Howdy, we're possibly getting our first snow in our area on Saturday.  At one half inch expected, our city is ready to shut down.  We really do shut down at one inch.  It is the northeasterly big storm coming with the east coast at New England states expected to get a Blizzard.  Again, at one half inch, we're ready to shut down.  Man the grocery stores for the bread and milk, folks.  And, Movies.

Owensboro, Ky, is getting their first wind with an option on some land from the American Legion that is now working to get TIF help from the city or legislature.  Kentucky Properties signed the option last night, the city of Owensboro is all abuzz and excited to see the first phase of the excitement coming for their river front development.  This city is renovating their river front to the tune of $45 million dollars, folks.  We're talking major changes.  So, the properties lining the street across from the river are now starting to step up and do some neat things.  Now, what is this development project remains to be seen.  The developers are keeping mum as they feel doing otherwise will hinder what they want to develop.  As soon as I hear, read, or know, I will tell you....should have called the Chamber of Commerce or such....I will find out.

Things are happening in our area of the Ohio River.  You will be so surprised by the many, many great things that are happening in our area of the country.  It will be stellar all along the river in Indiana and Kentucky.  We will welcome any and all river boats.  Times are changing, people are waking up to situations, folks are rising to state that we want to see more river boating here and we're all going to go for it.  SO, stay tuned to the central part of our country.  You will be very surprised in one to two years from now.  It will blow your mind, folks.  I'm so proud.

Have a great Holiday season, remember the reason for the season, take some time for yourself, make those snow angels in the snow, whistle some great Christmas tune when shopping and humming along with the MUZAK in the mall.  I know, this is cheesey, but hey, it is Christmas!!  Mary

Howdy, and a Ho, Ho, Ho, to all you elves helping Santa fill those floors under the Christmas tree.  The shoppers here have come in droves.....joining the hustle and bustle of the season.  Our airport is getting only minor amounts of slow downs from the weather.  Whatever happens in Chicago and Atlanta affects us greatly.  If either is having a bad hair day, we are the brunt of that weather.  Things went very smoothly during the Thanksgiving flyers, a lot from early bookings.

The State of Kentucky, one of our neighbors, will be getting a new Governor.  It is expected for the legislation to bring gambling into a vote of some sort.  Since there are some horse track race places, different games can crop up there.  I don't know if it would mean bringing river boat gambling to this state eventually or not.  The main thrust is parlor betting, I believe it is called.  Owensboro and Henderson, Kentucky, both in our media market, are watching this certain possible generator of dollars.  That brings some tourists, evens the playing field of where folks come to gamble.  So, our state, Indiana, will be watching the possible development of more gambling, than state lotteries or the Powerball happening.   Believe it or not, our state of Indiana is third after Nevada, (Atlantic City) New Jersey, in gambling sales generated in our country.  Wild, isn't it.

This basketball, Indianapolis 500, The Colts, state is third in gambling sales. SO, we get a lot of folks from all over.  Business is good. 

Here's a  treat.  Our state of Indiana is looking at streamlining and changing how to run our government from our state constitution of 150 years.  Yep, we've gone for some change.  On Tuesday of this week we find out a committee's opinion how to streamline how we run our state.

It is long over due.  We had major upsets in our General Election races....but, in our city the Primary race we only had 5% vote, in the General Election on up to 20% of voters even showed up.  It is time for some changes.  Folks want changes, get to the things you find in 2007, not from decades past.  I'm hoping for the Presidential election coming we'll have more interested voters to show up at the polls.  Golly, I don't even think dead people voted this time.  People want change. 

Our great Governor Mitch Daniels is working to change how our state runs.  That is neat stuff.  He is a progressive past businessman of Eli Lilly Co, a pharmaceutical group.  So, it will be interesting.  I hope that we can get these changes passed in legislation than locally.  The locals wouldn't do consolidation of government, as some other of our largest cities, so the state decided to step up and find a way to streamline government and make things run like a business and Fire whoever needs to be gotten down the road.  So, in our neck of the country, there are changes ahead.  We'll streamline, Kentucky will find its way of gambling....although, this state has dry counties every so often....and, this state produces Bourbon and other colorful drinks.....made for cooking, also, of course.  Have you ever had a Bourbon ball.  A kick.  But, a holiday delight.  Candy made colorful.

Well, hope your Holiday shopping will be eventful, safe, and filled more with cheer than a big HoHum.  It is a time to be courteous to your fellow man and provide a smile to all you meet.  It is the time to remember we have to be thankful and respectful to all mankind.  Ho, Ho, Ho.   Mary