Louisville, a cosmopolitan city influenced by many cultures, is once again celebrating the contributions of all its citizens with a three day WorldFest 2012 festival. “See the World Without Leaving Town” is the catchy slogan of the event now in its 10^th year. One of the region’s largest festivals, it made the Top 10 list of fall festivals and events on the Kentucky Travel Industry Association’s list. It runs at the Belvedere at 5th and Main, from Friday, August 31 through Sunday, September 2 from 11am to 11pm each day.For a schedule of events, see the WorldFest website.

As Mayor Greg Fischer says, “WorldFest is a great event for exploring and celebrating Louisville’s many faces and cultures and we always look to make it more vibrant, diverse and educational. So, it’s exciting to add many new features and attractions for the 10th anniversary.”

Cultural differences show up in food, music, dance, and handicrafts, as well as the customs reflected at holidays and in daily life. WorldFest tries to capture it all with a Parade of Cultures on Saturday and a weekend of exciting performances and delicious ethnic food. Whether you want to take home crafts great for gifts, printed information about other cultures, or new insights about how people live in their  native countries, WorldFest has it all. You can enjoy the music of Ireland, Latin America, Africa, or India on multiple stages as you adventure through something new at WorldFest this year – the Global Village. As you explore, you will meet people dressed in native garb and speaking the language of their country.

Kids are invited to the new World of Discovery where they can see the world with a passport issued at a designated checkpoint.  They can “visit” the continents and come away with a craft representative of one of the countries there.  World of Discovery will include Home Depot workshops, face painting, and inflatables.

Quite appropriate for our day, WorldFest 2012 will reach out to those in need. There will be a job fair to help immigrants find jobs in Louisville. Employers will be on hand, but the event will also offer resume, job searching, and interview help. Also, the festival, which is free, is collecting canned goods for Louisville Dare to Care.

For many, the most exciting event of the weekend will be the Naturalization Ceremony, where hundreds of people will take their citizen’s oath. About 300 people will become U.S. citizens at a ceremony held on Friday  in Kentucky Center’s Bomhard Theater.

WorldFest 2012 promises fun, but is also relevant to Louisville today. Half of the city’s population growth over the last few years has come from immigrant growth. Children in Louisville schools speak hundreds of languages at home. Even as new immigrants become part of our city, they always remember their roots. WorldFest 2012 brings it home what those roots are.

Louisville is a great welcoming city! I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started in buying or selling a home in today!

Just when Louisville residents were thinking that a reopening Kentucky Kingdom was a reality, the expected new operators, the Koch family, owners of Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN, pulled out of the deal. They had state finances lined up, but were disappointed in the condition of the equipment they found in Kentucky Kingdom.

As we noted in our previous blog about the Park, maintenance was in the hands of the Kentucky State Fair Board. According to the Koch, rides were not winterized and buildings had significant water damage, largely due to snow back in February 2010. They already anticipated that any opening in 2013 would include only a portion of the rides that could be properly restored by that time.

Now, several business leaders have joined former Kentucky Kingdom operator Ed Hart in a proposal to reopen the park by 2014. Hart’s group seeks no state funding, but does want a share of tourism tax credits. Though Hart operated the park for 10 years prior to 2000, when Six Flags took it over, he was shut out of previous considerations to operate the park again. His current investment group is willing to invest $10 million and has an additional $30 million lined up, which would be guaranteed by the state.

Ironically, right as the hard group offered his proposal for Kentucky Kingdom, Kentucky Gov. Steve Bashear requested proposals from potential operators. The Hart group proposal will be considered along with many others that might be submitted. The State Fair Board will retain any control over the park and will determine who runs it. Supposedly, the governor and the board will make a decision within 60 days as to who will run the park.

Despite this promise, Hart is concerned that the request-for-proposal process will delay the reopening of the park past 2014, plus lead to further deterioration of the rides and equipment. As his fellow investor Bruce Lunsford points out, taxpayers are at risk if Kentucky Kingdom is not reopened. He remarked, “Surely the fair board knows that it would cost more than $100 million for the state to replicate Kentucky Kingdom, even in its current condition.”

