Drury University Accounting Students will help you file your taxes for FREE!
Tax time sucks. There's just no "nice" way to put it. But if you want help with your taxes, the accounting students at Drury University will help you for free!
According to a release from Drury, the annual service is open to the public and designed to benefit low-income taxpayers.
Clinics will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the following dates:
- Monday, Feb. 5
- Monday, Feb. 12
- Monday, Feb. 19
- Monday, Feb. 26
The tax service is located at an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site and accepts mostly walk-ins. The site is located at the C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly Enterprise Center (at the corner of Central Street and Drury Lane).
All returns will be filed electronically unless the IRS requires a manual return and taxpayers must be available to sign any necessary forms.
More information about the tax clinics, documents needed to file a return and taxpayers who may not be eligible for assistance is available on Drury’s website.
Community members with questions can also contact Cossey at 417-873-7383 or by emailing [email protected].
Record Store Day 2023
Vinyl lovers rejoice! Record Store Day 2023 is upon us! Mark your calendar for November 24th! There’s a nice mix of artists to choose from. Check out this years list of releases that will be available!
WHERE TO FIND FALL FESTIVALS IN THE OZARKS
If you’re looking for something to do with the family, then check this out. The Fall Festivals are coming up and here’s a pretty big list of places to go and things to do.
Sunflower Patches:
Country Roads, Stotts City, Mo., Sunflower Festival September 2-17: CLICK HERE: https://countryroads.farm/missouri-sunflower-festival/
Willard Sunflower Days, September 7-September 21: CLICK HERE: https://www.willardparks.com/sunflower-days.html
7 C’s Winery, Walnut Grove, Mo., CLICK HERE: https://www.7cswinery.com/sunflower.html
Pumpkin Patches/Corn Mazes:
Feemster’s Twisted Corn Maze, Through October 15: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094718215574
Exeter Corn Maze, Through November 2: CLICK HERE: https://www.exetercornmaze.com/
Barnhouse Pumpkin Patch, Beginning September 14: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/barnhousepumpkinpatch
Silver Dollar City: Harvest Festival Featuring Crafts & Pumpkins In the City, September 15-October 28: CLICK HERE: https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/festivals/harvest-festival/
Country Roads, Stotts City, Mo., Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze September 23-October 29: CLICK HERE: https://countryroads.farm/
Shepherd of the Hills: Shepherd’s Pumpkinfest, September 22-October 29: CLICK HERE: https://theshepherdofthehills.com/shepherds-pumpkinfest/
SEPTEMBER 2023:
Seymour Apple Festival, September 7-9: CLICK HERE: https://seymourapplefestival.com/?fbclid=IwAR2CETvkYshnwhRUlwWfqUlZFBTaOrDYtumfYK-v1PWMO1bCgQrldLtzzew
Cole Camp Downtown Fair, September 7-9: CLICK HERE: https://www.colecampmo.com/
Springfield’s St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Harvest Home September 8-9: CLICK HERE: https://www.seaschurch.org/harvest-home
Japanese Fall Festival, Springfield, September 8-10: CLICK HERE: https://peacethroughpeople.org/events/japanese-fall-festival/
Buffalo Celtic Festivals, Buffalo, Mo., September 8-9: CLICK HERE: https://www.buffaloareachamber.org/celticfestival
Conway Community Days, September 8-9: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/conwaycommunitydays/
21st Annual Buffalo River Bluegrass Festival, September 7-9: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/buffaloriverbluegrass/
Shepherd of the Hills Fall Craft Fair, Branson, September 8-10: CLICK HERE: https://theshepherdofthehills.com/events/
Your Life Matters Rally, Osage, Ark., September 9: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/Osage-Baptist-Church-324428269087/
Society of Ozarkian Hillcrofters 2023 Old Country Fair, Branson, September 9: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ozarkianhillcrofters
Bolivar Country Days, September 9: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/downtownbolivar
Crocker Railroad Days, September 9: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/CrockerCP
Bikefest, Camdenton, Mo., September 13-17: CLICK HERE: https://lakebikefest.com/
Starvy Creek Fall Festival, Conway, Mo., September 14-16: CLICK HERE: https://starvycreek.com/september-festival
Branson Autumn Daze, September 14-16: CLICK HERE: https://www.explorebranson.com/event/autumn-daze-arts-crafts-music-festival/2496
Ozarks Steam Engine Association- Steam O Rama, Ash Grove, Mo. September 14-17: CLICK HERE: https://steamorama.com/?fbclid=IwAR1TeWB7gD9iKxo7gF8hp9HYU9F7tGPJdiWX4Ywi2iH5xya2q1GW96cAIyc
Marshfield Harvest Days, September 15-16: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057586954673
Marionville Apple Fest, September 15-16: CLICK HERE: http://www.marionvilleapplefest.com/index.html
