Community CROPS & Sunset Community Farm Walk

Community CROPS & Sunset Community Farm 2009 Farm Walk Friday, September 11th 5:00-7:30pm Southwest 40th and West F Streets New this year: Soup Supper celebrating local food For just $8, you get all the food you can eat: West African Peanut Soup and Harvest Vegetable Soup provided by Thé Cup using CROPS vegetables Fresh local bread Cucumber lemonade from Pepe's Delicious desserts Kids 5 & Under eat free To reserve your meal ticket, call the CROPS office at 474.9802 or email crops@communitycrops.org Activities include: Farm tours Free raffle drawing for many great prizes including a gift certificate for 25% off the 2010 CROPS CSA, handpainted birdhouse, CROPS canvas bag, Ross Film Theater tickets and more! Kids activities including scarecrow-stuffing for kids, music making with Jim King and chicken petting Food samples by CROPS farmers, and plenty of new vegetables to try Live music Buy fresh vegetables, CROPS t-shirts, get a chair massage for just $8 and more Special raffle prizes for those that bicycle to the farm! Free admission to tour the farm and enjoy the activities. Sunset Community Farm gives an opportunity to a wide variety of people to grow food for themselves and for market. Managed by Community CROPS, there are farmers growing tomatoes, eggplant and okra in their beginnings of their farm business, an Italian heirloom vegetable grower, and the Community CROPS plot, where we grow crops for our CSA (vegetable subscription program). Others are gardening for their families and a communal plot has crops grown for farm income. Everyone is welcome, whether you want to see a working sustainable vegetable farm, or are interested in having a plot of your own next year. Bring your friends. Kids are welcome! The farm is at SW 40th and West F Streets. Take A Street west to SW 40th and turn right. Follow the road to F Street and turn left. You'll see a red building on your immediate right, which is the farm site. Signs will be posted. Map to the farm Note: Occasionally map sites recommend taking West O to SW 40th Street, but it has been closed from that side. You need to go out west A Street to get to the farm. Plans are being made for a group bike ride to the farm--let us know if you're interested. Printable flyer for posting

Tom Knapp will perform for free in G.I. Saturday!

This is an awesome sharp shooter show, we went to Norfolk years ago and saw it, he seldom is in the area, and I highly recommend making the time to go. Click here to find out more about this weekends event and click here to see his site. Very, very cool!

BBC 2009 Rollin' to the River Ride

Last year as a family we did the Hastings Kool-Aid Days Ride, well, this year we decided to try the Blair Bike Club's Rollin' to the River Ride. It was windy blowing strong out of the South so we parked a pick-up in Tekamah so the kids could ride with the wind and not have to ride back into it. It was a good idea, and we all had a great time despite the fact that today was the first triple digit day of 2009, it was hot and windy, but we all did good and had a blast! Above is the scenic toll bridge at Decatur as seen from the lunch stop.

We were up at 3:30 and had the kids up at 4am, after a big yawn our youngest checks his bike over before starting.

The bell (part of an old bike frame) is rung to signal the start. The ride began in Blair and went north on Hwy 75 to a lunch at the river in Decatur with an optional century loop going through Uehling, then up to Lyons and to Decatur then back to Blair. Click here for the map.

I rode with a fellow Lincoln cyclist again on this ride. I was feeling strong since I didn't hear his familiar "Vvvrrrrroooommmm" sound he usually made as he'd fly by me, but was humbled at the end when he bested my mileage by a long shot.

I finally found a rod and reel that is proportional to most of my fish stories. Ha! I love it!

At Decatur they had a great lunch set out for the cyclists giving everyone a chance to eat and visit on the banks of the Missouri.

The Team Reckless rig from Iowa was parked at the lunch stop.

After leaving the lunch and heading into the wind back South we were quickly passed by this lady in pink, she had a sweet bike and was really fast. We stopped again a a SAG stop called the 'Church Stop' set up at a country church along Hwy 77, I ran into my brother-in-law there. The wife and kids drove from Tekamah to Decatur for lunch and met up with him there. Another mile South of the church stop we found that pink cyclist on the side of the road with a flat. We helped her get going and continued on till we were about 1/2 way back to Tekamah. At that point I turned back with the wind and left the pink cyclist and my riding buddy to continue to fight their way South at 10 to 11 mph. I cruised North again to meet up with the family in Decatur and loaded my bike in the pick-up and we drove back toward Blair. Just on the North side of Herman we picked him up and gave him a lift the last few miles into Blair.

