Business briefs

Bo's Barbecue has Business Spirit

SIKESTON, Mo. — Bo's Barbecue & Grill has earned the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce Business Spirit Award. The restaurant, owned by Randy Bohannon, is located at 1609 E. Malone.

New gift store in Jackson

Crystal Elfrink's dream began as an online store in her home office in February and became reality with the opening of the Elf Shoppe. Located at 131 W. Main St. in Jackson, the Elf Shoppe offers such collections as birdhouses, sports home decor, jewelry, candles, and baby and bridal gifts. The store is also an exclusive retailer for Light My Way Candles. Elf Shoppe provides custom gift wrap, local gift delivery, custom orders on hand crafted items, and shipping nationwide.

The Elf Shoppe employs two part-time workers and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Bistro opens in Jackson

Little Miss Muffin/Le Bistro, 3812 E. Jackson Blvd., is now open in Jackson. Connected to Style Stop Lifestyles salon, the bistro offers gourmet coffee and teas plus a full breakfast and lunch menu, with daily specials such as oven-roasted chicken, kettle beef and chicken and dumplings.

Owners are Palmi Henry and Laura Barrette.

This is the second location for Little Miss Muffin, with its other one located at 113 W. Main in Jackson. Patrons can visit the bistro from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Kennett bakery celebrates diamond anniversary

KENNETT, Mo. — Causbie's Bakery, located at 212 Kennett Street in Kennett, recently celebrated 60 years of selling bakery goods.

Roy Causbie, owner of Causbie's Bakery, started the business by selling pies at a grocery store in Parma, Mo., in 1948. Today, Causbie's Bakery sells many kinds of donuts including glazed, chocolate, cake, creme filled, and jelly filled. They also sell brownies, creme horns, peanut butter sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, cookies and pie, as well as soft drinks and milk. Residents have commented that they cannot get enough of Causbie's fresh strawberry cakes or icebox chocolate chip cookies.

60 years for laundry business

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — One of the longest-running businesses in East Prairie has to be Budget Laundry and Cleaners Inc. This year, the company celebrates 60 years of service to Mississippi County and the surrounding area.

Present owners Patty and Jason Brown bought th business in 2004. And Patty Brown said the help of dedicated staff — with a combined 125 years in the laundry business — is what helps Budget Laundry continue to thrive.

Business hours are from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Budget Laundry is located at 213 E. Chestnut, and the phone number is (573) 649-3131.

Kennett Police receive MoDOT grant

KENNETT, Mo. — The Kennett Police Department recently received a $37,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). According to Chief of Police Barry Tate, this is the fourth year the department has received the grant since he has been chief. According to Tate, the grant money is used to pay officers that are off duty, in uniform and driving marked patrol cars.

Kennett welcomes humane society

KENNETT, Mo. — The Kennett Area Humane Society was formed Sept. 4 at the home of Natalie Tate. Board members for the society include Freddi Sokoloff, Candace Mitchell, Jerry Noble, Michael Parr, Debby Stokely, and Brian Mitchell. Mitchell will serve as president of the board, with Sokoloff serving as treasurer.

According to Mitchell, the board is currently in the process of forming a non-profit corporation, which will allow the team to begin accepting tax-deductible donations from the public. Contact the organization at kahs08@gmail.com or P.O. Box 153, Kennett, Mo., 63857.

Jeep rated least expensive SUV to own

For those who are in the market for a new vehicle with the best gas mileage, the Jeep Patriot could have your answer. Named by Edmunds.com as the least expensive sport utility vehicle to own, the vehicle's sales for 2008 have increased a whopping 119 percent compared to July 2007 year-to-date sales figures.

"In difficult periods like this, it is vital that we continue to evolve our products to exceed customers' needs, and Jeep Patriot does just that," said Chris Auffenberg of Auffenberg Chrysler Dodge Jeep at 611 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

State funds to assist CVB marketing effort

SIKESTON, Mo. — Thanks to funds from the Missouri Division of Tourism, the Sikeston-Miner Convention and Visitor's Bureau will have more bang to their buck when it comes to tourism-marketing activities designed to attract tourists to Scott County. The Missouri Division of Tourism has awarded $19,898.21 to the CVB. Scott County will match each dollar of state funding with $1 of local funds.

The division's Cooperative Marketing Program distributes the state funds on a competitive basis. Among the state's most successful ventures, this program maximizes the impact of the Missouri dollars through partnerships with qualified lcoal non-profit destination marketing organizations for the promotion of tourism attractions, as well as a variety of other approved tourism marketing and promotional activities.

Executive director of the Sikeston CVB is Lynne Williams.

Puxico police receive Wal-Mart grant

PUXICO, Mo. — Puxico Police Chief Johnny Clark recently accepted a $500 grant from Wal-Mart Supercenter. The grant, presented by Store Manager Debbie Juden, will be used to train and certify the police department's drug dog, Sarge.

