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Mayor Greg Fischer joined AARP Kentucky State President Charlotte Whittaker today to celebrate safety improvements at Ninth Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard made possible by the AARP Livable Communities Initiative, which supports community efforts to increase livability and safety for residents of all ages.
The AARP initiative funds quick-action projects that build momentum for change in communities. AARP awarded Louisville $10,550 toward a $15,550 project that improves the intersection in three ways:
- Upgrading crosswalks for greater visibility and pedestrian safety;
- Adding plaza space and benches in front of an existing public art piece in the median;
- And enhancing public art by adding a plaque to accompany Isaac Duncan III’s “Kae Me: The Lesson from the Black Star,” a piece that was erected in the median in 2003.
These improvements at one intersection is the first in a larger plan to reimagine Ninth Street as a safer, more pedestrian friendly corridor and add to the flow of investment into west Louisville, which totals about $1 billion over the past four years.
“Right now, we find that Ninth Street has unsafe pedestrian conditions, underutilized right of way and speeding cars. Our overall goal is to make Ninth Street safer for pedestrians, and the AARP grant is a great kickstart to the work,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “These improvements are part of about $1 billion in investment committee to west Louisville—including Passport Health Plan campus, Republic Bank Foundation YMCA, Beecher Terrace transformation and The Track On Ali.”
“AARP Kentucky is proud to support this community investment in pedestrian safety and making the neighborhood even more walkable,” said AARP Kentucky State President Charlotte Whittaker. “It’s an exciting example of how the AARP Community Challenge ‘quick action’ grant projects are helping make immediate improvements and jumpstarting long-term progress supporting residents of all ages.”
The grant is complemented by many projects along and adjacent to Ninth Street designed to break down this dividing point in our city:
- Dixie Highway Bus Rapid Transit, which will run on Ninth Street when service begins in 2019;
- Quinn Chapel stabilization starting in 2019;
- The Knot, an inviting public art installation at Ninth & Main, debuting in early 2019;
- Phase I of Beecher Terrace, a senior facility, finishing construction in 2019. Phase II, about 100 townhomes and apartments between 10th, 11th, Jefferson and Liberty streets will start in 2019.
- And the extension of River Road west, which will connect to Waterfront Park Phase IV, starting in 2020;
The city has also applied for a BUILD grant to implement the Reimagine 9th Street corridor plan, which envisions an attractive, vibrant and safe connection between west Louisville and downtown. BUILD is the current iteration of TIGER, the grant that made has made improvements on Dixie Highway possible. The U.S. Department of Transportation will announce BUILD grant recipients by the end of the year.
Ninth Street from River Road to Broadway averages 142 crashes per year, and 255 jaywalkers per day. The city expects pedestrian and bike activity to increase along Ninth with the transformation of Beecher Terrace and the new Bus Rapid Transit line.
To learn more about the Reimagine 9th Street plan, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/reimagine-9th-street
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Seasonal festivities continue in Metro Louisville as Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) joins the Shawnee Neighborhood Association, and area churches would like to invite the community to the first “Light Up Shawnee” at French Plaza at Amy and Market Street.
“One by one neighborhoods all over the city are welcoming the holiday season by throwing the switch to bring the lights of Christmas to glow in the weeks ahead,” says Hamilton. “This new event will be a break from the hustle and bustle of the season and a time for a little seasonal fun for all.”
With the theme, “We Are The Light of The World!” the lights will be turned on at 6:00pm for all to see!
There will be fun for the whole family at the event. Children and families can take pictures with Santa! Also, enjoy free food and hot cocoa, stop by the crafts stations, come here the angelic voices of churches from the Shawnee Neighborhood!
Everyone is welcome to participate in this signature holiday event!
For more information contact Anne Peak at (502) 778-0001.
Credit: Louisville Metro Police
It’s a Christmas tradition that brings smiles to the children of Portland and the Louisville Metro Police 1st Division service area every year.
