Postal union to hold informational picket

Members of American Postal Workers Union Cape Area Local 4088 will hold an informational picket today beginning at 9 a.m. at the Cape Girardeau post office to distribute literature and answer questions about local postal facilities slated for closure, including the The Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Facility and several rural post offices in the region.

With just over 100 employees, Cape Girardeau's mail processing center is among 252 processing centers the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service is considering closing.

The Postal Service will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Osage Centre in room 3AB to discuss its proposal to move mail processing operations from the Cape Girardeau distribution facility into the St. Louis Mail Processing and Distribution Center.

The move would eliminate the chance for a stamped letter to arrive the next day, said Greg Davidson, president of American Postal Workers Union Cape Girardeau Area Local 4088.

The Postal Service is also conducting a feasibility study to reduce the number of rural post offices, including Missouri locations in Blodgett, Brownwood, Daisy, Dutchtown, Gipsy, Old Appleton, Perkins, Sturdivant, Vanduser and Whitewater.

* Live Laugh Love Fitness willhold its grand opening Jan. 1 in the former Pasta House location inside West Park Mall. The Zumba fitness center also offers yoga and hula hooping classes. Owner and Zumba instructor Amber Anderson of Cape Girardeau recently traveled across the U.S. studying Zumba, a Latin inspired dance workout, in all 50 states and documenting it on facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-50-State-Zumba-Journey/170092276411663. Anderson taught Zunba classes in Jackson and Cape Girardeau before deciding to open her own fitness center.

* Tri-State Advertising & Marketing Professionals (AMP) has issued its Call for Entries for the 2011-2012 local ADDY Awards Competition. The ADDY Awards Competition recognizes exceptional advertising created in the Cape Girardeau; Paducah, Ky.; and Harrisburg, Ill., markets. The ADDY Awards honor excellence in print, broadcast, out-of-home and public service advertising.

All entries must be received by 4 p.m. on Jan. 12 at Concord Printing, 301 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. Entry fees are $48 for members of Tri-State AMP, $58 for nonmembers and $32 for students.

Tri-State AMP will honor the ADDY Awards winners during a gala Feb. 24 at The Plaza by Ray's in Cape Girardeau. Winners of the ADDY Awards are eligible to compete on the district level, and those winners then compete at the national level. For more information or to enter, visit www.tristateamp.com/addys.

* Missouri Running Co. has moved to the LaCroix Shopping Center, 1720 Kingsway Drive. An official Grand Opening is planned for January. The new building allowed the store to doubled its size allowing it to display more shoes, clothing and accessories. The store is managed by Kim and Byan Kelpe. For more information, visit www.morunco.com.

Southeast Missourian business editor Melissa Miller may be contacted at 388-3646 or mmiller@semissourian.com.