Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Branson Creek receives kudos

Branson Creek Golf Club has been se-lected as the No. 1 Public Access Course in Missouri by Golfweek Magazine, according to a Branson Creek release. The magazine uses 10 steps in its rating criteria of America's Best 2002, including "quality of feature shaping, natural setting and overall land plan, variety and memorability of the holes, and basic quality of conditioning."

"This is a tremendous honor for our golf course and our associates involved with the daily operation," said Steve Shields, Branson Creek general mana-ger and director of golf.

"Being named the No. 1 course in Missouri goes a long way in helping establish Branson as a true golf destination for the Midwest," he added.

In addition to the Golfweek Magazine recognition, the March/April issue of Travel and Leisure Golf Magazine is honoring the Tom Fazio-designed course. Editors named Branson Creek one of "America's 100 Best Courses for $100 or Less."

Branson Creek is the only course in Missouri listed for 2002.

Sullivan Co. leases theater

The Will Rogers Theater, owned by Melvin G. Hall, has been leased to the Sullivan Company Inc. of Branson, ac-cording to a release from The Sullivan Company.

Doing business as SullivanShows, The Sullivan Company will present a variety of attractions at the theater in 2002, including Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, John Davidson and "The Promise."

Sullivan Company President Joe Sul-livan has been producing and promoting shows, concerts and other entertainment events for more than 30 years.

In 2001, Sullivan presented the reunion of Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers for 25 performances of their Christmas show at the MGH Perform-ing Arts Center in Branson, also owned by Hall.

Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers have committed to a total of 87 performances at the Will Rogers Theater in 2002.

Performer John Davidson will take the stage Oct. 22-26, Nov. 4-23, and Dec. 2-7.

"I have been looking for an opportunity to come back to Branson for some time now," Davidson said. "When Joe Sullivan called, I knew the opportunity had arrived."

Since leaving Branson in 1996, Da-vidson starred in "State Fair" on Broad-way and headlined shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and on various cruise ships.

"The Promise," a musical based on the life of Christ, debuted at the Will Rogers Theater in 1996 and returns to the venue for its seventh season in Branson, ac-cording to a release from show co-manager Bill Brooks.

Brooks' brother and co-manager, Ran-dy Brooks, will portray Jesus in the production for his 14th consecutive season.

"The Promise" will play a total of 98 performances between May 3 and Aug. 24.

"We are excited about returning to our original Branson theater home," Randy Brooks said.

"Most of the cast is returning and this season promises to be one of the best for us," he added.

SullivanShows has contracted with Promise Productions Inc. for the show's limited engagement.

Promise Productions Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation that holds the exclusive rights to the production from Word Inc.

The rights to produce the show in Branson were previously held by Promise Entertainment Group LLC. When the limited liability company announced the end of its Branson production at the end of 2001, Promise Productions Inc. began efforts to ensure a continuing presence for "The Promise" in the Branson market.

David Sanders is president of Promise Productions Inc.

Carthage

Curves joins food drive effort

Curves for Women, a fitness and weight loss center for women, is joining Curves International Inc.'s "Food for Friends" food drive to benefit local food banks.

Throughout the month of March, members who bring a bag of nonperishable food items, and lose five pounds and five inches will be awarded a limited edition, "Food for Friends" T-shirt.

Curves is located at 2206 S. Maple St., Ste. A.

Chamber hires new director

Debra Smith has been hired as the director of member services at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce.

Smith will be in charge of maintaining the membership of the Carthage chamber and will oversee the chamber's newsletter, fax and e-mail communications with the community.

She also will help coordinate and plan special events, such as the Business After Hours and Eggs and Issues events.

Joplin

Empire seeks rate increase

A southwest Missouri utility company wants to increase its bills by 4.2 percent.

Empire District filed for the $19.8 million rate increase March 8.

As part of the proposal, the company is asking its Interim Energy Charge granted in the last rate hike be reduced by nearly half, by almost $10 million, with the re-mainder still subject to a refund.

Company officials said that if the rate hike is approved, average customers those using about 750 kilowatts of electricity a month would experience an increase of $3.23 a month on their bills. The company has requested the rate change "as soon as practical."

"We are seeking these changes in our Missouri rates to correct the error from our previous case, recover new operating costs and obligations, and reflect the actual and proposed changes in our capital structure," said Bill Gibson, executive vice president and chief operating officer, in a prepared statement.

"We are determined to continue to provide our customers fairly priced, reliable service coupled with financial stability for our shareholders," he added.

With the proposal, Empire also filed for an experimental low-income rider that will add 10 cents per month for resident customers and a quarter a month for commercial and industrial users.

Revenues from this program would be used to provide energy relief for up to 1,000 energy customers who are classified as low-income by the Missouri De-partment of Social Services.

The company also filed a rider to collect costs associated with security en-hancements, which could be government-mandated as a result of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Additionally, the company is seeking a change in the summer/winter rate differential for residential customers.

An audit of Empire's operations and an evidentiary hearing will be held on Empire's request.

Any new rates approved as a result of the request will not be effective until early 2003.

Lowe's location wins award

Lowe's Home Safety Council named the Joplin Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse the regional winner of the 2001 Lowe's Heroes program.

Employees of the Joplin store worked with several not-for-profit organizations, including the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Joplin Fire Department and the Metro Area Paratransit System, or MAPS.

Lowe's employees also visited six area seniors' homes to conduct safety im-provements.

The local store will receive $2,000 to donate to the Four County Elder Ad-vocates.