Fall Festival Cow Days 2023, Dixon, September 15-16: CLICK HERE: https://www.dixonchamberofcommerce.com/
St. Joseph the Worker Car Show, Ozark, September 16: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/241133088746240
Cider Days on Walnut Street, Springfield, September 16-17: Click Here: https://www.itsalldowntown.com/ciderdays/
1860′s Lifestyle Exposition, Springfield, Sept 16-17: CLICK HERE: https://www.graycampbellfarmstead.org/index.html
State of the Ozarks Fall Festival, Hollister, September 16: CLICK HERE: http://stateoftheozarks.net/showcase/events/soto-fest/
Annual Mead Fest, Walnut Grove, Mo, September 16: CLICK HERE: https://www.7cswinery.com/meadfest/meadfest.html
Fina’s Outdoor Vendor Market, September 17: CLICK HERE: https://www.finasmarket.com/events/
Hootin an Hollarin, Gainesville, September 21-23: CLICK HERE: https://hootinanhollarin.com/
HOBA Bluegrass Festival, West Plains, September 21-23: CLICK HERE: https://hobabluegrass.wixsite.com/mysite/september-2021-festival
Wilder Days 2023, Mansfield, September 22: CLICK HERE: https://www.mansfieldmochamber.org/
Lockwood “September Days,” September 22-23: Click Here: http://www.lockwoodseptemberdays.com/
Highlonesome Music Festival, Ava, September 22-24: CLICK HERE: https://www.dockleyranch.com/highlonesomemusicfest.html
Route 66 Hogs & Frogs Festival, Waynesville, September 22-24: CLICK HERE: https://www.route66hogsandfrogsfest.com/
Phillipsburg Village Park, Phillipsburg, September 23:
Fair Grove Heritage Reunion, Fair Grove, September 23: CLICK HERE: https://www.fg-historical.org/
Celebration of Nations, Rolla, September 23: CLICK HERE: https://nations.mst.edu/
Bluegrass on the Square, Greenfield, September 23: CLICK HERE: https://www.greenfieldmochamber.com/
Rhodes Mtn. Family Music Festival, Fredricktown, Mo., September 28-30: CLICK HERE: https://thepunches.org/rhodesmountainfamilymusicfestival
Black Walnut Festival in Stockton, September 28-30: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/The-Black-Walnut-Festival-438858122954851/
DCO’s Wine & Whiskey Walk, Springfield, September 29: CLICK HERE: https://www.dcoonline.com/events
Fairbanks Fall Festival, Springfield, September 29: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/709392241010115
Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks, Ava, September 29-30: CLICK HERE: https://heritage417.com/?fbclid=IwAR3hh9u2hBshWGW5ICll9LKNaAOFDxHFUoE627e2RSGcnZxPqSXGefuaf3w
Billings Merchants Fall Festival, September 30: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/Billings-Merchants-Association-1893727534286315/
Rockin Rogersville, September 30: CLICK HERE: https://rockinrogersville.com/
2023 Smokin’ the Ozarks EGGfest, Nixa, Mo., September 30: CLICK HERE: https://outdoorhome.com/pages/2023-eggfest-at-outdoor-home
Fall Festival at the Barley House, Springfield, September 30: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/2324887414366084
Fall Festival and Antique Market, Fordland, September 30: CLICK HERE: https://www.schofieldgray.com/event-details/fall-festival-and-antique-market-2
T’s Disability Acceptance 5k Run, September 30: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/838619664027896
Newton County Homecoming Shindig & Car Show, Jasper, Ark., September 30: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/1331843817404939?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
OCTOBER 2023:
Maple Leaf Festival in Carthage, The Month of October: CLICK HERE: https://carthagechamber.com/maple-leaf
Branson Oktoberfest at Faith Lutheran, October 1: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/BransonOktoberfest/
Hillberry Music Festival, Eureka Springs, October 4-8: CLICK HERE: https://hillberryfestival.com/
Republic Pumpkin Daze, October 6-7: CLICK HERE: https://republicpumpkindaze.com/
Cackle Hatchery’s Annual Chicken Festival, Lebanon, Mo., October 6-7: CLICK HERE: https://www.cacklehatchery.com/annual-chicken-festival/
Open Doors United Methodist Church’s 3rd Annual Fall Craft Fair, Blue Eye, Mo., October 6-7: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/Open-Doors-United-Methodist-Church-of-Blue-Eye-367309026618609
Ozark Craft Fair, Ozark, October 6-8: CLICK HERE: https://www.ozarkcraftfair.com/
Bear City Fall Festival, Willow Springs, October 7: CLICK HERE: https://www.wschamber.net/post/bear-city-fall-festival?fbclid=IwAR3b-BzKEmMK_W8nhzgX-r7ZbnE0NQHGJiA3i00PxGtcox6E_7nxDe0KIHk
Junior League’s Annual Fall Home Tour, Springfield, October 7: CLICK HERE: https://www.jlspringfield.org/support/fallhometour/
Harvest Homecoming, Harrison, October 7: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/harvesthomecoming/
Harvest Moon Festival, Forsyth, October 7: CLICK HERE: https://forsythmissouri.org/events/harvest-moon-festival/
Fall Craft and Vendor Fair, Lebanon, October 7: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/lebanonfirstchurch
