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A few things for Votran to consider
Votran's fixed-route and paratransit services are both flawed. I am a very dissatisfied customer, and would like to know what recourse I have regarding the following situations:
No. 1- Identify your vehicles and act in the best interest of the handicapped. On Friday, Aug. 24, I had a reservation for a pick up at my home. I was advised by both the man who set up my service and repeatedly by your dispatchers to wait at the front courtyard because I live in a gated community. I did everything as instructed. The appointment was for 10 a.m. When no Votran vehicle arrived by 10:25 a.m., I called your dispatcher who told me that I was not there and did not live at the given address because someone told their driver so. Hello. Check my driver's license. It turns out you sent a man in a Southern Komfort taxi who couldn't figure out the woman with the walker at the entrance was the passenger. Your dispatcher refused to send the cab back once the mistake was unraveled. No one ever told me a taxi might show up instead of a Votran-identified vehicle. I missed a job interview thanks to Votran's confusion and disregard. It's tough to find any kind of job in my condition and you just made matters worse.
When I called and asked for a supervisor, the dispatcher put me on hold interminably.
No. 2 - Use common sense in unusual situations and act in the best interest of the handicapped. On Thursday, Aug. 23, a friend took me to Walmart in Port Orange. The friend had to leave in a hurry. I said no problem, I will catch a bus. I asked the driver to be dropped off at Swallow Tail Drive as other drivers had done previously, and he said it was against the rules. I walk with a walker and it was loaded with groceries. I explained I could not drag the walker across the 20-foot swath that was soggy to boot at Village Trail. He basically said it was not his problem. I asked him to write down the customer service number and he refused. I asked him to help me with the walker and he refused. He dislodged the ramp on an angle instead of flat to the ground. A man on the bus offered to help and he struggled across the grass. I slid out off the bus on what was more like a slide than a ramp.
When I called the office, the representative said the driver had acted properly, and my response was that surliness is not proper. I asked to find out how to request a bus stop at Swallow Tail near McDonald's and she said Votran has nothing to do with that; I would have to call Port Orange. I said someone in her building had to know the answer to this question, and she said she didn't have time. I said I would wait until Friday.
Meanwhile, I called Port Orange with the question and they sent me right back to Votran. I left a message for the Volusia County Manager and got no answer.
I called the Votran representative back and after some phone tag, we connected. She suddenly was on the case and said someone is being sent out to determine if the bus stop I requested is feasible. She said she would keep me posted.
No. 3 - Side issues: As a frequent rider, let me add that bus shelters are few and far between; the Plexiglas shelters could suffocate you in the heat; many of the bus stop benches are covered with red ants. I take my life in my hands just going the short way from Village Trail to Swallow Tail. The speed limit is too high on Village Trail, there is no crosswalk from the condos to the bus stop, and the sidewalks are cracked and littered with palm fronds, etc. Walkers barely ambulate over grass, so getting to the sidewalks is difficult.
Maureen Gibbons, Port Orange
Response from Steven Sherrer, Votran general manager: Votran has responded directly to Ms. Gibbons to apologize for her experience. Votran staff has taken immediate action to research the details of this rider's experience and is prepared to take corrective action if warranted.
Votran customers should expect and receive safe, courteous and reliable service from our company and its associates. Please be assured that wherever possible we will take appropriate action to ensure this occurs.
While all regular fixed route buses are accessible to disabled passengers, there are many roadside conditions that make it difficult for disabled passengers to navigate to or from our bus stops. Even though there are sidewalks in the area where Ms. Gibbons lives, they are situated far away from the edge of the road where the bus must stop to board and deboard passengers.
Votran staff participated in a Florida Department of Transportation site inspection of this section of Dunlawton Avenue in July 2011 to identify transit challenges for disabled passengers that FDOT should address in their next construction improvement on that particular section of road.
There are more than 2,000 bus stops throughout the county with varying roadside conditions, in both urban and rural situations. In many places, it is not possible for disabled passengers to access the fixed route system. Votran Gold is the door-to-door service that provides public transportation for passengers who cannot use the regular fixed route bus. Passengers using Votran Gold are escorted from their door way to the vehicle. Ms. Gibbons has already gone through the eligibility process and been approved to use Votran Gold services. Votran Gold performs approximately 1,000 trips per day, with about 40 percent of the service completed under contract by other providers of transportation services. We did, unfortunately, fail to deliver our standard of service to Ms. Gibbons for her Votran Gold trip and we will take necessary steps to help prevent the same inconveniences from occurring in the future.
I would like to see the Delta Queen in New Smyrna Beach
I applaud Dan Smith for his writing on the Delta Queen and New Smyrna Beach in the Aug. 24 edition.
I agree it would be a beautiful addition to the little seaside community.
My wife and I go to New Smyrna often (I have lived in the area for 33 years) and truly enjoy the small local shops and eateries. We enjoy history and being able to partake in it.