On Saturday, December 8th the LMPD 1st Division Police Auxiliary will host children and their families at their 43rd Annual Christmas Party.
“This is a special time of year for children in our area and every year the 1st Division Police Auxiliary works to make sure the children of this area have a special Christmas,” says Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5). “I am proud to be a sponsor of this event and I thank the Auxiliary for its dedication to the children of our area.”
The event is set for the Molly Leonard Community Center at 640 North 27th Street from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Hamilton is joined by Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) and President David James (D-6) as sponsors of the event.
“Over the years, the Auxiliary has brought seasonal joy to thousands of children who would not have holiday party otherwise,” said Sexton Smith (D-4). “Their dedication to the community is a shining example of the reason for the season.”
“Once again the Auxiliary has gone above and beyond the call of helping those in need in our community,” says James. “Like the men and women who protect us in the 1st Division, they have shown us how they care for those in who would not otherwise have a special holiday.”
The 43rd Annual Christmas Party is for children aged ten and under. Last year, the 1st Division Police Auxiliary was able to help over 300 children have a special holiday season. Every Child will have a chance to visit Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and will receive a toy, fruit, candy, toboggan and gloves.
For more information about the event, call 502-574-7167.
The Muhammad Ali Center today announced it has received a $100,000 donation from Islamic Relief USA in support of Muhammad Ali’s legacy. The donation will fund the Ali Center’s current temporary exhibit, America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far, which is on display at the Center through December 30th.
“The Muhammad Ali Center is infinitely grateful for this generous gift to sponsor perhaps the Center’s most significant temporary exhibit to date,” said Donald Lassere, president & CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center. “Being affiliated with Islamic Relief USA, an organization that provides relief and development resources regardless of the recipients’ gender, race, or religion, is a natural fit for the Center’s mission and a tribute to Muhammad’s legacy. Having the ability to announce this donation on the date of the Ali Center’s 13th anniversary makes it even more meaningful.”
The family-friendly interactive exhibit explores the diversity of Muslim cultures in our community, country and the world. The innovative hands-on exhibit, and specially designed programming, showcases the cultural expressions of various Muslim communities around the world through experiences with art, architecture, travel, trade, design and more.
The America to Zanzibar exhibit is a timely and educational exhibit for visitors during a period in the country’s history when there is a growing need to explore, understand and respect cultural diversity.
Said Anwar Khan, president of Islamic Relief USA, “In addition to being one of the greatest American Muslims of all time, Muhammad Ali serves as a strong example for people around the world to follow. He famously said that service is the rent you pay for your room on this earth. Muhammad Ali is still paying it, even though he’s physically no longer with us. He is uniting people around the world, serving as a model of integrity whose actions are reflective of many of Islamic Relief USA’s values, including social justice, compassion, and excellence. He stood up for what he believed in, especially when it wasn’t popular. Today’s contribution (of $100,000) will help ensure current and future generations continue to learn about the accomplishments of this great man whenever they visit this center.”
The work Islamic Relief USA does, including their efforts to empower all individuals and assure them a voice in the world, also makes IRUSA a valuable resource to the Louisville community.
Said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, “America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far is a fantastic exhibit that helps break down stereotypes and helps people of all faiths and backgrounds better recognize the human connections that unite us all. My thanks to the Muhammad Ali Center and Islamic Relief USA for their partnership and for providing the people of Louisville the chance to experience this tremendous learning opportunity.”
Photo: Louisville Metro Public Health And Wellness
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness is reminding residents to get immunized against hepatitis A and the flu.
“While we have seen some encouraging trends in Louisville with the number of new hepatitis A cases falling over the past six months, the hepatitis outbreak isn’t over yet,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and the city’s chief heath strategist. “In other areas of the state, new cases have grown quickly. In fact, nearly 80% of Kentucky counties have a hepatitis A outbreak. If you haven’t already done so, please get immunized against hepatitis A, especially considering all the travelling people do during the Thanksgiving holidays. Protect yourself and your family. Get immunized!”
