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Photo: Department of Resilience and Community Services
Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program invites young people to create handmade Valentine’s Day cards as part of the annual Love Letters campaign. The cards will then be included in meal deliveries to Meals on Wheels recipients and shared with other senior programs to help lift the spirits of older adults in our community.
Now in its fifth year, Love Letters was introduced through a partnership with DoSomething.org, a global non-profit organization which encourages young people to make a positive change, and Meals on Wheels America. Because of its enormous popularity — both with youth and seniors — staff members with the Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program remain committed to carrying on this tradition.
“Each year, these handmade cards brighten the lives of hundreds of seniors in our community,” said Faith Aeilts, program manager of Senior Services, a division of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. “We are grateful to the numerous individuals, schools, scout troops and other youth service providers who have contributed cards in previous years and hope we can once again count on an outstanding response.”
“The students at the J. Graham Brown School have participated in this wonderful outreach with Louisville Metro Meals on Wheels for the past few years”, stated Stacey Powell, staff member with the Brown School who champions the Love Letters campaign. “Our students are wonderful, caring, and compassionate. In the past we have submitted hundreds of beautiful handcrafted cards! We are excited to participating again and our students are always eager to have their cards delivered. We hope they bring smiles to the recipients.”
This year’s goal is to deliver at least one card to the more than 400 Meals on Wheels recipients and to also share with the hundreds of participants at one of the 22 congregate meal sites for more active seniors.
To donate cards to the local Meals on Wheels program, feel free to drop off any weekday by Feb. 9 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 701 W. Ormsby Ave. Suite 201. Contact Tiffany Woodson, Volunteer Coordinator for the Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program at 574-6420 or Tiffany.Woodson@louisvilleky.gov with any questions.
The Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program is funded, in part, under a contract with KIPDA and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Cabinet for Health and Family Services with funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To learn more about eligibility or how to volunteer, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/senior-nutrition-program or call 502/574-6325.
Mayor Greg Fischer urged citizens, businesses and nonprofits to donate used laptop computers during the Computer Donation Day on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the new South Central Regional Library.
Donated laptop computers will have all data wiped and be refurbished by Fern Creek High School students in a program highlighted by Mayor Fischer on Jan. 4 in the annual State of the City address.
About 100 Fern Creek High students refurbish computers that are donated by companies, learning and practicing new career-oriented skills. The refurbished computers are provided to Metro Housing Authority residents, opening new opportunities for cost-savings, online education and career-seeking.
“Here’s a chance for citizens to make a difference with extra punch — you’re helping a student build skills that they’ll use through their careers, and citizens in need of more opportunities get a tool that’s become absolutely necessary in today’s economy,” Mayor Fischer said. “I urge every citizen to find that old computer and drop it off at our beautiful new South Central Regional Library.”
The Computer Donation Day will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, January 27, at the South Central Regional Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd. The program will only accept laptop computers at this time due limited storage space for the computers. For more information go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/events/used-computer-drive
Mayor Greg Fischer, Metro Council members and other leaders today announced the opening of free tax preparation sites across Louisville that will provide federal and state income tax assistance to eligible residents.
Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, and AARP Tax Aide programs provide trained, IRS-certified volunteers to offer free tax services at more than 20 sites across the city. The service is available to individuals and families who earned less than $64,000 in 2017.
VITA and AARP volunteers will also help determine if residents are eligible for the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families. Eligibility for the EITC is based on income, the number of family members and other criteria, such as the amount of a families’ credit. Working families who earn about $53,000 or less may be eligible, with average credits last year more than $2,400.
“For many working families, free help with taxes and guidance in qualifying for the EITC can be a game-changer,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “That’s money that can go toward buying or fixing a car, paying tuition, paying off bills or making long-deferred household purchases.”
Last year, the VITA campaign and Louisville AARP sites processed more than 14,000 returns, adding more than $19.7 million to the local economy, including nearly $6 million in Earned Income Credits to residents.
Appointments are recommended for VITA free tax assistance service and can be made now by calling (502) 305-0005 or scheduling online at https://louisvillekyvita.cascheduler.com.
The VITA free tax preparation sites are located at:
- Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Dr.
- Bates Community Development, 1228 Jackson St.
- Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. (Self-file only beginning Jan. 29)
- Edison Center , 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201
- First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road
- Louisville Urban League, 1535 W. Broadway
- Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway
- Portland Promise Center, 1831 Baird St.
