Mike Farmer Gearing Up for The Ride to Conquer Cancer

Update from Mike (August 18th):

Thanks you to everyone who has supported me with their encouragement and donations. I am now riding up to 150+ miles a week: a lot of early morning rides due to heat. I bought a RCC bike jersey and am having survivors sign as well as in memory of loved ones. I rode from downtown up to Floyd Knobs and back. Major hill climb, but a great view.

Long-time Fisherville resident Mike Farmer is training for the 2010 Ride to Conquer Cancer to be held on September 25-26, 2010. This is a 1- or 2-day bike ride through beautiful bluegrass country benefiting the Norton Cancer Institute.

Mike and his fellow participants have already been training for months to prepare for the physical and mental demands of such a challenge. He will be completing over 100 training miles on his bike just this week. However, all of his long hours of peddling will be rewarded with the beautiful scenery, new friends, the cheering fans, a feeling of accomplishment, and the satisfaction of knowing he has helped a great cause.

Being a two-time cancer survivor himself, Mike would like everyone to help with this great cause and remember those who have been touched by cancer. He is asking everyone, including his Fisherville friends and neighbors, to help him in his mission.

Mike Farmer unites with other cyclists for "Strength in Numbers", this year's motto for the 2010 Ride to Conquer Cancer. Pictured in the background is one of the many beautiful homes in "downtown" Fisherville, KY.

Mike says:

I'll be participating in a major cycling event called The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Norton Cancer Institute. I'll be cycling through the scenic bluegrass country with thousands of other Riders. All the proceeds will go to Norton Cancer Institute. I've agreed to raise at least $1200, but I've set my personal goal to $2,000.

I RIDE to help Conquer Cancer for my family and friends and in memory of those who we have lost to Cancer.

I RIDE because I am a two time Cancer survivor!

I ask for your help to Conquer Cancer by donating for your friends and family members who have been touched by Cancer.
I am proud to represent you and your loved ones by participating in this years 2010 Norton Ride to Conquer Cancer - RIDE ON !

So, yes, this is a request for your financial support. Please contribute to this history-making event with a donation. The funds you raise through The Ride to Conquer Cancer will generate the funds necessary to ensure that everyone in our community who needs cancer care will find the help they need at Norton Cancer Institute.

Lets all help Conquer Cancer together!

You can donate online or from the Ride to Conquer website or the application on my Facebook.

DONATE NOW
My Participant ID: 445015-9

or you can download a donation form from the website.

If you know anyone else who you feel might be interested in making a donation to help Conquer Cancer please send them to my donation website.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Good Luck, Mike!

Ride to Conquer Cancer graphic and You Tube video are ©COPYRIGHT 2010 THE RIDE TO CONQUER CANCER.

If you live in the Fisherville area and would like to be featured in our Local Spotlight, please send an email to FishervilleKY@gmail.com.

(Originally posted March 22, 2010)

Fresh Start Growers' Supply: Upcoming Events

Fresh Start Growers' Supply is a relatively new store in downtown Louisville catering to the area farmers and gardeners. They offer many organic and natural options to customers that you wouldn't find at other supply stores. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. Please check out the following events and meet some new friends and learn more about gardening and farming.

Veggie swap starts this Saturday (5/15)! Weekly veggie swap, every Saturday from 10am - 12noon at Fresh Start Growers' Supply, 1007 E. Jefferson (at Wenzel across from Bunton Seeds). Meet and exchange tips and food with your friends and future friends.

15Thousand Farmers 15th Day
We’re bringing out the farmer in you! "15th Day": A Monthly Celebration & Education with 15Thousand Farmers, Saturday May 15th, 2010, 6:00-8:00 pm at Fresh Start. No RSVP needed. . . just come and bring your friends!

Location:
Fresh Start Growers' Supply
1007 E. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40206

2010 4-H Roy Strange Golf Scramble Seeking Sponsorships

Every year the 4-H Roy Strange Golf Scramble brings in 1/4 of the annual income for Kentucky 4-H programs. This year they are struggling to come up with sponsorships. If your company can help, please do. Sponsorships start at $100 and prize donations start at just $15.

While 4-H is a nationwide program, there is a 4-H Horse Club right in Fisherville, based out of the new Louisville Equestrian Club. Also, the 4-H has been operating community gardens, one of which is located right up the street at Blackacre Nature Preserve.

