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Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
The “Canoemobile” is making its annual stop in Louisville on October 3-7, bringing fun and exploration through free trips for all ages on 24-foot Voyageur canoes on the Ohio River. The program, locally in its sixth year, is organized by Louisville Parks and Recreation’s Natural Areas Division based at Jefferson Memorial Forest in partnership with Wilderness Inquiry, Inc. of Minneapolis.
Additional funding support is being provided by the United States Forest Service through the Outdoor Foundation. The Canoemobile will offer trips from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Shawnee Park on Friday, Oct. 6, and at Riverview Park on Saturday, Oct.7 from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
On Tuesday-Thursday, Oct. 3-5, the Louisville ECHO (Louisville is Engaging Children in the Outdoors) initiative, facilitated by JMF/Natural Areas, will host education days at Riverview Park with Chenoweth, Portland, and Coral Ridge elementary schools as part of the Canoemobile program. As part of this education day, students will canoe as well as learn about erosion and insects.
On Friday, JMF will be launching our first canoe built in our #CanoesBuildCommunity program, with assistance from Steam Exchange and Cabbage Patch Settlement House. The program inspires confidence and encourages ownership of paddling through kid-built canoes, from start to finish. With support from Canoe Kentucky, partners build canoes to keep.
“The Canoemobile program is a fun and safe way to introduce kids to the outdoors and part of our mission to expand outdoor recreation opportunities in the Louisville area,” said Seve Ghose, Director of Louisville Parks and Recreation. “We encourage everyone who is interested to come and take advantage of this great opportunity.”
The Voyageur canoes are safe, stable and can carry 9 participants per trip. Safety equipment and trained staff will be provided. Organizers suggest wearing comfortable outdoor clothing that can get wet, but no flip-flops. Water coolers will be available, so bring a refillable water bottle. Food also will be available for purchase.
Pre-registration is not required, and all trips will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Trips will leave every 30 minutes. All participants must sign a waiver, and those under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Forms can be found at memorialforest.com.
SCHEDULE
Friday, October 6
10 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Shawnee Park 4501 West Broadway 40211
* Event is located at the end of Southwestern Parkway on the north side of the park
Saturday, October 7
10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Riverview Park 8202 Greenwood Rd 40258
In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, Gov. Matt Bevin has proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in Kentucky.
Kentucky Emergency Management urges Kentuckians to “BE AWARE – BE PREPARED – HAVE A PLAN – MAKE A KIT.”
Kentuckians face threats to their safety and property throughout the year; from tornadoes, flooding, straight line winds, lightning, winter storms, man-made hazards, to daily emergencies. Every household and every business should be prepared to face these challenges at any given time. Disasters can occur at anytime, anywhere in Kentucky.
As we have all seen recently with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and now impending Maria, preparedness can make the difference of saving your life or your family. Supplies such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights and batteries, radios and first aid kits are easy to store, and can be lifesavers when a crisis hits. A communication plan with family, friends and neighbors is also very important.
Michael Dossett, director of Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) stated, “During National Preparedness Month, the theme, ‘Disasters don’t plan ahead – You Can!’ is a great opportunity to remind our family, friends and neighbors of the importance of planning ahead, highlighted by the recent losses of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.” Dossett went on, “ask yourself, what would you do in the next two hours, next two days and next two weeks following a disaster event to ensure the survival of your loved-ones?”
PLANNING FOR DISASTER: “BE AWARE – BE PREPARED – HAVE A PLAN”
Be Aware:
- Stay informed about risks in your communities and monitor weather forecasts.
- Own and monitor a battery backed-up or crank-type NOAA Weather Alert Radio. During threatening weather, stay tuned to your local broadcast stations.
- Discuss conditions with family members, and know their locations during dangerous weather.
Be Prepared:
- Discuss known risks with family members and neighbors.
- Develop and review your emergency plan periodically and update of necessary.
- Assemble an emergency kit(s) and refresh periodically. A kit should have enough food, water and medications for each family member for five days.
