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.

The Ralph Foster Museum at College of the Ozarks will host area appreciation with free admission from February 1-11, for the residents of Boone, Carroll, Christian, Greene, Stone and Taney counties. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For further information, please contact the Museum at 417-690-3407.

BRANSON, MO – Over 25 different countries will be represented in Branson at the 2012 See The World in Branson Music Fest. This 1st annual event will be held at the Welk Resort April 25 – 26, 2012 and will provide a sampling of the internationally flavored entertainment that is found in Branson.

Attendees will have the opportunity to stroll through booths in the Marketplace tent, each representing Countries from around the World. Experience the costumes, history and culture as well as participate in games, prizes and autograph sessions.

The highlight of this two-day festival is the Music Showcase. Close to 20 different Branson shows will take the stage each day at 2PM in the Welk Theatre lending the audience to the greatest exposure of non-stop, back-to-back, entertainment on a Branson stage.

See The World In Branson is an area wide festival highlighting the vast amount of Internationally inspired entertainment, attractions, and cuisine available to visitors in the Branson area. See The World In Branson is held annually during the months of April and May. It is one of the special events featured during our Ozark Mountain Spring.

Admission to the Marketplace Tent is free. Tickets to See The World Music Fest can be made by contacting a Branson Receptive or by calling the Welk Resort at 800-808-9355.

Nation on alert as World Attention Turns to Historic Clash of
Man vs. Ice Competition in Branson, Missouri
Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5

Branson, Missouri – January, 2012. Thirty of the U.S. National Ice Carving Association’s champion Ice Carvers are coming to Branson to blast, drill and torch three-hundred pound chunks of ice into amazing works of art starting at 9 a.m. Saturday , Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 at the Titanic Museum Attraction’s outdoor staging center, announces Titanic owner, John Joslyn.

This marks the first-time ever that the NICA has chosen the city of Branson for it’s annual world-class championship competition and it promises to be the biggest and best in the Association’s 25-year history. The two-day family event will be hosted by the Titanic Museum Attraction outdoor entertainment area. This outdoor event is FREE to the public.

Due to anticipated interest, visitors are advised to arrive early for the best views to watch all of the ice carving action. “Last year’s regional-only competition at Titanic Museum Attraction drew more than 10,000 people. This year, the NICA is projecting a 15,000 to 20,000 visitor turnout for the grand Nationals,” says John Joslyn, owner of Titanic Museum Attraction. Sculptors will be competing for a prize purse valued at over $25,000, – the largest to date – and for the possible chance to represent the United States in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.

“At 3 p.m. Sunday, February 5, an official National Ice Carving Association judging panel will announce the winners, so stick around to see if your favorite carver is among them,” adds Joslyn.

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri is open during this National Event at 9 a.m., passengers may purchase museum tickets online at www.titanicbranson.com or call 800-381-7670 .

(Branson Museum Attraction will be closed January 16-19 for a new “Molly” Brown exhibit installation)

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).

NOW SHOWING—Special Exhibit on the “Iron Lady” Featured at Branson Meadows Cinema for “The Iron Lady” Movie Premiere January 20-22

“The Iron Lady” is making a second appearance in the Ozarks—this time in the form of a movie. The real “Iron Lady,” Lady Margaret Thatcher, made her first appearance in 1997, visiting College of the Ozarks to speak to students and community members about “Free Enterprise and Work Ethic.”

To celebrate the life of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the premiere of the movie “The Iron Lady,” a special exhibit will be on display at the Branson Meadows Cinema January 20-22.

Full of historical pictures, memorabilia, and photographs of Lady Thatcher at College of the Ozarks, the exhibit tells the story of Great Britain’s first and only female Prime Minister and her special visit to the Ozarks.

All patrons to the cinema are invited to view the exhibit, located in the cinema’s lobby, at no charge.
Following the movie’s premiere weekend, the exhibit will be displayed at the College of the Ozarks Keeter Center.

For more information on the “Iron Lady” exhibit, please contact the College of the Ozarks Public Relations Office at (417) 690-2212. To find out show times of “The Iron Lady” at the Branson Meadows Cinema, please call (417) 332-0464 or click on the link below.

