It may be a really cold winter!

Well, it’s getting toward the fall of 2011 and one thing is for sure. That means old man winter is not too far off. Before we know it, the sun will be low in the sky. It’ll be getting dark way to soon and my electric meter will be humming away, making my electric company happy.

So, now would be a good time to hit the internet and check up on areas around your home where you can do things that will save you money come the depths of January. I’ve found one of the absolute best things you can do is to make sure there are no holes in the walls that lead directly to the outside. Good places to check are under kitchen sinks and the like. Make sure you also have enough insulation and consider in investing in a small space heater or two.

I have some additional observations at ‘Saving Energy One Watt at a Time’ in case you might be interested!

Shadow Rock Park needs helpers to paint on Sept the 10th!

On what turned out to be a picture perfect day in early September (a high temperature was 79), I packed a light lunch and headed down to Shadow Rock Park in Forsyth, Missouri to see what was going on. I even brought along my bike for a little exercise.

Even though the area where this park is located has been spending most of its time lately under water due to the floods, when I arrived I was still impressed with the extensive recovery efforts. It seems both the city workers and not a few volunteers from the Forsyth Baptist Church had been busy getting the area back up to snuff. I noticed right away that much of the debris, in the form of branches and twigs, had been collected and burned. Even the grass was coming back, poking bravely through a coating of mud that had covered nearly every surface. Now the roads are clear and the due to the efforts of a hard working few the park is beginning to shine again. Another sure sign of recovery was the numerous fishing trailers parked by the bathrooms as you enter the camping side.

I parked next to the Park Attendants RV and was surprised to find Chris Robertson there. Chris is the Manager of Forsyth's Public Services Department (hope I got that right) and is currently doing double duty by watching over the park. He informed me that the park will stay open until either the traffic stops or it gets too cold and they are forced to shut off the water. He then indicated that even after that should hunters want to stay there, the park may be able to offer electrical hookups. In any case they would want to call ahead to make sure.

Chris also informed me they were looking for additional volunteers to do some painting on Saturday, September the 10^th. Anyone who is interested in helping can plan to show up at about 9AM on that date. Otherwise, please make an effort to come down and enjoy all the Shadow Rock Park has to offer!

Demo Derby heralds back to medieval times!

While the average small town demolition derby is certainly no clash of knights in shining armor, it does share some of that same charisma. Back in the middle ages, brave men in heavy armor were helped onto their steeds by a page, so that they might vie for personal honor via the time honored sport of jousting; a process whereby one of the combatants was unceremoniously de-horsed by the other. (I can only guess that the winner then did a mad dance of celebration before riding off to defrock the king’s virginal daughter).

Today, in 20-something, we haven’t changed this rite of manhood very much (sadly there are no virgins), with the exception that our ‘horses’ have been replaced by a jumble of rusting metal on wheels. Creations that rumble and rattle their way across a field of mud, belching fire and smoke, much to the delight of  local citizens. As in days long past, the object is still to bash the hell out of your opponent while maintaining the integrity of your own personal ‘steed’. The winner is literally the last one standing. Crude, very crude!

Still, I must profess that there is a kind of attraction to the spectacle! Perhaps because it really is a spectacle. Some of the best memories, I’ve taken back with me after the dust settled, was not so much the cars crashing together in wild abandon, as it was the expressions on a few of the ‘knights’ faces as they fought valiantly to keep from being de-autoed. Inevitably though, there came that ‘coup-de-ville’ moment when a stalled vehicle’s owner watched helplessly as another hormonally charged contestant gained ramming speed with wheels madly slinging up mud; both knowing that the end of one was nigh. Cool stuff that! And, yet another reason I intend to watch the Demo Derby on September the 10^th at whatever Park it's at!

Don’t Forget: Demolition Derby on Sept the 10th!

Don’t forget to attend the fall Demolition Derby which will be located at Bull Shoals Park last I heard. You’ll note that the Shadow Rock Park is now open again for business and while I hate last minute changes, I think it is a far better location to hold this event (see side by side pictures). That's just my opinion. You might want to check with the Fair Board at 417-546-4277 prior to attending just to make sure of the location.

Late breaking news: Apparently there is a sign posted that is advertising that the event will be held at the Shadow Rock Park arena after all. Cool!