- Drill: practice your plan with household members.
Have a plan:
- Share your plan with others, including friends or relatives in another region or even another state
- Medications – prepare a list of all prescription drugs.
- Utilities – Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water; if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn them back on.)
- Shelter – Identify safe locations within and outside your residence.
- Contacts – Written contact information for relatives, neighbors, utility companies, employers/employees and local emergency contact telephone numbers.
- Evacuate – Predetermine evacuation routes. Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places, such as a friend or relative’s home in another town, a motel or shelter.
- Children – Make backup plans for children in case you (or they) can’t get home in an emergency.
- Vehicles – Keep jumper cables in all vehicles at all times.
- Maintain at least a half tank of fuel in vehicles.
- Move vehicles away from under trees during possible wind events.
- Keep an emergency kit in all vehicles.
- During winter months, keep a blanket and bag of kitty litter in the trunk.
- Medications – prepare a list of all prescription drugs.
- Pets – have at least a 3 day supply of food and water for each pet. Have carriers, a collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash; familiar items such as treats, toys and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet.
- Share your plan with others, including friends or relatives in another region or state.
Make an emergency kit:
- First aid kit and essential medications (to include prescription medicines).
- Canned food and can opener
- At least three gallons of water per person
- Protective clothing, rainwear and bedding or sleeping bags
- Battery or crank powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries or crank recharging stations that are capable of recharging cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc.
- Waterproof matches and candles
- Local phone book
- Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members
- Extra set of car keys
- Cash – as much as you can afford!
For additional preparedness information, visit www.ready.gov and Kentucky Emergency Management at www.kyem.ky.gov. Follow @KYEMPIO on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and sign up for text alerts.
See Governor’s proclamation at https://kyem.ky.gov/Documents/septemberpreparednessmonth.pdf.
Credit: KY State Parks
Kentucky State Parks across the Commonwealth will host Halloween events throughout October.
Many of the park system’s campgrounds will have special activities for campers, including decorations, costumes, hayrides and games for the kids. Resort parks, recreation parks and historic sites will also have special Halloween events during October.
A list of events is available at: http://parks.ky.gov/halloween/
Parents of young children should check in advance as some parks have age recommendations for events.
Many state resort parks have inexpensive rates for lodge rooms and cottages during the fall. In addition to excellent restaurants, Kentucky State Parks have trails, playgrounds and plenty of wildlife viewing areas and fall colors that make for excellent family outings.
For more information about state park events, or to make lodging or camping reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov
With shovels in hand, Mayor Greg Fischer, Library Director Jim Blanton, Councilwoman Marilyn Parker, the Library Foundation, and members of the community officially broke ground today on the new 40,000-square-foot Northeast Regional Library located on Bellevoir Circle off Ormsby Station Road near the Northeast YMCA.
The Northeast Regional Library is similar in size and scope to the recently built Southwest and South Central Regional libraries and is the final of three regional libraries included in the Louisville Free Public Library’s Master Facilities Plan. Replacing the much-smaller Westport branch (located in Westport Middle School), the Northeast Regional Library will enhance service for more than 170,000 people in eastern Jefferson County.
“The Northeast Regional Library will bring resources for education and lifelong learning to a part of Jefferson County in which the demand for the Library’s services has outstripped its resources,” said Mayor Fischer. “And I’m really pleased that when this Library opens, my administration will have fulfilled our commitment under the Library Master Plan to provide a full-service library within five miles of 90 percent of Louisville residents.”
(Learn more about the Northeast Regional Library)
Library patrons in the Northeast service area checked out more than 1 million books and other materials in the last fiscal year —representing nearly 25 percent of the library system’s total annual circulation. And of the 170,000 residents within this service area, 40 percent are active library cardholders. Despite this tremendous use, the northeast region of Jefferson County falls well below state library standards. The new Northeast Regional Library will more than double the area’s square footage per person.
