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Photo: Louisville Metro Council
This coming Friday, October 5th some special volunteers will be out and about giving back to the community. Some 600 to 700 GE Workers are planning to help make an impact in District 2 and the surrounding area.
“I wanted to thank and praise these fine GE folks for their volunteerism on behalf of the people of our area,” says Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin (D-2).”This will be a great day as they help us show pride in our neighborhoods.”
GE Day is a way for the workers to pitch in and help out with several beautification projects. Those efforts include cleaning, painting, building a concession stand, fixing a fence, landscaping and many more projects in the community.
“So if you see a group of people out doing any of these things on Friday, then take the time to stop and thank them for giving their time and energy,” says Shanklin.
Marland Cole, a veteran Louisville business leader with a history of civic service, has been named to lead a new organization that is building on the work of 55,000 Degrees and Mayor Greg Fischer’s Cradle to Career framework to better align community resources to ensure that every child in Louisville is prepared for college, career and a successful, productive life.
The organization, being referred to as Cradle to Career/Louisville Promise until completion of a branding effort, will implement the Say Yes to Education theory of action to work across the community to ensure every child has the caring, belief, access and supports they need inside and outside of school to succeed in life.
Cradle to Career/Louisville Promise has evolved based on the learnings of 55,000 Degrees, which was founded in 2010 as both a movement and a backbone organization working to raise education attainment in Louisville. Organizers include leaders of 55K, the Mayor’s office, Jefferson County Public Schools, Metro United Way, James Graham Brown Foundation, CE&S Foundation and many other community partners.
“We are fostering an unprecedented partnership among public and private agencies to work together and work smarter to deliver the support students need to be successful and independent,” said Mary Gwen Wheeler, executive director of 55K Degrees.
This effort is being built on three components designed to support every child in our community, from birth to a successful career and life:
Comprehensive wrap-around services and opportunities that students need to be ready for and succeed in college.
Collaborative governance, including joint fiscal planning, with a strategic approach to data transparency.
A scholarship that provides hope to all students that college is for them.
Audwin Helton, the organization’s board chairman, said Cole, who begins work on Oct. 15, was chosen because of her proven leadership skills and collaborative vision.
“This effort is about saying to our children, ‘Our arms are around you, and here’s what we’re going to do to make sure you are successful,” Helton said. “I am thrilled to have Marland as our leader for this major community effort.”
Cole has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of Governance, Fund Development, Community Relations and Communications/Public Relations. She has spent the majority of her professional career in healthcare, serving in leadership roles at Jewish Hospital and St. Mary’s Healthcare (now KentuckyOne), Hosparus and Baptist Health. At Baptist, she served as Assistant Vice President for Governance and Board support.
“I am excited and honored to be a part of a movement that strives to remove systemic barriers of poverty through education,” Cole said. “With the continued support and commitment of our many partners and this community, these efforts will bring positive, transformational change for Louisville and its residents.”
Prior to joining Baptist, Cole served as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement for Simmons College of Kentucky. In addition to her professional career, she has been an active community volunteer, serving in leadership roles with non-profit/civic organizations including Metro United Way, YMCA of Greater Louisville, the Lincoln Foundation, Maryhurst, Metro Bank and the Leadership Louisville Center. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville and an MBA from Bellarmine University. A native of Bardstown, she and her husband Bryan have one daughter.
Mayor Fischer, who launched Cradle to Career in 2014 to build on the goals of 55K by focusing on helping our children from birth and early childhood to college and career, said this initiative is a major focus of his administration.
“One of the main challenges that came out of 55K and Cradle to Career is the need to organize and better align community resources to mitigate barriers caused by poverty, the lingering effects of historic racism, and the rising cost of college,” the Mayor said. “We recognized that we needed to go deeper by looking at the integration of education, workforce, social service and health interventions for students so that we can provide the wrap-around supports they need to be successful, and the confidence that they can continue their education after high school. That’s what this next step is all about.”
Leaders of the new organization have developed a partnership with the Weiss Institute, the technical assistance arm of Say Yes to Education, to begin creating this initiative to provide comprehensive wrap-around supports and opportunities to students, along with a hope-giving college promise scholarship. This work is also about working to build the more skilled workforce that businesses need to grow and invest in our community.
