How To Reach Us:
St. Louis Front Page
P.O. Box 1354
St. Louis, MO 63188
Voice: 314-771-0200
Fax: 314-771-0300
To submit news, contact:
editor@slfp.com
To advertise, contact:
advertising@slfp.com
|
|
|
ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Tuesday, May 13, 2008
|
Gas Prices Squash or Shorten Summer Road Travel
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), May 13, 2008 - As Memorial Day and the summer travel season approach, most Americans see their gas tanks as half empty.
Two in three U.S. adults (66%) who plan to take a road trip this summer say rising gas prices have changed their travel plans. About three in five (57%) now plan to take a trip for a shorter amount of time and/or distance. One in ten (10%) have cancelled or will cancel trips altogether.
These are some of the results of Rand McNally's annual Great American Road Trip Survey. Harris Interactive conducted the survey of 2,030 U.S. adults from April 29 to May 1, 2008.
Road Trip Plans and Preferences
Despite their plans to take shorter trips, Americans this summer will continue their love affair with the open road. Three in four adults (75%) are at least somewhat likely to take a road trip this summer, and about three in ten (29%) say they are very likely. Those who intend to take a trip say their trips will last an average of about five days. Eighty-five percent will take trips of a week or less.
A number of factors -- including concerns about airline industry turbulence -- would drive travelers to take road trips this summer. Overall, one-quarter of adults (25%) say they would be more likely to take a road trip if there is an increase in the cost of other modes of transportation, such as airfare (24%). In addition, airline concerns, such as increases in flight cancellations (15%) and delays (13%), would make about three in ten adults (28%) more likely to take road trips.
When it comes to picking a destination, Americans head for the water. Overall, one in four adults (25%) select a beach or lake getaway as their ideal road trip destination. Waterside settings beat out places such as amusement parks (10%), mountain getaways (8%) and national or state parks (8%) for the top spot.
"In recent years, we've seen rising fuel prices and airline-related concerns prompt travelers to take shorter trips," said Rand McNally Editorial Director Laurie Borman. "Even so, the American tradition of the summer road trip remains strong, with three-quarters of adults at least somewhat likely to take a summer road trip in 2008."
Centennial Projects Coming to the Gateway Arch
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), May 11, 2008 - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial will receive National Park Service Centennial funding to match private donations to sponsor ParkPalooza, a two-day interactive outdoor event on the grounds of the Gateway Arch.
ParkPalooza, planned for September 27th and 28th, will provide children and their families the chance to explore recreational opportunities available in parks across the country. National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar said, "With the nearly $25 million Congress has appropriated and nearly $27 million of matching commitments from our park partners, the Centennial Initiative today moves onto the landscape and into people's lives. It's a great day for the National Park Service and a great day for Jefferson National Expansion Memorial."
"As the Arch is the Gateway to the West, ParkPalooza will be a gateway to national park experiences," said Frank Mares, Acting Superintendent of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Following the "No Child Left Inside" initiative, activities are being planned that will tap into outdoor recreational opportunities, archeology, art, and preservation; all encouraging people to become stewards of public lands.
Jefferson National Parks Association, which supports educational programming at the Gateway Arch and Historic Old Courthouse, will contribute the matching funds for the project. Executive Director David Grove is thrilled to be participating. "I learned the value of national parks as a young person and instill this in my own children. With ParkPalooza, we will be able to provide rich educational experiences for area families who may not realize the great opportunities that await them in their national parks."
The second project to receive funding is for the design and installation of a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) system to help operate the Gateway Arch trams. The current Relay Logic Control system operates the speed, doors, lighting, and capsule leveling functions of the trams; however it is 40-years old. Installation of a new and upgraded system will allow real-time monitoring of the trams using a visual orientation system. Park partner Metro is providing the matching funds for this project.
The National Park Centennial Initiative is a 10-year program to reinvigorate America's national parks and prepare them for a second century as the National Park Service prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2016. The initiative includes a focus on increased funding for park operations plus a President's Challenge: up to $100 million a year in federal funds to match $100 million a year in philanthropic donations to the National Park Service.
"This is how we put our Centennial goals on the ground and it's quite a beginning," Bomar said. "We have 110 programs and projects involving more than 130 individual, public and non-profit partners benefiting 76 national parks in 38 states and the District of Columbia."
Bill Makes it Easier to Save for College
JEFFERSON CITY, (SLFP.com), May 11, 2008 - State Treasurer Sarah Steelman applauded action by the Missouri legislature this week which would make all married couples in Missouri who file jointly eligible for an up to $16,000 deduction for contributions to a college savings plan.
Steelman has worked for the change since the beginning of her administration. As Treasurer, she oversees the Missouri MOST college savings plan, recognized as one of the best plans in the nation- after Steelman revamped the program.
"This is great news for Missouri families. Nothing is more important than the future of our kids, and this is big help for Missourians to save for college," said Steelman.
The deductibility provision was part of HCS/SB 863 which Steelman said was a good overall bill to assist families in savings for higher education. Steelman had special praise for the hard work of Senator Scott Rupp and State Representative Scott Muschaney in getting the provision passed.
The bill now goes to the Governor.
|
STL-News is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group as a special feature of the Saint Louis Front Page for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com
All rights reserved world wide
© 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group.
|
|
Archived St. Louis News:
|
|