“I am very excited to see the Northeast Regional Library break ground, fulfilling the ambitious library master plan developed by the partnership of Metro Government and the Library Foundation and propelled forward by the state’s $4 million contribution to the project,” said District 18 Councilwoman Marilyn Parker. “This new library will replace one of the most utilized libraries in the system, adding much needed capacity for this area and a host of new amenities with more community meeting space, expanded materials collections, and the latest technology. This project will be complemented by the major improvements being made to the adjacent A.B. Sawyer Park, so families can easily walk between the new library, the YMCA, and the park.”
The state-of-the-art building will feature an expanded collection, including more bestsellers, DVDs, large type, and books for children and teens, and will provide the latest technologies. The design will include comfortable, quiet spaces for reading and studying, several meeting rooms, an auditorium, a large children’s area, and a separate teen space. New to LFPL, the Northeast Regional also will feature an innovative, hands-on “makerspace” with audio/visual lab and demonstration kitchen, plus outdoor teaching and programming space.
“The Northeast Regional Library will be a hub for educational and community engagement and a cultural centerpiece,” said Library Director Blanton. “Its location near the Northeast YMCA, U of L Shelby Campus, 70 independent cities and municipalities, and more than 50 schools will provide convenient access to a vibrant community, eager for improved library services, collaborative events, and robust programming.”
The design team includes JRA Architects of Louisville, Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle Ltd. of Minneapolis, MKSK of Ohio, and staff from the library.
All aspects of the building’s design have been planned to incorporate advanced, eco-friendly technologies and architectural design to save energy, reduce waste, and improve quality of life. In addition, LFPL is committed to preserving the scenic beauty of the site and to minimize environmental impact. The landscape plan will include adding more trees, walking paths, and usable outdoor spaces to take advantage of the site’s park-like setting.
The total price tag for construction, books, computers, and furnishings is estimated at $17.8 million, with $14 million coming from Metro government and the state, and the additional $3.8 million to be raised from private donors through the Library Foundation. To date, the Foundation has raised 60 percent of its goal, including gifts of $500,000 from the City of Lyndon and $200,000 from LG&E/KU. Library Foundation vice-chair Bill Dunbar also announced today a $400,000 challenge grant made by The James Graham Brown Foundation.
“It is because of the support of organizations like the James Graham Brown Foundation, LG&E/KU, and the City of Lyndon, and passionate community members just like you, that we can make more possible at LFPL,” said Dunbar. “I thank you and our community thanks you for helping make the Northeast Regional Library a reality.”
“Bringing a larger, more updated library to East Louisville has been a priority since joining the Metro Council,” said District 17 Councilman Glen Stuckel. “Early on I worked with the LFPL director to find viable sites for a regional library. Although those didn’t turn out to be the final location, my desire to make this idea a reality has never waned. I am excited the time has finally arrived. The educational and recreational resources available through this project will provide outstanding opportunities for residents of all ages.”
Construction of the Northeast Regional Library is to be completed in early 2019.
What other Metro Councilmembers had to say about the new Northeast Regional Library:
“Libraries are an important cornerstone of a healthy community. I am excited for this new edition to the Louisville Free Public Library system in Northeast Louisville. This amazing library will give people the opportunity to find jobs, experience new ideas, get lost in wonderful stories all while providing a sense of place for gathering as a community. I am especially thankful that funding for several different features to be included as part of the Northeast library have come through partnerships with some of the suburban cities in this area.” – Angela Leet, District 7
“Lifelong learning is so important to our community and I am happy to see the third of the three regional libraries break ground. The Northeast Regional Library will serve a huge part of Louisville Metro. I am grateful to everyone for their efforts in making it happen and especially thankful for the work of the Library Foundation, which has done so much to make each of the regional libraries come to pass.” – Bill Hollander, District 9
“As a teacher, I understand how the need for — and use of — free public libraries have evolved. These gems have been supported all across America dating back to a time before the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin and friends opened the first lending library in Philadelphia in 1731. Modern libraries serve a much more diverse population with services unforeseen just a generation ago. I am very proud of the work done by the Friends of the Library, and am really grateful to see that the Northeast regional library will be built in accordance with the library master plan.” – Kevin Kramer, District 11
“I’m very pleased that this much needed library will soon be available for public use. It will be a valuable resource to those seeking knowledge in this Information Age and I am proud to have supported its funding.” – Scott Reed, District 16
“This library will be a wonderful addition for our community. It will increase multiple opportunities for children and adults alike.” – Julie Denton, District 19
“As a Metro Councilman, it is exciting to see the hard work and dedication to expanding our library system come to fruition. This new library is furtherance of our commitment to expanding learning resources throughout our Metro.” –Brent Ackerson, District 26
Credit: KY State Parks
The Garden Club of Kentucky will dedicate two more Monarch butterfly waystations at the William Whitley House State Historic Site and Carter Caves State Resort Park in September.