Farmers Market in Forsyth on Saturday, Sept. the 3rd!

This last Saturday, September 3, 2011 things were busy early in Forsyth Missouri as the early bird may not have gotten the worm, but he or she did get some good bargains at the Farmers Market which was set up across from the new Judicial Building on Main Street.

Both these fellas pictured here were named John and they both were from the Cedar Creek area. They were offering bell pepper, squash, zucchini and tomatoes at bargain prices. While I was there, I ran across Rick Finley who was telling me about an auction coming up on September the 10^th at 603 Secluded Acres. I was interested because there will be a lot of guns (see auction flier) for sale there.

Also, in the area, located at major intersections were firemen who were out collecting for MDA. I asked one of them how the collections were compared to last year and he indicated they were up slightly. These guys get up early on a day that they are off work so they can stand around busy intersections in the heat! But, it's for a great cause and I hope everyone, who can, contributes. 

Looking back 114 million miles to Earth and her moon.

 (originally published 2010 in Forsythkid.com)

Whenever I get to feeling too big about myself, I make it a point to take a celestial mental stroll out in the heavens. Can you see those two little dots of light? It’s the earth and moon from 114 million miles away. Now, click on the picture to expand it. Can you see the cross?

While not a very far distance in terms of astronomical units, it conveys a sense of how alone we are, or would be, were it not for God and the son he sent to save us. The cross is on an asteroid known as Faith. Not far from it is a dome wherein rests the heart and soul of mankind.

I wish I could take each of our worlds leaders out here, one at a time, so they could stand by the cross and see just how tiny their little home called Earth really is. A mere dust mote, upon the surface of which, seven billion souls of His making call home.

A word to the wise. Please, don't fuck it up. It's all we have.

Just ME Apparel and Accessories in Forsyth!

What's this ? Yet another new shop has opened in Forsyth recently. This time it's a woman’s apparel store. Even during challenging economic times, it's heartening to see new businesses springing up here and there. Just M.E. Apparel and Accessories is located at 15796 US Hwy 160 just across from Peoples Bank in Forsyth Missouri. The phone number is 417-546-5878 Their hours are from Wednesday to Saturday 10AM to 6PM. They're closed Monday, Tuesday and Sunday. That's about all I know at this time.

The Yarn Diva located in Forsyth Missouri is a great place to shop!

A very long time ago, while attend Southern Illinois University, I took a class in macramé. That was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed and the good memories have lasted with me even to this day. When I walked into The Yarn Diva, I was reminded of the fact that my mom also did needlepoint and knitting most of her life. She always had a knitting bag close to here with all kinds of yarn hanging out of it. I still have, and cherish, a few of the comforters she made for me.

The Yarn Diva shop which is located at 10726 E. State Hwy 76 in Forsyth seems to have it all together. A nice inventory that is well presented making the shopping a very pleasant experience. I had a chance to talk to the owner, a nice lady by the name of Sharon Betz, who gave me a couple of newsletters (some of the best I’ve seen) that they put out periodically. In the newsletter were all sorts of announcements including scheduled classes, event and charitable efforts that the shop was involved in. They have a great website where you can get a feel for what they have to offer. You can also use this site to contact them in case you have a question or two.

The store is open Tues – Fri 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Sat 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. They are closed on Sunday and Monday. You can reach them by calling 417-546-2037.

It’s the 2011 Fall Taney Demolition Derby!

Coming to Forsyth Missouri on September the 10^th 2011, will be the annual Fall Demolition Derby sponsored by the Taney County Fair Board of Taney County Missouri! It will be held at the new Fair grounds known also as Shoals Bend Park. The action starts at 7PM and admission is $5 for adults while children six and under will be admitted free. For additional information call 417-546-4277 or visit the official website at www.taneycountyfair.org! (Please click on the picture above to gleam additional information and details)!

It came as a great surprise to me that my entry - 'Da Crusher' was not allowed to compete! What gives with dat? Something about my tires being a tad too large! OK, there may be something to that! Maybe next year!

The Forsyth Computer Shop: A Clinic for your computer!

Every once in a while I run into some nice people here where I live in Forsyth Missouri. That was the case today when I had occasion to visit with the owners of the newly opened Forsyth Computer Shop located at 15960 US Hwy 160, right across from the Prime Time gas island. Their phone number is 417-546-8400.

