Joint Effort Encouraged.

The Tourism/Lodging Tax Committee meeting at City Hall resulted in several proposals as to how the recommended Convention and Visitors Bureau should be organized. The Committee, appointed by the Mayor, was formed to bring recommendation to the Council on the best way to use the Lodging Tax revenue projected to be around $132 ,000 a year.

Board Chair Dexter Friesen presented two variations of a proposal that would put the CVB in the Chamber of Commerce. One proposal was for a part time CVB director, the other for a full time director. Friesen also entertained the idea of putting the CVB in Main Street Carthage.

A request was eventually made to once again look at the Chamber and Main Street working on a plan to bring both organizations into one building that would also support a CVB. Chamber Director Max McKnight and Main Street Director Carol Green thought they could have some information on that idea for the next Committee meeting on December 5.

Victorian Carthage Director Leann Keepper told the Committee that Friesen’s proposal would put their organization out of business. Funding for operation of the Kendrick Place and the Carthage Historic Preservation Phelps House would be discontinued after 2004.

Keepper also distributed a proposal that suggested that the CVB hire the Main Street Director to also be the director of the CVB. Green would then have two boards, independent of each other, guiding her various assignments.

NASCAR to the Max

This weekend’s race takes place in NASCAR’s most tropical climate, Homestead, Florida, which is approximately 25 miles south of Miami. The track is a 1.5 mile oval with very little banking through the corners. NASCAR has only been racing here since 1999 and only visits the track once a year making it a difficult track to critique historically. Tony Stewart has won both races held at Homestead and will likely contend again this year.

Flat track specialists Dale Jarrett, Jeff Burton, and Stewart’s team mate Bobby Labonte will be among those who pace the 43 car starting grid.

Last weekend’s race from North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC was uncharacteristically uneventful. The race is usually slowed by several caution periods throughout the race but was under caution only twice for 16 of the 393 laps. The lack of caution periods throughout the race meant chassis changes, which often times slow a pit stop, were kept to a minimum. Several top teams struggled throughout the race, most notably this years likely Winston Cup Champion, Jeff Gordon, who finished three laps down in 25th. His closest rival in the championship hunt, Ricky Rudd, finished 8th and closed to within 326 points which is a nearly insurmountable difference with only 3 races remaining. Lame Duck driver, Joe Nemechek, who is leaving the Andy Petree team at year’s end, was the eventual race winner. Nemechek is rumored to be driving for Travis Carter for the 2002 season. Nemechek’s closest competition throughout the day was Kenny Wallace who is substituting for the injured Steve Park. Wallace’s 2nd place finished matched his career best.

Nemechek’s win made him the 17th different driver to win an event this year. This is a NASCAR modern era record, which dates back to 1972. Prior to 1972 there were often over 50 races in a season, with a few being run on dirt tracks. With 3 races remaining there is a possibility that the record could be further stretched.

Terry Labonte remains the only driver to start every race this year yet not lead a lap.

Note for Note.
sponsored by Main Street Mercantile

The Signature Quartet.

Combine four talented individuals, great Gospel Music, an energetic sound, and an intense love for the Lord, and you’ve got the winning combination of The Signature Quartet.

The Signature Quartet’s purpose is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people of all denominations and backgrounds through the medium of gospel music and Christian witness. Scott Luton, Angie Morgan, Jason Percy, and Nathan Terry comprise this vocal team bursting with excitement and encouragement.

Most gospel groups usually find their musical style and stay within those confines. The Signature Quartet, however, has broken down many musical barriers with their versatility. Instead of placing the emphasis on the song’s style, they choose to focus on the song’s message, selecting material that they feel best conveys their love for Christ and their commitment to his ministry. This outlook contributes to The Signature Quartet’s unique sound. The group’s musical selection ranges from Southern Gospel to inspirational, giving them a universal "family" appeal that will delight all age groups.

Holding fast to their Christian values, The Signature Quartet constantly strives to pass these values along to their audiences by presenting a quality musical ministry.

Wilders.

For the best of 1920’s string band music, 1930’s country, and 1940’s honky-tonk, The Wilders are hard to beat. For the past several years, these four dynamic musicians have entertained audiences with vintage country classics as well as seldom-heard gems. From honky-tonks to festivals and everywhere in between, fans throughout the Midwest enjoy the charismatic singing of Ike Sheldon; award winning fiddling of Betse Ellis; Phil Wade’s versatility on dobro, banjo, & mandolin; and Nate Gawron’s strong rhythm on string bass.

Like other string bands of the 1990’s, The Wilders play early Country music with a passion and energy that blows the dust off these wonderful old tunes and reminds us how exciting this music can be. You’ll hear the songs of Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams side-by-side with old time fiddle tunes and string band songs from early radio days — when you see how much fun this band has, you’re bound to grin (maybe even hop up and start dancing)!

The Wilders have brought their music to events such as the Walnut Valley Festival (Winfield, Kansas), The Great American Music Festival at Silver Dollar City, Santa Fe Trails Bluegrass Festival, Clay County Fair (Spencer, Iowa), Kansas City Spirit Fest, Nashville's Bluegrass Inn, Frazier Farm Tickfest, and many others. They were invited to perform at the 1999 National Old-Time Music Festival (Avoca, Iowa) after winning third place in their 1998 band competition (at the same festival, Ike Sheldon placed in the Jimmie Rogers Yodeling Championship). Also in 1998, Betse Ellis’ old time fiddling earned her the Kansas State Fiddling Championship, Mid-America Old Time Fiddling Championship, and finalist standing in the Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddling Championship. And, as artists on Kansas City’s Rural Grit record label, they are a key part of KC’s growing vintage country-influenced music scene. But that’s not why you should see The Wilders… see them because you love Country Music as much as they do.

Since the voters passed the Lodgin’ Tax increase in April, the revenue has increased significantly. Last year the tax generated a little over $66,000. This year, through October, the tax has generated $82,795. A fair improvement in cash, but at a rate of about 6% less than last year at this time.

Since the tax is now 4% of room rates, fluctuation in what motels charge for rooms could skew the numbers some. If rates were reduced to entice customers, the tax collected could drop even though the same number of rooms were sold.

Indications were at the Lodgin’ Tax Committee that there have been less overnight stays this year compared to last. The fact remains that the tax is generatin’ less than expected and the tourism industry is takin’ a hit this year.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

by Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray: My husband likes to drive with the windows open instead of using the air conditioner. He claims the outside fresh air keeps him from getting sleepy. We are about to go on a trip, and I would like your opinion on this, since the noise from the outside air really gets to me. What’s your advice?- Irene

TOM: Separate cars.

RAY: This is one of those truly age-old husband-wife disputes. It can be traced back to around the same time wives started complaining that their husbands never kept around the cave.

TOM: It’s a tough one, Irene. I feel the same way that your husband feels. That stiff, varying breeze of fresh air on my face keeps me awake, too. And it does a much better job than the air conditioner. But my wife hates it. And just like you, it’s not the temperature or the breeze so much as the noise.

RAY: And as far as I know, no one’s ever come up with a good, practical solution to this problem. I mean, we can suggest many impractical solution:

TOM: You can buy a limo with the glass window between the front and back seats. Then he can stay up front with both windows open and you can sit in the back with the air conditioning, mini bar, television and maybe a boyfriend!

RAY: Or you can go to your local farm supply outlet and buy a cattle prod. That ought to keep him awake, huh?

TOM: I think the only reasonable solution is to compromise. You can share the driving responsibilities, and when he’s driving, the window can be open or partially open. When you’re driving, the window stays closed.