Branson Meadows Schedule for January 20-26, 2012.

Branson’s 3rd Annual Gong Show – February 22, 2012 – Benefit for the Branson’s Homebound Senior Food Program

Don’t miss the third annual Branson Gong Show set for Wednesday, February 22 at 6:49pm at the Hamner Barber Theatre. This hilarious show serves as a benefit for the Branson Senior Center and the Meals on Wheels Program. Branson entertainer Jim Barber will once again serve as host with celebrity judges. Click on the flyer below for all the details.

If you wish to audition to be in the show, try-outs are scheduled for Monday, January 23 from 5:00-8:00pm at the Branson Senior Center.

Call 335-4801 with questions.

Audition Information

Gong Show Flyer

Sponsored by the Branson Parks and Recreation, The Vacation Channel, and Castle Rock Resort and Waterpark.

Jesus Was Homeless Prayer Night – Friday, January 20th, 6:00-8:00 pm

You’re Invited!!!
We’re so excited, the “Living Room” at the new Jesus Was Homeless, Yellow Bike Program, Life Support Discussion Groups and Gateway Branson center is just about ready. Through much prayer, hard work and volunteers the center will be operational in just a few weeks.

Because prayer has been and will continue to be a vital part of Jesus Was Homeless, we would like for you to join us this Friday, January 20th, from 6:00-8:00 pm for a night of informal prayer time. You are invited to write your name and/or the names of those that you would like prayer for on the “Living Room” floor of our new location. The names will then be covered with paint but will represent a continual reminder for the importance of prayer.

Please come and join us as we write hundreds of names on the floor. Stay as little or long as you like. Across from Wal-Mart in the Vista Plaza, 2005 W Hwy 76, Ste. 106 (on the backside). For more information contact Amy Stallings at [email protected] or 417-335-0266.

Grace and Peace,
Bryan & Amy Stallings

Press Release – Welcome Table Rock Chiropractic to the Chamber

For Immediate Release
The Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome it’s newest member, Table Rock Chiropractic.
A Ribbon Cutting to formally welcome Table Rock Chiropractic to the Chamber will be held on Tuesday, February 7th at their location in Kimberling City at 11:30am. All members are welcome to attend this brief event.

”We are very excited to have Table Rock Chiropractic as a part of the Chamber for the first time. Dr. Smith and his team are a great addition to the Chamber and we hope our members and our community take advantage of all they have to offer,” says Heather Cognito, Membership Sales Director.
For more information, please contact Heather Cognito at 739-2564 or [email protected].

Branson Businessman Elected Director to Springfield Chamber

Tim Connell, president of Hollister-based Connell Insurance, has been named to the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. Tim is the first Branson/Hollister-based director in the chamber’s history since the chamber was founded in 1919. The chamber’s board currently consists of 8 executive committee members and 15 directors.

Connell, a native of the Branson area, commented, “It is a true privilege to have been accepted as a director to this vibrant chamber organization. As the president of a regional insurance agency with clients throughout the states of Missouri and Arkansas, I am dedicated to the continued and sustainable economic development in the area. That’s why we have been involved with the Springfield chamber, as well as others, for many years.”
Connell added that his goals closely match the mission statement of the chamber in serving as an advocate for business in partnership with the community, support and assist existing businesses, act as a primary catalyst in promoting the economic health of the Springfield area, stimulating jobs and improving the quality of life. As an Ozarks Greenscore award recipient, Connell Insurance also reflects the chamber’s economic impact in the Partnership for Sustainability.

In addition to holding the positions of President and Commercial Producer for Connell Insurance, Tim also currently serves on the political action committee for the Missouri Association of Independent Insurance Agents and is a board member of Developmental Connections in Taney County. Tim currently resides in the Branson area with his wife Kim with three sons. Tim and his family all enjoy outdoor activities especially ones that involve boating and hiking on and around the area lakes and rivers.

Connell Insurance, based in Hollister, MO, is one of the largest insurance agencies serving southwestern Missouri. An independent insurance agency, Connell specializes in both commercial and personal lines of insurance, representing numerous insurance companies. For more information, visit www.Connell.com or call (417) 334-2000.