On the Street

Voter registration

The Springfield-Greene County League of Women Voters is reminding individuals who want to vote in the Feb. 3 primary election that they must be registered to vote by Jan. 7.

The issues on the Feb. 3 ballot include the selection of a Democratic, Republican or Libertarian presidential candidate, a quarter-cent law enforcement sales tax increase for Greene County and several city of Springfield issues, including continuation of the 27-cent property tax levy.

Legal residents of Greene County who are U.S. citizens and who will be 18 years old by election day can register to vote at the public library branches, at public schools and other locations. The Greene County Clerk's office at 417-868-4055 also has information about registration locations.

To avoid confusion on election day, residents who have changed addresses since the last election also should re-register.

Change bandits

CoxHealth's Children's Miracle Network is seeking volunteers for its annual "Change Bandit" fund raiser. Volunteers get to "rob" their families, friends and co-workers for change.

Once the change is collected, volunteers join in the annual My Country 100.5 FM Radiothon "Bandit Bash" to count the total. All volunteers who collect $100 or more will get to announce their totals on-air during the Radiothon, which is Jan. 12-Feb. 5. For more information, call 417-269-1830.

Carb Watch

In light of the growing number of people watching their carbohydrate intake, Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores has introduced Carb Watch ice cream, which comes in six flavors: vanilla, chocolate chip, chocolate pecan, chocolate, butter pecan and chocolate almond.

Sweetened with Splenda, Carb Watch ice cream has only two to three grams net carbohydrates per serving.

Slice of Nice

The 23rd annual Sertoma Chili Cook-off will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the new Springfield Expo Center. As many as 200 booths are expected for the event, with half that number already booked. The cook-off is a benefit for the Boys and Girls Club. Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door the day of the event.

Advance tickets are available at all area Dillon's and Price Cutter stores, at the Sertoma office at 318 S. Campbell, or from Sertoma members or members of the chili cook-off teams.

There is still time for teams to register for the cook-off. The entry fee is $100 until Jan. 16, when it increases to $125. As many as 10 people can make up a team. Full details, rules and entry forms are available online at www.sertom achilocookoff.com.