SPECIAL MARKER GIVES FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST COUNTERFEITING

All signs are pointing to a booming holiday shopping season, nationally and in Cape Girardeau County.

The local county's sales tax check for November was the highest ever for that month, and reflects a 33 percent jump over the same month last year.

Overall for 1993, Cape County's sales tax receipts are running 8.48 percent ahead of last year, and merchants have expressed optimism for the remainder of the Christmas shopping season, which has only three more days.

Nationally, Retail sales increased 0.4 percent in November. This follows a strong 1.8 percent jump in October, reported the U.S. Commerce Department.

Sales at furniture stores nationally soared 3.7 percent, and sales at building supply, hardware and garden stores rose 1.1 percent after a 3.4 percent rise a month earlier.

Although the holiday season is almost over, retailers are being reminded that the hustle and bustle of the next few days provide a perfect setting for one of the most subtle of crimes -- the passing of counterfeit currency.

Some area businesses have already been a victim of counterfeiters.

Two of the largest department stores in the area -- Kmart and Wal-Mart -- have reported $100 counterfeit bills, and two quick-food establishments -- Taco Bell and McDonald's -- have reported fake $20 bills passed at their restaurants.

"The biggest counterfeit threat this holiday season comes from the proliferation of sophisticated color copiers and laser scanning equipment," says Michael Wikes, of Wikes & Associates Co., Fairfax, Va. "This technology has given rise to what the Secret Service calls the `casual' counterfeiter -- the individual who simply runs off some bills on the copier at work."

The bills being passed in Cape Girardeau were apparently made on copiers, according to a spokesman from the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

"Merchants usually learn that they've been duped only after making a bank deposit," said Wikes. "They then discover that the law is clear -- the last to pass loses."

The bogus bills are confiscated by the local police department, or Secret Service, and the merchant is simply out the value of the currency.

There is an easy way to detect most versions of counterfeit currency, and especially against the color copier variety, thanks to a low-cost marking pen which can detect most versions of counterfeit currency and is especially effective against the color copier variety.

The "Counterfeit Money Detector Pen," manufactured by Dri Mark Products of Port Washington, N.Y., utilizes a chemical formula to test the authenticity of currency paper.

"U.S. currency is not really paper," said Wikes, whose firm --Wikes & Associates PR -- manufacture the pen. "Rather, it is a unique combination of cotton and linen pulp. This marker detects the presence of the appropriate fibers."

The marker -- patent number 5063163 -- leaves an amber mark on genuine currency. But, it leaves a black mark on counterfeit paper.

The marker looks like any felt tip marker and fits easily into a pocket or cash drawer.

"A lot of retailers, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies use the pen," said Wikes. "Unfortunately, we're finding that merchants often start using the product after they've been burned once. It's the barn-door syndrome. But, these days, I wouldn't take anything over a $10 bill without testing it."

The marker is available in most office product stores nationwide, at a cost of $4.95.

Construction is under way on a new Southeast Missouri Hospital parking lot at the intersection of Broadway and Louisiana.

"We'll have spaces for about 100 vehicles," said hospital administrator James Wente. "The lot will be available to hospital employees, patients and visitors."

The new parking facility is expected to be completed by mid-March to coincide with the opening of the new four-story, 105,000-square-foot clinical services building, which will house emergency services, expanded surgery services, expanded outpatient and post-op facilities and other services, and a new landing pad and ancillary support services for LifeBeat Air Medical Service.

A new three-level parking garage was completed along Sunset Street in February of 1992, with spaces for 198 vehicles.

"But with the growth of the hospital, we needed additional parking," said Wente. "The new facility should address our parking needs for the next couple of years."

Savvy investors from the "Rich and Famous" crowd hope to get richer with tax-free munis and quality stock funds, according to "Money" Magazine, which offers a glimpse at how a number of celebrities invest -- including Cape Girardeau native Rush Limbaugh, a radio/TV personality and author.

Limbaugh, in the special "Forecast 1994" Money issue, says his strategy is preservation of principal.

"Cash is king," he says. "I am bracing for a major deflationary cycle throughout 1994. I have inquired of a number of financial experts, who shall remain nameless, and all see no signs of any inflationary pressures -- i.e., growth."

Money talked with 11 personalities, including Ivana Trump, author and entrepreneur; Joyce Brothers, psychologist and syndicated newspaper columnist; and Larry King, TV and radio talk-show host.

Broadway Pawn Shop recently opened at 113 Broadway in downtown Cape Girardeau.

The new business will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Roger Simon is owner-operator of the new store.

A new crafts operation will open soon in downtown Cape Girardeau.

"Something Special," will occupy the building at 111 Independence.

ANNA, Ill. -- Transcraft Corp. is looking for a new home.

The 30-year old company, which manufactures flatbed trailers, is looking for a new building and is willing to move anywhere within a nine-state area for its new quarters.

The company employs about 200 people and hopes to expand that to about 300 with new expansion.

John Mehner, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, said this week that he had been in contact with the Anna company's officials.

The firm is looking for 125,000 square feet of construction space. The company is currently using a number of small buildings, and is producing about 60 trailers a week. The firm is looking to expand that figure to about 120 trailers a week.

William Cunningham, board chairman of Transcraft, said the demand for trailers has been increasing.

"The trucking industry has been on the upswing for the past year," he said. "We need more production space."

Cunningham said he would rather stay in the Anna area, but had sent letters to eight other states, seeking a community that is willing to assist Transcraft in providing new facilities.

Jackson Dry Cleaners has a new name and a new owner.

David Kimes, owner of Patrick's Cleaners in Cape Girardeau, recently purchased the Jackson operation, located on Highway 61 East, and renamed it Patrick's Cleaners.

"The Jackson operation will be remodeled and upgraded," said Kimes. The business will remain open during renovation.

Patrick's Cleaners was founded in Cape Girardeau by Nelson Patrick in February of 1955.

Kimes, who attended Southeast Missouri State University here, acquired the cleaners at 1215 Broadway in 1987. He added a branch facility at the intersection of Independence and Broadview in 1990.

ELSEWHERE:

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Play It Again Sports, a national franchise retail sporting goods store, recently opened at 1358 E. Main in Carbondale.

The business buys, sells, trades and consigns used and new sporting goods equipment of all kinds.

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- Choice Books has moved to Metropolis.

Charles and Connie Feirich of Carbondale are owners of the store, which is now located at the Ferry Street Mall.

POPLAR BLUFF -- First Community Bank opened at Poplar Bluff recently.

The new bank, 2340 S. Broadway, is the fifth in a group that included banks at Campbell, Bernie, Malden and Holcomb .

The bank's board of directors includes Jim Belknap; his daughter, Joan Bullington; his son, Brian Belknap; Charles Rushing and Clyde Williams.