Howdy, a lot has been going on lately in our neck of the woods, er, Ohio River. 

Yep, a tow with 18 barges or so hit the Twin Bridges in Henderson, Ky, recently.  The barges sat there for a bit til the folks looked over things.  The Kentucky Department of Transportation stated on TV that there wasn't much damage to the Twin Bridges and all looked rather good.

It is going to be river boat season starting across the country and some boats are doing business now.  How, about supporting these fine folks no matter the size of the boat to continue having our national waterways flourish with great boating whether steamboat, river boat, or yachts.  Our Jasper, Indiana has added a new five car train to go take passengers to the new French Lick, Indiana, Casino and resort.  The folks can visit the West Baden Hotel, too.  It is a way to have an attraction to their city to tie in with the French Lick Casino, which is superb in attractive construction and detail.

Evansville, Indiana, may have a new Casino with possibly the Carano family from Nevada, which also owns a casino in Shreveport, LA, and in Nevada, all called "Eldorado".  It is a family owned business, so they answer to themselves.  The sale would be about $245 million dollars including restaurants, Hotels in a block area, eateries up the wazoo.

The folks are thinking of adding new technological slots inside the boat, the Mayor wants a new river boat for the Casino, the Carano family doesn't mind but what/who pays for that, the exterior erector set outdated way of boarding the boat is being looked at, etc.  So, by June of 2008, it will be interesting to see what is done with the Casino boat called 'City of Evansville'.  It is only used upstairs, US Coast Guard won't let them build a neat restaurant and bar on lower deck incase of terrible river traffic hits.  That would have been a cool thing to have for them.  The company 'Eldorado' is suppose to add glitzy Las Vegas style look to everything.  I hope.  It is needed.

Still hoping to secure the Port of Evansville.  That is my way of docking possible boats.  Otherwise, some elected officials in our city now want to only allow boats to dock here is you pay a fee of some sort, or a percentage of sales to them.  Who is them, who knows.  I was told I should pay something to 'make my life easier' and to pay it to our Port Authority, who is evidently running past empty in funds.  Don't know that, was told so by some.  I told the elected officials, and our local newspaper editor that I don't mind paying a FLAT fee to help promote advertising for our river front, or bands to come play along the river, but why am I paying you all when I can go elsewhere with boats FOR  FREE!!  So, I have to secure that Port of Evansville, folks and make a neat destination project.  (In today's newspaper online "Leevee Board Budget almost Dry" they are even almost out of money from high electric cost from pump use.  www.evansvillecourierpressonline.com)

No joking on that.  Another two cities will negotiate with me on a permanent boat, one more tolerant on any fee thing and other would possibly give incentives for any permanent venue.  So, in that, for their kind gesture---I'd about offer them some money just for being HUMAN.

Been in business 25 years with different small businesses and NEVER has paid anyone on the side to do business.  So, that was a stunner to me.  I was told 'everyone downtown does it'.  Well, first I heard that one, lately.  So, when I get a permanent river boat or yacht to come, or visit, me and my lawyer will call the US Coast Guard first and then we'll contact whoever to dock.  Hopefully, it is from my dock.  One guy will privately help me locally for a boat ramp and marina.  He has the largest marina and yacht docking in this area---just for him helping I may offer some stipend, just for the principle. (Nu Plaza Yacht Club)  So, kids, I need to secure that Port of Evansville or I may be docking at a dock near YOU!!  

Even after Katrina, when the Natchez came, some folks with the 'municipal' dock in Evansville, Indiana, felt they should pay for the trash. Say, what.  For national boats, you pay the water, the trash, possibly the sewage or help steer them to that, but you don't charge certain things as they help you in tourism, help you to get your town on the Marketing map,

and gets a possible other boat to visit you.  I keep in there.  Got some Hotels looking to possibly help me with this project, one Hotelier wants to come and keeps in there....but, whew, do I have the time on this??

Well, gotta' go, it's lunch, more calls to make.  Come to a great event the day AFTER the 'Great American Steamboat' Race.  I have a "Derby Party on the Ohio River" on the Belle of Louisville, Thursday, May 1, 2008, board at 8:30pm, cruise from 9:00pm to 11:00pm.  Call or email for reservations at:  ohioriverboatcruises@netzero.com  or call me at 812-484-8692.  Love to have you aboard!!  Jazz music, BBQ, wine tasting/beer brewery, Deli food also.  It will be FUN, FUN!!  Come Aboard!! if you can!!  Mary

Howdy, folks, hope you have secured your tickets for the "Great American Steamboat" race.  All race fans I'm sure are thrilled for this extravaganza event in Louisville, Kentucky to help whip some fun for the Kentucky Derby.  I'm from Indiana, so we race fans here are use to the Formula One cars, the NASCAR boys now, and wouldn't you know at the Indianapolis 500 Speedway they are going to add motorcycle races.  I can't remember if we are still doing or going to do those funky looking truck races.

So, get ready for some high and mighty racing when the "Great American Steamboat" race comes whipping down the Ohio River.  It will be thrilling, it will be spell binding, it will be a hoot and a few hollers.  Get to Louisville, Kentucky and cheer your favorite steamboat to the finish line....that is the Delta Queen, this year, isn't it.  Get those golden antlers ready, polish those babies up, and lets see the Mighty Ohio River ripped up with some fancy boating machinery racing, dashing and dancing to the finish line.

Let, 'em rip! Give those motors gusto.  Zoom! GOOOooo  DELTA QUEEN!!!

