Tuesday March 19, 2024
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Free fun, exercise and teamwork is in the mix this spring as Louisville Parks and Recreation is offering a free tee-ball league for children ages six and under.

Sign-ups will continue through March 6, and again, participation is free. Parents can sign up at louisvillerbi.leagueapps.com or at the following community centers:

  • Beechmont Community Center, 205 Wellington Avenue, 40214
  • California Community Center, 1600 W. St. Catherine Street, 40210
  • Cyril Allgeier Community Center, 4101 Cadillac Court, 40213
  • Douglass Community Center, 2305 Douglass Boulevard, 40205
  • Molly Leonard Community Center, 640 N. 27th Street, 40212
  • Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Avenue, 40218
  • Parkhill Community Center, 1703 South 13th Street, 40210
  • South Louisville Community Center, 2911 Taylor Boulevard, 40208
  • Southwick Community Center, 3621 Southern Avenue, 40211
  • Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane, 40272

Games begin April 11 and will be played at Wyandotte Park, 1104 Beecher Street, 40215. Louisville Parks and Recreation is also seeking coaches and volunteers to help run the league. For more information, call (502) 574-4515 or e-mail Brady Buckley.

Louisville Parks and Recreation is partnering with Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities (RBI) program to increase interest and participation in the game of baseball and softball as well as to encourage academic participation and the value of teamwork. RBI operates in 200 cities worldwide.

Six members of the Louisville Metro Council invite in Louisville to get connected with metro government on Saturday, February 15th during a special community engagement event at the New Republic Bank Foundation YMCA.

They want residents, business owners, children and parents to have the opportunity to experience and learn about the newest edition in West Louisville. At the same time, it’s a way to bring government to the people.

“This new YMCA offers families, and individuals to connect with resources and programs to improve their health all of us grow together, “says Councilwoman Sexton Smith (D4). “With this facility as a background, We, on the Metro Council, hope neighbors will realize Metro Government wants to be part of the effort to grow and make our community stronger. We are here to listen and help.”

“This is a way to introduce this new facility to those in West Louisville who seek to improve their health and wellbeing,” says Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey (D-3). “On Saturday, anyone with a question or concern about any issue can come and talk with Metro Government or a Metro Council member and together we can see what we can do to help.”

Council members Sexton Smith and Dorsey are joined by Jessica Green (D-1), Barbara Shanklin (D-2) Donna Purvis (D-5) and President David James (D-6) in hosting this event.

“It is important for the people of West Louisville to understand we are here to address their problems and concerns,” says President James. “This new YMCA is one way to show long overdue attention is being paid to this area of the city. We want the people who live and work here to come forward and tell us what they need to improve their neighborhoods as we move ahead.”

The new YMCA opened this year at the corner of 17th and West Broadway. The Community Engagement Event will start at 11:00 a.m. and runs through 1:00 p.m. representatives from the following Metro Government agencies will be there to answer your questions:

  • Public Works
  • Codes and Regulations
  • EMS
  • Louisville Metro Police
  • Louisville Fire
  • Louisville Forward
  • Resiliency and Community Services
  • Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods
  • The Human Relations Commission
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Neighborhoods
  • Jefferson County Public Valuation
  • Administrator
  • Census 2020

For more information about the Community Engagement event at the Republic Bank Foundation YMCA, contact Councilwoman Sexton Smith’s office at 574-1104.

Each year farmers, equipment manufacturers and agribusiness professionals travel to Louisville to get a first-hand look at the latest equipment, technology and educational seminars at the National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS).

“Kentucky is honored to be home to the largest indoor show in the nation,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “The National Farm Machinery Show brings visitors from across the nation to the Bluegrass state, and the economic impact that this event has on our state’s economy is truly beneficial to all Kentuckians.”

The National Farm Machinery Show spans 1.2 million square feet and features more than 900 booths of the agricultural industry’s latest and most comprehensive display of equipment, services and technology. The event features free seminars with topics ranging from market strategies to the future of precision planting.

“It’s important to know who is attending the National Farm Machinery Show. There are many facets of the agribusiness industry and we want to make sure we’re offering seminars and exhibitors that align with our customers’ needs,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues.

This annual event is the largest indoor farm show in the country and the premier winter show within the industry. In an effort to help the show continue to grow and improve the guest experience, Kentucky Venues is adding attendee registration this year.

