Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Christian Action Ministries holds tourney

The first Christian Action Ministries Golf Classic will be held 7 a.m.-noon April 26 at the Branson Creek Golf Club. Ozark Mountain Bank is sponsoring the golf event with a $3,000 donation.

Those wanting more information about sponsoring a team or playing in the tournament may call the CAM office at 334-1157. CAM, a nonprofit agency, provides an emergency food pantry for residents of Taney County.

Public Works ready for spring cleanup

According to the City of Branson, the Public Works Department will conduct its annual spring clean-up the week of April 17, allowing residents to dispose of large unwanted items, brush and tree limbs. These trash items must be placed at curbside by 8 a.m. and must be sized so that two people will be able to load them into a truck.

For pick up of large items, such as appliances, Public Works must be notified 24 hours in advance at 337-8561.

The city will also conduct its first electronics recycling drive April 17-May 4. Residents can take old TVs, computers, monitors and keyboards, radios, VCRs, video games and other electronic equipment to the recycling center on Compton Drive in Branson.

Hospitality training offered April 19

The Branson Hospitality Training Class of 2000 will meet 1-4 p.m., April 19, at the Settle Inn in Branson. The workshop, taught by Terri Tucker of Tucker Resources Company, will cover various aspects of customer service. The cost is $49 per person; call Branson Hospitality Inc. at 335-3554 to register.

Chinese acrobats win cultural award

The Incredible Acrobats of China, which will return to perform at the Wayne Newton Theatre in Branson its third season beginning May 1, received an award from its home country March 3. According to the troupe's director Zhao Li-zhi, the Incredible Acrobats received an award from a Shanghai news agency in honor of their role in cultural exchange.

In a press release, Li-zhi stated, "The committee gave the prize to us as China's first entertainment organization to invest in foreign markets.

The Incredible Acrobats of China are highly praised for (their) courage and marketing concept in various newspapers in Shanghai, and (have) called the attention of the People's Government of Shanghai.

"The Incredible Acrobats of China are being used as a good example to other entertainment groups on how to survive in the market economy and stand firmly without support from the government. We are also recognized for having introduced 5,000 years of culture to a large groups of westerners, especially the Europeans and the Americans," he said.

The circus group also received recognition via the Branson Peace Award, given for the first time by Best Read Guide at the end of the 1999 season.

Joplin

Red Cross of Joplin, Carthage to merge

The Red Cross chapters in Joplin and Carthage have decided to merge.

The joint chapter will operate as the southwest Missouri chapter.

Administrative staff will be based in Joplin. The joint chapter is expected to serve 125,000 people.

The American Red Cross National Board Of Governors approved the merger during a meeting in February.

Able Body Corp. gets ISO 9000 rating

Able Body Corp. has achieved ISO 9000 rating. ISO 9000 is a quality management system used by companies to eliminate mistakes and increase competitiveness.

To attain the rating, companies must write and implement a quality manual and an operating procedures manual, document manufacturing procedures with quality controls, verify compliance and be audited by an accredited board.

Able Body makes metal, fiberglass and plastic components for the heavy truck, agricultural and recreational marine industries. The company is the largest vendor of fiberglass decks and hulls for Kawasaki USA.

Neosho

Crowder College board increases tuition

It will be slightly more expensive to attend Crowder Community College.

At its March meeting, the Crowder College Board of Trustees approved a $2-per-credit-hour increase to $44 per credit hour for in-district tuition.

Tuition for students from outside the junior college's district will rise $3 per credit hour, from $81 to $84 per credit hour. Both in-district and out-of-district nursing, energy resource center and wastewater treatment students will see tuition rise by $3 per credit hour.

The change in tuition takes effect for the 2000-2001 school year.