~~~~~~~~~ RiverBill's Archive Page~~~~~~~~~
~~~A WEBSITE FOR THE ALTON POOL BOATING COMMUNITY ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER~~~

8- 31 -05   Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of  sailboats maneuvering the summer breeze in front of the bluffs along the Great River Road last Sunday afternoon.   The picture was taken by Larry Byrnes from Captain Gary Bowers' boat.      Bill says.....Thanks for sharing your pictures Larry !    Dog Days Of Summer - A Huge Success ------ Justin Postle, a river boater, member of the band The Lookbacks and one of the key people in the "Dog Days of Summer Festival" that took place on Main Street in St. Charles last weekend wrote me the following e-mail:      "Thanks for the help with the Dog Days event.  The first year was a huge success.  Your pictures got more looks than I can count.  Ever one loved the River Dogs.  Next year I would like to get even more, so keep asking if people want to send them in so we have plenty for next year."      As most of you know RiverBill's collected about a dozen pictures of our River Dogs and Justin had them put on display at the festival.  The pictures had the dog's name on them along with the name of the owner(s) so everyone knew who they were.  Thanks to each of you that sent us pictures. I hope to create a "River Dog Page" for them real soon.   Keep the River Dog pictures coming and we will put on an even better display next year.  More Pictures From Wayne's Birthday ------ Shelley  Kinder sent in a few more pics from Wayne Kiel's Birthday Party at Kinder's Saturday night.  One is of Jeni taking a break from bartending to enjoy the party and a dance with her husband.  Another of two of the waitresses,  Chelsea and Lindsay  (The one on the right is Shelley Kinder's daughter).  And last, but not least, is Carl and his wife, Marsha.    Con Trio Yacht Club Pool Party ------ Attention Con Trios Yacht Club members.  There will be a Pool Party at the Duck Club Yacht Club on 10 September 2005.  Time 2PM to 6 PM.  Click here for more info. ........Look for this same info on the Con Trios website soon. Note:  "The Alton Get Away" has been cancelled due to storm damage at the Alton Marina  Need New BBQ Grills At Iowa ------ The folks at Iowa are looking for BBQ pits for the beach.  If you have one you want to donate ... bring it out to the beach or drop it off at Camp Carl.   Need more info - e-mail RiverBill 8- 30 -05   Our River Picture of the Day ------ was sent in by Jeri Behnke out of Two Branch Marina.  Jeri wrote in her e-mail:   " Thought you would like these pictures form Sunday morning at Hat Island.  I believe his name is Jim from Old Monroe.  He landed on the beach....hung out for a little while.... and took off.  It was really neat. "   Bill says...Thanks for sharing your pictures with us Jeri ! Con Trio Yacht Club Pool Party ------ Attention Con Trios Yacht Club members.  There will be a Pool Party at the Duck Club Yacht Club on 10 September 2005.  Time 2PM to 6 PM.  Click here for more info. ........Look for this same info on the Con Trios website soon. Note:  "The Alton Get Away" has been cancelled due to storm damage at the Alton Marina  Need New BBQ Grills At Iowa ------ The folks at Iowa are looking for BBQ pits for the beach.  If you have one you want to donate ... bring it out to the beach or drop it off at Camp Carl.   Need more info - e-mail RiverBill 8- 29 -05   Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of Shelley Kinder and Wayne Kiel at  Kinder's Restaurant last Saturday night .  It was a SURPRISE 40th BIRTHDAY PARTY for Wayne, with a Hawaiian Theme !   Wayne told me that it was indeed a surprise..... and that Shelley pulled it off with out him finding out.  Looks like someone helped Wayne get dressed for the occasion.........  Happy Birthday Wayne! Party Goers at Kinder's------ Some of the party goers and faithful RiverBill's readers at Kinder's Saturday night with Laura (Right). Spaghetti Wresting ------ Some of the Spaghetti Wrestler's at Capt'n Jack's Saturday Night Rail ------ The band Rail belting out the tunes at Capt'n Jack's Saturday night Need New BBQ Grills At Iowa ------ The group at Iowa is looking for BBQ pits for the beach.  If you have one you want to donate bring it out to the beach or drop it off at Camp Carl.   Need more info - e-mail RiverBill 8- 28 -05   Our River Picture of the Day ------ was sent in by Jan WIlliams of "Williams Boat Clean".  Jan wrote in her e-mail: Here was our family's solution to the question: Boat not big enough to haul your friends to Jamaica Daze ?   