Overheard

The 2006 Springfield-Branson AT&T Yellow Pages features a cover shot of Springfield Expo Center at Jordan Valley Park. The book was unveiled May 23 at Springfield’s Busch Building, where AT&T Area Sales Manager Bob Hammond announced more than 397,000 copies would be distributed. AT&T offers an online version at www.yellow

pages.com. AT&T also launched the Project ReDirectory campaign to recycle outdated phone books. Through July 31, old directories can be dropped off at any Nestlé Purina green recycling containers or Springfield Dillon’s grocery stores. Copies of the new phone book can be obtained by calling (800) 792-2665.

In other AT&T news, a Missouri firm was selected to create the international component of AT&T’s $8 billion-plus ad campaign entitled Your World. Delivered. St. Louis-based Rodgers Townsend is leading print, TV and online ads in more than 14 countries under the banner The World According To … .

Nearly Burned Down

Nearly Famous Deli, the off-the-beaten path eatery that has become a Springfield dining staple, is temporarily closed due to a May 13 kitchen fire. Owner Nancy Miller says, “Nearly Famous will rise again,” on www.nearlyfamous.net, a Web site she set up for customers to check the restaurant’s status. Meanwhile, Miller, who purchased the deli in February from Suze Dunville Powell, is looking for a temporary location.

Decorize Goes National

Five national retailers are featuring products from Springfield-based Decorize Inc. in their catalogs and on their Web sites. Home Depot Direct, Ballard Designs, 10 Crescent Lane, Linda Anderson and Potpourri have chosen Decorize products specific to their demographics. Featured products include lighting, accessories, armoires and kitchen islands. “This creates more positive exposure for Decorize and the products we offer,” said Susan Andrulis, vice president of sales specialty retail, in a news release.

Decorize specializes in manufacturing home furnishing supplies from the Far East. Shares of the publicly traded company (AMEX: DCZ) closed May 24 at 36 cents, compared to a 52-week range of 25 cents to 81 cents.

Slice of Nice

CoxHealth has two benefit events planned the first week of June. The Children’s Miracle Network Telethon runs June 3–4 on KY3. The hospital says all donations stay in the Ozarks to help local children. Also June 3 is the 15th annual Cox Medical Mile Race; registration is accepted beginning June 1 or can be completed online at www.coxhealth.com. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Miracle Network CARE Mobile.