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June 20, 2005 -- Vol. 5 Issue 25 Written by Jack R. Simpson (unless otherwise noted), owner of J.R. Simpson & Associates, Inc. and contributing editor to The Waterways Journal.
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 In This Newsletter:
Headline Errors
"Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide" A Personal Note From Jack
 I know this is a personal thing with me, but I would like to applaud Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who has made it known that she opposes expansion of gambling. The Louisiana Senate just denied the Delta Queen Steamboat Company the right to place gambling operations on the American Queen. The author of the bill said it would help the company compete against foreign cruise ships. I have nothing against the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. B&B readers don’t read much from me about my opposition to what started out years ago as riverboat gambling. But I opposed it vigorously in "Waterways Journal" editorials until it became apparent that people preferred to be fleeced rather than stay away from the dice and one-armed bandits. As I (and others) predicted years ago, the gambling industry has worked diligently to knock down barriers to "wide open" operations. In the St. Louis area, for example, it was first required that casino boats had to cruise. Later, the industry got that requirement eliminated (with some good reason, I must admit) because putting gambling boats loaded with people out on busy waterways is dangerous. Also, getting rid of the rule meant that the companies would not have to cruise to operate. They could stay at the dock. Next came the moat caper. If they put boats in moats, they’d still float without danger of sinking in a river. So all up and down the rivers boats moved to moats. Now the law reads that boats must be within 1,000 feet of the channel. Still being fought in the St. Louis area is the $500 loss limit. I think this law is violated regularly, but industry still wants to eliminate it. They will eventually. As you will read below, Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. is poised to break ground on a $250 million casino, hotel, et al, up the bank from the Mississippi. No boats involved at all! Actually the whole gambling boat scene has turned into a joke, in my opinion. The "St. Louis Post-Dispatch" reports monthly how much each casino boat has "won." My point is that the boats don’t win anything. It is programmed gambling and only a few participants are allowed to take home more money than they brought. But the boats provide money for the state, and legislators have bought into the idea that it is good for us stupid people to have that source of money available. At first gambling money was to be for education. So they directed it toward education and reduced the amount the state provided for education from other sources. Nice simple swap, right? Never mind how many people become addicted, how many families hurt financially because of this addiction, nor how many businesses are defrauded by employees who are addicted and need money. There are other related ills, but we have traveled this road before, and our brilliant legislators and gaming commissioners will continue to amaze us with their brilliance. For Those Inclined To Pray
 We have modified the steps for joining our Prayer Circle. If you visit the Prayer Circle link on at www.littleriverbooks.com, you will find that those who sign up are completely anonymous. We do not ask for first names nor states of residence. Joining is as simple as providing an email address to which we can send future prayer requests. Each prayer request list includes a link for including requests.
By joining our Prayer Circle, you can tap into the prayerful support of circle members wherever they are. Membership and prayer requests are open to everyone. Newsletter News
It may seem to some of you to be a long time coming; and it has been. But we are adding more than $4,000 worth of new computer hardware, printer, scanner and software to make our operation more efficient. As some new readers may not know, in addition to the newsletter we maintain a web site called www.littleriverbooks.com, which contains a sub-site called Portal to the Waterways, which is sponsored in part by marine organizations and some individual donors. I must confess that I am not ashamed to seek this support, because it enables us to maintain our web sites and letters. Whether you represent a company, organization or are an individual, you can learn how you can participate in this venture by clicking here. I am happy to inform all of you that I have christened my new scanner "Mark" for a very nice Indiana gentleman who generously contributed to the cause. Web Site News
You might wish to take a spin on our Portals web site to see some of the new material we have added. We are beginning now to update the segments to keep up with changing legislative actions that impact the water resource development and navigation. Advertising
Your classified ad can go in this space for $10 for one week, $20 for two weeks, $25 for three weeks, and $30 for four weeks. For details click here. On The Waterfront
Little River Books To Be At Grafton Little River Books will be have book tables at the Great Rivers Towboat Festival at Grafton, Ill., again this year. (See the next article.) We will help make it possible for festival goers to donate and receive a 2005 Great River Towboat Festival button. Hope to see many of you there on June 25 or 26. Great Rivers Towboat Festival Draws Closer at Grafton, Ill. (An Update)  Plans for Great Rivers Towboat Festival (known commonly as the Grafton Towboat Festival) are near completion as arrangements come together and the grounds setup come into view. The festival is June 25 and 26 along the Grafton riverfront, and the theme is "A Celebration of Life on the Rivers."
