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Photo: Neighborhood Place
Each Month Neighborhood Place partners come together to offer a wide variety of workshops, events and resources to benefit the entire family. Highlights in May include a Giant Yard Sale in south Louisville; the Fifth Third Empowerment Bus at NorthWest Neighborhood Place; a community meeting focused on the ripple effects of heroin addiction; three employment recruitment opportunities and much more. To learn more about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.
May 1, Car Seat Safety Check at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Celebrate Safe Kid’s Safety month by calling 629-7358 for a car seat fitting appointment with Norton’s Children’s Hospital. Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat and find out if it’s time for a change.
May 3, FedEx Ground Employment Opportunities at First Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. Call 313-4700 for more information. A FedEx human resources recruiter will talk one-on-one with individuals interested in a career as a package handler with FedEx Ground.
May 3, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. (T.J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24). Call 313-4700 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.
Mondays and Thursdays, YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call Keyonna Humphrey at 974-8457 for more information and to register. This free program provides a wonderful learning environment for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers focusing on play and exploration. The adult caregiver is required to attend with the child/ren and you may also bring other children ages (0-2). Sponsored by the YMCA with support from First Neighborhood Place.
May 8, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at First Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
May 8, Blood Pressure Checks at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Louisville Metro Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure checks.
May 8, 22 and 23, Passport Health Care Community Engagement
Representatives from Passport Health Care will be onsite to provide one-on-one consultations and 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.
- May 8 and 22 – NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St. at the Academy of Shawnee, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 313-4892 for more information.
- May 8 and 23 – Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 2 – 4 p.m. Call 313-4635 for more information.
May 10, Kitchen Table Conversations: Grandparents Support Group at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 4018 West Market Street at the Academy at Shawnee. Call Margaret Murphy at 313-4909 for more information. This popular resource support group for relatives raising grandchildren meets the second Thursday of each month. A monthly guest speaker help this group focus on the unique issues that caregivers may have raising younger children. Aunts, uncles or anyone raising their grandchildren are welcome to attend. Lunch is provided free of charge. This Grandparent Support Group is sponsored by Dr. Helen Dienes.
May 11 and 12, South Jefferson Gigantic Yard Sale and Bake Sale at Bethany United Church of Christ, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 10400 Old Preston Highway. Call 363-1483 for more information or to inquire about dropping of donations. The Annual Yard Sale and Bake Sale proceeds benefit the South Jefferson Neighborhood Place’s Summer Back to School Event to help purchase supplies. Items for sale will include collectibles, household items, small furnishings, baby items, clothing of all sizes, books, etc. Delicious baked goods will also be available. Donations for the yard sale can be dropped off at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place in Fairdale, 1000 Neighborhood Place, between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
May 12, Addiction 101 – The Ripple Effect of Heroin and Other Drugs at Dismas Charities, Inc. at St Ann’s Center
Located at 1515 Algonquin Pkwy. The event will included presentations on how addiction ripples through a community from the individual to the entire country as well as resources on prevention, treatment, counseling, harm reduction, social services and family support. Hosted by Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, Centerstone, the Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, and Dismas Charities
May 15, ElderCare 4 Families Employment Recruitment at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 244-8446 for more information. An employment recruiter will be on-hand for ElderCare 4 Families, a non-medical in homecare service for seniors provide help with cooking, cleaning, laundry and personal care.
May 16, Second Annual Faith-based Community Partnership Gathering at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 8:30 – 10 a.m.
Located at 4018 W. Market Street at the Academy at Shawnee. For more information and to make a reservation, please call Katherine Easley, Recruitment Coordinator 595-3248 ext. 5708. Come and enjoy the morning with community leadership that will highlight the mission and objectives of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Foster Care and Adoption Division. This breakfast presentation will focus on the need for African American homes for older children in our community and the opportunities the community has to impact the lives of children and their families. This event is sponsored by the Kentucky State Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
May 17, The Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Mobile at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 4018 W. Market Street. Meet one-on-one with banking professionals aboard a 40-foot retrofitted city bus equipped with computer workstations and internet connectivity. A wide array of services are availability including the ability to request a credit report and review it with a professional; receive a personalized evaluation of finances; gain information about fraud awareness and prevention; receive internet banking and bill payment demonstrations; participate in home ownership seminars and foreclosure prevention session; and conduct online job searches and learn how to create an effective resume
May 21, 20th Anniversary Celebration at Neighborhood Place of the Greater Cane Run Area, 2– 4 p.m.