NO PROBLEM MON !! Had a great time. Thanks, The Williams Family   Bill says ...Thanks Jan for sharing  your great picture with us !   Yah Mon !! Jamaica Daze T Shirts ------  Anyone interested in additional Jamaica Daze T Shirts contact: Marie Schneider @ DRS Embroidery 636-465-2635 drsemb@centurytel.net   8- 27 -05  Afternoon edition Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of some of the river crew on Pat and John Difatta's cruiser named "Good Vibrations" on  the way to Kinder's Friday Night.   Good times....good friends...means a late edition of RiverBill's on Saturday.   A big thanks goes out to Pat and John for inviting us along.    The wireless connection card for my laptop couldn't pick up a signal where we were on the river....so ....came home and made updates. 8- 26 -05  Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of developer Joe DeSherlia speaking at the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Grafton Harbor on Wednesday afternoon.  The ground breaking ceremony officially started the construction on the new facility that is scheduled to be completed by February of 2006.  This project has been in the works since the 1960's and it has now become a reality.  The new harbor will be built along the bank of  the Illinois River in the town of Grafton, IL, near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi.  It will be located just up-river from the Grafton Ferry Landing and in front of the old school building.  (You know the school building that is next to the road that goes up the bluff to Aries Winery.)    The facility will have 300 slips and be protected by a floating breakwater.  The docks will have concrete walkways and there will be docks available for transient boaters.  Look for a pool,  hot tub, bait shop, mechanical service, private luxury bathroom suites, convenience store, ship's store and more.      As you know, Grafton has always been a difficult place for the boaters to visit because of the almost non-existent docking facilities. This new harbor will change that and it will open up the city of Grafton to the boaters of Alton Lake. There are all kinds of wineries, restaurants and shops within easy walking distance of the new harbor.  Its going to be great !   For more information call  ( 618) 786 - 7678  or   go to   www.graftonharbor.net      There was plenty of  fried fish and beverages for everyone after the ceremonies were over.  I got to talk to Joe DeSherlia for a bit about the new marina and I thanked him for opening up the City of Grafton to us boaters.     I also got to meet Carl Seidler from Godfrey. IL.  Carl is an avid boater, who grew up on the river near Winfield Dam,  just below present day location of Cedar Hill Restaurant.  You might spot Carl  in the "family section" of Mason Chute or  on Iowa Island.  Stop and say hello.    A big Thanks goes to  Sue Ferguson from Timber Ridge Condo's for snapping some of the pictures for me. Lakeside Levee OK'd ------  According to a n article in Thursday's on-line Post Dispatch the Corps of Engineers will issue a permit to allow construction of the levee for the Lakeside 370 Business Park.   Go to STLtoday to for the complete story.   Weekly Fishing Report ------ Here is the Mississippi River portion of this weeks Missouri Department Of Conservation's Fishing Report. Mississippi (above St. Louis): 78 degrees, low, muddy; channel catfish good on stinkbaits; flathead catfish good on live baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/25/2005) To view the complete report .....click the  "Fishing Report"   link in the left hand column of this page. Jamaica Daze T Shirts ------  Anyone interested in additional Jamaica Daze T Shirts contact: Marie Schneider @ DRS Embroidery 636-465-2635 drsemb@centurytel.net   Another Jamaica Daze Picture ------  of a couple partying at last Saturday's Celebration.. 8- 25 -05  Our River Pictures of the Day ------ was sent in by Stan and Sharon Ashberry.  It is a  Jamaican Daze Sunset over the Isle of Two Branch.  The day time activities are over and the night time party is just getting under way.  What a shot ....  Look at those colors !   Thanks Stan and Sharon for sharing  your great picture.  ~~~~~~ More Jamaica Daze pictures tomorrow~~~~~. Barge owners watch water levels in Mississippi -----  There was an article in Wednesday's on-line Alton Telegraph about how the low water levels of the Mississippi River may force closure to commercial navigation.   To read the complete article go to the  On-Line Telegraph.  Molly - The Jamaica Daze River Dog----  picture was sent in by Ron and Darlene Skeen.  They wrote   "Here's a River Dog" to add to your collection....This is Molly, who belongs to Rick & Mary Linnman.   