“I’m committed as superintendent to doing all I can to help break down the barriers that prevent some of our students from attending college and earning a degree,” Superintendent Pollio said. “This is a transformative, collaborative initiative that will create new opportunities and wrap around services for all students. In JCPS, we know that improving educational outcomes is critical—and we’re excited to partner with the city in this work to help students reach even greater levels of success.”
More details about the new organization will be unveiled in early 2019. In the meantime, Cole will work closely with Helton and other organization leaders and the community to set up a new 501c3 organization that will continue to drive this work forward.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS) on October 3, 2018. The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 p.m. EDT, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether technological improvements are needed. The test was postponed from September 20 due to hurricane Florence recovery efforts.
This is the fourth EAS nationwide test and the first national WEA test. The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones. Previous EAS national tests were conducted in September 2011, 2016 and 2017 in collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency management officials in recognition of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month.
The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. It allows customers whose wireless provider participates in WEA and who own a WEA compatible wireless phone to receive geo-targeted alerts of imminent threats to safety in their area through unique tones and vibration. The national WEA test will use the same special tone and vibration. The WEA test message will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Wireless phones will display the test message under the header “Presidential Alert.”
The WEA test will be sent through FEMA’s IPAWS, as part of the nation’s modern alert and warning infrastructure that automatically authenticates alerts. Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, cell phones that are switched on and within range of an active cell tower should be capable of receiving the test message. Cell phones should receive the message once.
The EAS test is made available to EAS participants (i.e., radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers) and is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. The EAS message will include a reference to the WEA test: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.
Significant coordination has been conducted with EAS Participants, wireless providers, and emergency managers in preparation for this WEA-EAS national test. The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster. Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems is also a way to assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure required for the distribution of a national message and determine whether technological improvements are needed.
The EAS is based upon the War Powers Act provision of the Communications Act of 1934, which provides for Presidential access to commercial communications during “a state of public peril or disaster or other national emergency.” For WEA, the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act of 2006 provides that subscribers may opt out of receiving any wireless alerts “other than an alert issued by the President,” and that wireless alerting service should allow wireless subscribers the capability of opting out of receiving WEA alerts, other than an alert issued at the direction of the President and/or his/her designee.
In the event of a national emergency, a Presidential WEA alert would be issued at the direction of the President and/or his/her designee, and activated by FEMA.
More information on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and Wireless Emergency Alerts is available at www.ready.gov/alerts.
Develop Louisville’s Office of Advanced Planning, with local consultant MKSK and Louisville Downtown Partnership, has completed a conceptual vision for the redesign of Jefferson Square, Louisville’s civic square, and is seeking additional public feedback.
Jefferson Square, originally built in the 1970s, is located at 301 S. Sixth Street, bordered by Jefferson, Sixth and Liberty streets and a building at 600 W. Jefferson. The park currently has pathways, a small program space and seating areas, a water feature that is no longer functional, picnic tables and memorials to fallen police officers and firefighters.
The draft plan envisions a transformative design that more prominently honors Louisville’s first responders and creates a cohesive vision for this important public space. It includes:
- A memorial wall and garden honoring first responders, including police officers, firefighters and paramedics who have fallen in the line of duty;
- A curved, reflective canopy covering the southwest portion of the Square, providing shade, shelter and an artistic pavilion;
- An interactive water feature in the center of the gathering space for visibility and engagement;
- Sustainable green infrastructure, including native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials, as well as drainage channels to slow runoff into the downtown sewer system.
This conceptual vision was created with public engagement and feedback, which started last year during Light Up Louisville and continued in 2018 with an online comment form, an open house at Metro Hall and close collaboration with Louisville Downtown Partnership. Emergency service agencies such as LMPD and Fire were integral in the process to ensure that the redesign of the public square maintained a reverence toward the memorials there.