Cassidy Women’s Fall Bazaar & Bake Sale, Nixa, October 11: CLICK HERE: https://www.l-rffaboosterclub.com/events.html
Lake Area Fiber Arts Festival, Camdenton, October 13-14: CLICK HERE: https://www.lakefiberarts.com/about-lake-area-fiber-artists/2023-fiber-arts-festival
77th Annual Turkey Trot Festival, Yellville, Ark., October 13-14: CLICK HERE: https://yellvilleturkeytrot.com/
Apple Butter Makin’ Days in Mt. Vernon, October 13-15: CLICK HERE: https://www.mtvchamber.com/apple-butter-makin-days.html
Lake Fiber Arts Festival, Camdenton, October 13-14: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeareafiberartsfestival
55th Annual Scenic Riverways Arts & Crafts, Eminence, Mo., October 14: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/1360142061582294?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
Oktoberfest on the Square 2023, Ozark, October 14: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/167551706346043/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
Niangua Fall Festival, Niangua, October 14: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550316061625
Thayer Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival, October 14: CLICK HERE: http://www.thayer-chamber.com/
Har-FEST, Buffalo, Mo., October 14: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/515180199589133
Hollister Grape and Fall Festival, October 14: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/HollisterGrapeFest/
Boot Country Craft Show, Bolivar, October 14: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/266668865746784/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
Jeepin for a Cure, Ozark, October 14: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/652486156221643
Arts in the Park, Springfield, October 14-15: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/artcraftguild
The Coleman Vault’s 5th Annual Family Fun Day, Marionville, October 15: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/594566052810039
Pathways UMC 2023 Craft Fair, Springfield, October 20: CLICK HERE: https://pathwaysumc.org/
Iberia Fall Fest, Iberia, Mo., October 20-21: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/IberiaCommunityBettermentAssociation
Sparta Persimmon Days Festival, October 20-21: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/688011803157385/
Autumn Harvest, West Plains, October 21: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1158714288006644/?ref=share
Lake of the Ozarks Woodcarvers show, Camdenton, October 21: CLICK HERE: https://www.lakeozarkswoodcarvers.org/annual-club-show
62nd Annual Glade Top Trail Flaming Fall Revue – Music & BBQ, Ava, October 21: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064901851509
Pets & Pumpkins, Springfield, October 21: CLICK HERE: http://www.petsandpumpkins.com/home.html
Mt. Pisgah Ladies’ Aid Bazaar, Cabool, October 21: https://www.facebook.com/MPLACabool
Warsaw Heritage Days, October 21-22: CLICK HERE: https://welcometowarsaw.com/tourism/festivals-and-events/?utm_source=madden&utm_medium=googlecpc&utm_campaign=semc-mo&utm_content=benton_county_events&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-NaJBhDsARIsAAja6dNFwgPIBm_M6PR59AG2uduLyCjU4P5a0JnXpng36DI2Hyopl3hCTKoaApxwEALw_wcB
Mystery Masquerade Ball, Fordland, October 28: CLICK HERE: https://www.castleshire.org/events.html
Greenfield Square Octoberfest, Greenfield, October 28: CLICK HERE: https://www.greenfieldmochamber.com/
Son-Rise Christian Church Handmade Craft Fair, Marshfield, Oct 28: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071157664428
NOVEMBER 2023:
Holiday Pop-Up Craft Fair, Carterville, Mo., November 4: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/502488745416138
Springfield Sertoma’s Wingapalooza, November 4: CLICK HERE: https://www.springfieldsertoma.org/events-1/2023-wingapalooza
LRFFA Booster Club Craft and Boutique Show, Rogersville, November 4: CLICK HERE: https://www.l-rffaboosterclub.com/
Honoring our Veterans Pow Wow, Springfield, November 4-5: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/americanindiancenter1
A Holiday Marketplace, Harrison, November 10-11: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064927620134
The Mistletoe Market at Pine Meadows, Willow Springs, November 11: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/632618302071132/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
Fall Craft Fair, Nixa, November 11: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/Donnascottage
Craft Fest 2023, Mountain Home, November 17-18: CLICK HERE: http://www.mhcraftfest.com/
Frisco Trail Craft Show, Willard, November 18: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/friscotrailcraftshow
Lake of the Ozarks Train Club Train Show, Camdenton: CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/lototrainclub
Turkey Trot (Springfield), November 23: CLICK HERE: https://www.parkboard.org/624/29th-Annual-Turkey-Trot
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Ever wanted to mess with a scammer? Thanks to AI, you can!
