Overheard

Springfield manufacturing guru Jack Stack is headlining a conference in Kansas City next month and is the scheduled guest speaker on Tom Dapp’s radio program “It’s Your Business” this week. Stack is president and CEO of SRC Holdings Corp., which remanufactures engines. The Sept. 20–21 manufacturing conference at Harrah’s North Kansas City Casino and Hotel, Managing Innovation Today for Success Tomorrow, aims to educate manufacturers on the most effective management systems and competing in the global economy. To register for the conference or for more information, call (573) 634-2246. Stack will discuss small-business ownership during the Aug. 28 “It’s Your Business” on KWTO 560. The show airs at 10 a.m. every other Monday.

Nearly Famous Farewell

Suze Dunville Powell, founder of Nearly Famous Deli & Pasta House, watched Aug. 21 as wrecking crews leveled the restaurant’s original location on Kentwood Avenue in the shadow of Plaza Towers. Powell sold the business earlier this summer to Nancy Miller and a kitchen fire severely damaged the restaurant soon after. Powell said it was dismaying to watch as heavy equipment ripped into the burned building, tossing aside fixtures such as a stainless steel sink, over which she had labored for 20 years. She was glad, however, that demolition workers saved a few bricks as memorabilia and a large Rose of Sharon that had served to keep cars from hitting the corner of the building due to the tight parking situation. Powell said the shrub will be replanted at her home. Miller plans to reopen Sept. 5 in the Brentwood Center space long occupied by Burr’s. Powell is developing new projects and pursuing some long-delayed travel plans.

$100M Milestone

Community Foundation of the Ozarks reached $100 million in charitable assets in the last fiscal year, according to CFO’s summer newsletter. The milestone was celebrated during CFO’s annual donor celebration, held in June at Larry and Nancy O’Reilly’s lakeside cabin. Also during the year, CFO was named a Top 100 Community Foundation in charitable assets, contributions and grants, and surpassed the $7 million mark in grants and distributions for the first time. Additionally, CFO added Houston Community Foundation in Texas County as its 37th affiliate and opened its first regional office in West Plains. Carol Silvey, former Missouri State University-West Plains development director, serves as director.

Slice of Nice

It was a good year for Rock ‘n Ribs, the annual Rotary Clubs barbecue fund-raiser held outside of Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. The Rotary Clubs of Springfield and Rock ‘n Ribs officials distributed $90,000 Aug. 24 to area children charities. Proceeds from the April event are 38 percent higher than those in 2005. Organizations receiving funds are The Boys and Girls Town of Missouri, Ronald McDonald Charities Tooth Truck, Boy Scouts of America Ozark Trails Council, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Ozarks, Good Samaritan Boys Ranch and Ozarks Regional YMCA.[[In-content Ad]]