We hope the city does not make this a political thing, just an enjoyable thing. I would love to sit on deck, enjoy a beverage and eat something tasty and dream a lazy dream.
Now, doesn't that sound good?
George Hilbert, South Daytona
Does history repeat itself?
Our country is in tough shape right now with the most controversial election ever. The candidates are the most childish acting adults ever to run for president of our nation. Our government departments can't get along; state and federal officials are at each other's throats. States are so diverse and they are losing control of their laws, their people and their rights that make them the state they are. States' rights must be considered and that is something the federal government seems less and less willing to do.
Back in history, before President Abraham Lincoln, our country was going through the same thing when people started moving west during the Gold Rush. The states were going to split and create two countries, which was encouraged by England. When Lincoln came along, he never said he agreed with either side, that it was each state's decision, but he did want to keep the nation whole. The rest is history, but even back then the president realized some things are a state's issue.
Today, about 154 years later, we are having a similar issue with states arguing over the health care, Medicare issues. Debating over illegal immigration also has been a big topic. Welfare fraud and the abuse of food stamps are coming up in several states. Voting laws and regulations are a big topic with the coming election, with many states not wanting either presidential candidate on the ballot.
This isn't what our country is about, we have lost our true freedom to live in peace, freedom of religion, our beliefs and rights as individuals. Our states are being forced to give up their individual rights of choice to come under the control of one man, one law. We are here because we want our choice of religion, beliefs, voting rights and to be an individual person, not a robot.
Our founding fathers issued many warnings about the dangers of growing and intrusive government, which they sought to control with our Constitution. Thomas Jefferson was one of the best when he said, "Most bad government has grown out of too much government."
With the coming election and some states rising up against the forced new illegal immigration laws, over the possible next president, Obamacare and being forced to add extra Medicaid, we are going back in circles for everything that our country fought for. We are losing that freedom our forefathers gave us. We need changes in our government that this election isn't prepared for and the candidates cannot handle. This election has people who are too immature, greedy, set in their ways from long term positions, have wealth and are seeking power and control. Our country cannot and will not survive on those terms. This past year those in the position to do so have not made any decisions to turn this country around for the better. Our economy is worse than ever with a debt that we will never see end. We are so dependent on every other country, except our own. Our jobs are overseas, we import most items and that includes our food.
So, now we have gone back further in history, when we depended on England while we settled in this country. Who to elect in November doesn't matter if they are more worried about acting childish and not telling us how they will improve our great country. We have more hunger, more homeless, more crime and more jobless than ever. We have politicians who cannot pass laws that will help improve our nation, yet feel they should be re-elected. They have not done anything in the last four years for us, so how can we depend on them for another four. We are going to be leaving the biggest, heaviest burden on our next two generations, who will not be educated enough to take control. That generation is too dependent on welfare now and cuts in education have not helped.
I'm sure that if our flag had a heart, it would be broken by now from our selfish greed.
Sheila Dillon, Port Orange
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A Terre Haute based bank picks up more branches in Illinois.
First Financial Bank acquired seven branches and two drive up locations from Bank of America.
The branches are located in central and southern Illinois, including Charleston and Mattoon.
Now First Financial will have 37 branches in Illinois, and 36 in Indiana.
Under the agreement, First Financial will acquire over $250 million in deposits and $2.3 million in small business loans.

subset: commoncrawl


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5 U.S. Code § 8453 - Application
A claim may be allowed under this subchapter only if application is filed with the Office before the employee or Member is separated from the service or within 1 year thereafter. This time limitation may be waived by the Office for an employee or Member who, at the date of separation from service or within 1 year thereafter, is mentally incompetent if the application is filed with the Office within 1 year from the date of restoration of the employee or Member to competency or the appointment of a fiduciary, whichever is earlier.
Source(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a),June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 568.)
The table below lists the classification updates, since Jan. 3, 2012, for this section. Updates to a broader range of sections may be found at the update page for containing chapter, title, etc.
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Marco Pignataro Jazzet featuring Eddie Gomez
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 12:00 p.m.Berklee Stage
Italian saxophonist Marco Pignataro has performed extensively across Europe and the Americas in jazz festivals and international music venues. Pignataro's latest album, Sofia's Heart, was produced by jazz legend Eddie Gomez and features Pignataro's compositions and arrangements.
Admission: Free
Marcus Santos and Bloco AfroBrazil
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 1:00 p.m.Columbus Avenue (Street Performance)
Brazilian Marcus Santos is a contemporary percussionist and educator. He commits his life to the study, teaching, and performance of his hometown's Afro-Brazilian music.
Admission: Free
Sapporo Junior Jazz School Band
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 1:10 p.m.Natixis Global Asset Management Stage
The Sapporo Junior Jazz School band consists of junior high school students from Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido Prefecture and Japan's fourth-largest city.
