March: Briefly in the News
Blind Boone
The 2015 Blind Boone Piano Concert Series began on Jan. 26 and will feature six shows throughout the year running through mid-September.
LaQuist+Solea Water
Columbia-based LaQuist boutique has teamed up with nonprofit Solea Water to create a custom shoe line. With every pair of shoes sold through LaQuist+Solea Water, $15 will go toward Solea Water’s clean water projects in Latin America, and TOMS One for One Movement will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. The line became available Feb. 1.
Westminster College
Westminster College recently received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs for the John E Simon Business Department in January. The college hopes the new accreditation will help bolster the school’s reputation among prospective students, faculty and donors.
Derby Dames
Following a $15,000 fundraising effort, the CoMo Derby Dames are returning to Columbia after a three-year stint in Jefferson City.
30th annual Taste of Mid-Missouri
The Mid-Missouri Restaurant Association will host its 30th annual Taste of Mid-Missouri March 16 at the University of Missouri Alumni Center on the MU campus. Proceeds from ticket sales and raffle will go toward scholarships for students in the MU Hospitality Management program. The association has already given out more than $150,000 in scholarships to students in the program. Advance tickets are available for $25 at The Heidelberg, Hy-Vee and Schnucks. Tickets will be sold at the door for $30.
Veteran’s United
Veterans United Home Loans will be one of the 50 companies honored by the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces Award at the awards gala on March 11 in Las Vegas.
Boone County 911
Moody’s Investors Service issued an Aa2 rating for the special obligation bonds being used to fund a new 911 call center for Boone County. Aa2 is the third-highest rating offered by the service. The bonds were sold through a competitive offering on Jan. 22. The call center, to be constructed north of Columbia near the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, is expected to cost more than $14 million, with $13.1 million coming from the special obligation bonds.
Urology
Urology Associates of Central Missouri merged with Missouri Cancer Associates earlier this year. Following the merger, Urology Associates will now be affiliated with the U.S. Oncology Network, a nationwide network of 1,000 independent community-based cancer physicians spanning medical and radiation oncology, surgery and urology.
“By Missouri Cancer Associates and Urology Associates joining forces in the fight against cancer, patients now have the luxury of participating in a seamless flow of care by the largest and most experienced cancer center in mid-Missouri,” says Mark Tungesvik, a medical oncologist at MCA.
Unclaimed property
Boone County Treasurer Nicole Galloway announced that unclaimed property returns have grown 33 percent, to $19,856 in 2014 over 101 returned accounts, signifying a new record. Boone County operates Missouri’s only county-based online unclaimed property system, to which Galloway credits the improvements. About $55,000 of unclaimed property remains in Boone County, including uncashed checks issued by the county. More than $7,000 was returned to businesses and more than $12,000 to individuals. Returns ranged from 15 cents to $2,740.
EveryEventGives
Local company EveryEventGives beat its seed fundraising goal by 40 percent, according to the company’s CFO Greg Wolff. EveryEventGives offers independent event planners and nonprofit organizations the opportunity to sell tickets and give 50 cents of the fees for every ticket sold to the charity of the event host’s choice.
Alex Trebek
Alex Trebek, most famous for his longtime role as the host of Jeopardy!, and his wife, Jean, will be funding a faculty position for Stephens College’s new Master of Fine Arts in TV and Screenwriting.
Apple Pay
Boone County National Bank will now offer Apple Pay to its patrons, with the projected start date around the end of February. All BCNB Master Card debit and credit cards will be available to access on compatible devices through the Passbook app.
“The ultimate idea is that you would have less stuff to carry,” says Mary Wilkerson, senior vice president of marketing at BCNB. “We see electronic payment in the next generation of payment options, and we are trying to be on the cutting edge of that.”
Columbia Values Diversity
Columbia CROP Hunger Walk and Robert Harrison Sr. were recognized during this year’s 18th annual Columbia Values Diversity Celebration on Jan. 15 at the Holiday Inn Expo Center. Awards are presented by the Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs to those who have made significant contributions promoting appreciation for diversity and cultural understanding in Columbia.
The theme for this year’s ceremony was “Harmonious Voices in a Diverse Community” and included presentations exhibiting diversity in the community, readings from the Student Writings Program, live music and the presentation of the awards. Around 960 people attended the event.
REDI/DBRL
Regional Economic Development Inc. and the Daniel Boone Regional Library have signed a memorandum of understanding to partner to provide support to new and emerging businesses in Columbia and Boone County. Through the agreement, the two organizations hope to better support small businesses by providing reference, training and data support.