This week’s travels gave me some interesting perspectives, speaking at one of the casinos in Omaha. I observed the number of elderly people gambling. Also, there is going to be a health care crisis on the horizon.

Many of the people at both Martinsville and Omaha were heavy smokers, drinkers, and in poor health in general. In Omaha, some had oxygen tanks and were in wheel chairs, but still were active at the tables. Talking with the management, the hotels were filled up, despite a recessionary economy.

It had been nearly 15 years since I had been to a Nascar event. Wow, how it has changed! It’s very business and corporate-oriented. Fifteen years ago, after the race you could visit your favorite driver on the infield. Today, it will cost you big bucks, and some of the drivers are not very accessible. Isn’t it interesting how both stock car racing and farming are becoming so business-focused?

In my travels, higher end home prices $400,000 plus are declining as much as 20 to 30 percent. It will be interesting if this spreads to other parts of the real estate markets.

Sports View

Looks like Oklahoma may be the team to beat, but it’s a long college season.

K-State surprised me in the loss to Texas.

Ohio State has a schedule that puts them in the BCS if they don’t screw up.

P.S. At the races a fight broke out just below us. It was interesting to note that there was no security – the good ol’ boys and girls just took care of it themselves and escorted the bad actors out of the stands.

My e-mail address is:sullylab@vt.edu

Editors' note: Dave Kohl, Soybean Digest Trends Editor, is an ag economist at Virginia Tech. He recently completed a sabbatical working with the Royal Bank of Canada. He is now back at Virginia Tech with his academic appointment, which is teaching, extension, and applied research.

To see Dave Kohl's previous road warrior adventures type Dave Kohl in the Search blank at the top of the page.

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