Community briefs 12/08/03

Jackson bands putting on Christmas concert

A Christmas concert will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Jackson High School old gym by the two high school bands, the freshman band and the junior high jazz band. The junior high jazz band will start early to entertain early arrivals.

Central High concert scheduled for Tuesday

The Central High School Music Department will present a holiday concert at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Academic Auditorium on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. The free concert is open to the public.

United Way and CCC need help with survey

The Area Wide United Way and the Community Caring Council have mailed surveys to randomly selected residents of Cape Girardeau County and Scott City. Information collected from the survey will be used to guide current and future community planning for cities in both counties. Surveys will document perceptions of neighborhood strengths and the seriousness of 24 issues in respondents' neighborhoods. For more information, call 334-9634.

Help sought for family of boy with brain tumor

A benefit account has been established for Journey Gentile, a 9-year-old suffering from a severe brain tumor. Donations may be sent to Wood and Houston Bank, 111 Broadview, Cape Girardeau, attention: Journey Gentile's benefit account. Efforts to help the family are being coordinated by Misty Alexander. She is also collecting Christmas presents which she has offered to wrap. Gift contributions for the family may be mailed to Misty Alexander, 2735 Chrysler Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701. For more information, call Alexander at 332-7088.

Foundation holding Luminaries for Life

The St. Francis Medical Center Foundation will hold the third annual Luminaries for Life at 6 p.m Dec. 18 in the Healing Garden at 211 St. Francis Drive. The campaign raises funds for specialized services and charity care for those in need. Names of those recognized by donors and a brief informal service will be held. In case of bad weather, the service will be held inside the Garden View Deli. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation at 331-5133.

Jackson FBLA helps victims of house fire

The Jackson High School Future Business Leaders of America collected donations all last week to help the Lutrell family, victims of a house fire on Ohio Street in Jackson. Community members wishing to help the family may call Jackson High School at 243-9513 or drop off items at the school.

-- From staff reports

Cape holiday pickup and recycling center

The Cape Girardeau solid waste division of public works, including the Recycling Center and Transfer Station, will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Solid waste and recycling routes to be picked up Dec. 25 and Jan.1 will instead be picked up a day early. All other pickups remain as scheduled. There will be no Wednesday special pickups for bulky refuse until Jan. 7.

The solid waste division will pickup a reasonable amount of extra trash and holiday debris during the holiday season at no additional charge. Extra trash and two regular containers may be placed outside on the regularly scheduled collection day from Dec. 26 to Jan. 9. The $1 extra refuse tags won't be required during this time.

Christmas trees may be dropped off for recycling at Arena Park free of charge from Dec. 22 to Jan. 31. Signs will be posted in the park. For $5 per tree Cape Girardeau residents may schedule a Wednesday special curbside pickup on Jan. 7 or later. Call the public works department for more information at 334-9151.