Admission: Free
Screaming Headless Torsos
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 1:15 p.m.BeanTown Stage
Screaming Headless Torsos, or SHT, is a genre-defying rock band that formed in 1989. The band's music mixes and mashes guitar-driven rock, jazz, hip-hop, funk, and more.
Admission: Free
Ambrose Akinmusire
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 1:15 p.m.Berklee Stage
Ambrose Akinmusire brings his artistic vision to the next level with his second release for Blue Note Records. The New Yorker calls him "a thrilling young trumpeter and astute bandleader (with a) unique spark in his playing."
Admission: Free
Aubrey Logan
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 2:20 p.m.Natixis Global Asset Management Stage
Aubrey Logan is an award-winning artist. Her vocals range from deep and electric to delicate and vulnerable. She breaks traditional genre barriers by combining jazz vocals with R&B, neo-soul, pop, and a touch of rock.
Admission: Free
Miguel Zenon
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 2:30 p.m.Berklee Stage
Multiple Grammy Award nominee and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón is part of a select group of musicians who have masterfully balanced and blende innovation and tradition.
Admission: Free
Bill Banfield's the Jazz Urbane with Special Guest Grace Kelly
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 2:30 p.m.BeanTown Stage
The Jazz Urbane is a contemporary jazz recording/performing collective that embraces and is infused with great R&B songwriting, grooves, and style.
Admission: Free
Snarky Puppy
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 3:40 p.m.Natixis Global Asset Management Stage
Snarky Puppy seamlessly fuses a deep knowledge and respect for musical tradition with sonic and conceptual innovation in a way that is able to reach the most critical—or most carefree—audience.
Admission: Free
Melissa Aldana and Crash Trio
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 3:45 p.m.BeanTown Stage
Melissa Aldana began playing saxophone at the tender age of 6. After watching pupils come in and out of her home in Santiago, Chile, to take lessons from her father, Marcos Aldana—a renowned jazz saxophonist himself—the young Melissa would pester him to teach her as well.
Admission: Free
Dionne Farris with the Russell Gunn Quartet
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 3:45 p.m.Berklee Stage
Producer, actor, and Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dionne Farris is a powerhouse.
Admission: Free
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 5:00 p.m.BeanTown Stage
Kneebody's sound is a combination of explosive rock energy, high-level nuanced chamber ensemble playing, and highly wrought compositions that are balanced with adventurous no-holds-barred improvising.
Admission: Free
Sheila E.
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 5:00 p.m.Natixis Global Asset Management Stage
Sheila E. was obviously influenced by her father, Latin jazz legend and timbalero Pete Escovedo (then band leader of the influential band Azteca), while watching him rehearse. At 5 years old, she made her concert debut at the former Sands Ballroom in Oakland, California, when her father invited her on stage to play a solo in front of an audience of 3,000.
Admission: Free
Yoron Israel/Bill Pierce Quintet: Tribute to James Williams
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 5:00 p.m.Berklee Stage
Yoron Israel, a native Chicagoan, is a gifted and sought-after musician whose exciting and tasteful drumming, along with his compositional talents, are spotlighted throughout his recordings. His recordings have received enthusiastic praise from journalists, musical peers, and fans alike.
Admission: Free
Oleta Adams
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 8:00 p.m.Scullers Jazz Club
Since her 1990 debut album went platinum, the Grammy-nominated Oleta Adams, a pianist and vocalist in genres including gospel, jazz, R&B, soul, and pop, has garnered worldwide acclaim and sold more than 2.5 million albums.Buy Tickets
Oleta Adams
Saturday / September 27, 2014 / 10:00 p.m.Scullers Jazz Club
Since her 1990 debut album went platinum, the Grammy-nominated Oleta Adams, a pianist and vocalist in genres including gospel, jazz, R&B, soul, and pop, has garnered worldwide acclaim and sold more than 2.5 million albums.Buy Tickets
Snarky Puppy / Kneebody
Sunday / September 28, 2014 / 8:00 p.m.Berklee Performance Center
The once Texan, now New York-based Grammy Award-winning quasi-collective Snarky Puppy has gone from a best-kept secret to one of the most respected names in instrumental music. Although still underground in many respects, the band has earned high praise from critical stalwarts like the BBC, Village Voice, Guardian, and Boston Herald, and has performed at some of the best venues and festivals in Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America.Buy Tickets
Alon Yavnai: Improvisation and Free Play
Monday / September 29, 2014 / 1:00 p.m.Berk Recital Hall
Berklee associate professor and pianist Alon Yavnai presents an interactive workshop which focuses on being "in the moment" when improvising.
Admission: Free
Norm Zocher's Electric Strings Quartet
Monday / September 29, 2014 / 7:00 p.m.Berk Recital Hall
Norm Zocher's Electric Strings Quartet will perform excerpts from Rock Ethic and other original compositions, arranged for the unique instrumentation of this ensemble.
