Branson Courier

Month: July 2004

  • Amendment 1 would create jobs

    Editorial By Kurt Lewis, Publisher Branson Daily Independent and Taney County Times

    Republished from Editorial Page of the Branson Daily Indpependent with Permission

    Whether you are for or against Amendment 1 you have to admit the residents of Rockaway Beach have proven that nothing is impossible if you pull together as a community and work toward a common goal. Three years ago when two Rockaway Beach businessmen said they would like to revitalize their town with riverboat gaming, most people laughed, thought it was a pipe dream and said it would never happen. Like most of you I never thought the idea would go very far and certainly never expected it to achieve a statewide vote.

    During my 25-year tenure in the newspaper industry I have never endorsed any type of gambling issue. Editorializing against riverboat casinos and the lottery. (The worst form of gambling in my opinion. I have bought two lottery tickets, both on the first day of sales and absolutely can not stand getting behind people purchasing and scratching tickets at a convenience store.) Those issues were approved by voters and on my four or five visits to St. Louis area boats I have not been impressed.

    However after traveling to a handful of tourist destinations with gaming, I now have a much different opinion. And that’s what this is, my opinion which is worth the same as your opinion. I have taught classes at my home church on gambling, heard all of the horror stories and have a close friend who is addicted to gambling. After taking the time to see just how tourist based gaming operates in various parts of the country, I believe Amendment 1 would not only revitalize Rockaway Beach, but would benefit Taney County and the surrounding area in general.

    What I was unable to find in tourist destinations with gaming is the huge increase in crime, drugs and other illegal activities those opposing Amendment 1 claim. I asked people from various walks of life in each community, including law enforcement officials. Like one police chief said, if you had two burglaries before gaming and had four after gaming, then those opposing gaming will claim crime doubled. What they fail to consider is that after gaming a million more people came to town and obviously if a million more people come to any town there will be an increase in common crimes that occur with or without gaming.

    Amendment 1 would create 1,000 full time year round jobs with benefits in Taney County. That fact is hard to deny or destroy by tossing misleading figures into the air. Unemployment in Taney County averaged 7.7 percent in 2003 and 8.2 percent in 2002, but the monthly rates ranged from highs of 22.5 percent to lows of 3 percent. Amendment 1 means jobs for area residents. It means jobs with benefits and above average starting wages. The average casino industry wage nationwide is $26,000 per year, plus benefits.

    Amendment 1 would allow private businesses to invest over $100 million in Rockaway Beach, without a TIF or any government funds. Rockaway Beach would be improved and that improvement would spill over into other parts of Taney County. The main investor-owner in the Rockaway Beach riverboat casino will be Robert Low of Springfield. Low owns Prime, Inc. in Springfield (the largest refrigerated trucking company in America) and the Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Miss. Low is a top notch individual who operates his businesses in a way that I only wish all businesses could operate. He is the real deal, a self-made Missourian, who from all accounts I have heard and from talking with many of his employees in Springfield and Biloxi, that does what he says and keeps his word regardless of the cost. Rockaway Beach could not have found a better combination than Southwest Casino & Hotel Corp, and Robert Low to develop and revitalize their community.

    Gaming in Rockaway Beach will not damage Branson or its family friendly image. You have to want to go to Rockaway Beach to get there. Gaming would not be rubbed in the noses of our visitors, but it would give them another entertainment choice close to Branson, yet far enough away that they clearly have to want to gamble in order to visit Rockaway Beach. Remember there are a number of Branson visitors who enjoy gambling as a form of entertainment. Many of the bus tours stop at casinos on their way to and from Branson. If they stop at Rockaway Beach in the future, it could add a day to their stay locally, increasing hotel revenues and taxes.

    We believe a "yes" vote on Amendment 1 will be good for Taney County and Missouri.

    Regardless of your position, and I respect everyone who shares a different opinion on Amendment 1, exercise your right and privilege to vote by casting your ballot Tuesday, August 3.

    It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse races. — Mark Twain

    Courtesy of Branson Daily Independent

  • Branafia egos too big for a “Godfather” but….!


    Seagull Mussings Column for July 25, 2004



    On July 18, an excellent article by Rick Alm, entitled, “Branson, Rockaway at odds on casino,” appeared on the front page of the Kansas City Star. In that article it was reported that “Gary J. Groman, a columnist for the Branson Daily Independent, recently portrayed Herschend [Peter F. Herschend] as the godfather of what he termed the ‘Branafia’ — influential local businessmen with ‘disproportionate’ influence over civic affairs.” The article went on to report, “‘I hate that,’ Herschend said of being cast as a self-serving villain in local coffee shop chatter and newspaper articles.”