Investor Ed Moseley adds that under Six Flags leadership, the park brought in 600,000 visitors. Prior to that, the park pulled in three times as much. With upgrades and new rides and attractions, the park can once again contribute to the Kentucky economy by expanding the tax base and giving a shot in the arm to tourism.

According to the Courier-Journal, the sticking point in the Hart proposal is the request that the state guarantee the $30 million loan in case of default. The Hart group believes this is reasonable as the state would own the assets including both the 57 acres devoted to the park, current equipment, and the value of any improvements made by the investors.

Will Kentucky Kingdom rise again? Will Ed Hart finally regain control of operation? Stay tuned! With or without a theme park, Louisville is a great place to live. I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started in buying or selling a home in today!

With the Kentucky State Fair set for this week and the opening day of Jefferson County Public Schools on a calendar for next week, summer is winding down. Soon it will be time for fall cleaning, gathering rid of old clothes for donation, and getting your Louisville house reorganized. Whether you are thinking of selling or you just want to keep your home lean and mean, these seasonal and endeavors will keep you on track.

Even after you have packed up the used clothes, unneeded sports equipment, toys, household items, you will soon want a way to keep what you have left in good order. Some of what you own you need regularly, while other things you only need occasionally. Here are three ideas for organizing your possessions:

DIY organizers: Often constructed from vinyl clad warrior or pressed wood, organizational systems can revolutionize your closets. With rods set at multiple heights, shelves, drawers, racks, hooks, and baskets, these systems can make a place for the different types of things you store in your closet. Shoes, belts, purses, sweaters, pants, and dresses each have a place. If you have ever re-bought a belt, sweater, or blouse, because you could not find what you owned, you will see the immediate advantage of organizing your wardrobe. Assuming you have pared down your wardrobe by removing and donating unneeded things, you should be able to see each category of clothing you own.

Organizing systems are not just for the bedroom closet; there are comparable systems available for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, workroom, basement, garage, and more. Available as units or à la carte, there’s a plastic, vinyl clad, or wood solution for your clutter problems.

Plastic totes: Whether you do crafts, have seasonal decor, have tools you use occasionally, or store files for your home business, colorful plastic storage boxes provide an attractive way to store these things. Resistant to moisture and dust, they are durable enough to store in the basement, attic, or garage, depending, of course, on what’s inside. You can color coordinate the containers with your room and contain clutter at the same time.

Off-site storage: If you have limited space, you may not have room for what you own. In many cases, ridding yourself of possessions just because you did not need them today is shortsighted. Why throw away your Christmas decorations if you know you’ll need them again next year? Why deprive yourself of having bikes or surfboards or camping equipment just because off-season storage is a burden? Why risk discarding old records or files you need for business because they take up too much space? Renting off-site storage might be the ideal solution for you. Most of the self storage units in the Louisville area offer a variety of storage options, so you can rent enough room for a few boxes or whole house full of furniture.

Organizing your home is a manageable task, especially if you take advantage of the resources mentioned. Once you have a good system in place, it should be easier to keep your home in order.

If part of the reason you’re organizing your home is that you thinking of selling, contact Mollie Younger from Younger Group Real Estate. We know Louisville.

With the inventory of moderately priced homes dipping in Louisville, buying a foreclosure and fixing it up is a viable option if you have the time, money, and patience.

After several years of foreclosure crisis, most prospective buyers know that bank owned homes are often stripped bare of appliances, fixtures, and plumbing and left to sit for months. Even if you buy a home from a private individual trying to beat the foreclosure clock, the property might not be in great shape because the seller can not afford to make needed repairs. You will be buying the property as it.