Jamaica Daze was such a success that even the dogs got leid......"     Dog Days of Summer Festival On Main Street is Saturday, Aug 27.  Pictures of all of our River Dogs will be posted at the event along with a RiverBill's Banner.  For more info go to : http://www.dogdaysofsummer.org CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE Levee Repairs ------  There was an article in  Monday's on-line Post Dispatch about the Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District recommending federal funding for much needed levee repairs in the Wood River Drainage and Levee District.   Go to STLtoday to for the complete story.   Dardenne Creek  ------  There was an article in  Monday's on-line Post Dispatch about how Missouri streams are being evaluated for pollution and recreational use.   Dardenne Creek is slated to retain the "whole-body contact" designation" which means that it is swimmable and must receive only treated sewage that has been disinfected. That is good because  Dardenne Creek empties into Dardenne Slough around the UMR 227.3 mile marker and a lot of boaters play in that water down stream from there.    Go to STLtoday to for the complete story.   8- 24 -05  Our River Pictures of the Day ------ are more of the highlights of the  2005 Jamaica Daze Party.  We have the Lei Girls, the Hot Dog Girls, Mike D starting the party,  some signs and the DJ..."Island Bill".  Photos by Captain Ronnie Stevens. 8- 23 -05  Our River Pictures of the Day ------ are more of the highlights of the  2005 Jamaica Daze Party.  We have boat parking, the chicken cookers, the kids soda drinking contest,  the men's beer drinking contest, one of the best dressed contest people, a picture of some of the party goers under the palms, 2 shots of the band "2nd Nature" and the lighted palms at night.  More pictures soon come.  Want one of those great aerial shots of the party for you house or boat ?  Make sure to check out Steve Schulte's website by clicking the link on the right hand side of this web page.  They are great. 8- 22 -05  Our River Pictures of the Day ------ are of  the 2005 Jamaica Daze Party that took place on the upper sandbar behind the Isle of Two Branch last Saturday.  Once again our good friend, Steve Schulte, took these great pictures from one of the helicopters that were flying around in the late afternoon.      Steve also sent us a close up picture of some of the boats and a beach shot at dinner time of the food table and palm trees.  I am also including a picture that shows  some of the surrounding scenery.  THANKS STEVE !! 8- 19 -05  Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of  the Ernie Moretti  family at the Sand Bar Restaurant last weekend.    Several of the folks were from out of town and everyone was trying to salvage a rainy river Sunday.  They made the Sand Bar Restaurant their "Home Base" and Ernie gave a boat rides from there.  Sal, the guy between the two branches, is from California and visits RiverBill's regularly ! .... Yah Mon !        E.J. (2nd from the left) just left for Mizzou last Wednesday and Sal's son  (third from the left) just graduated from high school and is headed for collage.      What a good looking family ! Jamaica Daze 2005 -------   The Jamaica Daze 2005 Committee welcomes everyone to the Jamaica Daze Party next weekend.   It will be behind the Isle of Two Branch on the upper sand bar.  For more info. click on    side 1  side 2 Jamaica Daze - Channel  To Upper Sand Bar-----  A channel to the upper sandbar behind Two Branch Island has been marked with jugs and round pieces of foam.  Enter at the lower end of the island and stay between the markers and the island.  It gets shallow in a few spots due to the very low water conditions we are experiencing.  ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.     Just go slow, use your depth finder and use common sense.   Turn right at the last marker near the sand bar and head towards the bluff on the Illinois side. Anchor out - the water was about waist deep in most places - similar to Mason Chute.  See map. Weekly Fishing Report ------ Here is the Mississippi River portion of this weeks Missouri Department Of Conservation's Fishing Report. Mississippi (above St. Louis): 88 degrees, low, muddy; channel catfish fair on prepared baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/18/2005) To view the complete report .....click the  "Fishing Report"   link in the left hand column of this page. 8- 18 -05  Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of  an  (almost) -  full moon  rising above the tree line along the lower end of the Isle of Two Branch yesterday evening.  