Oxford Healthcare, HomeCare and Hospice will be offering NO-COST bone density screenings and vital signs screenings at their presentation booth at the Health and Ministry EXPO being held at the Tri-Lakes Center, 2527 State Hwy 248 in Branson, MO on Friday, March 23, Noon to 8 pm; and, Saturday, March 24, from 10 am to 8 pm.
Scheduled to appear will be 75 area health, wellness and spiritual exhibitors with entertainment provided by SIX, Hughes Brothers, Jarrett Doughtery, Clay Cooper, Buckets N Boards, American Idols’s Jason Yeager, Voices of Glory, Allen Asbury and more!
Admission is $5.00 at the door for a one-day admission, $8.00 for both days, and children 12 and under are FREE! Please bring one non perishable food item for Christian Action Ministries’ Food Bank. FREE and low-cost health screenings, FREE raffles and door prizes, seminars and Zumba classes will also be offered. Mini Golf and Veggie Tale screenings of Robin Good will be on-going during the event. For more information log on to www.HealthandMinistryEXPO.com or call (417) 336-3636

By: Jacob McCauley

Dr. Temple Grandin, renowned speaker, author, animal scientist, and Autism advocate, will speak on livestock handling at College of the Ozarks on March 28, 2012, at 7 p.m., in Jones Auditorium.

Grandin, born August 29, 1947, in Boston, Massachusetts, was diagnosed with autism in 1950. She was later placed in a nursery school that would teach her how to speak and other basic skills. “I can remember the frustration of not being able to talk. I knew what I wanted to say, but I could not get the words out, so I would just scream,” said Grandin. At the age of four, Grandin began making significant progress and attributes that to her mentors.

After graduating from a boarding school designed for gifted children, Dr. Grandin studied at Franklin Pierce College to earn her degree in psychology in 1970. In 1975, she received a master’s degree in animal science from Arizona State University, and in 1989, she received a doctoral degree in animal science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Today, she teaches at Colorado State University and consults with the livestock industry on facility design, livestock handling and animal welfare. She has appeared on television shows such as “20/20,” “48 Hours,” CNN’s “Larry King Live,” “PrimeTime Live,” the “Today Show” and has been featured on National Public Radio.

The convocation is free and open to the public. Students are allowed priority seating. For more information on the convocation with Dr. Grandin and other special guests at College of the Ozarks, contact the Public Relations Office at (417) 690-2212.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) named College of the Ozarks to its 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This is the seventh consecutive year for C of O to be included on the Honor Roll.

The Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. CNCS, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, named only 642 colleges and universities to the 2012 Honor Roll.

College of the Ozarks and its students take part in numerous community service projects, including Camp Lookout, a free summer camp for deserving area youth, and Bonner Community Service, a campus workstation where students work off their 15-hour work education requirement by going out into the community to serve as teachers’ aides, deliver meals on wheels and volunteer in local food pantries.

“Through service, these institutions are creating the next generation of leaders by challenging students to tackle tough issues and create positive impacts in the community,” said Robert Velasco, acting CEO of CNCS. “We applaud the Honor Roll schools, their faculty and students for their commitment to make service a priority in and out of the classroom. Together, service and learning increase civic engagement while fostering social innovation among students, empowering them to solve challenges within their communities.”

One outstanding example is College of the Ozarks Students in Free Enterprise’s (COSIFE) innovative approach to tackle the tough, community issue of poverty. Last year, COSIFE and First PLACE’s IMPACT (area high school students participating in the First PLACE! character initiative) began selling eco-friendly VAPUR® water bottles to raise money for area homeless individuals interested in breaking the poverty cycle.

Since then, the groups collectively sold hundreds of bottles and the proceeds have been accruing in a fund for individuals who successfully complete the “Getting Ahead” course as money for a deposit or rent on housing. Five individuals from the tri-lakes area have now completed the curriculum and received their certificates for finishing the “Getting Ahead” program, as well as a housing deposit. This class of five that graduated in February is the first of many to come as COSIFE and IMPACT continue to raise money for this cause by selling VAPUR® bottles.

Meanwhile, C of O students are preparing for another successful Camp Lookout season, which begins June 4. Camp Lookout is seeking children ages 8-12 from Stone and Taney Co., whose families cannot fit the cost of summer camp into their budgets. Those interested in finding out more or applying for camp may call the Christian Ministries (417) 690-3446 or go to www.cofo.edu.

The College of the Ozarks Vision is to develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well-educated, hard-working, and patriotic.

For more information on the President’s Community Service Honor Roll, please visit NationalService.gov/HonorRoll or call Public Relations (417) 690-2212.

Guitarist and Songwriter Tony Melendez to Perform
By: Ashley Bench

Tony Melendez, Christian guitarist/songwriter, will perform at College of the Ozarks on Tuesday, March 27, at 7 p.m., in the Jones Auditorium. Melendez composes and performs a variety of contemporary and traditional, instrumental and vocal pieces.

Melendez, known worldwide for his amazing talents, began composing music and playing the guitar at a young age. Born without arms, he taught himself to play the guitar with his feet and overcame all the odds. “His talent speaks to the glory of God,” says C of O sophomore Kait Varghese. “The fact that he is using his incredible talents as a witness shows that Christ truly gives us strength to accomplish the impossible.”

Melendez’s talents caught the attention of many, which gave him the opportunity to perform in various avenues, including two performances for Pope John Paul II. He became highly involved with the Church and thrives on sharing his faith with others through music ministry. Today he still composes and produces with his company “Toe Jam Music,” giving all the glory to God.

Students will be allowed priority seating for the event, but any seats left open will be available to the public free of charge. For more information, please call the Christian Ministries office at (417) 690-3446.

The Branson Arts Council Announces their Spring Art Camp for Kids

Calling all young artists, ages 5-12 years old, come join us for a half day Spring Art festival.
It will be Saturday March 31st 2012 from 1pm to 3pm. The cost will be only $15.00 per Artist.
We will be making lots of crafts and enjoying creating Art together!!! You can either stay with your child, or have 2 hours to spend to yourself! As always, we will be holding our classes at the Branson Community Center, 201 Compton Drive. Branson Missouri 65616
For more information call Bonnie at the Arts Council 417 336-2554.
The Branson Arts council is funded by the City of Branson and the Missouri Arts Council.

The Branson Arts Council presents their annual Fashion Show. This year it “Spring Fashion Show–celebrating 100 years of fashion”. There will vintage clothing as well as fabulous fashions from local shops and boutiques. As always there will be light finger foods and a cash wine bar. At the conclusion of the style show there will be a “live” auction for purses and baskets will with goodies (scarfs to jewelry to gift certificates). Be sure to bring a little extra spending money.

The Branson Arts Council presents “Spring Fashion Show–celebrating 100 years of Fashion
This Fundraiser is Sunday, March 25th, 2-4 pm at the Stone Bridge Village Clubhouse
Cost is $25
For more information or tickets: Touch of Class (417)334-0303 or the Branson Arts Council (417)336-4255.