Business memo 02/02/04

Internships to be topic for First Friday Coffee

Opportunities for intern programs offered through Southeast Missouri State University will be the featured topic for First Friday Coffee at 7 a.m. Friday at the Show Me Center. Speaker is Jerry Westbrook. The event is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

Alto Vineyards win Jefferson Cup awards

ALTO PASS, Ill. -- Alto Vineyards's 2001 Chambourcin wine received one of five Jefferson Cup awards presented during a recent competition.

The award was presented in the category for red wine. The Jefferson Cup is presented to some of the most compelling wines made in America.

In his judges remarks, sommelier Doug Frost said, "I defy anyone to taste that wine blind and tell me that it is a less important or less delicious wine, simply because it's made from a hybrid grape, the Chamberoucin."

The Jefferson Cup competition allows every wine-producing region of the nation to vie for an award. For the first time since it began three years ago, the judging was held in Missouri. All wines invited to the competition have proven their merits in earlier competitions and tastings.

RM Coco featured in German trade publication

RM Coco, a decorative fabric business in Cape Girardeau, was recently featured on the cover of "Fabrics & Furnishings International," an industry publication printed in Germany.

RM Coco imports almost 60 percent of its fabric offerings and expects to double its business in decorative fabrics. RM Coco's president is Jim Rust. Other key partners are Beverly Rust; Clyde Nenninger, vice president of finance; Mike Edwards, vice president of purchasing and marketing; and Mike Watson, vice president of sales.

--From staff reports