Piranha 3D, the upcoming epic thriller/horror movie, is due to hit theaters in August this year. The flick, filmed on location on Lake Havasu, features people getting eaten alive by thousands of deadly piranha fish.

Originally the film’s release date was to be June 2010, near the beginning of the annual tourist season here on the river. However, the release has been pushed back to August 27th, nearer to the end of the summer water season. Some area businesses would be forgiven for having a sense of relief now that these potent images of horror on the waters will not be seen by their potential customers until after most of the year’s business has been done, but the larger question remains: will the film affect tourism at all?

Will anyone be frightened off by the movie’s scenes of guys in shorts on waverunners and women in bikinis on boats being eaten alive by fictional fish in graphic 3D detail? Or are people capable of distinguishing fact from fiction?

Following the release of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws in 1975, beach towns from coast to coast reported a downturn in tourism. Even today, nervous references to the infamous shark movie can be overheard at many beaches. On the other hand, sharks really do inhabit the oceans (though do not present the kind of threat depicted in Jaws). Piranha fish, however frightening they may appear in the movie, do not inhabit the Colorado River system (which is among the safest and cleanest waterways in the world).

If could be that any negative effect on tourism caused by the panic of nervous moviegoers will be compensated by the positive effect of people seeing a movie set here in the area; after all, many times when big films are set in specific locations, those locations see an increase in visitor interest.

Local businesses that can market to the movie’s audience may be the smartest. Maybe it will be the ‘Piranha Special’ that wins in the end?

More race photos HERE.

The overall winner at the BlueWater Resort & Casino Parker 425 was BJ Baldwin from Las Vegas, NV (pictured), whose number 97 truck took the number 1 position in the 1400 class. Following him through the finish line was Steve Croll of Corona, CA, who came in 2nd overall and 1st in the 1500 class. The third overall was Steve Sourapas from Ranch Santa Fe, CA who took 2nd place in the 1400 class. Next was Chris Appleton from Boise, ID who was 2nd in the 1500 class.

1st in the 1000 class was Corey Keysar of Colorado Springs, CO, who was 12th overall. 1st in the 7200 class was Alan Hogan from Columbus, MT at 14th overall. 1st in the 1100 class, Jake Jones of Alison Veijo, CA (16th overall). 1st in the 1200 class, Troy Vest of Molalla, OR (17th overall). 1st in the 8000 class, Macrae Glass from Kingman, AZ (19th overall). 1st in the 5000 class, David Ollis of San Bernardino, CA (30th overall). Kevin Smith from La Verne, CA came 1st in the 2000 class (33rd overall). Louis Chamberland of Oak Hills, CA came 1st in the 6000 class (38th overall). Blake Henn from Walnut, CA came 1st in the 7100 class (60th overall). Tim Casey of Brea, CA came 1st in the 8100 class (62nd overall).

The winner of the 1800 class was Dan Moore of Scottsdale, AZ. For the 3700 class, Jon Krellwitz of San Dimas, CA. For the 1700 class, Eric Helgeson from Long Beach, CA. For the 4400 class, Dave Schneider from Reno, NV. For the 7300 class, Kellon Walch of Alamo, NV.

UPDATE: Dakota has been found and reunited with his owner. He was found by a woman looking for her own dog in the rain and thunder. She took him in for the night and contacted the market here in Big River where the connection was made and the dog was returned. Happy ending.

My neighbors in Big River had visitors this weekend. They brought their dogs. One is now missing. His name is Dakota. He has no tag and no collar. He was last seen near Rio Visa nd Rio Mesa in Big River. This small dog is very skitterish. If you see him please call Samantha at 760 550-2414. She is very worried. Here is a picture of Dakota’s brother.

About eight jeeps stacked in Downtown Parker yesterday!

From BITD.com:

Due to heightened security concerns by countries world-wide, in-bound shipments to the USA are increasingly taking longer to arrange. The equipment supplied by IRC required to post electronic tracking of the vehicles involved in the Parker 425 will not be available for this event as the equipment is currently held up in France on the return trip from the Dakar race. Because of Best in the Desert’s on-board scoring transponders, and the army of personnel on the course, race scoring will not be affected.

Steve Myers, President of IRC, was quoted, “Our equipment used in the Dakar event is currently stuck in customs and unfortunately will not be available for thisevent. If you already paid for the service, you will be refunded, or creditedfully for the next event.”

Casey Folks said, “The Parker 425 will go on as planned due to our experience and forward thinking. We always have a back-up plan to ensure the integrity of our events, and the safety of our racers.  IRC has agreed to work with every racer at the next event with some type of compensation for the inconvenience.”

Best In The Desert is set to provide some live video from Contingency at BlueWater Resort & Casino today. Watch here (when available).

On January 15, 2010, Richard Eugene “Papa Red” Aaron, 42, was convicted in La Paz County Superior Court of three counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor and one count of Aggravated Assault. Mr. Aaron had been living in Quartzsite, AZ prior to his arrest.

Between December 2005, and August 2008, Mr. Aaron sexually assaulted his step daughter who was between 4 and 6 years old at the time the sexual assaults were committed.

[Read more →]

On February 1, 2010, Judge Michael Burke, La Paz County Superior Court, sentenced Eldon Ray Campbell, 26, of Ehrenberg, to 11.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections. He is not eligible for early release or probation.

On January 4, 2010, Mr. Campbell pled guilty, through a plea agreement, to one count of Arson of a Structure and one count of Burning of Wildlands.  As part of the plea agreement the range of sentence that could have been imposed was 9 to 23 years.

[Read more →]

Multiple news agencies are reporting on the fatal accident which occurred in Laughlin Wednesday, in which an elderly man’s car smashed through the front doors of the Edgewater Hotel & Casino, killing 2 and injuring at least 7:

Driver Walter McGie, 70, of Kelso, Wash., was arrested late Wednesday on suspicion of two counts of reckless driving causing death …. police said McGie possibly suffered a “medical episode” when he shot through a red light and raced toward the Edgewater valet area about 9:24 a.m. McGie told investigators he had fainted while driving, the Associated Press reported. ….

The vehicle’s front was crumpled like an accordion, its windshield smashed and its air bag deployed, said [Bill Kinsey, fire division chief] who was called to the scene. The car had sheared off stools from bolted bases and scattered slot machines like bowling pins.

Los Angeles Times article here. CNN report here. Pictures here.

Best In The Desert racing association director Casey Folks was presented by the Town of Parker Council with the key to the town as a way of honoring the contribution these annual events (Parker 250, Parker 425 and Desert Challenge) bring to the area. This further cements the relationship of the Parker area with the Best In The Desert racing association.

A few days ago I mentioned that a bill to call for a special election had passed the Senate and moved onto the House. Today the House passed it as well. It now makes it’s way to the Governor to sign and since this is her idea, she is sure to sign it.

So it appears for sure that we will be having a special election May 18.

With recent rains and some intentional grading by the Best In The Desert racing association, race coordinator Casey Folks believes the 2010 race will be faster than ever. See this footage shot at the pre-run by Sopwith Motorsports.