Held in conjunction with the Farm Machinery Show is the Championship Tractor Pull – four nights of raw horsepower featuring numerous classes of trucks and tractors. Tickets for the Championship Tractor Pull much be purchased separately and are available online.

As part of the registration process, attendees will have the option to enter for a chance to win some giveaways sponsored by Wright Implement, Bobcat Company and Milwaukee Tool. Event giveaways include a John Deere Gator, Bobcat Compact Tractor with front-end loader and mower, or a Milwaukee drill/driver kit.

As the nation’s largest indoor farm show, NFMS brings an economic impact of $17 million to Louisville annually, filling local hotels and restaurants with attendees from across the country and around the world. For more information, visit www.farmmachineryshow.org or register online at cvent.me/VNmbKm.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health Wellness is working with area physicians, hospitals and government agencies to guard against and prevent the potential spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus. So far, there have been no confirmed cases or suspected cases in Louisville.

“Communicable disease monitoring, outbreak response planning, and working with community partners to respond to community health threats is something that’s core to our daily operations,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, Chief Health Strategist and director of the Department of Public Health and Wellness. “Our team, led by our medical director, Dr. Lori Caloia, is working closely with our partners at the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to stay up to date on the novel coronavirus. We’ve been sharing guidance to healthcare providers, local colleges and universities and local businesses with international operations.”

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness maintains detailed plans on how to respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the 2018 hepatitis A outbreak, as well as other community public health emergencies.

On Wednesday the Kentucky Department for Public Health reported that there are no confirmed or suspected 2019 novel coronavirus in the state. There are presently six confirmed cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus in the United States. All six cases are in isolation hospitals. They are in Arizona, California (2), Illinois(2) and Washington. These individuals had recently been in Wuhan, China or were close household contacts of those who had travelled to Wuhan. Yesterday the CDC reported the first case of person-to-person transmission in the United States between an Illinois woman who had travelled to Wuhan and her husband who had not.

The virus has now spread from China to 18 other countries and the World Health Organization has declared the 2019 novel coronavirus a global health emergency.
While the CDC considers this is a serious public health threat, based on current information, CDC reports that the immediate health risk from 2019 novel coronavirus to the general American public is low at this time. “Unless you have recently travelled to China or have been in close contact with someone who has, you are not at risk from the 2019 novel coronavirus,” said Dr. Moyer.

The 2019 novel coronavirus is a respiratory illness spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, like the way that flu and other respiratory viruses spread. Like other respiratory viruses, 2019 novel coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. If you have recently been to China and develop these symptoms, you should contact your health care provider immediately. Call ahead to alert them so measures can be taken to avoid spreading the virus at the health care facility. There are many strains of coronavirus, causing mild to severe illness. You may have been diagnosed in the past with a coronavirus. The 2019 novel coronavirus is a new unique strain.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019 novel coronavirus infection. You can protect yourself by taking everyday preventive actions including:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer joined UPS Vice President Tracy Roberts and representatives from the University of Louisville and Jefferson Community and Technical College at UPS Worldport today to ceremonially sign a memorandum of association (MOA) for extension of the Metropolitan College program. This partnership provides Metro College participants with employment and tuition-free educational opportunities.

“Lifelong learning is one of our city’s core values, and with programs like UPS’ Metro College, we are leading the way in preparing our young people for successful careers while building a stronger economy,” said the Mayor. “Metropolitan College has had a tremendous impact on the city of Louisville, and today’s signing recognizes the value of this longstanding partnership with one of Louisville’s largest employers and the value of workforce development and post-secondary education.”

The new MOA extends the program to April 15, 2027, and under the extension, Metro College will be more intentional in encouraging students to consider careers in high-demand fields and improving career pipeline opportunities. The high-demand fields will be defined by local economic trends, growth opportunities and employer needs. Current fields include computer science and engineering, computer information systems, finance, accounting, and other degrees and certificates offered at UofL and JCTC.

Metro College began in 1998 as a partnership between the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Louisville Metro Government, JCTS, UofL and UPS. Metro College provides access to tuition-free post-secondary education and employment opportunities. The program aims to improve employee recruitment and retention at UPS Worldport, the global package delivery company’s international all-points air hub.