Admission: Free
The John Funkhouser Quintet featuring Aubrey Johnson
Monday / September 29, 2014 / 7:30 p.m.David Friend Recital Hall
The John Funkhouser Quintet is a band of musicians without borders. Its influences range as widely as Woody Guthrie, Thelonious Monk, Frank Zappa, Frederic Chopin, and Ravi Shankar. This concert will include special guest vocalist Aubrey Johnson.
Admission: Free


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Don't try to understand Knott's Berry Farm; just enjoy what you can
Written by Robert Niles
Tuesday Park Visit: After half an hour waiting in a queue more like a darkened holding pen, I was getting steamed. Announcements squawked over a loudspeaker every few minutes, but neither I nor my 11-year-old daughter could make out a word. With no posted waiting time, nor a theme park employee anywhere in sight, we had no idea how much longer we'd be waiting.Tweet
Welcome to Knott's Berry Farm, the most incomprehensible theme park in America.
Natalie and I ended up waiting an hour and 10 minutes to ride GhostRider, after park employees mercifully added a second train on the track. (GhostRider can run three.) Still, two trains gives Knott's 1998 CCI wooden roller coaster an approximate capacity of 800 riders an hour, placing it light years ahead of many other attractions in this capacity-starved park.
While Natalie and I were waiting, waiting and waiting for GhostRider, my wife and son cooled their heels across the park, serving nearly an hour in the queue for Joe Cool's GR8 SK8, an Interactive Rides Sky Skater that we calculated was putting through fewer than 100 riders per hour.
And yet...
If one looks past the thrill rides with less capacity than Jessica Simpson taking the MCAT, one can find amidst them a park filled with little details that can make a theme park visit magical.
Such as Mystery Lodge, a Native American storytelling show with effects that would be right at home in Walt Disney World's Epcot. (No surprise, as the show's the work of the same creator who produced Epcot's Impressions de France, my all-time favorite theme park movie.)
Image courtesy BRC Imagination Arts
While Natalie and I enjoyed Mystery Lodge, Laurie and Brian discovered Knott's Ghost Town Magic store, where park magician Robert entertained and confounded Brian with a variety of impressive tricks.
So which is Knott's? A over-crowded thrill park? Or a well-detailed theme park filled with personal touches and storytelling?
Well, it's both. And that's what makes this park so hard to comprehend. The worst guide map in the industry doesn't help matters, either. While Knott's map details every minor shop in the park, it ignores dozens of attractions, listing just one ride in the park's Camp Snoopy kids' land.
Getting around Knott's never was easy. The park lacks the intuitive hub-and-spoke layout that Walt Disney employed up the street at Disneyland. Themed lands at Knott's, such as they are, don't blend from one into another, either.
Walking through Knott's is like walking through a theme park boneyard. The mighty Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster, Silver Bullet, lords over the park, its support beams impaling the old Indian ceremonial dance stage and cutting off the remaining fragment of the pond where Walter Knott's steamboat once sailed. The delightful 1969 Log Ride, prototype for Disney's Splash Mountain, stands smack next to unthemed carny games, with a Wipeout across the way, and the theme-less Supreme Scream drop ride standing over all.
Given the confusion, perhaps it is fitting that the park's most famous restaurant isn't in the park at all. After reuniting, we four got our hands stamped to exit and walk over to Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant... for lunch.
The fried chicken is fine, not as tasty as others. But the chicken noodle soup, more stew than broth, delights. And if you can beat your table mates, grab one of the crustier biscuits, which taste more like fritters than the tasteless pucks of dough you'll find from the Colonel.
And, of course, we enjoyed Knott's Boysenberries in every form - jelly, pie and punch. Not too tart, not too sweet, just well balanced flavor each time.
After our late lunch, we returned to the park for the Knott's classics, the Log Ride and the Calico Mine Ride. Funny how the park's oldest rides seem to have the fastest moving lines. Two classic joys amid the modern metal.
Ultimately, everyone said they had a great time. But I when I pressed for specifics, no one could quite say, exactly, why.
That's Knott's. You very well might enjoy it. But don't bother trying to understand it.
Readers' Opinions
From Nicholas Kalscheuer on April 7, 2009 at 9:56 PM
This place is very quickly becoming a very wrecked park with not the values its used to have. I think this park is turning into Southern California's new Magic Mountain and MM is getting much better even though it lacks theming you expect Six Flags to be that way and it has enough roller coasters to support their values. While Knotts throws a bright red and orange piece of steel over their scenic lake, I think Silver Bullet is the main reason for this down fall but, I don't want to point fingers just hope it gets better.
From M. Ryan Traylor on April 7, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Robert, I must agree with you on the confusion part. The first time I went to Knott's, I felt like being at a State Fair running from ride to ride with no real sense of direction or theme. But don't get me wrong, the rides there are great. I love Ghostrider, Xcelerator, Timber Mountain Log Ride, and even Montezooma's Revenge.
The only other time I've been to Knott's was for Knotts' Scary Farm, which is how I will always refer to their Halloween promotion. Their Halloween park is the best in SoCal.
