Heard on the Street

2002 40 UNDER 40

The Springfield Business Journal is tickled to announce the honorees for the fourth annual 40 Under 40 Awards. The winners will be feted at 6 p.m. April 25 at the Wonders of Wildlife museum. Winners are Laura McCune, Partyworks Catering; Stephanie Or-man, Associated Video Producers; Joe Kofron, Dental Care of Nixa; Anne Sallee Mason, Commerce Trust Company; Brian Williams, The Bank; Brent McKinney, City Utilities; Jeffery R. Frye, Hutch-eson Realtors; Robert Becker, DDS, Powell & Becker, DDS PC; Joe Page, Whitlock, Selim & Keehn, LLP; Chris Myer, Myer Hotels; Christiaan D. Horton, Neale & Newman; Chuck Medley, State Farm Insurance; Melanie Earl, Juanita K. Hammons Hall; Pamela J. Nelson, CU; Jeff Newkirk, Newkirk Agency; Lisa Antle, Treasure Box; Mark Viguet, CU; Aaron G. Buerge, First National Bank; Diana L. Sheridan, James River Basin Partnership; Jeff Rogers, BMI Healthplans; Paul Dizmang, Dizmang & Associates; Teresa Chasteen-Calhoun, Great Southern Bank; John Morrison II, Morrison Telecommunications; Aaron Sachs, Aaron Wm. Sachs & Associates; Kim McKinnis, Pellham Phillips Hagerman; Scott Pace, Whole Health Natural Foods; David M. Compere, Springfield Trust Company; Jason R. Brown, Lathrop & Gage LC; Darren Henderson, Way2Bid Inc; Renee Goodwin, Laptop Outlet USA; John Burson, MD, St. John's Children's Clinic; Scott Rose, Murney & Associates; Steve Gassel, Firstar Private Clients Group; Whitney Morrow, Commerce Bank; Dan Hoy, Bass Pro Shops; Scott B. Crise, Associated Electric Cooperative; Chris Hill, CU; and Richard Vance, McAlister's Deli. For ticket information, contact Debra Fickbohm at 417-831-3238 or e-mail her at dfickbohm@sbj.net.

APPLE POLISHIN'

Here's a heads up on a fine idea by the Springfield Public School's foundation the Teacher Appreciation Banquet set for April 29. We're telling you early so you can write it in ink on your calendar. Many words can be used to define "teach," but one we find most profound is "to enlighten." If you don't have children presently in formal education, think of those teachers who enlightened you. Perhaps you might invite them to the banquet at 6 p.m. at the University Plaza Convention Center.

STILL MAGNOLIAS

A perky group of tea-sipping Aiken, S.C., ladies last year decided to give an eye-opener to a culture that glorifies youth and ignores the elderly. To that end, the ladies created the Still Magnolia Project which produced an 18-month calendar. It features women over the age 60 as "the grande dames of our wonderful town...," as the calendar's explanatory note reads. The grande dames are in the buff tastefully so, and wearing their pearls, of course! The women appear in activities that range from cooking supper to riding a polo pony. So far the project has netted nearly $150,000 for the financially-strapped Aiken Area Council on Aging. A calendar leaf said that "A sisterhood, with a deliciously spirited bond, embraced the cause of our beloved elders ... Our intent was to highlight women as beautiful ... vibrant ... and driven in mission ... The enthusiasm for the project was contagious ..." Perhaps our own Junior League might go from cookbooks to calendars ...

FARMER TAX CREDITS

As a way of rewarding good ol' Yankee ingenuity, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority will award a special round of grants to farmers for financial and technical assistance on projects that develop, process or market agricultural goods. The grants are funded by donations to the authority, with donors receiving up to 100 percent tax credits for their contributions. For more information, e-mail the authority at masdba@mail.state.mo.us.

SLICE OF NICE

The Downtown Optimists will hold a silent auction and mixer to support the service organization's youth programs 5:30-8 p.m. March 21 at the Springfield Brewing Company. Proceeds will benefit Reed Middle School. Optimists also support student recognition, cancer camp participants, oratorical contests and other youth-oriented services. For more in-formation or tickets contact Steve Blalock by calling Spring-field Business Journal or e-mail him at sblalock@sbj.net.

TWICE OF NICE

It's a bit early yet, but put this event on your calendar. Bill Russell, retired Celtic, who changed basketball by changing the role of the athletic superstar and the black man in sports, will be here to raise money April 9 for the Boys & Girls Club. Rus-sell's appearance will highlight the sixth annual Steak and Steak Dinner at the University Plaza. For more information contact the Boys & Girls Club.