Councilman Kramer and Councilman Robin Engel will Sponsor Joint Town Hall Meeting on April 3
Councilman Kramer and Councilman Robin Engel (District 22) will sponsor a joint town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Watterson Elementary School (3900 Breckenridge Lane.)
Representatives from the Louisville Metro Police Department, Buechel and McMahan Fire Protection Districts, LG&E, MSD, the Louisville Water Company, and the Department of Inspections, Permits, and Licenses will be on hand to address issues and concerns.
Time Begins Anew In Hikes Point
A new four-sided clock has been installed at "The Point" (the intersection of Hikes Lane, Hunsinger Lane, and Taylorsville Road) in Hikes Point. The clock coincides with a new Starbucks Coffee house (grand opening is Friday, March 9 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.) The Hikes Point Business Association, District 11 Office, Metro Development Authority, Nicklies Development Company, and Operation Brightside have been working for the past year on a beautification project that includes the clock, improved sidewalks, flower bed, and commemorative pavers. Stay tuned for a dedication ceremony in April that will celebrate this project's completion.
Canaan Community Development Corporation and Councilman Kramer Sponsoring Computer Literacy Classes for Senior Citizens
Councilman Kramer and the Canaan Community Development Corporation will sponsor computer literacy classes for senior citizens beginning in March. These classes will focus on computer basics, basics of e-mail and the Internet, Internet banking, and how to use the Metro Louisville website.
The course will consist of two sessions per week, for four consecutive weeks (total of eight classes.) Participants can select classes either on Tuesday mornings and Friday mornings from 11:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m., beginning on Tuesday, March 13, 2007. The course is limited to 15 senior citizens and is free of charge. All sessions will be held at the Canaan Christian Church, 2840 Hikes Lane. District 11 office staff will teach the courses.
"You’re never too old to learn….computer literacy for older adults is an essential skill that will positively affect their quality of life." - Relia Bailey, Executive Director - Canaan Community Development Corporation
“My hope is that we can help some of our residents feel more comfortable using the computer, even it is just to e-mail their children and grandchildren.” - Councilman Kevin Kramer
There are still openings for this class!
Interested participants must RSVP to the District 11 Office at 574-1111 or to Canaan Community Development Corporation at 776-6369, ext. 310.
District 11 Office Congratulates Kelly Long
At the February 22 Metro Council meeting, Councilman Kramer honored Kelly Long from the Metro Department of Neighborhoods. After seven years of service, Long is leaving the Department of Neighborhoods for the Circuit Court Clerk's Office where he will be the new Director of District Court. Long was instrumental in helping build the Breckenridge Estates and Four Seasons neighborhood associations. The District 11 Office congratulates Kelly Long on his new position and thanks him for his many contributions to Louisville Metro.
Councilman Kramer Re-Appointed to National League of Cities Information, Technology, and Communications Steering Committee
Councilman Kevin Kramer has again been appointed a member of the Information, Technology and Communications steering committee of the National League of Cities (NLC) for 2007.
Each NLC policy and advocacy committee has a membership of approximately 150 officials from cities and towns throughout the nation. The committees will hold their first meeting this month, during NLC’s annual Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C., to discuss and identify specific policy issues to be addressed during the year as well as recommendations for action.
The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 U.S. cities, towns and villages, which collectively serve 218 million people.
Brightside Community Cleanup is March 31
As part of the ongoing community-wide anti-litter initiative we are asking you to help KEEP IT CLEAN! Join us for Brightside’s next Community-wide Cleanup on Saturday, March 31. Take an active role in keeping our hometown clean because…..“Litter Makes Us All Look Bad!” This spring cleanup is held in conjunction with the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Cleanup Week March 25-31. Students in K-12 are asked to help create a new logo for the event. Visit www.waste.ky.gov for details.
Organize your group to participate and help keep our hometown clean. Brightside will supply free bags, gloves and t-shirts for volunteers. Contact MetroCall 311 or 574-5000 to register or visit www.brightsideinc.org.
Wiche Award Nominees Sought
Mayor Abramson, Brightside, and the Wiche family are requesting nominations through April 1, 2007 (extended deadline) for the Ninth Annual Fred Wiche Awards. The award continues Fred Wiche’s legacy of promoting beautification and environmental consciousness by recognizing local stewards who have a commitment to preserve and improve the environment. Gardeners, garden clubs, teachers, schools, environmentalists, etc. are eligible to apply. There are two award categories –school and adult.
The Fred Wiche Award sponsored by Motorola, Inc. gives three cash awards for outstanding environmental stewardship projects in Louisville schools (public, private, or parochial). Environmental projects should be educational and involve full participation by students. For an application, click here. First place winners receive $2,500, second place $1,000 and third place will receive $500.
The Adult Award recognizes the efforts of an individual or group in the Kentuckiana region whose environmental stewardship improves their neighborhood or community. The adult award is open to residents and groups from Jefferson, Bullitt, Shelby, and Oldham, Kentucky counties; and Floyd, Clark, and Harrison, Indiana counties. Click here for an application. The Adult category winner will receive a personalized piece of garden art valued at approximately $1000.