Are you sick of these scammers calling you trying to get you to hand over your hard earned cash? Well, worry no more! Thanks to the Jolly Roger Telephone Company! For $1.99 a month, you can get an AI bot to take these scam calls for you and they will waste the scammers time instead of the scammer wasting YOUR time.
In an article in The Wall Street Journal, 54-year-old Californian Roger Anderson explained how his mission in life, getting back at scam callers, started with an irritating phone message a decade ago. He now deploys cutting-edge artificial intelligence tech and audio cloning to keep scammers talking in circles.
Best yet, for $1.99 a month, his brainchild, now officially The Jolly Roger Telephone Company, can be used by anyone.
According to a short video tutorial, when you get a call about, say, your car's extended warranty, you can patch the caller in with the AI bot, who will take care of the rest, needlessly — and realistically — distracting scammers hungry for financial and other information.
You can choose various personalities to take the call, including Salty Sally, who's not afraid of profanity, enthusiastic Debbie Doldrums or the gruff Bloody Billy, to name a few. When the AI gets a sniff of what the caller wants, it can generate a realistic — but intentionally futile — conversation.
Anderson's program even includes a "Summon a Pirate" feature that makes things simpler for use on mobile phones. It also gives you a call log so you can happily listen to the AI voice frustrating the telemarketer afterward.
Click the link below to visit the Jolly Roger Telephone Company's website & to hear some sample calls.
Cooling Centers & Water Refill Stations in Springfield
It’s going to get real hot in the coming days and here is some information on how you can protect yourself and your pets from the heat:
To protect people against heat-related illness:
- Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty; avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine. Also, avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps
- Avoid strenuous work or exercise outside during the hottest part of the day. If that is not practical, take frequent breaks and remember to drink plenty of water.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle
Pet owners should also follow these tips to keep animals safe in the heat:
- Do not leave a pet unattended in a hot car.
- Always make sure pets have access to cool, clean, fresh water as well as adequate food and shelter.
- Walk your dog in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. If you must walk mid-day, shorten the distance. And keep your dog in the grass as much as possible, as hot sidewalks can burn the pads of their feet.
- Do not leave a dog outdoors unattended on a chain or tether. Long-term chaining during the summer can result in countless insect bites, dehydration, and heat stroke.
- If you see a child, pet, or unresponsive adult in a closed, parked vehicle, immediately call 911. For more information on staying safe in the heat, visit health.springfieldmo.gov/heat.
If you are out and about in town and you need a place to cool down for a bit, or perhaps you know someone who needs some relief from the heat, here’s a list of cooling centers in Springfield:
Cooling Centers
- The Library Center – 4653 S. Campbell
- Ozarks Regional YMCA – Pat Jones YMCA – 1901 E. Republic Rd.
- Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library – 2241 Brentwood Blvd
- Midtown Carnegie Branch Library – 397 E. Central St.
