Emergency Managers Gather To Plan For Disaster

Hollister, MO (January 31, 2012) – Leaders from public safety agencies throughout Taney County gathered at Taney County Ambulance District on Friday, January 27 to practice managing a local disaster. The virtual event presented a large aircraft emergency at Branson Airport. Representatives from local agencies discussed how their personnel and resources would respond to such an event.

“This exercise provided a great opportunity for responders to see each other in person and review emergency operation plans,” said Chris Berndt, Taney County Emergency Manager. “Also, this allows agencies to finalize and review their plans prior to the full scale exercise in March.”

Emergency managers and public safety personnel will gather for a full-scale disaster exercise at Branson Airport on March 3, 2012. The FAA requires Part 139 commercial service airports, like Branson Airport, to conduct a tabletop emergency drill annually and a full scale emergency drill every third year.

“Safety and emergency preparedness are two of our highest priorities at the Branson Airport,” said Jeremy Berven, Director of Operations at Branson Airport. “This exercise, along with the drill in March, allows us and our community partners to focus on these items.”

Just days ago, Southwest Airlines announced that it was committed to serving Branson Airport. It plans to convert AirTran Airways at Branson to Southwest Airlines operations over time. Southwest also announced that it will commence daily non-stop service from Branson Airport to both Chicago Midway Airport and Houston Hobby Airport starting April 16, 2012.

Western Taney Fire Assistant Chief Bruce Bjorge shows a map of the Branson Airport to the group.

The exercise was coordinated among leaders in the same way an Emergency Operations Center would be set up in a similar situation.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES EXPANDS SERVICE IN BRANSON
AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines, announced today daily nonstop service from Branson to Chicago and Houston

BRANSON, MISSOURI (January 24, 2012) – AirTran Airways, which will be converted to Southwest Airlines over time, will begin daily nonstop service from Branson to Chicago and Houston starting April 16, 2012.

Chicago and Houston are major Southwest markets with connecting service to many great destinations. While the airlines’ networks are not connected at this point, both carriers are working together to publish the best flight schedules to places customers want to go. When the networks are connected, people traveling to and from these areas will have access to many more cities.

“These new daily flights to Chicago and Houston are very exciting because Chicago and Houston are large visitation markets for Branson” stated Executive Director, Jeff Bourk. “Ultimately, these routes will tie into the Southwest network, giving passengers many more low cost choices to get where our passengers want to go.”
On Friday, Southwest Airlines committed to serve Branson, Missouri. Southwest Airlines made the decision to serve Branson, Missouri and to convert AirTran Airways at Branson to Southwest Airlines operations over time.
“We are committed to continuing to serve these communities—at first via AirTran, and eventually as Southwest. We know there are Southwest Customers who want access to these cities, but have never before had the opportunity, and the markets have long desired Southwest service,” said Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President Bob Jordan. “We are excited about the cities we have chosen to keep in our combined network.”

For a complete list of destinations available at the Branson Airport, visit www.FlyBranson.com.

About Branson Airport: Opening its doors May of 2009, Branson Airport LLC is the first privately developed and operated commercial service airport in the United States. Currently serviced by Southwest Airlines/AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines. Located in the heart of the Ozarks and centrally located in the Midwest, the airport also boasts a state of the art FBO, Branson JetCenter and a full service travel agency, FlyBranson Travel. The Airport offers low cost service to over 100 destinations. For more information visit www.FlyBranson.com or call toll free 1-888-FLY-BKG1 (1-888-359-2541).

From now until the end of the year we would like to offer our local residents 20% off any purchase at our Branson Mount Pleasant Winery location. This applies to anyone living or working in Taney, Stone or Christian counties. Please bring in your proof of residency or your proof of employment. Happy Holidays!

Bee Creek Apartment Homes offers “FREE RENT FOR A YEAR GIVEAWAY!”

Branson, Missouri – October 25, 2011
Owning a home has long been considered a part of the ultimate American Dream, but a record number of foreclosures and the resultant devastation to the economy have caused many Americans to rethink this concept. According to a recent Rent.com survey, a whopping 87 percent of U.S. adults don’t consider owning a home to be the most essential aspect of their American Dream anymore. In light of this, Bee Creek Apartment Homes, http://www.mybeecreek.com, today announced its “FREE RENT FOR A YEAR GIVEAWAY”, which provides prospective residents an opportunity to win one (1) year of free rent. “This is HUGE and we are so excited to be the first in Branson to giveaway a luxury apartment free for one year!” says, Jim Walker (Owner). Located in the heart of the Branson near Branson Landing, Super Wal‐Mart, Target, Home Depot, and easy access to Highway 65. Bee Creek Apartment Homes is a luxury apartment rental community that offers many resort style amenities, including a Community Clubhouse, 24‐Hour Fitness Center, Resort‐Style Salt Water Pool, Playground, State‐of‐the Art Movie Theatre and 24‐hour emergency maintenance.

