The art of making Burgoo goes hi-tech???
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
What to do with all that stimulus money
Now that our congresscritters have decided to spend $800 billion of my (well most of it ain't mine personally) money. City leaders across the state have dollar signs in their eyes making plans to get some of that government cheese. Local leaders are not exempt and have started dreaming.
The funding of the bypass extension mentioned in the story is a reputable use of the money I guess. Let's face it, if the bypass extension isn't built, we'll end up with a new hospital in the middle of a cornfield.
So the 'ole Curmudgeon got to thinking, what other projects could we use that money for? Re-defining the term "shovel-ready project" I present to you my list:
1) $80 million for downtown development - build a big fire pit downtown and burn the $80 million, matching the results for the $80 million we are already going to spend.
2) $125 million for tourism - Fund a research project to clone Bill Monroe and bring a revival to Bluegrass music (double points because the project involves high tech industries).
3) $5 million for the agriculture industry - Renovate the Riverpark center into a big tobacco barn - maybe then it would get some use.
4) $10 million for local charities - Fund gold plated burgoo kettles for all the local church cooking teams. Yeah, lets add some bling to our burgoo.
5) $10 million for a new marketing/branding strategy for the city - we know $50,000 won't do it.
6) $1 or so million for road improvement - change the signs on the Natcher and Audobon parkway so that the rest of the country will think Interstates run to Owensboro - wait, check that, project already in progress.
7) $6 million for traffic flow improvement - fund a 3 acre expansion of the Big Dipper parking lot.
8) $4 million for local agricultural initiatives - tap into local expertise in plant biotechnology to cross a tobacco plant with a tomato to make a tomato that's addictive (credit The Simpsons for this idea).
9) $50 million for tourism - build two new hotels and a convention center to set empty, the old empty ones are getting pretty run down.
10) $12 million for airport expansion - extend and strengthen runways so they can accommodate a 747 in anticipation of the wild success Allegiant Airways will have with their new service.
11) $9.2 million for an automotive industry bailout - build a factory to make UHaul trucks to accommodate the demand of people moving out of the city.
12) $100 million for new job creation - build 50 new fast food restuarants with jobs that pay minimum wage. Why fix what ain't broke?
13) $20 million for technology infrastructure - Vastly increase the population's access to the internet by providing free dial-up access.
14) $750,000 for a local history project - Hire a detective to figure out just who was behind the "Merger Stinks" skunk (you are truly old school if you remember that one.
15) $20 million for a new entertainment district - District to be anchored by a 3,000 seat "Vegas-style" showroom. John Brennan signed to a multi-year contract for two shows a night, five nights a week. Velvet Bombers to perform on dark nights.
16) $48 million for public health - Install moving walkways the entire length of the Green-belt to encourage its use. Remaining money to be used to make streets and sidewalks more "Rascal" friendly.
17) $60 utility infrastructure upgrades - Kenergy to research wireless power transmission technology, won't have to deal with all those pesky downed power lines when the next disaster hits.
18) $250 stimulation of the automobile industry - Release copious amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere causing an increase in global warming, allowing Don Moore to run his "It's Hot Don" commercials year round.
19) $2 billion for improvement in government relations - The entire city of Owensboro will be moved between Louisville and Lexington so we can be inside the golden triangle.
That's all I got, the peanut gallery is open if you have any "shovel-ready" projects to suggest.
The funding of the bypass extension mentioned in the story is a reputable use of the money I guess. Let's face it, if the bypass extension isn't built, we'll end up with a new hospital in the middle of a cornfield.
So the 'ole Curmudgeon got to thinking, what other projects could we use that money for? Re-defining the term "shovel-ready project" I present to you my list:
1) $80 million for downtown development - build a big fire pit downtown and burn the $80 million, matching the results for the $80 million we are already going to spend.
2) $125 million for tourism - Fund a research project to clone Bill Monroe and bring a revival to Bluegrass music (double points because the project involves high tech industries).
3) $5 million for the agriculture industry - Renovate the Riverpark center into a big tobacco barn - maybe then it would get some use.