The whole shebang is located by The Loading Dock & Riverside Flea Market.  We have been assured that there will be souvenir buttons available again this year. You’ll sure want to latch on to one of those if you’re in the neighborhood. In addition to lettering depicting the festival, there is a towboat emblazoned over an Illinois map and a star depicting Grafton.
It appears that there will be a repeat of the popular "Meet the Captains & Cooks" tent this year. Hopefully it would include chairs to enable convenient visiting among visitors. You just look for the big "Meet the Captains & Cooks" sign. Among venders on hand will be Cherokee Barge & Boat, and, of course, Little River Books will be there. The Admirals R.C. Boat Club will set up and again display working models of radio controlled vessels.  On Saturday, June 25, the program will include an ongoing rope throwing contest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Live music by Paul Jarvis & the Zydeco Crawdaddys (sic) beginning at 2 p.m.; and fr^e towboat tours (conditions permitting) from noon to 4 p.m. Another musician, Bill Fowler, will also be performing river songs from 10 a.m. to noon.
The fr^e tours will continue on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Music will again be provided by the Paul Jarvis group.  The above features are just a smattering. We have no complete list of attractions, but we know many groups are on hand to make the festival most interesting. We know there will be a crawfish and shrimp boil. Rose Stauffer, a 30-year veteran of riverboat cooking will be on hand with her cookbooks. The Lewis and Clark Mobile exhibit will be sited in Grafton for both days. Last year the place was jumping like a carnival midway.
According to an ad published on June 13 in "The Waterways Journal," Luhr Brothers, Columbia, Ill., will provide the Mv. Twyla Luhr, and B&H Towing, Paducah, Ky., will provide the Mv. Mary Harter for the tours. Admission to the festival is free. An interesting attraction is made available merely by the site location. Throughout the two days of the festival towboats push their barges within very close range. For additional information, call 618/786-7000 or 1-800-AltonIL. Firm Wants To Buy And Scrap Admiral, Dock New Casino Boat The "St. Louis Post-Dispatch" reports that the city of St. Louis has given preliminary support to putting a new casino between the Eads and Martin Luther King bridges on Laclede’s Landing. Columbia Sussex Corp. wants to buy the President Casino on the Admiral for $57 million, scrap the Admiral, and replace it with a new vessel on the riverfront site. Columbia Sussex is a hotel and casino operator based in Fort Mitchell, Ky. In the meantime, Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., is ready to break ground on a $250 million casino, hotel, and mixed-use project directly across Interstate 70 from the Edward Jones Dome, the "Post" reported. Stay tuned! American Queen Featured in "Denver Post" Travel Section If you can find your way to the "Denver Post", i.e. http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_0002595492, you will discover a travel article by Mim Swartz, travel editor, featuring the American Queen and the Mississippi River. It is lengthy, and we can’t run it. But it’s great promo for the boating industry. Give it a try. You might also try: DenverPost.com – travel. Bold Energy Amendments Introduced (An Update) "Renewable Energy Access" reports that with the energy bill debate heating up, two senators, Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.) and John Kerry (D-Mass) have introduced the National Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) amendment. It creates a renewable energy standard under which utilities would be required to gradually increase the amount of electricity produced from renewable energy resources, starting at 2.5 percent in 2006 and leveling out at 20 percent in 2020. Sen. The bill would allow the states to set standards higher than federal requirements. Jeffords said that currently less than two percent of the electricity generated in our country is produced by clean, renewable energy sources. Jeffords if the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Barge Spills 1,200 Gallons Of Red Diesel Fuel Into James River Fox News has reported that a 300-foot barge owned by Vane Line Bunkering of Baltimore, Md., ran aground on rocks May 8 and spilled from 1,200 to 2,000 gallons of red diesel fuel into the James River. An aerial review of the scene on May 9 revealed that booms had contained virtually all of the spill. A Short Take -- Fox News Makes "Startling" Announcement It’s news to us. The June 15 report by Fox News reported only one thing we hadn’t reported before. The Missouri River, it said, "spanned eight states and MORE THAN 25,000 MILES…" The Corps of Engineers boasts