Bee Creek Apartment Homes offer spacious two (2) and three (3) bedroom homes to accommodate singles, couples and families. These luxury homes include designer coordinated interiors, granite countertops, upscale cabinetry, ceramic tiled floors, Berber carpet, full‐size washer and dryer in every apartment and private balcony or patio. Bee Creek is also a pet friendly community!

ENTER TO WIN A LUXURY APARTMENT “RENT FREE” FOR ONE (1) YEAR! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER, SOME CONDITIONS DO APPLY.

HOW TO ENTER:
Submit official “ENTRY FORM” in person at Bee Creek Apartment Homes between October 24‐December 15, 2011 and pick up the official rules of the
giveaway. Deadline to enter is December 15, 2011.
“LIKE US” on Facebook
Preview Branson’s Newest Luxury Apartment Community.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:
1 (one) year Free Rent in a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment at BEE CREEK
APARTMENT HOMES IN BRANSON, MO (Value: $10,740)
Free High Speed Internet for one year (Value: $480)
Free Cable with HBO for one year (Value: $936)
Free Water Service for one year (Value: $240)
Free Sewer Service for one year (Value: $120)
Free Trash Service for one year (Value: $120)
TOTAL VALUE: $12,636.00
Winner will be announced January 05, 2012 5:00PM to 5:30PM
**Must be present to win**

Contact:
Krystal Howell
Bee Creek Apartment Homes
417-243-0233
[email protected]

The Tea Party Patriot HQ, Andy Williams Moon River Theater and Veritas Communications Inc. are pleased to bring the Directors Cut Movie Premiere to The Moon River Theater in honor of all those families who have sacrificed for freedom for our nation.

On Sunday September 18 at 4:00 pm, the LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE will be shown in the Moon River Theater 2500 W 76 Country Blvd Branson, MO 65616 (417) 334 4500. Tickets are $5.00 and you can receive a $1.00 off coupon by visiting the Tea Party Patriot HQ located at 302 Veterans Blvd Branson, MO 65616 (417) 973 0034. The movie has been endorsed by Tony Orlando, Chuck Norris and many military generals partnering with FOLDS OF HONOR and WARRIORS OF FREEDOM with Major Ed Pulido. VERITAS, is unique in the film industry creating films for family, faith and freedom. The company focusing on family friendly entertainment with “God and Country” messages of patriotism and is now in pre-production for a Civil War historical fiction movie, SWORDS OF FIRE about the Battle of Franklin in November 1864.

This film was shot in partnership with Eastern Gate Films in Kansas and Colorado. “LAST OUNCE” is an emotionally powerful story of a Veteran Medal of Honor winner, Bob Revere who becomes Mayor and is fed up with the political correctness being forced on his small town. The Mayor is played by renowned actor Marshall Teague – starring in such movies as ROAD HOUSE, THE ROCK and ARMAGEDDON as well as appearing in many popular television series and Jennifer O’Neil of SUMMER OF 42 co-stars with Jenna Boyd from SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS in the movie.

DO YOU WANT TO WIN A FREE DECK MAKEOVER WORTH UP TO $1,200?!

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Post a picture of your ugly deck on Wood Re New-Branson/Tri-Lakes page.
2. Post a link of the Wood Re New-Branson/Tri-Lakes page and tell your friends to vote for your picture.
2. Have your friends vote for your picture by clicking “like” on the picture…they must “like” Wood Re New- Branson/Tri-Lakes page to vote.
3. Winner of the deck makeover will be announced September 30th.
4. One vote per person.

ELIGIBILITY:
*Must be a deck in Stone or Taney County
*No previous stain or paint, structurally sound
*Only one entry per deck address

VOTING:
Voting will open online on September 12, 2011 thru September 30, 2011.

WINNER/PRIZE:
Winner will be notified September 30th. The grand prize will be restoring a deck (cleaning and sealing) worth up to $1,200.

GOOD LUCK and get those UGLY DECK pictures posted!!!

More info on Wood Re New-Branson/Tri-Lakes facebook page!

