My husband tried to tape Art Bell's show last night...but there is a BIG gap between side one and side two of the tape where he fell asleep when it was time to turn the tape.

We did get the part where Gary North suggested a test by Art Bell's estimated 6-15 million listeners. He suggested that every one flip a coin...those with heads would make a trip to Sam's club today and buy a 50lb. bag of pinto beans and rice, up till the time of 3 o'clock...those that get tails have from 3 till 9 to do the same...

The test would be an indicator of how many people listen to the warnings but don't respond...as well as how long the beans and rice supplies will last based on those that do respond.

It might be interesting for all the forum readers to call their local Sam's club about 7 o'clock or so and see if they have any left. It might be a good barometer to measure or own progress and whether we should maybe step it up!

Those that inquire...please report back!

Texas Terri

-- Texas Terri (TYSYM@AOL.com), December 05, 1998

Answers

He didn't! Did he?

Aggggggghhhhhhhh!

I have one more rice run to make for myself, and then another for my 'feed the poor starving kids who park on my door' pile.........

Don't tell me SAMs will be the first food panic store. Say it isn't so.

rocky

-- rocky (rknolls@hotmail.com), December 05, 1998.

What exactly is the name of this store? Exact spelling?
Can't find it in the phone book.
Is there one in every city?
What is an equivalent-type store?
Gary North did a good job on Art Bell's show.
I fell asleep at 1:30/a, but Ashton managed to stay awake except a brief snooze thru the stock market part.
That talk *had* to wake up the DGIs who were awake enough to listen!
Does one need to pay a membership fee for this Sam's Club store?
Ashton & Leska in Cascadia
xxxxxxx xxxxxx

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), December 05, 1998.

For Leska; FYI the store name is Sam's Club. Yes, there is an annual fee for a membership approx. $30. It is a large warehouse where you buy everything in bulk, that is where you save the money. 25# box of rice is just over $8, etc. We shop there all the time. They are affiliated with Walmart. Do you have a local Walmart? I know there are a lot of these stores but not sure how to find one in your area. Good luck. Mary

-- Mary Howe (doesnotmatter@thistime.com), December 05, 1998.

Yes, Rocky, he did. Pretty much as described, in fact. I had planned on stopping by on the way home from work to check out the rice supply just in case anyone took him seriously. I could use another 50 lbs. myself, in fact... got another appointment at the cannery coming up. The Sam's near me never has had dried beans tho. Lots of pasta, oatmeal, raisins, salt, sugar, powdered milk, honey, soap, TP and other things worth having in wholesale quantities too.

Sam's Club or Sam's Wholesale Club is a giant warehouse type store, affiliated with WalMart (Sam as in Sam Walton). Don't know their geographic distribution- there are Costco or other stores similar to it in other areas, I'm told.

Terri, I suppose you want feedback posted to this thread- stay tuned.

nemo...

-- nemo... (nemo@deepsix.com), December 05, 1998.

we went for rice today, as soon as we could wake up (long night when you listen to Art till 3.00).

we decided to go for rice while the new GI's were frozen in the headlights. I expect this will be discussed during the weekend and then at work monday -- then the run will start!!

we got to our favorite oriental store and bought 3 more 20 pound bags (we eat rice a lot -- so we are fussy about the brand).

no problem -- no one else buying rice there, so maybe no runs today !!!

-- alurker (nobody@nowhere.com), December 05, 1998.

We bought so much (rice and beans) that the cashier asked if we owned a restaurant...

-- Littlesister (littlesister123@yahoo.com), December 05, 1998.

LITTLESISTER: Perhaps if things work out right you will be able to start one! You have a good start. LOL.

BTW, What ever happened with Grandmama's check?

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), December 05, 1998.

If there is an Art Bell generated run on rice and beans this weekend, by the end of this or next week the shelves can be restocked. Remember, the elecrticity is on and the trucks are still running for another year.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 05, 1998.

Well it is true the lights are on and the trucks are still running -- BUT beans and rice are harvested only once a year.

Some people buy the new crop of rice (in November) for the entire year -- also rice is mostly shipped in from the orient.

I wish he had chosen soap or matches to have a run on -- these can be manufactured faster and in the USA.

-- alurker (nobody@nowhere.com), December 05, 1998.

I understand Sam's Club memberships are only available through a business affiliation, not to individuals. Thus it is in the Atlanta area, anyway.

Around here some of the larger "Farmers' Markets" carry bulk dry foods. A lot of ethnic restaurants shop in these places.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), December 06, 1998.

Terri,

Seems to be no Art- inspired shortage at my local Sam's. There was almost a full pallet of 50 lb. bags of rice in place plus the usual plethora of other storable stuff. The DGIs win(?) this one... good try Gary.

nemo...

-- nemo... (nemo@deepsix.com), December 06, 1998.

No run on beans or rice at the Sam's Club in Austin. I guess everyone is out buying furbies. Go figure...I hear that they don't even taste that good.

Texas Terri

-- Texas Terri (TYSYM@AOL.com), December 06, 1998.

Rob Michaels: We are in a "wait and see" mode about Grandmama's check.We will see how the direct deposit goes,although I expect more problems down the road.We stopped by to see her this afternoon and she asked us if we knew anything about this "Y2K business"...said she heard all about on T.V....said people were scared and worried.

-- Littlesister (Littlesister123@yahoo.com), December 06, 1998.

Littlesister:

Thanks for the update. Very interesting that she brought up Y2K also. I think that there are more than a few of us that are also scared and worried. If we aren't then we don't understand the problem. Between the T.V. exposure, Art Bell having Gary North on, front page N.Y.Times article on Thansgiving weekend, etc. lots of folks may be bringing up the subject... and buying sacks of rice and beans!

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), December 06, 1998.