society and the Louisville Free Public Library. Camping set-up and registration will take place from 3-4 p.m. October 19.
“The annual Forest Adventure is the perfect opportunity for families to discover the natural beauty and recreational opportunities at Jefferson Memorial Forest, which is thirty minutes away, or less, no matter where you live in Louisville,” Park Administrator Bennett Knox said.
With 6,600 acres, Jefferson Memorial Forest offers many opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy and explore the outdoors. The Forest features more than 35 miles of marked hiking trails, fishing, and primitive camping. The hiking will be through the Horine Reservation of the Forest, located at 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road. Nine different trail routes in four sections of the Forest will be featured, providing a range of options for hikers of all abilities. The trails range in length from one-fifth of a mile up to five miles, and have terrain varying from relatively flat to rugged.
The Wilderness Louisville Forest Adventure is presented by Quest Outdoors.
Councilman Bill Hollander is putting out the call for volunteers to help clean up D9 by participating in the 9th District’s Annual Fall Community Cleanup on Saturday, October 19th.
“I hear people complain about litter all the time. Here’s an opportunity to get out and help pick up trash and debris,” says Hollander.
Volunteers should plan to meet at 8:30 am at the corner of Brownsboro Road and Lindsay Avenue. They will be provided with bags, gloves and t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis. Before the cleanup begins, volunteers will enjoy coffee and breakfast provided by Heine Brothers’ Coffee and the Clifton McDonald’s.
“I encourage everyone to come out and join us. Brightside has been a great partner with us over the years and this is a chance to show pride in our community,” says Hollander.
For more information or to sign up, please contact the Councilman’s office at 574-1109 or email kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov.
October is usually a month associated with orange and black. However, the Louisville Metro Council is focusing its attention on pink to let everyone know it’s time to do something to fight a killer.
For the rest of the month of October, the Historic City Hall Clock Tower at Sixth and Jefferson Streets will glow pink as a reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
“The Metro Council stands with the American Cancer Society to encourage Louisville to screen, self-examine and test for early detection of breast cancer,” says Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey (D-3) who chairs the Metro Council’s Health and Education Committee. “Too many lives and families have been devastated by this disease and we encourage everyone to follow through with a checkup. Early detection can help defeat this killer.”
Aside from the Clock tower, The Metro Council chambers are adorned in pink ribbons at each Council members desk and pink flowers of every type in bowed vases are on either side of the President’s Desk.
“We hope pink will serve as a reminder that lives from all over Metro Louisville have been touched by breast cancer,” says Council President David James (D-6). “Anything we can do to bring awareness to prevention of this disease is a priority for many of us on this Council.”
“We truly appreciate Metro Council’s support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. By encouraging women – and men – to learn more about the disease, early detection and screening, Council is taking the lead toward a healthier Metro,” says Erica Kellem Beasley, executive director for the American Cancer Society in Kentucky.
Breast cancer information and statistics:
- 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
- After skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among U.S. women, and the second leading cause of cancer death among women after lung cancer.
- In 2019, approximately 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among U.S. women, and 41,760 women will die from the disease.
- The overall breast cancer death rate has decreased consistently since 1989, attributed both to improvements in early detection (through screening as well as increased awareness of symptoms) and treatment, for a total decline of 40% through 2017. As a result of this decline, 375,900 breast cancer deaths have been averted in U.S. women through 2017.
- In 2019, there are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors (women).
- In 2019, about 2,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men. About 500 men will die from breast cancer.
The Metro Council is also encouraging the community to get involved with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. It will take place on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27, at a new location, Cardinal Stadium. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m.; walk begins at 1:30. The event is free and open to the public and raises funds for breast cancer research, patient support programs, and early detection and prevention programs.
For more information and to register, go to http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=77432
To learn more about breast cancer and services, go to http://www.cancer.org/content/cancer/en/cancer/breast-cancer.html .