If you are thinking of buying or foreclosure or bank owned home-home, you need to protect yourself by hiring a knowledgeable foreclosure home inspector who will find potential problems you need to know about. Most banks don’t offer much time for inspectors to evaluate the home, but skipping this step can cost you big time. The inspection might cost $400-900 but knowing what problems the home has can save you in the long run.

Foreclosed homes may have the utilities shut off. To see if systems are working and check their conditions, you need to have the power on. If the bank won’t pay to turn it on, you may need to front the costs. If the meter has been removed, your foreclosure inspector might be able to test systems and equipment with a generator if local codes permit it.

Although you might find lists of foreclosures advertised, you should work with an experienced agent you trust. They can advise of comparable sale prices in the neighborhood. If you find out that the you want needs $100,000 worth of repairs, you will lose money if you pay $100,000 in a neighborhood where homes sell for $130,000. Since many agents are neighborhood specialists, they might be able to direct you to properties where the match makes sense and alert you when other suitable properties in the area are available.

Once you find a property and have done your due diligence to make sure you can manage the repairs, you may be able to get a great deal on a foreclosure in a neighborhood you like. This is particularly true if you are in a position to pay cash or put down a large downpayment (20% or more.)

If you need a mortgage, you will need to have a plan for fixing the home in order to get the money. Assuming you don’t have a stash of money on hand to make the repairs, a 203K loan could be your answer. Under the Federal Housing Administration’s 203(k) program, you could borrow enough money to make the repairs and cover the cost off the home. A 203K loan is also a useful way to fund repairs on a home you already own.

There are specific requirements for this type of loan:

• The home will be your principal residence.
• The amount you borrow must be no more than the loan amount you qualify for and be less than the maximum FHA limit for your area.
• You must be prepared to put down at least 3.5%
• Your mortgage will include mortgage insurance.
• Your interest rate will be higher than prevailing rates to cover the lender’s risk.

A 203K loan can assure that your new home will be safe and up to code within six months of you purchase. To comply with the FHA terms, you must have the necessary work to increase the value of the home done by competent professionals who familiar with the reporting requirements of the program.

Check with  your real estate agent for details about how a 403K loan can make buying a foreclosure a feasible option for you. Call me, Mollie Younger, of the Younger Group Real Estate. I can point you to homes in neighborhoods that have properties you’ll love that include some of the features mentioned here.

If you are planning to attend the Forecastle Festival by the River this weekend, you might be surprised at its early history. Now one of the top 15 festivals in the country, the festival that attracts thousands of visitors from 25 states and 271 countries started out as a free summer outdoor festival in Tyler Park in 2002. Costing only $500 to produce, the event honored the local music community and drew a few hundred fans. This solid start foreshadowed the great event that will take place from July 13-15^th at Waterfront Park.

The festival name “forecastle” refers to the upper deck of a sailing ship, specifically, the area “before the mast” where ordinary sailors live. When you look at the Forecastle website, you will note that it is nautically themed and promises great adventure.

This year’s festival marks the 10th anniversary of Forecastle and promises a fun-filled three days of live music on multiple stages  (on the Waterfront, theBelle of Louisville and at Club116), groundbreaking art, fun at Waterfront Park, afterparties, and much more. As you plan your weekend, here are some handy references:

Check out the Forecastle website for the best overview.

Follow Forecastle on Facebook for the latest news and updates on performers and events.

Take a look at the “ultimate checklist” to plan your schedule and know the rules.

For an introduction to Forecastle, especially for out-of-towners, read a Beginner’s Guide.

You can read the interesting history of the festival below, based on an account from the Forecastle Festival website. Want to know more about Louisville? I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started today!

Forecastle Milestones

In each subsequent year, the festival grew and became more popular.

2003 – After the first festival, organizer Bob McKnight was so thrilled at how the festival turned out that the next year, he collaborated with Sculptor Mike Ratterman to recruit 30 artists to join the effort. A dozen environmentalist and social –conscious groups joined in, as they saw the festival as a great forum for educate those in attendance. Forecastle took shape at the Music, Art, and Activism® festival it is today. Attendance tripled!

