On the Street

Shocking!

The practice of medicine has changed drastically in the last several decades, and nowhere is that more apparent than in electroconvulsive therapy, popularly referred to as shock treatment.

"The images most have seen of ECT, or shock therapy, as it used to be called, are powerful," but not entirely accurate, according to Arlene Johnson, RN, ECT supervisor. St. John's Marian Center will host an open house for its new ECT suites at 2 p.m. May 12. A ribbon cutting and blessing will be at 4 p.m.

Tours will be given of the newly remodeled suites, which are used for electroconvulsive therapy to treat patients with clinical depression.

Grant and loan programs

Information on grant, loan programs and implementation are now available on the city of Springfield's Web site. The Department of Planning and Development has added a new section featuring information on the 2001 Consolidated Plan "Action Plan," small-business loan programs, loan eligibility requirements and terms, program guidelines, maps, and printable applications. Visit www.springfieldmogov.egov/planning_development/grants/ for more information.

MEDC Spring Conference

The 45th annual Governor's Business Development Conference and the Missouri Economic Development Council's Spring Conference will be held May 28-30 at The Lodge of the Four Seasons, Lake of the Ozarks. Keynote speakers include Alex Spanos, owner of the San Diego Chargers; Elson Floyd, president of University of Missouri System; and William M. Daley, president of SBC Communications. The conference will conclude with the Governor's Awards Luncheon.

Cost of the Missouri Economic Development Conference is $110; the Governor's Business Development Conference is $140. Cost for both is $220, and price includes conference activities only.

For more information, call 573-636-7383 for MECD or 573-751-2741 for the Governor's Conference.

Slice of Nice

Musicals benefiting the Children's Miracle Network will be held at 7 p.m. May 3 and at 2 p.m. May 4 in the Central High School auditorium. Adult tickets are available for a $5 donation. All money collected will benefit the Children's Miracle Network. Saturday's performance will feature the Junior Troupe and will include music from all genres. On Sunday more than 40 young artists from Missouri and Arkansas will present "Flirting in the Forties" a journey through music made famous in the World War II era. For more information, call Tammy Felton at 417-581-3877 or Beth Crowell at 417-887-4516.