    In an Ole Seagull’s opinion, Herschend might very well be right about what is being said “in local coffee shop chatter and newspaper articles,” particularly as to his involvement in the Highroad, but he should get over it. He, and to a much lesser extent, in terms of influence, clout, finances, and community support, an Ole Seagull, has elected to put himself into the public arena. While in that arena, the publics perception about our actions, whether justified or not, “comes with the territory.”



    In a recent column entitled, “Look, up in the sky, it’s the ‘secret handshake clique’ – no wait, it’s the ‘Branafia!’” the “Branafia” was defined as “those families, businesses, and individuals who appear to exert a disproportionate amount of influence and control over the affairs of the Branson area and the quality of life of its citizens all the while maintaining an innate ability and desire to have others pay for the benefits that the Branafia receives.” It is obvious that the term “Branafia,” as originally coined by the Ole Seagull, is much broader in scope than indicated in the Kansas City Star article.



    Over the years, the Ole Seagull has differed with Herschend on very few issues, among them the High Road, the tax that some call the “Chamber Tax,” and the methodology and hypocrisy allegedly used by “our community” against Rockaway Beach’s attempt at economic development. The “Branafia” column, alluded to in the Kansas City Star article, used quotes from an article relating to Herschends involvement with the High Road, entitled “Did Ashcroft Take the Lowroad on the Highroad?” which was published in the January 15, 2001 edition of “The Nation” magazine.



    With all due respect to the reporter who wrote the Kansas City Star article stating that “Gary J. Groman, a columnist for the Branson Daily Independent, recently portrayed Herschend as the godfather of what he termed the ‘Branafia…,’” there was no mention of, or inference to, any “godfather” in the column nor was any intended. Although it could have been a Freudian slip on the part of the reporter, if a reasonable person gave it any serious thought at all, who would they pick as the “godfather” of the Highroad, of the tax that some call the “Chamber Tax,” the opposition against Rockaway Beach’s attempt at economic development, or the Branafia?



    To an Ole Seagull the choice in the first three would be very clear. The Branafia on the other hand, because of the size of the egos involved, is too close to call. One thing for sure though, the Highroad, and the price in lives, increased safety risks, and daily inconvenience that those traveling on Highway 65 have paid and will continue to pay, speaks volumes about the Branafia’s innate ability and desire to have others pay for the benefits that it receives.



    An Ole Seagull would be remiss if he did not point out that he believes, to the very depths of his heart, that Peter F. Herschend is morally opposed to gambling and that no one will ever see casino gambling as part of Silver Dollar City, Celebration City, the Show Boat Branson Belle or any other Herschend family owned enterprise as long as Peter and the Herschends control them. Does that mean that economics do not enter into the picture and might even be a primary motivating force? Absolutely not, but, so what, doesn’t economics play an important part in a lot of decisions that families, businesses, Communities, and individuals make?



    The Ole Seagull must also acknowledge the obvious, in terms of the total “good” done for our area. Peter’s total would be a “mountain” as compared to a Seagulls “mole hill.” However, as he has said before, Peter’s “personal accomplishments and community involvement are the things that legends are made of but, like Ole Seagulls, even legends aren’t right all of the time.”



    Gary Groman, a.k.a. “The Ole Seagull,” is an independent columnist and the editor of the Branson Courier. He may be reached by clicking here or by calling 417-339-4000.

  • Colored Routes

    Just to let you know, concerning color coding on town roads, I for one at least appreciate them. If no one can figure them out they must be dumb. It is the easiet and best way I have ever found for navigating around. All you have to do is have one of the area maps with the color codes on them and you can navigate very easily around town. I have been to Branson 5 or 6 times in the last 4 years and I love the way the roads are marked in colors. Michelle, Jolliet, IL

    .

  • Cruisin’ Branson Lights will cruise as planned

    Branson’s infamous Highway 76 will be “America‘s Funnest Traffic Jam” again this August as Cruisin’ Branson Lights makes it way into town. The four-day automotive festival, scheduled for Aug. 12-15, has been dealing with the increasing problem of burnouts and drinking by unregistered outsiders during the annual “midnight cruise,” creating a danger to drivers and spectators lining Highway 76.



    City officials considered canceling the midnight cruise, billed as “America‘s Funnest Traffic Jam,” due to a lack of adequate law enforcement resources, but additional police officers have now been obtained. “We are recommending the event,” said Terry Dody, city administrator. “We have been able to acquire the needed police officers.”



    Last year one officer was slightly injured and police had to brandish nightsticks to control the crowd. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will not allow any of its eight officers at the event to be on foot. They will, however, send two-man cars to respond to incidents.


