City proposes raising municipal fees
Transcription
City proposes raising municipal fees
FreePress Community MAY 30 – JUNE 12, 2012 Tent Theatre Celebrates 50 years with 50 events. Page 18 YOUR LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER OF THE SPRINGFIELD AREA | www.cfpmidweek.com QUICK TAKES Upfront Council to approve budget A $310 million budget includes new hires and salary increases. p.5 .............................................. Business Jump on in! The water’s perfect Fishel Pools has been cooling off the community since 1976, all with a mind for a happy customer. p.11 ............................................ CFP file photos Fees for DWI civil penalties, animal impoundment and accessing criminal records are among the 138 charges that could go up starting July 1 if approved by city leaders. Officials say the fees are needed in order to recover costs. City proposes raising municipal fees Health Caring for patients through to the end Integrity Home Care offers hospice and palliative care. p.16 ............................................ Home & Garden Making the best of your backyard Local businesses help you enjoy the warm weather in style. p.14 ■ Permit fee hikes for food establishments also recommended By Matthew Kent Springfield residents could see an increase of more than 100 fees for municipal services beginning July 1 in a move that city officials say is necessary in order to recoup expenses. Finance Director Mary Mannix-Decker said a total of 186 charges were evaluated as part of a fee study conducted by the city. In a recent report to the Finance and Administration Committee, Mannix-Decker recommended establishing 11 new fees, lowering 22 charges and keeping 15 at their current level. The remaining 138 fees have all been recommended for an increase, according to the study, which is based on fiscal year 2011 activity. The study evaluated fees for building development services, zoning and subdivision case reviews, environmental services and the police department, licensing fees, and several ordinance violation charges, such as animal impoundment and tree or weed abatement. DWI civil penalties — an ordinance violation charge — would increase by $5 to $113, while a see INCREASES, 4 ............................................ Voters will decide on changes to City Charter o n l i n e a t w w w. c f p m i d w e e k . c o m SUBSCRIBE » 417-447-2130 IN OUR COMMUNITY INDEX A&E ............................18 Business ....................11 Initiative petition signature requirements could increase ■ Events ....................20 Health........................16 Home & Garden ....14 By Matthew Kent Outdoors ................17 Puzzles ..................20 Upfront ......................2 Viewpoints ................9 Look for our next issue: Wed. June 13 Photo courtesy of Dan Nash The Ozarks region provides excellent and varied hiking opportunities. Read more on hiking in the Outdoors section, page 17. Voters will decide the fate of a number of proposed changes to the City Charter in August after the Springfield City Council approved placing the measure on the ballot. Among the changes to the City Charter that are subject to approval include two that directly involve the city’s initiative petition process: increasing the number of signatures required for an initiative petition and setting a one-year deadline for gathering signatures. A third change, if approved, would eliminate February primaries for city posi- tions. Instead, voters would decide among a field of candidates during a municipal election held in April. Another change would boost required signatures for an initiative petition to move forward. Under the current law, signatures are required from 10 percent of voters in the last general election, but the proposed change would mandate signatures from 7 percent of registered voters in the city. The final change would require signatures within a one-year timeframe after the city clerk gives the petition back to petitioners. The document would be first be reviewed by the finance department for a fiscal note and the law department, which would be responsible for checking the legality of the petition, according to City Manager Greg Burris. City officials have received several initiative petitions from different groups, including two that directly involve the city’s smoking ban that was passed last year. Earlier this year, Live Free Springfield submitted 2,178 on an initiative petition in an effort to repeal the ban. Springfield voters will decide the matter June 5. In addition, a separate issue from the Ozarks Minutemen involved a measure requiring all businesses in Springfield to implement the federal E-Verify system to check see CHARTER, 4 Best Homestyle Breakfast • OPEN 24 HOURS • New International Menu Catering & Banquet Rooms 1722 S Glenstone 823-9972 (Lamplighter Inn) $ 99 Breakfast 2 5-11am M-F 2515 N Glenstone 866-1377 (Best Western) 10% Senior Discounts Everyday • 25% Senior Discounts Tues. • Free Pie Wed. 2 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 www.cfpmidweek.com Upfront | Community Free Press Local Mother of the Year Mom wins a year’s worth of food at Fazoli’s » Page 6 e-mail [email protected] LOCAL NEWS Springfield-Branson airport mock drill keeps team prepared Construction at National and Monroe underway By James Hanson The City of Springfield recently announced plans to install a traffic signal at the intersection of National Avenue and Monroe Street to accommodate increased traffic volumes near the Missouri State University campus, and to provide a pedestrian crossing at National Avenue. The project is funded through the 2010-2013 1/4-cent Sales Tax – Traffic Signal/Traffic Calming Program. The work may impact traffic lanes at times, but through traffic will continue on National Avenue. Monroe Street will be closed for short periods at times throughout the project. The installation is scheduled for completion in September. For more information, contact Jason Haynes, City of Springfield, at 864-1167. Public to get closer look at latest diverging diamond A plan to upgrade the Kansas Expressway/ James River Freeway interchange to a diverging diamond interchange in 2013 will be the subject of a come-and-go style public meeting planned for May 31, from 5-7 p.m. at The Library Center Meeting Room B, 4653 S. Campbell Ave. Project displays and descriptions are published on the MoDOT/Southwest District web site as part of an online public meeting for those unable to attend the meeting. People will be able to ask questions or submit comments. MoDOT, the city of Springfield and Greene County are partners on the project, estimated to cost $5 million. MoDOT will pay half the cost and Springfield and Greene County together will pay the other half. The online meeting can be viewed at modot.org/southwest. Construction is expected to begin in early 2013, with completion by midyear. Pavement repairs will also be made. The Springfield-Branson National Airport recently brought more realism to its tri-annual disaster drill, where firefighters and medical crews had to work together to respond to a mock plane crash. Airport firefighters and crews from both Willard and Springfield fire departments put out the fire and then searched the plane for survivors. Several actors participated, portraying injured and deceased passengers, and ambulances from both Cox and Mercy hospitals arrived on the scene. The two-hour drill is required by the Federal Aviation Administration for airports to remain certified to provide commercial air service. Kent Boyd, public information and marketing manager for SpringfieldBranson National Airport said that in the event of a real disaster, communication and the ability to work together are typically the greatest challenges. “Disaster drills help work these issues out,” he said. Boyd said that if the airport was the site of a real air crash,several public service agencies would respond. Besides the airport police and fire departments and the Springfield and Willard fire departments, crews from the Republic fire department, ambulance crews from both hospitals, the Red Cross, Greene County Emergency Management and others would respond. “Since these agencies Nine vie for vacant council seat By Matthew Kent Nine residents of Springfield are seeking to fill the General A seat on City Council that became open after Bob Stephens took over as mayor earlier this month. The council will interview all nine candidates sometime in June, according to Stephens, who stepped into the mayoral role when Jim O’Neal resigned May 7. Among the candidates who have applied for the vacant seat include: • Mike Carroll, who currently serves as controller of Andy’s Frozen Custard. He earned his juris doctorate from the University of MissouriColumbia School of Law in 2000. • Roberta Cuilty, who has four children and three grandchildren. Cuilty formerly worked as a personal care assistant in Springfield, in addition to working as a cashier and bus driver in Chandler,Ariz. • Christopher Donegan, the owner of Donegan Insurance and Travel and current finance manager of Zerr Auto Sales, Inc. Donegan also has worked at Peoples Bank of the Ozarks as a loan officer, in addition to Drury University, where he worked as an accounts receivable coordinator. • Jan Fisk, the co-owner of J. Howard Fisk Limousines, Inc. since 1986. Fisk was born and raised in Lebanon and attended Missouri State University. • Denice Forrest, who has MID-WEST HEARING AID SERVICE, INC. “Home of the Happy Ear” O PURCHASE O LEASE O REPAIR O SERVICE O Neighborhood Center hosts Back to School Fair BATTERIES O FOR ALL MAKES The OACAC Christian County Neighborhood Center will host their annual Back To School Fair on July 26. Preregistration for children K-12th grade is avail- *Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist* see LOCAL NEWS, 10 rarely work directly together, it’s a good idea to get them together for disaster drills,” Boyd said. “It can help improve teamwork Photos courtesy of Springfield-Branson National Airport and communication dur- A mock plane crash was part of the two-hour tri-annual disaster preparedness drill at the Springfield-Branson National Airport May 23. ing a real disasHe said that the airport plane was inoperable,” ter.” He added that airport has only seen one minor Boyd said.“There was one firefighters could spend incident in the past six injury ... a pilot suffered a their entire career train- years, when airport fire- burn. The only commerair crash in ing for an event that never fighters had to evacuate a cial happens, unlike tradition- commercial airliner. An Springfield was on March 1955. American American jet with a fire in 20, al fire departments. “Point being, since air the cockpit, was diverted Airlines #771 descended plane crashes are rare, air- to Springfield for an emer- in a thunderstorm for port firefighters have to gency landing during a landing in Springfield. It crashed in a pasture two practice long and hard, in bad thunderstorm. “By this time the fire miles north of the airport. conditions that are as realistic as possible,” Boyd said. was already out, but the The death toll was 12.” Office hours 9:00-4:30 Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 628 E. Commercial Springfield, MO 417-869-6550 www.happyear.com 1-800-525-7576 worked at Expedia as lodging operations lead agent since 2010. Forrest has two bachelor’s degrees from Missouri State University in entertainment management and human resources management and is a former commissioner on the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights and Community Relations. • John Handin, a retired city employee who has bachelor’s degrees in sociology and earth science, in addition to a master’s degree in urban planning. He is a former cartographer for the city and has taught at MSU. • Arthur Hodge, Sr., who is retired from the U.S. Army and currently works as a substitute teacher for Springfield Public Schools. He has also worked as a police officer, in addition to serv- ing as a school security officer for SPS before retiring in 2008. • Jeff Paul, who is selfemployed, and has been involved with the American Red Cross for 15 years. • William Scruggs II, the owner of Engineered Resources LLC. He earned his bachelor’s degree in material science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge,Mass.,in 1992 and then obtained his master’s degree in manufacturing management from Ketting University in Flint, Mich., in 1997. He has been a Cub Scout leader with Pack 410 in Springfield for three years and has also coached youth sports. The person selected to fill the seat will serve out the rest of Stephens’ term,which expires in 2013. Community Free Press | www.cfpmidweek.com Upfront May 30 - June 12, 2012 | 3 Upfront 4 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 www.cfpmidweek.com | Community Free Press Group: City should remove criminal history questions from applications Increases: Council to consider changes June 4 “Ban the box” adopted in cities across country, report says 13.5 percent increase is planned for permit, plan review and inspection fees for preliminary and final plat services within the city’s planning and development department. In addition, city officials are proposing to hike taxi cab driver permit fees and renewals from $30 to $37. Meanwhile, new permit fees for four different classifications of food establishments are also being proposed. Low-risk establishments would see an increase from $105 to $113, while medium-risk locations would see an increase from $176 to $190. High-risk locations that serve food would see an increase from $379 to $408, and temporary food permits would increase from $45 to $55. Karen Prescott, environmental health administrator with the Springfield-Greene ■ By Matthew Kent A city subcommittee responsible for addressing employment discrimination against felons has recommended the city of Springfield amend its job applications to no longer require the disclosure of criminal history. In February, the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights assigned the subcommittee the task of examining the issue. A report detailing its findings was presented during the commission’s May 16 meeting. Known as “ban the box,” the change to eliminate questions about criminal history has already been adopted by Kalamazoo, Mich., one of Springfield’s benchmark cities, according to Betsy Sandbothe, subcommittee member. Sandbothe said the unemployment rate for supervised offenders in Greene County stands at 40 percent, noting that unemployed felons reoffend at a rate about 170 percent higher than felons who are employed. She added that Springfield taxpayers are spending about $36.3 million a year to support families of unemployed felons. “We have to ask ourselves where do we want to go at this point?” Sandbothe said. “What we’re asking of the city of Springfield is to revise or define the box.” Vendors doing business with the city should also change their employment applications, according to the report, which noted the subcommittee found “clear evidence that discriminatory actions against offenders are routine and widespread.” The 13-member commission, which investigates alleged discrimination complaints, took no action concerning the recommendations, but one commission member, Bill Hedrick, said action needs to be taken at the state level. “There has to be something done at legislative government if we want to stop this,” he said. ”That’s the way we’re going to have the most long-term impact on this.” Charter: Residents to decide matter at Aug. 7 election ” CONTINUED, from 1 on a worker’s legal status. That law passed earlier this year and was scheduled to go into effect in June, but a federal judge blocked the city from enforcing the ordinance after a lawsuit was filed May 9 in U.S. District Court for the Western Division. RESIDENT VOICES CONCERN ON ISSUE Earlier this month in council chambers, Springfield resident Carl Herd questioned the city’s decision to move forward with the proposed changes, saying there is a “perception in the community that this is rush, rush, rush.” Herd is known for his efforts in successfully seeking a state audit of Springfield Public Schools, which was done by an initiative petition under state statutes. “It is not easy,” Herd said, explaining the abiliHerd ty to gather signatures.