Community briefs 10/6/03

Donations sought for victim of rare cancer

Cape Girardeau resident Paul Morard, suffering from a rare form of tongue and neck cancer, must soon travel to Seattle, Wash., for a new kind of neutron radiation treatment.

Morard, on a limited income due to his disability, must stay near Seattle University Hospital, the only hospital in the United States to offer this treatment, for four to six weeks. Transportation and lodging are costly.

A bank account has been set up at Bank of America, 800 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701. Checks may be made payable to: Friends Of Paul Morard.

Although Morard has Medicare and Medicaid, there is a good possiblity that he may be responsible for 20 percent of the cost because his care will be received out of state. Any money received in excess of Morard's needs will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Generosity from the community would be most appreciated.

Special Week recognizes nursing home patients

Residents' Rights Week is a time to remember the 2.8 million people who live in long-term care facilities across the country. This year's theme emphasizes that residents keep the same basic rights they enjoyed before moving into a facility, including freedom of choice, the right to privacy and the right to participate in activities. The week began Sunday and continues through Saturday.

Ombudsmen, who work to promote resident rights, assist them with complaints and help those who need to find a facility, are also recognized this week.

The Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging encourages the public to visit someone you know in a nursing home, volunteer or become a local volunteer ombudsman to make sure residents know about their rights. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the lives of Americans living in facilities and their families, recognize their contributions to society and reaffirm their rights as community members and citizens.

Lewis and Clark program set for Wednesday

The Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau is proud to be chosen by the Illinois Humanities Council as the host of a unique and exciting series of free historical programs to be held this fall. The next program is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Cairo Public Library in Cairo, Ill.

Kentuckian Hasan Davis will be returning to Southern Illinois to portray York, William Clark's black slave who was an integral part of the Corps of Discovery. Preceding Davis' performance will be Mitch Garrett's presentation on early survey equipment and celestial navigation as practiced by Lewis and Clark.

The program is free and open to the public.

For additional information on any of these programs or the upcoming Lewis and Clark events, please contact Sheryl Durham at the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau, (800) 248-4373.

Seniors fund board accepting applications

The Cape Girardeau County Senior Citizens Service Fund Board would like to announce that it is accepting funding applications for 2004 until Oct. 31. Agencies and organizations who wish to be considered for funding must submit the application to the board by this date.

Parents group schedules line dance lessons

From 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday Parents Without Partners will attend line dance lessons at Circle S Saddle in Gordonville. There is a cost.

AARP meeting planned today in Cape Girardeau

The Cape Girardeau County Chapter of AARP 4041 will meet at 1 p.m. today at Universal Health Center, 505 South Mount Auburn Road.

City schedules leaf pickup, free dumping

The 2003 fall leaf program will be held as scheduled for four area pickups between Nov. 17 and Dec. 12. To find out the pickup dates for your area call public works at 334-9151. Rake leaves to the curb, not in the street, before the week specified in your area and the city will haul them away. The compost holding area located on Third Street, just off LaCruz, will be open for free drop off from today to Dec. 12 from noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Free dumping from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Saturday at the City of Cape Girardeau Transfer Station, 2500 S. Sprigg, is open to Cape Girardeau city residents only. Limit of five appliances per resident. A fee applies for each appliance over five.

Commercial waste, tires, automobile parts, batteries, pesticides, chemicals, motor oil, paint and hazardous waste is not acceptable. Please do not mix yard waste with trash. Yard waste may be taken to the compost holding area from today to Saturday.

All loads must be covered to prevent blowing.

Household hazardous waste collection day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, rain or shine, at Arena Park 4-H shelter. Transport and deliver waste in a leakproof container. Ammunition, batteries, biological waste, explosives, fertilizers, fire extinguishers, gas cylinders, infectious wastes, paint in glass containers, pharmaceuticals, prescription drugs, radioactive waste, syringes, tires and transformers/ballasts are unacceptable. Call 334-9151 for more information.

Newcomer's Club announces activities

A valuable asset to those new in the community, the Newcomer's Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 11:30 a.m. at Port Cape Restaurant. October's activities include Lunch Bunch at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Buffalo Wild Wings in the Town Plaza; Book Club meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at Barnes and Noble, both in Cape Girardeau.

Educare plans open house for Thursday

From 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Educare will hold an open house. Everyone is invited to visit the new office and resource room located at 301 N. Clark, rooms 217 and 219, in Cape Girardeau. The program provides training and technical assistance to child-care providers and those interested in starting a child-care business. Educare also works with families who may participate in home visits and group meetings with their children ages birth through five years. Families and child-care providers may check out books, toys and other materials from Educare's resource room.

-- From staff reports