    Branson Assistant Police Chief Caroll McCullough said 50 officers were assigned to the event last year and 82 citations were issued. McCullough said the Taney County Sheriff’s Office has agreed to supply officers for Friday night and the Saturday night cruise. “We will maintain (the crowd) as much as we can, but hopefully we will be able to try some different things this year,” he said.



    Cruisin’ Branson Lights began in 1995 with 287 street rods, customs, motorcycles, race cars, muscle cars and classic cars and trucks. The festival was held at Mutton Hollow Park, now occupied by Celebration City. Each year since, Cruisin’ Branson Lights, in its 10th year, increases its size and has now grown to more than 1,000 vehicles with an estimated 70,000 spectators watching the midnight cruise.



    Onlookers pack sidewalks all along the road and parking lots to catch a glimpse of the vehicles. Some watch the ongoing parade from hotel balconies. Dody said there were still some details to work out with Cruisin’ Branson Lights founder Jerry Titus before the special event permit is approved, but felt confident they would be taken care of.



    Courtesy of Branson Daily Independent

  • A Japanese Disneyland—Shoji Tabuchi

    I was going to begin this review by saying that Shoji Tabuchi is a phenomenon but that is not quite right. Shoji Tabuchi is more of what one would call an event. He has been an event ever since he landed on our shores nearly 30 years ago.



    Shoji arrived, with a friend of his, on the seacoast of our nation with a violin, $500 in his pocket, $100 stuffed inside his shoe, with no promises and knew no one in our great country, but he had plenty of dreams. Dreamers have been responsible for nearly all our heritage of beauty and culture and Shoji, having been a dreamer most of his life, set out to conquer America with a violin, at least one little spot in America. Shoji is perhaps the ultimate dreamer because with only those dreams and a violin, not forgetting his initial $600, he arrived and became “Shoji.”



    The story of Shoji started in the small town of Daishoji, Japan, where he was born and raised. He had a sister, a brother and was the son of highly successful parents. Shoji started taking lessons on the violin at the age of 7 and never lost his love of the instrument, or his love of music.



    When Roy Acuff, of the Grand Ole Opry, took his act to Japan, Shoji heard him perform, met him, talked with him and Roy invited Shoji to look him up, if he was ever in the neighborhood. Shoji, in time, would take him up on his offer.



    From the country sound and the inspiration that Acuff provided, Shoji formed his own bluegrass band, called the Bluegrass Ramblers, in Japan, made a good living with it and garnered awards with his performances. With that experience under his belt, Shoji headed for the United States.



    To make a 15-year leg of his odyssey a bit more compact, it would be suffice to say that Shoji played for a lot of people, including nearly every big name in the industry, before arriving in Branson. Branson had never seen anything like it, a Japanese violin player who played country western music. However, no one could say that he wasn’t good. As a matter of fact, he was great. This was attested to by the fact that he had played numerous times on the Grand Ole Opry, the womb of country music. Before landing his own theater, Shoji played with a couple of Branson shows and became one of their highest paid performers and it was at that point in his career that he decided to branch off on his own.



    Branching off, meant to Shoji, the dreamer, to be the most lavish theater Branson, or most of the country had ever seen, complete with a perfect, unsparing show of Broadway quality. When people are asked what they think of Shoji’s show, almost to a person their reply has to do with how lavish the restrooms are. I have to admit they are quite opulent, with the men’s room sporting gold-plated fixtures, lots of greenery and a full-sized billiards table. However, it is a bit disconcerting to be using the men’s room and have people flashing cameras all around you. You aren’t quite sure how you are going to appear in Aunt Mabel’s album back home.



    Shoji, as I said earlier is an event but beyond that, he is a remarkable person. There is a list comprising the 60 most influential Asian Americans and Shoji ranks number 29. He is in good company with the likes of Connie Chung, a TV journalistic pioneer, Roman Gabriel, former quarterback for the Rams, Daniel K. Inouye, War hero and United States Senator and Yo-Yo Ma, the high-brow icon of world class cellists. Others of familiar note on the list include Bruce Lee, the all-time benchmark of martial arts and George Takei of Star Trek fame.



    With the number of people that Shoji entertains each year, he has come a long way in easing Japanese American relations. Many servicemen, servicewomen and others, who have attended his show have finally set aside their long held prejudice and have literally rallied around Shoji in celebration of their newfound personal freedom.



    Shoji has done well for himself through the years but it has come at the high price of blood, sweat and tears. Things were not always easy and nothing was given to him. He dreamed it, went for it, worked for it and achieved what he set out to do.



