December
31

Xin Nian Hao! (Translation: Happy New Year!)

(Wednesday, December 31, 2008) After extending their show season to run through all of December, the Acrobats of China featuring the New Shanghai Circus have once again added shows. After their New Year’s Eve Celebration tonight (December 31), the New Shanghai Circus in Branson, Missouri will have shows on January 1, 2009 through January 4, 2009, at 8:00 PM. Mr Lizhi Zhao, owner and CEO of the New Shanghai Circus says, “Xin Nian Hao (Happy New Year)! This is the first time in ten years that the Acrobats of China have stayed in Branson through the American New Year’s Celebration. It’s been a great experience for us. Due to the response from our visitors, we decided that doing shows this weekend would be a great way to complete our season.”

Over 40 Acrobats of China showcase a revolving line-up of internationally award-winning physical performance artists. Currently the New Shanghai Circus is featuring Lei Gu – The Thunder Drums. The Thunder Drums are a dramatic and impressive group that arrived in Branson after performing at the 2008 Olympics. Along with the Thunder Drums visitors will enjoy Aerial Fish Ballet, Martial Arts, Wire Walker, Adagio, Diabolo, Plate Spinning, and more. The Acrobats of China perform at the New Shanghai Theatre in Branson at 645 State Hwy 165.

After completing the added shows on January 4, some of the New Shanghai Circus troupe will be on tour throughout the United States, including Hawaii, and will appear at the Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA) conference representing Branson. The entire troupe will return to Branson to begin shows on March 12, 2009, at 8:00 PM.
For more information or tickets call 417-336-8888 or visit www.AcrobatsOfChina.com.

Media Information:
Cindy Merry, 417-739-4925, [email protected]
Kate Kong, 417-336-8888, [email protected]

Disclaimer: BroadcastBranson.com is a service for the distribution of press releases, news and events. BroadcastBranson.com does not verify the validity or accuracy of the contents of the news that it distributes. Users are responsible for the contents of the press releases they submit to BroadcastBranson.com and the distribution via our service does not imply endorsement. BroadcastBranson.com takes no responsibility and holds no liabilities for information distributed.

December
31

Gas prices keep falling all over the country

Posted In: City News by BroadcastBranson.com


People driving on U.S. 65 near the Saddlebrooke Convenience Store at around 7:45 a.m. on Monday witnessed a curious phenomenon.

The gas price on the electronic marquee was dropping before their eyes — $1.49, $1.48, $1.47.

Across the Ozarks and the nation, gas prices continue to fall. In Branson, customers were buying their gas for as low as $1.41 per gallon on Monday.

“With everything going on in our economy right now, I am pretty happy with the gas prices,” said Joe Upton, of Branson. “Unfortunately, it looks like they won’t last.”

The Associated Press recently reported that OPEC will cut its production in an effort to raise international oil prices. Recent violence in the Middle East has also threatened oil production in that region.

According to the Associated Press, oil prices have fallen 73 percent since peaking at $147.27 a barrel on July 11. That translated into gas prices reaching more than $4 per gallon in some areas of the country.

On Monday, many motorists across the Ozarks were in good moods as they filled up their tanks.

“I saw the prices this morning and I had to fill my tank,” said Anita Monroe, of Harrison, Ark., I only needed half a tank, but I filled it anyway. Who knows, tomorrow prices could be a lot higher.”

In southwest Missouri, the lowest price for gas was $1.31 in Republic. In Ozark it was $1.33 and in Nixa it went for $1.34.

The lowest price in Arkansas was $1.21 in Mountain Home.

Here are some of the gas prices making news across the country:

  • Gasoline prices in Maryland are at their lowest level in nearly five years at $1.61 a gallon. That is half of the average price from one year ago.
  • Gas prices in Texas slipped by 1 cent to reach an average $1.54 a gallon during the holiday week. El Paso had the state’s highest gasoline price at $1.57. Houston had the least expensive price at the pumps at $1.49.
  • Fuel prices across Georgia were at their lowest level in nearly five years, Monday, as the statewide average price hit $1.53, down 20 cents since last month.
  • Ohio motorists enjoyed lower gas prices as they traveled for the holidays.The state’s average cost for regular dropped 6 cents in the last week to $1.57 per gallon.
    A recent survey shows Ohio fuel costs are down almost 50 percent from last year’s holiday week, when the average was $3.07.
  • Southern California gas prices declined significantly over the past week for the first time since June. The average price of regular in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area stood at $3.18 a gallon on Monday — five cents less than last week.