4) $10 million for local charities - Fund gold plated burgoo kettles for all the local church cooking teams. Yeah, lets add some bling to our burgoo.
5) $10 million for a new marketing/branding strategy for the city - we know $50,000 won't do it.
6) $1 or so million for road improvement - change the signs on the Natcher and Audobon parkway so that the rest of the country will think Interstates run to Owensboro - wait, check that, project already in progress.
7) $6 million for traffic flow improvement - fund a 3 acre expansion of the Big Dipper parking lot.
8) $4 million for local agricultural initiatives - tap into local expertise in plant biotechnology to cross a tobacco plant with a tomato to make a tomato that's addictive (credit The Simpsons for this idea).
9) $50 million for tourism - build two new hotels and a convention center to set empty, the old empty ones are getting pretty run down.
10) $12 million for airport expansion - extend and strengthen runways so they can accommodate a 747 in anticipation of the wild success Allegiant Airways will have with their new service.
11) $9.2 million for an automotive industry bailout - build a factory to make UHaul trucks to accommodate the demand of people moving out of the city.
12) $100 million for new job creation - build 50 new fast food restuarants with jobs that pay minimum wage. Why fix what ain't broke?
13) $20 million for technology infrastructure - Vastly increase the population's access to the internet by providing free dial-up access.
14) $750,000 for a local history project - Hire a detective to figure out just who was behind the "Merger Stinks" skunk (you are truly old school if you remember that one.
15) $20 million for a new entertainment district - District to be anchored by a 3,000 seat "Vegas-style" showroom. John Brennan signed to a multi-year contract for two shows a night, five nights a week. Velvet Bombers to perform on dark nights.
16) $48 million for public health - Install moving walkways the entire length of the Green-belt to encourage its use. Remaining money to be used to make streets and sidewalks more "Rascal" friendly.
17) $60 utility infrastructure upgrades - Kenergy to research wireless power transmission technology, won't have to deal with all those pesky downed power lines when the next disaster hits.
18) $250 stimulation of the automobile industry - Release copious amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere causing an increase in global warming, allowing Don Moore to run his "It's Hot Don" commercials year round.
19) $2 billion for improvement in government relations - The entire city of Owensboro will be moved between Louisville and Lexington so we can be inside the golden triangle.
That's all I got, the peanut gallery is open if you have any "shovel-ready" projects to suggest.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A Curmudgeonly Restaurant Review - PizzaRoma South
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The Curmudgeon is going to start his restaurant reviews with one of my top, if not THE top pick for good eats in Owensboro.
PizzaRoma South, 3011 Fredrica Street, just closed in on their first year at their new location.
The food itself is something to write about. They have a good selection of Pizza, Subs, a Salad Bar, a small selection of Beer, and Wine. I haven't made it there for lunch in a while, but the place has a great and reasonably priced all-you-can-eat pizza lunch buffet. Yes what better setup can you have for your afternoon nap at work than a belly full of pizza. They have also recently recruited a former chef from the Big-E, Chef Gil, to put together a Sunday Brunch deal. The brunch deal features omelets made to order and I believe is available from 11:00 or so in the morning through lunch. Like any pizza place, they offer delivery, call 'em up at (270) 684-0611.
What puts this place over the top is the service. If you visit the place a couple of times, they are going to know your name and probably what you eat. This place is a tight-run ship. Management pays attention to the details and your food will be right. The waiters and waitresses there are extremely friendly, the best-trained in town, and are the hardest working. When you eat there, bring along a couple of extra dollars for the tip, the workers there will deserve it.
Pay attention to the outdoor sign when you come in. The owner has some strong opinions and is not afraid to voice them.
In addition, this is a small, locally owned business, that alone should be reason to support the place. Over the years, the PizzaRoma franchise has built a well-deserved tradition in Owensboro.
The next time you are trying to think of somewhere to eat, well heck, the next time you eat period, try PizzaRoma South. They are located right across from KWC and tell them the Curmudgeon sent you.
