Networking and education opportunities abound

Business education and networking

* Two free webinars are being offered by the The Small Business and Technology Development Center at Southeast Missouri State University. At 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, "100+ Ways to Reduce Your IT Budget" by D.J. Good, CEO of Light Bridge, will focus on using broadband opportunities to expand markets and sales. At noon on Feb. 26, "Outdoor Recreation" by Dr. Steve Illum of Missouri State University will provide information on stimulating rural economies by promoting outdoor recreation-focused businesses, such as hunting and fishing, that create jobs and conserve natural resources. Register at http://www.semo.edu/entrepreneurship/start-a-business/45144.htm.

* The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour will come to Cape Girardeau from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, hosted by Southeast Missouri State University. Entrepreneurs who have developed or sold successful companies before the age of 30 will be the high-energy event's keynote speakers. Michael Simmons, co-founder of the tour and partner at Empact, an entrepreneurship education organization, said prospective entrepreneurs should be inspired, not intimidated, by the current economic climate. "More than half the companies on the 2009 Fortune 500 list were launched during a recession or bear market." Simmons said, "Technology and globalization have made it very inexpensive to start a business. Now is the best time to become your own boss." The free event is open to the public. Register in advance at www.semo.edu/NEW. On-site registration will be available at 1 p.m., Thursday.

* The Gary G. Johnson Faculty Fellow in Accounting has been established through the Southeast Missouri University Foundation to "recognize, support, recruit and retain exceptionally meritorious faculty members in accounting who have demonstrated or demonstrate the potential for significant accomplishments in teaching, scholarly activities and service to the accounting profession." Drs. Gary and Mary Johnson of Jackson made a $10,000 gift to endow the fellowship. Any regular, full-time accounting faculty member in the Department of Accounting in Southeast's Donald L. Harrison College of Business who is a certified public accountant will be eligible. Fellowship funds will be used for professional development through travel, research or purchase of teaching or scholarly materials. Dr. Gary Johnson has been a faculty member at Southeast since 1982 and became associate dean of the Harrison College of Business in 2006. In addition to three teaching and research awards during his professorship, in 1998, he was recognized by the Missouri Society of CPAs as "Accounting Educator of the Year."

* Big River Telephone, along with LocalTek, Midcom Technologies LLC, Hensco Technologies Inc., Branding Iron BBQ and Bauhaus Kaffee, is sponsoring the first "Parkland Meetup" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bauhaus Kaffee in Farmington, Mo. Anyone interested in new technology startups or networking with technology professionals may attend the free event. For details or to sign up, visit parklandmeetup.com, or call Bruce Marler at 701-2414.

Advertising awards

The annual Tri-State Advertising & Marketing Professionals ADDY Awards will be presented March 1 at The Plaza by Ray's in Cape Girardeau to honor exceptional advertising published or aired in the Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Ky., and Harrisburg, Ill., markets between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2012. More than 160 professional and student media entries in print, broadcast, out-of-home and public service advertising were judged by a panel of advertising and creative executives. "I was thrilled to see so many high-caliber entries this year," said Emily Sikes, Tri-State AMP ADDY chairwoman. "This may be a mainly rural area, but our creative community has a lot to offer. We are excited to honor the best of the best at the awards show March 1." Individual tickets are $30 and a corporate table of eight is $325. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 331-5327, visit http://tristateamp.com/addy-tickets-on-sale-now/ or email: info@tristateamp.com.

Agriculture

The Internal Revenue Service and the Missouri Department of Revenue announced that farmers and fishermen have been granted a tax-filing extension. Because late enactment of the American Taxpayer Relief Act by the U.S. Congress shortened the time period the IRS could accept tax returns, filers who chose not to make quarterly estimated income tax payments have until April 15 to file, instead of March 1, without penalties. "Agriculture is a vital industry in Missouri, so if unusual circumstances make it difficult for farmers to file their tax returns on time, the Department will make it as easy as possible for them to comply with Missouri's tax laws," Brian K. Long, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, said in a news release. A taxpayer qualifies if at least two-thirds of 2011 or 2012 total gross income was from farming or fishing. For more information on state filing, visit http://dor.mo.gov/personal/individual/. IRS information may be found at http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Provides-Penalty-Relief-to-Farmers-and-Fishermen.

Giveaways

* Buchheit of Jackson, purveyor of pet supplies, work wear and sporting goods, will host a free pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday at its store, 2801 Old Orchard Road. "If you have do-it-yourself plans this weekend, this is one event you will not want to miss," said Tyler Russom, manager of Buchheit of Jackson, in a news release. "Not only will you and your family be treated to a hearty breakfast, but you can pick up all your DIY needs." The event is open to the public. For more information, visit buchheitonline.com or facebook.com/buchheitstores.

Rumors and previews

* Plaza Azteca Grill, owned by Daniel Alvares of El Torero, is slated to open in a month or so in the building that was most recently a Dairy Queen at 1036 N. Sprigg St., according to Thomas M. Meyer, who brokered the property for Thomas L. Meyer Commercial Realty. Meyer said it will serve made-to-order Mexican cuisine, assembly-line style. More details to come.

* I've received questions about activity near the interchange at U.S. 61 and Interstate 55. According to Janet Sanders, Jackson building and planning superintendent, Midwest Hotels owns the property and has a grading permit to reshape the land and reroute the storm sewer. "They have also applied to add a sewer extension to that property but so far we do not have anything on what will be there," Sanders said.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO

2801 Old Orchard Rd., Jackson, MO

188 Vantage Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO

1606 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO

1036 North Sprigg Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

9 North Jefferson Street, Farmington, MO