December 2009 was actually a bitch!

I erroneously posted a graph that showed what a great and warm month December 2009 was. Actually last December was a real bitch, it you'll pardon my French.The correct graph is at right. The mean temperature for the month was 33F against a historical average of 35F. As you know, even a small shift in mean temperatures for a whole month mean big shifts in how warm or cold you feel.

According to my sources which include an aging psychic, an out of work meteorologist and a tarot card reader, this winter season should be on the mild side with lots of moisture and an occasional blizzard thrown in for some excitement.

Note: All data represented here was from readings taken in the Forsyth, Missouri area.

Local e-cigarette vendor thinks he can help!

If you are looking to quit cigarette smoking or even if you are trying to cut back, then e-cigarettes may be worth a look. When a user “smokes” one of these, there are white puffs coming out of their nostrils just like the real thing, but there is no second-hand smoke: just flavored water vapor. When the user draws a breath, a colored light glows on the end of the device. When the user stops drawing in a breath, there is no second-hand smoke: the device just stops. Nobody close at hand even smells anything. But best of all, these cigarettes don’t contain any tobacco. They do contain measured dosages of nicotine, however to help people quit the real thing. Nicotine doses in the cartridges are rated as low, medium, high, and zero nicotine. The high strength cartridge has the nicotine equivalent of a regular cigarette. The idea is to start there and then back off gradually until you are smoking nothing but water vapor.

I’ve personally seen these devices in action and, while there are some risks, they seem definitely better than the real thing. This is true especially in terms of second hand smoke, of which there is none when using these devices. Hurrah!

If you live in the Branson-Forsyth area, call Johnny Jones for a free demonstration. He’s got C.OP.D., has smoked for 54 years and has tried everything under the sun to quit. Nothing worked until he discovered e-cigarettes. Johnny can be reached at 417-849-4278 or emailed at Johnny147@Centurytel.net if you need additional information or would like to schedule an appointment.

Chico Vega’s World Famous Drifters

Will be appearing at a dinner and dance sponsored by the Rockaway Chamber of Commerce this coming November the 20^th. Advance sales only are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The dinner will be served from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and includes Turkey Tetrazzini, a Caesar Salad, biscuits, dessert and a beverage. The dance portion of the evening will begin at the end of the dining period at 7PM.

Call 417-561-4280 for information. Note: Pricing, date and time can be subject to change.

Coldest morning of the season, so far!

Forsyth Missouri - Shiver me timbers! Our first shot of really cold air of the fall season occurred on the morning of Friday, October the 29th when temperatures dropped to the mid twenties (27F) in some parts of southwest Missouri! A combination of high pressure, clear skies and calm winds all created a situation where radiational cooling could have maximum effect. Think about it. Temperatures in the twenties and it’s not even November yet. Wow!

The temperature fall overnight was an impressive one. All the way from the mid fifties in the late afternoon to a chilly 34F just after midnight. By 3AM, the mercury had fallen to thirty degrees and then after that things really got seriously cold with a 6AM reading in the mid twenties. Brrr! I can tell you that when it gets this cold, the old electric meter is really spinning that little metal disk! I’ve got my furnace turned on and set to 71F. I even have a couple of space heaters deployed in keys areas to supplement it.(See my article on heat conservation due later this winter). With some electric customers having suffered a recent 14% hike in their rates, a cold and long winter season could have a measurable impact. Just how cold can it get? Well, in 1905 in Warsaw Missouri on February the 13th the temperature plummeted to 40 below zero! If that wasn't bad enough, it can also get cold for a long time. The current record for our state was the winter of 1978-79 that posted an average temperature of only 24.1 degrees. I'd hate to see the electric bill from back then!

As election times nears...

I'm hoping that everyone will make an effort to get out on November the 2nd and place a vote for the candidates of their choice. Red or Blue, it's up to you. There are many important issues facing the citizens both nationally and here in Missouri. Please check out the sample ballot here!

There are three constitutional amendments to consider along with two Propositions. I have to express ignorance as to the meaning of the first amendment proposal. The other two are pretty straightforward and everyone will have to vote their conscience. Proposition A has to do with the ability of the sate to levy additional real estate taxes and B has to do with the regulation of state dog breeding operations. A measure that if passed will have an impact on where our tax dollars will go. Once again please vote your conscience. Note: There seems to be a movement afoot at the state level to impose more strict penalties on anyone who mistreats pets of all kinds.

Wagon Wheel Family Dining

I have eaten at the Wagon Wheel Family Dining restaurant a number of times now. I first discovered this eatery about two months ago while going on a sightseeing tour with my sister who recently moved here from California. They’re located at 20262 US Hwy 160 near the three way junction of Highways 160-76 or about 3 miles east of Forsyth Missouri on Highway 160. They currently have ‘winter hours’ which are W-S 7:30AM to 7 PM and Sundays 7:30AM to 2 PM. (These hours are subject to change, so call ahead to make sure).

What I like best about the Wagon Wheel restaurant is how similar it is to eateries I can remember as a youth (that was a long time ago, trust me). Just down home American cuisine at affordable prices. There’s nothing very fancy or overdone at the Wagon Wheel but you get a good feeling eating there all the same. The hamburgers are good and juicy. Just the way I like them. (My sister mentioned that she especially liked the toasted buns). Other menu items include sandwiches like Pattie melts and grilled chicken. The dinner offerings also included chicken fried steak, ham and pork tenderloin to mention just a few. The establishment is owned and operated locally by Judy Alstatt, whom I have had the pleasure of talking with on numerous occasions.

The bottom line is I feel this is a good place with good food at fair prices. Please give them a try and let me know what you think! Note: This establishment is typically closed during the winter months, so call before you go there. The number is (417)-546-4219.

Please vote on November the 2nd!

“All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible.”
T.E. Lawrence

By his own admission, President Obama has now realized 70% of the legislation he envisioned to change America. His next two years in office will be an effort to make sure these changes stay, whether Americans like it or not.

If you like what this man and what his congress has wrought then please vote on November the 2^nd. If you do not like the direction our country has taken, then make damn sure you vote on November the 2^nd.