It's officially summer, which means it's Mississippi Riverboat Season! Talk about Americana at its finest - beautiful, majestic riverboats docking in our picturesque downtown with calliope music drifting through the breeze. We've welcomed these vessels to our downtown for decades now and, for some, heading to the water to take in the excitement has become a tradition.

For the majority of recent history, two riverboats, the American Queen and the Queen of the Mississippi, have made downtown a stop along their journey. New for 2015, we now have an additional boat to welcome as American Eagle has joined in the route for the first time.

According to American Cruise Lines, 'The brand new American Eagle has design elements reminiscent of an earlier time on the river coupled with a surprising assortment of modern luxuries. Spacious staterooms, fine furnishings, and private balconies are among the welcoming features which make the American Eagle comparable to your favorite world class hotels. Much like its sister ship, the Queen of the Mississippi, this new boat will raise the standard for river cruising in the United States.'

'Queen of the Mississippi delivers an experience unlike any other riverboat. Launched in 2012 and modeled after traditional Victorian-style riverboats of the late 1800s, she was the first paddlewheeler built for the Mississippi River in nearly 20 years. Queen of the Mississippi offers passengers modern amenities and comforts including large staterooms with private balconies, hotel-style bathrooms, complimentary room service, WiFi, and more,' highlights American Cruise Lines.

'Transporting guests back in time in the most elegant fashion, the experience aboard Queen of the Mississippi is a seamless blend of old and new. Beneath her historic décor, gleaming woodwork and brass fixtures is a framework of modern cruise ship technology that provides passengers with the most comfortable and upscale vacation imaginable on the Mississippi River.'


The American Queen Steamboat Company is incredibly proud of its star ship, the American Queen. Being the largest steamboat ever built, they've packed quite an experience inside this floating fortress. 'Although filled with today’s modern amenities, her rooms and accommodations display all the opulence of the American Victorian era. Glistening woodwork, fresh flowers and antiques adorn her interior spaces. While on board, you can select a volume from the vast collection in the Mark Twain Gallery, the boat’s library. Or enjoy a sing-along in the Main Deck Lounge, and then tap your toes to a lavish show in the two-deck-tall Grand Saloon, the most elegant showplace on the river.'

Check out the following schedule and see when you can be a part of the excitement.

July 2nd	American Queen	8am-5pm	Cancelled due to high water
July 6th	American Queen	8am-5pm	Cancelled due to high water
July 15th	Queen of the Mississippi	9:15am-noon	Cancelled due to high water
July 17th	American Queen	10am-5pm	Cancelled due to high water
July 19th	Queen of the Mississippi	9:15am-noon	Cancelled due to high water
July 30th	Queen of the Mississippi	9:15am-noon
July 31	American Queen	Noon-5pm
Aug 18th	American  Eagle	9am-noon
Sept 14th	Queen of the Mississippi	9:15am-noon
Sept 23rd	Queen of the Mississippi	2:15pm
Oct 14th	American Queen	8am-1pm

Please note this schedule is tentative and determined by the weather, river levels and currents. We will try to keep you updated as information changes and becomes available. 

Stacy Dohogne-Lane, Public Relations Director for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, has worked closely with the riverboat companies for several years. When the opportunity presented itself last year for her to board one of these beautiful boats, she couldn't pass it up. "I love looking out at our bend of the Mississippi River, and watching the river change throughout the year as it rises and falls," Stacy commented. "It isn't everyday you get to see Cape Girardeau from the river and not the other way around! The American Queen was in town at the end of July last year and I had some business to attend to with the folks on board, so I jumped at the chance to snap a few pictures of our river city from a different perspective."

These riverboats are a part of the eclectic canvas that makes up our downtown culture and just one of the many reasons we're one of the greatest downtowns in the nation. Check out Stacy's photos below, we know you'll enjoy them, and plan to head downtown throughout the summer to catch one of the dockings. See you soon!

This post was written by guest blogger, Alyssa Basler, Intern at Old Town Cape.

Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate its second annual community River Campus Summer Arts Festival this Saturday, June 20. “Seussical” the musical will be capping the day with a performance at 7:30pm. Last year’s festival had a record attendance with more than 1,200. This year’s event will feature live music, dance, visual art displays, theatrical performances, an art walk, magic, hands-on family-friendly art expression activities, museum exhibitions, and Plein Art Painting. The festival is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free and open to all ages.

The music line-up has grown extensively since last year. The entertainment will run continually throughout the day featuring the Suzuki players, magician Rob Huff, Mr. Saxophone, Steve Schaffner, Jazz Trio 440’s, the Jerry Ford Combo and Barefoot on Sunday. Children’s activities will be available all day as well, including face painting and hands on activities in the kids’ art tent. The Avenue of Art competition will be back again with a new special category for creating Dr. Seuss art. Additionally, artists of all ages can participate in creating chalk art, with Craig Thomas composing a piece for the festival. Art booths will include demonstrations and art for sale. Ceramics students will demonstrate their craft, and printmaking students will offer a workshop. Students from the Southeast Department of Art and multiple professional artists will have art booths available. In the southwest parking lot, the Southeast Explorer mobile museum will showcase a United States history exhibit and the River City Rodders will display antique and hot rod cars. Bart Williams of the Southeast Department of Theatre and Dance, will present a stage combat exhibition of Quarterstaff fighting outdoors in the Seminary Quad. The River City Players will perform “Sleuth” by Anthony Shaffer.  There will be numerous dance and theater performances, demonstrations, and workshops throughout the day. See SEMO's website for more information.

The all-day event will close with a performance of “Seussical” the musical at 7:30 p.m. in the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theatre. “Seussical” is a musical comedy based on numerous Dr. Seuss books. The musical is written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.  It is a comedy that will be enjoyed by the entire family. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,  calling (573) 651-2265 or by visiting www.RiverCampusEvents.com. Additional performances will include June 18-19, 25- 27 at 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. matinees on June 21, 27 and 28, and a special 10 a.m. performance on June 26.  Get tickets now, seats are filling up quickly!

We, at Old Town Cape, are happy to get the opportunity to work with Southeast Missouri State University campuses on events such as this one. It is partnerships like these that help further opportunities for the University and Downtown and offer a variety of activities for the community to take part in.

This post was written by guest blogger, Alyssa Basler, intern at Old Town Cape.

Lots of times when people think of 'Old Town Cape' they think of our Executive Director, Marla, and Kevin and Christa, the 'staff'. Little do many people realize though, that we have an arsenal of committees and volunteers who guide our actions, back our opinions and oversee what goes on in and around our 131-block district. At the helm of our organization is Donna Denson - the President of our Board of Directors who oversees one of the greatest downtowns in the nation (what a title!).

Originally from Festus, Mo, Donna came to Cape to attend Southeast Missouri State University. After graduating with a degree in mass communications, she worked in sales at Southwestern Bell (now AT&T) and was then recruited by the Southeast Missourian. A career with this company that began in 1991, she was ecstatic to have the opportunity to work for the local paper. Little did she know that 24 years later she would still be making a difference in and around the community while serving as the Advertising Director for this cornerstone operation.

When figuring out where and what community organizations to be involved in, downtown and Old Town Cape was an obvious choice. In her early days at the Missourian, she worked with several downtown businesses on their marketing (Tipoff magazine, for example), so it was a natural fit to attend the Downtown Merchants Association (DMA) meeting and become involved. 'I still remember our barbecue on the riverfront when the merchants association & Old Town Cape became one,' Donna reminisced. The years have gone by quickly and my has there been a lot of change in our area.

To someone so vested in our area, her response to 'What is your favorite part of downtown?' didn't come as a surprise. 'I don’t know if I can pick a favorite,' she exclaimed! 'I love the riverfront, our shops & restaurants - all that Old Town Cape has to offer.' One specific spot she treasures as a quiet place to sit and decompress is the top of the courthouse steps. The beautiful view of the river and our charming Main Street area, it's just what she needs to rejuvenate and refocus. (We couldn't agree more!)