“The extension of the Metropolitan College program is critical for UPS and helps to ensure the longevity of this great example of public-private collaboration,” said UPS President Brendan Canavan. “We look forward to continuing to provide educational and job opportunities in the city of Louisville and Commonwealth of Kentucky for years to come.”

According to UPS, more than 20,000 students have participated in the program (at least one semester) since 1998. Enrollment for the 2018 – 2019 academic year was 2,313.

In all, 5,942 Metro College students have earned 10,050 degrees and certifications. Students from more than 100 Kentucky counties have participated. The program has improved UPS employee retention by 80 percent.

UPS works with a coalition of local companies to identify degree tracks with good employment possibilities and works with these companies to place students in full-time jobs once they graduate.

According to economic analysis by Meench and Shanker, LLC, UPS is responsible for bringing 62,000 direct and indirect jobs to Kentucky – 57,000 of those jobs are in Louisville and surrounding counties. Those jobs represent a payroll of $2.5 billion annually. UPS Worldport turns over cargo for 130 aircraft a day, connecting Louisville to 220 countries and territories. The facility employs nearly 12,000 full-and part-time people. UPS employs over 29,000 full- and part-time workers statewide.

Visit https://metro-college.com/ to learn more about Metro College.

Neighborhood Place partners will help host several events in February including the 8th annual “African American Read-In” at Southwick Community Center in honor of Black History Month, as well as multiple hiring events for the upcoming Census, Sodexo and the Kentucky Health Career Center. To learn more about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.

Feb. 3, 12, and 14, Passport Health Care Informational Table at multiple locations
A community engagement representative is onsite to answer any questions that Passport members have regarding their plan, benefits and updates on the upcoming waiver.

  • Feb. 3 at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 363-1483 for more information.
  • Feb. 12 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 3 – 4:30 p.m. Call 313-4635 for more information.
  • Feb. 14 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 9 – 10 a.m. Call 363-1483 for more information.

Feb. 3, 5, 11, 12, 19, and 26, 2020 Census Employment Recruitment at four locations

Become a 2020 Census Taker and support your community. The position entails collection of important data that will determine the state’s representation in Congress as well as how funds are spent in your community on things like roads, schools or hospitals.

  • Feb. 3 at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p. m., Call 363-1483 for more information.
  • Feb 4, 11, 18 and 25 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more information.
  • Feb. 5, 12, 19, and 26 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Call 363-1483 for more information
  • Feb. 11 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4635 for more information.

Feb. 3, 6 and 11, National Processing Center (NPC) Hiring Events at two locations
National Processing Center (NPC) is the U.S. Census Bureau’s primary center for mail processing, survey processing, data capture, imaging/scanning and warehouse operations. U.S. Census Bureau’s representative will be available to share information about the hundreds of entry-level Office & Warehouse Clerks employment opportunities for the Jeffersonville location. NPC recently increased the starting hourly pay rate for entry level clerks to $14.54 per hour.

  • Feb. 3 and 11, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location at 4018 West Market St. Call 313-4892 for more information.
  • Feb. 6, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Wednesdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 –  Louisville Forward – Office of Community Development/Office of Housing Outreach at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 4018 West Market Street.  If you are interested in learning more about community housing resources such as Down Payment Assistance Programs, Home Repair Programs, Lead Safe Louisville Programs and current efforts to reduce vacant and abandon properties in our communities, representatives from Louisville Forward will be onsite monthly at NorthWest Neighborhood Place to provide face-to-face valuable information to assist median to low-income community residents.  For more information, visit Develop Louisville website at www.Louisvilleky.Gov/DevelopLouisville.

Wednesdays, Feb. 5 – March 25, 4 Your Child Dads Making the Difference at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  
Located at 4018 W. Market St.  For more information or to register for the upcoming weekly workshops, please contact Dr. Cheri Langley at 709-9323 or by email at 4YourChild@Outlook.com.  “4 Your Child” is an eight-week fatherhood program that aims to improve the quantity and quality of fathers’ involvement by integrating responsible parenting, economic stability, and relationship education services.  Participants may be compensated for their time up to $220 but registration is required.

Feb. 6, Humana Insurance Informational Table at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. A community engagement representative is onsite to answer any questions that members have regarding their plan and updates on the upcoming waiver.

Feb. 6, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at First Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Road (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.

