Heard on the Street

COMMERCE GROWTH

Commerce Bancshares Inc. Jan. 11 announced record earnings of $2.76 per share in 2000 compared to $2.47 per share in 1999, an increase of 12 percent. Total earnings for 2000 amounted to $178.6 million, an increase of 7 percent compared to $166.2 million earned in 1999. Fourth-quarter 2000 earnings per share also increased to 72 cents per share, compared to 67 cents per share for the same period the previous year, a 7 percent increase. Total earnings for the fourth quarter amounted to $46.2 million, compared to $45.5 million in the third quarter of 2000 and $44.4 million the fourth quarter of the previous year. Commerce Bancshares reported as of Dec. 31, 2000, total assets of $11.1 billion and total loans of $9.1 billion. During the fourth quarter, the company declared and paid its seventh consecutive, annual 5 percent stock dividend and announced an agreement to acquire Breckenridge Bancshares Company (Centennial Bank, St. Ann) with assets of $260 million. Commerce expects to complete the acquisition in the first quarter of 2001.

HERE COME THE THIN MINTS

Little girls in green outfits (otherwise known as Girl Scouts) will soon be taking orders for their revered thin mints, peanut butter patties (formerly hoedowns), peanut butter sandwiches, shortbreads, upside down frosted oatmeal, animal treasures and reduced fat lemon pastry creams. Boxes are $3 apiece and proceeds from the cookie sales go toward Girl Scout programs in the area. Selling the cookies helps girls gain a sense of accomplishment as well as developing skills such as customer service, money handling, goal setting and teamwork. To get your cookie fix, call your favorite Girl Scout or the Dogwood Trails Girl Scout Council at 842-0004.

OZARKS OPEN

Alltel has taken over pro/am corporate sponsorship from Cadillac in this year's tournament, according to Kirk Elmquist, associate executive of the Buy.com Ozarks Open tournament. Ray Thomas of Alltel said his company was approached to support the premier Wednesday pro/am and eagerly accepted. Amateurs pay $13,000 per four-person team to play with a professional golfer. Thompson Pontiac-GMC-Cadillac has helped sponsor the event for 11 years, but because of changes in the national corporation's marketing policy, the company is opting out of cash sponsorship this year, said George Thompson, co-owner of the dealership. Thompson said he doesn't know how his company will be involved in the Ozarks Open this year, but it will take part.

BOILING OVER?

Does any of this sound familiar?

Where is that important fax? On your desk? In your briefcase? In the trash?

You put a project off, then have to rush through it, do a bad job and feel guilty.

You'd rather take the stairs than ride the elevator with that obnoxious coworker who stole your great idea. He makes you so mad you want to punch him or, even worse, cry.

When the going gets tough the tough go to the candy bar machine.

All of these bad habits are self-sabotage, but like all habits, they can be broken, psychologists say. A seminar to be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Sheraton Hawthorn Park, 2431 N. Glenstone, might offer solutions. Presented by CareerTrack, "Self-Discipline and Emotional Control" provides key points on how to respond to difficulties as they arise in the workplace. To register call 800-334-6780. Cost is $129, or $114 for groups of five or more.