A part of Cape Girardeau County at Vancouver's Olympic Games

The 2010 Winter Olympics has brought its share of joy and heartbreak. The tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili and American downhill skier Lindsey Vonn overcoming an injured shin to win a gold medal were among the most memorable moments thus far.

While watching the Olympics you likely have seen a few ads from companies sponsoring the U.S. athletes, including Procter & Gamble. The company is sponsoring more than 300 athletes including Vonn, speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno and snowboarder Seth Wescott. Throughout the Olympics the company is also offering the P&G Family Home, a place for athletes and their families to enjoy free amenities such as refreshments, viewing lounges, Internet access, snack lounge, laundry service and a play area for toddlers.

Additionally, the babies of Team USA athletes will be equipped with a new product, Pampers Cruisers diapers with Dry Max. Produced at the company's facility in Cape Girardeau County, these limited-edition diapers that are 20 percent drier than previous Pampers Cruisers are not for sale.

"We could not think of a more appropriate event than the Olympic Winter Games to celebrate babies as the world's greatest players and introduce our new high-performance gear -- Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers Diapers with Dry Max," local Procter & Gamble spokeswoman Linda Greaser said.

* Italian restaurant returns to Jackson: An Italian restaurant that left Jackson 15 years ago has returned.

Mario's Pasta House has opened at the old Sidetracks location at 252 E. Jackson Blvd. The restaurant serves stromboli, 15 varieties of pasta and 15 kinds of pizza. Mario's also offers dishes for baking at home.

Owner Mario Grippo closed his Advance, Mo., store at the end of December after four or five months of slow business. He's excited about serving up his Italian fare in Jackson once again.

"I'm so excited I can't sleep at night," Grippo said. "I can't wait til the morning comes and I get to come to work."

Mario's Pasta House, which does not serve alcohol or allow smoking, is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The phone number is 243-4445.

* Ganix Market opens: An organic market has opened in Cape Girardeau.

Ganix Market, 238 N. Fountain St., sells local, organic foods as well as an assortment of wines and beers. The business is operated by a father/son team of James Thomas and Shane Parker.

The two have been renovating a building since the summer. Thomas owns the building.

While the store is open, a grand opening is planned for May 8, when there will be wine and food tasting from local vendors.

Ganix Market is open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The phone number is 335-6326.

* Lawyer opens office: Kelvin Birk has opened a law office in Cape Girardeau. Founded by the Jackson resident in 1999, the firm was originally located in his home.

Birk's expertise includes business and estate planning law. The firm is at 106 Farrar Drive, Suite 107. The phone number is 332-8585. The firm can also be contacted via e-mail at www.birklegal.com.

* Photography studio moving to mall: A photography studio is scheduled to fill a spot left vacant since mid-December by a video game club inside West Park Mall.

JJab studios is planning to move into the mall around April 1, according to business manager Donna Bridges. Previous tenants at that spot near the main entrance of the mall were McAlister's Select, then El Durango, and most recently Playmoors, a video game club that was in business for about a month. This location is near Journey's.

The studio will be moving from 1217 N. Kingshighway, Suite 225, in Cape Girardeau. Bridges said the business is moving to the mall for more exposure.

JJab studios has been in business for 5 1/2 years and specializes in promotional, family and senior portraits. Contact the studio by calling 275-2865 or e-mailing jjabstudios@yahoo.com.

* Registration underway for farm program: Farm women wanting to be better business partners have that opportunity through a course next March through the Missouri Extension. According to Gerald Bryan of the Cape Girardeau County Extension office, course participants will gain a better understanding of human resource issues, business plans, financial documentation, crop share losses and types of insurance. The program is called Annie's Project, named after a Northern Illinois farm woman who dedicated her life to learning how to be a better business partner with her farmer husband.

The course is offered from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for three weeks from March 9 through 25. To pre-register, call Bryan at 243-3581. A registration cost of $50 includes a black zip notebook, calculator, thumb drive and FAST Tools recordkeeping software. For more information on Annie's Project, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/Annie/.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Brian Blackwell may be reached at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com.<I>