I talked, at some length, with both Brian and Michelle who were busy with customer when I first walked in. They were very courteous, and when Michelle got free, she filled me in on some of the services they offer. In a nutshell, the Forsyth Computer Shop is a full service center that specializes in refurbished systems that are rebuilt with all new parts (they also have new systems available). This includes desktops and laptops along with flat screen monitors. Prices for basic systems can range anywhere from $450 on up, and they can even build you a custom system should you so desire.  They also maintain a service center that offers you a place to take your existing system should it get sick.

While I was there, I was impressed with how neat the place looked and with the confident way they fielded my computer related questions. That is to say, they didn’t talk over my head, but in a manner that made me feel confident in their abilities.

If you have a spare moment, I would encourage everyone to stop in and say hi!

Gun Shop and Antique Store Now Open!

On a sunny nice day here in Forsyth Missouri, I had occasion to stop in the newly opened KJM Mercantile gun shop and antique furniture store located at 16071 US Hwy 160, right next door to the Chamber of Commerce. I was there to have the owner, a nice guy named Chris, take a look at a firearm that I’m considering having him sell on consignment. Chris told me his is interested in building his gun inventory, so if you have a gun you’d like to sell, Chris might be able to help you out via consignment.

The store also has a nice collection of knick knacks, antiques, fishing equipment and electronics for you to browse through. You can reach them by calling 417-251-9012 during regular business hours.

$50 Jeep window regulator repair!

In my younger days, whenever a problem arose that proved to be difficult, I would raise my hands and run away! These days, however, I will tend to dive in and see what is what. Must be an age thing.

This was the case with a pesky rear door regulator on a 2006 Jeep Liberty that kept breaking. More specifically, the part that kept breaking was a plastic riser that rides up and down on a rail driven by a spiral cable. In a previous blog, I indicated I felt that the part was poorly made and was unable to do the job for which it was designed. In my case, three of these mechanisms have bit the dust. On the first occasion, the car was still newish and Jeep repaired it for free. The second time around, about 14 months ago, same problem but this time the cost through an Independent Repair Facility (IRF) was $135.00. This last time, the part broke even though I never used the window! A call to Jeep resulted in a quote for repair of $420! To be fair, my IRF was lower, but not by much. Either way this was not a good thing as I was informed at that time that the regulators were defective and that I could count on the problems happening with the other Jeep power windows. Bummer! Now, as for the IRF. I don’t blame them as this is something they couldn’t know about. Jeep, however, was a different story.

So, how did I fix my problem with a $50 part? I researched on the internet and discovered that a repair part was available from both Amazon (a company called TKO Auto) and from another company called Steiger. While Steiger is more expensive, they do offer better documentation. Either source offers basically the same part. Steiger does offer a hex wrench and machine screws while TKO Auto offers only a single rivet ( I assume you will have to supply the rivet gun). I’m going to guess that if there are broken pieces of plastic riser that have gotten into the power window motor gears, you might want to go with Steiger. That wasn’t the case with me, so I ordered the part from TKO Auto (Amazon.com) and used a machine screw that I had lying around the house.

The total repair time was about two hours, but only because I was doing it for the first time. If my other rear window also breaks in a similar fashion, I’m sure I could do the whole thing in under an hour tops! Either way, I now have a fix that should last the life of the vehicle.

If you are experiencing a similar problem and would like some advice, I would be happy to open up some dialog. Please contact me at Forsythkid@Gmail.com and I’ll help if I can. Note: I did document my fix with pictures which I can forward.

Flood waters are receding in Shadow Rock Park!

According to my sources, the water level downstream of Powersite Dam is now dropping very rapidly and in just a short time, people will be able to access Shadow Rock Park which as been under water for close to four months now. That's great news!

But, before the park can be allowed to open, city crews will have to fix damage that was done during the long term period that the park was submerged. This will include some sanitizing and the fixing of some electrical lines that became damaged by debris.

I also understand that the city will be looking for volunteers to help with a clean up effort some time soon. This will more than likely occur after the Labor Day weekend. If you think you might be interested in lending a helping hand, you can either call City Hall at 417-546-4763 or email the Mayor, Ron Potter at ron.potter@cityofforsythmo.com.