Mary

Howdy, in the southeastern part of Indiana, the southwestern part of Indiana, and western part of Kentucky, there is action for the Delta Queen to visit.  You'll see on the newspaper story to be in Friday's edition of the Evansville Courier and Press newspaper another, yep, another news story of the Delta Queen, where it is in the House Rules Committee, and where in our region it will be.  That Henderson, Ky, has it going on.  Well, so does our Grandview, Indiana, and our distant cousin, Madison, Indiana, near Louisville, Ky. 

The news story can be reached at:  www.evansvillecourierpressonline.com and the story is entitled:  Delta Queen makes 18 stops.  It is a great short story that tells folks how proud we are of a city in our market, just over the bridge of the Ohio River.  We're also proud of Grandview, In, which is right up the river from Evansville, Indiana, and I talked to their Mayor Randy Fisher and he and his town are glowing from the visits of the Delta Queen.  Their folks have a group that makes sure each visit is smooth, what the boat wants, and then some! 

I am plumb proud of how our Ohio River region is celebrating this season of the Delta Queen.  It will be heart warming.  You will see the calendar listed in this article when the Delta Queen will be in Henderson, Ky.  They know how to do it right.  They don't get into anyone's way or cause a stir.  They do their job and that is it.  I'm so proud of them.

Well, hope you check out the story.  It tells about the "Save the Delta Queen Campaign", too.  We're very lucky that our new newspaper editor makes mention of the Delta Queen.  In the past our newspaper folks, many at new assigned jobs or gone, just wasn't into river boats from fear of bucking the LST 325.  I believe that was a mistake and unfair to both boating situations.  A boat is a boat is a boat.  This newspaper editor knows the economic importance of any riverboat visit.  He gets it.

He's smarter than a fifth grader, Jeff Foxworthy. 

Well, hope you check out our addition to the cause.  We Love the Delta Queen and we're gonna' treat her right this season.  I can feel the excitement steaming along.  Toot, toot!!  Mary

Well, Happy Easter!  to everyone.  It is Good Friday and a day to reflect.

Yesterday, our town, Evansville, Indiana, played host to one of the Democratic Presidential hopefuls, Hillary Clinton.  Now, say what you will about the gal, I may feel it too, but she created quite a stir in our town as we became as a state a part of the Primary race delegate importance.  It hasn't been done for forty years, the political pundents say.  So, it was exciting whoever came to our state and of course, our town. 

During Hillary gal's speech, which was by all accounts quite composed, quite relaxed, and speaking more to what was a mixed crowd of parties, affilliations, and such, she spoke to everyone equally and as if you were sitting down having some coffee. (I saw her plane fly in and the motorcade pass by....and waved. I'm not making any political push for any candidate.) Hillary made a comment about our Ohio River and what an asset it was and mentioned she remembers being in Ohio, and was able to see what asset it was to the folks in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She made an impression that this candidate was interested in seeing our Ohio River used more as an asset.  I thought that was great.  You, go, gal.  Anytime that I've had the opportunity to talk or email one of the Bush Administration folks they appreciate the rivers in our country but I'm sure is willing to work with anyone to help make our rivers even more viable.  I want to make that happen for our area of the country as much as I can. 

The past three years, we've had in our area of the Ohio River folks on both sides of the political parties spat at anyone, mainly me, that wanted to go into territory they had no knowledge, no past interest, or didn't know what could be done on the river.  Very uneducated and not willing to think outside the box from lack of economic development interest. If more politicians showed an interest in our rivers it sure would be easier to see more excitement, more commerce trade, and more pleasure cruises happen.  Maybe that is what is happening with the exemption vote concerning the Delta Queen.   Possibly, if more politicians paid more attention to one of our greatest resources, the rivers, and helped put money into river front development, like what Senator Mitch McConnell did for the state of Kentucky, we'd be in far better shape.  Look at Europe.  They love their water fronts and make great use of it.  It is their pride and passion to have tourists love their rivers.

It may be asking much for politicians to take more of an interest in an asset greatly overlooked since cars and trains advanced more.  But, really, in our history steamboats was commerce, was transportation, was the bringing of entertainment to the towns and river fronts.  We should take an interest in our history.  We are about steamboats.  We are about great use of our rivers, we are the ones who steer what happens to our river fronts.  Heck, if Ole' Hillary understood the greatness in having the Ohio River, why can't our folks.  I was impressed by her comment, and saw some hope.  At least one other person is listening a tad more in Washington, D.C., that is a Democrat.

But, the exemption vote has to get to Senate, first.  I believe Lugar and Bayh of Indiana, McConnell of Kentucky all will vote "Yes" to help the Delta Queen, but we have to get past Congress.  Now, there's the challenge.

Have a great Easter and hope you get a lot of Easter eggs in your basket.

Mary

Howdy, y'all, as I was watching the national news two days ago, lo' and behold House rep. James Oberstar was blazing on the television of NBC news about cracking down on Southwest Airlines.  He's the one who evidently has led the looking into how Southwest Airlines was cutting costs in areas all thought the airlines was 'different' than their competitors.  When I saw him on TV, it just made my blood boil why he didn't want to get the vote for the Delta Queen going.  The news reporter's name was a Tony Costello.  I wouldn't know how one gets ahold of those reporters either.  If someone knows, it may help to contact them.

I did email Paul Harvey as someone on the message board suggested.  I hope they got a lot of emails about the "Save the Delta Queen" campaign.

It sure has been quiet about the 13 House Rules Committee and hope that 'quiet' is good news.  I know that our local media has been patient and would love to cover this story...the exemption vote....and, or what the House Rules Committee will allow.  Hope this silent period is folks working behind the scenes to make this US Coast Guard Reauthorization bill amendment work. 

Well, Oberstar is pouncing on a company that is higer profile, I'm sure in his eyes.  So, finding the US Coast Guard Reauthorization bill probably is the best thing for sure coming down the pike.  Hope it works, folks.  Mary