Heard on the Street

THE WORKS

Springfield-based Environmental Works May 8 was named the W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. This was the third year the company made it into the final round of judging for the award. Company President Robin Melton accepted the award at a luncheon presented by the chamber's Small Business Council.

Environmental Works, which has been in operation for a decade, offers several services, including emergency hazardous materials response and hazardous waste removal. The other finalists for the award this year were Allen Filters, Barker Phillips Jackson, Russell Cellular and Signature Bank.

NICE HORSEY

The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse is one step closer to becoming the official horse of the state of Missouri, now that the Missouri House of Representatives has given its approval to House Bill 1988.

The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse is known for its comfort and ride, and is a favorite of hunters and forest rangers for its endurance and sure-footedness in rugged terrain. Bloodlines of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse can be traced to early Ozarks settlers who came from Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee and Arkansas. In 1948, a breed association was formed; in 1958 the Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association was reorganized and reincorporated in Ava.

BICYCLE TRAFFIC

This month is National Bicycle month. Because many people including cyclists don't realize that bicycles on the road must be treated in the same manner as automobile traffic, the Springbike Bicycle Club has developed a cycling advocacy committee. The committee's focus is to educate cyclists and motorists about how to share the roads with each other. The committee also will work with city departments to continue development of street bicycle routes and to help fund specific improvements. An organized awareness ride will be held at 2 p.m. May 19, starting at Olive Street and Boonville Avenue. The ride will kick off Bike To Work Week May 20-26. Information about the ride and the campaign can be found online at www.springbike.org.

ON THE CLOCK

It's no surprise that busy managers are likely to feel that there aren't enough hours in the day, according to a recent survey from Robert Half International Inc. Executives polled in the survey said that on the average, they work 54 hours each week. More than a third 36 percent said their time spent on the job has increased compared to five years ago.

"Overtime isn't uncommon among executives, particularly in today's business environment, where maintaining productivity with fewer responses is the norm," said Max Messmer, chairman and chief executive officer of Robert Half International. However, Mess-mer said that managers who continually work overtime put themselves at risk for burnout, which can affect long-term performance.

HOW MANY BIRTHDAY CANDLES?

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region, recently celebrated its 90th year as an advocate for businesses. In 1912 ,700 delegates from business groups and trade associations banded together to serve as a unified voice for the nation's businesses. The U.S. Chamber advocates for businesses on Capitol Hill before the White House and its agencies, and in the courts.