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Boone and Minnow, two male gray seals, have joined the other pinnipeds on regular rotation at the Louisville Zoo’s Glacier Run exhibit. Both seals come to Louisville from Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo.
Minnow (bottom right), who is 31 years old, and Boone (top right),13, join California sea lions Triton (28), Bart (25), Gremlin (14), Riva (4), along with harbor seal Toney (16) and gray seal Rona (4) in the popular habitat.
The Louisville Zoo has a rich history with this species of animal. Eight seal pups have been born at the Zoo and when twin seal pups were born in 1979, they were the first twins to be documented in a managed system such as a Zoo.
Gray seals are natively found in temperate and subarctic waters on both sides of the North Atlantic. Seals have good senses to help them hunt. Their eyesight is excellent because of the time they spend underwater. Baby seals, called pups, are born with a soft, white hair coat called the lanugo. By the time they are weaned the lanugo is molted and the pups assume the adult coloration. Seal pups don’t swim until they have molted. Seal pups are weaned after nursing only four weeks during which they gain 100 pounds. Gray seals can sleep underwater for up to 30 minutes at a time. This species can be distinguished from harbor seals by their longer noses, wider set nostrils and size, which is approximately twice as large as harbor seals. They primarily eat fish.
The Louisville Zoo, a nonprofit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
You can visit the Louisville zoo at 1100 Trevilian Way. Gates are open 10am through 5pm until September 23. From September 23 through March 15, gates are open 10am to 4pm.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Mary C. Woolridge (D-3) is inviting everyone to come out to this year’s Unity in the Community Festival on Saturday, August 11th in Algonquin Park. This annual event is a fun filled afternoon and evening for the entire family.
“Summer is winding down and the start of school is just around the corner. This Festival is a chance for everyone to have a little fun at the park and our help children get ready for the beginning of a new school year,” says Woolridge. “We want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves as we have some summer fun.”
A highlight of the Festival is a Back to School Back Pack and School Supply giveaway. 500 back packs will be given away while they last. All children must be accompanied by an adult to receive a backpack and supplies.
For children there will be free face painting and a free inflatable bouncy. The Festival will also feature free blood pressure screening and a voter registration booth.
There will be free hot dogs, sodas and water.
Summer entertainment this year will be provided by two great groups of musicians: The Unlimited Band and The Eddie Abraham Band.
“This is truly a community event with a purpose: making sure our children are ready for school while helping families prepare them for the new school year. We also want to kick back and have a little fun in Algonquin Park which is such a great asset to the community,” says Woolridge. “I hope everyone will come out and join us.
The Unity in the Community Festival will get underway from 3:00pm to 8:00pm in Algonquin Park located at Cypress and Burwell Streets.
For more information, contact Councilwoman Woolridge’s office at 574-1103.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
President David James is partnering with the Old Louisville Tavern to help raise money for this year’s “District 6 Back to School Backpack Giveaway” on Wednesday, August 8th.
“Every year we try to make sure needy children in the district have the tools to begin the school year the right way,” says President James. “The Old Louisville Tavern is a great local business in our community and they are joining our efforts to achieve that goal.”
As part of the fundraising effort, The Old Louisville Tavern is donating 10% of all sales to the Backpack Giveaway on Wednesday. President James will be at the Old Louisville Tavern beginning at 7:00pm to collect any additional funds that patrons would like to donate for the program.
“Working with Councilman James to help kids prepare for school has been a great way to give back to the community,” Old Louisville Tavern Co-Owner Dan Borsch says.
The Tavern is Located at 4th and Gaulbert in Old Louisville.
Every year President James visits several elementary schools in District 6 to supply students in need with backpacks and school supplies. This year’s giveaway will take place on August 13th.
Photo: Neighborhood Place
Neighborhood Place partners offer a variety of health-focused events and services in August including three opportunities to attend an educational baby shower, a Healthy Living Club to help reduce stress, a Diabetes Self-Management class, and a series of classes focused on healthy meal planning and eating. To learn more about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.
Aug 6, 8, 13, 16, 27, and 31, Passport Health Care Community Engagement at multiple locations
Passport members are invited to join with representatives from Passport Health Care for one-on-one consultations to discuss plan benefits and options. This is a great opportunity as Passport aims to raise awareness and educate the community about the Passport Health Plan mission. Passport members will receive a $10 retail gift card for attending.
- Aug, 6, 13, and 27, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd (door #16) side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 1-3 p.m. Call (502) 212-6677 to RSVP.
