Three area organizations will host the Clothe-A-Child 5K/1mile walk/run on Saturday, July 25, on the Lakeshore Trail. Meet at the Dewey Short Visitors Center just south of Table Rock Dam on Missouri 165. Registration at 7 a.m.; race at 8 a.m. Adults, $18 in advance; $25, day-of-race. Ages 14 and under, $10. Register at www.christianactionministries.org.

Funds will provide new outfits for kids attending the upcoming Taney County School Readiness Fair. Hosting this event is Christian Action Ministries, OACAC and the Salvation Army.

There will be T-shirts, finisher ribbons and awards for participants. There also will be a bin for clothing donations. For more information, call Becky Lowrance at 417-294-4775 or email [email protected].

“It seems as if kids are everywhere!” will be the word around Branson as young entertainers arrive the second week in July for American Kids Inc. National Finals. In addition to performing in the national membership talent competition and the top 25 AllStar Show at the Baldknobbers Theater, they will also be found around town on various other stages.

The young performers, members of the nation’s only little league of entertainers, have been preparing since January and July 13-17 their efforts will culminate at nationals. They will be competing for more than $9,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Performer of the Year at the American Kids Inc. 2009 National Finals and performing around town in outdoor concerts and pre-shows.

“American Kids Inc. has been showcasing the nation’s talented young performers for 27 years and holding national finals in Branson annually for more than a decade. The support this community has given us is appreciated. This year our young performers will have the opportunity to share their talent gifts in pre-shows and outdoor stages to the tune of more than 150 acts during the week of nationals,” said Dr. Dale Smith, founder of the non-profit group, based in Branson and known as the nation’s only little league of entertainers.

Many American Kids national finalists will be showcased on outdoor stages throughout the week. On July 12, 13 and 18, young performers will be at the Grand Village 2-3 p.m. July 12; 4-5 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. July 13; and 11 a.m.-noon and 5-6 p.m. July 18. On July 14 and 16, they will be performing at Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop on the dock at Branson Landing 1:30-3:30 p.m. both days.

American Kids will be featured in pre-shows on July 15 at Hamner Barber Variety Theatre and on July 16 at the Baldknobbers Theatre. Pre-shows are expected to begin about 7:30 p.m.

The entertainer judged as the top performer in the gospel category will be invited to perform on July 19 at the 10 a.m. Grand Old Gospel Hour at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.

Kids presenting some 250 acts will compete in the membership talent contest judged by an impressive slate of national and celebrity judges. Competition begins at 9 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with an awards ceremony on Friday morning. Wednesday has been dedicated to performance workshops rather than competition.

The competition will conclude with the AllStar Show at 2 p.m. Friday, July 17, where 25 of the top acts will be showcased. One winner will be selected as Performer of the Year and receive a $1,500 cash prize and the opportunity to guest star on the Penny Gilley Show on RFD TV. Tickets to the show are $10 and available at the door.

For more information call the national general manager Brenda Hoffstatter at 1-800-377-8117 OR 417-337-8964 or go to the website at www.americankids.com.

The Grand Village Shops is having Christmas in July event with free events, activities for all ages going all month long.

Hollister Chamber of Commerce Monthly Membership & Networking Luncheon
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks
Networking begins at 11:30 am with lunch and program to follow.
Cost is $15.00 per person.
Our program will be:

Dawn Busick
Ozarks Technical Community College
Economic and Workforce Development in the Community

Lunch Sponsor
White River Valley Electric Cooperative
(417) 335-9231

Please RSVP by Noon on Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Phone: 417.334.3050
Email: [email protected]

The public is invited to numerous free activities this week marking the grand opening of Morningside, the residential community that is home to televangelist Jim Bakker.  Morningside is a residential project on 560 acres, owned by developer Jerry Crawford, who credits Bakker with saving his marriage years ago and is located at the junction of Missouri 86 and 13 in Blue Eye, Missouri, about 30 miles south of Branson.

Starting June 29, events including concerts and seminars are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It includes the opportunity to watch the taping of the nationally syndicated Jim Bakker TV Show inside the complex that resembles a small village with a central courtyard called Grace Street. Also, the Tabernacle in Peaceful Valley will be dedicated.

The schedule of events may be found at www.jimbakkershow.com or call 417-779-9000. Evening concerts are at 7 p.m. and include performances by Ronnie and Glory-Ann Prophet on Monday, Dino and Cheryl Kartsonakis on Tuesday and a youth concert featuring Bill Ballenger and Kevin Shorey on Wednesday. Thursday’s concert features Jim Bakker with Barbara Fairchild and Roy Morris. Friday features the Frontline Worship Concert and Saturday a line-up of guests include the Rankin Brothers.