Downtown isn't perfect; there will always be room for improvement. And if Donna could change just one thing about downtown, it would be to change the opinions of the few cynics who only focus on a couple of empty buildings, some litter or other issue in downtown and don’t see and appreciate the improvements that have been made, over time, in Old Town Cape. 'You can’t truly appreciate how far we’ve come if you haven’t contributed in some way,' she commented. 'Each of us can make a difference. So if you aren’t already, get involved and help us build the future Old Town Cape!'

Donna is proud of the impact Old Town Cape is making in our district and throughout the community.

This organization has created a unified vision for our downtown and works hard every day to make sure Downtown Cape Girardeau is an inviting area for people to live, work and play. While our work is never done, we can all take pride in being designated a Great American Main Street Community. ' How awesome is that!'

Enough business, let's get to know Donna personally. Guys beware, the following sounds like something straight out of a chick-flick. Donna met her husband Phil during college when he moved into the apartment next to her. She literally married the boy next door! Boy moves in next door, notices the pretty neighbor, rustles up enough courage to ask her out and the rest is history. See, we told you it was just like the movies! 'Phil is the love of my life,' she gushed, 'and my best friend.' They have 3 grown daughters and 4 grandchildren who, of course, 'are the cutest, smartest and most-talented kids on the planet!' ;) We're pretty sure every grandma is allowed to make that judgement!

Something about Donna that you may not know is she is one of 8 children in her family. Wow! 'We were poor, it was loud, it was cramped, but it was great!'

Old Town Cape is incredibly fortunate to have Donna on our leadership team, as an involved downtown business woman and a friend. We are confident that downtown is headed in the right direction because of the guidance and support she offers. Organizations say this all the time, but at Old Town Cape we truly believe we have the best support system around!

Summing up her downtown sentiments, 'A thriving and vibrant downtown is healthy for our entire community. The downtown is the heart of Cape and a timeless treasure for us to enjoy – come be a part of it!'

This post was co-written by Donna Denson, Old Town Cape Board of Directors President, and Christa Zickfield, Old Town Cape Project Manager.

On your mark, get set, GO! Well, not quite yet. But, you better be ready on May 02, 2015 - the return of the Color Me Cape 5K. Who’s ready? I am.

The Color Me Cape 5K is back with a vengeance — in a good way, that is! With an outstanding turnout last year, bringing more than 2,100 people to Cape Girardeau, the Color Me Cape 5K team has decided to return with an encore. This fun, colorful, 3.1 mile race will take place in the historic downtown center of Cape Girardeau.

Not only does this fun 5K benefit you, in so many ways, it also benefits others. By partaking in this run, you are actually helping to help others. This event supports the Quest Scholarship Program, which awards multiple scholarships to high school seniors who plan to obtain further education and have a plan to actively make a difference in their community. Talk about a great cause!

I have to say, I am pumped about this 5K — this is my very first 5K. What sparked my interest in participating in this event? My sister and I remember it like it was yesterday. Last year, on one sunny, perfect weather day, we were driving in Downtown Cape Girardeau when, all of the sudden, we saw a ton of people with tutus on and covered in some colorful powder. And, moreover, we saw big smiles upon each person’s face. As we slowly rode past them, it looked like (scratch that…they were) having a ton of fun. We didn’t know exactly what was going on at the time, but remember saying to each other, “We want to get in on that!” And guess what? A whole year later, my sister and I get to be in on all the fun, colorful action of the Color Me Cape 5K—all thanks to my dear friend Nicholle Hinkle.

