Heard on the Street

THE SHARING OF THE GREEN

Each year after Christmas there's the quandary of what to do with the ol' Christmas tree unless of course you have an artificial one that goes back in the box. Lots of softhearted folks who hate to kill fir trees buy them alive to plant in their yards after the holiday. That's just what Pat and Patty Flanigan, who own Corner Printing, did about 15 years ago. But the silly tree grew, like an evergreen Topsy, until it exceeded its space. So, this year, the tree had to go down for the count. But it has one more year of Christmas glory it now adorns Park Central Square as the city's official Christmas tree. It occurs to us that the city could plant a live tree in the center of the square to decorate each year. Unlike the Flanigan's ill-fated tree that outgrew its space, a tree in the middle of the square could grow to an appropriate size, and being groomed occasionally by Public Works, would last a long time.

DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO

To the amusement of downtowners, a City Utilities bus number unknown has been seen consistently running the red light at Olive and Campbell. Plastered proudly across the back of the bus: a "Respect Red" slogan. To quote the inimitable Gomer Pyle, "Citizen's arrest!"

ADVERTISING GENIUS

SBJ received this sad news by e-mail:

"Please join us in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies and Captain Crunch. The gravesite was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded.' Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still, as a crusty old man, was considered a roll model for millions. Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough; two children, John Dough and Jane Dough; plus they had a bun in the oven. He also is survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 350 for about 20 minutes."

LEADERSHIP MENTORING

Businesspeople can make a difference in the lives of Girl Scouts by becoming mentors and helping these young girls explore various career choices, according to Christine Blackwell, of the Girls Scouts Dogwood Trails Council. Volunteers will be matched with girls ages 11 to 14 to help them experience planning, decision-making and leadership. The program's aim is to motivate girls to be independent, self-confident, competent and successful. To volunteer, contact the Girl Scouts Dogwood Trails Council.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH DRINK?

The Chinese started it with ginseng tea. Now the venerable Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has jumped on the bandwagon with ZO. The new fruit drinks and teas are said to contain nutrients that defend cells from the effects of aging brought on by exposure to toxins. The nutrients are delivered through a patent-pending combination called "micro-encapsulation," according to inventor Dr. Robert G. Lamb, of the University of Virginia's Medical College. The process protects the nutrients through the destructive process of the digestive system and releases them at cell site.

SLICE OF NICE

First Night Springfield, center city's nonalcoholic New Year's Eve celebration, will benefit from a fund-raising auction held 7-10 p.m. Nov. 29 in the Grand Ballroom in the Vandivort Cen-ter, 305 E. Walnut. Auctioneers Mark Gideon and Beth Domann will be on hand to take bids and sell donated items to keep the First Night event alive. It's a tradition of family fun, music, magic, art, fireworks on the square, and free children's events in the afternoon. Spon-sored by the Springfield Area Arts Council and the Missouri Arts Council and managed by the Urban Districts Alliance, First Night offers free parking for the event, which runs 2 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31.