Heard on the Street

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TEE OFF|ret||ret||tab|

The Executive Women's Golf Association has launched a Springfield chapter. Career-oriented women golfers and women interested in knowing more about the sport are eligible for membership. The Executive Women's Golf Association was formed in 1991 to promote a spirit of acceptance, dignity and respect for businesswomen interested in golf. The association now has more than 100 chapters and 16,000 members. In order for a new chapter to be formed, it must have at least 50 members. Information about the organization and membership is available online at |bold_on|www.ewga.com.|ret||ret||tab|

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ALMOST HOME|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield Ballet is eagerly anticipating its return to 400 South Ave., which served as its home until the building was damaged by a fire last September. The ballet's board of directors has worked hard the last several months reviewing other locations, but it has determined the South Avenue location best meets the ballet's needs. The building is now being renovated. The target date for renovation completion and occupancy is mid- to late June. |ret||ret||tab|

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TRENDY REALESTATE|ret||ret||tab|

Springfield-based Murney Associates recently was named the No. 1 privately owned independent real estate company in Missouri, and the 84th largest independent real estate company in the United States, according to the 2002 REAL Trends 500, an annual report edition of REAL Trends Inc. The statewide ranking is based on closed transaction sides, representing either the listing or selling portion of a closed residential transaction. Murney Associates ranked No. 221 among all U.S. real estate companies there are more than 80,000 when ranked by closed transaction sides. In 2001, the company had a closed sales volume of approximately $325 million. For the first four months of this year, the company's closed sales are 28 percent higher than they were for the same four months of 2001. Murney Associates has its headquarters at 1625 E. Primrose St., as well as locations in Highland Springs, Nixa and Ozark. |ret||ret||tab|

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OF LAW AND GOLF|ret||ret||tab|

An unusual law settlement might have businesspeople thinking twice before taking a guest to the golf course to talk shop. According to Missouri Lawyers Weekly, a Missouri woman agreed to pay $105,000 after her guest's tee shot hit another golfer in the eye, causing permanent vision loss. The unusual part? The family company of defendant Angela Stephens had to kick in $75,000 toward the settlement because Stephens had been trying to entice the guest to come to work for the family company at the time the accident occurred. It turned out the guest, Juan Lopez, wasn't a golfer, and didn't know to wait until other golfers were out of range before teeing off. |ret||ret||tab|

Notes attorney Ken Jones, editor of Missouri Lawyers Weekly, "Businesses should have policies requiring their employees, when entertaining on the golf course, to supervise their guests or else the business could be liable if the guest injures someone."|ret||ret||tab|

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VANILLA COKE|ret||ret||tab|

The introduction of Coca-Cola's new Vanilla Coke now available in the Ozarks coincides with the 116th birthday of Coca-Cola. According to the folks at the local Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company, the packaging graphics on Vanilla Coke feature for the first time ever the "Coke" brand name in the unique script of the Coca-Cola trademark. After its introduction in the United States, Vanilla Coke will be introduced in Canada. |ret||ret||tab|

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