- Aug. 8, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 313-4635 for more information.
- Aug 16, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m. Call 313-4635 for more information.
- Aug. 30, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 2 – 3 p.m. Call 1-800-578-0603 ext. 8428 to RSVP.
Aug. 7, 23 and 29, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower at three locations
For more information, contact Mendy Mason at 341-5400. A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers. The class will include a range of information and resources, as well as free baby items, gift cards, prizes, and snacks. Hosted by Seven Counties and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered.
- Aug. 7, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1- 3 p.m.
- Aug 23, at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. 1 – 3 p.m.
- Aug. 29, at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
Aug. 7, Car Seat Safety Check at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call Norton Children’s Hospital at 629-7358 to make an appointment. Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat. Find out if it’s time for a change. Car seat-fitting by appointment only.
Aug. 13, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at South Central Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 313-4089 for more information. Sodexo, a food-service agency, will provide on-the-spot interviews for positions with Jewish Hospital, Our Lady of Peace and University of Louisville Hospital. Bring your resume and be prepared for an interview. This is one of Sodexo’s busiest hiring seasons. Stop by if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position.
Aug. 14, Free Blood Pressure Screenings at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 485-6145 for more information. Louisville Metro Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure screenings and health information
Aug. 14, Healthy Living Club atSouth Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. For more information call 363-1483 or 772-8588. Join this Healthy Living Club to get the support you need to eat better, be active and reduce stress. August meeting will focus on a healthy cooking demonstration. Free samples and recipes shared with all that attend.
Tuesdays, Aug. 21 – Oct. 2, Healthier Meals, Healthier Me Class at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 11 – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Registrations is required by calling 772-8588. Come and learn more about healthy eating, meal planning on a budget and more. Attend classes and earn a slow cooker to keep.
Aug 21, Basic Diabetes Self-Management Class at First Neighborhood Place, 2 – 4 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Road at T.J. Middle School. Registration is required by calling 574-6663. Whether you are recently diagnosed or have had diabetes for years and need a refresher, this session is for you. Topics include what diabetes is and is not, glucose monitoring, problem solving, healthy eating, medication management, sick day management, healthy exercise, goal setting, and more. Sponsored by Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness.
Aug. 30, Passport Health Care Member Informational at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 1-800-578-0603 ext. 7301 to RSVP. Come join us and get to know about your plan. Lunch is provided. Member’s will receive a$10.00 retail gift card for attending. *Retail gift card available to passport Health Plan members only
Back to School Event Reminders:
Aug. 7, Back to School Fun Resource Fair at Southwick Community Center, 4 – 7 p.m.
Located at 3621 Southern Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. The annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school. JCPS Family Resource and Youth Resource Centers Coordinators will complete CAP referrals for families needing clothing and uniform assistance. School supplies will be distributed (while supplies last). Several vendors will be available to provide essential health, education, and community resources. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. JCPS Nutrition Services will provide lunch to youth 18 and under. This event is sponsored in part by Ujima Neighborhood Place, Jefferson County Public Schools/The Carter/DuValle Education Center, Kennedy Montessori/Brandies, Maupin, Johnson and Foster Family Youth Service Centers, Southwick Community Center, Councilwoman Jessica Green, Passport Health Plan, Villages of Park DuValle and Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services.
Aug 11, Back to School Event at Meyzeek Middle School, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 828 S. Jackson St. Call 574-6638 for more information. Open to students in kindergarten through high school. Free backpacks with essential school supplies for the coming year will be distributed while supplies last. Your child must be present to receive school supplies. Smile Academy will provide free dental screenings. Many other local community venders and agencies will be in the gym to provide information for families. Families may complete a CAP referral during the event as well for clothing and uniform assistance. Sponsored by Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services and area JCPS schools.
Aug 11, Back to School Festival at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 1501 Rangeland Rd. Call 313-4498 or 313-4700 for more information. This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school. Free backpacks and grade-appropriate school supplies (while supplies last) will be provided. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free lunches will be served to kids by JCPS Nutrition Services and families may complete a CAP referral during the event as well for clothing and uniform assistance. A Community Resource Fair will include over twenty presenters including diabetes and blood pressure checks, the YMCA program, voter registration, library services and lots of fun and music. Event sponsored in part by First Neighborhood Place, area JCPS schools and Family Resource and Youth Services Centers, Dr. Barbara Shanklin – Councilwoman for District 2 – and other supporting Metro Council members, and Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services.