2004 – JK Knight regionalized the festival by bringing artists, musicians, and journalists from the region and beyond. He brought together 18 bands, 30 artists, and 25 non-profits who drew an even bigger audience. Realizing he was on to something, he applied for Federal Trademark to protect his concept of Music, Art, and Activism®

2005 – The festival moved to Cherokee Park, the first festival held there in over 10 years. The park was divided into three sections, with a national act invited to perform on one of the stages. McKnight raised over $60,000 to underwrite the festival, which attracted the largest group of musicians, artist, and activists in the state. The activism was limited to environmental ism and outdoor lifestyle activities. As the cost to produce the festival increased by 10x, corporate sponsors such as Red Bull North America and Patagonia joined forces with local businesses to cover them. The festival attracted over 5,000, more than even better financed events in the area and became a model for festival planning.

2006 – Forecastle moved to the Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center, expanded to a two day format and attracted top acts including the female trio Sleater Kinney. When the group announced they were disbanding, ticket sales for festival soared nationwide and articles about the festival appeared in Billboard,  The New York Times, MTV, VH1, CNN, and more. Forecastle was named as “One of the Top 101 things to do in America” by Spin Magazine.”

2007 – Buoyed by success, Forecastle acquired national sponsors and  again moved to a bigger venue at The Riverfront Belvedere. Artists, musicians, and environmentalist  from 10 regional  cites were invited to contribute equally. The result was shows on the East and West stage, a regional art exhibition, and 50 environmental organizations, plus speakers, educational panels, an extreme sports park, eco-business expo, and “active lifestyle” event along the river. Forecastle gained national prominence.

2008 – Forecastle expanded to three days, and added a campground, plus a symposium at the Galt Hotel to promote opportunities for performers, artist, and organization leaders to interact, network, meet promoters and leaders, and share skills and concerns.

2009 – Forecastle partnered with master promoters Nederlander Entertainment  to combine their respective festival and concert expertise. The successful enterprise pulled in 44,000 attendees from 44 states and six countries. Forecastle was named among the “Top 15 Outdoor Festivals in the Country ” by Outside Magazine, the “Top 10 Events in the State” by the Kentucky Tourism Council, and “The Best Music Festival in Louisville” by the readership of LEO Weekly.

2010 – The festival moved to Waterfront Park, where it attracted 100 bands and 30,000 attendees. Forecastle also pledged its support to the 1% for the Planet, a group committed to creating a healthy planet.

2011 - Forecastle partnered with AC Entertainment, promoters of over 750 concerts each. The first joint effort was set for this year, but in 2011, the partners hosted “Half Way to Forecastle” to give Louisville a taste of the future.

2012 – The best is yet to come as the mix of festival and concert promoters are brings in bands such as My Morning Talk, Girl Talk, Bassnector, and more, artists from the American Poster Institute, and booths and activities presented by environmental non-profit or outdoor recreational groups, plus many attractions such as Kentucky Bourbon Lodge and Louisville Village carnival.

Come to Forecastle and help Louisville once again make history by making the festival the biggest and best ever.

With July 4^th approaching, you may be planning an all-American feast of hotdogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, and apple pie, washed down with some local beers. Just in case you’re wondering, what are the real “all-American” foods of Louisville?

Louisville is a town for foodies, where you can experience delicious well-prepared food in home kitchens and in the many fine restaurants all around town. Our cuisine has Southern roots, so fried chicken, fried catfish and hush puppies, and country fried steak are popular main dishes, with sides of green beans, greens. Pinto beans, fried green tomatoes, cheese grits, or fried okra. We love barbeque, especially with our favorite local sauce, with a vinegar based tang.

Over the years, we have become known for a few Louisville classics that might not be on your menu July 4^th but will surely hit your table throughout the year:

Hot Brown – Created at the Brown hotel in 1926, the Hot Brown is an open-faced chicken and bacon sandwich, covered in Mornay cheese sauce. You still order it at the Brown, but the original and variations are available everywhere. It’s also easy to make at home.

