Heard on the Street

CALLING OUT. Missouri Public Counsel Martha S. Hogerty urges Springfield area telephone customers to attend a public meeting March 27 regarding Metropolitan Calling Area telephone service. The service is a flat-rate, toll-free calling plan that allows customers to subscribe to a plan and place calls for a flat rate within a given metropolitan area, such as Springfield. Changes in state and federal law, and in how local telephone service is provided may affect the price and structure of the MCA program in the future. The Public Service Commission is holding its hearing at 6:30 p.m. March 27 in council chambers at historic City Hall.

ZOODOO. Dickerson Park Zoo is making its magical doo available to you. Rejuvenate your garden with ZooDoo, which is composted herbivore generously provided by zoo denizens.

ZooDoo is available every Saturday through the end of May or while the compost supply lasts. The cost is $20 per pickup load.

TRIPPIN'. Once again, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is leading businesspeople and civic leaders from the area on a long, strange trip. This time, the chamber will take on Spokane, Wash., in its seventh such leadership visit. The trip will take place June 21-24 and will include study sessions focusing on the city of Spokane. The cost is $1,100 per person and includes air travel, accommodations and meals. In order to participate, you must make your reservation by April 7.

BE COUNTED ABSENT. Absentee voting is now under way for the April 4 municipal and school elections across Missouri. Election officials must receive absentee election application by March 29 in order for absentee voting to take place. There are no statewide issues on the ballot, but Springfield is electing three school board members and voting on a $30 million bond issue to make improvements to various local schools, including historic Central High School.

RAKING IT IN. The 50 highest-paid mutual fund directors earn an average of $1,000 an hour for board service according to InvestmentNews, a weekly newspaper for financial advisors. Putman Investments has the largest number of directors in this year's list with 10 of the top 50. The 50 mutual fund directors were paid more, on average, than directors at such companies as Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp. and Philip Morris Cos.

VAYA CON DIOS. To the Shiner-drinking, formerly long-haired strange one once among us: Thanks for your overflowing opinions, unending ideas, welcome praise and, most of all, your friendship.

You will be missed, and we wish you the best of luck as you go about your new, daily affairs.

SLICE OF NICE. The Junior League of Springfield will hold its 41st annual Charity Ball April 29. Proceeds from the ball will allow the Junior League to assist community programs such as Habitat for Humanity, The Discovery Center and the Women's Violence Center. Reservations are $100 per person. For more information, or to receive a formal invitation, contact the Junior League office at 887-9422, ext. 10.