of only 12,000 miles of navigable waterways in the entire United States. Years ago the figure was commonly presented as 25,000 miles of inland waterways. Plans For Shipwreck Museum Announced "Business News" in New Orleans has reported that Odyssey Marine Entertainment Inc. will open an interactive shipwreck and treasure attraction in the French Quarter of New Orleans this summer. Located in the Jax Brewery, Odyssey’s Shipwreck & Treasure Adventure will display stories behind some of the world’s most famous shipwrecks, their treasure and historical artifacts. The attraction is not free ($13.95 for adults and $8.95 for children ages 3-12) but it sounds like a fascinating adventure for a metal detector buff and ex-Navy man like me. — Jack Louisiana Senate Denies American Queen Gambling "Rights" (An Update) Reports out of Louisiana indicate that the state Senate has said "No!" to gambling during two-day Mississippi River cruises by the American Queen. The vote was 15-19 against the bill. It was reported that Gov. Kathleen Blanco opposes any expansion of gambling. Rep. Danny Martiny (R-Kenner) had introduced the bill in an effort to help the Delta Queen Steamboat Company compete with foreign cruise ships. advertisement
The River School - Deck and engineer licenses, radar observer, tankerman, fire and water safety courses, video programs. Travel classes in convenient locations. (800) 238-7113 www.riverschool.com Our Readers Write
Re: NOAA Report About Coastal Area Dropping Into The Sea Cecil Smith was instrumental in getting the Brandenburg waterfront rip-rapped several years ago. Over time, however, the rock has slid toward the river. The bank continues to erode and the big cottonwood at the foot of Main Street is doomed. My question - if the river is gonna take land, then why can’t we do like the Dutch and claim land from the river? What’s wrong with building retaining walls or building coffer dams and back-filling with rock, dirt and debris? Does that sound crazy? Ron Richardson Recipe Box
If you are a towboat cook, home chef, backyard barbecuer, tailgater, or know anybody who is, please pass the word along to submit recipes to www.littleriverbooks.com where they can go to "Other Services" on the menu. This site is nicely designed and easy to explore. It also provides an easy way to contribute recipes. Keep in mind that towboat crews can number from a few to a dozen or more.   New Recipe Book: We have just stumbled upon a great little book called "Once Upon A Recipe", which contains great food for kids of all ages. The best part is that this book was published back when publishing costs were much cheaper. For example, as the cover reveals, "Each colorful page of this cookbook is designed to stir a different dream. You’ll find Frog Prince Tortilla Pie, Tinker Bell’s Raspberry Buns, Old Lady in the Shoe Box Lunch, Curiouser & Curiouser Casserole, Baloo’s Mint Brownies and Aesop’s Fabled Chicken. Over 50 recipes in all. All easy. All delicious. All nutritious. You and your child will be eating Happily Ever After." The "Better Homes & Gardens" editor-in-chief called the book "enchanting." "The New York Times" said it is "one sixth graders and their parents would appreciate" and "there are lots of tie-ins with children’s literature." Author Karen Greene was the publisher and founding editor of "Delicious!" a magazine about healthy foods and lifestyles read by more than 350,000 consumers each month. I am not nuts about cookbooks, but I am crazy about this one. It originally was released at $11.95. Almost every single page in the book has colorful illustrations and wonderful recipes, and interesting children’s stories woven in. It was published at a time when costs were much lower. Today one cannot even begin to approach a book of color for this price unless it is one of the big press runs by a major company with hundreds of thousands of books printed. When the mechanics of marketing got too costly for the dwindling supply, the price was lowered to $6.00. I ran across them by pure accident and managed to buy what I believe to be the remaining supply. Consequently, you can buy this 96-page full-color recipe book from Little River Books for $5 plus S&H. Even if you do not cook, you can have a great time sharing this book with your children or grandchildren and enjoying the wonderful art work. These books are in brand new condition. PETER PIPER’S RED & YELLOW PEPPERED PITA PIZZAS 2 servings. This is the proverbial pita pizza, but instead of pickled peppers, we’ll provide plenty of fiber via the peck of un-pickled peppers we’ll pick to place on our pitas. Perhaps we’ll cut the peppers in perfectly ridiculous ways, as well. Let’s hope Peter approves. Prep Time: 10 minutes Baking Time: 5 minutes ½ red and ½ yellow sweet pepper, washed and seeded 6 teaspoons olive oil 2 whole grain pitas 2 tablespoons natural spaghetti sauce or tomato paste ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese (or other favorite cheese) sprinkle of oregano or Italian Blend Seasonings* 1. Heat 4 teaspoons of oil in a small skillet. With a pair of kitchen scissors, cut starts, sunbursts, moons and other fun shapes out of the sweep peppers. Chop the trimmings and sauté them all in the skillet until just a bit soft, about 5 minutes. 