    Shoji’s wife and partner of many years, Dorothy, is the one responsible for the elaborate production that will awe and amaze anyone attending their show. There is absolutely nothing in Branson, or for that matter, almost anywhere else in the United States that can compare to it. It is truly a Japanese Disneyland, complete with familiar, and some not so familiar, oriental trappings and characters.



    From the beginning of the show, with the playing of the ceremonial Odiako, to the last curtain call, you will sense beauty, bathed deep in richly formatted Japanese lore and custom. You will be enthralled by the authenticity of the Noh Theater masks to the beauty of the many Geishas in obied kimonos and their Mikado, to the original Japanese three-stringed Shamisen that Shoji plays onstage.



    Shoji has not lost the Japanese twang in his voice and uses it quite skillfully and successfully, whether talking to the audience or singing country and Broadway songs. He is an extremely talented, dedicated and hard working performer who takes immediate charge of the stage and does not relinquish that lead, until the final bow is taken. Shoji, dressed in his colorful, one-of-a-kind, sequined costumes, richly adorns and reigns on the stage, as he gives you a tremendous performance you will not soon forget.



    Think about it, Shoji Tabuchi is not really known very much outside of Branson. He has never had a record on the charts or one on the national market, and you do not catch him regularly on TV. Yet for the past decade and a half, Shoji has taken Branson by storm and has created a multi-million dollar entertainment empire. Tourists, mostly from the Bible-Belt states, which, for the most part, made up the original Louisiana Purchase, flock to his theater along side hundreds of bus tours.


    Shoji Tabuchi is an event. The event is not only his immense talent on the violin, but the wonderful way his show easily blends the cultures of the east and the west together. Shoji melds the two into a show that is almost unbelievable in its scope, splendor, magnitude, richness and grandeur. So, I would suggest you go to Shoji’s theater, check out the richly adorned lobby and of course, the lavish restrooms, and then take your seats for the Japanese Disneyland experience of your life.



    Editors note: Shoji Tabuchi was recently awarded the DAR Americanism Award and is in nomination for the highly prestigious National DAR Award.



    © Copyright 2004-Kurt L. Moore-All Rights Reserved.

    klmoore@earthlink.net

  • Fishing Report- Lake Taneycomo July 22, 2004

    Editors General Comments: June 13- The fishing on Lake Taneycomo over the last couple of week can only be described as fabulous! Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here. July 23- At 0515 there are zero generators on, Table Rock is at 916.1 and Taneycomo at 702.0.


    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.


    Fly Fishing Report by River Run Outfitters (Dam to Fall Creek)- July 22 – Saturday and Sunday were a little slower than we are accustomed to. Saturday we caught most of our fish on the zebra midges, rust and olive. Sunday, we were only out for a couple hours but caught most of our fish on the insect green, size 16 soft hackle. All our trips this week have caught a majority of their fish on the red tungsten beadhead midge, size 16 with two #1 shots or a size 12 pink scud fishing the seams. With so much water running during the week, we have been suggesting to our customers that they try and see if there is a space to fish up by the hatchery at the chutes. Depending on the time of day, you might get lucky. Sent a couple more customers up to chute #1 with the caterpiller type fly this week and they caught some nice fish on it. Imagine this bug has run it’s course as we are not seeing caterpillars falling out of the tree anymore. When conditions allow, good time to start trying terrestrials such as hopper patterns, stimulators, etc. Scuds, sowbugs and San Juan worms are good choices for the chute area.


    Gary‘s Current Report: July 11- Have fished just about every day for over a week between 0600 and the latest 0845.fishing has been average. Averaging 7 fish per hour boated with about as many strikes and misses per hour.From Lookout Hole down to just above the Fall Creek Bend the 128th ounce White Thread Jig or the Peach Jig, available at River run Outfitters, have been working well. Have caught two nice Bows in the 16-18 inch range and my neighbor Howard Couch caught a nice 19 inch Rainbow.


    Guide Bob Klein: Bob Klein, the not pretty half of the former owners of Main Street Marina, Bob and Jackie Klein, is still guiding as “Bob’s Guide Service.” On July 22, 2004 Bob reported that water flow has been heavy and that the best fishing from Branson to Rockaway Beach has been using orange and yellow power eggs drifted off the bottom. Small browns being caught below Fall Creek on nightcrawlers. As always the following standard default techniques are producing fish.


    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.


    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard “Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig.” which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.


    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered:Bob, Gary, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask.Use the word “Taneycomo” in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.

  • Cirque Branson senses and sounds

    For those who may not know, Cirque is French for circus. That is to set the stage and have everyone on the same page as we talk about the newest show in Branson, Neil Goldberg’s production of “Cirque.” “Cirque” is playing now at the Remington Theater.



