SOUTHWEST AIRLINES EXPANDS SERVICE IN BRANSON
AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines, will fly daily with non-stop service from Branson to Chicago and Houston with service beginning in 30 days.

BRANSON, MISSOURI (March 14, 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 schedule 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. “The great low fares that AirTran is offering on the Chicago and Houston routes, make getting to these cities easier and more affordable than ever.”
On January 20th, Southwest Airlines committed to serve Branson, Missouri. Southwest Airlines made the decision to serve Branson, Missouri and to convert AirTran Airways at Branson Airport 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.”

Branson Airport now has 9 non-stop destinations and one stop connecting service to most major cities in the United States. 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. Branson Airport is 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).

Correction from College of the Ozarks On Jazz Band Date
The Army Jazz Band from Fort Bragg, N.C., will perform at College of the Ozarks TODAY, Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m., in the Royal Oak Forum of The Keeter Center. At 11 a.m. today, the band will host a free jazz clinic open to the public in the Gittinger Music Center.

Help Still Available
Despite significant tornado damage to the building’s roof and windows, the Salvation Army’s Branson Corps at 1114 Stanley Blvd. is open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to help those in need. The emergency food pantry is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The storm also destroyed their passenger van. If you need help, call 417-339-4434 or Maj. Robert Meyer at 417-331-0280. If you can provide help, call 800-725-2769.

Christian Press Donates Book Profits to Damaged Library
Sheaf House, a Nashville, Tenn. small press that publishes Christian titles, announced that through April 5, Oak Ridge Boys’ vocalist and author Joe Bonsall is donating royalties from direct sales of his book, “From My Perspective,” to the Taneyhills Community Library, which was damaged by the recent tornado. The library will receive $6.54 for each book sold directly. Books sold through retailers are not part of the program. Go to http://www.sheafhousedirect.com/inspirational.html.

Veterans Memorial Museum Open
Although the tornado lifted the P-1 airplane off the roof, the museum is open for business with no damages to the building and its collection of artifacts. It’s open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. They’re now working to restore the airplane. www.VeteransMemorialBranson.com. 417-336-2300.

Art Demonstration at Mount Pleasant Winery Saturday
Mount Pleasant Winery will host a live art demonstration from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 17. Watch Denver artist Don Barnes demonstrate his technique with palette knives to create stunning artistic effects in a work titled “Beautiful Sunrise.” Barnes’ work has been shown at galleries in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Texas. Wine will be sold by the glass. The Winery is at 3125 Green Mountain Dr. 417-336-9463. www.MountPleasant.com.

Storm Chasers Star at The IMAX
Sean Casey, popular star of The Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers, will make a special appearance with the Tornado Intercept Vehicle from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 16, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, and Sunday, March 18. For each ticket sold to “Tornado Alley” during the three-day event, the IMAX Entertainment Complex will make a donation to Convoy of Hope. 417-335-4832. www.bransonimax.com.

Junior Auxiliary Trivia Event
Reserve a table now for this popular fund-raiser scheduled for 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at the Pointe Royale Clubhouse. This year’s theme is “Guess Who’s Turning 100?” There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts including birthday cake and a cash bar.
Trivia consists of ten rounds of ten questions each with prizes for the top three table scores. Tables seat eight. Entry fee is $50 per person. JA’s services include scholarships for Taney County high school seniors, Santa’s Gift House, Prom Dress, Family Fun Walk and other projects to benefit children and families.
There will be door prizes, a silent auction and a raffle including two round-trip tickets on Air Tran and a $750 gift card. There also will be a “Wine Pull.” For $10 “pull” a bottle of wine from a selection ranging from $6 to $40 per bottle values. For reservations, contact Linda Lewis at 417-527-3963 or [email protected].

YMCA Weight Loss Challenge
Register before March 23 at the Ozark Mountain Family YMCA for the 12-week Weight Loss Challenge, and get a free t-shirt. Winners will be announced on June 22. Register at the Y or contact Monica Morris at [email protected] 417-337-9622.

Ride The Train
The Branson Scenic Railway has opened for the season with rides at 9 and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dinner rides on Saturdays begin April 7. Trains leave from the 1905 depot in downtown Branson. Each restored car has a lot of history including the 60-seat “Silver Eagle” from the 1949 Texas Pacific Railway. The Railway also offers a 10-percent discount for AAA members. 417-334-6110. www.BransonTrain.com.