Located at 3410 Lees Lane. All public members are invited to come celebrate Cane Run’s 20 years of service in the Shively/PRP area. Past and present Cane Run staff and Council members are invited and encouraged to join the celebration to reconnect, reminisce, and revel in the good work that has been done. Cake and punch will be served. In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will occur on May 22, rain or shine.
May 23 and 24, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers. For more information, contact Mendy Mason at 341-5400. 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.
- May 23, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave, 1 – 3 p.m.
- May 24, at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. 1 – 3 p.m.
May 31, Foster Parent/Adoption Informational Meeting at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 4018 West Market Street at the Academy at Shawnee. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
An employee of Bearno’s Pizza restaurant located at 9222 Westport Rd. has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A. As a result, customers who ate at the restaurant from April 8 to April 22, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.
Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. In November, the Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak. Since the outbreak began there have been 294 cases diagnosed in Louisville and more than 16,000 vaccinated.
“The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good handwashing,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, medical director. “Washing your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap, especially before preparing meals or eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper is a proven way to prevent the spread of diseases. Hand sanitizer is not as effective as hand washing against hepatitis A.”
For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or call 211.
Mayor Greg Fischer proposed a 2018-2019 city budget that builds on the city’s momentum and commitment to public safety and growing jobs, despite the significant challenges of rising insurance costs and a $9.4 million bump in pension expense.
This $623 million general fund budget — with the theme “One City, One Future”— anticipates $26 million in new revenue, with 55 percent earmarked for public safety: LMPD, the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, the Louisville Fire Department, Corrections, Emergency Services, the Criminal Justice Commission and Youth Detention Services.
“Public safety is our No. 1 priority, as evidenced by this budget and the ones before it,” the Mayor said about his eighth budget presentation, adding that the investments, and the strategy that accompanies them, is returning tangible results.
“In 2017, we saw our numbers on crime overall and violent crime in particular start to decline,” he said. “And while there’s lots of work ahead, I’m glad to say that this positive trend is continuing in 2018.”
The budget also includes investments in affordable housing, paving and workforce development, and funding to complete the Northeast Regional Library. When it opens in 2019, 90 percent of city residents will live within five miles of a full-service library.
In his remarks, the Mayor acknowledged budget challenges, including the serious impact of the state’s pension crisis and a $9.6 million employer health care cost increase. Though the budget avoids layoffs, he said, 49 positions will be eliminated through attrition. “We’ve worked to implement cuts and reductions in a way that‘s fair and minimizes the impact on city services,” the Mayor said.
The Mayor opened his presentation by highlighting Louisville’s economic momentum, evidenced by more than 72,000 new private sector jobs, 2,500 new businesses and nearly $13 billion in capital investment happening throughout the city since 2014, including a record investment of $800 million in west Louisville.
(Read the Recommended Executive Budget for 2018-19)
That progress, along with the revenue growth and smart financial planning, “allows us to continue to invest in ourselves and in key development opportunities,” he said, ranging from the Russell neighborhood transformation, including the planned Track on Ali, as well the Soccer Stadium District in Butchertown and redevelopment of Colonial Gardens in south Louisville.
(Read Mayor Fischer’s full remarks)
The budget maintains a high level of local dollars — $22.5 million — in paving roads, fixing sidewalks and creating bike lanes in the city, which reflects a commitment to the “fix it first” strategy of Move Louisville. And it provides funding to relocate LMPD headquarters, as well as the city’s vehicle impound lot.
In accordance with the city’s recently released plan to address the impact of substance use disorder, the budget increases funding to the Living Room Project, a partnership with Centerstone that helps people struggling with opioids or other substance use get treatment and mental health support instead of going to jail or the emergency room.