    Neil Goldberg, a native of New York, spent 10 years pursuing a dream of elaborate theatrical productions and in doing so produced shows for two Super Bowls, Miss Universe Pageants and Walt Disney World. He has produced shows for the big three television networks and has worked with about every big name in the entertainment industry.



    Cirque Productions was given birth in 1993 by Neil’s creative genius. Neil’s company literally scours the world in search of the best-of-the-best acts to place in “Cirque.” The circus he produces is not the three-ring kind you knew as a kid. That kind of circus traveled from town to town with a midway, rides, clowns, barkers, sideshows, wild animals and tents with three rings.



    One of the major differences that is noticeable is, there are no animals in his productions and “Cirque” Branson is European in design and international in acts. I believe I heard, at the grand opening, that seven different languages are spoken by the “Cirque” troupe. The troupe is diverse in culture and talent. There are acts, in “Cirque” Branson that I had not seen or even dreamed of in my life.



    The music accompanying the production is an eerie, Euro-Baltic composition that cannot fully be understood nor can it be classified as to genre. It is beautifully serene music that one would hear usually only in Siberian through Euro cultures. It is almost as an oracle, bestowing great knowledge through mantra-like assaults upon our senses. The acts you will see onstage and in flight over the audience, fit perfectly into the aria emanating from the beautiful chanteuse, who takes us on a tour of our six senses with perhaps an extra sense added to absorb the unusual aura-like effects.



    The stage is a revelation by itself. It has been completely re-designed for this special production to give you the feeling of three-dimensions. As you enter the theater, you sense that a children’s storybook is set before you, with the first page soon to be opened. As you are being seated and for the first time really, I mean really look at the stage and the many settings on it, you will fully understand that this will not be your garden-variety, up and down the strip, run-of-the-mill Branson entertainment.



    This show is so special that ordinary lighting is not used in its production. When the show starts ultra-violet light is used and stage settings take on a new look. Highlights are brought out in not only the stage sets but in the performers as well. You will get the feeling from time to time, that what you are seeing, you may not be seeing at all. It may all be an illusion. It could be extra-sensual perception. It might be an elusive wisp of smoke or nothing at all. Characters appear and leave the stage so subtly; you almost have to sense they were there.



    Go see the show and you be the judge



    © Copyright 2004-Kurt L. Moore-All Rights Reserved.



    Courtesy of Branson Daily Independent


  • Branson, Rockaway Beach, Gambling and the World’s Greatest Lies

    Seagull Mussings Column July 18, 2004



    The lies listed in a “world’s greatest lies list” obviously depends on whose list it is and the current environment in which it is being complied. The first two on the Ole Seagull’s current list would be, “If gambling comes to Rockaway Beach abortions will increase” and “The check’s in the mail.”



    This week, a local paper published a piece by a person espousing reasons for not voting “Yes” on Amendment 1.As the Ole Seagull read one of the reasons, to “give Branson and Rockaway Beach a chance to accomplish a better solution together,” he suppressed a chuckle because it caused him to recall the third “greatest lie” on his list, “Hi, we’re the City of Branson and we’d like a chance to work with you for the mutual success of our areas economic development.”



    In light of the way Branson has been helping Hollister, the YMCA, and some its own businesses lately, just the thought of Branson offering to help should strike fear into the hearts those involved with Rockaway Beach’s redevelopment effort. How much help did Branson give Hollister with the improvement of Highway 65 south from Branson toward the Arkansas line? One can only wonder what Hollister and probably, some of Branson’s own businesses, think of Branson’s timing and use of a TIF in the Branson Hills area as “a chance to accomplish a better solution together.”



    “Hey Seagull, I have one that I want to nominate for the “world’s greatest lies list.” “What is it?” “Amendment 1 provides fairness for southwest Missouri and benefits us all.” “Actually, although a close call, that statement might be less a lie than calling Branson, a town that permits the expansion of alcohol, into its theaters and attractions, ‘family friendly.’”



    “Fair” can be defined in more than one way but two seem particularly appropriate in this situation, “equitable” and “superficially true or appealing.” It’s ironic isn’t it, one term that has two opposite meanings? It’s similar to the way Branson uses the term “family friendly.” The expansion of alcohol into the theatres and attractions within Branson is “family friendly” but casino entertainment in Rockaway Beach, miles away from Branson, is not.



    It would be hard for anyone to say that Rockaway Beach’s redevelopment story is not, at a minimum, at least “superficially true or appealing.” On the other hand, is it “equitable” for Rockaway Beach to base its redevelopment plan on the possible diversion of up to $135.8 million dollars in potential Branson revenues and the interception of millions of Branson’s visitors?