Easter Bunny Photos
Lori Larrimore with Branson Photo has a unique offer for Easter photos. Call for an appointment through April 7, and she’ll take a photo of your child with one of her pet bunnies, and the photos may be purchased in time to give at Easter, April 8. Cost is a $10 donation to Mothers of Preschoolers, an organization of the Branson First Baptist Church in Branson. 417-337-5747. www.BransonPhoto.com

Register To Win At Live Radio Broadcast from IMAX
Join KRZK 106.3 from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 17, as they broadcast live from the IMAX Entertainment Complex. From 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, register in person to win the “Dream Trip of a Lifetime” to the Academy of Country Music awards in Las Vegas on April 1. You also may register by listening to 106.3 for an invitation to call during a certain qualifying time period. 417-334-6003. www.KRZK.com.

19th Annual IMAX FilmFest
Through May 10, the 2012 FilmFest includes “To The Arctic,” “Rescue,” “Titanic – Ghosts of the Abyss,” “Tornado Alley” and “The Living Sea.” A different film shows every hour from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. 417-335-4832. www.bransonimax.com.

Fund-raisers Planned
The Vietnam Veterans of America Ch. 913 of Branson plans two fund-raisers this year. The first is a Pig Roast on May 19 at the Lions Club Community Building on Mount Branson. The second is the Benefit Show on May 21 at the Hamner Barber Theater. For more information or to reserve tickets, call Ron Simmons at 417-251-0174 or President Bob Sarver at 417-294-0728.

Zumba And Swim Programs at the YMCA
The Ozark Mountain Family YMCA will host a Zumbathon from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on March 24. Cost is $10 with funds going to find a cure for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease.) Contact Janice at [email protected].
Also, register now for group and private swim lessons. Group lessons will be March 20 through May 8. Private 30-minute lessons also are offered for ages three through adults. Lessons are held at Oakmount Community Pool. Register at the YMCA or contact Monica Morris at [email protected] 417-337-9622.

Branson Community Connection
The local talk show about what’s going on in Branson airs at 6:30 p.m. on The Vacation Channel, Ch. 6 on the local cable network. March 15 through 28, guests include Ross Summers, President of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau; Peggy Golden, Ozarks Area Community Action Corp.; Nancy Town, Branson Professional Tour Guide Association and First Class Maid Jaynee of the Titanic Museum Attraction, previewing the new Unsinkable Molly Brown Gallery.

Branson Chamber Chatter is a free news service for members of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Email news to Kathryn Buckstaff, membership public relations manager. [email protected]. www.ExploreBranson.com. 417-334-4084.

BRANSON AIRPORT PREPARES FOR STORM SEASON WITH STATE WIDE TORNADO DRILL

BRANSON, MISSOURI (March 12, 2012) – In light of the recent tornado that swept through the Branson area on February 29th, the Branson Airport is now, more than ever, prepared for future severe storms. On Tuesday, March 13th at 1:30pm, tornado sirens will sound all across Missouri for the state wide tornado drill. At that time, Airport staff will participate in taking cover in the designated shelters and practice proper procedure for storm safety with airport passengers.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) explain that “Severe weather can strike at any time in Missouri, making it important for our communities to be prepared to take shelter in any location. The Statewide Tornado Drill is an excellent opportunity for Missourians to practice their sheltering plans and ensure readiness in the case of a severe weather emergency. The statewide drill allows schools, businesses and families to be assured that they are able to seek appropriate shelter quickly and safely prior to an actual severe weather emergency. By practicing and increasing readiness across the state, Missourians will feel confident and prepared in the event of actual severe weather emergencies.”

Branson Airport is proud to be a StormReady Supporter among others in Missouri including: Bush Stadium/ St. Louis Cardinals, FEMA Region VII Headquarters, KCTV5 (Kansas City), SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, and the St. Louis Zoo. “StormReady Supporters and StormReady communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help communities save lives.”

Jeff Bourk, Executive Director of Branson Airport, stated “With the recent announcement on January 20th of Southwest Airlines committing to serve Branson, Missouri and to convert AirTran Airways at Branson Airport to Southwest Airlines operations over time; it will mean that more people will be using the airport for both business and leisure travel. This makes being prepared for a large scale disaster at the airport more important than ever.”

Branson Airport now has 9 non-stop destinations, including its newest daily service to Chicago and Houston. The airport also has one stop connecting service to most major cities in the United States via AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines. 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. The airport is served by AirTran Airways (a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines), Frontier Airlines and Branson AirExpress. 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 and public charter operator, FlyBranson Travel LLC d/b/a Branson AirExpress. For more information on Branson Airport LLC and any of its subsidiaries please visit FlyBranson.com.