New computer store opens in Park Hills

PARK HILLS, Mo. — Frick & Frack's Computer Shack recently hosted a ribbon cutting. The business is owned by Cynthia Burbank and Richard Barnes.

New animal welfare group formed

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Dismayed at the lack of a humane society-type of organization in Poplar Bluff and surrounding counties, a group of local residents has taken action. The new Animal Welfare Alliance took shape in early September, electing officers and setting the date for its initial fund raising event. Charlotte Wolpers Craig, of Fairdealing, Mo., is president. Dr. Dorothy Munch, of Poplar Bluff, co-founded the organization and serves as vice president.

A primary purpose of the AWA, according to organizers, is to foster a spirit of cooperation among veterinary clinics and all public and private animal care agencies in the area.

Treasurer of the AWA is Julita Michel; secretary is Nancy Strack Abernathy. Both are Poplar Bluff residents. Other members of the board of directors are Grace Blaich, John Holland, Joyanne Githens Cunningham, Jeff Walker, Mary Anne Rathe, Gina Cagle, Linda Curtis, Carla Letassy, Carol Swain Lewis, Nancy Segall, Karen Coleman, Claudette Newkirk and Lori Hansbrough, all of Poplar Bluff, and Dana Dobbs, of Gatewood, Mo.

Three businesses open in Cape Girardeau

Cape Girardeau is home to three new businesses:

Gerard's Gift and Floral, 3049 William St., opened in August. Formerly known as Holiday Happenings and Florist, the Christmas, floral and gift shop is owned by William Horman.

Moody's Photography, 1743 Huntington Drive, is a photography studio owned by Kevin Moody. No opening date was listed.

Pacific Rim Market, 1537 Independence St., opened Sept. 1. Robert and Maria Wade own this grocery store, which features Middle Eastern and Asian items. For the past six months, Wade and his wife, Maria, have been selling the products from their Jackson home. The new store is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Seabaugh Custom Hardwood Floor wins two awards

Seabaugh Custom Hardwood Floor, 1709 Huntington Drive in Cape Girardeau, won the Best Kitchen/Dining Room and Best Living Room/Family Room during the National Wood Flooring Association Wood Floor of the Year Contest. Held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., earlier this year, the competition received a record 232 entries from the United States, Canada, Austria, Ireland and Malasia. Entries were judged by members of the association both online and at the four-day convention.

The association is a not-for-profit trade organization of more than 400 wood flooring professionals working worldwide to educate consumers, architects, designers and builders in the uses and benefits of wood flooring.

Sikeston announces corporate games winners

SIKESTON, Mo. — The 12th Sikeston Corporate Games were held earlier this year. The games featured 14 companies, including two new participants, NewWave Communications and Wal-Mart.

At the August meeting of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, awards for the top teams, plus Team Spirit and Sportsmanship, were presented by Jiggs Moore, parks and recreation director. He thanked all volunteers and civic clubs for helping make the corporate games a success once again.

Winners were: first place, Duckett Truck Center; second place, Sikeston Public Schools; and third place, Southeast Correctional Center. There was a tie between Alan Wire and Food Giant for the team spirit award; and Bootheel Counseling Services was recognized for sportsmanship.

SEMO Port receives award

SCOTT CITY, Mo. — Semo Port Railroad's Board of Directors recognized Motive Rail Inc. for another accident-free year operating the switching railroad at Semo Port. The railroad received the "Jake Award" from the American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association.

EMAA offers program in culinary arts

PARK HILLS, Mo. — Soon, a new restaurant will serve up help and hope for the Parkland's neediest job-seekers. East Missouri Action Agency is opening The River Hills Restaurant in downtown Park Hills. In addition, EMAA will operate a commercial kitchen, allowing local entrepreneurs to prepare and sell their home-made products.

The restaurant, located at 239 West Main St., will not open until next year, but classes to train its potential employees and others interested in the culinary arts began Sept. 22.

"We've partnered with Mineral Area College and UniTec to start culinary arts training here in the restaurant," explained Keri McCrorey, EMAA Community Services Director. "We'll have an instructor here from 8-11 a.m. during the week. Then, lower-income people who want jobs in the restaurant can apply and they will have priority."

Students can earn college credit or just learn the skills that might help them work in or manage a restaurant. Job applications to work at The River Hills Restaurant will be taken in December. Seventeen people will work at the restaurant, to be managed by Christie Arnett. For more information, call McCrorey at (573) 431-5191, ext. 1125.

New business in Dexter

DEXTER, Mo. — A ribbon cutting was held Sept. 15 for The Blind Guy, a new business in Dexter. The Blind Guy is owned by Tim Alsup. The business offers plantation shutters for both the interior and exterior of a home, as well as blinds. All blinds are wood or faux wood and can be installed for regular or custom windows.