Derby Pie© – Similar to pecan pie, Derby Pie as pioneered by the Kern family contains chocolate chips. Orginally made the Melrose in Prospect, KY, the name is trademarked and secret, but there are many variations of dessert which include caramel, butterscotch, and other kinds of nuts. If you eat anything not made by Kern’s Kitchen, you can’t call it Derby Pie© or risk a lawsuit

Benedictine spread – Restaurateur and cater Jennie Benedict created this cucumber and cream cheese spread early in the last century. Flavored with a hint of onion and tined green with food coloring, the spread is a staple at cocktail parties and is used as a filling for hollowed out baked potatoes or when enhanced with sour cream, as a dipping sauce for raw vegetable

Mint Julep – The official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1938, the combination of Kentucky bourbon, mint leaves, and crushed ice is popular year round, as long as you can get the mint.

Henry Bain Sauce – Invented in 1881 by caterer Henry Bain of the exclusive Pendennis Club, Henry Bain sauce is great accompaniment for roast beef tenderloin. It is a flavorful combination of steak sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and chutney that is rubbed on nearly -done mean, which is roasted for another 20 minutes.

Burgoo  - A thick stew traditionally made with game meat, burgoo is still served at Keeneland Racetrack, around Derby time, and at political rallies. Modern recipes often include several meats, vegetable, and a shot of Bourbon.

Sausages – Given the large population of German-American citizens in Louisville, it is into surprising that sausage is popular in the city. With the Swift plant still operating and many local sausage makers at work, there is always fresh sausage in our city!

Bourbon balls – When Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffon said chocolate tasted better with bourbon, Ruth Hanly Booe whipped up bourbon balls at the Rebecca Ruth Candy Company. Made with dark chocolate, Kentucky bourbon, and sugar, the original has a creamy center. There are many popular variations of the treat, but the original is commemorated with a historical marker in front of the store at 112 East Second Street.

Modjeska’s – Named for Polish actress Helen Modjeska, this caramel and marshmallow delicacy was created by local candy maker Anton Busath. Currently made by Louisville locals such as Muth’s Candy and Bauer’s, the candy is often made at home.

Try some local Louisville all-American food this holiday! Happy Fourth of July, Louisville! I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started today!

Wherever you call home can be your “best place to live,” but there is plenty of external evidence that shows that Louisville is being generally recognized as the most affordable place to call home. What do you want in your hometown? Affordable housing? Low cost of living? Safety? Arts and culture? Plenty to do? Amazing restaurants? Great medical services? Louisville has it all.

Recently, the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) concluded that the cost of living in Louisville is about 11% below the national average. This group, composed of Chambers of Commerce, economic development professionals in universities, has kept track of prices on goods and services in 300 metro areas since 1968. For the first three months of 2012, the group concluded that Louisville offers great housing prices, lower food costs for many commodities, and even lower cost for healthcare, transportation, and other services.

For example, housing in Louisville is 22% cheaper here than other cities studied. Based on the price of a 2400 square foot home, apartment rates and mortgage rates, home that costs $251,247 nationally goes for $231,573 right here, while mortgage payments are 16% less. Recent stats on Louisville real estate, indicate that the average and median prices of a home here are even lower at $167,461 and $140,000, respectively. What’s good news for you if you have a growing family is that Louisville also made the list of “Safest Cities for Families with Young Children” in 2010. Based on low pedestrian accident rates, a high number of hospitals per capita, quick fire response rates, and active programs to create safe environments for children coming to and from school, Louisville was number three on the list.

Meanwhile, healthcare is 10.5% lower though the quality of medical care in our area is great. Twenty local doctors and six hospitals were selected by peers for the U.S. News Top Doctors and U.S. News Top Hospitals. Norton Healthcare, Baptist Hospital East, Jewish Hospital, Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services, University of Louisville Hospital, and Kosair Children’s Hospital were recognized for specific specialties, such as cardiology, cancer, geriatrics, and more.

