Heard on the Street

SALUTE TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

Because health care is a leading industry in the area, it makes sense to honor those who provide good service and leadership. To that end, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Health Care Committee is accepting nominations for the 2001 Salute to Health Care Awards, according to Brad Bodenhausen, chamber spokes-man. In the 16 years of the award's existence, 51 health care professionals and organizations have been honored for their community service and medical achievements. The awards go to individuals or organizations that have directly provided health care, that have led the promotion of issues or efforts to improve health care, or were pioneers and movers and shakers in the medical profession. Nominations will be accepted until July 31. Contact the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce for more information.

LISTEN UP, MATTEL

With creative suggestions for modern Barbie dolls abounding in e-mail offerings, SBJ passes along a few more relevant ones: Bifocals Barbie comes with blended-lens fashion frames in six wild colors, including half-frames, stunning neck chain and large-print Vogue and Martha Stewart Living. Hot Flash Barbie when you press Barbie's bellybutton her face turns beet red and tiny beads of perspiration appear on her forehead. Comes with a handheld fan and teeny tissues. No-More-Wrinkles Barbie pesky crow's-feet and lip lines are smoothed away with Skin Sparkle-Spackle, her own line of age-blasting cosmetics. Recovery Barbie the ultimate party girl now does Twelve Steps, and we're not talking about a country dance. She's clean and sober, and equipped with The Big Book and a six-pack of Diet Coke. But how about these proposed local Barbie offerings? Charitable Giving Barbie comes with a gray pixie haircut like Jan Horton and a large egg basket for contributions; or Construction Barbie looks like Elise Crain with a hard-hat and accounting ledger; or Realtor Barbie, with a blond bob and huge Ann Webster-like eyeglasses? Have any other Barbie ideas? E-mail them to sbj@sbj.net and we'll send them off to Mattel.

INVESTORS UPDATE

One small clarification to a Heard from last week regarding 80 investors who have pledged stock donations to the Boys and Girls Club: Ed Smith, whose O'Reilly Automotive stock has doubled to benefit the kids, reports that there are four others who selected O'Reilly Automotive, as well. An alternate stock will be used to determine the winner in case of ties. Smith reports that there's still three months to go and Sam Hamra's pick, Panera (St. Louis) Bread, has been a leader before and is not far behind O'Reilly.

LITTLE THEATRE SKYLINE POSTER

Award-winning local artist and owner of Springfield Coffee Company Scott Hepper is readying one of his trademark oil paintings to be the background of the Springfield Little Theatre 2001-2002 Season poster. Hepper also created last season's poster, and for the second year in a row he has been voted "Best Local Artist" by the readers of 417 magazine. He also was the top-grossing artist at the 2001 ArtsFest and grand prize artist at the 2000 ArtsFest. Hepper's cubist style with elements of 60s retro will feature the nine windows of the restored Little Theatre superimposed on a yet-to-be-selected skyline. The names and running dates of each play will appear in the windows. Hepper will sign the limited run, numbered posters, with all proceeds to go the Little Theatre. The posters go on sale Sept. 7 at the season opener, "Tommy."

SLICE OF NICE

Marcia Johnson, project and development director of the Springfield Public Schools Foundation, said the foundation plans to raise $150,000 before Thanksgiving for schools in the R-XII District. The first $50,000 is earmarked for each school's new accountability program, devised to "measure children's progress in the school and identify problem areas, and make sure no one falls through the cracks," Johnson said. For the rest of the summer, foundation committee members will personally call on local businesses to raise money. But when school starts Aug. 30, the students in seven elementary and middle schools will helpt to raise the next $100,000 by sending handwritten luncheon invitations to patrons and businesspeople to meet the children at each participating school. Funds raised will provide money to all the schools in the form of classroom grants for computer bays, teacher training, or to fund proven programs, Johnson said.