From Jacob Sundstrom on April 7, 2009 at 10:34 PM
^ Someone hasn't been to Halloween Horror Nights!
I agree Robert, and I am sure that you have noticed that all noticeable "magic" at Knott's was created before the Cedar Fair take over. Ah well, it's been over a year since I've been to the park on a regular operating day, and I don't miss it in the least, even the draw of a new coaster wasn't enough to get me to the park.. A little sad, really.
From W McDougal on April 7, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Knott's could really be an awesome theme park again, it's got such nice history and thematic touches in Ghost Town with a couple of classic rides hanging on like Calico Mine Train and Timber Mountain Log Ride (along with a new one like Mystery Lodge). Knott's also has a great stagecoach and an amazing steam train that puts Disney to shame... problem is that the scenery they travel upon has been trashed. But the Cedar Fair mentality of little theming and putting up coasters anywhere without aesthetic is ruining Knott's as a THEME park. Granted the Knott's children already started the demise before CF took over, but CF has only brought Knott's down further. I wish an eccentric billionaire would buy out the park from CF and bring it back to some semblance of its former glory. It deserves better.
From Bradley Robertson on April 8, 2009 at 12:21 AM
I'm not sure where you are getting your numbers. Ghostrider at full capacity is 1600 pph, Silver Bullet is 1300, Xcelerator is 1330, Montezuma's Revenge is 1344, and Jaguar is 1800. Doesn't seem like they issues with capacity to me. Most parks would love to have stats like that.
The day of Winter Coaster Solace X Ghostrider was using 3 trains and I had an hour wait. It's a popular coaster. Deal with it.
From Robert Niles on April 8, 2009 at 12:35 AM
I can deal with an hour wait when a coaster is running capacity. It's a slap in the face to your customers when you've got an hour wait and running one train (as Knott's did for a while this morning on GhostRider, Xcelerator and Silver Bullet). That's just unnecessary.
Run two trains as soon as you have a line. Run three once the line goes over 20 minutes. Earn goodwill.
From personal experience, theoretical capacities are B$. They often assume instantaneous capacity loading. (Like *that* ever happens in the real world.) Watch the load platform and count bodies while tracking time. Do the math and you'll see what the real throughputs are.
From James Rao on April 8, 2009 at 3:29 AM
The last time I went to Knott's Berry Farm, the Corkscrew was the featured coaster, and the Calico Mine was my favorite ride. It's been a while but I still have very fond memories of that excursion (except for the fact that I was too short to ride the Corkscrew and I cried my eyes out!). Anyway, it sounds like things have really gone down hill. Makes me wish a company other than Cedar Fair had purchased the park - someone with a little more experience with theme parks.
I have always longed to get back to Knott's but after your report, it does not sound like I am missing much these days.
From Nick Markham on April 8, 2009 at 6:33 AM
When I went to Knott's it was luckily not as bad or nearly as confuing. But I had to wait in ghost rider for about an hour and a half too while it broke down twice! But I did "study" the whole park and its layout for about a month and was finally familiar with the layout. But I still pretty much had to ride whatever I walked by and there were too many pathways to know exactly where you are going. But then again, like you said, the rides are a pretty good quality and the theming is actually a nice touch to the park!
From Anthony Murphy on April 8, 2009 at 7:17 AM
They should move that Mystery Lodge show to EPCOT's World Showcase stat!
From Doug Kelley on April 8, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Knott's is better enjoyed when wandering aimlessly, taking in attractions as you get to them rather than trying to follow an agenda. Their original layout lends to this; it has nothing to do with current ownership. I prefer to go on a weekday when the park is normally almost empty (not during spring break) and just soak it in.
From Deidre Dennis on April 8, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I agree with your statements about Knotts. When we went in 2007 as part of our Disney trip, I was so disappointed. There seems to be no flow to the park as far as layout. I found that all the stuff people said about Magic Mountain was actually taking place at Knotts. The "cast members" at the attractions kind of stood there, not policing anything, not even smiles on their faces. The tweens (12-13) were in line with their boyfriends/girlfriends making out like crazy and my 10 year old son and 10 year old niece were totally creeped out by it... as was I.
We stayed on site, the hotel staff was great, the room was great, and even enjoyed the free breakfast and the pool. The waterpark was okay, smaller than what I imagined but not packed so we had a great time there.
I can't tell you how many boysenberry turnovers we ate. They were absolutely delicious. We bought the bucket of drumsticks and a 2 liter of coke for like $8.00 and the chicken was awesome. They were so huge we took them to the room and ate on them later. GhostRider made me stick to the point that I'll never ride a woodie again.
Overall the park was just o.k. We probably wouldn't go there again unless we happened to be in Anaheim, near it and were looking for something to do. But still, probably not.
