A corporate-owned Incredible Pizza Co. in Memphis, Tenn., was recognized as one of the "Top FECs of the World" for 2008 by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
Company executives were honored during the Family Entertainment Center reception Nov. 19 in Orlando, Fla.
In September, the Springfield-based food-and-games chain was named to Inc. magazine's list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private U.S. companies. Incredible Pizza was southwest Missouri's highest-ranked company at No. 456. The company's 14 locations registered 693 percent growth from 2004-07 and 2007 revenue of $64.1 million.
No Thanks, Mr. Obama
Options Pregnancy Clinic in Branson was the beneficiary of a donation after Bott Radio Network said "no thanks" to keeping advertising money from President-elect Barack Obama.
The Overland Park, Kan.-based radio group aired political ads for which Obama paid "several thousands of dollars" to show his support of the Freedom of Choice Act promoted by pro-abortion group Planned Parenthood.
"Rather than benefiting from the Obama advertising ... BRN is donating that income to local pro-life organizations in the communities where the advertising was purchased," said Executive Vice President Rich Bott.
In Branson, where BRN airs on 103.9 FM and 1570 AM, BRN General Manager Monna Stafford presented a contribution to Options Pregnancy Clinic and Executive Director Jeanie Williams. Founded in 1962, BRN operates 81 Christian radio stations in 14 states with a combined coverage of 40 million people. Bott Radio's Springfield station is 90.1 FM.
Ring in the New Year
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra kicks off its Sunday Brunch Series Jan. 11 in the Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks.
A brunch buffet begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by a one-hour concert at 2:15 p.m. featuring the symphony's classics series, including works by Ravel and Beethoven's 8th Symphony. Tickets are $40 for the brunch and concert and $15 for the concert only. Other series dates are Feb. 15 - featuring Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" and Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" - and March 15 - featuring Respighi and Mozart. For more information, call the Symphony Office at (417) 864-6683.
Slice of Nice
Individuals, churches and organizations throughout the Ozarks contributed to Crosslines' record distribution of Christmas gifts distributed this season. On Dec. 20, Crosslines presented gifts to 3,848 children in need and food baskets to 1,346 households - the highest tallies in the 40-year history of the Crosslines Christmas Toystore and Food Basket program sponsored by the Council of Churches of the Ozarks.
Each holiday season Crosslines invites individuals and families in Greene County who are in need to apply for assistance through its Holiday Center. For more information about giving and receiving, visit www.ccozarks.org.
