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July 4, 2005 -- Vol. 5 Issue 27 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
"Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges" A Personal Note From Jack
 The Great Rivers Towboat Festival at Grafton, Ill., on June 25 and 26 came off very well. Little River Books was there, or course. Sorry we couldn’t feel up to giving you a report sooner, but by the time the festivities were over, our newsletter was in the hands of our webmaster.
The weather was hot, HOT, HOT!!! But that didn’t seem to deter the visitors. The music kept everyone hopping. The great food booth with Cajun cuisine did a land office business. Boat tours, as usual, were popular.  More popular for the kids, however, was a neat little rig brought to the festival by the Corps of Engineers. A robotic wave runner, upon which sat a dinosaur or sea monster named Seymour, who stole the show. The purpose of the rig is to spread the word about water safety.
Here’s how it works. As people pass the booth, this purplish sea monster guides his wave runner toward them and Seymour says whatever the Corps operator (behind the scenes but able to see everything) wants him to say. It might be "Hi! Where ya goin’?" Or "You havin’ fun?" When the person addressed responds, the response is carried electronically to the Corps operator, who is off and running. The conversations range from the "pulling teeth" variety, where the operator has to drag out every word, to the active child who pops all kinds of questions. The operator speaks in a normal tone, but the mechanism turns the voice into a delightful cartoon-character type voice. Seymour’s mouth opens and closes as he pretends to talk, and his head turns to follow the motions of the subject. Seymour also guides the boat — or appears to. Occasionally he says, "Sometimes people pull my tail. That hurts!" And then, if the child picks up on it, the tail may get pulled again. Our hats off to the Corps for a very enjoyable experience. As a bystander watching from the LRB book table, it was most entertaining.  Popular again this year were the radio-controlled vessels displayed in a large water-filled pond constructed of hay bales and plastic tarp. The St. Louis Admiral’s R.C. Club, always puts on a good show. The picture we took was taken not at the busiest moment, but it gives an idea as to how it all works.
 I’m not sure why anyone would want to see the Little River Books table, but it does give you the idea that we have lots of books available — a lot fewer after the festival was over. It was a nice crowd.
Debbie Wedding, chairman of the festival committee, and her crew deserve a lot of credit for the work they do in setting up this event. Poor Terry, her husband, was anxious to get back to his boat job. Being at home during the preparations for the festival is much too demanding. We saw him hurrying and scurrying everywhere. 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
We received a lot of nice compliments about the newsletter and web site during the towboat festival at Grafton. Hopefully, we deserved them. Information was passed out, hoping to attract a few more to our subscription lists and visitors to our Little River Books site. Subscribers for B&B now number upwards of 760. Growing slowly but surely. On The Net
For those of you interested in maritime news from the Great Lakes, here is a site that might interest you: http://www.thegreatlakesgroup.com/ 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
Senate Votes Record Money For Waterways All of the major river groups are ballyhooing the $5.3 billion for waterways that the U.S. Senate voted for on July 1. So this report on what apparently is a record amount of money for this purposes actually is a distillation from numerous river news sources. The vote was for $5.298 bill for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works program. That’s $552 million more than the House approved in May, $785 million more than President Bush requested, and $597 million more than Congress enacted for the current year. (You have to remember that the Corps budget has been a penny-pincher for a long time and we haven’t had a Water Resources Development Act since 2000.) "Capitol Currents," online newsletter of the Waterways Council, Inc., quoted Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Thad Cochran on the matter. Even with the large increase, he said, the committee’s recommendation "falls short of what is actually needed to provide efficient levels of funding for all ongoing work." On the inland waterways system, 10 construction and seven major rehabilitation projects received $377.9 million — one half to come from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund — about $12 million more than the House had approved. The Committee’s report found fault with the method used by the Office of Management and Budget to determine project-funding priorities. The committee said the method is narrow and produces skewed results. It suggested as other possible performance measures, "widespread project net benefits, inclusion of system-wide values, acknowledgment of regional benefits, recognition of a wider set of benefits over a longer planning period than just one year, [and] calculations using other interest rates that are more in accordance with the project authorizations." Both the Senate and House bills include $734,000 for "performance-based budgetary support." The Administration had requested $2.5 million "Capitol Currents" reports. As for continuing contracts, the committee