On the Street

JINGLE BELLS

Fall has just begun, but already it's time to start thinking about the annual Miss Merrie Christmas Pageant and Springfield's Annual Christmas Parade. The Downtown Springfield Association is accepting applications now for both events. The application deadline for the Miss Merrie Christmas Pageant is Oct. 4 and there is a $25 fee. The pageant will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Abundant Life Center on Park Central Square. The application deadline for the parade is Oct. 25; fees for that vary. This year's parade, with the theme, "Christmas in the USA," will begin at 1 p.m. Nov. 23 on Boonville Avenue. For more information about both events, call the DSA or visit www.down townspringfieldmo.com online.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Springfield's Family Violence Center will kick-off the awareness campaign at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 1 at the center, 525 E. Cherry St. The Family Violence Center serves hundreds of women and children each year as they flee domestic violence. Greene County Presiding Commissioner Dave Coonrod and City Councilwoman Shelia Wright will be on hand at the event to read proclamations for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and tours of the center will be available. For more information, contact the Family Violence Center.

DOWNTOWN AWARDS

The Missouri Downtown Association presented the city of Springfield with an award for Jordan Valley Park in the "Public Improvements-Comprehensive" category. The association recently held a day-long conference in Springfield focusing on several issues, including the creation of competitive downtowns, holding successful festivals and events, financing projects, and creating community improvement districts. Ozarks Technical Community College received a Powerful Partnerships award from the association for transforming nearly 40 acres of under-used and dilapidated properties into its center-city campus.

SLICE OF NICE

The 35th Annual Ozark Mountain Gem & Jewelry Show will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 19 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20 at the University Plaza Trade Center, 625 St. Louis St. The event, which will benefit the Developmental Center of the Ozarks, will include more than 15 dealers from across the nation who will display and sell gems, jewelry, minerals and fossils. Admission to the event is $3 for adults and 50 cents for children. An auction will begin at 6:15 p.m. Oct. 19. Proceeds from admission will benefit DCO, and benefits from the auction will specifically benefit the organization's adult program. DCO provides services and educational programs to help individuals who are developmentally or mentally disabled, as well as services for those who are not. This is the 10th year that the proceeds from the show have benefited DCO.