    From an Ole Seagulls perspective “but for” Branson a casino in Rockaway Beach would be too big a “gamble” for investors and there would be no Amendment 1. That aside however, in the same spirit that words like “family friendly,” “blighted”, and “world class” are interpreted within our community, and although not in the context of the way that most people would interpret it, one would be hard pressed not to admit that, technically, it meets the definition of “fair.”



    “All right, so that one doesn’t make the list but wait, I have another one, how about, ‘I’m being totally unbiased.’” “Maybe but let me think about it and ‘I will call you right back.’”



    Gary Groman, a.k.a. “The Ole Seagull,” is an independent columnist and the editor of the Branson Courier. He may be reached by clicking here or by calling 417-339-4000.

  • Fishing Report- Lake Taneycomo July 11, 2004

    Editors General Comments: June 13- The fishing on Lake Taneycomo over the last couple of week can only be described as fabulous! Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here. July 11- At 0450 there is zero generators on, Table Rock is at 916.7 and Taneycomo at 701.6.


    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.


    Fly Fishing Report by River Run Outfitters (Dam to Fall Creek)- July 8- Family trips out for the holiday weekend. Two boats with a family of four, three generations out on Saturday. The grandsons and their father had their first experience at fly fishing compliments of grandmother who also fly fishes. It was an “awesome” day for all of them. One grandson caught a beautiful 17 inch Brown and they all caught lots of fish. According to a couple of our regular customers who came into the shop, Saturday was also a good day for the dark olive soft hackles. Started with the olive zebra in the morning and finished with the red midge in the afternoon. When the water was still, we did the chironmid wiggle to entice the fish. Another family of two sons and father Monday. Again, a good day with 40 fish to each boat. Lots of water today, but the fish were laying up in their normal high water places. Our one guest caught about 25 fish….all on the red midge


    Gary‘s Current Report: July 11- Have fished just about every day for over a week between 0600 and the latest 0845.fishing has been average. Averaging 7 fish per hour boated with about as many strikes and misses per hour.From Lookout Hole down to just above the Fall Creek Bend the 128th ounce White Thread Jig or the Peach Jig, available at River run Outfitters, have been working well. Have caught two nice Browns in the 16-18 inch range and my neighbor Howard Couch caught a nice 19 inch Rainbown.


    Gary’s Special Note: It appears that they are finally getting into the summer generation cycle. Generally you can expect the water to come on sometimes between 0800 and 1000 and stay on all day into the hours of darkness when they turn it off. I like to to fish water off conditions. That’s why I am on the water fishing by 0600.


    Guide Bob Klein: Bob Klein, the not pretty half of the former owners of Main Street Marina, Bob and Jackie Klein, is still guiding as “Bob’s Guide Service.” On July 10, 2004 Bob reported Fishing on Lake Taneycomo has been good afrom Fall Creek to Rockaway Beach. He reports that the standard default techniques are producing fish.


    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.


    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard “Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig.” which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.


    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered:Bob, Gary, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask.Use the word “Taneycomo” in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.

  • What’s the better comparison Rockaway Beach to Las Vegas or Branson to Laodicea?


    Seagull Mussings Column July 11, 2004



    Last week the Ole Seagull received a fax sent out by the Anti-Gambling Task Force through the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. As one would expect it contained the standard regurgitation of the “gloom and doom statistics,” allegedly from Las Vegas , Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey, in an attempt to show that it will be the end of “family friendly” Branson if a casino is built in Rockaway Beach.



    Can any person honestly look an Ole Seagull, or for that matter, any one else, in the eye and say, with a straight face, that comparing ONE casino in Rockaway Beach, Missouri, with either the problems or successes of Las Vegas or Atlantic City is a valid comparison? To an Ole Seagull such comparisons make about as much sense as comparing the actions of a wild lion on Africa’s Serengeti to the actions of the typical pet house cat playing in the living room.



    “Hold on Seagull, the governing word here is ‘one.’ The fax said, ‘To pass a law allowing riverboat gambling on Lake Taneycomo/White River in Rockaway Beach paves the way for ALL of Lake Taneycomo, including Branson, to become open to casino gambling’. Is that true?” “No.”



    In the opinion of an Ole Seagull, there’s a greater chance of the Highroad “paving” the way to solving the non existent “economic emergency” used to justify its building than there is for Amendment 1 to be used to pave the way for casinos anywhere except in Rockaway Beach. Amendment 1’s language very specifically limits the location of the casino to “the White River in Rockaway Beach, Missouri.”



