Calendar: OTC celebrates Christian County campus Jan. 16

Jan. 16

John R. Akins will perform a piano recital at 7:30 p.m. in Evangel University’s Barnett Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. His performance, which is free and open to the public, will include works by Bach, Beethoven and Chopin, as well as some of his own music. For more information, call (417) 865-2815, ext. 7212.

Jan 17

College of the Ozarks presents a convocation with speaker and author Andy Masters at 7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium on the campus in Point Lookout. Masters, author of “Life After College” and president of Masters Performance Improvement, will talk about his book and provide post-graduation tips for college students. The convocation is free and open to the public. For more information, call (417) 334-6411.

Jan. 21

Operazzi, Springfield Regional Opera’s new group for young art enthusiasts, will meet 6–8 p.m. at Nonna’s Italian American Café, 306 South Ave. Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Alexander will be the featured guest. For more information, call SRO at (417) 863-1960.

Jan. 26

Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center kicks off its Vintner Dinner Series with a reception at 6:30 p.m. The series, also to be held Feb. 23 and March 23, highlights Missouri wines and elegant cuisine prepared by chefs from throughout the state. Guest hosts for January are Daniel Alcorso, winemaker with Crown Valley Winery, and Drew Poniewaz, executive chef with Tiger Ridge Restaurant, both of Ste. Genevieve. The price per person is $85.00 plus tax and gratuity. Seating is very limited, and guests must be 21 years of age. Call (417) 334-1161 for reservations to register, or visit www.chateauonthelake.com.

Community

Jan. 16

Ozarks Technical Community College will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony 2–3 p.m. for the new Richwood Valley campus in Christian County. The campus is located between Ozark and Nixa on Highway 14, approximately 1.4 miles west of Highway 65. Tours will be available. For more information, call (417) 447-2655.

Jan. 30

The local chapter of the American Diabetes Association presents its annual recognition dinner, beginning with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. at University Plaza Hotel, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. The evening also includes dinner and a presentation by Christopher Kevil, Ph.D., an ADA-funded researcher at Lousiana State University in Shreveport. Kevil will present a research update from his laboratory and answer questions about diabetes research. The free event is open to sponsors, volunteers, donors, and those affected by diabetes. Reservations are required by Jan. 26 and are available by calling (417) 890-8400, ext. 6856.

Business and Professional Development

Jan. 11

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce presents Business After Hours 5–7 p.m. at Comfort Suites Medical District, 310 E. Monastery Drive. There is a $5 charge at the door for this networking activity. For more information, visit www.springfield

chamber.com.

Jan. 17

V. Betty Lorton with the University of Missouri Extension presents Write Your Own Marketing Plan in One Day at 1:30 p.m. in the Santa Fe Room at Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway. Lorton will work with business owners, managers and community leaders to create organizational vision plans and missions, and to help them meet sales and profits goals. Registration is necessary and is available by calling (417) 874-8140.

Jan. 18

V. Betty Lorton with the University of Missouri Extension, presents Make Your Entrepreneurial Dreams Come True 9 a.m.–noon in the upstairs meeting room at the Midtown-Carnegie library branch, 397 E. Central St. Lorton will provide tips for writing loan requests, researching market potential online and creating a business plan. Registration is necessary and is available by calling (417) 874-8150.

Jan. 22

The Greater Ozarks International Trade Association will meet at the Tower Club, 901 E. St. Louis St., beginning with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar at 5:30 p.m., and followed by a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Chris Gutierrez of SmartPort Inc. will be the featured speaker. The cost is $25 for GOITA members; four-meeting passes are available for $80. Registration is required by Jan. 22; for more information or to register, call the Small Business Development Center at (417) 836-5685.

Jan. 26

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce presents its 2007 annual meeting, beginning with a reception at 6 p.m. at University Plaza Convention Center, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. The cost is $55 per person, or $500 for a table of 10. Registration and information is available at www.springfieldchamber.com.