From rick stevens on April 8, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Knott's has always been the poor cousin to Disney. It was the preferred stop when I was a kid since it cost much less to go. The parking lots were grass covered with chickens running around. There was no entrance fee, you just had to buy tickets for the rides from booths near them. We would put pennies on the train tracks and see how high a stack we could make and still get a flattened coin. The boxing museum and Mott's miniatures, the haunted shack, models of the California missions were in inset displays along the walkway. We would bring a sack lunch and eat in the covered wagons that are part of the stage area near the entrance.
I have not been there, except for Knott Scary for quite a few years. I agree fully with the disjointed arrangement, and the theming that was there is gone. The old west ghost town, camp Snoopy, the boardwalk, all smashed up in an attempt to add thrill rides. It always seemed that Knott's was trying to "keep up with the Jones". They expanded and put in theme areas to attract Disney goers. Added thrill rides to attract MM patrons. Added a water park to attract the Raging crowd.
It has become a park with no real personal identity. I still enjoy myself when I go. I am not into the thrill rides, but enjoy the few areas of ambiance that remain. And you can not go wrong with a Chicken dinner and a funnel cake!
From Derek Potter on April 8, 2009 at 3:57 PM
I never understood the logic behind running one coaster train. Most new rides have at least 3 available, 2 at the very least. Does not running a train really cut costs? Wouldn't you rather have people out walking on the midway rather than them being stuck in line. After all, it's out on the midway where they spend the money and get the old spending per guest number up. Note to park companies. The more I'm out on the midway, the better the chances that I will buy something. Run at least two trains please.
The Cedar Fair parks in Ohio are pretty good about moving the lines. Sometimes they stall, but most of the time they keep moving quickly and there are plenty of trains. There has only been a few isolated times where I saw a 1 train operation on a ride with a real line.
From Robert Niles on April 8, 2009 at 4:06 PM
The one time I visited Cedar Point, on a Thursday in mid-August four summers ago, it was one train operation throughout the park. No coaster line under 90 minutes, and Dragster and MF were both over four hours. Haven't been back to Cedar Point since.
From big bell on April 8, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Our family went to Knotts only once back in 2006 and we really enjoyed it. But as you said, all for very different reasons.
I remember the confusing map and still have a copy of same somewhere.
Our son was the coaster nut and he rode them all at least once, some twice with virtually no wait (We planned our trip the first week of June on a weekday before your Calf. schools were out), but even with the light crowds he/we waited neary 1.5 hours for the big log flume drop ride because it took so long for everyone to get strapped in to their seats (can't remember the name, but not the tame 'family water ride').
Us older folks liked the 'old park'. The stagecoach ride, the western town, the bottle shop, the mine ride, etc.
The son loved the coasters, the daughter liked the tamer water rides and mine coaster, etc.
Would have highly recommended the park after our visit (especially at the discounted price with a coupon from one of the burger joints in town), hope it hasn't changed for the worse.
We also ate at the chicken restaurant and weren't impressed in the least. Yikes, high priced, low flavored, greasy chicken. Have had better at many, many locations (and I don't even much care for chicken).
We went next door to the shop to get some boysenberries to sample and they had everything BUT the actual berries? We asked what the berries looked like and no one in the entire shop could tell us as none had ever seen any! The berry that built the whole park was unknown to the local employees? Weird to say the least.
We finally got some fresh berries later on our trip at a road side stand around Yosemite, but I still remember how strange that was that no one had ever seen or tried one. And yes, the berries are fantastic tasting and look like a black berry of a different shade if memory serves.
Good write up....and right on the money from our limited experience!
From Robert Niles on April 8, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Perilous Plunge is the flume ride. There was a fatal accident there in 2001, where a woman fell out from the ride, so they are quite fastidious about the restraints.
As for the chicken, I prefer Roscoe's. I must remember to try the Ghost Town Grill next time I'm at Knott's. Anyone have any thoughts about that restaurant?
From 188.8.131.52 on April 10, 2009 at 11:19 AM
GhostRider has three trains, but it cannot run with three. It doesn't work and hasn't happened except for a few trial runs in spring 1998. The park experimented with adding an additional brake to the brake run and kickers to move the trains through the brake run and loading station, but it didn't work and the ride runs best with two trains. In reality the ride is a few hundred feet too short.
Yes, there is a cost savings to running with less trains, since there is operating cost due to wear and tear on the train, but I agree there is no excuse on busy days not to run the rides at capacity. I disagree that the park should adjust the number of trains on track at any time. Knott's shuts down a ride to add or remove a train. This causes delays in the operation, increases the wait and because they follow this procedure it should not happen while the park is open. The park should open with all the trains and close with all the trains - no exceptions.
Eric, Ultimate Rollercoaster
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Credits & Info
- Uploaded
- Sep 11, 2001 | 5:46 PM EDT
- Weekly Users' Choice September 12, 2001
- Daily Feature September 12, 2001
Related Stuff
If you liked this, check these out!
Plenty more like this here!
Author Comments
People died and went splat.
The End.