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December
29
logo Kimberly Bacon
kimberly.50satthehop@gmail.com
50\\\\\\\'s At The Hop Theatre
417-335-5300
4230 N. Gretna Road
Branson, MO   65616

Doors open at 8pm
50’s At The Hop Show Starts at 9pm
Intermission will include:
Heavy Hors d’ oeuvres, Scrumptious Desserts, Plenty of Party Favors, Noisemakers, Confetti, and Balloons.
The Best of the 50’s At The Hop Show Continues and at Midnight Experience a 10,000 Balloon Drop and Encore Performance.

Great Family Fun!!!!

Call for Reservations 417-335-5300.

Great New Years Packages Available for Show & Rooms.

8pm Shows December 26th thru January 3rd
CHECK OUT OUR SCHEDULE FOR 2009!!!

Disclaimer: BroadcastBranson.com is a service for the distribution of press releases, news and events. BroadcastBranson.com does not verify the validity or accuracy of the contents of the news that it distributes. Users are responsible for the contents of the press releases they submit to BroadcastBranson.com and the distribution via our service does not imply endorsement. BroadcastBranson.com takes no responsibility and holds no liabilities for information distributed.

December
29

The Lowe Family comes to Beaver Creek

Posted In: City News by BroadcastBranson.com


BEAVER CREEK, Colorado — Talk about family bonding. For 25 years, the Lowe family from Missouri has been touring the world, performing a music and dance act.
“I really don’t know anything different,” said Kayli Lowe, 20, the youngest member of the family.

Kayli considers herself lucky because she had plenty of musical role models growing up. She performs with her four sisters, one brother and parents in a variety show.
Almost no style of performance is off limits. The Lowes’ repertoire ranges from bluegrass songs to swing dancing to “a little bit of clogging,” Kayli said.

Their Christmas spectacular comes to the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek Tuesday.

Kayli hopes the show will be an opportunity for audiences to “have one night when they can forget about life and forget about the real world and just enjoy themselves.”

Originally from outside Salt Lake City, Utah, the Lowes are devoted to their instruments. Kayli plays violin, piano, several types of banjo, the Irish pennywhistle and an Irish drum called the bodhran.

It all started with the Lowe parents. LeeAndra sang to military troups with a vocal trio, while Robert Lowe was part of a band with his seven brothers. When their children were young, Robert held a job as a real estate broker to pay for their music lessons. The children often got up at 4:30 a.m. to practice their instruments, according to the family’s biography.

“The oldest kids started playing in quartets together because they were all violinists, and people would hire them for little odd end jobs,” Kayli said. “It started from ‘Oh, could you play for this church function?’ or ‘Hey can you play for this wedding?’ to ‘Hey, do you think you could make it out to the Utah fair?’”

By now, the Lowe family has taken their act all over the world. They spend plenty of quality time together at home, too. Kayli lives with three of her siblings and her parents. The other siblings are married and have their own homes, she said.

Presently in holiday mode, the Lowe family will wrap up its two-week Christmas tour in Beaver Creek. Expect to hear Christmas songs like “Coming Home,” a ballad Kayli wrote. The rest is a mix of gospel medleys, classical tunes, Irish dancing and all kinds of other entertainment. Two of the Lowe grandchildren will even make appearances.

“It’s just fun. It really is,” Kayli said. “I’ve had a bunch of friends that come that you would never think they would enjoy anything but a rock concert or a rap concert or a pop concert and they come and they’re like, ‘wow, this is great.’ So it’s surprising because people may think ‘Oh they’re from Branson or they’ve been performing in Branson so this is just for senior citizens only, but really all ages seem to enjoy it.”

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December
29

Louise Harrison has this vivid memory of her late brother, George — the “Quiet Beatle.”

It stems from a birthday party, “back when we were kids.”

Her mum was pouring from a teapot.

“George looks, and he says, ‘Oh wow, silver tea!’ ” Harrison recalled in a recent phone interview.