My friend, Nicholle, approached me this year about joining her team. And, of course, I said yes and gave her my spill about what my sister and I encountered last year, and told her we definitely want to be in on it this year. So, what do you know?! We are! Our team is called Get Fit or Dye Trying. And let me tell you, we have been doing just that. We have been preparing for this 5K with the help of a handy, dandy little app called Couch to 5K. Boy, is this a wonderful app, especially if you’re like me. You know, your first-ever 5K. Wow! Pray for me! Without all of this support, I don’t know if I would have been able to do such a race. And, I would have probably been the very last to finish…but that’s just something that I refuse. So, I’m ready; we’re ready to finish this race—as long as it’s not last.

To learn more about this fun, exciting, colorful event, visit Color Me Cape 5K on Facebook.

One last thing - I’ll see you at the finish line.

This post was written by guest blogger, Kaleisha Walker.

Walk up to Belair Bar & Grill on Spanish Street on a Wednesday evening and you'll notice the place is not only buzzing, but it's been taken over by runners. People stretching by the stage, knotting their laces on patio chairs and catching up with jovial conversations are all the norm. The group meets at Belair at 6:30 and runs a 4 mile loop throughout downtown ending back at Belair for food and socializing. We usually put together about five or six tables and all enjoy food and drinks together after the run. Belair also offers our group special deals on the food which is most appreciated! Anyone is invited to join any of the runs (no matter your pace), and one of my favorite things about the group is the wide variety of awesome people I've met while participating.

I personally started running last summer after a friend invited me to try the social run at Belair. Being a newbie to running (and really to working out in general), I wasn't so sure I was cut out for this group. After one run, though, my fears were shed.

I discovered the whole point of social run was to run together... of course there were people running at different paces and speeds, but ultimately no one was to be left alone. If you see someone running by themselves you either slow down or speed up so they're not alone. Starting out I ran about 1 mile with the group and then would take a shortcut back to Belair.

Everyone in the group was so encouraging. About the third or fourth time I showed up, one of the men in the group confidently told me that I was running 2 miles that day without stopping. I laughed because I had just started running 1 mile without stopping. More committed and convinced than I was, he ran beside me the whole way giving me advice and encouragement, and through the huffs and puffs I made it to 2 miles. The feeling of accomplishment was so nice, and the camaraderie by which I accomplished it was even more uplifting. As any social runner could tell you, the stories of friendship and camaraderie are so abundant!

The group is led by local running experts, Bryan and Kim Kelpe who together own and operate Missouri Running Company. About once a month they will invite out athletic brand reps or have a special demonstration before the social run that benefit runners such as tips and tricks for running at night, and every once in awhile there are even door prizes! Woop! Woop!

Come and see what it's all about. I've been running for close to a year now, and am still near the back of the pack; but no one ever makes me feel inferior. Everyone is genuinely encouraging. It's all about being active and just giving your best effort. Whether your mile is 14 minutes or 6 minutes, you will benefit from time well spent with others, and I promise you'll leave with lifted spirits. See you next Wednesday at 6:30 at Belair!

Thursday evening, February 19, friends, volunteers, board and committee members of Old Town Cape gathered in the Event Center at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau for an evening of fun and to make some well-deserved recognitions. This annual spectacle helps raise awareness of what this organization is all about, highlights some of the downtown happenings of the year prior and looks forward to the excitement of the coming year. At this year’s Annual Dinner, we did just that!

Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, one of our main event sponsors, always helps pull together a fantastic event. Dinner started with a lovely beet and mandarin orange salad, which, I learned, is a work of art in itself. Each salad was adorned with cucumber slices in a specific arrangement. When the salads were set, the cucumbers had to be at particular positions in the place setting. Little details like this really make the event over-the-top! After salad came a mouth-watering entrée of beef marsala with crimini mushrooms and crispy sesame chicken with asian pesto. Perfectly manicured carrots adorned each plate and made for a stunning presentation. Last, but certainly not least, individual Chinese takeout boxes were brought out that housed two chocolate covered strawberries, glistening with shimmery gold dust. If you weren’t able to make it, you definitely missed a spectacular dinner!

