Care to Learn-Ozark held its annual black-tie dinner fundraiser April 2 at St. Joseph Catholic church in Ozark. Before the Penguins and Princesses Masquerade Ball, charity founder Doug Pitt, center, stops for a picture with event co-founders Todd Edwards of Lloyd’s Cleaners, left, and Shane Nelson of Ozark Abstract and Title. With a live auction, the $100 per person ticketed event raised over $29,000.

Philip Baird, an organizer for 1 Million Cups-Springfield, takes the stage for the first time at the Springfield Art Museum. The entrepreneurial community-building event moved April 6 after meeting its first two years at The eFactory business incubator downtown. Organizers say roughly 300 people were on hand to hear presentations by Hudson Hawk Barber & Shop and The eFactory.

U.S. Rep. Billy Long, R-Springfield, visits students April 4 at The eFactory business incubator downtown to learn about the training of tomorrow’s health care professionals through the Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies. GO CAPS connects high school students with business leaders to provide real-world training in the areas of engineering, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and medicine and health care technology. After meeting with students, Long stopped by Park Central Square for IntrinsiQ LLC’s ribbon-cutting celebration at the Heer’s building.