Jeep Liberty Window problems!

 “Let me guess... One of the rear windows in your Jeep Liberty just made a snapping or grinding noise, the window no longer works, the glass wants to fall down into the door and you can move it up and down by hand? If so, then please allow me to be the first to welcome you to the club!”

The power windows in the Jeep Liberty are notorious for breaking in this manner. The problem is the design of the mechanism used to move the window. The Liberty uses a plastic window bracket that rides inside of a metal track in the door. As you use the window, the part of the plastic bracket that rides inside the metal guide rail tends to wear away until it becomes too thin to support the weight of the window, at which point it snaps and down comes the glass! Wear isn't the only reason for the failure of this part however - it is simply too weak. I know people who have had brand new window regulators installed and despite never using the window, the regulator broke anyway. (This happened to me just yesterday)! I'll bet you a jillion that the part is made in China!

A kit, made by a company called Steiger, which will supposedly fix the problem and is available here. Installation instructions are here! A word of caution. This fix has not been vetted by anyone I know. If you have used it and it works, please share in a comment. Likewise, if you have experienced a similar problem, please leave a comment. Thanks! Be sure to follow my exploits at attempting to fix this problem here.

A Bail Bond and Attorney office all in one in Forsyth Missouri!

I recently had a chance to stop by the Queen City Bail Bonds office located across from McDonald’s on highway 160 this date and was glad I did. Not because I needed their services, but because I was curious about what a Bail Bond office was all about.

Inside I met a nice woman by the name of Ms. Myra Cox. I believe she is one of the owners, which also include two gentlemen by the name of Rex Shaffer and Rick Arnall. Their office is located at 15561 US Hwy 160 in Forsyth, Mo., and they can be reached at 417-546-3900 should you need to make an inquiry.They also maintain offices in the both the Springfield and Branson/Hollister area.

For those of you that don't know, a bail bondsman is someone who, provides a guarantee of financial responsibility to cover the cost of bail for a person involved in criminal proceedings. In plain language, they will get your sorry butt out of jail should you get arrested for an offense. The bonds-person often provide the guarantee of a 'blanket bond' that will cover costs should that person fail to appear in court. The bail bond company also generally charges a fee for the performance of their service. It can be a tough business, but can be invaluable if you are the one without enough money to post your bail.

Attorney Rita Sanders

Also, located in the same building are the law offices of Rita K. Sanders, a 17 year Police veteran. An attorney, who I understand, specializes in helping individual who have incurred a ticket of some type. She was not present on the day I stopped by and I hope to drop in again when she is around. Her office phone number is 417-890-0909. She also has a web page at www.theticketcenter.net. I understand her main office is located at 3023 S. Kimbrough St. in Springfield, Missouri.

These are all folks that can be of great assistance in the event you run into trouble with the law. Stop in and please say hi!

Update: This company is now also located right across from the Court House on Main street.

Shadow Rock Park Flood Update for August 2011

From May the 9^th to August the 7^th, the composite pictures above tell a story of flood waters that have been slow to recede. The extreme rain events of late May that covered the entire region with over a foot of water was a major contributor. Then, heavy rains falling over the Midwest and which inundated the Mississippi river served to really back things up for the remainder of the summer.

The end result, here in Forsyth Missouri, has been a set of flooded parks that have not yet recovered from actions initiated by the Corp of Engineers. Both Shadow Rock and River Run Parks which are across from each other have been closed during the peak summer months and it would appear they will remain closed as fall approaches. The river level chart, here, show just how high the levels rose and give some idea that it will be quite some time before they get back to normal. The question, asked by some, are whether the levels will ever drop back down fast enough before the coming fall and then spring rains raise the levels again! It seems we may have entered a period of extreme weather.

Either it’s too dry or too wet it seems! There doesn’t seem to be much middle road left anymore; a fact that residents of Central Texas can attest to. They’ve endured one of the worst droughts in decades with temperatures this summer getting into the hundred plus degree mark on a daily basis. And, while it’s also been on the dry side here in southwest Missouri, we have still been blessed with the occasional pop-up storms that have helped keep the vegetation from dying off entirely.