George — who was probably around 6 or 7 years old at the time — wasn’t actually witnessing something wondrous.

“It was just plain water coming out,” said Harrison, noting that her mother simply forgot to add tea leaves.

Harrison and her famous sibling had fondly recounted the humorous episode at a time when the end was approaching for George, who died in 2001 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Seven years after George’s death, his older sister is using her sway to carry on the spirit of the Fab Four.

Harrison’s familial link to the Beatles helps lend distinction and credibility to Liverpool Legends, a tribute band that salutes the look, attitude and music of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

At 77, Harrison is a spokeswoman and promoter for Liverpool Legends, which performs regularly in the entertainment mecca of Branson, Mo.

The mop-tops are, however, trekking to Merrillville for a groovy Saturday concert at the Star Plaza Theatre.

There are numerous Beatle-impersonator bands in America, but Harrison thinks her boys have some separation from the pack.

“They really can portray the magic — that kind of excitement the Beatles produced,” said the mother of two and grandmother of two. “The very fact that the four of them onstage are enjoying what they are doing kind of pulls the audience in.”

A hit at the Starlite Theatre in Branson, Liverpool Legends re-create –in sound and costuming — the different eras of the Beatles, traipsing from the Beatlemania years of “She Loves You” to the trippy feel of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

There is likewise a nod to the “Abbey Road” days that gives fans one last whiff of the quartet’s latter works, before the group’s breakup in 1970.

Raised in the Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool, England, Harrison is a part of the performances given by her band.

She typically has an intermission chat with the audience, fielding questions and dishing anecdotes about life as the sister of a pop icon.

She stressed there is one overriding message to the public:?”I’m really happy to be keeping alive the idea of love and peace.”

Although still boasting a crisp British accent, Harrison has lived in the United States since 1963.

Her husband’s job as a mining-equipment engineer brought her here.

No longer married, Harrison resided in southern Illinois before moving to Branson, which also is now home to Marty Scott and Kevin Mantegna, who portray George and John Lennon, respectively, in Liverpool Legends.

Both hail from Schaumburg, Ill.

Scott, who started the group, said he and his mates are not interested in ad-libbing their way through Beatles classics.

“We don’t really mess around with the music too much,” the singer/guitarist said. “We do it note for note.”

Although he’s been cranking out Beatles tunes professionally for years, Scott never really tires of the material, alluding to the massive catalog of recognizable Fab Four fare.

“The Beatles have more hit songs than anyone else in the world to choose from,” he said. “They’re kind of the best songs ever written anyway.”

While Scott and company lovingly masquerade as British treasures, Louise Harrison has helped her boys look their Beatle best.

The Beatle sister managed details by “sewing buttons on our jackets,” Scott said.

“She’s kind of more like our mother than our manager,” Scott said.

Harrison has endorsed Liverpools Legends because they meet her criteria for tribute artists.

“I want them always to represent the Beatles in the most respectful way and loving way,” she said. “I’m very proud of being able to do this.”

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December
29

Trout home hits stride

Posted In: City News by BroadcastBranson.com


A year ago, Shepherd of the Hills fish hatchery took on a new look with the addition of a state-of-the-art brown trout rearing facility.

The operation now allows the Missouri Department of Conservation to raise thousands of brown trout annually. But in the first year of operation, the facility hit a few bumps in the road.

Coldwater Hatcheries Supervisor James Civiello said high water in the spring and elevated water temperatures caused some problems.

“This year, water temperatures got up to 66 degrees and that increases the number of parasites in the water. That, in turn, causes fish loss,” Civiello said.

About eight thousand gallons of water a minute comes into the new facility from Shepherd of the Hills rainbow trout hatchery via Table Rock Lake.

“We had a bit of a struggle dealing with the warm water but we got around it,” he said.

Civiello said the new facility is a step up in the department’s effort to grow more quality trout, not only for Lake Taneycomo but the region’s other cold water fisheries.

“The design is great. We put in 12 new rearing raceways and several intermediate raceways as fish get larger,” he said.

A big addition to the new rearing facility is a fish ladder — a concrete stair-step from the river to the hatchery — and big browns are finding their way home.

Civiello said it is natural for brown trout to return to where they were hatched and the ladder makes it easier for them to get back.