We will have a full moon on Friday, August 19, so I think this qualifies as a Full Moon Weekend !     This pic was taken around the  UMR 230 mile marker.  Jamaica Daze 2005 -------   The Jamaica Daze 2005 Committee welcomes everyone to the Jamaica Daze Party next weekend.   It will be behind the Isle of Two Branch on the upper sand bar.  For more info. click on    side 1  side 2 Jamaica Daze - Channel  To Upper Sand Bar-----  A channel to the upper sandbar behind Two Branch Island has been marked with jugs and round pieces of foam.  Enter at the lower end of the island and stay between the markers and the island.  It gets shallow in a few spots due to the very low water conditions we are experiencing.  ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.     Just go slow, use your depth finder and use common sense.   Turn right at the last marker near the sand bar and head towards the bluff on the Illinois side. Anchor out - the water was about waist deep in most places - similar to Mason Chute.  See map. Blue Cat Receives World Record Status -----  The International Game Fish Association has approved the 124 pound blue cat  caught by Tim Pruitt of Alton, Ill as a world record.   To read the complete article go to  www.fishsniffer.com . Steam Boat Emerges From Missouri River -----  The water in the Missouri River has dropped low enough once again to expose the sunken skeleton of the steamboat Montana that is  resting along the bank of the river across from St. Charles.    To read the complete article go to  www.wsmv.com . 8- 15 -06  Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of  Cherlyn and Amanda   of Kinders Fame !   Two of the best looking bar tenders on the river.   Amanda is back and she told me she is here to stay...... Welcome home - We missed you. Jamaica Daze 2005 -------   The Jamaica Daze 2005 Committee welcomes everyone to the Jamaica Daze Party next weekend.   It will be behind the Isle of Two Branch on the upper sand bar.  For more info. click on    side 1  side 2 Trip Pics - Hannibal ------ Photographer extraordinaire , Captain Marty Henderson, sent me a few pics of their boat trip to Hannibal last weekend.   Marty wrote that it was really rainy last Sunday on their trip home, but they managed to have a good time anyway.  We have a picture of a lot of pleasure craft in the lock at Hannibal and the Damn Guide.   Thanks for the trip pics Marty.      Grand Opening  Pics - Capt'n Jack's ------ A few pics from Captain Jack's Grand Opening last weekend. Take a look.  Group pic1, Group pic2 and Group pic3.  Check their website soon for more pictures. Mine Sweeper Wreck Exposed ------ Captain Brian Schaffer sent us a link to a picture on the KSDK Channel 5 news website of  a wrecked minesweeper  in the Mississippi River south of St. Louis that is exposed because of the current low water levels.      Thanks for the link to the picture Brian ! 8- 16 -05  Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of the shrimp cookers at Con Trios Yacht Club's ~  Shrimp Boil and Beach Party~ that was held last Saturday on the lower sand bar behind Hat Island. A good time was had by all in spite of the late afternoon thunder storm.   Thanks for the picture Glenn Sadowski. Jamaica Daze 2005 -------   The Jamaica Daze 2005 Committee welcomes everyone to the Jamaica Daze Party next weekend.   It will be behind the Isle of Two Branch on the upper sand bar.  For more info. click on    side 1  side 2 Coast Guard Security Screening -----  There was an article in Sunday's on-line Alton Telegraph about about U.S. Coast Guard requirements for vehicles inspections at public ports with routine stops or an occasional, large vessel with more than 150 passengers.   To read the complete article go to the  On-Line Telegraph.  Lewis and Clark Towers Get Funding -----  There was an article in Friday's  Belleville.com  about  the Lewis and Clark towers project that is located just off of Illinois Route 3.  The towers will overlook the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and received some funding from the State of Illinois last week..  Go to  belleville.com for the complete article. Oh Buoy   ------ Added another photo to the "Oh Buoy" web page named:    " If I wanna park my boat on the ramp I will"          The link is in the upper left hand corner of this web page.    Take a look !     Thanks Marty for taking this picture and for sending it in for us all to enjoy.....      ( I forgot to upload the pic yesterday - it's there now !) 8- 15 -05   Our River Picture of the Day ------ was sent in by Carl and Michele Sondker.  It is of their dogs K.C. and Kodi enjoying the river last Thursday before the clouds and storms moved in.  