Heard on the Street

DISASTER!

A Jan. 21 deadline for small businesses to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans has been extended to April 22, according to a press release from Janice Bowman of the local U.S. Small Business Administration office. "With this deadline extension, more small business owners can get the help they need to get back on their feet," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "America's economic well-being relies on the health of small business and this program will contribute greatly to the economy's revival." The loans are available to small businesses that suffered substantial economic injury directly resulting from the Sept. 11 terrorist attack or as a result of federal action taken because of the attacks. The loans provide working capital to pay ordinary and necessary operating expenses, including fixed debts, payroll, and accounts payable. To get an application call the SBA disaster office for this area at 800-366-6303 or visit the Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster.

WHO'S YOUR HERO?

Nominations for the second annual Everyday Heroes Awards are being sought by the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks chapter and KYTV television station. A breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. March 19 at the University Plaza Convention Center to honor those selected. The 12 categories for nominating heroes are: education, family, firefighter, adult Good Samaritan, youth Good Samaritan, industrial, law enforcement, adult lifesaver, youth lifesaver, medical and military. The Woodruff Award will be given to the Community Justice Hero.

The awards were created to celebrate the spirit of humanitarianism that more than 1 million Red Cross volunteers spread every day. The consideration period for heroic acts is from Jan. 1, 2001, to Jan. 31, 2002. The American Red Cross is located 1835 E. Chestnut Expressway.

JET WASH YOUR TEETH

An innovative Holland, Mich., dentist, P. Piero, has developed a new way to clean teeth an appliance aptly named "dental air force." Approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administra-tion, the brushless electrical appliance uses a precision jet of air, water and dental cleaner to power-wash teeth, between teeth and along the gum line.

Using it with hydrogen peroxide adds the benefit of tooth whitening, a news release from Piero said. The problem with toothbrushing, according to the dentist, is that it causes abrasion along the gum line and sensitivity to hot and cold.

Piero's product reputedly blows plaque off teeth without causing ridges or destroying enamel.

Since only 5 percent of adults floss daily, and that doesn't get most of the plaque anyway, according to Piero, dental air force is the answer.

SMALL BUSINESS, BIG BUSINESS

America's 25 million small businesses employ more than 58 percent of the private work force, according to the SBA. They also generated more than 51 percent of the nation's gross domestic pro-duct and are the principal source of new jobs.

In fiscal 2001, the SBA backed more than $16.5 billion in financing to America's small businesses and approved more than 50,000 loans totaling about $12.2 billion.

SBA invested $4.5 billion in small businesses through its venture capital program and provided more than 48,000 loans totaling about $1 billion to disaster victims for residential, personal property and business loans.

SBA statisticians estimate that 1.3 million entrepreneurs were given management and technical assistance through the SBA resource-partner program.

SLICE OF NICE

The American Cancer Society is calling all businesses and or-ganizations to come to a breakfast to learn how to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

The 2002 Relay for Life Kickoff Breakfast will held 7:30-8:30 a.m. Jan. 24 at Lin-coln Hall, 1020 E. Central St. on the Ozark Technical Com-munity College campus. Emily Dexter will be the guest speaker.

Dexter's a Southwest Mis-souri State University graduate student and a cancer survivor who chaired the first SMS relay.

TWICE OF NICE

Bargain shopper alert! It's winter clearance sale time at Harmony's Closet at the corner of Commercial and National. Proceeds from the store benefit the Family Violence Center Inc., which provides a shelter and services for victims of domestic violence. The sale will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 24, 25 and 26.