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Photo: Louisville Metro Council
On Tuesday, November 13th a special ceremony will pay tribute to Officer Bertha Par Whedbee, who in 1922 became the first African American female to join the Louisville Police Department.
“Officer Whedbee served the citizens of Louisville with dignity and honor,” says Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5). “Until now, she has rested in an unmarked grave in the Louisville Cemetery and on Tuesday she will receive recognition that is long overdue.”
Councilwoman Hamilton is encouraging everyone to attend a special ceremony paying tribute to Officer Whedbee beginning at 10:00am. The ceremony will feature the Louisville Metro Police Honor Guard and the Louisville Police Pipe and Drums.
Officer Whedbee was married to Dr. Ellis Whedbee who was one of the founders of the old Red Cross Hospital. Since 1960, she and her husband have rested in an unmarked grave. Active and retired officers of the Louisville Police Community have joined other officers and citizens to erect a monument to their service.
“We owe a special thanks to all men and women who walk our streets to keep us safe. Officer Whedbee, like all the officers who have followed her, is someone to be honored for their duty and service to our community. She was a trailblazer leading the way for others,” says Hamilton.
The Louisville Cemetery is located at 1339 Poplar Level road.
For more information about the tribute to Officer Bertha Par Whedbee, contact Chuck Cooper at 502-744-1704. Cooper is a former 2nd Police Division, now retired, spearheaded the memorial tribute to the late Officer Whedbee.
In response to the passage of a Metro Council resolution, Louisville Metro’s Planning & Design Services, the city’s agency responsible for reviewing development applications and ensuring they align with our planning and zoning regulations, will hold public meetings to engage with the public on an update of Chapter 10 of the Land Development Code. Chapter 10 concerns trees, landscaping and open space.
The resolution passed by Metro Council on October 11 asked the Planning Commission to review the Land Development Code and to review the tree preservation and planting requirements to preserve and increase Louisville’s tree canopy.
The updates to Chapter 10 of the Land Development Code will only affect tree canopy requirements for development applications submitted to Planning & Design Services.
The update follows a tree ordinance aimed at preserving and increasing the tree canopy on public rights of way, which was passed by Metro Council in 2017.
“I was pleased to see the unanimous Metro Council vote to begin the process of improving Louisville’s Land Development Code, reducing tree loss and increasing our shrinking tree canopy,” Metro Council District 9 Councilman, and one of four sponsors of the resolution, Bill Hollander said. “There’s a bipartisan consensus that changes are needed. I encourage everyone to attend a meeting or make a comment as part of this process.”
The meetings will take place at the following dates, locations and times:
- November 13: Jeffersontown branch of the Louisville Free Public Library (10635 Watterson Trail) from 12-2 p.m.
- November 27: Okolona Fire Department (8501 Preston Highway) from 12-2 p.m.
- December 4: Portland branch of the Louisville Free Public Library (3305 Northwestern Parkway) from 6-8 p.m.
- December 11: East Government Center (200 N. Juneau Drive) from 6-8 p.m.
Proposed changes to Chapter 10 of the Land Development Code are due to Metro Council by March 1, 2019.
Changes related to tree requirements were last reviewed in 2014. Increases to preservation and planting requirement were deferred at that time pending the completion of an Urban Tree Canopy Assessment. The Assessment was complete in 2015 and showed a loss in tree canopy from 2004 to 2012 and predicted further losses without changes to City requirements.
For more information and a public comment form, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design/land-development-cod…
On Saturday, November 24 Bob Bernhardt and the Louisville Orchestra will celebrate the holiday season with two concerts filled with Christmas cheer and the phenomenal talent of LaKisha Jones from American Idol! The festivities begin at 11AM with a one-hour concert for the whole family. Bring the kids early to meet Santa in The Kentucky Center lobby and participate in the pre-concert activities! At 8PM, the twohour LO Pops concert brings more music and magic of the holidays!
Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt continues to bring his unique combination of easy style, infectious enthusiasm and wonderful musicianship to the city and orchestra he loves. He has been a constant presence with the Louisville Orchestra for the past 37 years.
LaKisha Jones makes her Louisville Orchestra debut with her favorite holiday tunes like Mariah Carey’s, “All I Want for Christmas is You” and “O Holy Night!”
The Louisville Youth Choir joins in for musical highlights from popular holiday films like Home Alone and The Polar Express!
Tickets to Home for the Holidays range from $15-$85* and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or visiting LouisvilleOrchestra.org. Pro-rated subscription packages are still available by calling 502.587.8681 or by visiting LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
Brightside will hold its fall planting event Saturday, November 10 along West Broadway. Volunteers will join Brightside, who has partnered with the Division of Community Forestry and corporate sponsors to plant approximately 115 trees on West Broadway between 22nd and 37th streets.
“Brightside’s Community-Wide Planting Day is a terrific example of how we can be compassionate neighbors and caregivers of the environment,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “This year’s 115 trees will add to the 150 planted in 2015. West Broadway neighbors, businesses and travelers should see positive effects from these trees for years to come.”
In addition to improving the overall aesthetics of the surrounding neighborhoods, planting trees improves storm water management, increases property value, reduces urban heat island effect, improves air quality, and lowers energy costs.
“Brightside is glad to be celebrating its 5th Community-Wide Planting Day by returning to West Broadway and planting more trees,” Brightside Director Gina O’Brien said. “We would like to thank our sponsors and volunteers and welcome those on West Broadway to watch these tree grow and bring shade, storm water management and a beautiful streetscape.”
