Going to the Wall of Fame for a legacy

All the bills are paid from the renovation of Cape Girardeau's Wall of Fame, which started in 2006. But members of the River Heritage Mural Association still have four unsponsored panels. How can that be?

"We've had a standard policy with the mural committee since we began in 1986 of building a reserve for potential damage and repairs," said Tim Blattner, mural association president. "It's that money we're short ... you try to have some in reserve for the unexpected -- vandalism or unexpected circumstances."

He is hoping to replace $10,000 in the contingency fund through sponsorships of the orphan panels featuring Hollywood stars, J.C. Penney, entrepreneurs Dale Carnegie and Joseph Pulitzer and literary giants.

More than $85,000 was spent to renovate the mural. The paint used is supposed to last 50 years, he said. Companies, groups or individuals can sponsor panels, he said.

"We're more than willing to work out a deal with anyone we can," Blattner said. "It's always important to recognize that the murals have helped put Cape Girardeau on the map for tourism and they're a source for community pride."

"Any sponsorship that anyone chooses to participate in will be recognized for many, many, many years," Blattner said. Sponsors' names -- or the names of those they choose to honor -- will be added to the reader board for the panel.

"If you want a legacy, there it is," he said. "And it's tax deductible."

Blattner said many people are not aware how much time such volunteers as Don Greenwood, Craig Thomas, Paul Lloyd and Chuck Martin and Freck Shivelbine and many others have given over the years.

For sponsorship details, call Blattner at 334-6327 or Shivelbine at 335-8862.

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On deck for the city of Cape Girardeau's board of examiners' meeting are the following applicants: Tommy Blount, master electrician; Clarence Nordmeyer, journeyman electrician; Gary Kennedy journeyman plumber; and Robert Unterreiner, master electrician. The board meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cape Girardeau's city hall, 401 Independence St.

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Jackson's long-awaited Clean-up/Fix-up Days are set for the week of June 23 through 27.

The program is free for any residents using the city's weekly trash collection service. Instead of the usual three-bag limit, city workers will pick up a pile of stuff, including trash cans. Each household pile is limited to 7 feet long by 4 feet wide and 4 feet deep, the rough equivalent of filling three standard pickup truck beds. Tie, bundle or bag what goes out and get it to the curb by 8 a.m. on your regularly scheduled pick-up day. Appliances must be at the curb, with doors and compressors removed. The first appliance is free, but removing extras costs $10 each. Paint cans must be dried out or tightly sealed.

Pitch only your own stuff -- people who add others' junk to the household pile face a $500 fine.

Some things will not be picked up: Yard waste, motor oils, hazardous materials and scrap tires. (Cape Girardeau County has the scrape tires covered. More below this item.)

To learn more, call Jackson Public Works Department at 243-2300 or Sanitation Department at 243-2333.

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Cape Girardeau County's second scrap tire collection is set for 8 a.m. to noon, June 21 -- that's a Saturday, so no sleeping in -- at the county's maintenance facility on Highway 34, near its intersection with Highway 72. The county has set a limit of 20 tires, including four tractor tires.

Questions, suggestions or tips for Lost on Main Street? E-mail pmcnichol@semissourian.com or call 335-6611, extension 127.