Heard on the Street

WE KNOW IT'S SMALL, BUT ...

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond was in town Dec. 8 to discuss federal funding with Sparta community leaders and representatives of the Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership in order to aid development of the Sparta Partnership Industrial Center. The e-mail announcement proudly stated that "The senator has secured $250 in federal funding ... to help develop infrastructure." A later e-mail correctly stated the sum as "$250,000." We were worried.

WEB ACCESS FOR BUILDING STATUS

If a citizen wants to instantly track the status of a building project from plan review to the certificate of occupancy, now all they need is Internet access, thanks to Harlan Hill, project facilitator, and Nichole Plowman, of Springfield's Building Development Services Department. The two were aided by the Information Systems Department to develop the program. A search can be done at www.springfieldmogov.org /permitstatus/ by simply inputting the permit number or the street address. The city's review comments and inspection activities are available for tracking of current building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits. "This service should offer the design and development community increased control and improved management of their projects," said Nick Heatherly, director of Building Developmental Services.

SECURITY OF GOOD FOOD

SBJ loves the interesting e-mails it gets this one from the beef promoters to the north of us. Iowa's Beef Industry Council seems to be stretching the theme of the recent tragic happenings: "In this troubled time, as we search for a sense of safety, there may be nothing more important than rediscovering the joy and security of good food shared with others." Of course, they mean a good ol' prime rib-eye roast of beef. They even offer a brochure and a step-by-step guide to cooking the perfect prime rib which if you don't know is the easiest roast in the world to cook next to tenderloin. Remember to lace the meat with slivers of garlic before roasting for the best flavor and please, serve it medium rare!

CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE OPENS

Missouri's Commission on Human Rights has opened a branch office at 505 E. Walnut St. to receive, investigate and attempt reconciliation of complaints of discriminatory practices. Open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the office also will provide training to prevent discriminatory practices. According to a news release from the commission, the local office was opened because of the increasing population and change in demographics in southwest Missouri.

HANDS-ON TRAINING

For the first time, the Skaggs Community Health Center's laboratory in Branson is being used as a training lab for two students completing their medical laboratory technician clinic studies. "We are very, very happy with their work," said Larry Bridges, MT, ASCP, lab education coordinator of the lab. The lab is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, the highest national accreditation there is for medical laboratories, Bridges said. The students, Nathon Highfill of Kimberling City and Rebecca Smith of Harrison, Ark., are working toward associate degrees in science. Their clinical studies at the lab include four areas hematology, blood bank, chemistry and microbiology. "The clinical studies allow us to have hands-on work with specialized lab equipment, applying what we have learned in lectures," Highfill said. At the end of the clinical work and other required course work, the two will be able to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists' registry examination.

SLICE OF NICE

Kudos to Cox Health Sys-tems, which is offering free os-teoporosis risk assessments Dec. 21 at the Women's Center, 1000 E. Primrose, Ste. 100. Os-teoporosis is a silent, progressive weakening of the bone that many women don't realize they have until a bone breaks. For those who are at an increased risk, an optional bone-density screening is offered for $25. The simple and fast test uses the peripheral instantaneous X-ray imager. The foot is placed on the PIXI machine where the bone density in the heel is mea-sured. It's painless and you can even leave your sock on. The results are available right away. To register for the free assessment, call 417-269-INFO. Cox also offers tons of other programs for the community for free classes on complementary and alternative medicine, such as how to use mind/body techniques for wellness, using herbs and spices for health, ad-vance directives clinic, how to use vitamins and supplements to maintain a healthy body.