Memories of NOLA

Mardi Gras yesterday brought back some wonderful memories of New Orleans with daughter Laura and her friend, Mary Rather. It was in May, 2007. We got a great tour of the French Quarter, rode in a horse-drawn buggy around the city, enjoyed typically wonderful Cajun food, and drove the neighborhoods that were abandoned since Hurricane Katrina.

Academy Awards

One of my favorite events of the year is the night of the Academy Awards. So, last night I was in pure heaven at the 81st Academy of Motion Picture Awards.I've been a huge fan for about the last 50 years, and must say that this one was one of the very best. Mostly because of the choice of this year's host--Hugh Jackman. I got about 50% of the categories right, which isn't too bad considering I didn't see any of the animated films, documentaries, or foreign films. "Slumdog Millionaire" is right up there with one of my favorite movies of all time.

The Power of the People

Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, February 12, 2009

What a night we have had!!!

There must have been over 100 people from Cherry Blossom at the Court House tonight to speak against the rezoning of the Icon Property.

The P & Z staff (including Mike Sapp and Brian Shorkey (a U of M grad who spent some time in Howell, MI) were recommending the zone change to the Planning Commission. The Icon people had an attorney from Wyannt. Terrant and Combs (no relation), law firm in Louisville, to plead the rezoning.

There were not enough chairs for the crowd that came to testify against the rezoning. Some spoke, some did not. But our strength was in the numbers. It was such a great night, because it was just as if we had planned the whole thing because everyone spoke about a different subject: traffic, safety, vandalism, depreciation of property values, schools, 2010 Comprehensive Plan, Traffic Study, etc. etc.

The meeting lasted for over three hours of testimony, but when the vote came, we had all five of the members who were in attendance (two were absent) vote against the rezoning.
One of the best comments of the night was from John McNeil who said we didn’t want to help Icon with a “bailout” because they made a bad investment in property. He is an attorney, and he said some great things, but that was the one that almost had the crowd on its feet.

After the meeting we (Wehrs, Bees, Fields, Elliotts, Julie and Mike and us) went across the street to Galvin’s to celebrate our victory. Mike Elliott said it best: “Power of the People.”

This is the second zoning issue we have won in the past three weeks!!! What a wonderful community effort it was. We can now hope that the land will be used for the original intention: Upscale Retail, for which it was zoned in the year 2000!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Emma and her family wish you and those you love a Valentine's Week filled with lots of love.

New Art and Cultural Center Exhibit

We just returned from the new exhibit that opened today at the Scott County Art and Cultural Center (the renovated Old Jailers' House) on Water Street in Georgetown.

We were impressed with the newly created paintings, sculptures, greeting cards, weaving, and jewelry which make up the theme: "The Muse of Music and Art." All of the art work is enjoyed for free, or if you find something you can't live without, you may purchase any one of the pieces on display.

I'll be acting as a hostess for the exhibit on Tuesday, February 17, from 12-2. If you let me know you are coming, I'll have lunch waiting for you.

Any other day, the Center is open Tuesdays-Saturdays from noon until 4:00 p.m.

Rezoning from Business to Residential

The ICON sign that was posted several years ago, which promised "Upscale Retail" now has other signs posted on the property. There are two big red "Z" signs which is the official notice to the neighbors to alert us to rezoning of that property on Blossom Park next to the the Golden Corral.

The information on the sign for the P & Z Commission Meeting is Thursday, February 12, at 6:00 p.m., on the 3rd floor of the Court House. An organizational meeting will be held soon so we can develop our plan to fight this rezoning which promises hundreds of apartments plus a very little retail.

Emma and Curbside Recycling

Emma helped carry out the bag of recycled cans and plastic bottles this morning. We saw just one other person who might have been recyling, too. Hard to tell recyling bags from trash bags, as we have had our Herbie Curbie container on our driveway for over a week. Trash is accumulating in front of our houses because the garbage trucks cannot get through because of the ice and snow.

Free Recycling Pick Up

On Tuesday, February 3, we will be able to put some of our recycling into a plastic bags and leave them in the drive way for pick up. Check out the website
www.180Recycling.com for the complete information.

Otter fishing on the pond

Here is one of our favorite pictures taken so far, because you can actuallly see the otter's four legs above the water. This is rare. Enjoy

Otter Watch

Forget what was written about four otters. Only one showed up today. This one didn't read that otters are nocturnal, as it was feeding on fish in the beautiful sunshine from 4 to 5 o'clock this afternoon.