Local road crews have been working diligently to add additional turn lanes while widening 76 from Roark Valley Road to 6th Street. The intended outcome is to ease the bottleneck when upon entering and exiting Highway 65 from the 76 strip. The recent road additions have caused major delays and increased traffic congestion for the last several months. Fortunately, the job is almost finished, with final paving to begin in the next couple of days. 05/04/2007

Gerken & Associates, city officials and Tri-Lakes area businesses celebrated the National Day of Prayer at the 6th Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. A record crowd of 586 filled the Convention Hall at Celebration City sponsored by the Branson Christian Businessmen's Committee. Paul Teas, founder of Camp Barnabas, was the featured speaker, giving personal accounts of his faith. The Christian summer camp allows children with special needs the opportunity to get a summer camp experience. Each summer, Camp Barnabas hosts more than 1,000 campers during nine, one-week terms. 05/04/2007

Priced below appraised value! Affordable, well-maintained 3 bedroom, 2 full bath patio home with large 2 car garage. Home has beautiful landscaping and sits on nice FLAT lot with back deck overlooking Fall Creek Resort. Centrally and conveniently located in peaceful new neighborhood just five minutes from the 76 Strip. Heatherbrooke subdivision features brand new pool, lawn care and outside building maintenance. A great investment property or primary home. Slideshow & Information: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Branson/Missouri/Homes/Branson/Branson/Agent/Listing_1069803.html 05/04/2007

Plans have been announced for a new signaled intersection between Fall Creek Road and Highway 76. The intersection will be built between the unoccupied Ozark Mountain Inn and Silver Fountain Motel, with the extension of Fall Creek connecting to Epps Road. Work has already begun on Fall Creek and construction is scheduled to be completed within 6 months. The American Bandstand is expanding its operation, which will utilize the intersection by adding another restaurant and enlarging its parking lot. 04/26/2007

The Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors held their annual awards dinner last night. At the event, recognition was given to all four Gerken family members for their continued service to the board as each was conducted into the 2006 Honor Society. In addition, all four Gerken family members were paid tribute for their generous donations to RPAC (Realtor Political Action Committee), a group which raises funds for those in political office whom are supportive of protecting private property rights. Kay Gerken was also recognized for spearheading this year's Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors Leadership class. 04/26/2007

The numbers are in. The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau marketing plan's budget for 2007 is set at $8,082,178. The city of Branson contributed $2,550,000 to the budget. Most of the budget goes towards television spots advertising to larger cities within a 300-500 driving range from Branson. The ad campaign will showcase Branson's outdoor activities as well as its numerous shopping and entertainment venues. 04/25/2007

The seventh annual Branson Motorcycle Rally, showcasing all types of motorcycle makes and models, will be held May 17-20. Dozens of vendors will be on site promoting the latest in motorcycle apparel, custom motorcycles, parts, food and beverage. Registrants will have the opportunity to participate in guided trips, drill team performances, bike shows, trail exhibitions, live bands, and the opportunity to ride through the gorgeous Ozark Mountains. All proceeds will be donated to local charities. 04/25/2007

Jean Cargile completed and passed the GRI-401 course and exam held in Columbia, Missouri. GRI-401 addresses an assortment of tools and techniques used in price counseling negotiations, seller counseling sessions, building and perfecting one's listing strategy as well as new twists on tried and true listing practices. Currently there are six Gerken & Associates Realtors who have attained the GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) designation. Jean has accumulated over 55 hours towards hers. 04/23/2007

The Branson School Board approved the district's increases in teacher salary for next school year. The new pay schedule goes into effect at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year. The increase was made possible through the district's operating levy, which was approved by Branson voters this month. The salary schedule allows teachers to gain raises each year they work as well as additional education they continue to receive. 04/23/2007

The reason I am in Hawaii and in real estate is my older half-brother Russ Prothero. Back in the early 1970s he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.  He found himself doing real tough duty.  He was stationed in Kaneohe, Hawaii.  While here he met Debbie Hotchkiss and they dated.  When he finished his time in the Marine Corps, they got married and moved to the mainland.After a few years they were drawn back to the islands. Debbie's father Guy was an extremely successful real estate investor and contractor on Oahu.  Russ was an electrician and a very good carpenter, so it was a natural match they get together.  Over the next few years Russ worked with the father-in-law on his properties and also made a wise purchase or two of his own.After many years in Hawaii Russ and his wife Debbie moved... 04/19/2007

