On the Street

Springfield-based The Killian Group of Companies was named to Engineering News-Record’s list of the top 400 contractors in the country. Killian came in at No. 386 for its work on national-scale construction projects including hotels, health care and education institutions, entertainment venues and sports facilities. Killian was the general contractor for the $32-million Hammons Field and Branson’s Chateau on the Lake. Killian, 1835 S. Stewart Ave., was founded in 1948 and is owned by Bill Killian. Other companies with offices in Springfield on the list: APAC, No. 19; The Flintco Cos. Inc., No. 55; Walton Construction Co. LLC, No. 98; and Nabholz Construction Corp., No. 168.

SLS on INXS

Last week, Ozark-based SLS International’s speaker systems were used on CBS’s reality show “Rock Star: INXS.” Specifically, it was the public company’s (OTC: SITI) Q Line Silver Surround Sound Home Theater System, which is scheduled to be sold in Wal-Mart stores beginning in September. The show, aims to find a new lead singer for the rock band INXS. The SLS name was boldly printed on the speakers on stage. The Q Line was co-developed with music icon Quincy Jones.

Star-Walk dissolves

An Arkansas company with former ties to Springfield has dissolved. Star-Walk Entertainment LLC owner Jim Jakubec partnered with Ted Amberg of Amberg Entertainment as Five-Star Entertainment in late 2000. It only lasted a year. “I’m not surprised,” Amberg said when hearing the news. “Customer service issues were certainly our biggest separating factor. We didn’t see eye to eye on how customers should be treated.” The company organized corporate events, providing catering, games, music and entertainers. Star-Walk creditors and claimants are asked to report their claims by mid-November. Berryville, Ark., attorney Gerald Kent Crow represents Star-Walk.

Restaurant reviews

Several downtown Springfield restaurants snagged some positive press in Southern Living’s August issue. Author Kim Cross reviewed meals at locally owned Agrario, Bijan’s and Rasta Grill, coming away with good feelings. “The generous smattering of restaurants downtown is diverse, quirky and filled with surprises,” Cross wrote. Recommendations: Agrario’s perfected pork tenderloin, Rasta’s signature Rasta pasta and Bijan’s staple Chilean sea bass.

Slice of Nice

The 49th annual Springfield Exchange Club Chicken Bar-B-Que is 6–9 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Pat Jones River Ranch. Tickets are $15 and include a chicken dinner and beverage. The dinner is the club’s main fund-raiser and proceeds benefit local agencies that help prevent child abuse and provide youth services, such as Camp Barnabas, Bridges for Youth, The Rare Breed, Champion Athletes of the Ozarks and Ozarks Literacy Council. For more information, call Ray Meyer at (417) 838-8924.

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