“Over the years, I’ve found that a fish ladder is very important to good production,” Civiello said.

“We got a very good return of 3-year-old broodstock. In three egg-takes, we got 300,000 eggs. It worked just the way we designed it,” he said.

The early life-stage of a brown trout can be touch and go. At a critical time, fish need to be protected from disease.

Civiello said incubation goes well, but when the fish hatch, they go through a life-stage called the sack fry.

“That’s when they have the embryonic sack they absorb. In that life-stage we cannot treat for parasites because you kill the production,” he said.

Civiello said they lucked out and had more fish available during this past year’s spawn.

“We took another spawn and moved those eggs to another building, which is protected from high concentrations of parasites,” he said.

Systemwide, the conservation department wants to increase brown trout volume by 20 percent.

Approximately 700,000 rainbow trout are released into Lake Taneycomo each year. The number of brown trout is around 10,000.

Other hatcheries in the state are being renovated to increase production capabilities, as well.

Renovations include the addition of liquid oxygen to help trout grow faster.

The new Branson facility has allowed Civiello to spread out production and create better fish quality. Other state hatcheries will also benefit during times of drought and poor water quality.

Shepherd of the Hills will be able to provide fish to keep their production numbers up.

The last renovation at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery was back in the 1970s.

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December
24

Branson Bank Brings Christmas to Jacob’s House

Posted In: City News by BroadcastBranson.com


(Branson, MO) – On Tuesday evening, over 45 employees and family of Branson Bank piled into the large log home that serves as the main facility of Jacob’s House at Thunder Ranch – carrying arm loads of presents that Santa would later distribute, freshly-baked sugar cookies, and all sorts of icing and sprinkles to decorate them.

“We were accustomed to spending a certain amount of money celebrating the Christmas holiday with fruit baskets or cards,” said Bill Jones, Branson Bank President. “But this year, especially with needs so great, we all elected to spend those dollars on something more meaningful to the community.”

Discussions settled on a small foster community contemplating their first Christmas “under new management” this year.

Jacobs House at Thunder Ranch, a foster care community originally established by Tim Hill Ministries, is committed to rescuing abused and neglected children – providing housing, loving care, discipleship training and education. Located just outside Branson, Missouri, on seventy-one acres, Jacob’s House is a unique community of family-style homes where displaced children are loved and encouraged to become spiritual and moral leaders with a future and a hope in life.

“Though we’ve only been in town for a short while, Jacob’s House has been in business for 17 years,” said Penny Robichaux, Executive Director. “I’ve fostered over 200 children into adulthood, and I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know more countless hundreds. We were delighted that Branson Bank found a way to spread some joy and spend some time with the kids.”

The collaborative effort of bringing Christmas to Jacob’s House included nearly every employee of the Bank.

“We had staff out shopping for the kids, a great wrapping party after hours, some who baked sugar cookies and others who brought in sprinkles and frosting,” said Lyndi Carnelison, Branson Bank Public & Community Relations Coordinator. “We really couldn’t have accomplished the task without everyone’s generosity.”

Branson Bank kicked off the efforts with a generous donation to remodel a previously unused storage area into a private family room. Jacob’s House, equipped to house up to 23 children – will host 18 this Christmas from ages 2 to 17.

After a few slices of pizza and a visit with Santa that evening, children tore into packages presented to Jacob’s House, intended to keep at the facility for the new family room, like DVDs, board games, blankets & video games. Branson Bank employees were on hand to help all the kids decorate all shapes and sizes of sugar cookies. Special presents for each child from “Santa” were stashed away that night, to be saved for Christmas morning.

“The experience was extremely rewarding,” said Jones. “Jacob’s House is a hidden gem in the Ozarks, and doing really great things. We couldn’t have chosen to support a better endeavor.”

Disclaimer: BroadcastBranson.com is a service for the distribution of press releases, news and events. BroadcastBranson.com does not verify the validity or accuracy of the contents of the news that it distributes. Users are responsible for the contents of the press releases they submit to BroadcastBranson.com and the distribution via our service does not imply endorsement. BroadcastBranson.com takes no responsibility and holds no liabilities for information distributed.