“It is quite difficult.” He also presented information to council members about the number of » cfpmidweek.com Want More Local News? Go to the Online news section at the CFP Web site for the most current local news. Will I support it at the ballot box? That’s a good question. I probably will. — City Councilman Doug Burlison signatures required in other cities within the state, alleging that it hadn’t been looked at. Burris disputed the allegation made by Herd following the council meeting, saying that City Attorney Dan Wichmer based it off timelines used in other cities, citing Lee’s Summit as one example. “We had gone out and looked at other cities,” Burris said. If the changes are approved by voters Aug. 7, they would take effect seven days after the election upon certification by the council, according to Burris. However, he said if an initiative petition is presented to the city before August, the proposed changes “would not apply to that particular initiative.” BURLISON SUPPORTS CHANGES City Councilman Doug Burlison said he is comfortable with the changes with one exception involving the number of required signatures. “I still think that’s too high,” Burlison said. “I’d like to see it in the ballpark of 5,000 based on the population.” However, he said he did not raise the issue in council chambers since he believed the council has “pretty much come to a compromise on that … and it doesn’t do any good beating a dead horse, if you will.” Burlison also said he tried to stay away from what other cities were doing concerning their initiative petition process, saying “they can be good ideas, they can be bad ideas.” He added the cities that Herd presented during the counBurlison cil meeting were different than what city management had evaluated. “Everybody’s got statistics,” he said. He also noted that he didn’t want to push the council on the 7,000 signatures due to possible risks of that number going up. The decision on the proposed changes are now up to voters, according to Burlison, who said he likely has his mind made up. “Will I support it at the ballot box? That’s a good question,” Burlison said. “I probably will.” Asked whether he thought Springfield voters would vote in favor of the amendments, he replied: “They probably will support it,” but cautioned that he wasn’t going to make a recommendation. “They’re going to have to make up their own mind,” he said. CONTINUED, from 1 County Health Department, said that the annual fee study allows officials to assess factors such as travel time and the overall cost of performing inspections. However, she noted that the permit fees vary from year to year. “I think we’re fairly low [compared to] other cities in Missouri,” Prescott said. “Sometimes it goes up or sometimes it goes down depending on the fee study we do.” Mannix-Decker said the city is trying to pinpoint the cost of providing services accurately so taxpayers aren’t subsidizing Mannix-Decker them. “We’re trying to recover costs,” she said. The proposed change in fees will go before City Council June 4. Come in and Roll Your Own I HUMIDOR Fathers Day CIGAR Gift Packs I TOBACCO ACCESSORIES Wide Selection CUSTOM BLENDS $2395+tax per box Menthol Add $1 (Box of 200) HOUSE BLEND $2095+tax per box Menthol Add $1 (Box of 200) Price includes tubes, tobacco & machine rental 501-1034 Come in and see what’s rollin’ 1437 S. Glenstone Community Free Press | www.cfpmidweek.com Upfront $310M city budget moving forward By Matthew Kent City Council members are on their way to approving a $310 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1. The overall proposed budget — about 4.3 percent larger than the city’s current one — includes $72.7 million in the general fund with projected revenue expected to be 3.5 percent.As part of the city’s 2012-2013 budget, officials plan to hire 16 new employees for the city’s clean water division of the Environmental Services City: Bridge over Wilson’s Creek closed A single-lane pony truss Alternate route bridge estimated to be over 100 years old over Wilson’s The city recommends Creek on Rountree Road alternate routes to has been closed due to motorists who travel deterioration and will need Rountree Road to the to be removed, city officials city’s yard waste recysay. cling center. Kirk Juranus, assistant Go west on director of public works, Sunshine/Highway said during a semi-annual 413, south onto Farm inspection with the Missouri Road 115, east on Department of Farm Road 164 and Transportation, engineers follow the signs. found that the steel parallel Go west on James to the roadway had deteriRiver Freeway to orated. Juranus said the Sunshine/Highway 413, city would like to have the east onto Sunshine/ aging bridge out by this Highway 413 to Farm summer, but was uncertain Road 115, south onto if it will be replaced. Farm Road 115 to Farm Juranus estimated the Road 164, east onto removal would cost Farm Road 164 and fol$10,000-$20,000 and said low the signs. a new two-lane bridge would cost around Source: City of Springfield $250,000. In 2011, the Mustang bridge over Kearney Street cost $24,000 to remove and a new $1 million bridge was put in its place that was funded through the city’s one-eighth-cent transportation sales tax. Juranus added that the city is evaluating whether to hire a contractor to remove the bridge over Wilson’s Creek or to perform the work with its own crew. Public meeting in Strafford to discuss turn-lane projects A plan to build turn lanes at three intersections along Route 744 and Route OO/Route 125 between Springfield and Strafford will be outlined during a public meeting June 4, in Strafford, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. People may come and go between 4-6 p.m. at Strafford City Hall, 126 S. Washington Ave. An online public meeting featuring the same project information will be provided at modot.org/southwest. Visitors will be able to view displays, ask questions of MoDOT engineers and submit comments. The same displays can be viewed online and visitors can email their comments and questions to MoDOT engineers. Route 744 at Mustard Way in Springfield: Build eastbound-to-northbound left-turn lane. Build westbound-to-northbound right-turn lane. Widen intersection slightly to improve turning radius. Route 744 at Mulroy Road (Farm Road 199) between Springfield and Strafford: Build right-turn lane from westbound-to-northbound. Build left-turn lanes on Route 744 at Mulroy Road (Farm Road 199). Lengthen right-turn lane from southbound-to-westbound. Route OO/Route 125 at Washington Avenue/Olive Street in Strafford: Build left-turn lanes on RouteOO/Route 125 at Washington Avenue/Olive Street. Build right-turn lane from eastbound Route OO/Route 125 to southbound Olive Street. Build curb and gutter and install storm sewer drains along north side of Route OO/Route 125 between Jefferson Street and a point west of Washington Avenue. Construction is planned to begin in the spring of 2014 and the projects are expected to total $1.1 million. Department that would help with sewer maintenance operations. Improvements to the city’s sewer system are required as part of an agreement with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for an early action program expected to cost $50 million over the next seven years, according to city officials. Also planned is a 1.5 percent across-the-board salary increase for all full- time employees, which would be the first time in four years for such an increase. The budget also calls for spending more than $1.4 million to replace 28 police cars, computer network equipment, fire department bomb suits, among other capital needs. Eighteen jobs will also be added to the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department, funded through a 2006 parks sales tax at a cost of May 30 - June 12, 2012 $650,000. The positions will help with operations at the Dan Kinney Family Center and the Doling Aquatics Center that are expected to open later this year, according to the proposed budget. Council members appeared to have no issues with the proposed budget during a May public hearing, but City Councilman Doug Burlison requested that $11,157 be moved from the city’s contingency fund to the health department to fund spaying/neutering for a 12month period. | 5 City Councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky said it was “absolutely critical” for the city to maintain the program. “We’ve made wonderful use of it,” she said. That change was unanimously approved by the council and leaves the contingency fund with $600,000, which poses no issues for the city, according to City Manager Greg Burris. “We can live with that amount,” Burris said. The council will vote on the budget at its June 4 meeting. Upfront 6 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 www.cfpmidweek.com Woods in brief Name: Laura Woods Hometown: Originally from Alton, Ill, she’s lived in Springfield for four years. Family: Two sons, two daughters, partner Ron and his two sons Profession: Legal secretary for Love, Hyde and Overby and viola player for the Springfield Symphony 15 MINUTES WITH… Fazoli’s local Mother of the Year on winning Photo courtesy of Laura Woods Laura Woods with her daughter Kate, who nominated her for the award. By April Labine-Katko When Fazoli’s italian restaurant asked the public to tell them about their special moms, Springfield’s Laura Woods was nominated by her daughter, Kate Huff, who wrote a touching Facebook post about her mother that led to Woods winning the Fazoli’s Mother of the Year award. As a result, Woods can tuck into a bowl of free spaghetti once a week for a year. Fazoli’s honored one mother in each participating market. A busy working mom, Woods is a legal secretary and a viola player with the Springfield Symphony. She shares her life with her children from a previous marriage; Luke, Kate, Claire, her partner Ron and their baby Benjamin and Ron’s children Noah and Elijah. Q: How did it feel to be selected as Fazoli’s Mother of the Year? A: It was amazing.When my daughter first told me that she nominated me, I wasn’t surprised that she would so something like that. She is a very compassionate, considerate and thankful child. I was completely surprised that I won. I didn’t know how many winners there would be. Then I found out that I was the only one in this area.That was amazing. It really touched me, reading what she wrote. We had a hard life for a couple of years. Her dad and I went through a divorce. She’s been right there by my side the whole time and moving on with me, emotionally there with me. It means a lot to me that she would do that. I didn’t even expect to win. Free food’s great but just reading what she wrote, that was the best.When she got the email saying that I had won, she literally ran outside screaming,“Mommy... mommy... mommy... you won!” She was so excited. Q: You have a very full house. How do you keep your energy up, especially when you were working three jobs? A: It was hard. I definitely attribute a lot of it to Ron. He’s been just such a big help. But it’s been really hard. It broke my heart. The three kids spend every other week with me. It seems like, this past season with the symphony, there were so many weeks when they would be with me and I would have rehearsal every night. I didn’t see them very much. But we try to sit down and have dinner together as much as we can. We always make a point in doing that. You know, not just running through the drive-thru.We sit down to a meal and talk about our day as much as we can, do things outdoors, really just being with them in the moments that I can.Taking texts from them while I’m at work, you know, “Hey mom. How’s work going?” Q: What is your advice to new mothers? A: I was 19 when I had my first and it was hardgoing at first but I have definitely grown and learned a lot as I’ve gotten older. Especially in the last year, I have learned a lot about letting my kids be their own person, form their own opinions, think for themselves. You can teach them how to think for themselves but not what to think.That means a lot to them. It’s so important to let kids know that it’s okay to be themselves. Be positive. Be loving to other people instead of just telling them what to do or telling them what to think. That’s the biggest thing that I’ve learned. Q: Do you have a secret weapon to get them to behave? A: Not really, because they’re all so different. My older son is really into electronics and games. I usually threaten to take that away from him. My younger daughter,I tell her if she can go five days with good behavior,we’ll bake a cake together or something like that. She doesn’t eat a lot of sweets during the week, but at the end of the week if she’s been good, we’ll bake a cake. They’re all so different. Kate, she’ll tell you that she doesn’t need discipline because she’s really good, doesn’t get into trouble. I do have to get onto her sometimes because she tries to be the mom. Q: After the year of free food at Fazoli’s, do you think you’ll be able to look a plate of spaghetti in the eye again? A: Oh my gosh. I don’t know. I’ve only had one so far. We went last week. I took all the kids and I had my first free meal. It was delicious.I’m sure after one year I’ll be ordering something else from the menu. After 52, weeks who knows? | Community Free Press Council OKs bonds for sewer improvements By Matthew Kent The Springfield City Council has approved an ordinance authorizing City Manager Greg Burris to move forward with $32 million in bonds for work as part of an early action plan with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The council recently approved an agreement with the state agency for $50 million worth of improvements to the city’s sewer system over a seven-year period. The agreement — an amended consent judgment — was necessary in order to comply with requirements under a 1995 agreement between the city and DNR.That agreement called for about $17 million in sewer improvements, according to the city. Approved by council May 21, the bonds allow work to proceed as part of the early action program, paid by city residents through previously approved sewer rate increases. Taking effect in July, the sewer portion of utility bills will increase from $19.75 to $25.27 a month. The council also voted unanimously on several related matters, including a plan to use $6.46 million to develop a longterm overflow control plan that will be submitted to DNR by Dec. 31, 2013 and will be completed in several phases. The third phase of the program runs through April 2, 2014, according to city officials. In addition, council approved another part of that early action plan involving a $2.12 million pilot inflow and infiltration program that is expected to reduce the amount of rainwater entering the sewer system. The improvements are predicted to save the city between $7 and $10 for every $1 that is spent keeping rainwater out of the system. In other business, the council: • Approved the appropriation of $4 million in reserve funds through the city’s one-eighth-cent transportation sales tax for road projects in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Transportation and Greene County. Those projects include widening Glenstone Avenue from Battlefield Road to James River Freeway and another that would bring a diverging diamond interchange to Kansas and James River Freeway, similar to one at Kansas and Interstate 44 completed three years ago. • Approved the purchase of property at 827, 833,841,842,843,844 and 845 N. Boonville Ave. from Greene County for $975,000. Burris said the properties are part of the city’s governmental plaza footprint and as part of the agreement, city officials will allow Greene County Public Administrator David Yancey to remain in his office for $1 a year. • Selected City Councilman Jeff Seifried as mayor pro tem in a 6-2 vote. Seifried will take over in the absence of Mayor Bob Stephens.Seifried filled the Zone 1 councilman seat in February after Nick Ibarra resigned. MISSOURI RUG CLEANERS Bank ofAsh Grove CARPETS • RUGS BINDING • FURNITURE The Oldest Bank Greene County Main Bank in Ash in Grove – 672-2572 ORIENTAL & PERSIAN RUG SPECIALISTS Serving Springfield 75 Years, Since 1936 Robert C. Jairett owner 417-866-4331 840 S Kentwood Ave. AUTO/TRUCK LOANS 417-672-2572 Strength and Longevity Since 1883 Community Free Press Upfront | www.cfpmidweek.com May 30 - June 12, 2012 | 7 Hill, Gold discuss the race for Greene County Treasurer ■ Both men cite financial experience as a strength for office By James Hanson Republicans Gregory Gold and Justin Hill are vying to serve as the next Greene County treasurer. In the August primary election voters must choose who will square off against governor-appointed Democrat Bill Compere in the November general election. HILL Justin Hill has a degree in business management and accounting and has been chief deputy auditor for Greene County for the last decade. He also served as interim Greene County treasurer from January to March 2011. He currently serves on the Board of the Association of Government Accountants, as treasurer of the Greene County Republican Central Committee and is a member of Southeast Bible Chapel. Hill Hill said that he is qualified to lead the department as the technology continues to change. “You need someone who is very strong in accounting and in technology,” Hill said. “Accounting has migrated in a lot of ways. It is a different industry as far as the tools that you utilize. The principles are the same but the tools we utilize are a lot different.The treasurer’s office needs someone who knows how to utilize those technological tools.” Hill said that having served as POLITICAL NOTES Gov. Nixon sets Aug. 7 election on right to pray Gov. Jay Nixon recently issued a proclamation setting the vote on a constitutional right to pray for the Aug, 7 ballot. House Joint Resolution No. 2, passed by the General Assembly in 2011, proposes a constitutional amendment to Article I, Section 5, of the Missouri Constitution, guaranteeing the right to pray. E-mail local news and information to: [email protected] interim Greene County treasurer also makes him a good candidate. “While I was in there we cracked down on some of the security issues,”he said.