Heard on the Street

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Carnahan-White Inc. has been named the W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce at a May 9 luncheon. Stacey Hammit, Carnahan-White general manager, received the award, which is sponsored by the chamber's Small Business Advisory Council. The family-owned business was founded by Garnett Carnahan in 1952. W.E. and June White purchased it in 1958 and are the sole owners. Carnahan-White makes Copperwood, an environmentally safe wood for privacy fencing that is distributed nationally. Since 1994, the company has shown an average increase in sales of 22 percent and has 48 employees. An independent panel of judges based its award selection on staying power, response to adversity, innovative products or services, business philosophy and contributions to the community. The five finalists were Associated Video Producers, Inc., Environmental Works, Inc., The Law Firm of Neale & Newman, LLP, and Signature Bank. The annual award is named for the late director of the Breech School of Business at Drury University, W. Curtis Strube. He helped create many programs for small businesses, among them the Small Business Advisory Council of the chamber.

HEAT RELIEF WITH AWNINGS

Americans should emulate Europeans and use exterior fabric window awnings to reduce energy needs, according to the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers. In their study, it was found that interior heat can be reduced by 77 percent during periods of direct sunlight with awnings. Air conditioning costs can be lessened by 25 percent. For information on locations of awning makers who belong to the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association, click on the directory on its Web site, www.awninginfo.com.

PREVENT WORK-RELATED INJURIES

A seminar entitled "Work-Related Injuries: Reducing Cost Through Effective Management" will be offered May 21 at the Clarion Hotel Conference Center. Sponsored by Rogersville Physical Therapy Care, a manual physical therapy and industrial rehabilitation center, the seminar will feature Margaret Holden, a workers' compensation judge. "We truly believe that the area's businesses would benefit from this seminar," said Gerry Catapang, of Rogersville PTC, in a news release announcing the seminar. For more information call 417-753-2444.

EMPLOY OLDER WORKERS

Three outstanding employers representing small, medium and large businesses will be recognized for hiring older workers this fall at the National Prime Time Awards in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by Green Thumb Inc., nominations for the awards will be taken until May 15 for employers who provide "exemplary models for promoting positive older worker images, developing aging-friendly workplaces, targeting recruitment of older workers, retaining older employees, creating innovative programs for older workers and demonstrating how their commitment to hiring older workers has made a difference to the company," according to a news release from Green Thumb. Nomination applications should be mailed to PO Box 414, Buffalo, MO 65622. Last year's winners included Wal-Mart Stores, of Bentonville, Ark., in the 1000+ employees category. Even the U.S. Census Bureau received special recognition last year because it hired older workers to help conduct the census, which was finished ahead of schedule. Other winners were Gulf South Supply of Houston, Texas, and Poorman-Douglas of Beaverton, Ore. For more information call 417-345-2897 or log on to the Web site, www.greenthumb.org.

SLICE OF NICE

The American Cancer Socie-ty's Springfield Relay For Life will be on May 18-19, 2001. A cancer survivors' lap and lum-inaria ceremony highlight the relay at Hillcrest High School's athletic track May 18. Each participant will receive a free T-shirt to wear while walking the track. Those who wish to take part in the survivors' walk and relay should call the American Cancer Society at 417-881-4668 to register. Luminaria also will be lighted that evening to recognize those touched by cancer. All contributions are welcome.

TWICE OF NICE

Don't forget the "Wines to Remember" event to raise money to combat Alzheimer's disease starting at 6:30 p.m. May 18 at the Tower Club. Many excellent wines from private cellars will be auctioned, according to Ron Junge, who will help Dr. Walter Gaska with the auction. Call Patty Ingle at 417-886-2199 for more information.