The Isle does have a beautiful Event Center, but the help of volunteers Teresa Maurer and Sally Suchman, owner of Muriel’s Garden, the space was transformed into an elegant venue. Towering centerpieces of painted branches nestled in eifel tower vases gave each table dramatic personality. The black and silver color scheme kept the palette very clean and professional.  A lighted ice sculpture, generously donated by Mark Dirnberger, owner of Bella Italia, helped give prominence to the stage and awards area. Low lighting and soft dinner music added to the warm ambiance. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting to honor the achievements of some of our most dedicated volunteers.

Speaking of honors, we presented four recognitions during the main program. While our organization is overflowing with talent, dedication and love from some of the best volunteers around, a handful of them stood out for their accomplishments in 2014.

Did you know Old Town Cape sponsors two scholarships? Well, now you know. The primary funding source for both allotments sprouts from the tender loving care that Bill Dunn pours into Old Town Cape’s Scholarship Garden. It seems only fitting to honor the one who helps sustain this offering by renaming the Old Town Cape Scholarship to the Old Town Cape William Dunn Scholarship. Volunteer for us and you never know what kind of recognition you may receive!

If you were as skeptical as we were about the future of the ‘Old Federal Building’ at 339 Broadway, things didn’t look good. They didn’t look good until Janus Development Group swooped in and transformed what was once a white elephant property into a booming hub of commerce and creativity. Since they purchased the building in May 2014, critical structural and cosmetic upgrades have transformed this historic structure into a vibrant opportunity for 13 businesses. Have you heard of Codefi, Cape Girardeau’s first co-working community? They call this building home, along with a group of attorney’s, several photographers, and other specialized retail and professional entities. The excitement these changes have brought to the building are now spilling over and spurring development around the building as well. We couldn’t think of a better fit for the Adaptive Use recognition than Janus Development Group.

When you think of an excellent downtown business, probably an established retail outlet or one of our awesome restaurants comes to mind. While we do have some exceptional businesses that fall under these categories, this year’s Business Excellence Award went to a slightly different recipient. Thomas R. Higgins Accounting, LLC has thrived in downtown for more than 30 years. Tom Higgins, owner, has immersed himself and his business in all things downtown by being involved in several of our organizational committees, staying active in downtown development, his ownership and revitalization of one of downtown’s ‘old buildings’, by offering his business services to a host of area groups and entities, by being one of the first board members of our organization and serving his post for fifteen years. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything Tom and TRH Accounting has contributed to downtown, Old Town Cape and our community. Job well done, sir!

What does it mean to be a visionary? Someone who is dedicated, committed, a leader, someone who helps develop opportunities – what it takes to earn the Charles L. Hutson Visionary Award. This individual is someone who is immersed in what they’re passionate about, often leaving a lasting impact on the groups and entities they support – the basis of our Volunteer of the Year Award. For only the second time ever, we have combined these to honor the efforts of one special volunteer, James D. (Jim) Maurer. Jim has been involved with the Discovery Playhouse from the very beginning. He and his wife Teresa are major supporters and organizers of Christmas in Old Town Cape. Jim has served on our Board of Directors and numerous committees for six years. After that, he became Chairman of the Downtown Cape Girardeau Community Improvement District steering committee and worked tirelessly for four years establishing the district, services and funding. Jim has embraced what it means to love and nurture our downtown, and we are truly blessed to have him as an advocate and ambassador for our organization.

We welcomed two new board members:
                            
Trae Bertrand – Bertrand Law Firm            Emilie Stephens – Annie-Em’s at Home

The evening was perfect! A great dinner, a great venue, a fantastic group of attendees and some well-deserved recognitions. We are incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic team of supporters and volunteers. 2015 is sure to be fantastic with such dedication and support!

Thank you to our wonderful event sponsors:

     

Do you love downtown?
Are you looking to be involved in a worthwhile organization?
Do you want to know more about some of the changes and updates that happened in 2014?
Are you curious about what’s in store for the 131 blocks of our downtown district for 2015?
Have you asked yourself - what does Old Town Cape really do?
This pretty much includes everyone, right? Make plans to attend our Annual Dinner on Thursday, February 19, at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.

