On the Street

Springfield-based O'Reilly Auto Parts is the title sponsor for the $1.8 million National Hot Rod Association Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis. According to NHRA, O'Reilly signed a multiyear deal earlier this month. The O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals, held June 23-25, will be televised on ESPN2. The O'Reilly name is on five other NHRA events.

Power permits

Jan. 9-13 was a big week for building permits filed at Springfield's Busch Building. Most notably is Target's $4 million remodel and addition for a Starbucks and pharmacy. Starbucks also is going in at Bass Pro Shops, which filed a $125,000 infill permit. Metro Builder Supply filed a permit for a $450,000 building addition, and the Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau filed $1.2 million of church additions for Sacred Heart Parish.

Great gathering

Springfield-based Great Game of Business is holding its 2006 National Gathering of Games Conference March 15-17 in St. Louis. The practitioner-led conference teaches employees to think and act as owners, while demonstrating open-book management tools taught in The Great Game of Business. The keynote speakers are consultant Terry “Moose” Millard, known for his work with Southwest Airlines; Inc. magazine Editor-In-Chief John Koten; and Manchester Craftsman Guild and Bidwell Training Center Inc. CEO Bill Strickland. Early-bird registration ends Jan. 27. For more information, go to www.greatgame.com or call 800-386-2752.

St. Patrick's Day float

The committee for Springfield's St. Patrick's Day Parade is seeking float entries for the March 18 parade in downtown Springfield. Registration is free, but all participants must preregister. The coveted committee trophy will be awarded to the entry that best embodies the spirit of the day, and cash prizes of $500, $250 and $100 will go to first, second and third place winners, respectively, in the float division. Registration is available online at www.springfieldstpatsparade.org or by calling (417) 689-9321. Parade sponsorships also are available.

Slice of Nice

Queen City Sertoma Club is calling all good men to participate in Men About Town-Best in the Ozarks Benefit for Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. Via live auctions, the event offers dinner dates with eligible bachelors and the time, talents and skills of area handymen. There also is the Man About Town Contest in which four contestants compete in talent, tuxedo and people's choice categories for the title and a $500 donation to the winner's charity of choice. Other live and silent auctions are part of the March 25 event at The Tower Club.