Weather, experts tell us are all about patterns, regular patterns that people depend on from year to year and season to season. When those patterns get weird, however, they can bollix up the entire works. Let us all hope for a return to normalcy sometime soon.

Spaghetti Dinner Benefit in Rockaway Beach this Friday!

This coming Friday, July 29, 2011, the City of Rockaway Beach Police Department will host a spaghetti dinner at $10 a plate from 5PM to 7 PM at the Community Center located in town on the main drag. The proceeds of this event will go towards the purchase of a new squad car for the Police Department. In addition to the food, the Plumb Country Band will be on hand to play music. More information can be obtained by calling the Rockaway Beach City Hall at 417-561-4424.

Note: Pictured meal is representative and may or may not be accurate.

Cedarcreek Convenience Store

One thing about the cedar creek area in southwest Missouri, there’s not a lot in the way of grocery stores. That’s why the Cedarcreek Convenience Store which has been in business since 1995 is such a great thing to have for local residents and the hordes of fishermen who come down ‘M’ Highway to fish in the pristine waters of Bull Shoals.

The store is located at 6685 State Highway M in Cedarcreek Missouri and the telephone number to reach them is 417-794-3371. The store hours are currently Monday and Tuesday 1 to 6PM, Wednesday thru Saturday 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM and Sunday 7AM to 6PM. The store offers a gas island, groceries, fishing accessories and liquor. Stop in and and check them out!

Forsyth Computer Shop now open for business!

I had a chance to stop in at the Forsyth Computer Shop located at 15960 Hwy 160 next to the Prime Time. Inside the store, which has just opened are a number of computers for sale along with helpful personnel that also do computer repair. The owner Brian Loehmann was attending to the needs of some customers, but I was able to chat with great person by the name of Michelle.

Their store hours are currently M-F 8AM to 6PM and Saturday 10AM to 2PM. They can be reached by calling 417-546-8400 or emailed at forsythcomputershop@yahoo.com. Stop in and say hi!

For a more recent blog click here!

A new Gun Shop/Furniture Store opening soon?

There are now confirmed rumors circulating that a new fishing, gun and antique shop will be opening sometime in early August at what used to be the Carol Jones office on Highway 160 in Forsyth Missouri. My sources tell me it may be called KJM Mercantile. I'll try and have more pictures and information as soon as possible.

Here's an update!

Forsyth Fun Day 2011 was just awesome!

Whenever a dedicated group of individuals goes to the trouble to assemble great food and easy listening music in a setting of emerald green hills surrounded by sparkling water, well that’s anyone's ticket to good times! And, that’s also just what went down at the Forsyth Fun Day event held Saturday, July the 16^th at the Empire Electric Park (courtesy of Tom Schneider and his crew) located just above the Powersite Dam.

The Forsyth Fun Day is a tradition that has taken place now for eight years and each year the food seems to taste a little bit better. (But maybe that’s just my stomach talking). This year, I enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich, potato chips and a diet coke while watching the hilarious antics known as the ‘cardboard boat races’.  This event  is a yearly competition where young kids get to test their home-brewed cardboard creations on the chilly waters of Lake Taneycomo. Some of the boats make it around the competition circuit and some don’t. Either way, it doesn't matter. Just watching was a great time and that’s what counts!

After awards were handed out to the kids, it was trophy time for the BBQ chefs, many of whom arrived the day before to setup. In the ribs category, Primo's Pizza man Big Josh took 1st place. Pork butt was nailed by the Skinny Broads, and last but not least, the winner of the beef brisket competition was also Skinny Broads (pictured above)! The top three contestants, in each category, all got trophies and checks for their efforts. The real winners, however, were the people (like me) who got to sample fabulous food while kicking back and listening to the great sounds of the band Hip Katz.

If you missed the action this year, be sure to check in about the same time in 2012 when the next Forsyth Fun Day will be held in one of the best locales to live in the entire United States... Forsyth Missouri! For anyone interested, I also have some of the pictures of the event posted at www.taneyservices.com.

The Forsyth Park Audit: Fair or Not?

By nature, I confess to two recurrent problems in my life; one, an ongoing and entrenched form of naivety and two, a sense of curiosity that often gets me into trouble. Blindly walking into problems is no way to live a life, but that’s just the way I was built. So, it was with a growing sense of curiosity that I began to follow the exploits of the City of Forsyth and its seeming trouble with parks.

