NEW GAME AND PARKS RADIO PSAS

I cut some new radio PSAs (Public Service Announcements) today regarding boating safety and special outdoors-related happenings this spring and summer in Nebraska. Give ‘em a listen by clicking the link below and then clicking it again. Many thanks to Nick Buras and the rest of the great folks at Omaha’s KCRO Radio/660 AM (www.kcro.com) for recording, producing and sending the two 30-second spots and one 60-second PSA to various radio stations in Nebraska and bordering states at no charge! Here are the PSAs and remember to click the link once and then again:

game and parks 052512

IMPORTANT, PERTINENT INFO ON BOATIN’ THE MIGHTY MO

Are you a Missouri River boater? Well then, you should definitely check out these links to broadcast news stories done by Omaha TV stations about boating on the Missouri River near Omaha this Memorial Day Weekend. See more boating tips on the Mighty Mo below the pics, too. Have safe weekend on the water!

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/Return_to_the_River_152715995.html

http://www.ketv.com/news/local-news/Boaters-beware-Debris-from-flood-still-sits-along-river/-/9674510/14073034/-/8bj9srz/-/index.html

http://www.kptm.com/global/story.asp?s=18610100

Here are some shots of the Missouri River around the Mormon/I-680 Bridge that I took today to give you an idea of what the river looks like there.

Missouri River Boating Tips

- Boats to be used on the river should be at least 14-feet long and powered by a motor of no less than 10 horsepower. Although some people try to use canoes on the Missouri near Omaha, it is not generally advised because of the swift current and many floating and submerged obstacles in addition to the large wakes created by big boats and commercial barge traffic. Most people simply don’t have the skill or the stamina necessary to canoe the Missouri. 

- Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-Approved Life Jacket. In the river’s strong 9.2 to 11.5 mph current, swimmers and non-swimmers alike will need all the help they can get in the event a boat capsizes or they fall overboard. 

- Make it a point to frequently check and monitor weather conditions.

- Understand and heed navigation buoys.

- Note river mile markers.

- No tying off to navigational aids (markers, buoys, etc.) on the river.

- Don’t anchor by the stern in the river current.

- The depth of the river and sandbars can change from day to day creating problems for the unwary boater. After heavy rains, watch for downed tree limbs, large tree trunks, and all other types of debris in the Missouri. Boaters should also be on the lookout for hidden obstacles just underneath the surface such as trail dikes which may be partially or totally submerged by fluctuating water levels.

- When landing your vessel, always land into the current.

- Don’t forget, the most important items that you can take on your Missouri River boating excursion is your common sense and good judgement!

TRAVEL NEWS NOTES FROM AAA

Thought I’d share some interesting travel news notes for you from our good friends at AAA …

AAA NEWS NOTES

910 N 96 Street – Omaha, NE 68114

For more information, contact Rose White

RWhite@aaane.com 402-938-3806

May 22, 2012

AAA Expects Travel to be up Slightly This Memorial Day Holiday Period

AAA projects 34.8 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, an increase of 1.2 percent – or 500,000 travelers nationwide – from the 34.3 million people who traveled one year ago.  The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 24 through Monday, May 28.  Nearly nine out of ten holiday travelers will take to the nation’s roadways keeping automobile travel as the dominate mode of transportation.  Air travel is expected to be down 5.5 percent from last year with more than 2.5 million travelers flying to their destination.  The remaining 4.5 percent of holiday travelers are expected to use other modes of transportation including rail, bus and watercraft.  With high gas prices squeezing consumers’ spending power this spring, consumers are expected to stay closer to home, traveling shorter distances over the Memorial Day holiday period.

