On the Street

Two Springfield-area businesspeople – Nancy Bogart, founder and president of Nixa-based Country Bunny Bath and Body, and Bernard Gerwel, ANPAC senior vice president – are sharing their companies’ success stories at a Nov. 19 seminar in St. Louis titled, “Strategies for Success: Becoming one of Missouri’s fastest growing companies.” St. Louis Business Journal and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry are sponsoring the event, which also features executives from St. Louis-based Engineered Support Systems and RxCCI of Lee’s Summit. Bogart was named one of SBJ’s 40 Under 40 in 2003, and her company was honored for its fast growth as one of the 2004 SBJ Dynamic Dozen. ANPAC, a Springfield insurance company, has grown from eight employees in 1973 to nearly 800 today.

Ashcroft debate

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft’s Nov. 9 resignation has ignited debate around the country. In a press statement issued the same day, Missouri Republican Party Chairman Ann Wagner called him “the most powerful, effective and consequential Attorney General in history whose Missouri roots often played a role in his leadership.” Meanwhile, former presidential candidate John Kerry has said the administration will be better without Ashcroft, calling him “one of the most divisive faces in this administration,” in Associated Press reports. Bias aside, Ashcroft will likely be remembered for preventing another terrorist attack on America and for passing the Patriot Act, which drew widespread criticism for its expansion of governmental powers.

Christmas networking

The Christian International Business Network of Southwest Missouri is hosting a Christmas Banquet Dec. 7 at the Nixa Community Center. Nixa Mayor Doug Marrs will be on hand to hear guest speaker Wes Neal, founder of Christlike Living Ministries and Champions of Excellence, both located in Branson. The cost is $10 per person and includes dinner. Reservations are due by Nov. 23 and can be made via e-mail at CIBN@lwfnixa.org. Christian International Business Network holds monthly meetings teaching business leaders how to apply Biblical principles to their work.

Slice of Nice

Discovery Center of Springfield will hold its 19th annual Festival of Trees Benefit Auction Nov. 20. Silent and live auction items include private meals with top Springfield chefs, a week getaway to Aspen, Colo., and a freshwater pearl necklace valued at $1,500 donated by Maxon’s Diamond Merchants. Live music and food catered by Clary’s American Grill can be enjoyed throughout the event, which is Discovery Center’s largest fundraiser. It starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $50 per person. Reservations can be made by phone at 417-862-9910, ext. 713 or in person. Discovery Center, 438 E. St. Louis St., is a nonprofit museum dedicated to teaching through interactive exhibits.