Southwest Missouri News

Downtown pedestrian plan to be designed

Design experts will be in downtown Branson during the first week of November to create a plan for a "walkable community." Each year the Missouri Department of Economic Development selects one city to receive this free architectural design service, according to Gayla Hagerty, executive director of the Downtown Branson Main Street Association (DBMA).

In a news release Hagerty said, "We were selected because Branson is recognized in Missouri and nationally as a Main Street City and because we follow the Main Street criteria in all the operations of the DBMA. We hope to make this design part of a (federal grant) application that will bring additional improvements to downtown."

According to the DBMA, the designers will study existing conditions in the historic downtown area. They will look at pedestrian and vehicle traffic patterns, gather public input and prepare a streetscape plan for a visual and walkable link between the downtown shopping area and the Taneycomo lakefront.

"The design will encourage visitors to walk or drive to the lakefront and enjoy everything it has to offer," Hagerty said. "We've noticed pedestrians walking toward the lakefront, but they go as far as Sycamore Street and then turn back."

Hagerty said visitors often miss the several restaurants, stores, marinas and the park at Lake Taneycomo.

Branson residents are invited to meet with the designers during a public work session, 1-4 p.m. Nov. 1 in the council chambers at Branson City Hall. The conceptual plan will be presented, 7-9 p.m. Nov. 4 at the council chambers to give the public an opportunity to view the architectural drawings. The finished plan will become the property of the city and the DBMA to use as they see fit, according to Hagerty.

Chamber tour manual wins national award

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau has received third place in the 1999 Guide Awards Contest for its Group Tour Manual. The 1999-2000 planner was chosen from more than 140 entries in the competition, sponsored by the American Bus Association through Destinations magazine.

Skaggs, Cracker Barrel collect books

Four community libraries in Stone and Taney counties have received more than 400 children's books as a result of a book drive conducted by Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores in Springfield and Branson, and by Skaggs Community Health Center. Skaggs and Cracker Barrel joined to support children's literacy through America's Promise, a national, not-for-profit group chaired by Gen. Colin Powell. Both Cracker Barrel stores had a book drop for the public to donate new or used books for kindergarten through eighth-grade students. Employees of Skaggs picked up the books weekly from both stores and coordinated the presentation to area libraries. Receiving the books were Forsyth Public Library, Kimberling Area Library, Stone County Library and Taneyhills Community Library.

Festival of Lights contests, judging set

The Branson Area Festival of Lights will hold its area commercial and residential lighting contests again with a deadline of Dec. 1. Judging will take place the first week of December. The grand prize for the commercial contest is a radio and print advertising package from 96.5 The Max and The Branson Tri-Lakes Daily News. Category prizes for first place are wooden plaques. The residential contest grand prize is a weekend for two in historic St. Charles and category prizes for first place are two-night stays at Village on Indian Point. Applications are available at the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 334-4084.

Area No. 2 in nation for cost of living

Joplin dropped to second least expensive U.S. metropolitan area in which to live, according to a survey released by the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association.

Fort Smith, Ark., came in first, at 87.4 percent of the national cost-of-living average. Joplin's cost of living was 88 percent of the national average during the second quarter of 1999. On the previous survey, the Joplin metropolitan area Jasper and Newton counties was ranked least expensive metro area to live in the United States.

For five years, Joplin has ranked as the lowest cost-of-living metropolitan area in Missouri.

The ACCRA solicits prices on more than 60 items in five categories, including a half gallon of milk, a gallon of gasoline, housing costs and the price for a kilowatt of electricity.

Y2K seminar set for Nov. 2

The Small Business Council and the Small Business Development Center at Missouri Southern State College will sponsor a seminar, "Y2K: The Home Stretch," Nov. 2 at the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, 320 E. Fourth St.

The seminar will include a step-by-step Y2K project management plan and contingency planning how to work around any systems that go down and a free survival guide.

The workshop is designed specifically for small businesses. The cost is $10.

Mardini named CFI regional sales manager

Susan Mardini has joined CFI Trucking Co. as regional sales manager for the New York/New Jersey metro area.

Mardini received a degree in business administration from City University in New York, and an MBA in international finance from the University of Texas. She has more than 15 years' sales experience in the transportation industry.

Besides its Joplin headquarters, CFI operates eight terminals and 37 sales offices in North America and employs 2,700 people.

Craig is Upward Bound's project director

Susan Craig, Webb City, has been named Upward Bound project director at Missouri Southern State College.

Craig received a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Southwest Missouri State University in 1998. Upward Bound is a federally funded program designed to increase the motivation and academic skills of high school students.

Hometown Bank names Elliff to position

Mark Elliff has been named senior vice president at Hometown Bank, 1429 E. 32nd St. Elliff has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Missouri Southern State College and has 20 years' banking experience.

Maschers open gift-basket store

Gifts Galore, a gift basket specialty shop, has opened at 1632 S. Madison. Liz and David Mascher are owners.

The couple makes custom gift baskets, which are delivered locally for free. Store products include figurines, candles, coffees and women's bath products.