BUSINESS MEMO

JACKSON -- Kenneth E. Swinford of Kenneth E. Swinford and Associates has been named to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri Producer Advisory Council.

"The council provides us with invaluable consulting support," said Richard S. Smith, senior vice president in marketing for Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "They help guide us in marketing, product development and service."

A total of seven members were named recently to the council.

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Potashnick Construction Inc. has installed a new state-of-the-art mid-range computer.

"We're the first contractor in Southeast Missouri to install the IBM AS/400," said John Lewis, director of information systems for Potashnick. "The new machine cuts noise and heat in my department by more than 90 percent while increasing processing power by over 300 percent."

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Ed McElfresh has added a new division to his Cape Chimney Sweeps business: a Power Wash System, which specializes in exterior house washing.

"We specialize in high-pressure washing of houses, boats, driveways, sidewalks, campers and airplanes," said McElfresh.

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Construction is under way on the new Drury Suites Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

The property, at the intersection of Interstate 410 and Jones-Maltsberger Road, is owned and developed by Drury Southwest Inc., headquartered in Cape Girardeau, and will be operated by Drury Inns Inc. of St. Louis.

The hotel will offer 139 rooms, all of which will be full or junior suites. Opening is scheduled this summer.

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A "Statistical Process Control for Quality Improvement" seminar will be held May 14 at the University Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

The one-day workshop, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., is designed to provide in-depth and practical training in basic statistical concepts and methods necessary to understand and implement statistical process control.

James Evans, a professor in the department of quantitative analysis/information systems of the College of Business Administration at the University of Cincinnati, will be seminar leader.

Ike C. Ehie of Southeast's College of Business Administration is coordinating the event.

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Shoney's Restaurants has announced a landmark opening: its 800th store.

The Chicago-area store, situated at 1040 Winston Plaza in Melrose Park, is owned and operated by Shoney's franchisee, Lunan Family Restaurants Inc.

"In 1959 we opened our first Shoney's Restaurant," said Steve Sander, president of Shoney's, in Nashville, Tenn. "Now, 33 years later, we are opening our 800th store."

Shoney's, a diversified food service operator, is franchiser of more than 1,700 restaurants in 33 states. Restaurants include Shoney's, Captain D's, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, Fifth Quarter restaurants and Pargo's.

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U.S. savings bonds have topped the billion-dollar mark for a second straight month.

"In today's market savings bonds are the most attractive savings instrument," said Josephine W. Stokes, area manger of the U.S. Department of Treasury Savings Bond Division in St. Louis.

Savings bonds held five years or longer earn market-based interest rates or a guaranteed minimum rate, said Stokes. Market-based rates change each May and November.

"The current semiannual market-based rate is 6.38 percent," said Stokes. "The guaranteed minimum rate is 6 percent."

February sales of the bonds were $1.2 billion, only slightly less than the record-breaking number for January of $1.3 billion in sales.

The value of U.S. savings bonds held by investors reached an all-time high of $140,777 billion, compared to $128,528 billion a year ago.

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TSC Farm, Home and Auto Stores will give a 10 percent discount to customers who have purchased a new 1992 car, truck, or tractor manufactured or assembled in the U.S.

The local TSC store is at 612 S. Kingshighway.

"We're concerned about the state of the American auto industry and the overall economy," said Joe Scarlett, president of TSC, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. "We have many customers employed in the auto industry. This discount may boost car, truck and tractor sales and help save a few jobs."