“For many years, Jefferson Square has been a gathering space in the heart of Louisville that has hosted many events, from speeches, presentations, mini concerts and Light Up Louisville, while also serving as just a nice place to enjoy the outdoors,” said Doug Hamilton, Chief of Public Services, adding that many visitors may not realize its role as a place of remembrance for local public safety agencies. “Several times a year you may see first responders and family members come to honor and acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the line of duty serving this community. They all are eager to see those sacrifices and memories preserved in an even more inviting, open setting of respect and dignity.”
Anyone interested in offering feedback on the proposed redesign is invited to do so during the Mayor’s Music & Art Series at Jefferson Square on Thursday. The concert, featuring Sound Company, begins at noon. A comment form is also available.
The FY19 Budget includes $310,000 to prepare formal design documents for the square. That process will begin later this year.
For more information, renderings and a comment form, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/jefferson-square-r…
Photo: Neighborhood Place
Neighborhood Place partners have organized three family-friendly events for Halloween as well as several valuable services and resources in October including a “Freedom from Smoking” series, an outreach by Medicare/Medicaid plan representatives, the next edition in the “Addiction 101” series and much more. To learn more about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.
Beginning Oct. 3, Freedom from Smoking Classes at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register or for more information. Join this weekly group on Wednesdays for seven weeks to get the guidance needed to be free from smoking. Support will be provided on stress management, creating a personal plan and avoiding weight gain. All classes are free. Sponsored by the Family Health Centers.
Oct 4 and 8, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities
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 if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position.
- Oct. 4 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road (T.J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more info.
- Oct. 8 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4089 for more info.
Oct. 4, 10 and 18, Passport Health Care Community Engagement
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.
- Oct. 4, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 12 – 1 p.m. Call 313-4089 for more info. Oct. 10 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 485-6710 for more info.
- Oct. 18, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m. Call 1-800-578-0603, ext. 8428 to sign up.
Mondays and Thursdays, YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” 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.
Oct 9, 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 Special Needs Adoption Program.
Oct. 9, Healthy Living Club at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Call 363-1483 for more information. Classes are open to anyone interested in gaining more knowledge to live a better and more fulfilling life. Monthly meetings are on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss healthy living and to get the support you need to eat better, get active, and lose weight. This month a representative from the Fairdale Branch Library will be on hand to highlight various experiences the library has to offer.
Oct. 10, “Addiction 101: Family Focused – A Path to Healing” at St. Ann’s Center, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Located at 1515 Alonquin Pkwy. Call Nannette Dix at 634-6057 for more information. Part of the “Addiction 101” series, this day-long forum will explore the effect that drug and alcohol abuse and addictions have on families. This event is designed to help loved ones understand the behaviors of their family member dealing with addiction in a way that allows them to support the individual in recovery and learn about their own need for change. The event is free and open to the public and will feature an opening by Mayor Fischer.
Oct. 11 – Nov. 15, Living Well Workshop at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register. If you or someone you know has diabetes, high blood pressure, pain, asthma, arthritis, depression or other ongoing health problems, this program offers free support and manage your health. Earn an 8-week YMCA membership just for attending. Sponsored by Family Health Centers and the YMCA.
Oct 11, 23 and 24, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
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.
- Oct 11, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. 1 – 3pm
- Oct. 23, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
- Oct. 24, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1 – 3 p. m.
Oct. 16 and 30, Passport Health Plan Informational Sessions at Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 12 – 1:30 p.m. or 2 – 3:30 p.m. both days (4 sessions total)
Located at 3410 Lees Ln. Call Leesa Mitchell at 502-212-6677 to RSVP or for more information. These informational sessions will introduce changes to Passport Health Plan’s 2019 Medicaid coverage and provide current information on the roll-out of Kentucky HEALTH.
Oct. 18, Free Blood Pressure Screenings at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 12 – 2 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 screenings and health information.
Oct. 18, Low-cost internet outreach and sign-up event at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3 – 5 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Louisville Metro’s Digital Inclusion team will be on hand to share information about low-cost internet plans in our community and to help sign-up qualifying households.
Oct. 22, Diabetes Education Classes at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 502-772-8588 to sign up. This information session is provided monthly to assist in learning the latest information on managing diabetes including healthy eating, developing an active lifestyle, taking medications and reducing health risks. Sponsored by Family Health Centers.