“We also streamlined some processes. I converted that office to use the new financial accounting software that the county uses.” Hill said that the county needs someone with skills in reporting and financial analysis for an efficient office that will help elected officials do more with less. “They need someone who is strong in reporting and is good with forecasting,” he said. “Someone who knows how to do cash flow and understands the financial information, but can communicate to the nonfinancial person.” Hill likes that Compere has been making more of the county’s investments local. “I think that is a good thing they are doing well and I would continue doing,” Hill said. GOLD Greg Gold has spent the last 14 years working as a sale representative with Pearson-Kelly Office Products. He has 10 years of experience in investing and experience in banking. He also actively volunteers at Second Baptist Church. Gold said that his background makes Gold him a suitable candidate for county treasurer. “The treasurer’s office is the investment office for the county,” he said.“I think that is one of the things that I can bring to the table.” Gold said that the treasurer’s office has had some issues in the No Photo ID Amendment on the November Ballot With the end of the legislative session, the Missouri legislature failed to replace the language of a ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to require that voters present a government-issued photo ID in order to vote. In March, Cole County Circuit Court Judge Patricia S. Joyce ruled that the ballot language originally drafted by the legislature was misleading and invalidated the proposed ballot title. The measure would have appeared on the November ballot. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that a restrictive photo ID past in the form of “some mismanagement of some monies.” “I want to bring banking type of security and banking controls to that office to keep the employees safe, as well as keep the county’s money safe,” Gold said. Gold also wants to ensure the county’s surplus funds are invested in local banks. “This is the citizens’ money,” he said. “This is your money, my money; it has to be safe and secure first. We need to make sure it stays here in the Ozarks.” He said investing locally keeps the money in the county and keeps people employed. “It is safe, secure, conservative and local,” Gold said. Gold said that the treasurer’s office is currently working well, but added, “There is always room for improvement.” voting law was unconstitutional and could impact as many as 230,000 Missourians. Missouri legislature fights Obamacare On the last day of the Missouri legislative session the Missouri House of Representatives passed SB 464. The act prohibits the establishment, creation, or operation of a state-based health insurance exchange, unless the exchange is created by a legislative act, an initiative petition or referendum. Upfront 8 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 SCHOOL NOTES GHS student wins car Glendale High School graduate Gretchen Stein recently won a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT donated by Reliable Chevrolet, a reward for participating in Project Graduation, a drug- and alcohol-free celebration for graduates. Stein’s name was drawn from a pool of 25 semifinalists who were selected from drawings at each of the high school’s Project Graduation events. As an added bonus, Reliable also gave free iPads to one student from each high school. Photo courtesy Missouri Youth Soccer Association The 2012 Missouri State Cup tournament is June 9-14 at Springfield’s Lake Country Soccer Complex. Thousands expected for soccer tournament By Amanda Hess The 2012 Missouri State Cup tournament is expected to bring up to 10,000 people to Springfield’s Lake Country Soccer Complex June 9-14. The tournament showcases the best youth soccer teams in Missouri every year. More than 175 of the best boys’ and girls’ teams ages 12 to 18 in the state will compete in the event. It is the first step to the U.S. Youth National Championship Series, a nation-wide tournament series that encompasses more than 10,000 teams. Each age group winner of the Missouri State Cup will advance to the Region 2 Champions in Saginaw, Mich., in June for a chance to compete in the U.S. Youth National Championships in Rock Hill, S.C., in July. The tournament at Lake Country Soccer Complex, 2334 E. Pythian St., is an open event. Parking is $5 a day or $20 per car for the entire tournament. Parking passes can be purchased on-site with cash or pre-purchased online at www.mysa.org. To purchase passes online, the website suggests emailing Pam Sullivan at [email protected] following the purchase. Summer meal program begins June 4 Although school is out for the summer, students can continue to receive nutritious meals June 4-28 through the summer Food Service Program. Beginning June 4, any child age 18 and under may receive free breakfast and lunch at eight Springfield Public Schools locations. Children do not need to be enrolled in summer school to participate but they must be accompanied by an adult. Eligible disabled adults age 21 and under may also qualify to participate in the program. For more information, call 523-0000. Pipkin students providing comfort to children in need Students at Pipkin Middle School participated in the Linus Project, which gives blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need. Linus Project is named for the Peanuts comic strip character who was comforted by his blanket. The project was funded by a grant from the Several Springfield schools to get repairs this summer By James Hanson Classes are out at Springfield Public Schools and when some students return in the fall, several buildings will either have undergone or be in the process of receiving much needed upgrades. The SPS Board of Education approved several contracts at a recent meeting, paving the way for repairs to many schools within the district. Weatherproofing Tech-nologies, Inc. (Stiles Roofing) of Lebanon, was awarded two separate contracts; one in the amount of $175,940 to replace 14,000 square feet of roof at Pleasant View School, including the band room and southeast classroom area. The second contract for $419,317 will pay to repair 41,000 square feet of roof at Glendale High School. Three expansion joints will be installed in the roofing deck to alleviate movement and stabilize the structural plan. An additional $509,788 will fund the replacement of damaged masonry, reanchoring veneers, cleaning masonry surfaces and re-pointing mortar joints at Jarrett Middle School. Mid-Continental Restor-ation Company, out of Fort Scott, Kan. was awarded the contract for that project. The board also approved contracts with Hardwood Floors by Sanders, out of Neosho in the amounts of $19,505 and $14,4000, to sand and refinish the wood gym floors at Parkview and Glendale high schools. Campbell Elementary School will have its wood gym floors sanded and refinished by Jarrett Enterprises of Cabool, at a cost of $3,950. Pipkin Middle School will have a new wood gym floor installed by Varsity Contractors of Springfield, at a cost of $63,105. All projects, with the exception of Campbell Elementary School, will be funded through the major repair funds. The Campbell Elementary School project will be funded through insurance loss funds. SPS expects to have most of the projects completed by the time school resumes. Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, aiding in the purchase of fleece fabric and allowing students to reach their goal of making 100 blankets during the school year. Ann Steinberg, 7th-grade communication arts teacher, oversaw the students as they worked. The blankets will be distributed through Newborns in Need at the St. Jude’s branch of Mercy Hospital and Isabel’s House. Disney 5th-grader receives award for essay Carson Fink, a 5th-grade student at Disney Elementary School won first place in Level I of the 2012 Letters About Literature statewide essay contest. He was presented the award during a ceremony at the James Kirkpatrick State Information Center in Jefferson City. Rep. Charlie Denison introduced Carson, his family, and teacher Nancy Rader on the House floor, and presented Carson with a certificate of recognition for his accomplishment. GHS student and teacher named as 2012 Bezos Scholars Glendale High School junior Kayna Lantz and teacher Justine Lines have been selected as 2012 Bezos Scholars. The prestigious all-expense-paid scholarship brings together 12 of the nation’s top public high school juniors and 12 exceptional educators for a www.cfpmidweek.com week of exploration, dialogue and debate at the acclaimed Aspen Ideas Festival, June 26-July 2. Scholars will connect with visionaries from around the globe—international leaders, thinkers, entrepreneurs and creative artists—and engage in lectures, presentations, debates and discussions that span a vast | Community Free Press range of critical topics. This extraordinary leadership development experience begins at the Aspen Ideas Festival and continues throughout the following school year as Scholars return home with inspiration, tools and resources to launch their own Local Ideas Festivals. Community Free Press | www.cfpmidweek.com Viewpoints Upfront May 30 - June 12, 2012 THINK About It! – Winston Churchill FreePress Local Voice Breck Langsford, President/Publisher Amanda Langsford, Associate Publisher Photos and interviews by James Hanson The city of Springfield is prepared to give its full-time employees a 1.5 percent raise across the board; the first across the board raise in four years. Do you agree or disagree with this and why? EDITORIAL James Hanson, Reporter Matthew Kent, Reporter April Labine-Katko Copy Editor, Reporter “I just moved back here to the community but I would think they do a pretty good job. I don’t think it would be a big deal.” –Michael Gibbs, Springfield CONTRIBUTORS Kelsey Garman Phil Morrissey Bob Mace Amanda Hess DESIGN Amanda Langsford Lonnie Bolding, Art Tech ADVERTISING Illustration by Phil Morrissey Breck Langsford Amanda Langsford Greg Hansen Marylee York, Manager Charles Hunt, Courier ADMINISTRATION Donna Blackburn, Senior Accountant Muriel Lincoln, Credit Manager Dudley Brown, IT Systems & Web CONTACT [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] B Publishing Group 3057 E. Cairo / Springfield, MO 65802 Mailing address: PO Box 2418 Springfield, MO 65801 Phone: (417) 447-2130 Fax: (417) 447-2140 www.cfpmidweek.com The Community Free Press is published by B Publishing Group, Inc. in Springfield, Mo. It is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader, from distributors in the Springfield-metro area. Additional copies may be obtained at the B Publishing Group offices. CFP may be distributed only by the publisher’s authorized agents. No one may, without permission from B Publishing Group, take more than one copy of each issue. Postal delivery to your home or business address is available via Standard Mail. Call 417-447-2130 for information. Reproduction prohibited without publisher’s written permission. Unsolicited materials should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. B Publishing Group reserves the right to publish unsolicited articles, and is under no obligation to return such materials. Vol. 10 Issue 11 The thoughts and opinions of columnists in the Viewpoints section do not reflect those of the Community Free Press. If you wish to respond to Viewpoints please e-mail CFP: [email protected] 9 “Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” Community CIRCULATION / DISTRIBUTION | Chamber Pot C E-mail Bob Mace: [email protected]. ity leadership has been busy funding was responsible for the plugging the dyke after the development of such major tourism recent resignations from council of flops as the Jordan Valley Park and Councilman Nick Ibarra and Mayor the Mediacom Ice Park. Jim O’Neal. Jeff Seifried was selected Edgewise: Had any of these worked and appointed by council from as prophesied by the chamber developamong applicants to fill the remainment partnership,our airport and highder of the Ibarra term. Seifried, by ways would have choked as denizens day, is manager of regional developof a grateful planet came to picnic and ment for the city – Chamber of figure skate Springfield.Instead,the city Bob Mace Commerce Business Development is funding deficits related to those projCorporation partnership. ects from its general fund. THE EDGE The Edge figures it might have Burris’ dilemma of how to spend been easier to cut out the middleman, quit the the freed up tax revenues started the day that pretense, and simply send the keys to the city the not-for-profit museum announced it would and its checkbook to a chamber staff that ill- no longer take the public funding, donating conceals it non-elected omniscience over $1.3 million of previous tax receipts to the everything municipal. Community Foundation of the Ozarks. So With the resignation of O’Neal, Mayor Pro there’s the city, the CFO and the museum Tem Bob Stephens automatically assumed that involved. But, with no visible skin in the game, office. The city charter required that council, Chamber of Commerce executive Jim from among its midst, select a new pro tem. Anderson presided at that announcement offiThat body did so with all due speed and con- cially informing the citizens of the repurpossideration. Members with years of experience ing of tax proceeds. were passed over inexplicably to name Heaping praise on the long-struggling and Seifried who had held his appointed council non-operational wildlife tourist attraction, position for something less than three months. Anderson told city leaders the donation would The Edge wishes nothing but good luck to be foundation earmarked for use by groups Mr. Seifried personally, but would point out promoting conservation tourism and educathat his meteoric rise means that our pro tem tion. The Edge, insufferable cynic that he is, hasn’t been elected by any constituency save “wonders” whether a foundation grant back to fellow council members. Furthermore, Mr. the museum isn’t planned. Seifried will now vote (perhaps even preside Burris went on to write that some wanted to over the meeting) when considering renewal use that tax money to take care of shortfalls in of or modifications to the public/not-for-profit city operations. Tourism proponents (The partnership contract that pays his salary.That’s Convention and Visitors Bureau is another nice maneuvering for the council newbie and chamber-led partnership with the city), he his overseers at the chamber. wrote, want to fund tourism projects.The Edge Fielding a minion at council meetings appar- tries to figure CVB logic of taxing tourists as a ently comes as solace to City Manager Greg method of attracting more of them.Just because Burris who sees important decisions on the it hasn’t worked doesn’t mean it won’t! horizon. In a recent Springfield News-Leader The Edge observes that all this too close for editorial, he orbited about the “problem” of comfort interlocking municipal partnership what to do with hotel-motel tax receipts no cooperation gives rise to just the kind of sublonger going to the (still closed) Wonders of stance one would expect to locate when takWildlife Museum. Burris reflected that such ing a good look into our local chamber pot! “I do not agree with it. I believe the money should be spread in other areas that we are struggling with right now. If they are going to give them a raise, they need to give them a better raise than that because that is kind of a slap in the face. If they had budgeted correctly in the first place then they would be able to give annual raises based on merit.” –Kristy Hutto, Springfield “I’m fine with that. They actually work hard and them being able to give a raise after four years is fine. It is nice to know that they can actually afford to give them a raise. I do have a problem with certain members of City Council, where they don’t listen to what the people want and enact certain laws and things like that.” – Rick Bagwell, Springfield “I think anybody that works hard, then they deserve it.” –Joan Ott, Springfield “I would be fine with it for now. But they should have a City Hall meeting and set some goals that we have over the next year; some type of quality of life for the City of Springfield and if we don’t meet it, then they can take back 2 percent next year.” – Curtis Vaughn, Springfield “I think it is a small raise and it would be acceptable. Now if it was a huge raise, then I would say no.” –Zola Lutz, Springfield Upfront 10 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 www.cfpmidweek.com | Community Free Press Open letter to the Mayor Stephens and the City Council In response the City Council meeting, May 7, 2012. I want to follow up on the math pertaining to council bill 2012-134. Let us begin with two facts: a. 10 percent of votes cast in the last general municipal election is approximately 2,100. b. 7 percent of registered voters in Springfield is 7,000 (using Mr. Burris’s number that there are Carl Herd approximately 100,000 registered voters). As I pointed out the perGUEST COLUMN centage must be of the same concepts/classification to be compared. A percent of Actual Voters can not be directly compared to a percent of Registered Voters I.E. 10 percent of actual voters vs. 7 percent of registered voters. So consider comparing 2,100 actual voters to 7,000 actual voters. What is the percentage increase? 