    That fact was attested to by the very people who filed the recent lawsuit trying to deny the voters of Missouri an opportunity to vote on Amendment 1. One of their contentions was that if enough people voted “Yes” for Amendment 1 and it passed that it “necessarily prohibits all other cities … along the White River, from having the same opportunity under the law to choose gambling as a revenue source.” “Wow, isn’t that the exact opposite of what the fax that the Chamber sent out said?” “Of course it is but then that was a rhetorical question, right?”



    Here’s another “chamber opposite” you can take to the bank. The Ole Seagull will bet that within a relatively short time after the August 3 vote on Amendment 1 that the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the “Branafia,” and a lot of the others who are fighting Amendment 1 will try to get a one percent retail sales tax, that some call “The Chamber Tax,” imposed on all those who shop in Branson. What will be the justification for this tax? Branson needs more money for marketing to bring more people to the Branson area.



    “Surely you jest Seagull. Are you saying that a lot of the same people who will be pushing, what some people call the Chamber Tax, are the same ones fighting Rockaway Beaches attempt to provide an “attraction” for the Branson area could attract up to three million people a year?” “That’s absolutely right.” “But how can ‘they’ turn their backs on an attraction that an estimated three million visitors a year to the Branson area would use while at the same time saying that they need to tax the public for additional marketing money to be used to bring more people to the “same” area?”



    In an Ole Seagulls opinion, in the same arbitrary, hypocritical and arrogant manner that “they” use the mantle of morality, Christianity and family values to fight casino entertainment in Rockaway Beach. It is raised, on one hand, to fight casino entertainment as a tool for Rockaway Beach’s economic redevelopment and ignored, on the other hand, as to the expansion of the serving of alcohol into Branson’s traditionally alcohol free family friendly venues such as theatres and attractions.



    Branson’s apparent hypocritical and, at best, “lukewarm” action in this regard reminds one of “the church in Laodicea.” Of what value is Branson’s vaunted environment of morality, Christianity, and family values, either to itself or in the furtherance of Gods Kingdom, if it is not morally deep enough to “absorb” one casino in a small place called Rockaway Beach, Missouri?



    Gary Groman, a.k.a. “The Ole Seagull,” is an independent columnist and the editor of the Branson Courier. He may be reached by clicking here or by calling 417-339-4000.

  • BRANSON: Entertainment variety keeps ’em coming back

    Here’s a link to an AP article appeared in the Kansas City Start on July 7, 2004. It contains a lot of neat information on the variety and depth of entertainment that can be found in Branson.


    BRANSON: Entertainment variety keeps ’em coming back

  • Branson, the 800 pound TIF gorilla?


    Seagull Mussings Column July 4, 2004



    The June 30 edition of this newspaper reported that on June 28, “The Branson Board of Aldermen overruled a tax increment finance (TIF) commission’s findings and gave initial approval” to a “979,000 square-foot retail facility in Branson Hills.” Although things could change as the city and the developer negotiate the Redevelopment Agreement, as it currently stands, it appears that the developer will be reimbursed for the majority of the development costs except the cost of the actual buildings themselves through the use of taxpayer dollars.



    “Now wait a minute Seagull, are you saying that if the developer spends money on land acquisition, landscaping, parking lots etc. that the TIF will reimburse them for it with government tax money?” That’s exactly right. “Wow, how can I get a piece of that action?” Well, for starters you would have to be redeveloping a “blighted” area.” “What is a ‘blighted area’?” It’s whatever the Branson Board of Aldermen want it to be.



    “Come on Seagull, is it that flexible?” Will Rogers said, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” If recent history is any guide it appears that the Branson Board of Aldermen can say, “We never met a TIF we didn’t like.”



    In the opinion of an Ole Seagull, their “blight determination creativity” could serve as the “poster child” for TIF reform. Such creativity, at one time or another, over recent years, has “blighted” most of the commercial property in Branson, the entire downtown area including the Lake Taneycomo Lakefront, and now, in Branson Hills, undeveloped land. Now that’s pretty “flexible.”



    “OK Seagull, but still, aren’t TIFs a good thing because they bring development and opportunities into our area that might not otherwise have come?” That’s the assumption but is it a good assumption?


    “Lowes” is what most developers consider a “big box” store. Was a TIF used to get Lowes to Hollister? If not why did they come? Is there just the possibility that they came to this area and built a store because they thought that it was a good business investment?