Let me begin with what I think a park actually is. By one definition, it’s ‘an area of land, usually in a largely natural state, set aside for the enjoyment of the public, having facilities for rest and recreation, and which is often owned, set apart, and managed by a city, state, or nation.’ That would seem to be a pretty good starting definition to me. But, I also feel that a city’s park(s) should be locales that are planned, implemented and managed in such a manner that the citizens feel they have been a part of the process. Did that happen here? I’m not sure.

Here in Forsyth, Missouri we have now have two parks; Shadow Rock Park, a site that spends part of it’s time underwater and a recent addition, Shoals Bend Park. Interestingly, neither park actually resides within the city limits. Shadowrock lies on federally owned land and Shoals Bend is…well, it’s down Highway 76 a piece.

The first park, Shadowrock, has been under the control of the City of Forsyth for some time. As I understand it, we rent the place from the Corps of Engineers. However, the stuff built there over time has come from the city and the folks who paid property taxes. That was until a bill was passed in 2000 whereby a half cent city tax was enacted. The proceeds of which went into a fund for the future management of local city parks. (This act then repealed the City Ordinance numbered 128 which levied a portion of the funds collected from property taxes for park purposes). A move that would hopefully make money spent on the park systems much easier to track. Theoretically at least.

That half cent tax, by the way, amounted to something like 1.6 million dollars in the ten year span of time to up to 2010. How exactly that money was disseminated over that decade has only recently come into question by some in the community. The problem some have with Shadowrock is one of visual infrastructural accounting (VIA). Over the last ten years, where has the money gone and for what purpose? (I believe that even the walking path which runs from the Shadowrock Park proper to the property managed by Empire Electric was subsidized by the Federal government at a cost to the city of only $40K)! Then, there was the recurrent flood damage over the years. I’m not sure what the cost was there, but I do know that volunteers were employed at least once to help make things right. (I know, because I was one of them). Other expenses that were visible was park maintenance and the building of a bandstand. Other than that…what? I need some help here!

Now, we have us a brand new park area known as Shoals Bend Park. A sprawling 78 acre track of land which I understand was purchased by the city and which has now has been leased out to the Taney County Fair Board for a period of thirty years. As I understand it, both the city and the Fair Board will help build a couple of baseball parks and an arena along with other needed improvements to function as a vehicle for future Fairs and such. The profits of which will be funneled back into the park system for additional improvements. Did I get that even close to right? But, wait a minute! What about that half cent tax thingy? Are they still collecting it, and if so, which park will it go to? Both? Neither? I dunno. Tangled webs were never my bag man.

The bottom line is this park deal seems to be a bit of a mess, and I wholly endorse the expenditure of monies to have an audit performed at this time. I’m also confident that there is enough concern in the Forsyth community to warrant such an investigation. A process I would like to see done in a timely and transparent fashion.

Disclaimer: All the opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author and may or may not be factually accurate. Readers are encouraged to do their own research, and in doing so, come to their own conclusions.

Trash Services for the Forsyth Missouri Area

Here in the Forsyth Missouri area, I have looked at four companies that provide trash removal services on a regular basis. They are Allied Waste, Plummer, Raintree and Tri-Lakes. If there are more, please let me know and I’ll post them here.

Of the four, Allied Waste appears to me to be the most costly and getting more so on a quarterly basis. I say appears because I’m not really sure why their collection cost of around $29 per month averages fifteen dollars higher than either Plummer or Raintree who I am told come in at around $15 per month. (If any of these prices are incorrect, I will be happy to post that in a future blog).

Now of the three, Plummer seems to have the most basic equipment where as both Raintree and Allied have larger and heavier duty trucks. That said, I’m told by some people who use Plummer that they are very accommodating and have been know to take items that other companies might not. If true, good for them! I have noticed that Plummer seems to work even on some Holidays where as I know for sure that Allied does not.

Disclaimer: The information posted here may not be accurate in the future due to changing prices offered by the service providers.

Downhill Bikes in Branson Missouri!

One type of business I would like to see more of in the Taney County area would be bike shops like Downhill Bikes located at 116 Flynn Road, Branson, Mo 65616. This shop, owned and operated by Craig Erickson, has been in operation for a number of years. I think they moved to the site on Flynn a couple of years ago, having had another shop located on Highway 76.