“We also have to continue supporting efforts to make sure citizens can meet basic needs, like housing,” the Mayor said, noting that in last three years, the city has invested nearly $30 million in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Louisville Cares, and is continuing that commitment this year by investing another $12 million in affordable housing.
Other budget highlights:
- Proposes $2 million for the Office for Safe & Healthy neighborhoods to fund restorative justice and violence prevention programs, including Cure Violence
- Continues commitment to the Russell neighborhood with $750,000 for private development efforts and job creation.
- Funds SummerWorks, which employed over 5,200 youth in 2017.
- Buys $7 million in first responder vehicles and equipment, such as police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, computers, defibrillators and other equipment.
- Provides $6 million to complete a new animal shelter on Newburg Road.
- Funds $2.2 million in parks upgrades, maintenance needs and repairs including a $500,000 match for the Olmsted Parks Conservancy.
- Continues funding of $1 million to gain control of vacant and abandoned properties.
- Invests $600,000 to plant trees to combat urban heat island, and improve health.
Mayor Fischer cautioned that while he remains optimistic about Louisville’s future, the state pension crisis “will be a drag on our budget for the foreseeable future” without accelerated revenue growth.
“Our economic momentum and our readiness for the future require more substantive and comprehensive revenue-producing tax reform,” he said, stressing that reform must include more local control, so that Louisville’s citizens and leaders can craft and implement strategies that work for the city.
“It would be easy in a challenging budget cycle like this to just focus on the needs of the moment. And certainly we have to address the concerns and opportunities facing our citizens today,” the Mayor said. “At the same time, we have to also keep an eye to the future. That’s been our approach from Day One, and it’s helped us work with our partners across the city to create a growing economy with tremendous potential for our city.”
Volunteers cleaned neighborhoods, built beds for children and collected canned goods for the hungry. They donated bicycles to refugees, fed the homeless from food trucks and collected inspiring stories and scarves for women facing cancer.
Across Louisville, such projects and deeds during Mayor Greg Fischer’s seventh-annual Give A Day Week of Service amounted to more than 205,000 acts of volunteerism or compassion during the week that ended on April 22. That surpassed last year’s record of about 180,000 volunteers and acts of compassion.
Mayor Fischer, who started Give A Day in 2011 and has since expanded it to eight days that now occur as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival, said the turnout once again showed why Louisville has become known as a compassionate city that seeks to lift up all parts of the community.
“I am beyond grateful to every citizen, school, business and community group who helped make Louisville a better place during Give A Day week,” the Mayor said. “It’s inspiring to see the selfless service put forth by our community growing each year.”
Among the turnout this year: More than 19,000 joined the Brightside & Passport Health Plan Spring Community Wide Cleanups, removing litter and debris from neighborhoods, parks and schools. Dare to Care collected 30,500 pounds of food at local Kroger stores.
And 58,422 JCPS students and teachers – often entire schools and classes – again joined thousands more private and Catholic school students on service projects. WE Day’s walk of compassion drew about 3,250, mostly students who participated in service projects that collected personal care items, comprising nearly 20,000 hours of service.
Meantime, employees at local companies such as GE, Computershare and LG&E spread across the city for projects, joining Louisville Metro Government and local churches. Presbyterian Center USA brought 483 volunteers to assemble thousands of hygiene kits, while the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary sent nearly 500 volunteers on cleanups throughout Louisville.
The annual count is an estimate based on volunteers and groups who reported their work and acts of compassion, such as donated meals and other items. The success of Give A Day would not be possible without the support and coordination of Metro United Way, which matches volunteers with needy projects and organizations through the website, www.mygiveaday.com.
“Our hearts are filled with gratitude for everyone who gave time, talent, and treasure to improve our community this week,” said Theresa Reno-Weber, president and CEO of Metro United Way. “You inspire us to keep fighting each and every day for the education, financial independence and health of every person in the seven counties we serve. We know that, unfortunately, the need in our community does not last for only one week or one month – it’s here all year long. So, we invite you to continue working with us and making change by visiting metrounitedway.org and exploring ways to give, advocate and volunteer. This is how we live united!”