Harriet Leenerts, Kay and Duane Gerken attended the Missouri Association of Realtors (MAR) quarterly Business Conference and Directors' meeting held at the Ritz Hotel in St. Louis. All three serve as MAR State Directors representing the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors. Duane and Kay are members of MAR's Economic Development Council and helped with plans being formulated for a statewide Commercial Information Exchange (CIE). This will allow Realtors as well as the State of Missouri's Department of Economic Development (MODED) to access the availability of properties for sale and lease in Missouri. As a member of the Cultural Diversity Committee, Harriet helped make funds available for 19 members of MAR to go to Georgia to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity. 04/17/2007

Although the new $50 million Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson is still under construction, "Noah - the Musical," the first production to be performed at the venue, made its local debut at the Welk Resort Theatre during BransonFest. The musical retells the Biblical story of Noah's arc. When the Sight and Sound Theatre is completed in June 2008, "Noah - the Musical," will be performed on a 300-foot-long, 40-foot-tall wrap-around stage that will surround the entire audience. The show will also include a cast of 50 actors and over 70 live animals. 04/16/2007

Gerken & Associates, the managing company for Branson Heights Shopping Center won a Beautification Award given by Blossoms of Branson. The award was in recognition for the colorful tulip gardens planted along the frontage of the shopping center's parking lot and Highway 76. Blossoms of Branson, a local volunteer group, encourages the beautification of Branson with blooming plants and shrubs. The group created a contest for home and business owners to create prolific plantings all over Branson. 04/09/2007

The first three levels of the new downtown parking garage for the Branson Convention Center opened this week to the public, making room for over 300 available parking spaces. Once completed, the parking structure will be able to accompany 500 vehicles. The new parking structure is accessible from Pacific Street in downtown Branson. The convention center is slated to open in late August. 04/09/2007

Branson has a new mayor. Voters elected Raeanne Presley as its mayor over 12 year incumbent mayor Lou Schaefer by a huge margin, about 83% to 17%. In the only aldermanic election involving an incumbent, retired Branson City Clerk, Sandra Williams, won over 12 year incumbent Ron Huff as a Ward II Alderman by a margin of about 73% to 27%. Bob McDowell won a contested election against a non incumbent, who had previously been an alderman, for a Ward I seat and Stephen Marshall ran unopposed for a Ward III seat. Mayor Presley and aldermen, Marshall, McDowell, and Williams will take their oath and assume duties at the April 9 meeting of the Branson Board of Aldermen. 04/09/2007

As Ferris Bueller once stated, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." That's certainly remains true with living in Branson, Missouri. Demolition is almost complete on the Shadowbrook Hotel. The landmark hotel use to sit between the Dick Clark Theater and Ramada Inn on Highway 76. It will now be the location for Dick Clark's Outdoor Event Center. 03/30/2007

Yesterday, I was invited to the ribbon cutting and grand celebration of the new RFD-Theater in Branson, Missouri featuring Country music superstar, Willie Nelson. Aside from being interviewed by legendary Ralph Emery on his new weekly television show on RFD-TV, Willie put on a full 2-hour concert performance with his sister Bobbie and the Willie Nelson Family band. Willie himself, use to have his own theater in Branson during the mid-90's. The new RFD-TV Theater is a 2,000 seat theater which was formerly the venue for Ray Stevens. RFD-TV purchased the 9-acre facility, located on the west-end of Highway 76, to produce a wide-variety of original and new programming that features a live audience.      03/30/2007

Jean Cargile completed and passed both the GRI-402 & 409 courses and exams. GRI-402 addresses property marketing issues, efficient advertising resources, Realtor safety and special needs of diverse clients. GRI-409 focuses on business planning and positioning for professional real estate agents. Topics include written business plans, productivity, organizational structures, budgeting, and the latest in technology and transaction management. Currently there are six Gerken & Associates Realtors who have attained the GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) designation. Jean has accumulated over 45 hours towards hers. Way to go Jean! 03/30/2007

Last week, I was invited to a breakfast meeting at the Branson Chamber where we heard the latest in efforts to maximize Branson's tourism season. The Branson Convention and Visitor Bureau is involved in a new advertising campaign that will reach a multitude of people throughout the United States. This is the first year that a combined-tax fund of $8 million from the Tourism Enhancement District is being used to promote Branson by way of television, radio, magazines, newspapers and the Internet. Last year was a record year in Branson tourism at almost 8 million visitors. The CVB's budget has now been doubled, so it'll be interesting to see what number of visitors this new ad campaign generates for Branson in 2007. 03/29/2007

The CBS daytime soap opera "As the World Turns" is still set to shoot in Branson. This month, the Branson Chamber of Commerce will give a tour to CBS executives so they are familiar with Branson and what the area has to offer. In addition, the Chamber and Taney County Enhancement District are donating $36,223 to help the production cast with airfare and housing services. The reasoning behind the donation is for all the Branson publicity the show is expected to generate. 03/29/2007