Social hour kicks off the evening at 6pm in Isle Casino Cape Girardeau’s Event Center, located at 777 N Main, with dinner and the program to follow at 7pm. If you haven’t had the opportunity to dine at the Isle, you’re really missing out. We guarantee Chef Ray and his team will have a delicious dinner ready to tantalize your taste buds while learning more about downtown.

Learning more about downtown - what more is there to know? Main Street, Broadway, Spanish Street, we have a court house, fantastic businesses and there are some good restaurants… Our downtown is so much more! Did you know that in 2014 alone there were 85 net new jobs added just in our 131 downtown blocks? Our organization was instrumental in helping pull together 54 events. Over $6,000,000 was invested by our downtown businesses and investors in building and area improvements. That’s just a portion of the puzzle - RSVP for the dinner today to learn more.

This event also gives our organization the opportunity to honor significant downtown achievements and improvements, as well as those businesses and volunteers that have made a major impact on our area and the organization. This year’s recognitions include: Adaptive Use - highlights the creative utilization of a downtown building, Business in Excellence - spotlights an organization that has gone above and beyond to further the collective efforts of downtown revitalization, Volunteer of the Year - pretty much speaks for itself, and the Charles L. Hutson Visionary Award - shines a light on one volunteer, one of the many, who has made a substantial impact on downtown.

Tickets are $30 each or tables of 8 are available for $240. If you have special dietary needs, please let us know when reserving your spot. Reservations can be made by calling Old Town Cape at (573) 334-8085.

Special 'Thank you's' go out to our Annual Dinner sponsors - First State Community Bank and Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. Without their support, and the support of all of our sponsors, events like these and downtown revitalization wouldn't be possible. 

Old town is your town - come find out about the excitement!

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." -Josh Billings
 
Our 4-legged, furry friends are more than just loyal companions; they’re members of our family. They love us unconditionally, and only want the same in return. So the next time you’re headed out for a stroll, need to replenish your stock of puppy supplies or want to pick up a quick bite for lunch, consider heading downtown and bringing Fido along.

Did you know downtown Cape Girardeau is home to a gourmet dog boutique?  Mississippi Mutts is a friendly shop on Broadway that provides a place for you to take your dog to enjoy some well-deserved social interaction, to pick up a few toys and some new treats from their delicious bakery, while stocking up on his or her everyday supplies. If you and your dog can use a little help with obedience training, sign up to take part in their training classes.

Sherry Jennings, owner of Mississippi Mutts, says that people take their dogs to downtown Cape more than any other area. She calls our area ‘unique’ because you can take your dog for a walk, or you can take them to get wine or lunch with you. A variety of places downtown are available to explore with your dog. “More and more places are becoming pet friendly,” added Jennings.  She believes the growing dog friendly atmosphere makes downtown a more relaxing place, even for those who do not own dogs. 

Some of the downtown locals even bring their dogs to work. “It’s proven, when you take your dog to work it lowers stress and increases productivity,” Sherry noted. She definitely should know. Have you seen her dog Murphy out-and-about downtown recently? He has become a downtown fixture with enough love to for everyone. Dog-friendly work places are becoming more and more popular in our area. 

One example is Wynn from Cape Paint and Glass. He brings Harley, his golden retriever, to work every day. You’ll see them soaking up some fresh air and getting in some exercise around downtown almost every day during the lunch hour. If you stop in the shop, Harley is one of the first to say hello and welcome you in. ‘Harley has become our official greeter here at the office,’ commented Beverly, the office secretary. ‘He’s definitely brought some life and excitement to the business.’

Another famous downtown dog is Santino. If you haven’t seen Santino working in Sloan + Themis during the day with his owner Claire, you may have seen him wandering around many of our downtown Cape Girardeau shops. ‘People go nuts over him,’ Claire exclaimed! ‘He runs all types of errands downtown and he loves to get positive attention from everyone he comes in contact with.’ The girls at Mississippi Mutts will sometimes even keep him for a while after they are done grooming him to play.