FRONTIER AIRLINES INCREASES DENVER NONSTOPS AT BRANSON AIRPORT
Now offering two options on Friday flights

BRANSON, MISSOURI – Frontier Airlines announced today a second nonstop Friday flight to Denver (DEN) at Branson Airport (BKG) beginning September 9, 2011. This is in addition to the recently announced nonstop service to Austin (AUS) and Phoenix (PHX), making a total of four nonstop markets served by Frontier including Milwaukee (MKE).
The new Friday flight will depart Denver at 3:15 PM and arrive in Branson at 6:02 PM, then depart Branson at 6:45 PM and arrive in Denver at 8:01 PM. The existing Denver flight departs daily at 11:20 AM and arrives in Branson at 2:05 PM, then departs Branson at 2:56 PM and arrives in Denver at 3:57 PM.
“We are thrilled that Frontier continues to increase its service in Branson,” stated Jeff Bourk, executive director at the Branson Airport. “Low fares and convenience are important to us, and now we’re able to offer even more options to travel to and from Branson and around the country.”
Along with the additional nonstop Denver flight, nonstop service to Austin begins September 16, 2011 operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday and nonstop Saturday service to Phoenix begins September 17, 2011.
Branson Airport offers a total of 10 nonstop destinations with one stop connections to over 100 destinations; on Frontier Airlines to Austin, Denver, Milwaukee and Phoenix; on AirTran Airways to Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Houston and Orlando, and on Branson AirExpress to Dallas.
FlyBranson Travel Services, located in the Branson Airport, can assist with everything Branson and more, including airfare, lodging, shows, attractions, golf with select vacation packages, shows and attractions at up to 50% off. For more information visit FlyBransonTravel.com.

By: Ashley Bench

The Ralph Foster Museum will accept paintings for the White River Painting Exhibit Nov. 1– 14, 2011. The Museum hosts this annual juried exhibit to honor the unique Ozarks heritage and to express the Museum’s mission of providing rich, learning experiences about the Ozarks culture through the arts. The White River Painting Exhibit and Sale will take place in the Museum’s Edwards Art Gallery Nov. 15 – Dec. 15.

Artists from throughout the Ozarks region are invited to submit paintings that reflect their personal views of what is important to them about the Ozarks. Themes of paintings might reflect an artist’s impressions about the environment, the beauty of the region, history, family, fishing, agriculture, tourism, community, education, architecture, transportation or entertainment.

A limit of two paintings created within the past 2 years may be submitted at the Ralph Foster Museum from Nov. 1 – 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The entry fee is $5 for one painting. Artists may call 417-690-2603 or e-mail [email protected] for guidelines and entry forms.

Dr. Wade Thompson, Art and Design Head of the College of Arts and Letters at Missouri State University, will serve as this year’s juror.

The Awards Ceremony and Gallery Talk will take place on Thursday Nov. 15 at 1 p.m., in Edwards Art Gallery. A reception will follow the ceremony and guests will have the opportunity to purchase paintings.

Christian Financial Advisor, Best-Selling Author Dave Ramsey will speak at College of the Ozarks on October 4, at 7 p.m., in the Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex. The prelude will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are required to this special convocation. There is no cost for the tickets, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. To obtain tickets, please call (417) 690-2240.

America’s trusted voice on money and business, Dave Ramsey is a personal money management expert and extremely popular national radio personality. His three New York Times best-selling books-Financial Peace, More Than Enough and The Total Money Make-over-have sold more than six million copies combined.

“The College is honored to welcome Dave Ramsey to campus,” said Dr. Sue Head, executive director of The Keeter Center for Character Education. “His goal of helping people live debt- free dovetails perfectly with the College’s own attitude toward debt. The College is debt- free and we strongly encourage our students to live by the same principle.”
By age 26 Ramsey had established a four-million-dollar real estate portfolio, only to lose it by age 30. Using the wisdom he gained, Ramsey rebuilt his financial life and now teaches others how to be responsible with their money, so they can acquire enough wealth to take care of loved ones, retire with dignity, and give generously to others.
Ramsey offers that life-changing message as host of a nationally syndicated radio program, “The Dave Ramsey Show,” which is heard by 4.5 million listeners each week. His also offers his message of hope through a variety of mediums and products. His high school and college curriculums are offered in more than 10,000 schools and educational institutions.
The major convocation featuring Dave Ramsey is part of The Keeter Center for Character Education Community Convocation Series. For more information, please contact Character Education Office at (417) 690-2242.