Peanuts' Linus had it right

One of my holiday traditions is watching Christmas movies. I've watched "Home Alone" at least 100 times. I was reminded how much of a difference one man can make after watching "It's a Wonderful Life." And who can forget cute little Gizmo fighting off the evil Stripe in "Gremlins"?

But to understand the true meaning of Christmas, I must recommend "A Charlie Brown Christmas." While it first aired in 1965, the cartoon's message is still relevant more than four decades later. Linus van Pelt conveyed one of the movie's timeless messages when he said that Christmas is becoming too commercial. I wonder what Charles Schulz, the man who created Linus and other Charlie Brown characters, would think if he were still alive today of the recent news that shoppers broke down doors to get into Wal-Mart, fatally trampling one of its employees in the process. Footage from the surveillance video showed dozens more were trampled on Black Friday, resulting in several other injuries.

I love Black Friday almost as much as those who camp out all night for some of the great deals on various items, but when adults capable of holding jobs and making other grown-up decisions act like children just to purchase an item, it shows how low we've come as a society. I realize most people didn't act like the crazies at that Long Island store but it's sad when we value material possessions over someone's life. The optimistic side of me wants to believe this will serve as a wake-up call to us all.

n West Park Mall says its gift card option a safe and secure Christmas present: We ran a story in the Dec. 3 edition about misleading e-mails claiming that 32 national retailers were closing and that customers should not use gift cards at any of those stores. Lindsey Church with West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau e-mailed me an announcement that customers can purchase gift cards at the mall. The news release said the mall's gift cards are a secure and safe option.

"Mall traffic continues to be strong," said Susan Godorov, vice president of marketing for Centro Properties. "Our new gift card program will assure shoppers that their gift card will be of value regardless of what the economic climate brings."

n Three salons open, one relocates in Cape Girardeau: Hair care places seem to be pretty much recession-proof. I have news of three hair care businesses opening and another relocating.

Danny Schuff is close to opening Fab u lous at 19B Spanish St. In addition to hair cuts, the salon will offer specialty coloring, pedicures, maincures and more. Once it opens, the days and hours of operation will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Tuesday through Saturday, and by appointment.

While Schuff has been in the hair care business for 20 years, this is the time to open his own business. He's worked at Spa 151 in Cape Girardeau and in Hollywood, Calif.

Another salon, Black Pearl, 1940 Golden Eagle Court, Suite 4, opened Dec. 3. Owner Nikki Wells has been a stylist for seven years and, when the opportunity to open her own salon became available, she jumped at it.

The business is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and can be reached at 332-7647.

Final Cut at 1606 Independence St., Suite 3B, is another new salon, but I don't yet have more information on them.

While the three salons recently opened in Cape Girardeau, an established one from moved from 229 S. Broadview St. to 2532 William St. Studio Designs is owned by Sarah Puls. The salon's stylists are Amy Buchheit, Jeanne Pruitt, Donna Smith, Debbie Bickings, Pam Glastetter, Retta Bilodeau and Patti Cook.

n Double ribbon-cutting scheduled for Thursday: Jason Wray, president and chief executive officer of Creative Edge, and Abby Petzoldt, owner and creative director of Abby Ink LLC, will have a double ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday. The two businesses will celebrate their move into the new Creative Edge building off U.S. 61 in Jackson and the start of a relationship providing turnkey marketing solutions for local businesses and clients across the nation. Tours of the building at 160 N. Enterprise Lane will be given after the ceremony.

n Tanning business opens in Illinois: Olive Branch, Ill., residents now have a tanning option closer to home without having to travel to Cape Girardeau or Anna, Ill.

Lisa Jans Bow-tique 'n' Tans LLC, 27973 Route 3, opened Dec. 1. Owner Lisa Essex said her business offers a little bit of everything, including custom embroidering, purses, jewelry, candles, scrapbooking tools and items on consignment. She hopes to soon add a tanning option. Her business opened Dec. 1 and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Customers can reach the business by phone at 618-776-6009.

"We're in a small area," Essex said. "Most people from our area go to Cape Girardeau or Anna, but I'm trying to have something closer to home."

n Bradshaw opens Prudential office: Financial services professional Scott Bradshaw has opened a private office of The Prudential Insurance Co. of America at 2021 Perryville Road, Suite C, in Cape Girardeau.

Bradshaw said the office will serve consumer and business clients from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

"Opening this office enables me to help people from my own community reach their insurance and financial security goals," he said.

Bradshaw has received the Greater St. Louis Agency's 2007 Financial Services Associate of the Year award for outstanding performance in customer sales and service. Bradshaw, a resident of Cape Girardeau, is an active member of Saint Mary's Church and school and Notre Dame Booster Club. He can be reached at scott.bradshaw@prudential.com or at 803-1200.

n Comfort Keepers of Southeast Missouri moves to new location: Since it opened an office in Cape Girardeau eight years ago, Comfort Keepers of Southeast Missouri has offered in-home care services for aging adults, new mothers and others needing assistance with daily activities. Citing rapid growth, owners Paul and Sherry James said their business has moved to 225 S. Sheridan Drive.

The larger office will allow for a bigger staff of trained caregivers to provide care to seniors in their homes, or even in assisted living or other senior living facilities. The facility has a larger reception area, meeting room and separate training room for ongoing training of all caregivers.

"Most seniors prefer to stay in their own home, and many times, with the addition of a little extra help with daily activities, many of our clients are able to stay safely in the comfort of their own home," said Sherry James, who owns the service along with her husband, Paul. "Our goal is to provide seniors and their families choices in where a senior lives. Even if a senior calls an assisted living facility home, we can provide a level of companionship and service that goes a long way to preserve their quality of life. Adding a new Comfort Keepers location allows us to expand our reach and help an even larger population in and around the area."

Business reporter Brian Blackwell can be contacted at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com.