2. Spread 1 teaspoon of oil on each pita. Then spread 1 tablespoon of sauce or paste on each pita. Sprinkle with cheese. Decorate with your peppers. Sprinkle with spices. 3. Heat in toaster oven or regular oven on 400 degrees for approximately 5 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly. *available in natural food stores Boat Photo Center
 In this week’s Photo Center we have: the Jack D. Wofford, Mitch Jones, Virginia Ingram, R. Clayton McWhorter and Joseph Patrick Eckstein from Jim Klosterboer; the Mvs. Christopher M and Kansas City from Ron Richardson; and the Terry Gifford, Allen L. Martin, Charlie Everhart, Eastern Star and Southern Star from Jeffrey L. Yates. The response to my request for Photo Center pictures met with great results. We already have a full set of pictures scheduled for June 27. It will make this week's schedule much easier. Many thanks! — Jack Advertisement
I have a 35 mm Nikon F2 in mint condition and lots of other goodies for a combined price of $750. The only lens is a 52 mm Nikormat macro (and extender ring) that allows for shooting relatively normal pictures (no telephoto zoom or wide angle) that allows focusing down to about 2 inches. Other accessories include horsehide camera bag (large boxy type), and various extras too numerous to describe. I will not break up the package. Anyone interested can contact me by calling 314/921-4419 and ask for Jack, or via email at jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com. Book Beat
 The "Mariner’s Guide To The Inland Rules", by Capt. Mark A. Tilford and Cmdr. William D. Kline (both USCG Ret.) has been revised and updated. As rivermen know, of all of the laws and regulations written that apply to mariners, the first and principle one is the "Rules of the Road." For those who operate vessels, practical knowledge of the Rules is the key to preventing collisions.
A major feature of this book is a color section that illustrates the location of lights required on all types of vessels during all manner of situations. This second edition of the "Mariner’s Guide to the Inland Rules" continues the authors’ purpose to provide a practical reference for rivermen and inland mariners. Of particular note is a pending change in the status of the "Rules" themselves from law contained in the "United States Code" to regulations found in the "Code of Federal Regulations." The new edition contains in it everything the authors know about teaching "Rules of the Road" — gleaned from more than 20 years of experience. The books publisher, The River School, Memphis, Tenn., maintains an updated version of the "Inland Rules" posted on the school’s web site at www.riverschool.com. The new book is available immediately from Little River Books for $34.95 plus S&H. Nautical Gift Shop
Steamboat Clock & Barometer - The hinged porthole-style case is solid brass with a lacquered antique finish. It has quartz movement for convenience and accuracy and runs on one AA battery. The matching Steamboat Barometer has visible aneroid barometer movement, and the antique brass case is hinged so that the movement is accessible from the front.280522 Steamboat Quartz Clock $136.49 280722 Steamboat Barometer $146.99 Tow Talkin'
June 20, 2005 By Kathy Flippo Touring a towboat is a rare privilege that will be available as part of my home town, Clinton, Iowa’s, Sesquicentennial Celebration. June 25 and 26 noon to four, Clinton’s Riverview Drive. ARTCO is graciously lending the beautiful towboat American Beauty for people to tour. She was built in 1968 by St. Louis Ship and is 170 feet long and 45 feet wide with two GM diesels turning out 5,400 horsepower.  These tours are free. The boat will be docked at the Clinton City Front just south of the gambling and show boats, No children or teens will be allowed aboard without an accompanying parent. Wear closed-toe shoes like tennies or loafers for your safety, not flip-flops. Sorry, but the boat is not handicap accessible.
The Upper Mississippi River has always played a part in the history of Clinton, starting as the highway the first settlers traveled. Ferries soon began operating, bringing in more settlers. Great log rafts were floated down from… to continue reading, click here. See you on the Web, Jack Little River Books jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com Don't forget to visit our website! |
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