NEW PHONE BOOKS HAVE LOCAL ART

The new Cape Girardeau region Bell Telephone directory features local art on the cover for the second time in three years.

The new phone book's cover is a photograph of the Cape Rock scenic overlook of the Mississippi River, taken from the files of the Cape Girardeau Convention & Business Bureau, said Lin W. Jones, sales-marketing manager with the CVB.

The site of the picture is the supposed location of Ensign Jean B. Girardot's trading post here during the 1730s. The prominent overlook became a famous landmark for river travelers. A bronze marker commemorates the city's namesake in the park, which was established about 1920.

The 1998 directory cover was a picture taken by Cape Girardeau photographer Bill Hughey. The picture features a riverboat making its way down the Mississippi River with two young fishermen watching from the bank.

Delivery of almost 63,000 copies of the Cape Girardeau Region started last week and should be completed by the end of December.

Recycling phone books

Area residents are encouraged to take part in the 8th annual "Project ReDirectory" recycling campaign which begins tomorrow.

From tomorrow through Jan. 7, old telephone books can be dropped off at:

* Bank of America centers.

* Schnucks, 19 S. Kingshighway in Cape.

* Southeast Missouri State University Student Recreation Center, 750 New Madrid, Cape.

* City of Cape Girardeau Recycling Center, 120 N. Broadview.

In addition, old telephone directories will be picked up with other recyclable materials as part of the city's curbside collection program.

In Jackson, Mo., phone books can be dropped off at:

* Food Giant, 528 W. Main.

* Jackson vehicle maintenance facility, 416 Florence.