Kodi is the black dog and the mother of K.C.   Thanks for the pictures Carl and Michele The " Girls of Alton Lake" ----  We have some of the best women in the world boating on Alton Lake and  ... Kim.... is one of them.    Here she is "cooling off"  in the mighty Mississippi on a hot summer day.....and looking beautiful.      Photography by Marty Henderson of www.fotou.net . Repair of Damage to Alton Marina ------  There was an article in  Friday's on-line Post Dispatch stating that the damage to  Alton Marina, from the storms on Wednesday,  probably won't be repaired until next year.   Go to STLtoday to for the complete story.   8- 14 -05   Our River Picture of the Day ------ is Mike & Tammy Vitale's Cruiser In XS  all decorated up in  Jamaica flags in preparation for the Jamaica Daze Party next weekend.   Way to go Mike and Tammy!.....Yah MON..........   This picture was taken on Saturday as Mike and Tammy were heading to the lower sandbar behind Two Branch Island for the Con Trios Yacht Club's "Shrimp Boil and Beach Party".  The " Girls of Alton Lake" ----  We have some of the best women in the world boating on Alton Lake and  ... Kim.... is one of them.    Here she is "cooling off"  in the mighty Mississippi on a hot summer day.....and looking beautiful.      Photography by Marty Henderson of www.fotou.net . Jamaica Daze 2004 Pictures  Link Fixed----  There was a broken link  on the web page named... JAMAICA DAZE 2004...that has been fixed.(upper left hand corner)....The fixed link now connects to   "200 more Jamaica Daze Pictures".  Actually there is pictures from 2002,2003 and 2004......Take a look. 8- 13 -05  The Early  Saturday Edition Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of the Water Patrol  heading up-river last weekend, keeping our river safe.  Keep up the good work guys ! Jamaica Daze 2004 Pictures  Link Fixed----  There was a broken link  on the web page named... JAMAICA DAZE 2004...that has been fixed.(upper left hand corner)....The fixed link now connects to   "200 more Jamaica Daze Pictures".  Actually there is pictures from 2002,2003 and 2004......Take a look. Capt'n Jacks Website   ------ is still under construction, but is up and running.  Go to  www.captainjacksbarandgrill.net and ...Check It Out . Con Trios Yacht Club Shrimp Boil and Beach Party  ------ is today, August 13, behind the Isle Of Two Branch.  Time 1PM - 5PM.  For more info click here or on the Con Trios website link on the left hand side of this page.  There is still room for a few more members, so contact Jim Svoboda if you are interested in attending.  8- 12 -05   The " Girls of Alton Lake" ----  We have some of the best women in the world boating on Alton Lake and  ... Kim.... is one of them.    Here she is "cooling off"  in the mighty Mississippi on a hot summer day.....and looking beautiful.      Photography by Marty Henderson of www.fotou.net . Jamaica Daze 2004 Pictures  Link Fixed ----  There was a broken link  on the web page named... JAMAICA DAZE 2004...that has been fixed.(upper left hand corner)....The fixed link now connects to   "200 more Jamaica Daze Pictures".  Actually there is pictures from 2002,2003 and 2004......Take a look. Storm Hits Alton Marina ------     The storms that rolled through our area Wednesday evening caused nearly a million dollars damage at Alton Marina.  It damaged some of the docks and a number of boats.  Go to STLtoday to for the complete story.     Thanks Sue Ferguson  of  Timber Ridge Condos for sending this info in.  Alton Gets $$ To Expand Marina ------  I think it is sort of ironic that this is printed the day after the storm, but there was an article in  Thursday's on-line Post Dispatch about the City of Alton receiving a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to add another 36 slips to the Alton Marina.    Go to STLtoday to for the complete story.  There is also an article on Alton's plan to award the expansion job. National Great Rivers Research Center Gets $$ -----According to an article in Wednesday's on-line Alton Telegraph,  the National Great Rivers Research Center received $1 million in U.S. funding that will be used to help prepare the site where the center is to be built.  To read the complete article go to the  On-Line Telegraph.  Oh Buoy   ------ I have added a new section to RiverBill's named "Oh Buoy"..... It is in the left hand column and it contains one great and  humorous  photo that I have had for a while and just never posted.   I didn't think that it was river related at first, but..... it was taken within 100 feet of the river and it it is so goooood that I gave it it's own category.   