On the Street

Earth hero

The nomination deadline is April 1 for Dickerson Park Zoo's Earth Hero awards. The awards will be presented in different categories, which will be determined by the nominations received. Earth Hero awards recognize individuals and groups that are actively engaged in Earth-friendly efforts to reduce waste, conserve energy, protect and preserve nature and wildlife, clean up the environment, and benefit environmental causes. Recipients will be announced on Earth Day, April 22. Candidates may be individuals, school classes and other groups. Recipients receive a one-year Friends of the Zoo membership, and a cash donation will be made to the environmental causes chosen by recipients. Nomination forms are available online at www.dickersonparkzoo.org or by calling the zoo office at 417-833-1570.

Business Expo

Republic Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo 2004 will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 20 at the Republic Community Center, 711 E. Miller Road. According to Executive Director Jennifer Birkenfeld with the Republic chamber, there are 63 vendors signed up to participate in the show, up from 52 at the 2003 event, which drew more than 500 visitors. Birkenfeld expects more attendees this year. Information about the expo is available by calling the chamber office at 417-732-3356.

Women's day

The Fifth Annual Women's Day Symposium will be held 8 a.m.-4 p.m. March 23 in the Lincoln Hall Community Room on the Ozarks Technical Community College campus at 815 N. Sherman. Hosts for the event are the Greene County University of Missouri Extension office, the Springfield branch office of the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business. The event includes several general sessions on topics such as Women & Wealth, as well as breakout sessions. Marlene Chism, president of ICARE Consulting (and a frequent SBJ columnist), will present "Dancing Outside the Box," as the speaker for the keynote luncheon session. The cost to attend is $29. Sign-up and additional information is available by calling the University Extension office at 417-862-9284.

Slice of Nice

A special feature of the Cowboy Classic Pro Rodeo, which will be held March 19-21 at The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds indoor arena, is a chuckwagon food drive to benefit Victory Mission. Rodeo fans are encouraged to bring food items for ticket discounts, to enter drawings and to qualify for games at the event. Reserved seats are $10 and $12. For non-reserved seats, tickets for adults are $8 in advance or $9 at the door. For children 10 and under, tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. Advance tickets are available at PFI Western Store and Price Cutter Supermarkets.