To register for sponsorship, complete the Sponsorship Registration form (page 3) and fax it to 502-569-3958.

For more information, Call 569-2344 extension 106 or send e-mail to Rnorris@uky.edu

Visit the KY 4-H Website: Kentucky 4-H Youth Development. Be sure to check out all the valuable information they have on gardening!

4H graphics © copyright 4-H and Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service

Floyd's Fork Area Study Plan - New Draft Released

The Floyd's Fork Area Study plan is a design document for the Southeast corner of Jefferson Co., including Fisherville, parts of Jeffersontown and Fern Creek, and other areas along the Floyd's Fork River, that will be adopted by Louisville Metro Planning and Development. The document dictates the "framework" for the area and the future plans for development such as parks, commerce centers, and residences.

Several versions have been done already and through feedback from local organizations and interest groups, it has been constantly revised to reflect the concerns of residents. Among those concerns are planning for appropriate infrastructure improvements, preservation of rural character, protection of sensitive waterways, smart development that conserves green spaces and old growth trees, protection of existing and new agriculture, and preservation of the dark starry skies.

Executive Summary
"Louisville’s challenge, and the purpose of this plan, is to balance projected population growth and economic development opportunity, the natural and recreational resources of the Floyds Fork Greenway, and the rural and visual character of the Floyds Fork area that residents have come to cherish. The plan recommends higher density development to occur in strategically located, mixed-use, and pedestrian-friendly “centers”, thus encouraging rural character and natural resources to be maintained in surrounding areas."

The plan was developed by Wallace Roberts and Todd, a consultant group working closely with Louisville Metro Planning and Development. You can download this document until April 7th at: Floyd's Fork Area Study Draft. After that, it will still be available here.

The current timeline is for public feedback via the Limehouse Consultation Tool to begin on March 30th. Next, the plan will be presented to the Planning Committee, loosely set for April 22nd. Then in June, there will be a public hearing to discuss the plan.

Please send any feedback of the plan, good and bad, to FishervilleKY@gmail.com. Your comments will help local organizations and representatives best represent those that live in these areas to those involved in developing the plan. Also, voice your concerns on the Limehouse Consultation site starting March 30th.

Check back here over the next week as I will read through the plan and highlight some of the major features.

Clark Station Road to Close April 5th to early November

Read Article on Courier-Journal.com

Detour to Connor Station Rd or Gilliland Rd/Echo Trail/English Station. Also, look for heavier traffic on Hwy 148 (Taylorsville Road) as many residents south of I-64 on Clark Station will be going that route. Expect delays as Hwy 148 is already significantly congested during rush hour.

Rolleigh Peterson Educational Forest - a State Forest Right in Fisherville!

In the far eastern area of Jefferson County lies a 98-acre parcel of land that has recently become a KY State Forest. On this property lies a nearly 50-acre grove of black walnut trees that have been growing since the early 1970's. While this might not seem like a a very large area in rural Fisherville,KY, this grove is the largest known walnut plantation east of the Mississippi River.

Nearly 6,000 black walnut trees were planted on this land by Rolleigh and Patricia Peterson as an investment. Patricia sold the property to the Commonwealth and Louisville Metro in 2008 after he husband and daughter had already passed away. By making it a park, it will serve as a legacy of her family for many generations to come.



Making this property even more interesting is that it is located on the beautiful Floyd's Fork River which is the centerpiece of a new greenway plan that will include many new common greenspaces and parks, as well as new town centers and villages. As a result, the portion of the Fork bordering the property has now been permanently protected. The forest will also be connected to the forthcoming Louisville 100-mile Loop Trail that will encircle the entire Metro area. It is intended that this property be used for research and educational purposes, a public park, and remain a working walnut plantation.

Black Walnut trees are valued for their wood and nuts. They are large trees that grow to be 50-75' tall with a spread of equal size. The wood is dark, heavy, and extremely strong, but is easy to work with as it splits easily. Nuts are processed and sold commercially for consumption. One large walnut tree can sell for lumber for thousands of dollars making it a good long term investment if you don't mind waiting 40+ years. Black walnuts are also toxic to many plants and also horses.

If you are interested in planting trees, visit Arbor Day for information and to purchase tree saplings.

For sources and to learn more, visit: Kentucky Division of Forestry and Kentucky Personnel Cabinet.