Hope you enjoy it.       Thanks Marty for taking this picture and for sending it in for us all to enjoy..... Capt'n Jacks Website   ------ is still under construction, but is up and running.  Go to  www.captainjacksbarandgrill.net and ...Check It Out . Con Trios Yacht Club Shrimp Boil and Beach Party  ------ is this Saturday, August 13, behind the Isle Of Two Branch.  Time 1PM - 5PM.  For more info click here or on the Con Trios website link on the left hand side of this page.  There is still room for a few more members, so contact Jim Svoboda if you are interested in attending.  Weekly Fishing Report ------ Here is the Mississippi River portion of this weeks Missouri Department Of Conservation's Fishing Report. Mississippi (above St. Louis): 86 degrees, low, muddy; channel catfish fair on prepared baits and natural baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/11/2005) To view the complete report .....click the  "Fishing Report"   link in the left hand column of this page. 8- 11 -05 Our River Picture of the Day ------ is of the party goers at Jamaica Daze 2004.  This years party will be on Saturday, August 20 at a location to be announced next week.   The  Jamaica Daze Committee of about 40 people have been meeting and working hard to make on this years party better than ever.  We will be cooking jerk chicken and  corn on the cob again.  We will have our favorite DJ, Island Bill,  playing that reggae and island music.  The band 2nd Nature will be there to belt out some rock and roll....The Bud Girls are going to drop by......... There will be games, prizes, contests and give-aways.  There is always a Best Dress Contest,  so put on your island clothes and join in.  Yah Mon !       More Info Soon Come !     More Pics Of Last Years Party  ------ Click on the Jamaica Daze 2004 in the upper left hand corner of this webpage.  Capt'n Jacks Website   ------ is still under construction, but is up and running.  Go to  www.captainjacksbarandgrill.net.   Check It Out . Con Trios Yacht Club Shrimp Boil and Beach Party  ------ is this Saturday, August 13, behind the Isle Of Two Branch.  Time 1PM - 5PM.  For more info click here or on the Con Trios website link on the left hand side of this page.  There is still room for a few more members, so contact Jim Svoboda if you are interested in attending.  The Church Of Whats Happening Now ------ On Tuesday (08-09-0-5) the picture of the day went to "Murphy" Akers.  It was the silly birthday party.  One of the other pictures he sent in was of the The Church of What's Happening Now ...... I just had e-mail him back and ask the question "What the heck is The Church Of Whats Happening Now  ?      Murphy's reply was pretty interesting so I thought I would share it with everyone.   Murphy wrote:     "We have a guy in our group called RV  (short for Rich Vogler).  Captain of a 33 Ft Rinker named "WE DID IT II".   He started this little "church" get-to-gather on Labor Day weekend up on a sandbar above Lock and Dam 25.   After a hard nite of drinking and partying on Saturday night he decided we need a sermon and a place to repent sins (as a joke).   So he gave us a sermon (something about love and lust),  we had some wine and that started the Church of Whats Happening Now !    Some of our girls even dressed up for the occasion in scantly dressed outfits  (when the kids are not around) !  It's all in "GOOD FUN" and we have a blast.  He has had about four of these sermons in the past two years.  It's really funny"          Thanks RV and Murphy for sharing that story----It's great.. 8- 10 -05   MID- MORNING EDITION Our River Picture of the Day ------ was sent in by Captain Ronnie Stevens out of Two Branch Marina.  It is an action shot of some of the  party-goers dancing to the Cajun beat on the swim platform of the boat "Just Not Right".    It was taken at the Mardi Gras party on Iowa Beach last weekend.  I am not sure what kind of problem the Jamaican Braid Boy was having when this picture was snapped...... I just hope everything came out OK.   Thanks for the picture Ronnie......... Mardi Gras On The Beach Pictures  ------ Some more pictures sent in by Ronnie Stevens have been added to the Mardi Gras web page.  Take a look !  Firefighters Practice Water Rescues-----According to an article in Monday's on-line Alton Telegraph,  the Alton Fire Department received new insulated wetsuits and trained in the new gear for water rescues in the Mississippi River..   To read the complete article go to the  On-Line Telegraph.  8- 09 -05    Our River Picture of the Day ------ was sent in by Clifton Akers.  