Yeah, this review may sound more like an advertisement but I received not monetary gain for my writings (I should probably be paying them). A great place like this deserves all the promotion it can get.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A Curmudgeon blog pick - Western Kentucky Weather
Just stumbled across this neat little blog.
This site is managed by a community college student in Hopkinsville interested in, of all things, Western Kentucky Weather.
The site is called, of all things, Western Kentucky Weather
Now the Curmudgeon has someone else to blame for all this %$#!#$#@! weather we've been having.
This site is managed by a community college student in Hopkinsville interested in, of all things, Western Kentucky Weather.
The site is called, of all things, Western Kentucky Weather
Now the Curmudgeon has someone else to blame for all this %$#!#$#@! weather we've been having.
ROMP '09 lineup
The International Bluegrass Music Museum just (a few days ago) released their lineup for this years ROMP and it goes as follows:
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-press
Mike Snider~Dan Tyminski Band
J. D. Crowe & The New South~Steep Canyon Rangers
Bill Clifton~ Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers Grasstowne~Paul Williams & Victory Trio
Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain
Eddie & Martha Adcock~Tom Gray
Roger Sprung~LeRoy Mack McNees
Gloria Bell & Mike Long~Bill Grant~Al Hawkes
Pioneers Jam~Fragment~ Josh Williams Band
Special Consensus~Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike
Ronnie Reno & The Reno Tradition
Williams & Clark Expedition~The Harringtons
Dixie Bee-Liners~Bill Evans & Megan Lynch
The Ozaki Brothers~The Reunion Band
Kentucky BlueGrass AllStars
This lineup is in line with other lineups for ROMP. Dan Tyminski should put on a good show. Doyle Lawson, Bobby Osbourne, and J.D. Crowe are living legends and should probably be put in that category of see them before they retire. The rest of the schedule, well, isn't too impressive to me.
Disclaimer: The Curmudgeon isn't too "up" on the current Bluegrass scene so I may be making a few statements that will come back to bite me but I've been bitten before and still don't have rabies.
I would love to see more acts on this lineup that are pushing the envelope, some more acts that are young and upcoming. Let's face it, if you were to play a drinking game where you took a drink every time a G-run on a guitar was laid out, you would be passed out before the first set was over. The acts are all the same, let's not veer from how Big Mon played it or the big sumbitch is gonna come out of the grave and knock us out.
This lineup is squarely marketed for the older generation, I hope the local drugstores stock up on their geritol and metamucil. Lord help us all if there is a run on oxygen at the local medical supply store. Now sure these old geezers are going to make their trips to Moonlite and drop some coin for the local economy, but I'd watch to make sure they're not stealing the silverware.
Ok, ok, maybe I'm being a little too harsh. But let's comprimise, how about a day that features some younger acts, or maybe some acts that are a little out there. How about some Old Crow Medicine Show, or maybe Hayseed-Dixie, or Iron Horse. Rollin' in the Hay anyone? I wonder what the local authorities would do when all those hippies started blazing it up when Yonder Mountain String Band took the stage? At least bring Hog Operation down from Louisville. I stumbled across a group called No Speed Limit on Youtube the other day, I've only seen grainy web clips and I am hooked.
ROMP is a traditional bluegrass festival and that's fine, but the IBMM should be helping to foster the growth and progression of the music. We've already lost the IBMA to Nashville, who knows what that town will do to the music. It's time for the IBMM to grab that flag, take our music back, and push it into the future!
Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-press
Mike Snider~Dan Tyminski Band
J. D. Crowe & The New South~Steep Canyon Rangers
Bill Clifton~ Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers Grasstowne~Paul Williams & Victory Trio
Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain
Eddie & Martha Adcock~Tom Gray
Roger Sprung~LeRoy Mack McNees
Gloria Bell & Mike Long~Bill Grant~Al Hawkes
Pioneers Jam~Fragment~ Josh Williams Band
Special Consensus~Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike
Ronnie Reno & The Reno Tradition
Williams & Clark Expedition~The Harringtons
Dixie Bee-Liners~Bill Evans & Megan Lynch
The Ozaki Brothers~The Reunion Band
Kentucky BlueGrass AllStars
This lineup is in line with other lineups for ROMP. Dan Tyminski should put on a good show. Doyle Lawson, Bobby Osbourne, and J.D. Crowe are living legends and should probably be put in that category of see them before they retire. The rest of the schedule, well, isn't too impressive to me.
