Major bridge closing in 2013?

Here’s a bit of traffic I came across on the internet concerning the large bridge that crosses Bull Shoals and which connects the communities like Forsyth, Taneyville and Cedar Creek to Branson Missouri:

MoDOT and local officials in Taney County are discussing how to reroute traffic during a bridge construction project planned for 2013. The Highway 76 bridge in Forsyth was built in 1953 and is in need of major repairs. MoDOT spokesman Bob Edwards says the plan is to remove and replace the superstructure, or everything above the columns, and that would mean closing the bridge while the work is done”


The bridge they are referring to is a major and critical artery which allows thousands of commuters access from their homes to Branson each day. Closing it will mean that some travelers will have to extend their commute time to work by as much as an hour. This planned at a time when gas prices are very uncertain. Leaving it open is also not an option as the structure built in 1953 is in need of major repairs.

It’s my understanding that alternative routes are now being considered. I would love to know what ideas are being discussed. Whatever happens, count on delays increased commute times for some.

Work now proceeding on the 2011 Taney County Fair Site

Work is underway by volunteers connected with the Taney County Fair Board as they get things ready for the 2011 Taney County Fair. The Fair will be held this year at Shoals Bend Park due to the heavy rains that have closed Shadow Rock for much of the season.

According to Dennis House, President of the Taney County Fair Board, they still need finishing materials for the arena in addition to such items as a dump truck to help meet what is surely a tight schedule. I understand that the City of Forsyth is helping out with its equipment, but more is needed due to time constraints. The Fair is scheduled to run from June 14 to the 18^th and as you can see much remain to be done. That said, the folks on the Fair Board along with volunteers are used to challenges.

Anyone wishing to donate or find out how they can help is urged to call Mr. House at 417-527-5241. Also, check out the Taney County Fair Site for more information.

Tim’s Discount Outlet in Forsyth Missouri

In what my be seen as a trend of sorts, Tim’s Discount Outlet store located at 15521 US Hwy 160 in Forsyth Missouri is the second such store of its kind to open in the last six months. (The other being Save on Salvage store next to the Forsyth Hardware off Highway 160).

Both stores offer great bargains on various goods at a time when the US economy is seeing huge numbers of its citizens out of work or underemployed. Add the astronomically high gas prices and you have a ready market of individuals who will want sundries close to where they live.

Tim’s Discount Outlet occupies what used to be Glen’s Grocery, a store that was around for many decades. The large floor space of some seven thousand square feet means that the current proprietor, Tim Watkins, has lots of space in which to place merchandise. On my recent visit, I noted everything from groceries, to over the counter drugs to gift items in abundance. There is even a section with automotive needs located on one of the isles.

At a time when everyone needs to stretch their dollars as much as possible, Tim’s brings welcome relief and fills a much needed niche in the community.

Empire Park is thankfully high and dry!

[May 2011 Forsyth Missouri] – While other popular recreational locations are still deep under water, Empire Park is open for business.

After record rainfall fell over much of southern Missouri during the later part of April, much of the area near rivers and streams is still under water. This is especially true of the parks in and around Forsyth Missouri where Shadow Rock and River Run are completely inundated.

I'm told it will take quite some time for the water to recede. However Empire Park, which is situated above Powersite Dam, is looking awesome and ready for business. This site, maintained by the Empire Electric Coop, has a boat ramp, restrooms and picnic tables and is open to the public.

Here's a link to some footage of Empire Park I took back in 2008, which ironically, was another year in which the other parks located down stream were also flooded.

A new way for Mediacom to run cable?

Perhaps this is a new thing, I’m not sure. It seems Mediacom has decided that, in some cases, the best way to route their cables is to route them the easiest way possible. Instead of burying them or employing existing telephone pole infrastructure, they have elected to just leave them wherever they happen to fall on the ground. These cables run from two junction boxes and in the process meander across the ground before crossing a busy street in Valley View Village. Apparently, this practice is okie dokey with the city official as one of the cables has been like this for over a year!

I’m not sure what the intent of the statement by Mediacom or its parent company Comcast is here? Is it that they are just too big to be bothered with local cable ordinances? Is this a new way to string cable and nobody told me? Is it a sign of crumbling infrastructure? I could understand a cable, especially a communications cable being managed this way for a week or so under extraordinary circumstances, but a year ore more. You go to be jacking me!

And it’s not like no one has complained about this situation. Letters have been written, phone calls have been made and officials notified. All to no effect. I’m not sure who to be the most upset with. Mediacom and its sloppy approach to service or the men and women who work for Taney County and who are responsible to see that codes are enforced. Either way, I hope this is not a sign of things to come. For more on Mediacom, be sure to visit Complaints Board and enter their name into the search box.

Chicago Dogs come to Sonic!

By chance, I happened to see a commercial on TV that indicated Sonic had added three new hot dogs to their menu. One was an All American dog, while another was a New York style dog looked  interesting, but what really caught my attention was the addition of a Chicago style hot dog! Too cool.

It’s been quite sometime since I last had one of these (see the real thing at right), yet just the memory gets my mouth to watering. According to Sonic's web site, their version of a Chicago Dog is 'a 100% pure beef hot dog topped with pickle, relish, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt and mustard all served up in a soft, warm poppy seed bun'. While that description is close to the one I remember eating in Chicago, I think an authentic Chi town Dog has relish that is iridescent green and the dogs were always served with limp fries. To be fair, I decided to buy one and decide for myself.

I was able to test this out recently when I motored over to the Sonic located in Forsyth, Missouri where I ordered a Chicago dog and fries. The total came to $3.76 which was a bit expensive, but I felt it was justified in the name of science.

For the record the dog packs a 440 calorie wallop not counting the small fries which bring another 220 calories to the game. (This is not a meal for the meek at heart or for anyone who is trying to live with a diet as I am). However, once again, since I’m doing this for a scientific cause, it’s OK to do today!

The other two bits of bad news would be the cholesterol at 40 milligrams (livable) and the sledgehammer amount of sodium that come in at 2600 milligrams for both. Still, I reasoned, if I made sure to refrain from eating for the rest of the day (and maybe tomorrow), I'd make out. Now onto the esoterics…

The visual appeal of this meal was all that I expected and the smell was to die for. So, score a 10 on that part. The taste was pretty much as good as I remembered although the fries were just ordinary and not limp at all. The cost for the hot dog was $1.99 and the fries were $1.49, so not all that bad. Overall, a very good meal that I would encourage everyone to give a try! In the name of science, of course!

Google Scam Alert

If you see something like this in your mail. It is a scam by crooked foreign powers.

Dear Gmail User,

The Gmail infrastructure is going through an annual security and performance overhaul.
In this respect, you are requested to verify your account by clicking on the following link and login.
The Google Security Team is available to provide you all the assistance for secure communication over the Internet.

htpps://www.google.com/accounts/RP?c=CNE6ouyytXHe5wEQoMy85ta2d-8Np&hl=en 

You are requested to act on this immediately to guarantee the smooth functioning of your mail account.

Thanks,
Account Security Administrator
Google Security Team
Google, Inc.
Phone: +1 650-253-0000