HOME AND GARDEN SHOW KICKS OFF TODAY

The 12th annual Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association Home and Garden Show will have "something for everyone," say officials of the three-day extravaganza.

It will be held at the Show Me Center on Southeast Missouri State University campus this weekend.

Ann Brookman of Edgewater Glass Co. in Cape Girardeau is chairperson for the show, which opens at 4 p.m. today.

"This year's show should be entertaining and educational," said Brookman, who added that more than 10,000 people are expected to visit the show.

Hours for the event will be 4-9 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

One of the headliners for children will be the "smokehouse," notes Brookman. "The smokehouse is designed to teach children how to escape a burning building safely."

Several building and trade displays, new products, and seminars are on the schedule.

Seminars today include discussions on recycling grass clippings, residential lawn sprinklers and red meats and diets.

Other seminar topics during the weekend will include how to keep homes safe, landscaping lighting fixtures, chain saw safety and gas grilling.

Admission to the event is $2 for adults, with children under 12 free if accompanied by an adult.