Former Cape Girardeau city manager starting own business

When Doug Leslie retired in late February from his post as Cape Girardeau city manager, he planned -- among other things -- to renew his pilot's license and fly remote control airplanes. By July 1 Leslie plans to sell model airplanes at his new business, Tailwinds RC Hobby Center.

The shop, at 1 South Plaza Way, will sell radio-controlled helicopters, airplanes, boats and related supplies and parts. Leslie said he may eventually expand into model airplanes but plans to concentrate on radio-controlled planes, helicopters and boats for now. Though hours and days of operation aren't set in stone, Leslie hopes to be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Leslie first entertained the idea of opening the business soon after retirement and has taken a class at the Small Business Development Center to develop some expertise in running a small business. Tailwinds RC Hobby Center will be Leslie's first business venture, and he said the sky's the limit for its future.

"This is a great lifetime hobby," Leslie said. "We have folks from 8 to 80 who participate, and it's exciting to offer services to the enthusiasts here."

* HealthPoint undergoing renovations: HealthPoint Fitness in Jackson is undergoing some changes. Spokesman Mark Bliss of Southeast Missouri Hospital -- with which the facility is affiliated -- said changes will include an additional 1,200 square feet of fitness floor, more cardio machines, a cardio theater equipment system, a new cycle room with Lemond Revmaster bikes, seven 40-inch flat screen TVs throughout the facility, and expansion of cardio, free weight and cable system areas on the first level. Bliss said the changes should be complete by the end of July.

* Pizza for the needy: Little Caesars will serve pizza for 150 needy people today at the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau. A pizza kitchen on wheels, the Little Caesars Love Kitchen travels the U.S. and Canada to meet needs of the hungry, the homeless and disaster survivors. Since it began in 1985, the Love Kitchen has fed more than 2 million people in 48 states and four Canadian provinces. Disasters it has responded to include recent floods in North Dakota and Iowa, hurricanes in the Gulf Coast area in 2005 and 2008, the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks and the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

* Vector Marketing opens Cape Girardeau office: Vector Marketing has opened a new sales office at 920 Broadway, Suite 313 in Cape Girardeau. Managed by branch manager Matthew Cassidy, the office will be used for the recruitment and training of new sales representatives and team meetings.

* Heritage Farm temporary facility now open: Jones Heritage Farm Market has opened a temporary facility at 5739 Route W outside of Cape Girardeau, 2 miles north of the Pilot House. Owner Gerry Jones said the location will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, with the possibility of expanded hours in the fall once the new market building is finished.

Jones Heritage Farms don't use modern practices like animal confinement, the feeding of animal byproducts and the use of antibiotics and growth hormones, because Jones said his farms are "more concerned about healthy, happy animals and great-tasting food than maximizing production." Products sold at the market include 100 percent Berkshire pork, free-range chicken and eggs, lamb, Angus beef and seasonal vegetables. For more information, call 270-1496 or visit jonesheritagefarms.com.

* Marine Corps League moves: The Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment No. 1081 of the Marine Corps League has moved into the building formerly occupied by Mailboxes & Parcel Depot in Cape Girardeau.

Commandant Richard Bollwerk said the building at 2148 Broadway will serve as the organization's headquarters and was officially named "The Barracks" during a May ribbon-cutting ceremony. The detachment and auxiliary will conduct all of their programs and many social events from this location, including the Toys For Tots program for needy families.

Bollwerk said other programs include the Marine Rose program, Injured Marine Fund, Honor Guard/Color Guard training and communitywide programs including the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Meetings are at 7 p.m. every third Thursday. For more information, call 979-5450.

* Workforce Investment Board announces summer employment program: The Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri has announced a summer employment program for young people in the region who want careers in high-tech industries.

The program, known as the Next-Generation Jobs Team, matches people ages 16 to 24 with paid summer jobs and internships throughout the area. As part of the program, Workforce Investment Board and partner staff will work with people to identify career fields of interest and place them with participating employers.

Next-Generation Jobs Team participants will spend the summer gaining on-the-job training, work experience and guidance and support from professional career counselors from the local Missouri Career Centers. Wages for the workers are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Missourians or businesses interested in participating in the Next-Generation Jobs Team can apply online at www.summerjobs.mo.gov or call 334-0990. The program is available through Sept. 30. There is no fee to participate and some eligibility requirements will apply.

* Learning about the baby business: On a final note, my mind wasn't exactly 100 percent on business news for most of last week. I spent much of the time tending to our new daughter, Isabella Grace. I'm open to any and all advice.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Brian Blackwell may be contacted at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com.;