Many downtown businesses have outdoor seating that helps make the area more dog-friendly. You can always see pups outside Cup ‘N’ Cork, Socials, Mediterranean on Broadway or Dynamite Coffee. What better way to relieve stress than a latte or a casual lunch with your best friend?

Another great downtown opportunity for dogs is the Cape Riverfront Market. During the warmer months this outdoor market plays host to local produce and craft vendors, musicians and an array of other specialized suppliers. Some vendors even have healthy dog treats for your furry family members. The casual, fun-for-everyone Market atmosphere is an excellent environment for these four-legged friends, so be sure to bring them along.

Downtown Cape Girardeau does provide a dog friendly environment and invites you to bring your dog to shop or eat downtown. But don’t forget your doggie bag!

This post was written by guest blogger, Cheyenne French, student at Southeast Missouri State University

Shopping for that special man in your life isn’t as difficult as you think. If you find yourself in the Downtown Cape area and have an itch to check some people off your Christmas list, you’re in luck! This area is home to some of the best cuisine, entertainment and shopping experiences around. Not to mention its historic background adding to the allure. Shopping for a man has never been easier once you see what these shops have to offer.

Start with some downtown restaurants, such as Broussard’s (for your Cajun lover) or Bella Italia (to satisfy your guy’s Italian craving), to kick-start your shopping spree off right. Port Cape (did someone say excellent BBQ?), Cup n’ Cork and Dynamite Coffee (who doesn’t need a good cup of coffee to start their day off right?), El Sol (Mexican!) and Katy O’Ferrell’s Publick House (your local Irish pub) help add to the diverse dining scene. Don’t forget Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill on Main St for the sports lover in your family. The Corner Grocery & Gourmet Chocolates is a hidden gem for the sweets lover in your life. Stop in to get him some Kentucky Bourbon Balls, homemade fudge and delicious turtles. Yum! Knock more people off your list and pick up an extra gift card or two for any food lovers you may know.

Gaming Grounds, located on Broadway, has tons of lightly used games for guys of any age. You can even rent the place out for parties or buy him an hour or two of gaming time in the store. They also sell gaming accessories for an awesome price. Gaming Grounds is a must stop for any gamer in your life.

Maybe you need a gift for the more sophisticated man; one who cherishes things from the heart. Any of the downtown antique stores would be the perfect place to start. Sure, you hear the word “antiques” and think of some old cameras or ceramics, right? Wrong! These places have TONS of treasures for guys young and old. You can find vintage watches and belts, high-quality ink pen sets and vintage tools, or trinkets to hang in their man cave.

If man cave accessories are what he’s looking for, step over to Hutson’s Fine Furniture for a selection of furnishings and décor that’s never ending. If you’ve been searching for the perfect recliner to be his easy chair, you’re in luck. Does he need a new desk for his home office? Hutson’s is the place to shop. With a wide variety of all sorts of furniture including recliners, tables, clocks, rugs, mattresses and even fireplaces, Hutson’s has you covered.

If you’re feeling extra nice, take a look inside Grass Roots BMW Motorcycle for some excellent gift ideas. A shiny new motorcycle under the tree is sure to bring a smile to his face, but if that’s a little out of your realm, they also have apparel and accessories, parts and everything your cycle lover can dream of. While in the area, stop in Lattitudes Fair Trade Store where you'll find tasty coffee blends, handmade soaps and lotions, beautiful wine racks and other furnishings, to name a few. We can't even begin to detail what it means to be 'fair trade', so stop in and see how your purchases make a difference for those in need.

All these locations are a hop, skip, and a jump away. So take advantage of the beautiful city you live in and shop locally. Keep your main street alive and well by finding the perfect gift right in your very own neighborhood. Shop local in Downtown Cape Girardeau for all of the men on your list this Christmas!

This listing is not comprehensive of all the Downtown Cape offerings for men. Please check out all shopping outlets for unique ideas.