maintained that the Corps needs flexibility to manage hundreds of projects. It said the "continuing contract clause [in the] conference report accompanying FY 2005 appropriations contains adequate controls to limit the future obligations of the federal government." The Senate bill funds three major rehabilitation projects (new starts): On the Upper Mississippi it includes $2 million for Lock and Dam 3; some $750,000 for Mel Price Locks and Dam (old Locks and Dam 26); and $1 million for Locks and Dam 27. The bill also provides funds for the most critical shore protection projects, and the report expressed disappointment with the Administration’s new beach policy, which limits funds for beach nourishment. The report said beach tourists contribute $60 billion in taxes. (Editor’s note: Obviously this will all have to be worked out in conference. We can only hope that the Corps will sustain some gains.) House Adjourns Without Taking Up WRDA The U.S. House adjourned July 1 for the Fourth of July recess without taking up the long overdue Water Resources Development Act (H.R. 2864). The Senate is poised to consider soon a companion bill (S. 728). Endangered Pallid Sturgeon Drawing Old Foes Together Over Missouri Flows An interest in preserving endangered species drew together more than 80 federal and state agencies, tribes and other groups last Wednesday and Thursday to discuss how to resolve a long-running dispute over how Missouri River flows are managed. The Corps of Engineers is trying to craft a plan for a spring rise to protect the pallid sturgeon. It’s back to the same old song and dance. The upstream states want more water held back to support more fish reproduction and recreation, while the downstream states want more water released to support barge transportation. Where have we heard this before? Several representatives put forth the rare thought that the needs of the people should come before the needs of endangered species. (Amen! to that.) Meanwhile, Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt challenged the necessity of a plan for managing the Missouri River that would increase flooding in Missouri and hurt Missouri farmers. Stay tuned! Louisiana Senators To Vote Against CAFTA We have reported a lot about the Central American Free Trade Agreement, so we won’t go into details again. But it is significant that both of Louisiana’s senators are reportedly voting against CAFTA. Sen. David Vitter (R) believes CAFTA is a raw deal for the state’s sugarcane industry. Vitter said the "increased imports threaten to flood the U.S. market and devastate the Louisiana sugarcane industry as domestic sugar is displaced by highly-subsidized foreign imports." Also planning to vote "no" is Sen. Mary Landrieu (D). Crossing The Bar
Though we have no specific date, we were informed over the weekend of the Grafton towboat festival that Ingram’s Capt. Billy Burkett of Bay Minette, Ala., died the previous week. 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 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!
HELLO DOLLIES 1 stick butter (may need to add a little extra to make crust) 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 3/4 bag of coconut 3/4 bag of chocolate chips 3/4 bag of butterscotch chips 1 cup chopped pecans 1 can sweetened condensed milk Melt butter in an oblong pyrex glass pan. Sprinkle 1-1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs over melted butter. Pat down to form bottom crust. Layer in order (sprinkle both chips on same layer), then pour sweetened condensed milk atop of all. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool completely, then slice into squares. (This serves as a cookie or a candy!) Submitted by Joyce Cochran-Loyd Retired from W. A. Kernan Boat Photo Center
We have quite a large batch of pictures this week, some that are not boat pictures included. However, they involve sights and sites that rivermen see all the time, so they fit the bill. Before we list the pictures, there is a point that needs to be made about pictures used in the Boat Photo Center: This operation is not scientifically perfect nor is it intended to be. The goal is merely for the pleasure of visitors to our site. While perfect pictures are always desirable, there are pictures that were taken years ago that may be of less quality. We use them anyway, since they reveal scenes we otherwise might not see. Also, while I try to utilize pictures in the order I receive them, it is nearly impossible. When I am in need, I might use half a dozen from the same photographer. When we have plenty and lots of photographers are involved, I may limit use to two or three pictures from each person. No one dictates this procedure. I play no favorites. But I do have a deep respect for those photographers who week after week take time from their busy days to send pictures I may need. I can only ask for patience if some pictures get delayed for a time. But I appreciate all of them. — Jack Now for the pictures:  The first three on our list are related to erosion and trees falling into the Ohio River; they come from Ron Richardson. Also from Ron is a perfectly gorgeous sunset over the Matthew E. Welsh Bridge over the Ohio at Brandenburg, Ky. And what could be more appropriate for the Fourth of July than "Old Glory" ablaze in the early morning sun, by Craig Nowack. Jeffrey L. Yates has sent a scenic from the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, thought there is a boat in the scene. There are also a couple scenes from the Great Rivers Towboat Festival at Grafton, Ill., on June 25 and 26.
