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Latest News

From the Mail Bag: Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D.

By Admin, Section From The Streets
Posted on Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 05:16:00 AM EST

Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden.

As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke I'd been drinking.

(593 words in story) Full Story

Law Enforcement: Past, Present, and Future

By Admin, Section From The Wires
Posted on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 11:20:25 AM EST

Upcoming Neighborhood Roundtable Forum: Best Opportunity for Residents to Communicate with Local Law Enforcement Agencies.

It is not everyday that residents of Springfield and Greene County have the opportunity to communicate with representatives of the Greene County Prosecutor's Office, the Greene County Sheriff's Department, the Springfield Police Department, the Missouri Highway Patrol, and Springfield Municipal Courts all at the same place and at the same time.

For those folks who would like the opportunity to do just that they are in luck because just such an event has been scheduled by the Neighborhood Roundtable.

Law Enforcement: Past, Present, and Future
What has changed in local law enforcement in the last few years?
Where are we compared to the past and where are we going in the future?

Date: November 12, 2007 @ 7pm
Location: The Fusion Center - 1321 N. Campbell
Across the street from the main church campus on Campbell Ave.
(Grey stone building with orange front on Campbell and Calhoun)

Each Panelist will have 2-3 minutes to introduce themselves and briefly describe the role each speaker's organization or agency has in Springfield/Greene County. Following introductions, the floor will open to a moderated question and answer period.

According to Neighborhood Roundtable Chairman Rob Brantley this tried and trusted moderated forum is a great opportunity for residents to ask those questions that may traditionally go unanswered yet at the same time provide a buffer to the panelists that protect them from potentially negative dialogue and assaultive discourse.

Community members who have attended past events have discovered that even cantankerous questions and issues can be explored through positive dialogue and discourse in a controlled environment.

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First official meeting of the Ozarks Minutemen

By Admin, Section From The Streets
Posted on Thu Nov 08, 2007 at 09:21:02 AM EST

This Tuesday November 13th at 6:00pm at the Library Center on south Campbell will be the first official meeting of the Ozarks Minutemen.

The purpose for the meeting will be to lay out our timeline for our restructuring. The who's and what's of the organization.

If you missed the last meeting, and are wondering what is going on, or you are wondering what you can do to assist in this process, I would encourage you to make an effort to attend.

As always we encourage everyone to visit the website http://ozarksminutemen.com

Bryan Dinsmore
Ozarks Minutemen

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Nelson Mandela's grandson speaks at Drury

By Admin, Section Events
Posted on Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 07:39:54 AM EST

Date: Oct 25, 2007

Description: If one person from the last half-century-plus knows anything about peace, it's Nelson Mandela. We presume that spirit has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. Today we'll get proof, as Prince Cedza Dlamini, Mandela's grandson, speaks on "Sharing Ubuntu with the World" at Drury's Clara Thompson Hall at 11 a.m.

Ubuntu is an African term encompassing respect, integrity and tolerance. The speech is part of Drury's 2007-08 convocation series, titled Hope & Action. Admission is free.

Cost: Free
Location: Clara Thompson Hall
900 N. Benton Ave.
Springfield, MO

For more information:
Telephone: 417-873-7883
Contact name: Michael Hill
Website: http://www.drury.edu/section/section.cfm?sid=318

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Formation of the Ozarks Minutemen

By Admin, Section From The Wires
Posted on Sun Oct 14, 2007 at 08:22:00 AM EST

At the meeting held October 9th at the Library Center on South Campbell, the Ozarks MCDC took a vote to form a new organization called the Ozarks Minutemen.

After discussing many of the issues that affect us directly, here in the Ozarks, we determined that we were unable to confront many of them due to restraints placed upon us by the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps. In no way are we asking that any of our members leave the MCDC unless they so choose, as we do continue to support the many issues that they stand for.

Our new organization has a website

This site is designed to distribute information, encourage debate, and help draw attention to the issues that we may face today.

The Ozarks Minutemen is a group that will not only take on national issues, but can now take on issues that are of interest to us locally in the Ozarks.

Our next meeting will be held at the Library Center on November 13th at 6:00 pm. I would encourage anyone who may have missed the last meeting, or anyone who is interested in becoming part of the Ozarks Minutemen to attend.

Brian Wilburn
417-234-5874

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News-Leader - Gifts do not influence actions, local legislators say

By Admin, Section From The Wires
Posted on Tue Oct 09, 2007 at 12:03:27 PM EST

Hospital group, telecom companies top list of generous lobbyists.

by Amos Bridges, News-Leader

Want to know who was buying lunch this year for local legislators?

Telecom companies, a hospital group and Springfield City Utilities were among the groups picking up the largest tabs during the 2007 session, according to a database of lobbyist gifts from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31.

All told, 13 Springfield-area legislators, their families and staff accepted about $9,500 in gifts, with food and drinks accounting for the vast majority of expenses.

State law requires lobbyists to report meals, entertainment or other gifts they give to legislators, their staff or family. But local lawmakers said the reports are not evidence of groups buying influence.

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Online Survey - Mental Health in Schools (MHIS)

By Admin, Section From The Streets
Posted on Mon Oct 08, 2007 at 03:30:05 AM EST

We would like to ask you to fill out a survey that looks at school-based mental health services. The purpose of this research is to learn about parents' beliefs about these services.

The survey should take about 30-40 minutes to finish. If you have more than one child, please fill out the survey for your oldest child in school. Please only fill out one survey per family. We do not need your name or other personal information such as address and phone number. This is voluntary; you may choose to not answer any of the survey questions, and may have your data removed from this study at any time.

We do not expect any risks for you in filling out the survey. All data collected in this study is confidential and may not be traced to any one person. The data will be stored in a locked cabinet in the researcher's office or in confidential computer files.

If you have any questions or concerns about this study, or if any problems come up, you may call the Project Director, Dr. James R. Koller, at (573) 882-4972. Research team members, Andrew Selders and Amanda Paul can be reached at (573) 882-4972. You may also contact Michele Reznicek, Compliance Officer for the MU Campus IRB, at (573) 884-6512.

To give consent you must be 18 years of age or older. By filling out the survey, you are saying that you are 18 years of age or older and you agree to do this study. If you want to know the findings of this study, please email Amanda Paul at abpfyc@mizzou.edu with your contact information.

Thank you for your participation.

Take The Survey Now

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Convoy of Hope Outreach - Oct. 27, 2007

By Admin, Section Events
Posted on Mon Oct 08, 2007 at 02:56:29 AM EST

Convoy of Hope will be doing 8 separate Outreach Events in our area on "Make A Difference Day" on Oct. 27, 2007.

There will be 3 separate Outreach Events in Springfield that day.

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