Heard on the Street

SURVIVOR THE BOOK, THAT IS. Southwest Baptist University will publish this fall John Playter's personal memoir, "Survivor." In his book, Playter recounts the Bataan Death March, internment and forced labor in Japanese POW camps. Playter, who's a long-time resident of Polk County, also describes Allied torpedoes that sunk the Japanese "Hell Ship," Shinyo Maru, which was transporting him to more prison camps. Playter retired from a 25-year career as an engineer with the city of Bolivar. The SBU Bookstore is accepting pre-publication orders for Playter's book for $9.95 plus tax. Following publication, the book will sell for $11.95 plus tax. For information about the book, call the SBU Bookstore at 417-328-1530.

HOUSTON TO GET FUNDING, NO PROBLEM. Houston Mayor Steve Hutcheson announced that the city of Houston and the Houston Industrial Development Authority have received word that their application for $964,000 in financial assistance from the Federal Economic Development Administration has been approved. The funds will be used to assist with the construction costs for two industrial buildings, stormwater facilities and the extension of water, sewer and electric lines within the Houston Industrial Park. The federal funding will provide nearly 70 percent of the anticipated total project cost.

GOT E-MAIL? The SBJ Daily Update, formerly a publication delivered via fax, is now available via e-mail. For recipients of the publication who should be receiving it online, but are not, it's possible that a double-check is in order for the e-mail address listed in SBJ files. To verify e-mail addresses, or to inquire about the publication, call 831-3238.

NEW DRUG AT ST. JOHN'S. St. John's Health System is participating in research evaluating a new drug's ability to reduce the incidence of bone fractures in women with osteoporosis. Approximately 1,800 patients will take part at 100 locations in the U.S. St. John's in Springfield is the only Missouri location. To qualify for the study, women must be at least 55 and been post-menopausal for at least one year. They must also have a medical diagnosis for osteoporosis with evidence of a related bone fracture in the past five years. Women interested in being evaluated should call the St. John's Medical Research Group at 885-2222 or 1-800-682-7274.

YOU'RE MY HERO. Cox Health Systems is asking for nominations for a "real life hero," to be featured in the next edition of its publication, Healthsense. The winner

outstanding example of a care giver will also get a $50 gift certificate to the Tower Club and a Design-A-Spa retreat donated by the Clip Joint Salon & Day Spa. Send in nominations in letter or essay form to Cox Health Systems Public Relations, Caregiver Award, Cox Medical Plaza I, 3800 S. National, Suite 400, Springfield, Mo., 65807 or fax your nomination to 269-3059.

SLICE OF NICE. The Pedal for Progress bike ride to benefit the after-school programs of the Springfield Community Center will be held July 15. Participants can choose from three routes: a 50-mile route with four rest stops, a ten-mile ride with one rest stop and a five-mile ride for children. The event is open to all ages; riders 16 years and older must have a minimum of $40 in pledges at check in, but there is no minimum for children. All rides begin on Eastgate in the parking lot of High Street Baptist Church and end at Martin's Farm on Farm Road 185 behind Cooper Estates. Check-in for the 50-mile ride begins at 6:45 a.m., and the ride begins at 7:30 a.m. Check-in for the 5- and 10-mile rides begins at 9:15 a.m., and the rides begin at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served to riders at the Martin's Farm, and riders' families may eat with them for $1 per person. Registration and pledge forms are available at the Springfield Community Center, 618 N. Benton. For more information, call the Community Center at 866-4359.