4,900 increase divided by 2,100 is 2.33 or 233 percent increase. This percent compares to the pay day loans. Another comparison would be to increase your house payment or car payment by 2 and a third times or 233 percent. My stance is perhaps some increase in the number of signatures would better balance the petition process, but this proposal is extreme and really not realistic. Should the petition process be consistent through- out the city charter? Recall petitions require a percentage of signatures of voters in the last general municipal election. This ordinance proposes 7 percent of registered voters. It would be easy to make all percentages for petitions based on the same concepts and thereby be consistent in the City Charter. Closing Comments: Again, I implore you to fast forward to 2025,you are watching a city council meeting on TV and the council is not representing the citizens and also adversely affecting you and your family. The ONLY recourse for you is the initiative process that you changed when you were on council in 2012. Do you think these changes are fair and reasonable. Changing the City Charter should be taken seriously with a large amount of citizens input. How much citizen input has there really been? Three meetings of the City Council Plans and Policies Committee is very limited input. Please consider tabling all these proposed Charter Changes, obtain much more public input, then place proposed changes on the next April ballot eliminating extra election expenses.Some citizens perceive this hasty charter change as an attempt to squash citizen input. Thus maybe these hasty Charter changes are in essence a knee-jerk reaction to stop citizen input and leave all decision making in the hands of City Council. Sincerely, Carl Herd, Springfield resident Organ Donation Helps A LOT Missouriorgandonor.com LOSE WEIGHT • GAIN ENERGY • BE FIT Scientifically Based Nutrition Programs • Any Age Stress • Digestive • Detox • Aging & more FOR A FREE CATALOG CALL (417) 368-6320 or email [email protected] John & Nancy Zarr Independent Distributors Letters LOCAL NEWS, from 2 What you think is important E-mail: [email protected]. A concerned citizens plea to voters My fellow Missourians, after another legislative session ends at our state capitol, how in good conscience can you allow the Republican party to continue controlling the House and Senate? As an Independent I am disgusted at their efforts to abolish the historic Affordable Care Act passed two years ago. As voters, we must educate ourselves with facts instead of being lied to with politically motivated rhetoric. According to many organizations like HealthCare.gov, Missouri has already received over $21.8 million in grants for affordable insurance exchanges. The Affordable Care Act is already helping Missourians by providing new coverage options for young adults, more affordable prescriptions for seniors, covering preventive services with no deductible or co-pay, providing better value of your premium dollars by requiring health insurance companies to use at least 80 percent of your money to go towards actual health care, requiring those companies to publicly justify rate increases, removing lifetime limits on health benefits and stopping the discriminatory practice of refusing heath care insurance to those with pre-existing conditions. The Affordable Care Act has also given Missouri over $95.5 million to implement other programs to provide quality health care. Please see http://www.healthcare.gov/law/resources/mo.html for more detailed facts. The already paid for Affordable Care Act allows more access to heath care for the uninsured and it gives those that are insured more choices for affordable, comprehensive health care insurance. As we recognized Memorial Day, there are over 1.5 million uninsured veterans that will be covered because of the Affordable Care Act. So, ask yourself, why would we want to deny each other access to health care? Then, ask your legislators the same question and remind them that this is an election year. Richard G. Green, Ozark Correction In the May 16-29 issue, TelComm Credit Union was misspelled in an article in the Business section. We regret the error. Correction Policy Every attempt is made to ensure that all information in the Community Free Press is factual. In the event of an error we will publish any necessary corrections as soon as we are informed of a mistake and can confirm the correct information. able June 1-29. Donations are welcome for the purchase of school supplies and backpacks for the county. New backpacks can be dropped off at the OACAC Christian County Neighborhood Center, 204 E. Elm St., Ozark. For more information, call 581-7631 or visit oacac-caa.org. Future of Transportation topic for public meeting The needs and challenges facing Missouri’s transportation system will be explored in a public forum in Springfield June 1. The meeting is one in a statewide series being conducted by the Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri Transportation Needs. Several transportation stakeholders from southwest Missouri will present testimony to the committee. The public forum will be open to other comments. The committee has previously held public meetings in St. Louis and St. Joseph and will conduct forums on June 29 in Cape Girardeau, July 9 in Columbia, July 23 in Hannibal and August 6 in Lee’s Summit. The forum is scheduled for June 1, 1-3 p.m. at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. Harmony House in need of paper products, bath towels The Harmony House has been running at capacity, sheltering close to 100 adult and child survivors of domestic violence each night, and is in need of toilet paper, paper towels and bath towels. Harmony House is seeking help from the local community. For more information, call Andrea Smith, donations coordinator at 837-7700 ext. 207. SPD patrol sergeant honored with a Patriot Award Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the Department of Defense, recently honored Patrol Sergeant Andrew Barksdale of the Springfield Police Department, with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees and family members of those that serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Police officer and sergeant with the 1107th TASMG, Dawn Davis, nominated Barksdale. For more information call 816337-8175 or visit esgr.mil. Boonville Avenue work continues through June 13 Boonville Avenue between Court Street and Division Street was closed on May 23 for utility work associated with the streetscape project. Motorists are advised to use the marked detour via Court Street, Robberson Avenue, and Division Street. The sidewalk will also be closed along Boonville Avenue during construction. Boonville Avenue should be open to traffic by June 13, weather permitting. The project will include the construction of sidewalks, lighting, water and gas main renewals and landscaping enhancements. Bus routes will continue as normal and will be unaffected by the closure. For more information, call 864-1989. » cfpmidweek.com Want More Local News? Go to the Online news section at the CFP Web site for the most current local news. Community Free Press | www.cfpmidweek.com May 30 - June 12, 2012 Business | 11 Calling all artists! New art co-op brings artists together. » Page 12 e-mail [email protected] FYI Helping others explore life JVIC celebrates five years of growth On June 1, the Jordan Valley Innovation Center will host a five-year celebration from 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the facility’s parking lot, featuring Sen. Roy Blunt along with university and community leaders. Tours will be available of the research facility, Brick City and the Robert W. Plaster Center for Free Enterprise and Business Development. Dr. Terry Brewer, president and founder of Brewer Science, will also speak during the ceremony. Free parking is available at JVIC, or lots 46 and 47. Architecture firm honored with five design awards Dake Wells Architecture was presented with four awards for design excellence from the American Institute of Architects, Springfield’s professional jury. The Home Office of Andy’s Frozen Custard and a new practice gymnasium for Reeds Spring R-IV School District each received a Citation Award, a phased renovation of Cheek Hall at Missouri State University received a Merit Award, and the new Student Recreation Center for Missouri State UniversityWest Plains received an Honor Award. In addition, a separate public jury of Springfield community leaders presented the Glenwood Residence with a Public Recognition Award. Restaurant franchisee gets national recognition Local franchisee company Hardee’s of Southwest Missouri, headed by Mike Shay, was recently recognized for its sales achievements and as Franchisee of the Year. Shay and Hardee’s of Southwest Missouri have won many awards throughout the years including Top Volume Sales awards for multiple locations over multiple years, and Top Marketer and Top Comparative Sales Increase awards for multiple years. Hardee’s of Southwest Missouri also holds daily, weekly, and monthly sales records for any Hardee’s store opened. see FYI, 13 Satori offers more than 60 global destination adventures ■ By James Hanson D o you imagine yourself climbing Mt. Everest or visiting Kathmandu, maybe trekking through Peru, Chile, Ecuador or Argentina or braving it in Antarctica or Iceland? Satori Adventures and Expeditions can help make those dreams a reality. The outdoor education and adventure guide service got its start right here in the Ozarks in late 2009. Hiking enthusiast Dan Nash had received several requests from members of his previous business, Hiking the Ozarks, and members of the Ozark Mountain Trailblazers to guide trips in South America and other exotic locations. (See more in the Outdoors section) “Last year I was pretty busy,” Nash said.“I tried to get on some more of the trips where they needed me to go. I was on four continents last year.” Nash said Satori is an international business, employing not just locally, but in Nepal,Iceland,Africa, Canada, Peru and Pakistan. The company specializes in remote wilderness expeditions, treks and adventures to some of the most spectacular destinations in the world. The guides and instructors are all professional teachers who help individ- uals with approaching their Photos courtesy of Satori Adventures and Expeditions first mounTwo explorers look out over the countryside in Borneo from high above. tain sum- Borneo is one of the many destinations adventurers can choose from at Satori mit, glacier Adventures and Expeditions. Left: An adventurer scales Mt. Tocllaraju, in the crossing or Cordillera Blanca (White Range) of the Andes Mountains of Peru. remote outpost. They are highly said.“I was teaching class- five clients from Canada, trained in a variety of out- es here locally and taking Japan, Korea and Europe. “We have clients from all door disciplines and pro- people on trips when I vide the utmost care for had people begin hiring over the world,” Nash said. their clients. They are also me to take them on treks “I have a group of six ladies Wilderness First-Aid and to harder places in the from Springfield doing a Ozarks.Then I had people trek in Peru this summer. CPR/AED certified. Satori practices “Leave ask if I [would take] them It’s a really cool trek.” Nash said some trips No Trace Ethics,” which to South America or whermeans respecting and pre- ever and that is kind of are a short as five days, serving the environment how it started. It just grew while others like an Everest trip can last up to when on an expedition. from there.” Nash said he has travToday, Satori transports 60 days. Costs range from eled all over the world, customers from all over $1,000 up to $50,000, climbing mountains and the world to over 60 depending on the trip. “It’s really just whatever backpacking. places across the globe. “Satori kind of came Nash said he recently the customer wants to about by accident,” he summited Mt. Everest with do,” Nash said. Springfield family offers more than meals By Amanda Hess Springfield Family Restaurant prides itself in being involved in the community and providing local foods from farmers in their meals to customers. Agim Zendeli, of the Zendeli family that own Springfield Family Restaurant, said the restaurant was officially named Springfield Family Restaurant in March. The restaurant provides fresh, local ingredients to customers. “We are buying a lot of farm vegetables, fruits and a few meat items,” Zendeli said. “Almost all of my vegetables are farm fresh, from tomatoes to cucumbers to onions and peppers; they are all locally farmed.Whatever I can get [from farmers’] I will.” The menu provides new editions, including Panini sandwiches for lunch and healthy options for breakfast like the Farmer’s Benedict and Fitness Omelette. The most famous dish is their cinnamon French toast, Zendeli said, which has a private label bread that is specially made for their restaurant. The specials change every day and offerone that would be directed more toward men, like meatloaf, and one directed more toward women, like a specialty salad. The menu has options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “It’s a family place,” Zendeli said.“We have customers that come in twice a day, three times a day, four times a week. It’s a routine [for them]. Plus a lot of people from out of town come in.We have great food with good portions.” Along with providing food made from local farmers’ crops, Springfield Family Restaurant also gives 10 percent of its sales every Thursday to Care to Learn, a local program that provides funding for underprivileged children in the Ozarks. Zendeli said the restaurant plans to help the community in different ways as time goes on. “I want to be involved in the community doing whatever I can to help out in different areas,” Zendeli said. “The Zendeli family has been here for a long time and we love the community, so we decided to give the restaurant the theme of Springfield. Eventually I will have all the walls decorated with scenes from Springfield.” Most of the walls already have images of places like the Gillioz Theatre and Hammons Photos by Amanda Hess The former Ziggie’s on South Campbell is now Springfield Family Restaurant. Field, reflecting the community that Zendeli said his family wants to give back to. The restaurant is located at 2222 S. Campbell Ave. and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, go to www.springfieldfamilyrestaurant.com or call 883-0900. Business 12 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 IN BUSINESS | Community Free Press by James Hanson A taste of Italy at Mama T’s Italian Cuisine Artists find a “home on the range” at the Grass Buffalo Artists of all ages, specializing in any medium, now have a place to share and sell their wares with Grass Buffalo. Christina Rea-Willard and Bryan Sanders opened the art co-op in early May. Willard said it is a place where artists can collaborate, inspire each other, work and play, feel free and feel the energy, all while getting their name out there. The co-op features pottery, photography, jewelry, paintings, re-purposed furniture, candles and more, with work from artists ranging from eight to 71-years-old. “We want people to know that this store is for people of all ages and for any genre,” she said. Willard Grass Buffalo and Bryan Photo by James Hanson met when Christina Rea-Willard (left) and Bryan Sanders, owners of the Grass Buffalo ■ Owners: Bryan Sanders she phoArt Co-op have a little fun inside the store. and Christina Rea-Willard tographed Opened: May 4, 2012 some of his art pieces. Location: 431 S. Jefferson Willard’s knowledge and passion for landscaping and photography and Bryan’s love Ave., Suite 132 of painting, drawing and interior design led to a quick friendship. Hours: Monday-Thursday, “We hadn’t known each other a month,” Willard said. “We just bonded.” 