Inside you can find bikes to fit most every need, including both touring and mountain bike configurations. They also stock a wide assortment of accessories such as air pumps, lights and even clothing to help make your biking experience all that it can be.

Check them out on Facebook or give them a call at 417-335-4455. You’ll find Craig to be knowledgeable and fair in all things related to biking!

Missouri Gun Bill HB294! Please read and act!

A bill, known as HB294, has now passed both houses of the Missouri General Assembly and currently resides on Governor Jay Nixon’s desk awaiting his signature. This bill is due to become law on August the 28^th, 2011 and while it has a number of good provisions, also has one that (intentionally or unintentionally) discriminates against the weak and poor. Here is the paragraph in question:

(10) Specifies that a certificate of firearms safety training course completion may be issued to any applicant for a concealed carry endorsement by any qualified firearms safety instructor if the applicant completes at least eight hours of instruction that includes a live firing exercise of sufficient duration for the applicant to fire both a revolver and a semiautomatic pistol and successfully hits the target with both handguns and specifies that any firearms safety instructor who knowingly provides any sheriff with any false information concerning an applicant’s performance on any portion of the required training and qualification will be guilty of a class C misdemeanor (Section571.111)…

In the past, an applicant only needed to qualify with a pistol or a semiautomatic, not both. This bill, as written, would exclude anyone who could work a handgun but not a semiautomatic due to hand weakness and for the rest of us, the course will cost a lot more money to boot! Credit for this change in Missouri law apparently goes to Dale Roberts of Target Masters in Columbia Missouri and Todd Burke of Tactical Training Specialties.

You can contact Governor Nixon by clicking here and let him know what you think!

Rockaway Beach Fourth of July 2011

A friend of my mine told me, a few days ago, about the Rockaway Beach 4^th of July Celebration that was going to take place on the main drag on Monday the 4th, so I made it a point to motor on down there to see what was what.

When I arrived, I noticed that a part of main the main street had been cordoned off. A company called Party Station (nixapartystation.com) had also set up a number of rides for kids right out on the street. And even though it was very hot (92F), when I arrived at 4PM, there were already a number of kids running around having a good time. At the very end of the blocked off area, a band that literally had no name (it was thrown together at the last minute according to one of the band members) was playing and sound pretty darn good!

My hat really goes off to all the volunteers that were in attendance to help made this deal go off. Been there and done that. It's hard work. Here’s a picture of some of them in a tent area recovering from the heat. And speaking of heat, I was really impressed with the folks at the food tent who not only were dealing with the blazing heat of the day, but also the heat of the grills that were turning out brats, hot dogs and hamburgers. I personally had a hamburger and I gotta tell you, there’s nothing better than eating good food on a hot summer day. It brought back a lot of good memories of days gone by.

During the balance of the summer season, Rockaway Beach is still a good bet to go hang out, what with many of the other nearby recreational areas flooded out. The city offers great accommodations, good fishing and that small town feeling that seems to be disappearing from much of Americana. I’d also like to say a big thanks to Rita and Steve at the Upper Deck Bar for offering a cold retreat and warm company to help one recover from the heat outside. Right next door to them, is the White River Grill. A venue I’ve written about in another blog.

You know everyone, throughout the remainder of the summer and on into the fall, Rockaway Beach, Missouri will be offering a action packed fun calendar of things to do and experience. Do yourself a favor and stop on by! Tell em DanO sent ya!

White River Grill in Rockaway Beach Now Open for Business!

If you plan on cruising through Rockaway Beach anytime soon, be sure and stop in at the White River Grill. A full service restaurant that recently opened for business and which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. After looking through the menu, I’d have to say that there are meals here for just about every taste and at affordable prices!

I made it a point to stop by on the first of July where I sat down for a good old fashioned hot dog and fries. The food was delicious and there are many more items that I will want to try out in the future. Also, I was impressed by how friendly and professional the service staff was. My order was taken promptly and the wait was very short. So, if you’re in the neighborhood, I would heartily recommend the White River Grill as a great place for the family to come and eat.

