Heard on the Street

NO-CALL MILESTONE

Just three days before its first anniversary on July 1, the Missouri No-Call list topped 1 million home telephone numbers, according to the Missouri Attorney General's Office. In keeping with the intent of the No-Call Law, Attorney General Jay Nixon declined to name the Missourian whose home telephone number was the 1 millionth registered. And Nixon said he won't be calling to congratulate that person, either.

Every phone number on the No-Call List represents approximately 2.5 people. Violations to the No-Call List have resulted in the collection of $585,000 in fines from 71 telemarketers since the law went into effect.

MORE TIME FOR BOOKS

Effective July 1 the Springfield-Greene County Library District is making good on one of the promises it made during the Proposition L Campaign, which increased the library's property tax operating levy by a nickel per $100 of assessed valuation.

Extended hours of operation are now in place at all library branches in the district.

The new hours for each branch are:

The Library Center 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The drive-up service window at the Library Center will be open 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday;

Ash Grove and Willard Branch libraries 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday;

Fair Grove Branch library 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday;

Kearney Branch library 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday;

Brentwood, Republic and Midtown-Carnegie Branch libraries 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

NEW NAME

The Rodeway Inn at 3601 Shepherd of the Hills Expwy. in Branson is now Comfort Inn West, according to Meyer Hotels, which operates the facility.

The third phase of upgrading the facility has been completed; among other changes, 16 rooms were converted into eight two-room suites which have sitting areas and extra space for families or extended stays.

GOT TICKETS?

The ticket deadline for SBJ's 2002 Economic Impact Awards banquet is July 18. The event will be held 5:30-9 p.m. July 25 at The Tower Club, 901 E. St. Louis St. Awards will be presented in the categories of commercial real estate, education, food service, recreation and transportation/shipping.

The Lifetime Achievement in Business Award also will be presented to an individual during the evening. Previous Lifetime Achievement in Business Award recipients are John Q. Hammons and Jack Stack.

Mark Mayfield, corporate speaker and comedian, is the featured speaker for the event. Tickets are $37.50 each or $350 for a table of 10.

For tickets or additional information, call Debra Fickbohm at 417-831-3238 or e-mail dfickbohm@sbj.net.