9 a.m.-6 p.m.,FridaySanders added, “We just clicked and had a blast.” Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. After a conversation over coffee at Big Momma’s, the two reached out to Matt Miller Phone: 536-1167 or 350-7238 who came on board with the art co-op concept. Website: Willard and Sanders said that business has been phenomenal so far. grassbuffaloco-op.com “It has all been word of mouth,” Willard said. “People have been energized by the whole thing.” Gold and silver mining stocks can make you rich I www.cfpmidweek.com don’t invest in and its stock will mining stocks probably also because of their drop 50 percent, volatility. At age although the 78 I need stabiliprice of gold ty, not volatility. only falls about But if you are 17 percent. younger and The secret of have a longer making money in term investment mining stocks is horizon, owning Kelsey Garman to invest in them precious metals when they are at FINANCIAL INSIGHTS mining stocks the bottom of could be your path to the down cycle and selling wealth. One investor in them at the top of the gold and silver mining cycle.That’s true,of course, stocks claims he has a veri- with any stock. But with fied return of more than 40 mining stocks the cycle is percent per year over the easier to follow if you last 10 years. understand the basics of The volatility of gold the mining industry. and silver mining stocks is All mining stocks are not related to the price of the equal. They are basically metals they mine. divided into two cateHowever, the stock prices gories. Senior mining are much more volatile stocks are the stocks of the than the metals. larger well established minHere’s why. ing operations. Junior minSuppose a company can ing stocks are the smaller produce gold for $1,000 an companies engaged more ounce. That’s a fixed cost in exploration and develno matter what the price opment. of gold is. If gold is $1,500 The junior stocks are an ounce, the company’s more volatile and riskier, profit is $500. If the price but potentially more profof gold rises to $2,000 an itable.They can be subject ounce the company’s prof- to excessive hype, poor it doubles to $1,000 an management and even ounce. Its stock price will fraud, especially if they probably also double, even are in the “penny stock” though the price of gold is category. However, there up only 33 percent. are some very good junior On the other hand, if stocks trading at huge disgold prices drop to counts to their real value $1,250, the company’s and potential cash flow. earnings are cut in half If you want to invest in gold and silver mining stocks, the easiest way is through Exchange Traded Funds ETFs). For larger gold mining companies check out Market Vector’s Gold Miners Fund (GDX). For silver mining companies consider Global X Silver Miners Fund (SIL). If you want to invest in junior mining ETFs, the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners Fund (GDXJ) invests in stocks in both gold and silver mines. If you prefer individual stocks, Goldcorp (GG) is probably the best place to start. Goldcorp also produces silver, copper, lead and zinc. It has recently started paying a small monthly dividend. For silver, I suggest Pan American Silver (PAAS). If you want to go for junior mining stocks, consider Gold Resources Group (GORO). This company produced gold for $136 an ounce in 2011, and expects to lower costs to less than $100 next year. It pays out one-third of its cash flow in monthly dividends, which are paid in gold or silver coins if you like. Check out the company website at www.goldresourcecorp.com. Mag Silver (MVG) owns some of the richest silver deposits on the planet, which gives it the potential to be one of the world’s top silver producers in the future. For a full report, go to www.magsilver.com. Lovers of Italian food Mama T’s might want to tuck in Italian Cuisine a meal at the recently opened Mama T’s Opened: March 20, 2012 Italian Cuisine. Location: 2129 W. Manager Kari Republic Road Wilkerson said the Hours: Mondayrestaurant features Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. everything one would Phone: 315-8730 expect at an Italian Website: restaurant, but with a mamatsrestaurant.com different feel and taste. “Everything here is hand-made and made fresh daily,” she said. Besides stuffed meatloaf, fettuccine, lasagna, spaghetti, meatballs, pizza pies and hand-rolled, fresh-baked breadsticks, there are also a few seafood items on the menu. Diners will find themselves transported to the ‘20s and ‘30s with murals, photographs and decor giving the restaurant an old gangster flair. Wilkerson said business has gone very well. “Everyone has been very gracious with his or her comments,” she said. “Everything is done here in house. They come for the quality of food and come back for the family.” E-mail local news and information to: [email protected] If you are inclined to invest in gold and silver mining stocks, now is a good time to do it. Prices have been declining for the past year and are now at, or near, the bottom of the cycle. Kelsey Garman is a former financial consultant. E-mail him at [email protected]. Community Free Press | www.cfpmidweek.com Business May 30 - June 12, 2012 | 13 Fishel Pools ■ Owners: Craig and Ryan Fishel Opened: 1972 Location: 1421 E. Sunshine St. Services: Retail store for cleaning supplies, pool chemicals, pool accessories, swimming toys, residential vinyl and gunite pools, commercial gunite pools, weekly pool service, opening/closing of pools, repairs, renovations, water testing and more. Hours: Retail store hours Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Phone: 886-6699 Website: fishelpools.com LOCALLY OWNED Over four decades in pools By James Hanson Craig Fishel has been building pools for over four decades, perhaps a natural transition for an ex-lifeguard. In 1976, he started Fishel Pools out of his garage. Today, it is one of the largest pool companies in Springfield. “We’ve been around by far the longest of anyone around,” Craig said. Fishel Pools offers pool accessories, chemicals, swimming toys, water treatments and more. But Fishel’s true specialty is its custom made residential vinyl and gunite pools and commercial gunite pools. Fishel has built more than 1,500 pools in Greene County alone, but they can be found all over the region and as far away as Nevada and Texas. “There are lots of opportunities but we kind of look at our people and the time away from home [when we consider a job],” he said. Today, Fishel employs nine full-time employees, but has a workforce of 20 full and part-time employees from late spring through early fall. Craig said the business isn’t as seasonal as it once was. “We have been working continuously for the last five or six years,” he said. “It is now a year-round business. It has taken some time for me to get FYI, from 11 Real Estate Co. named 44th largest independent Murney Associates, Realtors was named the 44th largest independent real estate company based on closed transactions in the United States. The ranking was announced in the REAL Trends 500 annual report, which ranks the performance of residential real estate companies across the country based on sales volume, closed transactions, and other criteria. Murney Photo courtesy of Fishel Pools Ryan Fishel (left) and his father Craig Fishel stand in front of one of their most recent custom built pools. used to that because I kind of like that time off.” Craig’s son, Ryan is coowner and slowly working towards taking over the business. “It’s a slow transition, but every day he takes more and more of it and I’m running further and further away,” Craig said.“I love the design/build part of it, but the day-to-day…” “He also really likes to go fishing,” Ryan added. Still, Craig said it will be several years before he is totally out of the business. And by all accounts, Ryan’s toddler son will also be involved in the family business. “He has a ways to go before he takes over,” Ryan joked. Craig said that the store’s water chemistry lab has also served as an asset to the business. “It is all computerized,” he said.“People can bring a water sample in and we can test it. It prints out right there the step-by- step of what to do to fix your pool.” He added that perfectly clear water isn’t necessarily healthy. “If your water is out of balance, it can be pretty, but it can also ruin your pool,” Craig said. “If people want to ignore their water chemistry, they need to enjoy the beauty because it is going to cost them later.” Craig said another thing that separates Fishel from the competition is his reputation for not wanting to do “anything normal.” “My big kick in life is the ‘wow’ factor,” he said. “We just finished one in Ozark and everybody that goes into that backyard is like ‘wow’;they can’t believe it.” Craig said residential vinyl pools can usually be completed in three weeks, while gunite pools can take four to six months, depending on the difficulty of the design, layout and other factors. Both men agreed that ranked 102 in a survey of America’s Top Power Brokers based on closed transactions. For more information, call Twila Hillme at 575-1205 or email [email protected]. regulatory compliance. Old Missouri Bank Names VP of Loan Operations Bonnie Murdock has been promoted to vice president of loan operations at Old Missouri Bank where she has worked since December 2011. Shehas 34 years of banking experience, including loan operations management and Incredible Pizza makes incredible wishes come true Springfield’s Incredible Pizza Company and Wish I May are teaming up to serve special birthday wishes to underprivileged children in the community. IPC has an all-you-can-eat buffet, with themed dining areas, private party rooms for kid’s birthday parties and a fairgrounds fun center. Wish I May is a non-profit that provides birthday celebrations to underprivileged children by anonymously donating to Why pay more to eat healthy? 1952 E. Grand (East of Glenstone) d2efoods.com 501-1054 their biggest challenge is finding qualified help and ensuring that customers remain happy. But providing customer satisfaction is what Fishel strives for, and what they both feel has made the company successful. “It is about being able to make them happy, at whatever costs,” Craig said. He added that as long as it is reasonable then the company will do it. “The most important thing for me is to go back to any pool I’ve built and seeing all of the people thoroughly enjoying a swimming pool,” he said. Craig said that he is concerned with the lack of regulations in Springfield and surrounding areas, when it comes to pool building. “You can go buy a contractors license, a pick-emup truck and a shovel, and you are in business,” he said. “There are no regulations or requirements to have certain knowledge to be a pool builder ...Probably,the message is, buyer beware. Everybody says that,but we have never been sued in 42 years. There is nothing I can’t or won’t do to make it right.” parents and guardians everything from plates to cakes to toys, gifts and goodies. IPC will host and honor underprivileged children and help families make birthday wishes come true, providing the Wish I May organization with 12 Incredible Birthday Parties, one per month for a year, to local families in need. Wish I May also partners with the Boys & Girls Club to provide birthday celebrations for the children that they serve. For more information call 410937-5647 or visit IncrediblePizza.com/ Springfield. A /C Tune-Up 59 $ A/C PERFORMANCE TUNE-UP 99 Includes: Check Compressor Check Condenser Check Evaporator Clean Radiator Core Check A/C & Heat System Controls & Blower Operation Clean Cabin Air filter Check System for Leaks Check A/C Pressures & Refrigerant Levels Top Off Refrigerant levels up to 1 lb R-134a (if needed) Inspect Drive Belts, Hoses & Radiator Cooling Fans (additional parts, repairs and labor not included) 1462 S Enterprise (417) 881-2240 BOHANNONAUTOSERVICES.COM 14 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 www.cfpmidweek.com Home & Garden e-mail [email protected] Fast Fact: If you water while it’s relatively cool outside, water can soak in before it evaporates on the surface. Fire pits, ceramic grills among backyard trends called the Equinox Louvered Roof system, which is estimated at around $8,000. The business primarily deals with sunrooms, which range in price. Sims recommends that prospective buyers do some research and determine how they want to utilize their backyard space. The average sunroom, she said, runs around $25,000, depending on the type of product that is used such as aluminum, vinyl or brick. “Everything’s completely customizable,” Sims said. “There are things [that cost] significantly less.” Prior to an installation, a designer will do an in-home consultation Maschino’s sells furniture for patios and decks. and photo- | Community Free Press By Matthew Kent I f you’re looking to spruce up your backyard with a sunroom or fire pit, several Springfield businesses may have what you need. At Four Seasons Sunrooms, there are plenty of options to choose from, according to Ashley Sims, director of marketing. She said the company has seen a spike in sales of a solarpowered adjustable patio cover - Popular Mechanics, www.popularmechanics.com Where to shop There are several businesses in Springfield for homeowners seeking to improve their backyard. ■ Four Seasons Sunrooms: 2862 S. Glenstone Ave., 8317666, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday, noon-5 p.m., www.springfieldsunrooms.com ■ Maschino’s: 1715 S. Campbell Ave., 869-1513, Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., www.maschinos.com ■ Photos by Matthew Kent Outdoor Home: 3107 E. Chestnut Expressway, 8690174, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., www.outdoorhome.com Outdoor fire pits have proved popular with customers and can be used for other purposes when not being used for fires. graph the home. From that point, it can take a few weeks once the parts are ordered. CHILLIN’ AND GRILLIN’ But if a sunroom isn’t what you had in mind, Maschino’s offers a number of items for the backyard, including furniture, PAY FOR 3 MONTHS GET 3 MONTHS FREE! Special offer for new customers only Limit one coupon per household 417 869-9008 barbecue grills and more. Greg Nutting, general manager, said there are a number of popular items the business sells, including outdoor fire pits. He said one particular model can be used for other purposes. ”When you’re not using it, it’s a universal piece,” Nutting said. Typically, the store sells fire pits at around $3,300, but some can be found for around $1,200, he said. Ceramic grills are another popular item. Nutting said that customers are surprised to learn see GRILLS, 15 Automated Waste Services Locally Owned and Operated in the Springfield Area. Since 1978 Community Free Press | www.cfpmidweek.com Home & Garden Peach picking under way in Ozarks Peach season has arrived early across the Ozarks, resulting in the fruit making its way to the Farmers Market of the Ozarks, officials say. “We experienced the warmest March on record this year,” said Market Manager Lane McConnell. “A mild winter and early spring has put all produce ahead of schedule and consumers will find many of their favorite products earlier than normal at market.” McConnell said that during a recent farm inspection to a local orchard, she saw peaches that were ready for picking and others that were about two weeks away, noting that weather will play a major role in how this year’s peach crop produces. Roberson Orchards, of Omaha, Ark., has grown peaches for 35 years and offers nine different varieties to the public. Scott Lambeth said this year’s crops “looks very good.” Photo courtesy Farmers Market of the Ozarks “As long as there is no significant damaging weather, we should pick peaches into late August,” he said in a news release. The peach season varies each year, but harvest typically takes place from June through August. Cling peaches are those whose flesh clings to the pit are generally ripe in June, while semi-freestones usually ripen in late June. A third type of peach, freestones, generally ripen in June and July. For more information, visit www.loveyourfarmer.com. The Farmers Market of the Ozarks is open on Thursdays from 4-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. year-round. HOME & GARDEN HAPPENINGS Organic gardening club meets June 28 Extension official warns of Japanese beetles The Springfield Organic Gardening Club will discuss compost and mulch during its June 28 meeting at the Springfield-Greene County Library Center. Information will be provided by organic gardeners on the various methods for making compost and the different types of mulch used in the garden, according to a news release. The meeting will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. at the library center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave. For more information, call Paul Robertson, coordinator of the club, at 882-9157 or email [email protected]. An official with the University of Missouri Extension in Greene County is warning the public of adult Japanese beetles that are expected to make an appearance in southwest Missouri that could potentially destroy trees and shrubs. Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist, said the beetles will bring an appetite. “These insects can quickly defoliate over 300 different types of ornamental landscape plants by eating the tissue between the veins of leaves and flowers, a type of feeding call skeletonizing,” Byers said in a space, but the free standing umbrella remains a desirable item as well. For “a little zip” out-ofdoors, Maschino’s sells rugs and and glass art pieces that are solar-pow- news release. Trees and shrubs that are most attractive to adult beetles, he said, include Japanese and Norway maple, birch and pin oak, sycamore, plums, elm and cherry trees, rose, willows, lindens and Virginia creeper. They will also feed on a wide variety of plant roots of ornamentals and turfgrasses, according to Byers. “Roses, crepe myrtle, grapes and the Japanese maple seem to be this beetle’s favorite food. The main concern in our area is adult beetle damage to broad-leaved plants,” he said. To spot the adult Japanese beetles, there are several things a person should look for, according ered and light up at night. “I can’t believe how many we sell,” Nutting said. “At $50 each, it’s amazing that people come in and buy three or four of those at one time.” HAPPY FATHERS DAY Ceramic grills can be used to cook pizzas and cookies. GRILLS, from 14 that the grills can be used to bake cookies or pizza. Every Saturday, Maschino’s puts on demonstrations of the grills. “It’s a growing trend,” he said. “More and more people are getting into it.” Nutting said he has seen the effects of the troubled economy over the last four years. He added that things are looking up this year. “People are willing to invest and we’re happy to hear that,” he said. Tech-minded shoppers will find a canopy umbrella that has an iPod docking Relax Dad it’s from…. 1715 S. Campbell Springfield, Mo. 65807 869-1513 to Byers, who explained they are a “brilliant, metallic green color, generally oval, 3/8-inch long and one-quarter of an inch wide.” The wing covers are copper-brown and the abdomen has a row of five tufts and white hairs on each side, which are essential to it being identified. Homeowners can take control in several ways, including picking them by hand and destroying them by dropping them into soapy water, Byers said. Other methods include using traps, insecticide spraying and natural protection, according to the release. For more information, contact the extension by calling 881-8909. May 30 - June 12, 2012 DYNAMIC OUTDOOR SERVICES | 15 $15 Off Irrigation Service 20+ YRS Expertise Personalized Lawncare- Includes: Start-up, Backflow test and Fall Winterization Irrigation-Landscapes design-installation-repair Office (417) 869-1489 Cell (417) 300-0077 Hardscapes-Walls-Brick work 16 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 www.cfpmidweek.com | Community Free Press Health & Wellness Integrity Home Care now offering hospice and palliative care Medicaid services, private pay, fter almost two years of physical therapy and Medicare effort, Integrity Home Home Health. Care has recently Gayla Manary, R.N., CHPN and received its license to bring executive director for Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care into Hospice and Palliative Care, said the fold. the new program completed Integrity Home Care began the company’s continuum of almost 12 years ago, providing care. pediatric care, in-home “Now we care for pediatrics all the way through end of life issues,” she said. Manary said the new program consists of a team of caregivers, volunteers, bereavement specialists, physician Chantal Drennen (left), a hospice volunteer and public services, relations representative at Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care and Alvaro Acosta, volunteer coordinator social servicBy James Hanson A for Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care. HEALTH NOTES Extension program focuses on diabetes The Stone County University of Missouri Extension will be offering a four-class series for adults with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. Hosted by Christeena Haynes, nutrition and health education specialist at the extension, the program includes recipe demonstrations, hands-on activities and diabetes self-care with a strong focus on nutrition. The classes will be held on Fridays, from 1-3 p.m. beginning June 8 at the Branson West City Hall. The cost is $35 and registration is required by June 5. Call 357-6812 to register. Free Alzheimer’s training available for local caregivers The local Home Instead Senior Care office is offering a unique approach to help families in Christian, Greene, Stone, Taney and Webster counties manage the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Free training for home caregivers is now available through online e-learning modules, available at HelpForAlzheimersFamilies.co m. The Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias CARE: Changing Aging through Research and Education training program consists of four classes: Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias Overview, Capturing Life’s Journey, Techniques to Manage Behaviors and Activities to Encourage Engagement. Free guides called “Helping Families Cope,” es, a chaplain, music therapy and other ancillary therapy. “We are taking care of patients at the end of life,” she said. “We basically go into the patient’s home and care for them very holistically. One of the great things about hospice is that we are able to look at the patient as a whole, as well as the family, as a unit.” She said Integrity wanted to be able to continue to care for its patients to the end. “We have taken care of many patients for many years,”Manary said. “Prior to Integrity having hospice, we would refer those patients out to other hospice agencies. Now, we have the ability to continue to care for them here.” Manary said the staff at Integrity is “a tremendous team” and that the program has are also available. For more information, call 227-9977 or visit HelpforAlzheimers Families.com. Photos courtesy of Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care Phylis Gammill (right), an Integrity Hospice patient visits with Elizabeth Page, RN, BSN and director of operations for Integrity Hospice and Palliative Care. received nothing but praise and appreciation from patients. She said one patient was able to go from a matter of days to live, to graduating off hospice services after five months because of her improvement. “She no longer met the criteria for terminal end of life care,” Manary said. “It’s not that she isn’t going to pass; we haven’t changed her disease, but what we did was be able to help her enjoy and have a much better quality of life. And that is what we are about.We want to make sure that everybody’s final days of only two in the state of Missouri. Dispatchers earned the accreditation by closely adhering to the Medical Priority Dispatch System. Mercy Emergency Services among the best in the world CoxHealth to celebrate They specialize in helping cancer survivors at ball game people who are on their way to the emergency room, and now medical dispatchers at Mercy Hospital Springfield can say they’re among the best in the world. The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch has awarded Mercy Emergency Medical Services with accreditation as an Emergency Medical Dispatch Center of Excellence. That makes Mercy Hospital Springfield one of only 163 such centers in the world, and one Join CoxHealth’s Hulston Cancer Center and the Springfield Cardinals as they honor area cancer survivors and their families at [are] as they can be. If they come on and we are able to help and they go off of services, then that is wonderful as well.” Manary said Integrity is always looking for volunteers, as they play a large role in the services provided in end-of-life care. For more information about Integrity’s new Hospice and Palliative Care program, call 889-9773 or visit integrityhc.com. To learn about volunteer opportunities, call Alvaro (Al) Acosta, volunteer coordinator at 851-4300. the third annual Cancer Survivors Day celebration. The event is open to cancer survivors, their friends and family and will be held June 3 at Hammons Field, 935 E. Trafficway St. Each $10 ticket to the Springfield Cardinals game includes a t-shirt and food. Gates open at 5 p.m. All cancer survivors and their loved ones will gather at the PrimeTime Pavilion at 5:30 p.m. for a Survivor’s Walk around the field, and cancer survivors will throw the first pitch of the game. Tickets can be purchased at the CoxHealth Hulston Cancer Center, 3850 S. National Ave., Ste. 120, or by calling 269-5257. Submit Events: events@ cfpmidweek.com Community Free Press | www.cfpmidweek.com Outdoors Hiking opportunities plentiful in the Ozarks By James Hanson W ith warmer weather comes plenty of opportunities for people to hit the great outdoors. But, the Ozark Mountain Trailblazers prefer the fall, winter and spring months for hiking. OZARK MOUNTAIN TRAILBLAZERS Dan Nash, the group’s organizer said they go on hikes almost every weekend during those seasons. He said that summer is the worst time to hike because of several factors, such as the heat, less visibility due to vegetation on the trees, poison ivy, ticks, chiggers, snakes, less precipitation and drought-like conditions that can dry up creek beds and waterfalls as well as less maintained trails. “You just can’t really get to the best places,” Nash said. “It is difficult to get there in the summer. Fall is usually the most popular time of the year for hikers because the weather is cooler, the humidity drops a little, the leaves change colors and a lot of other things that make the fall ideal hiking conditions.” Nash has spent more than 20 years hiking and backpacking, traveling all over the world. But many of his friends weren’t into it and when he couldn’t find a local group, he started Ozark Mountain Trailblazers in 2006. “I put an ad on Craigslist and we started out with about five or six people,” Nash said. “Now we have almost 600 members from all over, but mostly southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas.” Nash said members range in age from 20 to 66. There is no cost to join and anyone who hikes 100 miles with them gets their picture put on the website and receives a patch. Nash said that the group goes on beginner, intermediate and difficult hikes. He said beginner hikes typically are a day hike and not very strenuous. “They are often on a maintained trail and are fully marked,” Nash said. Intermediate hikes are a few miles longer and entail a full day of hiking down into some canyons and up some hills, but nothing too strenuous. Difficult hikes involve climbing bigger moun- May 30 - June 12, 2012 17 More information To learn more about Hiking the Ozarks or the Ozark Mountain Trailblazers visit: ■ hikingtheozarks.com ■ hikingtheozarks.com/ trailblazers ■ Or call Dan Nash at 844-5834. tains and canyons and often takes hikers off the beaten path. “You can get as difficult as you want here in Missouri and Arkansas,” Nash said. Nash said that seven to 10 people typically attend the weekend hikes, but as many as 30 have met up for a weekend adventure. Though hiking can be done solo, Nash urges people to get more experience before taking on really difficult hikes by themselves. He said the Trailblazers provide individuals an opportunity to meet likeminded people, get some experience and have fun. “You just bring your gear and we carpool together,” Nash said. He said he is surprised by how large the group has become. “I just did it because I thought it was fun and I like to do it,” Nash said.“If you want to get outdoors and experience the outdoors, then hiking is a good way to do it.You get to see a lot of cool things. I don’t think people recognize we are so close to so many cool things. In an hour and a half you can be Photo courtesy of Dan Nash A group of Ozark Mountain Trailblazers gathers after a day of hiking the Ozarks. in some really cool stuff.” Members of the group have access to all of the classes Nash offers through his business Hiking the Ozarks. Exploring the Ozarks Dan Nash, founder of the Ozark Mountain Trailblazers and owner of Hiking the Ozarks said there are many great hiking sites in the Ozarks and throughout Northwest Arkansas. Some key places are: ■ HIKING THE OZARKS The Ozark Mountain Trailblazers group led Nash to his first business venture; Hiking the Ozarks, which conducts year-round classes on hiking, survival skills, backpacking, and more and guide services for hikes in and around the region, as well as some local events throughout the year. He said the business provides for five to six guided hikes a year in the Ozarks and that classes cost anywhere from $10 to $50. Each October, participants in the class and members of the Ozark Mountain Trailblazers rendezvous in Jasper, Ark. for a three-day weekend in the outdoors. “We have tons of free gear that we give away in MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour brings first-ever competition to Branson The world’s top professional wakeboarders will converge on Moonshine Beach/Table Rock Lake in Branson on June 89, for the area’s first-ever professional wakeboard event. The competition is the third stop on the 2012 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, the sport’s premiere circuit. Adding to all of the high-flying water-sports action, MasterCraft will host the sport’s best while towing them behind the official Pro Tour boat, the recently debuted fourth-generation XStar, which produces one of the largest wakes ever rode. Thousands of spectators are expected to flock to the venue to watch the sport’s top athletes leverage the XStar’s massive wake to their advantage, launching their riding to the next level. Riders will compete in a series of elimination rounds by performing rail tricks and aerial stunts with the top-scoring athletes advancing in each round to determine an event winner and accumulate points towards the coveted MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour season title. Among the top athletes are Phil Soven, the defending MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour champion, and last year’s runner-up Aussie teen-phenom Harley Clifford. Also in the water during the event are the highly competitive women’s pro division and the junior pro men’s division, which will showcase a stack field of the sport’s future stars. Following the final rounds of action on Saturday, fans can stay for the jaw-dropping Sony Big-Air Kicker Contest and the Double-Up Contest. The events will feature top athletes performing exciting and innovative new tricks that aren’t typically attempted in a traditional contest setting. In addition to all the action on the | Busiek State Forest (just south of Ozark) Hercules Glade (near Chadwick and Forsyth) ■ Jasper, Ark. ■ Ponca, Ark. ■ Richland Creek Wilderness Area, Lurton, Ark. Nash’s personal favorite, he said it is “close to something one would find in Colorado” and “a wild, rugged and beautiful place.” ■ Need to know When hiking or backpacking, there are some key things to remember: ■ Bring and drink plenty of water. Dehydration can occur even in the winter months. ■ Bring food to keep your energy up. ■ Wear appropriate footwear. Improper footwear can cause ankle sprains, the most common injury to hikers, according to Nash. ■ Get experience through classes or going on adventures in groups. ■ Bring a survival kit. On average, it takes rescue crews 24-36 hours to find someone who becomes lost on a hike, according to Nash, so being prepared is important. drawings and things,” Nash said.