Fuel Prices Provide Welcome Relief for Memorial Weekend Holiday Travelers

Two months ago, many industry analysts were predicting fuel prices to average above $4 a gallon at the start of the summer travel season, reports AAA Nebraska.  Fortunately, due to building crude inventories, a downturn in demand for petroleum products, combined with an uneventful year for refinery related issues, pump prices have taken a tumble in many states across the U.S.  Regular unleaded currently averages $3.56 across Nebraska providing motorists with a savings of nearly 32 cents a gallon compared to prices reported on April 1, 2012.  Ethanol blends can be found at many outlets for 10 to 12 cents less per gallon.  Motorists traveling outside of the state can expect to see some of the highest prices in the country in states located along the west coast.  Motorists in California, Oregon and Washington are currently paying more than $4.20 a gallon for unleaded fuel due to supply and refinery issues in the western region.  Nebraska’s fuel prices are currently 12 cents lower than the national average.  For more information on fuel prices, visit www.fuelgaugereport.com.

Just in Time For Holiday Travel, Exciting New Offers at Nebraska State Parks

If you plan to stay closer to home this holiday period, there are plenty of wonderful offerings available throughout Nebraska’s 77-area state park system, says AAA.  The recent opening of the Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area, located near Wahoo, is attracting avid anglers and campers.  Its 662-acre well-stocked reservoir with excellent aquatic habitat is the main attraction.  Camping pads with electricity and campsites are available for those who arrive early.  Platte River State Park near Louisville, Nebraska is home to the new Outdoor Heritage Park, a world-class firearm and archery range for children and adults, says AAA Nebraska.  There is also a new shooting complex for visitors at Ponca State Park in northeastern Nebraska. To learn more about the Nebraska State Park Areas and the activities available, click this direct link:  http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks.asp Keep in mind that since safety is always a primary focus, some state park activities may have age or height restrictions.

SUGGESTED DESTINATIONS, GRILLING TIPS TOP OUTDOOR BROADCASTS

On the airwaves this week, we’re gonna cover a couple suggested Memorial Day Weekend destinations for outdoor recreation on TV, and then some outdoor grilling/cooking tips on the radio.

Be sure to tune in to The Weekly Outdoor Report on Omaha’s WOWT-TV/Channel 6 to learn of a couple neat places where you can go with your family to pitch a tent, wet a fishing line and perhaps do some recreational boating for Memorial Day Weekend.

Lewis and Clark Lake.

Channel 6′s Weekly Outdoor Report airs on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. during sports and on Saturday mornings later in the station’s hour-long 8 a.m. newscast. Video replays of the fun, informative outdoor segment are always available online at www.wowt.com/sports

On The Great Outdoor Radio Show Saturday morning, we’re heading to the famous Stoysich House of Sausage at 130th & Arbor Street in west-central Omaha to kick off the outdoor grilling/cooking season with the Master Griller and Processor of Fine Meats - Mr. Ken Stoysich!

Mr. Ken Stoysich.

Come join us there or listen in on Omaha’s KOZN Radio 1620 AM “The Zone” (www.1620thezone.com) from 9-10 a.m. CST on Saturday!

BIG GAME HUNTERS, DONATE DOLLARS FOR HUNTERS HELPING THE HUNGRY PROGRAM

A timely blog post to encourage you – fellow big game hunter – to join me in making a monetary donation to Nebraska’s new Hunters Helping the Hungry fund. This is the new program that’s designed for us big game hunters in Nebraska the opportunity to give a harvested deer

to a participating meat processor to feed needy folks here in the state without you absorbing the costs for butchering/processing.

So, here’s the deal, starting Monday, when filling out your big game permit application form, look for the shaded box in the upper left corner of the form. This is the area where a tax-deductible donation can be made by you to Hunters Helping the Hungry! Also, here’s a link to click that leads you right  to the page for the program on our website where you can make contributions, too: http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/hunting/programs/HHH/index.asp  These donated monies will cover deer processing and program-related costs.

If you’re wondering, Hunters Helping the Hungry was created last month with the passage of LB 928 by the Nebraska Unicameral. 

Any donation large or small, would be greatly appreciated and will directly assist those who could sure use some healthy, nutritious meat! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!