SAM'S CLUB TO HOLD GRAND OPENING TODAY

After five years in the making, Sam's Club opens today in Cape Girardeau with a full round of festivities starting at 9 a.m. The festivities begin with a ribbon-cutting and end tonight with a free concert by country and western singer Rick Trevino.

In between, grand-opening-day events at the newest Sam's Club, a 114,000-square-foot building that features more than 3,500 items for businesses and home use, include merchandise and food demonstrations, a Texaco NASCAR show car, and giving of a number of gifts, including a $2,500 cruise, color television, two sets of tires, and a $500 Sam's Club Shopping spree.

"We're excited about the opening of this club," said John Woodall, general manager of the local Sam's Club. "We're looking forward to becoming active members of the Cape Girardeau community."

As part of Sam's Club's commitment, Woodall announced that special donations will be made to the Southeast Missouri Area Agency of the Aging, Safe House for Women, Birthright and the Area Wide United Way, and an industrial grant will be given to the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. Presentations will be made during this morning's opening ceremonies.

Merchandise and food demonstrations start immediately afterward, and will continue through 8:30 tonight.

The grand opening celebration began Tuesday night with a special "Business After Hours" by invitation. People who attended met with the Sam's Club executive team, including Jim Hayworth, executive vice president of Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.

A special barbecue cookout will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Singer Rick Trevino will perform a free concert on the Sam's Club parking lot at 7 tonight. Opening for Trevino will be Cledus T. Judd. Trevino's repertoire includes a song, "Mary's Just a Plain Jane," co-written by John Ramey, a songwriter in Nashville, Tenn., who grew up in Cape Girardeau County and attended Jackson schools.

The new store will be open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.