Feb. 6, 13, 18, and 20, A Healthy Journey for Two at multiple locations
Educational Baby Shower 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. For more information, contact Mendy Mason at 341-5400 or melynda.mason@centerstone.org.

  • Feb. 6 at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Feb. 13 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Feb. 18 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Feb. 20 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Feb. 10, 17 and 24, Kentucky Health Career Center Outreach at three locations

A KentuckianaWorks Health Career Center professional will provide valuable information to help increase your occupation potential including training funds for in-demand occupations; resources for individuals seeking advance healthcare careers; resume writing, career assessments; interview planning; computer essentials, work-based learning opportunities and more.

  • Feb. 10 at at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Feb. 17 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 363-1483 for directions, and call 595-4003 for more information.
  • Feb. 24 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more information.

Feb. 17, Anthem Insurance Information Table at Ujima Neigbhorhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. A community engagement representative is onsite to answer any questions that Passport members have regarding their plan and updates on the upcoming waiver.

Feb. 19, JenCare Senior Medical Center to Discuss Heart Healthy Tips for Seniors at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. -1p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, JenCare will be on hand with healthy snacks and to share tips for seniors on keeping your heart healthy and knowing the symptoms of a heart attack.   Call 363-1483 for more information.

Feb. 20, 8th African American Read-In at Southwick Community Center, 6 p.m.

Located at 3600 Southern Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Celebrate black authors through spoken word, dance and Soul Food tasting. Participate in the “Bring a Book, Take a Book” station. Free and open to the public.  Sponsored by Ujima Neighborhood Place, Southwick Community Center, Break Every Chain Deliverance Ministry and Councilwoman Jessica Green.

Feb. 27, Birthing While Black Community Conversation at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Contact 354-8424 for more information.  Join this community conversation focusing on addressing racial gaps in maternal health. A film screening will take placefrom 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. followed by a discussion.  Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Ujima Neighborhood Place, Louisville Metro’s Department of Public Health and Wellness and Healthy Start initiative.

Mayor Greg Fischer today joined U.S. Census Bureau representatives and community leaders to officially open the Louisville Census office.

The Broadway office will house Census Bureau managers, staff, materials and equipment needed to support the 2020 Census efforts for 43 counties in central and western Kentucky, including Louisville. Census office employees will be conducting local Census operations to guarantee that a complete count of residents is reached in 2020.

“The Census helps determine government representation and the distribution of billions of dollars for local communities for highways, schools and hospitals,” Mayor Fischer said. “We need every person living in Louisville to be counted, and I’m thankful for our community partners on the Municipal Complete Count Committee who are working throughout the city for full representation.”

The official Census 2020 date is April 1 and households will begin receiving Census information in mid-March.

Learn more.

The Municipal Complete Count Committee (MC3) is comprised of Louisville Metro staff, community leaders, and faith organizations. The MC3 is working to raise awareness of the Census throughout the community, particularly with historically under-counted populations, children age 5 and younger, immigrants and young African-American men.

The new Census Office will house training and recruitment efforts. The Census must hire thousands of employees for part-time, temporary, work from home positions with pay up to $23.50 per hour plus mileage reimbursement. Apply online at: 2020census.gov/jobs. The application takes about 30 minutes and averages 30 to 60 days to hear back. Most of these are work from home field positions with paid training and a laptop provided.

Additional 2020 Census jobs are available at the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Processing Center, located across the river in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Job vacancies at this facility are posted on USAjobs.gov and include clerks, technicians, warehouse positions, office staff and supervisory staff.

“We need help filling thousands of jobs, and we are looking for people who want to be a part of history,” said Carolyn Franklin, Regional Census Partnership Specialist. “It is important that we get an accurate count in the Census because we supply population count data for the next 10 years. That data is used to fund school lunches, Head Start/Jump Start, emergency services, Medicaid, Health Centers, Medicare Part B, nonprofits, and other quality of life programs.”

For the first time, all households will be invited to complete the Census online. In mid-March, addresses will receive a mailed invitation to respond online. If there is no response to the online invitation, a paper form will be mailed with options to respond to the form or by phone.

More information about the 2020 Census and the Municipal Complete Count Committee can be found at louisvilleky.gov/census, or contact Catalina Cordova, Louisville’s Census Coordinator at Catalina.Cordova@louisvilleky.gov or at (502) 574-5040.

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