Disclaimer: The Curmudgeon isn't too "up" on the current Bluegrass scene so I may be making a few statements that will come back to bite me but I've been bitten before and still don't have rabies.
I would love to see more acts on this lineup that are pushing the envelope, some more acts that are young and upcoming. Let's face it, if you were to play a drinking game where you took a drink every time a G-run on a guitar was laid out, you would be passed out before the first set was over. The acts are all the same, let's not veer from how Big Mon played it or the big sumbitch is gonna come out of the grave and knock us out.
This lineup is squarely marketed for the older generation, I hope the local drugstores stock up on their geritol and metamucil. Lord help us all if there is a run on oxygen at the local medical supply store. Now sure these old geezers are going to make their trips to Moonlite and drop some coin for the local economy, but I'd watch to make sure they're not stealing the silverware.
Ok, ok, maybe I'm being a little too harsh. But let's comprimise, how about a day that features some younger acts, or maybe some acts that are a little out there. How about some Old Crow Medicine Show, or maybe Hayseed-Dixie, or Iron Horse. Rollin' in the Hay anyone? I wonder what the local authorities would do when all those hippies started blazing it up when Yonder Mountain String Band took the stage? At least bring Hog Operation down from Louisville. I stumbled across a group called No Speed Limit on Youtube the other day, I've only seen grainy web clips and I am hooked.
ROMP is a traditional bluegrass festival and that's fine, but the IBMM should be helping to foster the growth and progression of the music. We've already lost the IBMA to Nashville, who knows what that town will do to the music. It's time for the IBMM to grab that flag, take our music back, and push it into the future!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Picking up sticks on Sunday
I was awakened Sunday morning from my peaceful slumber by quite a racket outside. Looking out the window, I noticed there was a state highway truck and what looked to be a crew of private contractors collecting limbs and storm debris from the side of the road. Now I'm greatly appreciative of the fact that the state is taking care of getting rid of all the storm debris, but do they have to do this on a Sunday?
The last I heard, the State and the Country are in pretty dire straits economically and budget money is perpetually coming up short. Does it make sense now, to be paying that crew to work on Sunday? I don't know what the going rate for a state worker or government contractor is paid for work on Sunday, but I'm willing to bet it is at least time-and-a-half, if not double time.
I know, I know, disaster and all. . .lots of stuff to clean up. . .everyone wants it done quickly. . .but hey, I'm perfectly alright with those limbs setting there until Monday if it means it would save a few bucks. I imagine some of that money for the cleanup is coming from federal funds. Now wasn't it just a week or so ago that our congress-critters decided to spend $800 billion that they didn't have? In times like this, do we need to be spending money on overtime for state workers to pick up sticks?
Meh!
The last I heard, the State and the Country are in pretty dire straits economically and budget money is perpetually coming up short. Does it make sense now, to be paying that crew to work on Sunday? I don't know what the going rate for a state worker or government contractor is paid for work on Sunday, but I'm willing to bet it is at least time-and-a-half, if not double time.
I know, I know, disaster and all. . .lots of stuff to clean up. . .everyone wants it done quickly. . .but hey, I'm perfectly alright with those limbs setting there until Monday if it means it would save a few bucks. I imagine some of that money for the cleanup is coming from federal funds. Now wasn't it just a week or so ago that our congress-critters decided to spend $800 billion that they didn't have? In times like this, do we need to be spending money on overtime for state workers to pick up sticks?
Meh!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Rest of the Story - Paul Harvey dead
I can remember listening to Paul Harvey at noon with my babysitter even when I was barely able to talk. There will never be another like him.
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