Expert: Acrobatics
By Liz Ellis, Reporter At age 13, Jessica Allen began to coach her own gymnastics class. Five years later, she opened Xtreme Gymnastics and Dance, and her students have been winning awards and trophies ever since. “I would never hire a 13-year-old myself, but I guess they saw something in me,” Allen said. Since its [...]
Column: Real estate gloom and doom: fact or fiction?
As I get ready to head to the office, I hear Ali Velshi on CNN spreading gloom and doom about the real estate market. ”Foreclosures. Declining home starts. Falling prices.” Wow, maybe I should just stay home today. Why bother? Then it hits me; yesterday wasn’t a bad day at work. In fact, this has been a good month for [...]
Expert: Massage therapy
By Liz Ellis, Reporter “Therapists are just like shoes: they have to fit you right,” Adkins Chiropractic & Wellness massage therapist Lora Butler said. “You and your best friend aren’t going to wear the exact same kind of shoe, because you’re not going to agree on what you like the best. It’s the same with [...]
Expert: Used Books
By Liz Ellis, Reporter Located in a small, square, white building near the library, The Book Shop is a haven for all book lovers. The bright, yet cozy interior is stuffed full of books in every genre imaginable, with bookcases lining the walls of its many rooms. All of its papery denizens are used hardcover [...]
Press Release: Schultz and Summers employee named chamber ambassador
Debby Norris, the human resource manager at Schultz and Summers Engineering, has been chosen as one of the new ambassadors for the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are proud to have Debby in our Ambassador program,” chamber president Steve Halter said. “Their efforts to welcome new business to the chamber are very [...]
New hospitals will ensure Poplar Bluff’s growth, officials say
By Tim Krakowiak, Managing Editor Local medical officials say a key component to sustaining Poplar Bluff’s projected growth with highway improvements and planned retail development is stopping the flow of health care tourism to larger city hospitals. With state approval of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center’s replacement hospital last week, subsequent to Poplar Bluff Medical [...]
Expert: Coffee
By Liz Ellis, Reporter For most people, a cup of coffee is simply a pick-me-up, brewed in the early hours of the morning between showering, getting ready and rushing out the door for work. But for Melissa Graber, owner of Hot Shotz Coffee Haus, coffee is so much more. “It’s the one word that people [...]
How the once dead Mansion Mall became the heart of our retail district
By Tim Krakowiak, Managing Editor Poplar Bluff’s retail sector has migrated northward from downtown to Westwood Boulevard over the past several decades, with business transitioning to the large-scale developments of Valley Plaza, Mansion Mall and Poplar Bluff Square. The trend continues with Eight Points developers planning $75 million in new retail for the end of [...]
Press Release: PBRMC Receives ‘OK’ to Build New Hospital at Eight Points
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center’s application to relocate its new 250-bed state-of-the-art hospital in the Eight Points development district was unanimously approved today by the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee, hospital officials announced. “This is a significant day for Poplar Bluff and we are thankful for all the support the community [...]
Expert: Dog Grooming
By Liz Ellis, Reporter In the world of human hair salons, feather hair extensions and bright colors are one of many fads and trends available to make you stand out and make a statement. Why should a doggy salon be any different? Patty Panagos, owner of Doggy Designs in Poplar Bluff, says that there’s no [...]
Expert: Cave Diving
By Liz Ellis, Reporter The Discovery and the National Geographic channels are full of images of swirling fish and deep underwater caves with fantastic structures and interesting creatures. However, for Ed Pavey, owner of Ozark Dive Co., seeing the images on TV is not quite enough. “It’s peaceful, it’s serene,” Pavey said. “The water is [...]
Expert: Social Networking
By Liz Ellis, Reporter Since Facebook’s conception in 2004, it has grown into a worldwide network of people and businesses, allowing for more far-reaching connections than ever before. Millions of businesses, both local and international, have a presence on the popular site. Robert “Bookstore Bob” Jansen was one of the pioneers who used Facebook in 2007, [...]
Expert: Custom Jewelry
By Liz Ellis, Reporter Anyone can walk into a jewelry store and walk out with a set of diamond earrings, a cute little ruby-studded heart necklace, or even an engagement ring. We know that when we purchase from a store, that there will be several other people with the exact same item. However, what if [...]
Expert: Picture Framing
By Liz Ellis, Reporter When you think about art, no doubt numerous famous paintings or photographs come to mind—Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, or Van Gogh’s Starry Night, for example. Most people know such paintings and admire them for their beauty and craftsmanship. But how many people stop to look at the frames protecting and displaying [...]
Expert: Marketing Campaigns
By Liz Ellis, Reporter Running a successful marketing campaign is tricky, and can walk a fine line between innovative and disastrous, between creative and annoying. Tabitha Thomas of Relentless Media Productions said that traditional thinking and time-tested techniques may not always be the best way to go. “Think outside of the box,” Thomas said. “When [...]
This week we report about the upcoming special election for the Poplar Bluff Public Library to collect an additional sales tax and replace its existing property tax; the Poplar Bluff Garden Club turns 75; Apron Liberation Day is today; and our Healthy Lifestyles expert is back, encouraging readers to celebrate!