TECHNOLOGY: 'INFORMATION CLEARING HOUSE'

The Interactive Community Calendar, which is available on semissourian.com, is a "clearing house of information," says Jon K. Rust, executive vice president of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian Newspaper.

Rust, guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee, held at the Show Me Center, Friday demonstrated the calendar, and how it can be used.

The idea of the interactive calendar, spearheaded by the Chamber's Leadership Cape program is in its experimental stage, Rust said.

The calendar will list all community events by theme and date.

"The Cape Girardeau area is a regional hub," said Rust. "Our goal is to make semissourian.com a great local Web site. That will include the calendar."

Using giant screens at the Show Me Center, Rust demonstrated how events can be added to the site. Once the events have been submitted, they'll be sent to the Webmaster for checks on spelling, information, verification, etc.

"The program is awesome," said John Mehner, president of the local chamber. "It offers flexibility, and will be used by many people."

"It's a good thing," said Patricia DeHart, of Manpower Inc., "It'll be helpful for the entire community."

Hundreds of events are already logged on the schedule, including exhibits, festivals, craft fairs, kids and family events, book and library events, educational and entertainment events and performances.

Although the bulk of the events are from the immediate community, some listings may be found from St. Louis, Branson, Mo. and Memphis, Tenn.