Business Casual

Barbecue and music, as well as a report on agricultural markets, are planned as part of the 66^th Annual Beef Barbeque at the Kansas State Extension and Research unit on Monday.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the extension education center, 7001 W 21^st St N, with dinner served starting at 7 p.m.

The cost is $10 for adults and $7 for children aged 5 to 12. Reservations are requested by Friday. Those who plan to attend are asked to call Jackie at 316-660-0143, or go to www2013beefbbq.eventbrite.com

The Jammin Biscuits will be playing blue grass music. And Tom Leffler of Leffler Commodities will give the market report.

Sponsors include Andale Farmers Cooperative, Farmers Coop Elevator Company, Heartland Veterinary Services, Woods Cattle Company, and Prairieland Partners.

A study sponsored by the National Beer Wholesalers Association shows the economic impact of beer distribution companies nationally and by individual states.

The report said that Kansas beer distributors employ 1,116 people and generate $396 million in total economic impacts.

According to a news release from the association, the report was produced by Bill Latham and Ken Lewis at the Center for Applied Business and Economic Research at the University of Delaware.

Nationally, beer distribution companies are responsible for 345,000 “direct and indirect jobs,” Latham said in a statement, and “add $54 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product.”

“America’s 3,300 independent beer distributors are proud to directly employ more than 130,000 hard-working men and women in communities across the country, providing significant economic value at many levels,” said the association’s president Craig Purser in a statement.

George Halama has been named chief financial officer at McPherson Hospital, according to a news release from Via Christi Health.

Halama, who has more than 25 years of experience in health care finance, has been serving as interim CFO since joining the hospital in August.

“During this time, George has proven to be an effective leader and a good fit for our community and our hospital,” Rob Monical, president and chief executive officer for the 49-bed hospital, said in a statement.

Via Christi Health has managed the hospital since January 2011.

Halama’s earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., and his master’s degree in health administration with a concentration in finance from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Junior Achievement of Wichita will induct three members into the Wichita Business Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

This year’s honorees are: Patricia G. Koehler, president of JR Custom Metal Products, Inc.; Steve Clark, president of Clark Investment Group; and J.V. Lentell, vice chairman of Intrust Bank.

Criteria for the selections include business excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring leadership and dedication to the community.

The event begins at 7:15 p.m. at Wichita Hyatt.

Junior Achievement Wichita also will honor Nita Hansen of Cox Communications with the Othal Vrana Volunteer of the Year Award.

The Fran Jabara Scholarship will be awarded to Aubree Howerton of Northwest High School.

And the Velma Wallace Memorial Recognition Award will be made to Cox Communications.

Junior Achievement is a program for teenagers that involves the business community volunteers and educators, who together help teach young people about the business world.

The Ambassador Hotel said Wednesday afternoon it would offer a “snow rate” Wednesday night.

According to a news release from the hotel downtown on Douglas, the $89 rate is for anyone who “cannot get home or must be at work in the downtown area tomorrow.”

“Some companies or services cannot close their doors” said the hotel’s general manager Michael Frimel, “The weather makes it hard for employees in the outlying areas to get to work. This is a convenient and safe way to ensure these vital services and organizations have the staff they need.”

Call the hotel at 316-239-7100 for more information.

A fundraising event that features shopping is planned for April 25 at NewMarketSquare.

The Independent Living Resource Center has announced that Shopportunity, now in its eighth year, will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., although stores and restaurants will be open for their normal hours.

According to a news release, new this year are Diva Club tickets, which entitle the purchaser to breakfast at Avivo Brick Oven Pizzeria from 8:30 to 10 a.m. They also receive a special shopping tote, which will be delivered to them at Avivo so they don’t have to wait in line. Diva Club tickets are $50 each.

Regular tickets are $25 each – or buy four and get one free. Regular ticket holders get a different shopping tote, coupons from participating merchants, free limo and party bus rides, a display of “Hot Cars for Hot Women,” free photos, and a variety of drawings, food and drink samples and other activities.

Proceeds from the event go to the ILRC, a nonprofit that assists people with disabilities.

Tickets are available at ILRC, 3033 W. 2^nd Street North, by calling 316-942-6300, or go to www.ilrcks.org