CITY IS CONSIDERED FOR FILM SHOTS, SAYS BUREAU

A movie film company is looking to Cape Girardeau for some rural scenarios.

"They want a farm area, an old road with shrubbery on either side, and a road with a lake at the end of it," said Cathy Crites, a member of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The bureau was contacted by John Panzarella of CBS Studio Center, Studio City, Calif., for information that could lead to the filming of "I Love Trouble," a remake of a 1940s-era film.

"The film would star Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte," said Crites, who along with bureau Director Lyn Muzzy toured the countryside, taking photographs of potential sites, which were mailed to Panzarella last week.

Crites reported the movie request during the monthly meeting of the bureau's advisory board Wednesday at City Hall. Other items on the agenda included a discussion of the bureau's move to new quarters and the approval of a $2,000 funding request by the River Heritage Mural Association.

The advisory board also met with City Manager J. Ronald Fischer in a closed session to discuss candidates for the new director's position. Fischer reported to the group that the list of more than 60 candidates had been narrowed to six, but that names would not be released to the public until a selection had been made.

The bureau will move to 1707 Mount Auburn Road, into a building situated at the intersection of Mount Auburn and North Kingshighway, where it will occupy a 1,308-square-foot office.

"The CVB will be ready to open at the new location Aug. 2," said Fischer.

The request of the mural association was presented by Tim Blattner, who explained that the $2,000 would represent one-third of the cost of the mural, which would be placed on the side of Shivelbine's Music Store building at Frederick & Broadway.

Blattner added that the store would provide a third of the cost, and that the final $2,000 would be provided by a corporate sponsor.

The new mural will be a 25-by-40-foot historical music scene.

"The CVB will receive a sketch of the mural," said Blattner.

The advisory board recommended that the $2,000 grant be taken from the bureau's contingency fund. The funds will be granted when other funds for the project are intact.

It was also reported that a FAM (familiarization) Showcase would be held in Cape Girardeau Aug. 24.

"Tour operators from all sections of the U.S. will be here," said Crites. The bureau will coordinate the activities.

"We have invited people in the area to attend the activities to be held at the Black Forest during the evening," said Crites. An evening meal and entertainment will be provided.

The FAM tour is being conducted by the Missouri Tourism Department. From Cape Girardeau the group will visit the Branson area.