Please direct all angry comments and hateful messages to my user page so that I may laugh at them.
That is all.
Rated 0.5 / 5 stars February 11, 2014
There's nothing funny about 9/11
But I strangely admire the balls it took for you to submit this on the the day it happened. It's difficult to laugh at something that just happened, especially when the whole world has no idea if it's about to end or not.
So I guess fuck you?
Rated 5 / 5 stars November 12, 2013
i want to see the real movie xD
Dont. Bruce Willis is a ghost all along.
Rated 4.5 / 5 stars November 25, 2012
its sad very sad.I feel really really really really sad it almost made me cry.
I made you mom cry when I slipped it in her ass dry. OOOOOOOOHH SICK BURN.
Rated 2.5 / 5 stars November 20, 2012
The picture show and the author's comments don't really match up :/ Is this a parody or a sincere animation? Either way, Newgrounds has always been a place for creativity to shine. Even if this was posted in the after math of 9/11, it show never have received so many views because it's merely a slide show; there was no creativity put into it. Still, it receives two and a half stars because of the time it was released. This would have still been a decent piece of work for 2001, and I must judge it based on the time it was released.
Get your shit together, god damn.
Rated 5 / 5 stars November 9, 2012
... Mydear, please go kindly hang yourself and die.
You have NO right to insult the dead... Especially since what this animation honors....
Right on the day that it happened... I was only six when this tragic event in history took place, right in first grade... Now I look back....
...still in first grade.


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16 U.S. Code § 2412 - Relationship to existing treaties
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as contravening or superseding the provisions of any international treaty, convention, or agreement, if such treaty, convention, or agreement is in force with respect to the United States on October 28, 1978, or of any statute which implements any such treaty, convention, or agreement.
Source(Pub. L. 95–541, § 13,Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2056.)
The table below lists the classification updates, since Jan. 3, 2012, for this section. Updates to a broader range of sections may be found at the update page for containing chapter, title, etc.
The most recent Classification Table update that we have noticed was Tuesday, August 13, 2013
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New York is the most populous city in the entire United States with over 8 million residents and is at the centre of global finance, media, art, fashion, technology and entertainment. New York has long been associated with the foundations and development of blues, jazz, disco and salsa, as well as the birthplace of hip-hop (*recognize*)! It is also one of the most instantly recognisable cities in the world through film culture – who could possibly forget the sight of Kevin McCallister running away from the Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2?!
So...we hot-footed it down to NYC to see what it had to offer a serious After Hours Athlete and find out whether it really is 'The City That Never Sleeps'!
What to eat? Whatsa-matter-you? Izza Pizza New-York style! Drawing from New York's multicultural heritage, a hungry AHA (After Hours Athlete) can actually pick up pretty much anything from one of the city's many mobile food vendors – kebabs, falafels, bagels or a giant pretzel.
Where to go? The Empire State, Times Square and Statue of Liberty are absolute musts; culture vultures should head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, catch a show # On Broadway #, get a cab from Midtown to Central Park and ride around in a rickshaw, check out Little Italy/Chinatown, go window-shopping on 5th Avenue or watch the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Where to shop? The Four B's... Bloomie's, Bergdorf's, Bendel's, and Barneys, obvs. A PUMA Socialite's trip to New York is incomplete without a visit to these four fashion havens and are the places to go to pick up the hottest styles before you see them in a glossy magazine. And of course, no self-respecting After Hours Athlete could possible survive without a local PUMA store. Luckily, New Yawk has a handful: Broadway, Union Square West and West 14th Street.
What to wear? To counter the darkness of fall and winter, the catwalk tells us touchable textures and bold colours will be en vogue this season. How about a soft and cozy Knitted Zip Through Hoody?
Where to party? Ace Bar, East Village. It's got sports screens, skeeball, pool, pinball, darts, Big Buck Hunter(!) and a 3-7 Happy Hour Sunday to Friday. Heaven.
What to say? Yo g, keep chicky - this goomba be getting fresh tryna pull a fugazy on our table!
Translation: Hey buddy, this clown is talking back trying to steal our pool table!
Where are your NYC hangouts?
Join the conversation by leaving a comment below, check us out on Facebook or tweet at us! #PUMASocial
GET SOCIAL, create a profile and share in our late night antics!


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I'm coming. But it doesn't want to let me choose a background.
EDIT: how do I find you? GO to the xy thingy?
I will give you 1,000 acres of land on Planet Orgy for your people if you aid us in this military conflict.
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In New Moon when Edward continues to appear to Bella,Is Edward watching over her? Or is Bella hallucinating? I'm slightly confused.I always thought it was Edward watching over her but someone I know said it was all in her head.So.Does anyone know? Thanks.