“It’s a big weekend get together with outdoorsy people from all over.” That trip costs $35 for the entire weekend. At the Hiking the Ozarks website, visitors can see photos of almost 50 trails, with highlights and levels of difficulty. OUTDOORS NOTES Westport Pool’s new look helps kick off pool season Photo courtesy of MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour Harley Clifford, professional wakeboarder from Australia, will be one of the many wakeboarders from across the globe competing at Moonshine Beach/Table Rock Lake in Branson, June 8-9 in the first-ever professional wakeboard event in southwest Missouri, when the 2012 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour comes to town. water; on land, fans will enjoy plenty of great food; autograph signings; chances to win freebies; product sampling, and shopping at the most cutting-edge stores for water sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions. At the Pro Tour’s entertainment stage, guests can catch athlete interviews, color commentators and interactive live music. For more information visit KingofWake.com. The Springfield-Greene County Park Board recently held a ribbon cutting at the Westport Pool on 3100 W. Mt. Vernon St. to celebrate the opening of outdoor pool season. The Park Board is pleased to announce a nearly 50-percent increase in pool hours this year, with at least three outdoor pools open each day of the week, and every pool open six days a week. Maintenance days formerly scheduled on Mondays have been staggered throughout the week, and all outdoor pools are open Thursday through Sunday. Daily admission remains $2.25 for youths and seniors, $2.75 for adults, the same price since 2009. Discount coupon books and all-season pool passes are also available. Also new this year, regular outdoor pool admission prices apply to the indoor Chesterfield Aquatics Center, 1-8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Splash ‘n Sizzle events return to Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, plus weekend evenings in July, with $1 admission, or free admission with a canned food item donated to Ozarks Food Harvest. Free swim days are also scheduled for select Thursday mornings. For more information call 8642099 or visit parkboard.org/aquatics. E-mail local news and information to: [email protected] 18 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 www.cfpmidweek.com A&E IN BRIEF Christian County Fair Battle of the Bands Wannabe rock stars will have an opportunity to wow the crowd at the Christian County A&M Fair Grounds, July 5-7, 8-11 p.m. The deadline to enter is June 15. There is a $25 entry fee and a prize of $250. The fairgrounds are located in City Park, Ozark. Rules and regulations can be found at http://ccmofair.com/. Step Up for Down Syndrome The 5th annual Step Up for Down Syndrome event is right around the corner, raising money for the Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks. The June 2 event will begin inside Mediacom Ice Park at 2:30 p.m. with pre-game activities that include a bounce house, Xbox, crafts and face painting and follows with a Springfield Cardinals game at Hammons Field. A parade will kick off at 5 p.m. from the Mediacom ice rink through Jordan Valley Park before proceeding to the game. Last year, a total of 825 people were registered at the event, which raised about $50,000, but officials with the organization are hoping to attract over 1,000 walkers this year. For more information, visit www.ozarksdsg.org or call 885-9905. Bike for a cause at the Nixa Bike Ride June 2 Mercy Clinic-Nixa will be sponsoring the 5th annual Nixa Bike Ride June 2, which will offer a number of distances. A 70-mile advanced ride will depart at 7 a.m. from the Mercy ClinicNixa, 940 W. Mt. Vernon, with a 40-mile ride departing an hour later. Also available to the public will be a 20-mile beginner ride departing at 8:30 a.m. and a 6-mile family ride leaving the clinic at 9 a.m. Along the routes will be rest stops with water, Port-a-Potties and food with the ride ending back at Mercy Clinic-Nixa with lunch. All riders ages 12 and under can participate for free, while other riders pay $10 to $15. For more information, visit www.mercy.net/nixabike. | Community Free Press ‘Untamed’ at Waverly Local gallery hosting juried art show » Page 20 e-mail [email protected] T ENT HEATRE 50 years of a beloved piece of Springfield By April Labine-Katko W hen somebody decides to erect a massive tent on a university campus, fill it with actors, technicians and expectant people ready to be entertained, it stands to reason that theatre will happen. It’s been happening that way for the past 50 years at Missouri State University and according to Managing Director, Mark Templeton, rehearsals for this season are already in progress. “The rehearsals are an intensive six-day-a-week schedule, eight hours a day, non-stop rehearsing for about two and a half weeks prior to the very first performance,” he said. Templeton noted that in recent years, Tent changed from an academic to a professional theatre. He said that people often misunderstand that to mean that the students no longer participate. “Sometimes people think that we’ve gotten rid of the students,” he said. “We’ve actually helped our students because they get to work side by side with professional performers and they get to start building their network of people that will help them forge ahead in their theatrical career.” Templeton said that auditions began in late February, production meetings in late April and the talent showed up in late May. The vinyl tent where all the magic will happen? That was put up in early April, piece by piece on its concrete slab. “People would really be surprised at the amount of laborious time that it takes to put the structure Photo courtesy of Photographic Services Tent Theatre’s 2011 production of the iconic musical, “Oklahoma!” up,”Templeton said.“Most times, that part of the puzzle takes the longest and it’s the rehearsal process that often takes the least amount of time.” Templeton said that when all’s said and done, there are usually about ” People want the tent to remain the same because that’s the way it was intended to be. – Mark Templeton 400 people in the tent during a production, including around 350 patrons. “Of course, it is the largest company in tent theatre history,” he said. And Springfield patrons wouldn’t have it any other way. In the mid-60s, when there were whispers about moving the theatre indoors, the public showed overwhelming support to keep things as they were. “People want the tent to remain the same because that’s the way it was intended to be,” Templeton said. He added that the structure has become a landmark, a fond piece of history that artists have even included in their murals of the city. “The institution and the great quality of theatre and of musical theatre that has gone on in the tent certainly is nostalgic to audiences,” Templeton said. Still, when he dreams big, Templeton, who has been managing Tent for the past 15 years, imagines a day when it will become a more permanent architectural struc- More information ■ For a full schedule of events, show dates and prices, visit www.tenttheatre.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Missouri State-TIX outlets at JQH Arena and Craig Hall, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m-5 p.m. and, as of June 7, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Curtain) on show days. Box office: 836-7678 ture, easier to manage. As it stands, with wear and tear, they generally have to replace the tent every seven or eight years. “We don’t think it’s going to be anytime in the very near future, but that’s where our minds are at this point, he said. With this year marking their 50th anniversary, Templeton promises something special. They are celebrating with 50 events for patrons to enjoy, including a special alumni weekend. They will open with “9 to 5: The Musical, the first company outside of the New York area to put it on. “We have a huge complement of student performers and we have some professionals from new York City who are joining the cast as well,” he said. Next, they will double up with both the male and female versions of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple,” and finish the season with “42nd Street.” “We always like to end our season with a huge musical,” Templeton said. “What we would call an anchor show that puts all the bells and whistles and basically the kitchen sink into the show and go out with a bang.” Community Free Press A&E | www.cfpmidweek.com May 30 - June 12, 2012 | 19 Southern ‘ham’ will bust your gut By April Labine-Katko If Jeanne Robertson had gone viral back when she began her career 49 years ago, she probably would have taken time off with some Tylenol Cold & Flu. But, these days the former Miss North Carolina is taking this viral thing in stride. “The little boy across the street said, ‘Ms. Robertson! Ms. Robertson! Momma said you’re viral! Don’t come out of the house! Stay in the house,”Robertson said with a laugh. When the award-winning humorist and professional speaker started seeing the views skyrocket on her Youtube video clips, she had only a vague sense of what she was in for. She said that the phone in her humble, little office started ringing off the hook. “What’s happened in the last three years, it has just exploded ... I was home about three days a month for 18 months,” Robertson said. “When I went viral, it just exploded. With her hectic schedule, she and her husband who she lovingly refers to as Left Brain - try to arrange vacations around speaking engagements, taking time to enjoy the cities where they find themselves. If they are lucky they can avoid a grueling drive. “[Left Brain] says, ‘You rest and I’ll drive.’ But, that’s not going to work. Vice verse won’t work. Neither one of us thinks the other one can drive,” Robertson said. “It turns out that’s about what everyone else is going through too at our age.” Anyone who’s seen the southern sweetheart command an audience, wouldn’t be surprised that her dance card is rapidly fill- ” The little boy across the street said, ‘Ms. Robertson! Ms. Robertson! Momma said you’re viral! Don’t come out of the house! Stay in the house. –Jeanne Robertson ing up. Robertson spins charming and hilarious tales based on her own experiences in life, sharing them with audiences as naturally as an exceptionally funny family member would at the dinner table. “I’m not a young comedian,” Robertson said.“I’m not throwing out the funny words, the bad words. I’m just telling sto- U NTAMED ries that people can identify with.” Robertson is proud that people of all ages and backgrounds will laugh at her stories. She reminds her audiences that the goofy moments in life unite us all. “To me, that means we all have a lot more in common than we have not in common,” Robertson said. She is careful to point out the difference between what she does, as a humorist, and what a stand-up comedian does. “Comedians are hilarious and I enjoy going to comedy clubs, but they can upset some people,” Robertson said. “They’re just there to get the majority of people to laugh. I don’t want anyone upset.” Robertson didn’t really intend to make speaking her game. It was actually basketball - coaching and teaching that she studied in college. But, as part of the routine of the Miss America Pageant, she faced the prospect of numerous speeches. She had to make a decision. “You’re either going to get up and be serious or get up and be funny,” she said. “I prefer funny, and they laughed.” That was when she began writing her own material. Even then, she wasn’t one to repeat her- A juried show featuring thirty-three artists in a variety of media. Opening reception for the artists Friday, June 1 from 5-7:30 p.m. Best of Show Award - "3 Little Lizards in the Dead of Night" by Jane Cox Chrisman, Theme Award - "Papa Bear" by Sandra Strother, Juror's Choice Awards - "The Hunt" by Deborah Wilson, "Higher Perspective" by Deborah Wilson, "Cottontail" by Lois Reeves. John Strickler will play jazz guitar at the opening reception. This exhibit will continue through July 28th. Good, clean fun ■ Laugh with Jeanne on June 9, 7 p.m. at Evangel Chapel, 1111 N. Glenstone Ave. Individual tickets are $25 or $20 for a group of 10 or more. Purchases support cancer screenings in the community. The event is hosted by CoxHealth Auxiliary. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 269-4169 or visit Special Events at www.coxhealthfoundation.com ■ To learn more about Jeanne, watch her video clips or purchase one of her DVDs or books, visit www.jeannerobertson.com Photo courtesy of Jeanne Robertson self, constantly searching for fresh tales to tell. “You would rather develop fans that would come and hear you, but they’re not going to come and hear you if you’re doing the same show,” Robertson said. These days, she has no Award-winning humorist Jeanne Robertson will crack up the crowd at Evangel Chapel. shortage of material. She said that the miracle of aging provides great inspiration, but in the very beginning, she focused on her story so far. “First, I talked about being a 6’2” contestant, a basketball player in the Miss America Pageant, and that was funny,” Robertson said. “You know ... the tallest to ever lose.” A&E 20 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 COMMUNITY EVENTS May 31-June 3, June 6-9: The Skinny Improv presents the 6th annual Springfield Shakespeare Project Summer Festival. Enjoy productions of “Hamlet” and “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” at Jordan Valley Park, 7:309:30 p.m., free, 635 E. Trafficway St., 831-5233, theskinnyimprov.com May 30 - June 12, 2012 p.m. Friday, all day Saturday, 317 West Saddle Club Road, Fair Grove, 425-8052, lindsayaustinsmithmemorialrodeo.com June 1: The Gillioz Theatre presents An Evening with Primus, 325 Park Central East, 8 p.m., tickets $39.50, 863-9491, gillioz.org June 1: The Urban Districts Alliance presents the First Friday Art Walk at 22 participating venues in downtown Springfield. Enjoy art, food, music and more, 6-10 p.m., free, 157 Park Central Square, 8320754 June 1-16: The Springfield Contemporary Theatre presents “Deathtrap,” a Broadway comedythriller by Ira Levin, showtime at 7:30 p.m. on June 1-2, 14-16 and 2 p.m., June 3 and 10, tickets are $16 opening weekend, regular tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for seniors and students, 305 E. Walnut St., 4th floor, 831-8001, springfieldcontemporarytheatre.org June 1: The Urban Districts Alliance presents the C-Street Stroll on Historic Commercial Street with art and music, 6:30-9 p.m., free, 831-6200 June 1-2: The Fair Grove Saddle Club presents a memorial rodeo to assist the Lindsay Austin Smith Community Crisis Fund. Event features a live auction, roping, mutton bustin’, calf, steer and bull riding, admission $10 for adults, $4 for children, 5 and under are free, 7 June 2: The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Springfield presents the 1st annual Mud Ball, music, food, activities and fun in the mud for all ages, noon-4 p.m., free, 2434 E. Battlefield St., 883-3922 June 2: Down Syndrome Group of CR O SSWO R D ■ ACROSS 1 Tibetan priest 5 More than enough 8 Ancient Heb. month 12 Son of Samuel 13 Television channel 14 Before (Lat.) 15 Dissertation 17 Two-horse chariot 18 A (Ger.) 19 Braid linen tape 21 Male cat 22 Card game 23 Balto-Slav 25 Rain tree 28 Iron lung 31 Smile 32 Hours (abbr.) 33 Insect 34 Active 36 Nutlike drupe 37 Diagonal (abbr.) 38 River into the North Sea 39 Health resort 41 Chronicles (abbr.) 43 Affirmative 46 Senior (Fr.) 48 Sloe (2 words) 50 Caliph 51 Pointed (pref.) 52 Aweto 53 Cella 54 Favorable vote ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 26 Adjective-forming (suf.) Down 27 Phil. island 1 Dead 28 Civil Rights 2 Shelter (Fr.) Commission (abbr.) 3 Air 29 “Casablanca” char4 Amer. Automobile acter Assn. (abbr.) 30 As written in music 5 Arawakan language 32 Pike 6 City on the Irtysh 35 Son of (Scot.) 7 Eye of an insect 36 Look after 8 All points bulletin 38 Evil intent, in law (abbr.) 39 Cross oneself 9 Fr. historical 40 SW US cotton provinces 42 “Dream Girl” play10 Foe of Othello wright 11 Ray 43 Fish sauce 16 Noun-forming (suf.) 44 Mongol tent 20 Always 45 Blood disease (suf.) 22 Haw. porch 47 Ger. spa 24 Clemenceau’s nick49 Indo-Chin. language name 25 Signed (abbr.) Here’s How It Works: To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! See puzzle answers on page 22 | Community Free Press CHECK IT OUT the Ozarks presents Step up for Down Syndrome fundraising event, pre-game activities held inside Mediacom Ice Park with a bounce house, Xbox, crafts, face painting and more and follows with a Springfield Cardinals game, registration is $20 before May 31 or sign-up online at ozarksdsg.org, all participants will receive a t-shirt and a ticket to the game, event begins at 2:30 p.m., 635 E. Trafficway St., 8859905 June 2: CoxHealth presents the 21st annual CoxHealth Medical Mile and 5K run/walk, proceeds from the race will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of CoxHealth CARE Mobile pediatric clinic on wheels that offers basic health services to children, pre-registration available at any CoxHealth Fitness centers or online at www.coxhealth.com/medmile. Event begins at 7 a.m. rain or shine, participants can pick up packets in conference room A at The Meyer Center, 3545 S. National Ave. from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. June 1, for more information, call 269-3282 June 2: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center presents trail trivia. Go hiking and answer nature-related questions along the way. Stop at the nature center anytime to pick up your booklet and then return to check answers and claim your prize, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 4601 S. Nature Center Way, no registration required, open to all ages, 888-4237 June 2: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield presents the Arts in the Parks concert featuring the Ray House Jamboree, 6424 West Farm Road 182, Republic, 7 p.m., free, 732-2662, ext. 227, nps.gov/wicr 55 Eight (pref.) www.cfpmidweek.com June 3: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center presents its Primitive Skills Series: Fire and Flintstone. Join volunteer naturalist and primitive skills specialist Don Brink who will demonstrate how to start fires without matches and butane. Participants can also try starting a fire the primitive way, 1-3 p.m., 4601 S. Nature Center Way, registration required, ages 12 and up, 888-4237 June 4, 11: Hollywood Theaters presents Free Family Movie Monday. Check out “Rio” performing at College Station 14 in downtown Springfield, 10 a.m. (June 11 showing features “Hop), 415 W. College St., open to all ages, 7993457, gohollywood.com June 4: CoxHealth Trauma Services presents the Safety Safari program, teaching children to stay safe while enjoying summer, open to children who have completed 2nd through 5th grades. Topics will include bike safety and bike helmet fitting, electrical safety, CPR training, first-aid training, fire safety and more, cost is $35 ($25 for CoxHealth employees), 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Fountain Plaza room at Cox North, 1423 N. Jefferson Ave., register by calling 269-0920 or by e-mailing [email protected] June 5: The Springfield-Greene County Library Center presents the transit of Venus star party on the patio. Watch the last transit of Venus between Earth and the sun to occur in your lifetime through solar scopes and stay after the sunset for tele- see EVENTS, 21 Photo courtesy of James River Basin Partnership Dam Jam on the Square Marking 14 years of river rescue, crawdads and music, the Dam Jam is heading downtown to hold its annual celebration in Park Central Square June 9. Volunteers will begin with a river rescue at 8 a.m. According to a James Basin Partnership news release, since its inception, the river rescue has removed over 50 tons of trash. Following the clean-up, there will be an environmental festival on the square, featuring a crawdad boil, vendors selling food, beer and merchandise and live music from Honky Suckle, Deep Fried Squirrel, The Shotgun Brothers Band, Uncle Fudd and Big Damn Heroes. Crawdads will start being served around 4:30 p.m. and the bands will play from 3-11 p.m. Waverly House presents “Untamed” art Springfield’s Waverly House will host a juried art show that includes 33 artists from the region. The show, called “Untamed,” will feature art in a variety of media, according to Eunice Wallar, gallery owner. She said there will also be a number of 3-D pieces, jewelry and fused glass. Three jurors, including an art professor from Evangel University, will judge the show. An opening reception is scheduled for June 1, 5-7:30 p.m., when the public can meet the artists. Jazz guitarist, John Strickler will perform during the free reception. The exhibit will continue through July 28. Waverly House is located at 2031 S. Waverly Ave. For more information, call 882-3445. Photos courtesy Waverly House “Herding Zebras and Dalmations,” by Becky Dalton. Submit Events: events@ cfpmidweek.com “Porcupine,” by Penelope Trudeau Community Free Press A&E | www.cfpmidweek.com Beetle swarm heading to Springfield Beetles of the four-wheel variety are preparing to invade Springfield for the 18th Annual JuneBug Jamboree. Sponsored by the General Registry of Ozarks Volkswagen Enthusiasts (GROOVE), this year’s theme is “It’s All About the Journey.” Volkswagen fans can expect an onslaught of Beetles, buses and buggies, a VW car show, entertainment, vendors, a stereo sound-off contest, an engine sound-off contest, slow drags and a variety of other car-centric amusements. According to a Photo courtesy of JuneBug Jamboree news release, the car show will be divided into 26 classes and special awards will be handed over for things like the “GROOVE-iest” and the most “Cosmetically Challenged” cars. The free event will be held at American Legion Post 639, 2660 S. Scenic Ave., June 8-9. Registration starts at 5 p.m. on Friday. For more info, visit www.groovevws.com/jbj.html or call 417-844-6954. EVENTS, from 20 scope viewing of the moon, stars and other planets, 5-10 p.m., 4653 S. Campbell Ave., free, 882-0714, thelibrary.org June 5: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center presents fly fishing for bluegill. Learn about basic fly-fishing techniques while catching bluegill (catch-andrelease only) at Bass Pro Shops Sportsman’s Park pond. Bring your fishing license, drinking water and a hat and meet at the pond where fishing equipment will be provided, 6-9 p.m., 2500 E. Kearney St., registration required, ages 18 and up, 888-4237 June 8: The Gillioz Theatre presents Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, 325 Park Central East, 8 p.m., tickets $25-35, 863-9491, gillioz.org June 8-24: The Springfield Little Theatre presents “Rent” that tells a story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians striving to survive and create while struggling with life and love, poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic, show times vary, tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors 62 and up, students and military, children 14 and under are $15, 869-1334, springfieldlittletheatre.org June 8-9: The General Registry of Ozarks Volkswagen Enthusiasts presents the 18th annual JuneBug Jamboree featuring VW Beetles, buses and more at the American Legion Post 639, 11 a.m.3 p.m., features a VW car show, entertainment and vendors, 2660 S. Scenic Ave., free, 766-5154, groovevws.com June 9: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center presents Discover Nature Families: Exploring Galloway Creek. Parents, grandparents and adult mentors are invited to bring youngsters and take a naturalist guided journey into Galloway Creek to look for fish, crawdads, snails and insect nymphs, 10 a.m.-noon, 4601 S. Nature Center Way, registration required, ages 7 and up with an adult, 888-4237 June 9: The Springfield-Greene County Parks Department presents Bark in the Park at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. Bring your canine and enjoy a guided walk around Lake Drummond, then make your way to the canine-vendor village for demonstrations and activities, cost is $10 per dog and includes a t-shirt, pre-registration strongly encouraged, 8 a.m., 2400 S. Scenic Ave., 864-1049, parkboard.org June 9: The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks presents Cycle for Life 2012 benefiting the BCFO. Ride begins at James River Assembly, 6100 N. 19th St., in Ozark (10-mile, 25-mile, 50-mile routes available), $20 pre-registration, $25 day of event, 862-3838, bcfo.org June 9: Fair Grove presents the Fair Grove Autism Day to benefit all educational activities and materials promoted by the Missouri Autism Report. Enjoy local cuisine, wine tasting, pony rides, a silent/live auction, music and a beer garden, historic downtown Fair Grove, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., free, 209-0103, moautismreport.com June 9: The Vision Clinic presents the “Eye” Mazing event scavenger hunt to benefit the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch and the Big Brothers Big Sisters. Teams will search for clues throughout Springfield and compete to win prizes, including a luxury suite at a Springfield Cardinals game and special edition Oakley sunglasses, event begins at the Vision Clinic location on 3440 S. National Ave., where teams will pick up packets and ends at the Vision Clinic in downtown Springfield at 213 W. Olive St., 3-7 p.m., 3440 S. National Ave., registration available at myvisionclinic.com and drop off at any Vision Clinic location or register online at theeyemazingevent.eventzilla.net, 376-2238 June 9: The James River Basin Partnership presents the River Rescue Clean Up. The organization will be cleaning from the Shelvin Rock Access to the confluence of the James and Finley rivers. All registered participants will receive a t-shirt, shuttling to and from your vehicle and lunch provided by The Traveling Chef. Gloves and trashbags will be provided. All reserved canoes will have adult-size life jackets and paddles (check in from 8-9 a.m.) fee is $12, registration available at www.getmeregistered.com or contacting Melissa Bettes at [email protected] or calling 836-4847. More information on the event is available at www.jamesriverbasin.com. June 12: The Killuminati Foundation presents a trivia night fundraiser at the Patton Alley Pub. All proceeds go to help the organization save dogs in Missouri through their vet assistance program. Tickets are $10 per person, 313 S. Patton Ave., 830-1855 June 12: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center presents a tree pest clinic. If you think your trees have disease or insect problems, bring infected twigs at least 12 inches long, branches or leaves to urban foresters for identification and a solution to your tree issues, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 4601 S. Nature Center Way, no registration required, 888-4237 June 12: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center presents the Conservation Teen Club: Campout. Enjoy an overnight camp at Bushwhacker Lake Conservation Area, where fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish will take place. Fishing equipment and bait will be provided or you may bring your own (participants 16 and older must have a valid fishing permit). Transportation, food and drinks will be provided, from 3 p.m. Tuesday until 1 p.m. Wednesday, 4601 S. Nature Center Way, registration and additional equipment required, 888-4237 June 14-16: The Skinny Improv presents “Hamlet vs. Zombies” as part of the 2012 Springfield Shakespeare Festival. Performances will be June 14-16, 7:30 p.m. and June 17, 2:30 p.m., at the Central High School auditorium, 423 E. Central St., tickets $10, 766-4952, theskinnyimprov.com June 15-16: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center presents Babes in the Woods Celebrates Fathers. Fathers can celebrate their special day with their children up to age 2 on a guided natural stroll, 1011 a.m., 4601 S. Nature Center Way, registration required, 888-4237 June 15: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center presents Little Acorns: Nature’s Nightlights. Join volunteer naturalist Nancy Ryan as youngsters discover fireflies, 11-11:45 a.m. or 11:45 p.m., 4601 S. Nature Center Way, registration required, 888-4237 June 15: Drury University presents Josh Turner at the O’Reilly Family Event Center featuring special guests Matt Stell and the Crashers, in addition to the Mark Chapman Band. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with concert beginning at 7:30 p.m., tickets $24-$45, 935 N. Summit St., 873-6389, drury.edu/oreilly/ June 16: Run for the Kids to benefit the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools. Event includes a certified 8K, 5K and one- May 30 - June 12, 2012 mile fun run, adult pre-registration is $20 with child registration at $10 (race day registration is $25 and begins at 7 a.m., race beginning at 8 a.m. at Panera Bread, 2924 E. Sunshine St.), pre-registration and packet pickup will take place from 46 p.m. June 15 at Panera Bread, 523-0144, supportsps.org June 16: The Southwest Center for Independent Living presents the | 21 Southwest Missouri Day at the Range. The free event is for individuals for disabilities to experience the outdoors and includes fishing, archery, outdoor skills training, building a bird feeder and visiting with local outdoor experts, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, 4897 N. Farm Road 61, Ash Grove, RSVP by June 8, 886-1188 or 742-4361, southwestmissouridayattherange.com A&E 22 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 www.cfpmidweek.com | Community Free Press CHECK IT OUT ShoFIGHT comes to O’Reilly Family Event Center Fans of Mixed Martial Arts won’t want to miss ShoFIGHT when it makes its professional debut at O’Reilly Family Event Center June 16. According to a news release the “top amateur MMA organization in the Midwest” announced plans to delve into professional MMA, recruiting pro talent from within its ranks. The event will feature former number three world-ranked welterweight, Karo “the Heat” Parysian in a title fight, as well as world-class veterans from UFC, PRIDE, Elite XC, Strikeforce, Bellator and World Extreme Cagefighting. Founded in 2009, ShoFIGHT has produced 20 events and 320 bouts with 11 active weight classes. Ticket prices range from $15 for bleacher seats to $180 for ringside. The event beings at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit the O’Reilly Family Event Center box office, Drury University campus, 900 Summit St., call 873-6389 or visit www.drurytickets.com. Photo by Jason Wyatt MMA fighters in the ring. Sounds on the Square returns Submit Events: events@ cfpmidweek.com Downtown Springfield will enjoy weekly free concerts again this summer after a year’s hiatus to spruce up Park Central Square. According to an Urban Districts Alliance news release, the public will be treated to the sounds of some of the region’s top bands from June 1-Aug. 3. Music lovers are invited to bring lawn chairs to the square or listen from a nearby cafe. The concert series is sponsored by Systematic Savings. “We felt this was a perfect opportunity to encourage the community to check out the great music and businesses here in downtown,” said Systematic Savings President, Michael Brady in the release. Performances are scheduled from 7-9 p.m. The series line-up is: Me Like Bees and Abandon Kansas (June 1), Colin Elmore and the Franz Family (June 8), Thirst N Howl (June 15), Offset Sunset (June 22), Mercer & Johnson (June 29), We Are Voices (July 6), Sequel Dose (July 13), Truett and the Traitors (July 20), Steve Smith and the Sneakers (July 27) and Endless Summer (Aug. 3). For more information, visit www.itsalldowntown.com or call 831-6200. PUZZLE SOLUTIONS SUDOKU CROSSWORD Happy Fathers Day At Fajitas for Two $15.99 Fajitas for Two on Mon & Tues $14.99 (Void with all other offers; limit this offer- 1 per couple) Offer expires 6/17/12 COMBINATION DINNERS Buy 1 Get 1 for ½ Price Of equal or lesser value limit 1 per couple FRESH TORTILLAS HOMEMADE DAILY Old Mexican Beer & Margarita Pitcher Specials Open 11 am to 10 pm Mon. thru Sun. 935 N. Glenstone (417) 869-4464 Community Free Press | www.cfpmidweek.com A&E May 30 - June 12, 2012 | 23 24 | May 30 - June 12, 2012 www.cfpmidweek.com | Community Free Press