Valley View Sewer Update for June 2011

I would think it now safe to say that groundbreaking for the Powersite Sewer Project which also affects Valley View Village will not be happening this year. I'm not certain, but the absence of any material stockpiles is a good hint. I also don't have any idea how long the entire project, once started, will take. I'm guessing at least a year or more. Obviously, the flooding of Bull Shoals has hindered progress to some extent. For sure, the point at which the pipe will cross the river will have to wait for lower lake levels. That could be late this fall or even longer depending on how much rain we get.

What really concerns me, however, is how much the project could be affected by the planned work on the Highway 76 bridge that will be closed for up to a year starting in 2013. That alone will be a major undertaking and certainly one that will cause traffic delays in its own right. Add to that scenario, a major plumbing project that will affect over three hundred dwellings and you have the makings of a bad dream.

Whatever happens, it should be a most interesting period of time.

Highway 76 Bridge repair in 2013!

If any of the rumors I’ve heard are true, the bridge that crosses Bull Shoals just east of Forsyth Missouri will be shut down sometime in 2013 for the better part of a year. This is needed to be done as major repairs are needed to this structure that goes back to 1953.

The problem this will cause is obvious. The highway is a major artery for much of the commuter traffic that runs between cities like Forsyth, Taneyville and Cedar Creek to and from the Branson area. Likewise, many area businesses would be severely affected by any disruption in existing traffic patterns.

So, a solution must be found that would cause the least amount of disruption, not only to existing traffic patterns, but also to state budgets. One idea I had would be for a group like the Army to come in an erect a pontoon bridge adjacent to the existing one. A bridge wide enough to handle two-way traffic would be expensive, but if built in sections, could be used at other locations to satisfy future needs.

Almost two months later and the flood remains!

This side-by side-comparison of water levels in Shadow Rock Park taken May 9^th and June the 25th show why I’m concerned about the future use of the park areas that are so much a part of life here where I live in southwest Missouri. It’s a number of months since we experienced those spring rains that originally caused the problem, but now I’m beginning to wonder if the lake levels will ever get back to ‘normal’. I’ve lived in this area for over twenty years and cannot remember this stretch of Bull Shoals flooding as often as it has recently. I also don’t remember the water level staying so high for so long!

So, where’s the figurative plug in the drain? That would be the Bull Shoals Dam across the Missouri border in Arkansas. Problem is, if the officials were to release the backlog too quickly, they would potentially re-flood a good portion of the state as the White River meanders its way southward. (A casual inspection of the White river, using a site like Google Maps, shows that it runs a very convoluted course with many small towns located along the way). Small riverside towns like Batesville flooded along with many others when the heavy rains fell back in May. So, that’s part of the problem. Any large release up stream right now would just re-flood areas in Arkansas.

Adding to the woes of the Corps of Engineers, recent and continuing heavy rains in the northern Midwest states have added historic amounts of flood water to the Mississippi which is only now beginning to recede back to more normal levels. After nearly two months above flood stage, the waters are now at 47.95 feet early Wednesday, June 22, bringing along with it a shared sigh of relief from many. The question on everyone’s mind now is what the fall rains will bring.

As of this writing, the lake level for Bull Shoals stands at 690 feet plus change. (Check the river levels chart comparing the last three years for some insight as to what that means). Hopefully, that level should begin dropping more rapidly, especially if the Midwest remains relatively dry. Maybe we’ll all get a chance to use the park areas later this fall right before winter sets in!

Taney County Fair 2011

Ask anyone who has ever thrown a large venue community event and they will tell you just how much work it is! This year’s Taney County Fair has the added challenge of being resurrected from scratch, courtesy of the flooding that has innervated the traditional site located in Shadow Rock Park.

The sheer amount of work that is involved to bring together the infrastructure required to put on an event of this size is mind boggling to me. Tons of earth has to be moved; fences erected and viewing stands put up. Then, there was the need for lots and lots of electricity to supply power for all the lights and rides. Finally, the rides have to be brought in and erected in time for it all to come together.

Just thinking about all the logistics makes my head hurt. The only thing that could hurt this fair’s success would be a failure of the public to show up! So, show up OK?

I encourage everyone in Taney County to make an effort this year to show your support for the hard work done by so few for the enjoyment of so many.

Additional information can be obtained by visiting the Fair Boards Web Site.