The Downtown Branson Main Street Association (DBMA) is working on the 2nd annual Piccadilly Gala to be held on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at the Branson Convention Center in Branson, MO. Our theme this year will be “Vanilla & Chocolate Affair.” Over 250 women will feel the hospitality of Downtown business owners while they enjoy an upscale catered dinner, live entertainment, silent auction and the favorite, Piccadilly Auction. Proceeds from this event will be used towards revitalization and marketing of our downtown corridor.

This event has become a highly anticipated evening by those attending and we are asking you to support this fundraiser and showcase your business by contributing one or more items. Your donated item(s) will be offered in the silent auction and/or the Piccadilly Auction.   Donations may be dropped off at the Downtown Branson Main Street office located at 119 W. Pacific anytime before Thursday, October 8th 2009.  Meeting this deadline will ensure your business will be listed in the program. If you need more information or would like your item to be picked up, please call 334-1548. Deadlines are firm so please mark your calendar.

Businesses have the opportunity to be involved by placing an advertisement in the Piccadilly Gala program or by sponsoring a table. For $500.00 you will receive a table for ten guests or individual ticket price is $50.00. If you are interested, please call 334-1548 for more information.
Contribution will be tax deductible as the Downtown Branson Main Street is a non-profit organization. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes. Thank you for making a difference in the heart of your community.

For additional information contact the DBMA at 417-334-1548.

(Branson, MO)  –  Start keeping score and start living a healthier life through Skaggs Regional Medical Center’s newest program, My Life.   It’s designed to identify key areas needing attention, helping you live a healthy lifestyle.

Do you know what your BMI is?  How about your cholesterol ratio?  And do you know what those numbers SHOULD be?  Pick up a My Life score card and get the answers at the next Skaggs Community Health Screening, scheduled for June 24, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., at Skaggs Medical West, #2 Kimberling Blvd., Kimberling City, Missouri.

No appointment is needed for the following screenings:  Cholesterol, $10 (12-hour fast is required); PSA, $10; colorectal occult blood test kit, $5; and body mass index (BMI), height, weight, blood pressure, and hearing, FREE.  For more information call Skaggs Community Relations, (417) 335-7140.

Skaggs Community Health Screening
Skaggs Medical West
#2 Kimberling Blvd.
Kimberling City, MO 65686
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

This year’s “Small Business & Charity of the Year Dinner” is an important opportunity to honor business owners who may have faced concerns in the current economy, said Karen Hall of Ozark Mountain Bank, one of the event’s sponsors.

This is the 11th year for the event which will be held with a reception beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at Buckinghams in the Clarion Hotel at the Palace. The event presented by the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is a way to recognize business owners who provide a significant and consistently positive contribution to the community. This year, an award also will be given in the not-for-profit category, said Director of Membership Services Ladona Johnson.

This year’s theme is “Small Businesses Are The Heartbeat of Branson,” and that’s an accurate sentiment, Hall said. “The sustaining factor for a community of any size is their small businesses. In our community, they are not necessarily those who cater to the tourism business, but to the people who live and breathe and work here, and they know who you are, and they have what you want.”

This is a good year to let those businesses know they are important to this community, Hall said. “People are concerned about where the economy is going and if they will be able to withstand what’s happening,” Hall said.

Not-for-profit agencies also face added challenges this year. Scott Earls, owner of The Vacation Channel, is sponsoring the award for the Charity of the Year.

Reservations for the event featuring a prime rib dinner are due by June 15. Cost is $35 per person, and seating is limited. Contact Ladona Johnson at 417-334-4084, ex. 314 or email [email protected].

The annual Skaggs Classic presented by CenturyTel is scheduled for Monday, June 15.  This year’s golf tournament is being held at the new Payne Stewart Golf Club.  Proceeds will be used to provide scholarships to patients enrolled in the Skaggs Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation program.  The featured item for live auction is a black 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe donated in part by Branson Auto Museum.  Other featured items include two trips to Arizona, a trip to Las Vegas, and a limited edition print of the late Payne Stewart.  Tickets to attend the party are $30 per person.  Please call Skaggs Foundation at (417) 348-8998 to purchase tickets or obtain additional information on this year’s event.

Hollister Chamber Monthly Membership & Networking Luncheon

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks

Cost is $15.00 per person.

Networking begins at 11:30 am with lunch and program to follow.

Our program will be
White River Valley Electric Cooperative
Climate Change Legislation and the Impact on usinesses and Our Community

Lunch Sponsor
Dazzee Integrations
(417) 334-0494

Dessert Sponsor
Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks
(417) 335-2089

Please RSVP by Noon on Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Phone: 417.334.3050
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 417.334.5501