Summer Senior Games Seeking Volunteers
Sponsors of the 2007 Summer National Senior Games that will be held in Louisville from June 22 to July 7 are looking for more than 4,000 volunteers.
The games are expected to draw about 12,000 athletes age 50 and older to compete in athletic competitions. Volunteers are needed to help in operations, logistics, special events, public relations, administrative and other duties.
Volunteers registering before March 15 will be eligible for prizes and all volunteers will receive a t-shirt. To register as a volunteer, log on to www.2007seniorgames.com and click on "volunteers."
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month
(Printed on behalf of the Colon Cancer Awareness Project)
Why Should I care?
The risk of colon cancer goes up steadily once you hit age 50. Unless you’ve figured out how not to age at all as you get older, you better be aware of this disease’s potential threat to your health. The disease does not care whether you are male or female, black or white. It is the third most common type of cancer for both sexes and altogether causes more deaths than either breast cancer or prostate cancer.
But Hasn't Everyone Heard of Colon Cancer and Colonoscopy?
Evidently not in Kentuckiana, we have the second lowest rate of colon cancer screening in the country. Louisville/Jefferson County has one of the highest rates of colon cancer deaths in Kentucky and the nation.
Ok, I'm aware, now what?
“Ask for IT!” as in Information and Testing. Our screening guidelines have changed dramatically over the last ten years, and they are not seared into our medical consciousness the way Pap smears and mammography are. Even conscientious physicians may overlook colorectal cancer screening in all their patients. As in all health-related issues, a knowledgeable patient is her own best advocate.
Which test do you recommend?
Colonoscopy, of course. It has major advantages over the other forms of screening. It is more accurate at detecting polyps and cancer than barium enema. It allows us to see the entire colon, instead of just the third that is seen with sigmoidoscopy. It is more accurate than stool testing and, at least for now, virtual colonoscopy. It allows us to sedate patients which is not routinely done for virtual colonoscopy. Most importantly, it allows us to spot and remove precancerous growths called polyps. In these cases we are actually preventing, not just detecting, colon cancer.
For more information, call the Colon Cancer Prevention Project at 502-290-0288 or visit www.coloncancerpreventionproject.org.
Upcoming Events
March 15, 2007
Jeffersontown Business Expo
District 11 and 22 will participate in the Jeffersontown Business Expo. This Jeffersontown Chamber event is an interactive marketplace of over 140 exhibitors of business and financial services, manufacturers and distributors, office products and equipment, technology, travel and entertainment ideas. You can walk through exhibits, try new office equipment, test new software programs, and come face-to-face with the local business community. The event is March 15, 2007 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 9700 Bluegrass Parkway, from noon until 6 PM. For more information visit www.jtownchamber.com or call 267-1674.
March 15, 2007
Four Seasons Neighborhood Association Meeting
Hunsinger Lane Baptist Church
3400 Summerfield Drive
7 PM to 8 PM
March 17, 24, & 31
Brightside/Waste Management of Kentucky spring compost fundraiser will take place March 17, 24 & 31 from 8:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Outer Loop Landfill located at 2673 Outer Loop. Log on to www.brightsideinc.org for pricing information and discover how to receive free bags and/or $5 off a scoop. Prices will be $2.50 per bag and $30 per scoop.
Proceeds from the sale benefit Brightside programs. For more information, call MetroCall 311 or 574-5000.
March 19, 2007
District 22 will host the Monday, March 19th Mayor’s Community Conversation beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. at Fern Creek Traditional High School Gym. This event offers citizens an opportunity to take questions and issues directly to Louisville Metro government officials, departments and community agencies. Councilman Kramer will be present to address your issues and concerns.
It is a chance for one-on-one conversation, whether you want to ask the Metropolitan Sewer District's chief about a drainage problem or talk to the public library's director about a branch in your neighborhood. For more information, call MetroCall at 311.
March 31, 2007
Brightside Community Cleanup
Organize your group to participate and help keep our hometown clean. Brightside will supply free bags, gloves and t-shirts for volunteers. Contact MetroCall 311 or 574-5000 to register or visit www.brightsideinc.org.
April 3, 2007
Town Hall Meeting
Councilman Kevin Kramer and Councilman Robin Engel (District 22) will host a joint town hall meeting at Watterson Elementary School from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Metro Government representatives will also be present to address concerns.
May 12, 2007
Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries will host its annual “Pennies from Heaven” Gala Dinner & Auction. The event will be held in the gym of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 5505 Bardstown Road. For more information, contact Ron Loughry at 239-07407.
Committee Meetings
Councilman Kramer serves as the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He is also a member of the Budget Committee, Government Administration Committee, and Committee on Committees. In addition, Kramer serves as the Vice-Chair for the Metro Council Minority Caucus. Committees meet the first and third weeks of the month and are broadcast live on Metro TV (cable channel 25.) Councilman Kramer is also a member of the National League of Cities Information, Technology, and Communications Steering Committee and the Kentucky League of Cities Legislative Committee.
Please let me know how you feel about these or any other issues. Contact my office at
574-1111 or e-mail
Kevin Kramer.
If you would like to be removed from this communication, e-mail
Kevin Kramerwith REMOVE in the subject line.