Located in a new cultural area where local food is plentiful, citizens pay 22% less for eggs and other foods. Lower-costs also result in lower prices in area chicken restaurants such as KFC or Church’s. With farmers markets available throughout the city and with local restaurants committed to by local, you can eat healthy for reasonable costs right here.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income in Louisville is $45,000 per household. You might get a tiny bit more for your money in Birmingham, Alabama, Omaha, Nebraska, or Nashville Tennessee, but you’ll do better than in other cities in our region, including St. Louis, Missouri, Cincinnati Ohio, or Indianapolis, Indiana. However, when you look at major cities like Chicago, San Francisco, or New York, you really see the economy of living here. To live as well as you do in Louisville, you would need $57,068 in Chicago, $81,566 in San Francisco, or $110,421 in Manhattan in New York City.

Ready to enjoy the great value in living in Louisville as a homeowner? I can help you buy or sell property in Butchertown or other great Louisville locations. I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started today!

If you’re a Louisville citizen who has been counting the days until the reopening of Kentucky Kingdom in 2013, you may have to wait a bit longer. The park, to be leased by the Koch family of Indiana, was on track to open next year as Bluegrass Boardwalk. Recent reports about the state of the rides have made the new operators delay the opening for at least another year.

Left in the hands of the Kentucky State Fair Board, maintenance of the park has been minimal. The board has kept up the landscaping, provided security, and provided minimal maintenance on board owned rides. According to the new operators, rides were not winterized and buildings are leaking. Significant snowfall in Louisville in February 2010 jumpstarted the damage. The Kochs claim 75% of the rides are inoperable and will need “significant overhaul,” per a report in the Courier Journal. Certified ride experts and ride manufacturers examined the equipment and concur that the rides need more work than can be completed in 11 months before the proposed opening. By fall 2012, the Kochs plan to reveal which rides will be ready to go by 2014.

The Kochs plan to lease the state owned park for 50 years, followed by two renewable 25 year leases. Though the family maintains they will begin a more in-depth inspection of rides to determine what can be opened in the parks first season once a lease is signed, state fair board president and CEO Harold workman maintains that the state and the Kochs have signed the agreement. Operators of Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, the Koch will receive a 25% rebate on construction costs for Bluegrass Boardwalk. They were selected over former park managers, despite a much lower offer. Operators of the former Kentucky Kingdom have criticized that the Kochs lack a complete plan for refurbishing the park, while their approach favors their Indiana holdings.

The former Six Flags enterprise, Kentucky Kingdom, managed the 58 acre park on land next to where the state fair is held. Fair visitors considered rides at Kentucky Kingdom part of their fair- going experience. For the last two years, the fair has operated a small selection of rides of their own.

Reopening a larger park is important to the regional economy. The new park is expected to create 25 full-time jobs was 800 seasonal jobs. Before Six Flags took over, Kentucky Kingdom was the number one tourist attraction in Kentucky with as many as 1.8 million visitors per year. In the recent past, combined attendance at the old Kentucky Kingdom and the based Holiday World was 1.6 million, as compared to Cincinnati’s Kings Island which averages over 3 million visitors per year. Reopening a popular theme park which features exciting rides will keep the money in Kentucky, rather than neighboring states.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on our beloved park.With or without a theme park, Louisville is a great place to live. I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started in buying or selling a home in today!

Our warm Louisville winter has lead to great news if you buy your produce at areas Farmers’ Markets. Crops are ripening earlier, so farmers are able to bring their product to the growing network of markets week ahead of schedule. Farmer David Snyder of Sunshine Farms in LaGrange opened two weeks before the Derby, around the time when the markets usually opens.  He was able to offer 15 or 16 early crops to offer, in contrast to the usual five or six crops a ready at opening. Other farmers were ready to go earlier too.