We have quite a string of other pictures from Craig, too: the Mary Jane Huffman, Karla Bludworth, Peter Fanchi, New Dawn, Titletown USA, Bill Stegbauer, and Laurie S. Johnston. Finally, also from Jeff, are the C. B. Ford, and three varying shots of the Lillie Gail. Enjoy. Our Readers Write
Re: Eminent domain and government contracting (B&B 6/27/05) I, too, am disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling this week. It opens up huge opportunity for cities and developers to conspire to remake cities however they want to. We have recent issue here in Lakeville, Minn., where the city purchased land from individuals then resold it to a developer at far less then the city paid. The VP of the development company is the former city administrator. When a citizen brought this up to city council, he was basically threatened by the mayor and subject to anonymous threats. The mayor (one of the good ole boy network) has stated that no more staff time will be spent on this issue and that the matter is closed. I do not have kind words for our city government anyway. Now it is just more so. If I speak up, I may find myself the subject of harassment by the police again. The other issue — the contracting out [of] government functions — also strikes a big cord with me. I am finding my job threatened with this very issue. Apparently, the government feels that a private company can do a better job — no make that a cheaper job. Boeing has been lobbying this issue for years. In their little world, all would be right with the world if they got their hands on us. There would be no government deficits, a strong economy and probably peace in the Middle East, if you read their propaganda. This is Boeing, the company that sold U.S. defense technology to the Chinese and fraudulently won an Air Force contract for new tankers. After this was made public, the Pentagon withdrew the contract and it is out for re-bid. Boeing is also pushing to re-engine the B-52 bombers. Instead of purchasing them, the Air Force would lease them, and Boeing would maintain them. That might work okay at Minot or Bossier City, but when it’s 0300 and that plane has to go and the base in some remote hot spot of the world [that] is being attacked, who is going to be out there working on it — some contractor or the guy with three stripes on his sleeve? I have no disagreement that there are some functions that can be handled better by a private entity. But those functions should be limited to those [that are] at no expense to the government (the company can charge for their product or service) or at least in which critical services are not impacted by the whims of the board of directors. This should not be simply a plan to transfer government (read taxpayer’s) money into the hands of private companies for them to do with as they see fit. The Post Office, for all the grief they get, provides a base level service that is accessible to everyone in the country no matter where they are. Fed Ex and UPS don’t because some places cost more to serve then others. They can pick and choose the cream of the business and leave the others out in the cold. Thanks for keeping up the good fight. Jim Mihalek Lakeville, MN 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
We have to tell you that the " Once Upon A Recipe" cook book, recently introduced by Little River Books, was by far the best seller at our table at Grafton during the towboat festival. One lady bought three copies. Another bought two. Also popular was "Portraits of the Past: Steamboats of the Western Rivers."   " Once Upon A Recipe" contains great food for kids of all ages! 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. "Portraits From The Past: Steamboats of the Western Rivers" - Drawings & Text by Neal R. Fink.  This 14- by 8.5-inch book contains 17 drawings of sternwheel and sidewheel steamboats on heavy enamel stock pages, all keyed with registration marks so that the pictures can be removed and framed. Trimmed, the pictures will 
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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  Oval Brass Bulkhead Light - This brass bulkhead light can use up to a 60w electric bulb and mounts with two screws. The frosted glass lens is protected by a brass framework. Can also be overhead mounted. Dimensions: 5-3/8" wide x 7-5/8" long x 4-3/8" deep. Light source: 110v electric, 60 watt max.2034 Oval Brass Bulkhead Light $59.99  Log Books - Attractive, embossed covers made of heavy, flexible, waterproof material. The spiral bindings allow pages to open flat for ease in recording information. Every log contains over 80 pages for recording critical information, in addition to handy quick reference pages covering various topics. All logs are designed to fit inside the covers shown below.
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Tow Talkin'
July 4, 2005 By Kathy Flippo The final major Sesquicentennial event in the city of Clinton, Iowa, was the touring of ARTCO’s towboat, American Beauty, and a beauty she is. That boat gleamed from the  engineroom to the pilothouse and from the tow knees to the stern. The crew said they didn’t know what they’d do for the rest of the summer, the customary time to spiff up a towboat, because they’ve got her looking absolutely gorgeous now. Heaven help the first shadfly that dares to light on her!
June 25 and 26th were the tour dates, with folks going through the boat from noon to four. It was HOT and HUMID and yet 723 people took the free tour. HOT and HUMID it was! I lost five… 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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