- Salt and Light Community Development, 3025 Gerald Dr.
- Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane
- United Crescent Hill Ministries, 150 State St.
- Wesley House Community Services – 5114 Preston Hwy.
For a complete list of VITA locations, including mobile sites, as well as hours of operation, visit http://labcservices.org call Metro United Way’s 211 help referral service.
Also visit the website at information about a free service for those interested in filing their own taxes online. Starting Jan. 29, two software packages — MyFreeTaxes and Turbo Tax Freedom Edition — will be available for those who meet eligibility.
In addition to the VITA sites, AARP Tax Aide’s mission is to serve any person comes through the door, with special attention to those 60 and older.
AARP sites will open Feb. 1 at the following locations:
- Buechel Park Baptist Church, 2403 Hikes Lane
- Central Government Center, 7201 Outer Loop
- Clifton Christian Church, 131 Vernon Ave.
- East Government Center, 200 Juneau Dr.
- Iroquois Branch Library, 601 W Woodlawn Ave.
- Jeffersontown Senior Center, 10631 Watterson Trail
- Lyndon Baptist Church, 8025 New LaGrange Rd.
- Portland Branch Library, 3305 Northwestern Parkway
- Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Hwy.
For a full AARP schedule and listing, including mobile sites, visit http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org or call (502) 394-3443.
To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring:
- Picture ID and Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return
- Copy of 2016 tax return with all attachments and schedules
- W-2s and 1099s from your employers
- Other 1099s for interest, dividends, state tax refund or other income
- 1095 for health insurance
- 1098 for education credit, plus detailed financial statement from the school
- Bank account number and routing number for direct deposit as well as savings account number (if applicable)
- Child care information, including Provider ID and actual amounts paid
- Summarized list of other income/expenses for those who itemize or are self-employed
- Additional tax information that may be required
Visit http://labcservices.org/ or http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org for more information about the required documentation.
The work of the Louisville Asset Building Coalition and the AARP Tax Assistance Program is made possible by Metro United Way, Louisville Metro Government, the IRS, the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation and dozens of other partners.
Photo: KFC Yum! Center
Promising to be the Tour of the Year, two of the world’s greatest rock bands – DEF LEPPARD and JOURNEY – are teaming up for a massive co-headlining North American tour composed of both stadium and arena concerts, half the shows being closed by Journey and half by Def Leppard. The tour, promoted by Live Nation, kicks off May 21st in Hartford, Connecticut, at the XL Center and will feature complete sets and all-new production from both bands, and an arsenal of their hits such as “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Lights,” “Photograph,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Rock of Ages” and “Faithfully.” Tickets go on sale beginning Saturday, February 3, at LiveNation.com.
The 58-city tour will hit ten stadiums – Toronto’s Rogers Centre; Atlanta’s Sun Trust Park; Detroit’s Comerica Park; Chicago’s Wrigley Field; Denver’s Coors Field; Minneapolis’ Target Field; Boston’s Fenway Park; St. Louis’ Busch Stadium; San Francisco’s AT&T Park; and San Diego’s Petco Park – as well as world-famous arenas, such as Madison Square Garden in New York and the ‘Fabulous’ Forum in Inglewood, California.
Neal Schon said, “These co-headlining Journey/Def Leppard dates will be epic classic rock shows. So many hits. It will be great to see you all, friends!”
Said Joe Elliott, “This tour is going to be a blast! We’ve toured together before and it was massive. This time it’s going to be even bigger and better!”
Jonathan Cain added, “We are all anxious to share our sound with the world again and, along with Def Leppard, we are part of a world-class package to the rock stage that spans decades and represents a multi-platinum legacy.”
Added Rick Savage of Def Leppard, “12 years ago we embarked on a US tour with Journey and it was an absolute blast. Looking forward to hooking up again. Believe me, this will be even more spectacular.”
In honor of what would have been Muhammad Ali’s 76th birthday, the Muhammad Ali Center staff, Youth Programs, and Board of Directors are partnering with Love the Hungry for a service project event on January 17th from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Ali Center. The team will produce 5,000 Nutri-PlentyTM pouches.
