STRICTLY BUSINESS: SLEDS ALL YEAR LONG

Sledding has became a year-round activity, but we may have to wait a few more days before giving it a try.

Terry Davis, a Southeast Missouri State University graduate, has introduced a new product on the United States market -- the "SummerSled."

The SummerSled will allow you to fly down a hill, without using snow.

Sledding, says Matt Walker IV, of Mental Engineering, which markets the new sled, is an activity kids and adults wait for all year long.

Until recently, the sledding season has been restricted to just a few months or days, throughout the year.

"You get the same thrill, or more, than riding a snow sled," said Davis. "This product has been sold around the globe, and people are loving it. All you need is a grassy hill and the SummerSled."

The sled, made of polypropylene, comes in a number of flowing colors, including red, yellow, pink, green, orange and blue.

The new SummerSled resembles a glorified skateboard, adorned with wheels. It may be a bit difficult to steer, but it's fun, said Walker.

Missouri gamblinganniversary coming up

In four months, the gambling industry will celebrate its seventh anniversary in Missouri.

That's a relatively short time, but the industry has made a big impact on the economy according to John Finamore:

"We have produced thousands of jobs, contributed to more than a billion dollars in taxes to the state, and have helped several individual communities with public service projects," said Finamore, who is president of the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association (MERGE), a trade association for the state's casinos.

Finamore, who is also president of Missouri operations for Ameristar Casinos at Kansas City and St. Louis, was guest speaker at the MRGA annual meeting held recently.

"We have become the sixth largest source of revenue in Missouri behind individuals and corporate income, sales and gas taxes," said Finamore. "And, we have accomplished all this without any government incentives and giveaways, which are commonly used to attract businesses to local communities and to the state."

The casino industry in Missouri pays a total of 32 percent of its revenues in taxes, noted Finamore. "As far as we can tell that is more than any industry in the nation."

Finamore adds some more plusses for the gambling industry -- more than 11,000 direct jobs, more than $350 million in wages and benefits last year, more opportunities for women and minorities (statewide, 52 percent of casino employees are female, and over 32 percent area minorities).

Funds have been designated to education, veterans programs and improvements in communities where the operations are located. A total of 15 casino operations are located in 10 areas, including Caruthersville in rural Pemiscot County in the Bootheel.

When gambling started in Missouri, in 1994, guests were limited to two-hour cycles on entering or leaving one of the riverboat casinos. Now, guests can come-and-go at will.

"As we enter the new year, we look forward to a happy and prosperous relationship with the state of Missouri, and the communities in which we operate," said Finamore.

One of the goals of the Missouri gambling industry is to eliminate the $500 loss limit every two hours.

The Missouri Gaming Commission says only about one percent of the guests ever approach the $500 loss limit.

Gambling has been a source of entertainment for more than 24 million people a year in Missouri, making casinos one of the top tourist attractions in the state.