    “Hey, wait a minute Seagull, isn’t that the way Branson was developed until recent years, people invested and risked their own money in their enterprise because they believed it was a good investment?” Sure was! What kind of TIF help did the Herschends, Gerards, Glenn Robinson, the Halls, Meyers, Jim Thomas, the Tabuchis, and countless others get as they risked millions in Branson to make it what it is today?



    How much TIF help did the Tanger Factory Outlet Center or the Factory Merchants Branson get when they were built? Could it be said that it was “Knot” a “Berry” good idea to rely on some of the assumptions that were made when a TIF was used for the Factory Shoppes atBranson Meadows? On average, of the three, from the first day of their operation, which has contributed the least amount of total net revenues to the City, County, and related taxing districts?



    An Ole Seagull has a big problem believing that the way the City of Branson uses TIFs is fair to Branson’s existing businesses. Those who had buy and develop their own land, without TIF reimbursement, and whose efforts, over the years, have created the very traffic that the new developers will need to intercept to make their developments profitable.



    Just as onerous, to an Ole Seagull, is that the public record established in connection with the Branson Hills TIF, is replete with verbiage saying essentially, “If we don’t do this then Hollister will get the ‘big box’ store, and we don’t want to lose that revenue to them.” Is that the type of thing that TIFs were intended to do, enable a “big box store” to pit two adjoining communities, with sites not five minutes apart, against each other to see which will give it more to locate within their corporate limits?” Evidently so in the crazed greedy mind of an overly creative 800 pound TIF gorilla named “Branson.”



    Gary Groman, a.k.a. “The Ole Seagull,” is an independent columnist and the editor of the Branson Courier. He may be reached by clicking here or by calling 417-339-4000.

  • Fishing Report- Lake Taneycomo July 1, 2004

    Editors General Comments: June 13- The fishing on Lake Taneycomo over the last couple of week can only be described as fabulous! Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here. July 1- At 0340 there is zero generators on, Table Rock is at 915.8 and Taneycomo at 702.0.


    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.


    Fly Fishing Report by River Run Outfitters (Dam to Fall Creek)- June 27- Wednesday fished real well. They ran only one generator until about noon. I fished with a friend for about three hours and we boated 30 fish or better and almost all of them on the red tunghead midge, size 16. With one generator going, the deep side of the river below the lookout was our best area. Thursday was a little tougher day. We started our trips with two generators on. The red midge was about the only thing we were getting hits on. One nice 17 inch Rainbow and several 12-14 inchers. Later in the day, one of the boats put on the sink tip line and fished olive woolly buggers. This worked well and picked up some 18-19 inch fish. Friday fished good. Three boats out and they all caught 25 fish/person or better. Rust zebra, size 18, olive woolly bugger on sink tip, holographic green crackle back (fished with #6 shot and drifted cross current), and red midge. Saturday was great. Dark olive or insect green soft hackles, size 16, olive zebra midge, size 18 and when the water came on at 2:00 p.m., we fished the rise with red midge or red San Juan worm and the fish got much bigger. Caught several 17-18 inchers. Sunday and Monday were both slower days. Sunday it was what we call a “two fish/fly” day. Catch a couple of fish on each fly and nothing. Change flies and catch a couple more. We did go out Sunday evening around 7:00 p.m. and throw some dries. Did not catch a lot but caught a few nice fish on size 14 Elk Hair Caddis and a Royal Wulff.


    Gary‘s Current Report: July 1- Have fished just about every day for over a week between 0600 and the latest 0845.fishing has been excellent. Averaging 10 fish per hour boated with plenty of strikes and misses inbetween to make things exciting. From Lookout Hole down to Fall Creek the 128th ounce White Thread Jig set at about 4 feet seems to be working real well, with the Peach Furbug close behind. Have been playing around with the size 18 Rust Midge casted into rising fish going after midge emergers. With the indicator set at about 3 feet it has been working well. On the 29th of June I fished with my next door neighbor and good friend, Howard Couch, in about two hours her caught 20 fish of which 2 were in the 16 to 19 inch range.


    Gary’s Special Note: It appears that they are finally getting into the summer generation cycle. Generally you can expect the water to come on sometimes between 0800 and 1000 and stay on all day into the hours of darkness when they turn it off. I like to to fish water off conditions. That’s why I am on the water fishing by 0600.


    Guide Bob Klein: Bob Klein, the not pretty half of the former owners of Main Street Marina, Bob and Jackie Klein, is still guiding as “Bob’s Guide Service.” On June 30, 2004 Bob reported Fishing on Lake Taneycomo has been excellent afrom Fall Creek to Rockaway Beach. He reports that the standard default techniques are producing fish.


    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.


    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard “Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig.” which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.


    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered:Bob, Gary, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask.Use the word “Taneycomo” in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.