Brightside will also be joining with volunteers from UPS, Brown-Forman, Kentucky Derby Festival and Heaven Hill to plant 60 trees along 18th Street from West Kentucky Street to Greenwood Avenue and Greenwood Avenue from 18th to 20th Street.
Brightside’s recent plantings, as well as those of other Metro and non-profits partners, have been focused in west Louisville, where an increase in tree canopy is needed. This year’s planting will add to the 150 trees Brightside planted on West Broadway in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, over 330 trees were planted in along Virginia Avenue and adjacent streets in the Parkland and California neighborhoods. 80 trees were planted near Chickasaw Park in 2014.
On Saturday, November 10 at 10 a.m., Brightside will meet volunteers in Kroger parking lot at 2710 West Broadway. A limited supply of shovels and other tools will be provided by Brightside, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools. All ages are invited to attend the event.
There is still time for volunteers to register. To register, volunteers can fill out a form at Brightside’s website here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/brightside/community-wide-planting-day
Louisville Metro Animal Services is encouraging pet owners to take advantage of an upcoming Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, November 10th from 9am-12pm at Wyandotte Park, 1010 Beecher Street.
In addition to one ($10) and three-year ($15) Rabies vaccinations, LMAS will offer microchipping services for cats and dogs for just $25. So far in 2018, more than one-thousand pets in Jefferson County have been reunited with their owners. But sadly, the majority of cats and dog that entered the LMAS Shelter was not microchipped and could not return home.
“Microchipping is a crucial component to remaining a No-Kill shelter and saving more animal lives,” said Teeya Barnes, spokeswoman for Louisville Metro Animal Services. “Microchipping helps us quickly reunite missing pets and their owners. That means more open kennels for the city’s truly homeless animals. When the shelter is out of space, lives are placed in jeopardy.”
A pet license for cats, dogs or ferrets is required by Law for Jefferson County pet owners, and can be purchased or renewed during the Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic. A one-year pet license for an altered cat or dog is $10; a three-year, altered pet license is $27. LMAS also offers discounted licensing rates for senior pets: $5 (1-year altered) or $10 (3-year altered).
“A pet license is assurance your pet’s Rabies vaccination is up-to-date, so if they become lost they won’t receive the vaccine unecesssarily if they were to enter the shelter,” said Barnes. “Another benefit is if your pet is lost and picked up by an animal control officer, we can bring them home instead of to the shelter. Your pet won’t be exposed to germs and illnesses commonly found in animal shelters.
The Low-Cost Rabies Clinic is open to all pet owners. Dog must be on-leash and cats must be in carriers during the clinic.
Join Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Louisville Parks and Recreation for cider and donuts to celebrate the completion of the Bonnycastle Hill restoration project in our beloved Cherokee Park! No need to RSVP—simply attend if your schedule allows. Contact Meghan Robinson with questions.
Thursday, November 8, 2018 | 9 to 10 am
Stegner Pavilion | Bonnycastle Hill in Cherokee Park
We are thrilled to share the new Stegner Pavilion, relocated basketball court, lit walking paths and reconfigured parking area with our vibrant community of park users.
Olmsted Parks Conservancy proudly thanks Louisville Parks and Recreation, the City of Louisville, Mayor Greg Fischer, Councilman Brandon Coan, the Stegner Family and other generous donors to our Campaign for Extraordinary Parks for their partnership and support of this successful restoration project.
The work of more than 600 retired and senior volunteers in the Louisville area will be honored at a special event on Wed., Nov. 7. The Louisville Metro Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) annual recognition event will take place at Churchill Downs’ Millionaire’s Row (6th Floor), 700 Central Ave. from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The theme is “Everyone’s a Millionaire with RSVP.”
As part of the city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services, RSVP connects persons age 55 and over with their choice of some 60 public service and non-profit locations, including American Red Cross, Senior Nutrition Centers, Dare to Care, Community Ministries and the Robley Rex VA Medical Center.
RSVP members will be joined by volunteer site representatives, Senior Corps Advisory Council members and RCS staff. Mayor Greg Fischer will serve as the keynote speaker followed by congratulatory remarks from Gena Redmon-Harris, director of Resilience and Community Services.
“Through their volunteerism these senior citizens are making a real and positive difference in their communities,” said Mayor Fischer. “I am proud to join with the Louisville Metro Retired and Senior Volunteer Program to recognize those who give their time to better the lives of others.”
The Rev. Ron Loughry, Executive Director of Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries, and winner of the 2015 ElderServe’s “Champion for Aging” is serving as the master of ceremonies for the third year in a row. He will also be recognized for his years of service to RSVP and the community as a whole as he will be retiring at the end of this year.
During this year’s celebration, 41 RSVP volunteers who reached their dedicated, volunteer service milestones of five to 30 years will receive special recognition. Also featured will be a VA Salute and Recognition to acknowledge all veterans who serve as RSVPs. One special honoree, Guy Dorsey, a World War II veteran, is being recognized for 25 years of volunteerism in the community and has some 30 family members from all over the United States coming to be with him for the event. In addition, following the buffet meal and speaker presentations, the volunteers will enjoy full access to Churchill Downs and a day at the races.
“RSVP volunteers generously give their energy, skills and caring dedication toward providing over 75,000 hours annually resulting in more than $1.5 million in savings/service impact for their agencies. This celebration is their public ‘thank you’. Everyone is a millionaire with RSVP.” said RSVP Program Coordinator, Christopher Clements.
RSVP is federally sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), and this year’s event sponsors include Passport Health Plan, ResCare, and AARP.
For more information on RSVP activities or to learn how to become a volunteer, call (502) 574-1530 or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/retired-and-senior-volunteer-program-rsvp.