Mayor Greg Fischer announced that Louisville Metro Government has been awarded a $10,550 AARP Community Challenge grant to begin making tactical improvements on Ninth Street, specifically at Muhammad Ali Boulevard.
The grant is part of the AARP Livable Communities Initiative, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and rural areas to be livable and safe places for residents of all ages. The grant funds quick action projects that build momentum for change in communities to improve livability.
Announcement of the grant comes on the same day as a march for equity and justice designed to acknowledge the impact that racial segregation in the past has had on communities all over the nation. The march, which runs from downtown to Ninth Street, is planned as part of the Presbyterian Women’s triennial national gathering in Louisville.
Mayor Fischer, who is speaking at the march, welcomed the AARP grant.
“My administration is committed to breaking down the 9th Street divide by bringing more city and private sector investment than west Louisville has seen in decades,” he said. “This grant is a wonderful boost to our plan to make Ninth Street safer, more accessible and more attractive for residents on both sides of Ninth Street to travel and cross. I am very excited to receive this grant and get started on implementation.”
Louisville Metro Government will use the grant to improve the intersection of Ninth Street & Muhammad Ali Boulevard in three ways:
- Improving crosswalks—Crosswalks will be upgraded from current conditions to crosswalks with greater visibility. According to the Federal Highway Administration, these types of crosswalks can reduce vehicle-pedestrian collisions by nearly 50%.
- Adding street furniture—Plaza space and benches will be added to the median in front of an existing public art piece. The “Reimagine 9th Street” plan calls for places for residents to sit along Ninth Street.
- Enhancing Public Art—A plaque will be added to accompany the public art piece for telling its story and brining a historical perspective.
All grant funded projects will be completed by December 2018.
In addition to this grant, a “Reimagine 9th Street” plan, to permanently transform Ninth Street from River Road to Broadway, is underway. Mayor Fischer’s FY19 budget includes $180,000 for its formal design. For more information on “Reimagine 9th Street,” please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/reimagine-9th-street
Credit: Louisville Metro Police
Mayor Greg Fischer and Police Chief Steve Conrad are inviting the public to join in on the annual National Night Out events being held in the police divisions around Metro Louisville on Tuesday night.
This year’s theme for the event is IncLOUsive City – promoting safe neighborhoods through inclusiveness. Events will include opportunities to interact with officers, refreshments, games and public safety information.
“Making this city safer is a joint effort between police officers and the neighborhoods they patrol,” Chief Conrad said. “National Night Out is our chance each year to come together to celebrate our efforts and continuing building the relationships that make us a better city.”
From 2013 to 2017, Louisville Metro has been selected as a national award winner for its outstanding participation in the annual National Night Out events held throughout our city. The National Association of Town Watch evaluates entries based on attendance, corporate sponsorships, crime prevention collaborations between police and community members, and ongoing outreach efforts.
It is an honor for LMPD to be recognized, but the Mayor and Chief stressed that could not have been done it without every citizen who takes a stance on crime prevention in their community.
“I hope people will join me Tuesday night in stopping by one or more of our National Night Out events,” said Mayor Fischer. “This city shows over and over again how working together for safer neighborhoods pays off, so let’s use Tuesday to recommit ourselves to those efforts.”
Events will be located throughout Metro Louisville:
- 1st Division: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Baxter Park, Baxter Community Center, 1125 Cedar Court
- 2nd Division: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Cash Saver Market, 3044 Wilson Avenue
- 3rd Division: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Home Depot, 6840 Dixie Highway
- 4th Division: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wyandotte Park, 1104 Beecher Street
- 5th Division: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Peterson-Dumesnil House, 301 S. Peterson Avenue
- 6th & 7th Divisions: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Target Okolona, 7311 Jefferson Boulevard
- 8th Division: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Target Middletown, 12975 Shelbyville Road
To learn about setting up a Neighborhood Watch program in your area, visit: https://www.louisville-police.org/454/Neighborhood-Watch
Haz Bin, Louisville’s household hazardous waste drop-off facility, will operate on a five days a week schedule beginning Tuesday, August 14. The facility is currently open only on Wednesday and Saturday. That’s three additional days per week to safely dispose of such things as batteries, gasoline, solvents and other items that may be lingering in your basement or garage. Program guidelines, including which hazardous materials are accepted and which are not, are available on the Metro Public Works webpage.
Haz Bin location and new hours:
7501 Grade Lane
Tuesday through Saturday
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