Love the Hungry is a local nonprofit organization focused on providing nutrient-rich meals that can alleviate and reverse the effects of malnutrition in young children. The Nutri-PlentyTM meal pouches are fortified with Mathile M+ Micronutrients™ and a combination of rice, soy, and dehydrated vegetables, complete with 21 vitamins and minerals, and 12 grams of protein. Each pouch creates enough meals to feed six children. The service project will provide enough Nutri-PlentyTM servings to feed 700 children every day for a month. 15 percent of the total meals packaged remain to assist Kentuckiana families.
Love the Hungry has distributed meals to 15 different countries, focusing primarily on Central America, Haiti, South Sudan and West Africa. They recently connected with Louisville-based WaterStep and CEO Mark Hogg, who won the 2013 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award, to begin development of a nutrition center and clean water initiative in South Sudan.
Photo: Harry Potter In Concert
The Harry Potter Film Concert Series, presented by the Louisville Orchestra, returns to the Kentucky Center with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert, the third film in the Harry Potter series. On Saturday, July 7, 2018, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, July 8, 2018, at 3:00 pm, the Louisville Orchestra will perform this magical score live from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Film Synopsis In their third year at Hogwarts, Harry, Ron, and Hermione meet escaped prisoner Sirius Black, learn to handle a half-horse/half-eagle Hippogriff, repel shape-shifting Boggarts, and master the art of Divination. Harry must also withstand soul-sucking Dementors, outsmart a dangerous werewolf and deal with the truth about Sirius and his relationship to Harry and his parents.
Earning an Oscar® nomination for the score, John Williams composed the spellbinding and masterful music that has become a celebrated classic; conjuring beautiful, soaring motifs that continue the adventures of Harry Potter and his friends on their magical journey.
CineConcerts CineConcerts and Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, a new global concert tour celebrating the Harry Potter films, in 2016. Since the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – In Concert in June 2016, more than half-amillion fans have enjoyed this magical experience from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, which is scheduled to include over 600 performances across more than 38 countries worldwide through 2018.
Justin Freer, President of CineConcerts and the Producer/Conductor of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, explains, “The Harry Potter film series is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomenon that continues to delight millions of fans around the world. It is with great pleasure that we bring fans for the first time ever an opportunity to experience the award-winning music scores played live by a symphony orchestra, all while the beloved film is simultaneously projected onto the big screen. This is truly an unforgettable event.”
Brady Beaubien of CineConcerts and Concert Producer for the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, explains, “Harry Potter is synonymous with excitement around the world and we hope that by performing this incredible music with the full movie, audiences will enjoy returning to the Wizarding World.”
Tickets go on sale FRI 19 JAN at 10:00 am – Online at LouisvilleOrchestra.org and KentuckyCenter.org; by phone at 502.584.7777; in person at the Kentucky Center drive-thru and ticket office at 501 W. Main, Louisville 40202. Tickets: adults $35 – $95; children 12 and under $25 (all seats).
For more information on the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, please visit www.harrypotterinconcert.com. For more information about this performance, please visit www.LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
Bellarmine University’s Rubel School of Business and the Muhammad Ali Center are celebrating Muhammad Ali’s birthday with a Muhammad Ali APPreciation Night on Thursday, January 18th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Bellarmine University’s Centro Building. During the APPreciation Night, the Center, along with Rasheda Ali-Walsh and Jamillah Ali-Joyce, Muhammad Ali’s twin daughters, will help launch two new mobile apps focused on continuing the Champ’s legacy of service. There will also be a birthday cake and drawings.
January 17th marks what would have been Muhammad Ali’s 76th birthday. He passed away on June 3, 2016.
The two new mobile apps, called “Generation Ali” and “Hours Against Hate,” are specifically designed to promote and preserve Muhammad Ali’s legacy, and especially to actively engage young people in service to and respect for others.
In attendance will be Donald Lassere, President and CEO of the Ali Center, Dr. Susan M. Donovan, President of Bellarmine University, Rasheda and Jamillah, among others.
“Muhammad Ali used his athletic prowess and his enormous personality to advance an idea of what human greatness really is – confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, giving and spirituality,” said Dr. Donovan. “We are honored to host this night celebrating what would have been the week of his 76th birthday. Students and the community will not only have the opportunity to learn more about Muhammad Ali’s legacy, but also to see what incredible things The Muhammad Ali Center is doing.”
The APPreciation Night is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are encouraged here. It will be held on the first floor of the Centro building, located at 2001 Newburg Rd.