                             

Question and Answer time with Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash organizer, Ryan Eftink

What happened in 2001 that caused you to make a commitment to recruiting toys for kids at Christmas?
We wanted to have a Christmas party with our friends. My good friend, Davey, and I decided we’d make it a toy donation party. If you brought a toy to the party you could participate in the beverages and food that was provided, if not we asked for a cash donation. That first year at our house we had close to 100 people stop by… It was time to get a venue!

How did you come up with the name “Happy Slapowitz’s Toy Bash”?
We wanted something that gave tribute to the people that helped keep the event going. All the patrons of Rude Dog pub have always helped from the beginning and never asked for anything in return. That first year Mark and Todd wrote a check at the end of the night and gave cash from their tip jars to help. Another friend of ours, Nathan, brought several bags of toys to the event and one gentleman donates a bike every year. So I talked with my friends and decided to name it the “Happy Slapowitz’s Toy Bash” in honor of the unselfishness of the patrons of Rude Dog and the owners from that first year.  It is a name that means something to those that know it. 

What is your relation to Smokin’ Brothers?
Smokin Brothers is my family’s company. I have always been in charge of cooking the food for the event with help from a couple of friends. I am not into name recognition, and thought that it would help the cause if a business was named rather than a person. Smokin Brothers is a Seasoning, Sauce and Grill Manufacture Company. Double D Supply is the distributor for Smokin’ Brothers products. They provide all the supplies needed to cook from the seasonings, sauces and wood pellets, to, most importantly, the bbq grills used to cook the food.

What can we expect on this year’s menu?
We are cooking for all 8 bars this year. We’re providing pulled pork, BBQ baked beans, cole slaw and baked potato casserole. Food will be served before the bands take stage, from a 6-8pm, on December 11th.  

How do you buy tickets? What does it take to enter? 
The admission is a new unwrapped toy or a $10 cash donation at the door. ‘Bashers’ will receive a wristband to wear, allowing them to get into all locations for that one donation. If you purchased a t-shirt ahead of time, wear that and you’ll get in free.

What else is happening the evening of the 11th to support Toys for Tots
We’re having raffles for each bar that will be drawn at 12:30 at each location. Only 100 tickets will be sold at each bar for $5 apiece. It will be winner takes all. Each bar will have their own raffle box that will be given away, and the tickets can be purchased only at that bar that is giving that raffle away. The raffle boxes are made up of donations from our awesome sponsors. We’ll post on our FB page what each bar will have in their box.

New this year, we have one big prize to be raffled off. For a $20 entry you can win a Smokin Brothers BBQ grill valued at $900. Or, if you manage to make it to all eight venues and get your grill card punched at each location, you can enter for $10. The grill punch cards will be handed out at all venues, but Bel Air Bar and Grill will be where you can enter for the grill only. If you would like to purchase a chance to win the grill but are unable to attend, head over to Smokin Brothers at 1923 N. Kingshighway and enter there until Thursday, December 11th, at noon. We will be giving the grill away the following day on K103.

So you grew from changing the location from your home to Rude Dog to 8 pubs this year-is this correct?
We started in our home the first year and then quickly realized that it was too large of an event to have there. I’m good friends with the owners of Rude Dog Pub (Mark and Todd) and approached them about helping me out and having it at their location. The event changed from a Saturday night to a Thursday night. Also the free drinks went away, but we kept the food and added entertainment.

I have some good friends in several bands who came to help by donating their time. Jeremy Burford and Mike Renick were key contributors that first year at Rude Dog with their music connection.

That first year is when I got my right hand man on the cooking to start helping me, Kieth Seyer (Jr.).  2011 was the first year we added t-shirts and 2 other bars as well: Pour House & The Library. And this year we have committees helping with everything and we are an official 501C3! We also have had several businesses step forward and donate money and products to be given to the raffles.

We can’t wait for this year’s night - December 11th. 8 bars and 10 bands – don’t miss it!

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