Oct. 25, Medicare/Medicaid Community Special Needs and Advantage Plans at Charmoli Neighborhood Place, 9 – 10 a.m.
Located at 200 Juneau Drive, Ste 200. Call 574-6638 for more information. Licensed Sales Agent for Medicare/Medicaid Community Special Needs and Advantage Plans will be available to provide resources and answer questions in our lobby. Contact info for representative present at the event is Mary Catlett, 850-624-9040 or mhih76@yahoo.com.
Oct 25, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 4018 West Market Street; on the Market Street side of 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 Special Needs Adoption Program.
Oct. 25, Trunk or Treat located at the DuValle Education Center, 5:30 -7 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. This annual Halloween event provides a safe and fun environment for the entire family with trick or treating in a line-up of vehicles with trunks full of goodies for children up to 12 years old. Family-friendly costumes and trunk decorations are encouraged.
Oct. 29, Medicare Hub/United HealthCare at Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 2 – 3 p.m.
Located at 3410 Lees Ln. Call 485-6810 for more information. Representatives for Medicare Hub and United HealthCare will be available to provide resources and answer questions about Medicare enrollment for 2019. Note that Medicare is for seniors 65+ and permanently disabled persons only.
Oct. 29, Trunk or Treat Halloween Health and Safety Fair at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 363-1483 for more information. Join the Second Annual Trunk or Treat and Health Fair guaranteed to surprise and delight kids of all ages. Free health related items, candy, movies, treats and games. Dress in your favorite costume and join the fun.
Oct. 31, Monsters, Inc. Movie Night at New Birth Church, starts at 6 p.m.
Located at 3301 Linda Ln. Call 775-5388 for more information. Cane Run Neighborhood Place’s Community Council is teaming up with New Birth Church for a night of food, fun, information, and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. on a giant inflatable screen. All activities are free. Feel free to wear a costume. In event of rain or cold, all activities will move indoors.
Louisville Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation (AIR) program will host a day full of sports programming for the visually impaired on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the program’s headquarters at 1300 Heafer Road, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Archery, kickball, beep baseball and goalball will be available for those who are interested.
Occupational, recreational and/or physical therapists are also encouraged to attend, along with participants with low or no vision. Call 502/456-8148 for more information or to register. Registration is appreciated but not required.
The United States Association of Blind Athletes has established a day dedicated to providing Americans who are blind and visually impaired with opportunities to participate in a variety of sports and physical activities, and to raise awareness of blind sports in our society.
National Blind Sports Day (October 6, 2018) is a day in which people across the U.S., visually impaired and sighted, can engage in sports and fitness in their local communities.
“The goal of National Blind Sports Day aligns with the vision of our organization,” said Mark Lucas, Executive Director at U.S. Association of Blind Athletes. “That every American who is blind or visually impaired will lead a healthy lifestyle by actively participating in sports, recreation and physical activity.”
The date coincides with Blindness Awareness Month which also includes World Sight Day (October 11) and White Cane Day (October 15). At the time of this release, 24 cities across 15 states are hosting events in celebration of National Blind Sports Day. Visit www.usaba.org/blindsportsday for a current list of participating organizations and agencies.
Photo: Kentucky Department Fish and Wildlife
Due to high water on the Ohio River, this weekend’s Canoemobile on Oct. 5-6 will be relocated to McNeely Lake Park, 10500 Cedar Lake Road . The Canoemobile allows residents ages three and older to take guided trips in 24-foot canoes on the Ohio River.
Canoe trips are free. Participants under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian in order to participate. No advance sign-ups are required, wavers can be signed on-site or brought with the participants.
This free event is designed for individuals and families who are new to canoeing to experience the water in safe and stable voyageur canoes which hold 10 to 15 people. All safety equipment and trained staff are provided. Wear comfortable outdoor clothing that can get wet; no flip flops please. All safety equipment and trained staff are provided by Canoe Kentucky.
Complimentary t-shirts will be given to those who participate. For more information, call (502) 368-6856.
Waivers for Participation:
SCHEDULE:
Friday, October 5, 2018
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
McNeely Lake Park
10500 Cedar Lake Road
Saturday, October 6, 2018
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
McNeely Lake Park
10500 Cedar Lake Road
