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.

This post is written by guest blogger, Lydia Ness, Student Worker at Old Town Cape.

A few weeks ago some of my friends and I made the decision to spend our Friday night checking out Tunes at Twilight. So, after work we packed our lawn chairs, picnic basket full of cheese and fruit, and a bottle of wine and headed down to the Common Pleas Courthouse Gazebo in downtown Cape.

We arrived around 6:45 and I was immediately blown away - people of all ages, including couples, families and friends filled the lawn surrounding the gazebo. It was clear to me that this event was loved by many and it was sure to be a great night! We scoped out a spot near a large shade tree, planted our chairs and got ready for Coles Whalen, a Tunes at Twilight regular, to take the stage. Whalen is from Denver, CO and has toured all over the country with big names such Pat Benatar, Joan Jett and Kellie Pickler. A few minutes later she took the stage and I immediately fell in love.

My friends and I cracked open the wine and got out the snacks and settled in for a nice, relaxing evening. As I sat there, I thought to myself that this very moment is the reason I love downtown. The weather and atmosphere was perfect, the crowd was fun, and Whalen was just as good as I expected her to be.

I also couldn't help but to think of how perfect of an example of Placemaking this is. Old Town Cape has been really strategic in creating and designing places downtown for people to go and has transformed the area into a destination. Tunes at Twilight is a creative event that invites and encourages people to enjoy all that downtown Cape has to offer. I learned that many people visit the downtown shops and restaurants before or after the event and we did just that once the concert was over. We took the short walk to Broadway Biergarten to grab some dinner and drinks before ending the night.

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a Friday night that was as relaxing as this one was. I was fortunate enough to spend it with great friends while enjoying excellent music. If you haven't had the chance to check out Tunes at Twilight, I highly encourage you to do so! Wil Maring is the performer scheduled for tonight, but there are two more spring concerts after this one and the fall season will begin on August 15. For more information about this event, click here.

Sunshine is finally headed our way. Prepare yourself in these stylish sunglasses. Lucky for you they're all available downtown! 

The following sunglasses are from Philanthropy and range in price from $18 to $28.









The following sunglasses, Solo eye-wear, are from Southern Style and range in price from $100 to $180.








Author: Toni Eftink is a Project Manager at Element 74 where she leads custom web projects. She has a huge love for downtown Cape Girardeau and small businesses. You can find her on Google+ and Twitter.