In his e-mail Clifton wrote:  "Had a birthday party Saturday 08-06-05 on top of the houseboat MURPHY II where the theme was Wear your Silly Hat .  Even the dogs , Winston and Annie, got in the spirit.    Next morning we attended church services at "The Church of What's HAPPENING NOW" with Reverend RV, held at the top of Two Branch Isle."    Thanks for the pictures Clifton. International Tug Boat Races ------ Captain George Shindel  sent me an on-line article about the International Tug Boat Races that were recently held on the Detroit River.  It is not the Mississippi River, but I think it is pretty interesting.  There are lots of pictures and a short video.   Check it out. Thanks George. RiverWrecks1...Video ------ Danny, out of Two Branch Harbor, sent me a link to a video named RiverWrecks1.  Danny writes that he and Jeff and Kenny just started wakeboarding this year and decided to capture the experience on video.   Thanks guys for sharing your experiences. (It takes a while to upload so be patient.) ITCS Memo #2288  ------ A Low Water Advisory for the Upper Mississippi River   was issued on 8/4/05.  Mardi Gras On The Beach  ------ Some more pictures sent in by Ronnie Stevens and  Marty Henderson were added to the Mardi Gras web page.  Look for more tomorrow !  Police Search Argosy Patrons' Cars When Cruise Ships Dock At Alton-----According to an article in the on-line Alton Telegraph the the police are searching cars parked by valets at the Argosy Casino when the Mississippi Queen or Delta Queen docks at the Alton Riverfront.  This is being done per U.S. Coast Guard Regulations / Homeland Security Act.   To read the complete article go to the  On-Line Telegraph.  8- 08 -05    Our River Picture of the Day ------  was sent in by Ron and Darlene Skeen.  It is of the  wedding of Ronnie Ziegelmeyer and Cathy Stahl on Hat Turkey Island, Saturday afternoon.    Ron and Darlene write in their e-mail:   "It was a great day for a wedding .  About 100 people attended...the cake was camouflage and the whole wedding had a duck theme, as they are all hunters.......each guest in attendance was given one of the bath towels pictured, which the brides sister embroidered with a small mallard head......it was quite an event."      CONGRATULATIONS TO RON AND KATHY ZIEGELMEYER    Mardi Gras On The Beach Page ------ I added a page for the pictures from the Mardi Gras on the Beach party that took place Saturday on Iowa Island.  Click the hot link in the left hand column to check them out.  Thanks to everyone that put this together !  It was a great time. Friday Night at Capt'n Jack's  ------ Although they were not open for business yet, a few of us gathered at Capt'n Jack's to check out the food, service, drinks, tiki bar, atmosphere and everything else.   Everyone had a good time..     Thanks Jack and Denise for taking care us.. 8- 07 -05    Our River Picture of the Day ------ is a of Mr. Mardi Gras.   It's Gary Meinershagen at Iowa Beach yesterday standing beside a poster sized sign of himself.  The picture on the sign was taken on one of his many trips to New Orleans.    The River Mardi Gras Party was a real hit.    Look for more pictures later today or tomorrow. 8- 06 -05    Tipper Is Back In Town ! ------ Our friend Darryll Weil sent me this picture of his friend Tipper, aka James Trindle (center ), from Flordia .  Pictured with him at Sharky's are Doug (Left) from the "Gin Bucket" and Cindra (Right) from Sharky's.     Darrryll wrote in his email:   "Tip came up from Sunny Florida to hang out with some of his old boating buddies.   Some of you might remember the little guy from Woodland with the boat "Tip One".  Well after living and boating in Florida for the last year he had to come back to the Mississippi and get some REAL boating.  Caught up with him Thursday night at Sharky's Cove and took some pics of him and some of his friends."  Check them out at : http://www.captainweil.com/Tipwasintown/     8- 05 -05   Mid  Morning Edition Our River Picture of the Day ------ is a scenic shot of the Grafton Riverfront.  This picture is looking down stream on the Illinois River towards the confluence if the Illinois and Mississippi.  The red roof of the Loading Dock can be seen in the distance. Correction ------Entertainment shown on RiverBill's this morning for the  Sand Bar Restaurant was incorrect and has been removed.  Check their website calendar for latest info. Weekly Fishing Report ------ Here is the Mississippi River portion of this weeks Missouri Department Of Conservation's Fishing Report. Mississippi (above St. Louis): 86 degrees, low, muddy; channel catfish fair on prepared baits and natural baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/4/2005)