2018 Give A Day week of service — Notable Numbers:
30,500 – Pounds of food donated through Kroger and Dare to Care food drive
19,464 — Brightside volunteers who helped clean up Louisville
58,422 – JCPS students and teachers who participated in service projects
15,000 – Families served by personal hygiene items collected and distributed as part of WE Day
Photo: Louisville Metro Public Health And Wellness
An employee of the White Castle restaurant located at 3701 Seventh St. Rd. has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A. As a result, customers who ate at the restaurant from April 6 to April 20, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.
Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. In November, the Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak. Since the outbreak began there have been 281 cases diagnosed in Louisville and more than 14,000 vaccinated.
“The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good handwashing,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, medical director. “Washing your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap, especially before preparing meals or eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper is a proven way to prevent the spread of diseases. Hand sanitizer is not as effective as hand washing against hepatitis A.”
The Department of Public Health and Wellness recommends anyone working in the hospitality industry, particularly those who serve or prepare food and beverages, protect themselves and others by getting the hepatitis A vaccine. White Castle will provide free hepatitis A vaccinations for their employees in the Louisville Metro area.
The department and the University of Louisville Global Health Center have partnered to offer below-cost vaccinations to all hospitality workers. The cost of the hepatitis A vaccine has been reduced from $65 to $25. Businesses with more than 20 employees can have a nurse come to their site to provide the immunizations. Businesses with fewer than 20 employees may designate vaccine for their employees to be immunized at U of L’s walk-in clinic. To arrange these employee immunizations, contact Dr. Ruth Carrico at 502-852-1324.
To date more than 50 local food service establishments have chosen to provide their employees the hepatitis A vaccine through this effort.
For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or call 211.
The Kentucky Derby Festival is underway and the Kentucky Exposition Center plays host to four popular events.
Kentucky Derby Festival Race Expo & Packet Pick Up: Thursday, April 26 – Friday, April 27 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. – Friday More than 15,000 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon participants and their families stop by this annual event to pick up required information for the two races. During this time, attendees can visit exhibitors featuring fitness resources, tools and apparel. Located in the West Wing and Pavilion.
U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow: Friday, April 27 6 p.m. Gates open 9 p.m. Glow begins Spectators watch as pilots fill hot-air balloons that glow against the evening sky, set to a special musical score. Visitors are invited to meet the pilots and ask questions. The balloons are parked in Lots C and D.
Thorntons Great Bed Races: Monday, April 30 4 p.m. Official tailgate party 6 p.m. Parade of the beds 7 p.m. Races begin Crowds cheer as teams dressed in costumes push decorated beds in a 600-yard dash to the finish line. Awards are presented for fastest course times, best decorated, most entertaining and more. The races take place in Broadbent Arena.
Republic Bank Pegasus Parade Preview Party Presented by Mega Caverns: Tuesday, May 1 5 – 9 p.m. Open to the public Visitors get a sneak peek at inflatables and floats, complete with dancing costumed characters. Children can also get an autograph or photo of the Derby Festival Queen and Royal Court. The preview party is held in South Wing C.
Admission to all events is free with a 2018 Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin. Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle and $20 per bus.
For more information about the Kentucky Derby Festival, visit www.kdf.org.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Bill Hollander invites the community to attend a D9 Community Conversation on Louisville’s budget.
The meeting is Monday, April 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, 2115 Lexington Road.
“Mayor Fischer will be presenting his proposed budget on April 26 and the Council’s Budget Committee, which I chair, will spend the next two months working on it,” says Hollander. “As that process begins, I’ll have some comments on the proposal at our D9 meeting but mainly I want to hear from Louisville residents about their views on how we should be spending their money.”
As with all D9 Community Conversations, discussion of any other subject is also welcome and Councilman Hollander will be available to talk with constituents about any questions, comments or concerns.
For more information about the meeting, contact Councilman Hollander’s office at 574-1109.