ANDY WILLIAMS MOON RIVER THEATRE welcomes The Cat’s Pajamas

BRANSON, MO—Feb 2012—“The Cats Pajamas”, the high-energy vocal band begin their 2012 Branson season at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre on March 14th. “The Cats Pajamas” a cappella group returns after appearing on the national NBC show “The Sing Off” and being voted “Top Vocal Group In Branson” last Fall. The Cats have also appeared on “Oprah” and “America’s Got Talent” and head back to Branson after touring the country this Winter.

“The Cats Pajamas” Show includes many of their most popular songs from last season, plus much new material and some medlys that will definitely entertain! If you haven’t seen the show, imagine a group of guys using nothing but their voices, but sounding as though there is a complete band accompanying them! This is one show that you will not want to miss.

“The Cats Pajamas” opens their show on Wednesday, March 14th at 7:30pm. Their March schedule includes seven total shows March 14-23 all at 7:30pm. Starting in April, they will perform Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:00pm and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30pm at the Andy Williams Moon River Theater in Branson, Missouri. You can get more information at www.andywilliams.com

For more information, contact Morgan Manley at 417-334-1800 or [email protected]

A Health and Ministry EXPO will be 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 call (417) 336-3636

For additional information, please contact:
John Sacoulas
149 Grand Avenue
Branson, MO 65616

[email protected]
417-336-3636; or, 417-353-7598

College of the Ozarks President Jerry C. Davis was named President of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU) during the Association’s annual meeting held February 23-25, 2012.

Dr. Davis has served in the college presidency for over three decades, among the longest tenures in the United States, and continues to serve as President of College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri.

Called “Hard Work U.” by The Wall Street Journal, College of the Ozarks is a four-year college where all students earn their education by working, rather than paying tuition. Each student works 15 hours each week and two 40-hour work weeks at an on-campus job. College of the Ozarks has become a thriving, four-year, nationally recognized institution committed to a five-fold mission of encouraging academic, Christian, cultural, vocational, and patriotic growth in its students.

Numerous national publications, including Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Kaplan Newsweek, The Princeton Review, and the Young America’s Foundation, consistently recognize College of the Ozarks as one of the best colleges in the nation. In recent years, the College has been featured on Fox News, ABC, and CBS news segments.

Prior to College of the Ozarks, Dr. Davis was President of Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky. Among his many professional memberships are serving on the board of the Marine Military Academy and as a peer review team chair for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

President Davis is the author of several books and articles and has received much recognition, including The Missourian Award–given to Missouri’s most outstanding leaders.

Dr. Davis and his wife, Shirley, have been married for 46 years. They have three grown children, eight grandchildren, and one “on the way.”

President Davis may be reached at 417-690-2470 or [email protected]. For more information on AAPICU, visit www.aapicu.org.

As parts of the Midwest continue to dig out from under the destruction caused by a succession of tornadoes, Sheaf House, a Nashville, Tenn. small press that publishes Christian titles, announced yesterday a fundraising drive to benefit a damaged Branson, MO. library. From March 5 through April 5, Oak Ridge Boys vocalist and author Joe Bonsall is donating the royalties from direct sales of his book, From My Perspective, to the Taneyhills Community Library in Branson. Sheaf House will donate an additional $3.50 to the library for each book sold, and is covering shipping and handling costs for all copies of Bonsall’s book sold directly. The press said that the library will receive $6.54 for each book sold directly. Books sold through retailers are not part of the program.

From My Persepctive is a collection of essays written by Bonsall, which was published with a 7,500-copy print run in fall 2011. Bonsall has performed with the Oak Ridge Boys, a country and gospel quartet, since 1973.

Taneyhills Community Library, built in 1933, is located in downtown Branson and holds more than 40,000 volumes, including newspapers, periodicals, video and audio tapes, and DVDs. The library, which receives no local, state, or federal funding, had to close its doors February 29, when the EF2 Tornado swept through Branson, smashing seven miles of the tourist town’s commercial strip.

For more information about Sheaf House’s fundraising for the Taneyhills Community Library, visit http://www.sheafhousedirect.com/inspirational.html.

Sean Casey, popular star of the Discovery Channel’s “Storm Chasers” and daring Tornado Alley large-format filmmaker, will make a special appearance with the TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) March 16, 17 and 18 at Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex.

Over the course of his career, Casey has filmed volcanoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. The depth of his experience working in severe weather, as well as the impressive library of IMAX tornado footage he has amassed leading up to Tornado Alley’s release, served the production well.