It was a great day to be Rollin' to the River (especially with the wind!) my hats off to the Blair Bike Club for an outstanding ride with 20, 36, 56, 68 & 100 miles options, great food, a scenic route and awesome souvenir t-shirts.

Today's miles = 52.06

A cool way to spend a warm day off with the kids.

Over the last few days our two youngest have come home, I had the day off work so I made them breakfast this morning and we spent the afternoon at the neighborhood pool.

The weekly Nacho Ride is tomorrow.

Ever have one of those days when nothing seems to go right?

Well, spin away your worries as you ride down the Mopac trail with a fun group of Nacho Riders.

The Nacho Ride is a fun, free, easy ride every Tuesday night down the Mopac trail from the 84th St. trailhead just South of O St. to Eagle Ne. (10 miles, one way) for nachos or 75 cent tacos and drinks at the One Eye'd Dog Saloon. You don't need to be in any club or group. People just show up and go. No matter what kind of cyclist you are - you'll fit in fine.

To find out more click here to read about past Nacho Rides on my blog or click here to go to the official Nacho Ride site.

People start at 5:30 and continue to begin the ride as they get off work, so even if you can't leave at 5:30, don't worry, your sure to run into lots of Nacho'ers.

Cool Cars and Hot Music Sunday 7pm Antelope Park

Lincoln Municipal Band Concert near the Billy Wolff and Rock Island trails. (I hear you can drive a car there too if you want, but who would?)

Cool Cars and Hot Music - Classic cars on display. Conductor: Terry Rush Soloist: Jana Holzmeier, Vocalist.

All concerts are free and open to the public. Lincoln's finest professional musicians perform concerts in the park. Come early and enjoy the beautiful summer evenings, the playground and the veterans memorial garden. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and a picnic dinner, and listen to wonderful music in the park with family and friends.

Grand Opening Celebration Tonight at Bike Pedalers

I know you've been you've been wanting to buy your favorite blogger a new whip, well, here is your chance to get it at a deep discount and have some fun at the new Bike Pedalers South location.

5 - 11 pm

It's their grand opening sale and party. Their closing the doors at 5 P.M. to celebrate the Grand Opening of the south location at 1631 Pine Lake Road. They will have food as well as many give-aways. And there's FREE BEER (provided you're of legal age). ALL BIKES 20% OFF! ALL ACCESSORIES 25% OFF!

The Fab-tones play tonight free at Friday Nights Live.

At the South Point Mall tonight the Fab-tones will play a free show. Ride your bike on the South Point Trail and enjoy the music.

The Fabtones is one of the midwest's top bands, playing a wide variety of concert, club and party dates. Their musical versatility makes them a hit on any occasion. The Fabtones feature some of the area's best vocalists and their arrangements include great vocal harmonies. The Fabtones are experienced professionals who want you to enjoy listening and dancing to their songs as much as they enjoy playing them.

Nebraska stops issuing drivers licenses in effort to promote cycling!

Not really - but it's funny how the cycling gods work their magic. Find the full story on omaha.com

Nacho Ride is Tuesday. 30th ride celebration. "Hawaiian Theme!"

This weeks ride is going to be a ball, and with just a 20% chance of morning percip, highs in the low 80s and a 5-10 mph breeze it'll be perfect riding weather. Click on the official Nacho Ride site to learn more or click here for my banter on past Nacho Rides. It's so much fun and everyone has a great time!

Some afternoon fun at Holmes Lake.

We came out to Holmes Lake for a canoe ride with a family from church. What a great day to be out!

2009 Cairo Cornstalk Festival - A big success!

This years Cairo Ne. Cornstalk Festival was another big success, thanks to the participants, volunteers and those who work all year on the Cornstalk Committee to pull off such a fun weekend.

I was again honored to be asked back to announce the parade.

The parade featured all the small town staples including floats, firetrucks, horses, American Legion, scouts, a moving National Anthem by a nine year old, the grand marshal, the mayor, and Cornstalk Queen, 4-H'ers, ATVs', old tractors and antique cars. Even local pilots flying over dropping prize winning marshmallows (yea, that's right!).

That was followed by fun and food in the park as well as the car show and famous cardboard boat races and pedal tractor pull. What a fun weekend. I always love going back to... "Cairo - Where Everyone Knows Your Name"!

Cornhusker State Games Opening Ceremony.

I'm entered to ride in the century tour next weekend and went to the opening ceremonies tonight. The weather was perfect and the crowd was huge. Really a neat event with something for everyone.

Had a chance to hob-knob with Chris from Cycle Works as we waited to walk across the field with the other cyclist. I really enjoyed hearing about how his business has grown over the last couple of decades and sharing my love of riding.

