Published: November 02, 2009 07:26 pm      

EVENING NEWS letters: Nov. 3, 2009

Reader salutes runner, urges caution



In a recent Evening News article titled, “1,580 and counting,” Chuck Crowely says that he has ran every day for more than four years.

As a coach, I think it’s great that he would lead by example to show commitment to the sport. As a strength and conditioning specialist with a degree in health and fitness, I don’t agree that this is a good idea, especially for kids.

Recovery time is important for all athletes and is even more important for young athletes that are still growing. Daily high-impact exercise such as running with no recovery days can cause damage to growth plates in the large bones of the leg.

At the very least, athletes should have one day off a week for recovery and muscle-damage repair. I would also advise one day that involves warming up muscles followed by 15 to 20 minutes of stretching.

Again, I think it’s great that Crowely is setting the example of hard work and discipline — qualities that are lacking in a lot of people today.

— Josh Graves, Sellersburg



Reader comments on alcohol column



I loved Debbie Harbeson’s thinking on more taxes for states, counties and cities by loosening the arcane alcohol laws. Think of the additional restaurants that would move to Clark County if some of these laws were changed on alcohol. Plus, existing restaurants would have more visitors from across the bridge.

While we are looking at bringing in more revenue from taxes, what about the arcane drug laws?

Amend the drug laws in Indiana, and Louisville would look like a ghost town after 5 p.m., and Clark County wouldn’t have a place to park. Heck, you would have to go to Brick Church Road in Sellersburg to find a place to park.

Say, then that would create a new business venture — shuttle services. Debbie, you are right, getting rid of arcane laws that prohibit tax revenue from flowing is the answer. If we got rid of both the arcane alcohol and drug laws, it would be like a pot of gold for Clark County. Great idea, Debbie. I’m sure there will be many churches praying for your idea to amend alcohol laws — more money being made with tithes!

Keep bringing up ideas, Debbie. I’m sure there are other arcane laws preventing the tax flow. Shoot, there’s prostitution and gambling. No sense mentioning these to you, Debbie, you have been thinking of this a lot longer than me. Good luck, Deb!

— Steven Fetter, Jeffersonville



Cancer Society says thanks for fundraiser



On behalf of the American Cancer Society, I would like to thank the Greater Louisville community for its generosity and support of the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

More than 14,000 walkers and hundreds of volunteers participated, and we raised more than $720,000 to fight for every birthday threatened by breast cancer in every community.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a chance to celebrate survivorship. I want to applaud the many survivors who led the way. These women are heroes. They are our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives and friends.

They are the reason we continue to fight, and they remind us all of a very important message — together with the American Cancer Society, we are fighting breast cancer and saving lives.

We also appreciate the generosity of this year’s flagship sponsors — Fantastic Sams, Kroger and YUM / KFC / UFPC — for their contributions and participation in this year’s walk.

Again, thank you for supporting your American Cancer Society in our efforts to create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.

Funds raised at events like Making Strides Against Breast Cancer are critical in meeting the needs of breast cancer in the community. If you have outstanding donations or would like to make a contribution, it’s not too late.

Contact your local American Cancer Society office at 502-584-WALK or make a gift online at cancer.org/stridesonline. You can also contact us anytime, day or night, for cancer-related information, support and resources at 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

— Lisa Brown, American Cancer Society executive director, Louisville