“We spent eight years shooting dozens of tornadoes, probably eighteen tornadoes for the film,” says Casey.

Casey currently stars in the Discovery Channel’s “Storm Chasers” reality series, which is the number-one rated Sunday night cable show on television. In addition, Casey is an inventor of sorts, having designed two tornado intercept vehicles, or TIVs. In 2008, Discover magazine named Casey one of the fifty best minds of the year.

The special weekend will begin a series of events scheduled during the 19th Annual IMAX FilmFest highlighting individual films from within the larger celebration.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex with the TIV. They’ve been big supporters of the film, and I greatly appreciate the invitation,” says Casey. “It’s especially meaningful to visit after the recent tornado outbreak. Tornado Alleyis first and foremost about the study of tornado genesis in the hopes of increasing warning times, and when I meet people whose lives have been affected by severe weather, it reinforces to me just how important this research is.”

The weekend will include fundraising efforts to benefit Convoy of Hope, a faith-based organization that has served more than 50 million people throughout the world through international children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches, and disaster response.

“We’ll have Sean here and Convoy of Hope representatives,” says Tom Forster, Marketing Director for Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex. “We’d like to see the community come out and have a great time, see the TIV, meet Sean, take some pictures…and become more informed about what Convoy of Hope does, what efforts they’re making in response to our recent tornadoes, and of course, donate what they can.”

With each ticket sold to Tornado Alley during the three-day event, Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex will be making a donation to Convoy of Hope.

Sean Casey, the TIV and Convoy of Hope will be available:

• Friday, March 16 – 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 17 – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, March 18 – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The 2012 IMAX FilmFest begins on March 9 and continues through May 10, with a different film showing every hour, on the hour from 9 am to 8 pm. For showtimes or more information, call 417-335-4832 or log on to www.bransonimax.com.

Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex will kick-off the 2012 season of exhilarating Giant-Screen IMAX Adventures with the 19th Annual IMAX FilmFest, March 9 thru May 10, 2012, featuring five all-new films.

With breathtaking, crystal clear images projected onto an enormous 6-story tall screen, accompanied by a 22,000-watt, 44-speaker state-of–the-art digital surround sound system, IMAX FilmFest audiences feel like they’re part of the action as they travel to some of the universe’s most exotic and dynamic locations…without ever leaving their seats.

The 2012 IMAX FilmFest line-up includes:

To The Arctic
Journey deep into the Arctic! See into the lives of a mother polar bear & her cubs. Captivating and intimate footage brings you up close & personal with their struggle to survive a landscape of melting ice, immense glaciers, spectacular waterfalls and majestic snow-bound peaks. Narrated by Meryl Streep.

Rescue
Take action and save lives! Explore the difficult & inspiring work of those serving & saving others in the face of natural disasters. Follow a naval commander, two pilots and a volunteer technician as they train for action. When an earthquake strikes Haiti, the audience is swept along, joining with the worldwide effort.

Titanic – Ghosts of the Abyss
Return to the TITANIC! Joined by actor Bill Paxton and a team of historical and marine experts, legendary director James Cameron journeys back to the site of his greatest inspiration — the TITANIC. Explore inside the entire ship, room by room, encountering mysteries that have remained hidden for a century.

Tornado Alley
Make a thrilling journey…into the heart of a tornado! Join Storm Chasers star Sean Casey & the researchers of VORTEX 2, on this heart-pounding adventure. Through gale force winds, torrential rains and unrelenting hail, go on a quest to experience a tornado’s destructive power at point blank range.

The Living Sea
Celebrate the beauty and power of the ocean! Audiences will swim among thousands of golden jellyfish, come face-to-face with humpback whales, surf thundering waves in Hawaii and ride in a Coast Guard Rescue boat with cadets training to save lives. Featuring music by Sting.

IMAX utilizes the world’s largest film format – ten times larger than conventional 35mm film. The design of the Ozarks Discovery Theater, inside the IMAX Entertainment Complex, ensures every attendee has an unobstructed view and places the audience right in the on-screen action. IMAX theaters also feature a specially designed screen that has a slight curvature, which extends beyond the audiences peripheral field of view.

Last year, worldwide more than 75 million people visited an IMAX theater, and more than 800 million have passed through the doors of an IMAX theater since the first one opened 35 years ago.

The 2012 IMAX FilmFest begins on March 9 and continues through May 10, with a different film showing every hour, on the hour from 9 am to 8 pm. For showtimes or more information, call 417-335-4832 or log on to www.bransonimax.com.