“Also, please get a flu shot’” said Dr. Moyer. “Last year 49 people in Louisville died of the flu and its complications. So, when you’re out getting your hep A shot, get a flu shot as well.”
As the hepatitis A outbreak continues to spread throughout Kentucky and the surrounding region, new cases per day in Louisville fell for the sixth month in a row. New cases in Louisville have fallen from more than four per day in April to less than one per day in October. October’s new case per day rate of 0.58 was close to the same (0.39) as what it was in October 2017, before the outbreak was declared.
As of November 3, Kentucky had 2,545 hepatitis A cases and 17 deaths spread out over ninety-four counties. By comparison, Louisville had 634 cases (as of November 13) and five deaths. While Louisville once had the overwhelming majority of Kentucky’s hepatitis A cases, it now has less than 25% of the state’s cases.
More than 83,000 hepatitis A immunizations have been given across Louisville since the outbreak was declared, nearly 21,000 by Public Health and Wellness alone. The CDC has called Louisville’s response to the outbreak “the gold standard” for other cities to emulate.
Hepatitis A immunizations are widely available at local pharmacies and health care providers. The cost is covered by most insurance plans. People should check with their health insurance provider on where the insurer prefers that they go to get the vaccine and what, if any, cost might be associated with it.
For information on where to obtain the hepatitis A vaccine for those insured or uninsured, CLICK HERE.
How can the Louisville area ramp up an inclusive, tech-savvy workforce ready to tackle the rapidly developing knowledge economy? That’s one of the key issues bringing together national and local experts and innovators at the 4th annual Tomorrow’s Talent workforce and education summit.
The summit will also include breakout sessions and TED-style presentations featuring an eclectic lineup of presenters and topics. Mayor Greg Fischer, who has championed inclusiveness and has made scaling up Louisville’s tech-talent pipeline a top education and workforce priority, will attend and present.
The event is Friday, Dec. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Muhammad Ali Center, 144 N. Sixth St. Registration is free at www.kentuckianaworks.org/summit.
The keynote speakers will be:
- Neeli Bendapudi, President, University of Louisville, who was selected earlier this year to lead the university following a nationwide search. She most recently served as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Kansas. Her vision is to ensure that the University of Louisville is a great place to learn, work, and invest because it celebrates diversity, fosters equity, and strives to achieve inclusion;
- Heather Cox, Chief Digital Health and Analytics Officer, Humana, who is accountable for building the company’s digital care delivery operations and leading enterprise analytics. Prior to joining Humana, Cox served as Chief Technology and Digital Officer at USAA, and as CEO of Citi FinTech at Citigroup, helping that company adapt to a future dominated by mobile technology.
Tomorrow’s Talent is presented by KentuckianaWorks, 55,000 Degrees, Greater Louisville Inc., and the Greater Louisville Project, with funding from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Humana, and UPS. Light refreshments begin at 8 a.m., and lunch will be provided.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) today opened a survey to gather input from parents, students and community members as the district reviews and considers changes to its student assignment plan. The survey runs through Friday, Dec. 21.
“Community input is absolutely vital to this process,” JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said. “The survey offers another avenue for families and stakeholders to weigh in on the issues and values that are important to them as the district reviews and updates how students are assigned to school. Our goal is clear: maintain our commitment to a diverse learning environment and meet the needs of the community; to do that effectively, we need to hear from as many voices as possible.”
Information from the survey, and from a series of community listening sessions held earlier in November, will help form a recommendation to the Jefferson County Board of Education in early 2019. Changes to the plan would begin being implemented in the 2020-21 school year.
The district reviews its student assignment plan every five to seven years and makes changes as necessary. Since the current student assignment plan was approved, multiple factors have changed, including population shifts and changing student demographics; passage of a racial equity policy; a districtwide review of JCPS facilities and magnet programs and policies; and the state audit.
The survey is available here. In addition, students, parents and community members will be selected at random to complete the survey, making sure to include respondents from specific groups and organizations to ensure an accurate report.