December
24

Final 4 Shows of 2008

Posted In: Shows/Attractions by Nita Tate


Nita Tate
hitsofthe60s@aol.com
#1 Hits of the 60\\\'s
417-339-1960
3440 W. Hay 76
Branson, MO   65616

Everyone is invited to the Final 4 Shows of #1 Hits of the 60’s for 2008. Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30 at 2:00 pm at the Jim Stafford Theatre. You’ll Hear all the Great Songs of the 60’s, You’ll Hop & Bop to all those Great 60’s Dances, You’ll Sing along with the Beach Boys at the Beach, You’ll Laugh as the Gang Goes to “Inspiration Point”, You’ll Revisit Motown with the Supremes & Temptations. 2009 brings #1 Hits of the 60’s an ALL New Show, ALL New Location, and an ALL New Time. Stone and Taney County residents are FREE with a valid driver’s license.

Disclaimer: BroadcastBranson.com is a service for the distribution of press releases, news and events. BroadcastBranson.com does not verify the validity or accuracy of the contents of the news that it distributes. Users are responsible for the contents of the press releases they submit to BroadcastBranson.com and the distribution via our service does not imply endorsement. BroadcastBranson.com takes no responsibility and holds no liabilities for information distributed.

December
24
Laura Parramore
lauraparramore@imageinc.biz
Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Happy Trails Theater & Attraction
417-339-1900
royrogers.com
3950 Green Mountain Drive
Branson, MO   65616

The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Happy Trails Theater is holding Area Appreciation shows on December 29, 30 and 31 at 10 am. See Roy Rogers Jr. and The High Riders, with Dustin Roy Rogers, for just $10 per person (including tax) plus one non-perishable food item for Christian Action Ministries (CAM). Area appreciation is extended to residents of Stone, Taney, Greene, Christian and Ozark Counties in Missouri, and Boone, Marion, Baxter and Carroll Counties in Arkansas.

During this special promotion, residents of these counties can also get into the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum Attraction for only $6.50. So, for just $16.50, you can enjoy the Show and the Museum! What a great place to spend time with your family over the holidays!

On December 29, 30 and 31, show time is 10 am and Museum hours are 9 am – 5:30 pm. Reservations may be made in advance by calling 417.339.1900 or tickets can be purchased at the door. Please provide proof of residency.

Happy Trails!

Disclaimer: BroadcastBranson.com is a service for the distribution of press releases, news and events. BroadcastBranson.com does not verify the validity or accuracy of the contents of the news that it distributes. Users are responsible for the contents of the press releases they submit to BroadcastBranson.com and the distribution via our service does not imply endorsement. BroadcastBranson.com takes no responsibility and holds no liabilities for information distributed.

December
24
logo Dawn Black
dawn@myerhotels.com
Myer Hotels
417.336.4345
www.myerhotels.com
3601A Shepherd of the Hills
Branson, MO   65616

Branson, MO – Myer Hotels is pleased to announce that Bill Cunningham, Maintenance Supervisor for the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, has been honored with first Choice Hotels Property Excellence Service Award for Region 13 for maintenance. This annual award recognizes an individual or department that goes above and beyond to surpass guest service expectations. As winner of Region 13, Cunningham was selected by representatives from each Regional Advisory Board, Choice Hotels departments, and the Choice Hotels field representatives over his peers within a 7 state area.

“Cunningham has been at this property for over 10 years. He carries out the majority of all renovations himself and is available for assistance at all hours of any day. If unable to fix an issue himself, Bill is able to talk another staff member through the procedure to resolve the issue. Bill is a very important part of the team that helps makes the Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills run smoothly, including recognition as a Choice Hotels Platinum level property,” stated Gail Myer, Vice President of Operations for Myer Hotels.

About Myer Hotels

In the lodging business for 40 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 25 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows and Comfort Inn West. The properties emphasize excellent locations, countless amenities and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area. For more information about these hotels please visit www.myerhotels.com.

Disclaimer: BroadcastBranson.com is a service for the distribution of press releases, news and events. BroadcastBranson.com does not verify the validity or accuracy of the contents of the news that it distributes. Users are responsible for the contents of the press releases they submit to BroadcastBranson.com and the distribution via our service does not imply endorsement. BroadcastBranson.com takes no responsibility and holds no liabilities for information distributed.