Heard on the Street

CU HEAD TO RETIRE

After 18 years at the helm of City Utilities, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Robert Roundtree has announced that he will retire when his contract expires Oct. 1, 2002. Board Chairman Chris Nattinger said the board has retained the Denver-based Mycoff |amp| Associates to assist in the search for a new general manager and the development of a succession plan for the utility. He will serve as the chair of the executive search committee, appointing the board's executive officers John Whittington, Curtis Graff and Wayne Scheer to the committee. Nattinger said the search will include internal and external candidates.

SO MUCH TO DO, SO LITTLE TIME

For some reason, the weekend of Sept. 22-23 seems to be the time of choice for events in this area. There's Cider Days on Walnut Street, then there's the long-awaited grand opening of the Jordan Valley Ice Park which includes a 7 p.m. Sept. 22 hockey game between the St. Louis Blues Alumni team, the Southwest Missouri State University Ice Bears, the St. Louis Sting and the St. Louis University Billikens. Public skating starts that day too, as well as a women's hockey exhibition game featuring the St. Louis Her-icanes and the Kansas City Hornets. Other events include the second annual Ozarks Style Sertoma BBQ, the HBA Remodeling Show, the AIDS Walk and the Route 66 Celebration, which will be highlighted by the dedication of a mosaic on College Street.

BLUE AGAIN

Last week in this column, returning college students were indirectly suggested by Phil Broyles, assistant director of Public Works, as the likely culprits to be blamed for the blue water in the fountain on Park Central Square. Oh no, said Mike Leffler, a Public Works gardener. He called SBJ after our deadline to tell us that the aqua coloration is caused by a product poured into the fountains on weekends to darken the water, which in turns slows algae growth. We assume it isn't Ty-D-Bowl ... but we'll keep an eye out for a little guy in a boat.

2002 MISSOURI ARTS AWARDS

Nominations are being taken by the Missouri Arts Council for next year's awards which will recognize individuals, organizations, foundations and businesses for their contributions to the arts. The award in arts education is given to a person or organization that has made a significant contribution to arts education either by enhancing a current education curriculum in a school system, or by creating educational opportunities outside the school setting. A philanthropy award will honor leadership in funding or raising money for the arts. An individual artist active in the field of traditional or folk arts, electronic media arts, literature, visual or performing arts will be honored, as will an organization that produces, presents or promotes the arts, and an individual who has influenced arts policy or issues, but is not an artist. Nomination forms may be obtained from the Missouri Arts Council at 111 N. Seventh St. Suite 105 St. Louis, MO 63101-2188.

SENIOR POWER

The Council of Seniors and Lawmen Together will sponsor the fourth annual Self Protection Fair 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 25 at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 2210 W. Republic Road. Reservations must be made by Sept. 15 by calling the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging. Three class sessions on protection will include bank fraud and investment strategies, prescription drug safety and self-defense. About 20 vendor tables will be on hand with free information. Door prizes will be given, and a full lunch will be provided.

SLICE OF NICE

The Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation and Wendy's will team up to sponsor a fund-raising golf tournament Sept. 17 at the Springfield Golf and Country Club, 3106 E. Valley Water Mill Road. Funds raised will go specifically to support the OACAC Greene County Neigh-borhood Center which provides emergency help for families in need. The four-person scramble begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and prizes will be awarded. Team registration costs $280, and corporate sponsorships are available for a four-person team along with a hole sponsorship for $400. For more information call OACAC. OACAC has many programs for the southwest Missouri area, including the Neighborhood Center, family planning, Foster Grandparents, weatherization, energy crisis assistance and Head Start. OACAC serves Greene, Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Law-rence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster counties.[[In-content Ad]]