The food is not only available earlier, it may be tastier. According to U of K College of Agriculture extension horticulturalist John Strang, the sunny weather and cool night have led to “better tasting berries. “It doesn’t burn the sugars up, so they taste sweeter,” Strang said.

But, as Strang and others noted in the Courier Journal , they year has been challenging. Despite the early warm spells, later frosts interrupted the growing cycle. However, peaches, strawberries, leafy greens, and asparagus are making it to market earlier.

Farmers’ Markets are a big part of the Louisville food distribution scene, where people can not only buy fruits and vegetable but also baked goods, jellies, and meat. Shopping at markets introduces a personal element into buying food that is lost at many larger supermarkets. Many visitors come to the market as part of their routine and socialize with vendors and other buyers. Consumers like to talk to the farmer about how the animals were raised and treated before arriving at the market and about pesticides used.

Some markets like the Phoenix Hill Market NuLu market are also pick up points for Consumer Supported Agriculture (CSA) customers. Subscribers who paid at the beginning of the year received a weekly order of produce , eggs, and other things from May through October. Farmers save the best food for their regulars. The selection varies according to what is available and how well it grows.

Since the buy-local movement has moved to restaurants. Louisville diners can enjoy the early crops as well as individual shoppers. Grasshoppers Distribution, which markets and distributes food from local farmers, supplies local eateries who want to serve farm-to-table selection.

Here is a complete list of 2012 farmers’ markets in the Louisville area, complete with days and hours.

Pick up locations for Louisville CSA members.

Whether you want to eat out or cook in, locally grown ingredients are at your fingertips in Louisville. I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started in buying or selling a home in today!

The 138th running of the Kentucky Derby is now in the history books with I’ll Have Another emerging as the victor. A record 165,307 were in attendance, even more than last year. The numbers about how much money the Derby brought into town aren’t compiled yet, but as you know from having read our blog for, both the city of Louisville, surrounding towns, area attractions, hotels, restaurants street vendors, and others benefit from the event in a big way. But there’s more reasons why Louisville in the State of Kentucky are quick to say “I’ll Have Another” when it comes to running the Derby year after year.

The race and all the events connected with it put Louisville on stage as the site for future development. Mayor Greg Fischer and other leaders have had a busy few weeks talking to business leaders who might want to settle in or expand in Louisville. The potential impact of new business for Louisville won’t be calculated in figures about the econiic benefits of the Debry, but Louisville will benefit in a big way. As reported by the Kentucky Business Journal, Fischer invited over 20 guests to the Derby to show off Louisville.

• Priceline.com co-founder Scott Case, now CEO of Startup America, a nationwide organization with the mission to match up entrepreneurs with resources, was in town to promote Startup Kentucky. Formally kicked off last month, the local organization is looking for local entrepreneurs who know firsthand how to launch finance and grow in companies. Case was on hand to welcome to Start up America members who won a trip to the Derby.
• Representatives of national site selection were invited to scope out the city that is already the headquarters of UPS, YUM! Brands, Humana, Inc. and home to a growing medical sector, two Ford plants, and many other companies.
• Fred Durham, cofounder of Café Express, visited the first of many Derbies. His firm is relocating from California to Louisville at a cost of $16.5 million.
• ADP, recent buyer of the human resource subsidiary of Louisville-based SHPS, Inc., sent representatives.
• Ashley Capps of AC Entertainment and producer of several events in Louisville such as the Forecastle Festival and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival came to our promising venue to see Louisville entertainment at its best.
• Fischer and representatives from the University of Louisville welcomed entrepreneurs interested in partnering with the University on medical research and other projects.

Fischer, University officials, and the Chamber of Commerce all hope that their Southern hospitality on the biggest week of the year will lead to more jobs for Louisville. With hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses, transit companies, municipal workers and all citizens of Louisville ready to welcome guests, the mayor’s special visitors will see our possibilities is a site for having fun and doing business.

Those of us who live here enjoy the good times too. To be part of it all, give me a call.  I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louiville.