- OTC Shelter Service – 1001 E. Chestnut Expy
- Park Central Branch Library – 128 Park Central Square
- Library Station – 2535 N. Kansas Expy
- South Side Senior Center – 2215 South Fremont
- Chesterfield Family Center – 2511 W. Republic Rd
- Salvation Army Springfield – 1707 W Chestnut Expy
- Jordan Valley Ice Park – 635 E. Trafficway
- Dan Kinney Family Center – 2701 S. Blackman Rd
- Northview Senior Center – 305 E. Talmage
- Doling Family Center – 310 E. Talmage St
- Gerry Pool Senior Friendship Center (formerly Republic Senior Friendship Center – 210 East Hines, Republic
- Republic Branch Library – 921 N. Lindsey, Republic
- Willard Branch Library – 304 E. Jackson St., Willard
- Rogersville Area Senior Center – 197 S. Marshall, Rogersville
- Strafford Branch Library – 101 S. State Hwy 125, Strafford
- Strafford Senior Center – 201 W. Bumgarner, Strafford
- Union Hill Church Of Christ – 865 N. Nicholas Rd., Nixa
- Nixa Fire Station #1 – 711 N. Main,
- Nixa Fire Station #2 – 301 S. Nicholas Rd.
- Nixa Community Library Branch – 208 N. McCroskey St.
- Nixa Senior Center – 404 S. Main
- Ozark Senior Center – 727 N. 9th St
- Ozark Community Library Branch – 1005 N. 4th Ave
Connecting Grounds Water Refill Station
Currently, there are 9 stations out to provide clean, safe drinking water to those without stable shelter in our community. They will also help reduce the amount of plastic waste created with summer outreach, as they will give out 1,000 reusable water bottles through the outreach center and partner organizations. This was a project of The Connecting Ground’s lived experience cohort, who helped design the stations, build them, and install the completed ones at our host locations. Their first-hand knowledge of the dangers heat creates for individuals on the streets helped us create and place these new outreach tools! Each night the Connecting Grounds will have an outreach team that will visit each location to refill water and ice, pick up trash, and ensure everything is in good condition.
- First Unitarian Universalist Church – 2434 E. Battlefield Ave
- Brentwood Christian Church – 1900 E. Barataria St
- National Avenue Christian Church – 1515 S. National Ave
- University Heights Baptist Church – 1010 S. National Ave
- Christ Episcopal Church – 601 E Walnut St
- The Venues at 425 – 425 W. Walnut St
- TCG Outreach Center – 3000 W. Chestnut Expressway
- The Connecting Grounds – 4341 W. Chestnut Expressway
- Sacred Heart Church – 1609 N. Summit
Please see the links below for more information
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The Rolling Stones release restored videos for “Child of the Moon”
The Rolling Stones recently shared newly restored music videos for "Child of the Moon", one in 4K and one colorized version. Originally shot in 1968 as a promotional film, the clip, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, features all five original members of the band, along with actress Dame Eileen June Atkins. Check it out below!
Is touring broken?
Is touring actually broken or is it all messed up because of Ticketmaster? If Ticketmaster was no longer a thing, would touring be fixed?
“It’s over. The old days are gone,” Young declared in a message posted to his Neil Young Archives website. “I get letters blaming me for $3,000.00 tickets for a benefit I am doing. That money does not go to me or the benefit. Artists have to worry about ripped off fans blaming them for Ticketmaster add-ons and scalpers.”
Click the link below to read more
Highway To Heal
We already knew that doctors play music during surgeries, thanks to the hit show ER, but there is a new AI radio station that plays a spoof of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" called "Highway to Heal" It's called Lifesaving Radio and it has its own dedicated A.I. DJ—named for AC/DC guitarist Angus Young
Between songs, "Angus speaks directly to the surgical teams, offering encouragement and amping up the energy, since he knows who's in the room and what kind of procedure they're performing,"
Click the link to read more and to listen to "Highway To Heal".
Check out Billy Squier's new song!
It's been 25 years since Billy Squier released a new song and you can check it out below.
Per UltimateClassicRock.com
...as news broke of the Roe v. Wade reversal in 2022, Squier had what he called a "Neil Young moment" and knew he had to take action. "I felt like a lot of the sisters out there aren't going to be too happy today," he told radio host Eddie Trunk during a conversation to premiere the new song. "I was thinking I'd like to find a way to give them some support." The chorus he'd written a decade earlier proved to be the seed for "Harder on a Woman."
Click here to read the full article
Springfield is getting an Arena League team, but what are we gonna name it?
Who else is STOKED that we're getting an Arena League team??
With this announcement comes the opportunity for us in Springfield to help name the team. Click the link below to submit your suggestion. Open nominations will be accepted for three weeks and then a name will be chosen!
