On the Street

IN MEMORY

Springfield citizens lost an advocate Oct. 25 when Mayor Pro Tem Gary Gibson died following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 52. Gibson filled an unexpired term on City Council in 1994-95. He was elected to General Seat B in April 1997 and re-elected in April 2001. Said City Manager Tom Finnie, "Gary's commitment to serving the public was exemplary."

PURPLE HEARTS

The city of Springfield has been chosen as the location for the 73rd annual national convention of The Military Order of the Purple Heart. The event will be held in August 2005. The city's hotel industry is expected to get about 1,300 room nights from the event, according to the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. Representatives of Los Angeles also submitted a bid for the convention, but the group's site committee unanimously decided to bring the event to Springfield.

SLICE OF NICE

Realtors Helping People will present its Ninth Annual Benefit Auction 6-8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Remington's, 1655 W. Republic Road. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit organization, which is a subsidiary of the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors, and which works with other nonprofit organizations to provide critical home repairs for low-income elderly and disabled individuals. Dinner will be served at the event, which will feature hundreds of items in both a silent and a live auction. Admission is $12 for the dinner and auction; or $5 for the auction only. A discount is available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, call Kirk Hewitt, president of Realtors Helping People, at Coldwell Banker Vanguard.

TWICE OF NICE

Wingapalooza, presented by the Sertoma Club of Springfield, will be held 5-10 p.m. Nov. 13 at Remingtons, 1655 W. Republic Road. Hot wings from 14 local restaurants as of Oct. 25 will be available to sample at the event, which is in its second year. There will be live music and a silent auction at the event. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the event, with proceeds to benefit the Springfield Boys & Girls Clubs. Advance tickets are available at area PriceCutter Stores and from Sertoma Club of Springfield members.