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Prank Calling Optimus Prime ShirtProduct Sku: TRAN209
$ 24.00
- Maybe prank calling a giant transforming robot isn't the best idea you've ever had, but it's too late to turn back now. You're in luck though, that ol' rust bucket thought it was Megatron. It's time to commemorate the best and most dangerous moment of your life with this Optimus Prime shirt. Use the shirt with caution though; Megan had to be banned from phones for a week after she got this.
Size Width (A) Length (B) Small 18" 28" Medium 19" 29" Large 22" 30.5" XL 23" 31" 2XL 24" 32.5"
*Measurements are listed in US Inches.
*Bust or chest is done by doubling the width measurement.
*For full circumference of the waistline, double the waist measurement.
- • Product Type: T-shirts
• Color: Black
• Gender: Mens
• Graphic: Screen Print
Distressed refers to the worn appearance in the image or lettering on a garment. A distressed print may include faded areas, missing color, or other irregularities. This is an intentional occurrence in the product and adds to the vintage look of the design.• Tag Location: TaglessThe traditional size tag has been removed from the neck seam. Sizing and composition information is screen printed on the inside of the back of the shirt, just below the neck seam or collar. Popular clothing brands often use tagless t-shirts for extra comfort when wearing.
• Made of: 100% Cotton
• Fits like: True To Size
• Fabric Softness: MediumT-shirts of MEDIUM SOFTNESS are composed of mid-weight, fairly soft fabric. These T-shirts are not vintage style, but do offer a higher level of softness and flexibility than your standard T-shirts.


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[30.05.2012] - 04-2012 - 6th Palme d'Or for Eurimages
[13.03.2012] - 03-2012 - Eurimages supports 16 co-productions at its 126th meeting
[13.03.2012] - 02-2012 - Eurimages Board of Management reaffirms its confidence in the Executive Director
[17.01.2012] - 01-2012 - Eurimages co-production Development Award
Following the decision of the Eurimages Board of Management meeting in 2009 to carry out in 2014 a study on the functioning and results of the Fund, the Olsberg SPI company established in the United Kingdom has just published its report which you will find here. As an independent study, the contents of this document do not bind or commit in any way the Council of Europe and the Eurimages Fund. The Fund's Board of Management will now study the recommendations proposed by the Olsberg SPI company.
Please note that as from 1 January 2014, Bosnia-Herzegovina is no longer eligible for distribution support. However, as Switzerland is no longer eligible for support from Creative Europe – MEDIA, they are eligible for distribution support from Eurimages.


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HOP 2.0.0 Multimedia Web SDK
HOP, an open source framework for GUI-intensive Web applications, is now available in version 2.0.0.
For the new version 2.0.0, the developers at the INRI research institute in France updated the compiler and thereby improved performance and debugging. New GUI elements for audio and video were also added.
HOP is under GLPv2 in two versions, a native version for Linux, BSD, and Mac OS X, and a Java version that runs wherever JVM is present. Downloads of both versions are available from the HOP project page.
Issue 168/2014
Tag Cloud
Fedora Developer Announces New Partition Manager
New tool will look like GParted but support a wider range of storage technologies.
Mozilla Releases a New Firefox
New public key pinning feature will help prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
Tool Predicts Which Websites Will be Compromised
Carnegie Mellon researchers say 3 million pages could fall down the phishing hole in the next year.
SSH Key Management Guidelines
The US government rolls new best-practice rules for protecting SSH.
Knoppix 7.4 Released
Klaus Knopper announces the latest version of his iconic Live Linux system.
PHP Attack Puts WordPress and Drupal at Risk
All websites that use these popular CMS tools could be vulnerable to denial of service attacks if users don't install the updates.
Heartbleed Bleeds On
According to a report, many potential victims of the Heartbleed attack have patched their systems, but few have cleaned up the crime scene to protect themselves from the effects of a previous intrusion.
Drone Brain Goes Open Source
DARPA and NICTA release the code for the ultra-secure microkernel system used in aerial drones.
Password Management Services Vulnerable to Attack
Should you trust an online service to store your online passwords?
New Raspberry Pi Adds Two USB Ports
New B+ board lets you build cool things without the complication of a powered USB hub.


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Insta-Dinner Idea: Put an Egg on It
It's the coolest chef trick: Add an egg to anything and it becomes instantly more special. We've got 5 dinner recipes to get you started.
Back Next
Raymond Hom
Eggs Over Dinner
Take these easy recipes to the next level with a single egg.


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Phoenix stands as one of fastest growing cities
Phoenix continues to expand and evolve.
According to Phoenix Business Journal, Phoenix ranks number eight in a list of the country's fastest growing cities.
The population growth in Phoenix in 2012 was one percent, while in 2013 it has expanded to 2.7 percent.
The job growth is 2.5 percent with an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent.
The top of the list was taken by three Texas cities with Austin leading the pack.
Most Popular
World Class Arizona
- Dignity Health World Class People. World Class Company. Excellent care, delivered with compassion, for all in need.
Voice For A Better Arizona
- Eyes on Education A view of Arizona's education system from all angles.