JOTTINGS IN A JOURNAL PEOPLE LEFT, AND CASINOS MOVED IN.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Service

Almost half the 227 people in the former gold rush town of Black Hawk, Colo., moved away in the 1990s, according to the latest census, and the homes that once dotted Main and Gregory streets aren't there anymore.

Left with 118 people, the town no longer has a budget of $160,000. It's $22 million. ``No one who comes up here would say we're shrinking,'' said city spokesman Roger Baker.

Since limited-stakes gambling was approved in Colorado 10 years ago, the town has accumulated 19 casinos that have drawn more visitors than Black Hawk's history-driven tourism industry ever did. The gaming halls took in $35.8 million in gross revenue in February.

Commercial properties took over residential units, and some homeowners who sold their houses used the profits to live well somewhere else.

GIVE US YOUR WORST: Concierge.com is giving the frustrated traveler a chance for a ``do-over'' on the trip from hell.

The Web site, a travel-planning resource that spun off from Conde Nast Traveler magazine, is asking travelers to recount a vacation horror story in an essay of 500 words or fewer. The winner of the contest, to be decided by the site's travel experts, will receive $10,000 for a new trip and some help in the planning stages - in the hope that the ``re-do'' vacation will be more dream than nightmare.

Contest details can be found at www.concierge.com. Entries must be received by May 18.

VACATION HUCKSTERS: Would-be vacationers duped by two Florida-based companies touting discounted vacations have until the middle of this month to seek full refunds under a settlement reached with the Florida attorney general and prosecutors in 14 other states.

The companies, Cape Canaveral Cruise Line Tour and Travel Inc., of Cape Canaveral, and Promotional Travel Inc., a now-inactive company formerly of Altamonte Springs, were accused of using deceptive advertising and sales tactics to lure people to Florida for the purpose of purchasing time-shares at various Florida resorts.

To get refunds, those eligible must file requests by April 16 with the Office of the Attorney General, Economic Crimes Division, Cape Canaveral Settlement, the Capitol, PL-01, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050. For more information, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection's phone number is [phone].

DEALS TO ASIA: Cathay Pacific's 21-day All Asia Pass remains one of the best deals in the air.

First, join the airline's CyberTravelers program at its Web site (www.cathay-usa.com). That gets you the best price - $999 plus taxes to fly to Hong Kong and 16 other Asian cities from Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York.

Without the CyberTraveler membership, the pass costs $1,199, or $1,099 for those 55 and older, full-time students 24 and younger, and children under 12 with proof of eligibility.

The fares are good on trips taken through May 13 or during the period from Aug. 14 through Dec. 5.

Information: [phone].

HANDY FACILITY: The newly renovated W.C. Handy Performing Arts Park in Memphis, Tenn., features an outdoor music stage, and it will burst forth in song this week.

The park's $1.8 million restoration is part of the redevelopment of the Beale Street entertainment district, billed as the home of the blues and birthplace of rock 'n' roll.

The new park features a covered stage, 600 permanent seats and grassy natural amphitheater that can accommodate 3,000. A visitors center with historical information was also added, and the statue of Handy, the blues and jazz composer, was repaired and moved to the entrance.

The music season is scheduled to begin Tuesday with a gospel concert, and bookings are expected to include regional and national acts ranging from blues to country to Southern rock. Festivals and cultural exhibits have been planned as well, including the Beale Street Music Festival (blues) May 1-3, and a folk art festival in September.

Event information: [phone]; www.bealestreet.com.