Heard on the Street

I SEE LONDON, I SEE FRANCE

Visitors to the History Museum for Springfield-Greene County can now take a close-up look at more than 50 pieces of antique undergarments including corsets, petticoats, bloomers and related artifacts. Apparently these items in the new exhibit are drawn from the museum's permanent collection and they span more than 150 years. The display also includes some modern and contemporary lingerie from private collections in the area.

According to the folks at the museum, underwear was worn centuries ago by only the wealthiest of nobles that is, until the 18th-century introduction of linen, after which, "lingerie elitism gave way to mass underwearing." Who says you can't learn something every day?

BRACE FOR IMPACT

Springfield Business Journal is now seeking nominees for its 2002 Economic Impact Awards. This year's categories are commercial real estate, education, food service, recreation, transportation/ shipping and an award for Lifetime Achievement in Business. Past recipients of the Lifetime Achievement in Business Award are John Q. Hammons and Jack Stack. To make nominations or for more information about the 2002 Economic Impact Awards, call Debra Fickbohm at SBJ or e-mail her at dfickbohm@sbj.net.

BRANSON FYI

According to the latest annually updated figures from the city of Branson, southwest Missouri's entertainment capital now has 49 theaters that have a total of 61,714 seats. Branson also boasts 209 lodging facilities with 17,699 rooms and 389 eating establishments that have 33,930 seats.

HORSIN' AROUND

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Missouri Agriculture Statistics Service is polling about 3,000 Missouri farmers, ranchers and equine enthusiasts to see how their equine operations affect Missouri's agriculture industry. The first Missouri Equine Survey will gather statistics on horse breeds and their estimated values, equine sales and equine-related assets, expenditures and labor.

FOR THE CHILDREN

April is designated Child Abuse Prevention Month. Last week Court Appointed Special Advocates, in conjunction with the Division of Family Services, held a special proclamation with Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson and Greene County Commissioner Dave Coonrod. According to Allen Criger, case manager with CASA, the organization now has 95 volunteers 86 of them on active status serving 159 children in foster care in Greene County. But Criger said even more volunteers are needed, as CASA ideally would like to serve all 900 children in foster care here. He noted, though, that it's a long-term commitment, because on average, it takes two to three years to find a child a safe, permanent living situation. For more information about CASA, call Criger or Executive Director Rhoda Clark at the CASA office.

PITCHIN' & SWITCHIN' CULTURE

Come July, a group of Springfield softball players will head for Japan for a repeat performance of a softball exchange with Isesaki, Springfield's sister city. The group must raise $25,000 for the trip. According to the Springfield Sister Cities Association, local businessman Jim Morris has donated $10,000 and supporters have agreed to donate uniform shirts. Batter up!

SLICE OF NICE

The second annual Kick Butts 5K Run/Walk, presented by the American Lunch Association of Western Missouri, will begin at 8 a.m. April 20 at Springfield's Phelps Grove Park. Participants can run or walk in celebration of someone who has quit smoking or is trying to, or in memory of a loved one. Pre-registration is $15; registration on race day will begin at 7 a.m. and it will cost $18. Awards and door prizes will be given at the event, and refreshments also will be available. The event's proceeds will benefit the association's tobacco prevention and cessation programs, and all money raised here will be used in this area. The programs include Freedom from Smoking cessation clinics for adults and Teens Against Tobacco Use, in which 19 teams of southwest Missouri high school students give antismoking presentations at area elementary schools. For more information call the local American Lung Association office.