There is a lot of value in participating in events like this for the chance to meet experienced bikers and network with like minded outdoorsmen.

Tuesday's Nacho Ride down the Mopac - Hawaiian Themed

Make plans for a fun, leisurely ride down the Mopac next week on the Nacho Ride. It's the 30th Nacho Ride and we're celebrating with a Hawaiian theme - it'll be a hoot, be sure to be there and bring a friend. To find out more click here or here. You'll love it! And the best part, 3 tacos and a pop is $3.65. Cheep fun!!! 10 miles there, 10 back. An hour each way. I start at 5:30 and am usually back by 8pm. A fun way to unwind after work.

Lincoln Municipal Band free concert Sunday 7pm

Be at Antelope Park at 7:00 Sunday night for another of the Lincoln Municipal Band Concerts this weeks musical theme, Popcorn And Pics. You can ride there on the Rock Island or Billy Wolff Trails.

Tonight The 9S (R&B/Funk/Jazz) Play Free at S. Point Mall

Friday Nights Live at the South Point Mall is hosting The 9S at the center courtyard 6:30-8:30pm. You can ride your bike there on the South Point Trail.

Cairo CornStalk Festival July 17th & 18th - NOA to Announce Parade.

Cairo CornStalk Festival

July 17th & 18th 2009

Theme: Cairo, Where Everyone Knows Your Name

Friday, July 17th Activities:

10-6:30pm Scrapbook Registration @ Portraits & Pages

5:00pm 10 Point Pitch Tournament at @ Senior Center

7:00pm Enjoy food from Aces & Eights on Main Street

Fireman Water Fights on Main Street

8:00pm Corn Queen Contest @ City Hall

Poker Tournament @ Comm. Center

8-11:00pm Teen Dance @ Tennis Court (ages 15 & up)

11-12:00am Midnight Madness Swim (ages 15 & up)

Saturday, July 18th Activities:

6:00am Quilt Show Registration @ Comm. Center

7:00am Jr High Trap Team Car Wash @ Fire Hall

American Legion Pancake Feed @ Comm. Center

7:30am Fun Run/Walk

8:00am Jr High Trap Team Breakfast Burritos along Parade Route

9-5:00pm Quilt Show @ Comm. Center

9:00am Register for Parade @ Comm. Center - Register for Cardboard Boat Race @ pool

10:00am Community Parade on Main Street *I'll be announcing the parade!*

11:00am Food Vendors

Boy Scout Dunk Tank

Free Kids Games

Kids Home Run Derby

Kid’s Tractor Pull Registration

11:30am Fun Kid’s Tractor Pull (ages 2-3)

Sanctioned Kid’s Tractor Pull (ages 4-12) winners qualify for state fair competition

12-5:00pm Scrapbook Contest @ Portraits & Pages

1:00pm Cardboard Boat Races

Beer Garden @ Tennis Court

Car/Bike/Vehicle Show

2:00pm Scavenger Hunt (ages 10 & up)

3:00pm Bingo @ Senior Center

Lip-Sync Contest (ages 10 & up)

Road Rally Registration @ Fire Hall

6:00pm Beer Garden Happy Hour @ Tennis Court

8:00pm Celebrity Auction @ Tennis Court

9:00pm Dance Featuring “One Horse Town” - Admission $5.00 Pathway Bank & Pathway Financial—Corporate Sponsors

All events held at the Pool Park unless otherwise noted.

Questions contact Teresa @ 308-485-4460 or Jaci @ 308-384-1416.

The Cairo Cornstalk Festival Committee or anyone associated with a festival event or the Village of Cairo will not be responsible in case of an accident.

GPTN Summer Trails Discovery Ride Tomorrow on Mopac

Thanks Cletus for the tip!

Click here to find out more about tomorrow's ride down the Mopac trail from Lincoln to Wabash. You'll go right through Eagle, be sure to stop off to help celebrate Eagle Days 2009!

One More Time (Classic Rock) Plays for free at Friday Nights Live at South Point Mall

Ride your bike on the South Point trail to the Free Friday Nights Live concert tonight from 6:30-8:30. Find out more here. One More Time plays tonight!

Looking back on the day, the best part was a family ride around Holmes Lake.

It was hard to embrace a Monday after such a fun weekend. So, to get our attitudes out of the 'back to reality' funk we took a spin on the trail at Holmes Lake. The wife and I, and our two youngest put on 3.56 miles and got some good 'Two Wheeled Therapy'.