The William Whitley House ceremony is Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. and the Carter Caves event is Sept. 27 at 2 p.m.
Members of the Garden Club of Kentucky have worked with state parks and other groups to design and install Monarch waystations.
Monarch butterflies need specific resources for their migration to and from Mexico. Those include nectar producing flowers, shelter and milkweed, the only plant that Monarch caterpillars will eat. These Kentucky waystations serve millions of migrating Monarch butterflies.
Other Kentucky State Parks with Monarch waystations include: Kentucky Dam Village, Waveland, Blue Licks Battlefield, Perryville Battlefield, Old Fort Harrod, Fort Boonesborough, Cumberland Falls, Lake Barkley, Jenny Wiley, Pennyrile Forest, General Butler and Barren River Lake.
For more information about the Monarch waystation program or butterfly gardening, visit www.monarchwatch.org
For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Photo: Louisville Free Public Library
The Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and the Louisville Free Public Library will offer the class, Heroin Hurts Louisville on Tuesday, Sept., 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the South Central Regional Library at 7300 Jefferson Blvd. and again on Tuesday, Oct., 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the St. Matthews Library at 3940 Grandview Ave. The 90-minute class is free. Registration is required. Phone 574 -1623 or contact the Library @LFPL on Twitter or @LouisvilleFreePublicLibrary on Facebook to register.
Heroin Hurts Louisville is taught by a certified drug and alcohol counselor. It includes educational information, video testimonies from young people and facilitated discussion. Participants will receive a toolkit with information and available resources. The class is intended to provide parents and other caring adults with valuable insights on why children and teens use drugs and how to start a dialogue about the dangers of substance abuse. It is also intended to empower parents with steps to take if they suspect or know someone at risk of using drugs.
“This class is a tool for parents to open up a dialogue with their children around the issues associated with drug use,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness. “Many of our initiatives to battle the opioid epidemic in Louisville have, by necessity, been reacting to the needs of people caught up in drug use and protecting our community from infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C,” she said. “But it’s also important that we take proactive steps to prevent substance abuse in the first place.”
“We are happy to be teaming up with Public Health and Wellness to be bringing these classes to our community,” said James Blanton, Director of Louisville Free Public Library.
On Saturday, October 21at 8PM, the world’s greatest party band comes to the Kentucky Center to perform with YOUR Louisville Orchestra! Principal Pops Conductor, Bob Bernhardt leads the LO with original members of The B-52s (Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson) performing fun and campy dance music like their mega-hits: “Love Shack,” “Roam,” “Rock Lobster” and “Deadbeat Club.”
When asked about performing with a symphony orchestra, Kate Pierson said: “When the Pops meets the ‘Bs’ there will be a musical, symphonic, ecstatic explosion of sound – but really the arrangements by David Campbell are really mind blowing and they add to the songs in a most spectacular way.”
Tickets for the B-52s with The LO Pops range from $87 – $27 and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or online at LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
For the best prices, pro-rated discounted Pops subscriptions are also still available by calling 502.587.8681 or online at LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
This concert is made possible by the generous support of LG+E and Fifth Third Bank.