Organization to launch 'going green' initiative

The "go green" movement seems to have a presence in many buildings, restaurants and media outlets. Many Southeast Missouri businesses are already taking steps to go green and reduce their contribution to climate change. The Southeast Missouri Climate Protection Initiative plans to recognize those businesses making efforts to be environmentally friendly through the "Local Businesses Going Green" initiative this fall. The organization is asking interested businesses to e-mail them at semocpi@gmail.com with queries or to identify themselves and provide a list of what they have already done or are planning to do.

Examples of green changes might include replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs or light-emitting diodes; establishing a program for reducing, reusing and recycling; reducing business-related fuel and energy consumption; proving flexible work schedules to avoid rush hours; and encouraging employees to carpool or drive energy-efficient vehicles.

Visit cstl.semo.edu/SEMOCPI for more information.

New business, construction at JIDC Industrial Park

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Sept. 25 in the JIDC Industrial Park on Route PP, site of the new ARI facility. Construction has been completed on improvements to Route PP, a new entrance into the JIDC Industrial Park and new access roads within the park. The new construction also included an extension of Industrial Drive, the main entrance street to the Jackson Soccer Park.

Company offers solutions to business with unpaid debts

One company hopes that before investing a lot of time and money in resolving unpaid debts, businesses will consider letting their team handle the legwork of collecting.

Established by Jerome Rupkey and Demetria Haller, Justice in Judgment, 824 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, offers a number of services, many of which are available nationwide. When first established, the organization only offered judgment — a court order to pay a party a certain amount of money — but added a collection division in June, then the availability of skip-tracing (locating missing persons such as heirs, debtors, spouses, or witnesses) services in July.

For information, visit www.justiceinjudgment.com, e-mail justiceinjudgment@att.net or call 332-0766.

Civilian Conservation Corps celebrates 75th anniversary

PUXICO, Mo. — The Mingo Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps Sept. 17-18 at the center near Puxico.

The Mingo Center currently has 209 students, with a capacity of 224 students. They come from all over the Midwest, but large numbers come from south Missouri and the St. Louis area, according to Jo Ann Hughey, admissions counselor.

The Mingo facility consists of a large complex of buildings which serve as living quarters and training centers for the students. There are four dorms, an administration building, an education building, vocation training buildings, a dining hall and a wellness center. The center is located on Highway T about three miles from Puxico.

The campus features training facilities in the vocational areas of painting, welding, brick laying, carpentry, heavy equipment operation, clerical and health occupations. It also provides course work to help students obtain a GED if they have not obtained a high school diploma.

Twin Oaks brings home awards

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Twin Oaks Vineyard and Winery recently won gold and bronze medals in a multi-state wine competition.

Twin Oaks Vineyard and Winery, located southeast of Farmington off Route F, is owned and operated by Keith and Karen Hutson and family. The winery recently entered two of its wines in the Mid-American Wine Competition, held in Des Moines, Iowa.

Twin Oaks Vineyard and Winery received a gold medal for its Catawba "Two Brothers" wine, and a bronze medal for their Chambourcin. The winery also won a coveted "Best of Class" for its "Two Brothers" wine.

The winning wine's namesake is brothers Brian and Andrew Hutson — equal partners in the growing and winemaking operations at Twin Oaks.

Poplar Bluff welcomes two businesses with ribbon cuttings

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce recently held ribbon cuttings for Genia Weitzel's counseling office located at 2445 N. Westwood; and for Westwood Center's Ballroom, located at 2445 N. Westwood Blvd. Owners are Randy Tuggle and Phyllis Hughes.

AARP TAx-Aid provides training, volunteer openings

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — AARP Tax-Aid, the nation's largest free, volunteer tax assistance and preparation service, is looking for volunteers for tax counseling. Each year from Feb. 1-April 15, AARP Tax-Aid volunteers prepare federal, state and local tax returns for low and middle income taxpayers with special attention to those 60 and older. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome, and they don't need to be an AARP member or a retiree to volunteer.

Volunteers receive comprehensive training in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. The course will be offered next January in Poplar Bluff.

For more information, call George Prince at (573) 297-3732 or Sharon Dykes at (573) 686-2818.

Farmington Air Evac Lifeteam honored

FARMINGTON, Mo. — The Farmington Air Evac Lifeteam base was recognized Aug. 9 as the 2008 Regional Base of the Year at Air Evac Lifeteam's regional awards banquet in St. Louis, Mo. The base was chosen out of the 17 bases in this region, which includes seven in Missouri, five in Illinois, four in Indiana and one in Iowa.

The Regional Base of the Year is presented to the base in the Air Evac Lifeteam system that best exemplifies the company's mission, including community service, education, and scene work.

The Farmington Air Evac Lifeteam base is located at 2002 South US Hwy. 67 and has been in operation since October 1998.

Air Evac Lifeteam is a membership-supported air ambulance company that provides emergency care and rapid medical transport to rural communities throughout the central U.S.