New Design for the The Olive Link
Colorful new banners with this logo well connect the commercial district along Olive Street Road from Skinker to I-170.

By Willa Boisseau, Scanews Senior Editor

Bright new banners will blaze along Olive Street Road this autumn.  Mr. Joe Gray, of Gray Communications and Marketing, presented his company's design at the meeting September 9 of the Olive Business Association.  The group voted to accept the design, with a few color changes.  From now on, the district from Skinker to I-170 will be connected by the name "The Olive Link," and the new logo.  It will be used on brochures and all materials identifying members of the OBA.
 
Officers for the year 2003-2004 were presented.  They are:  co-chairmen, Dan Savory of the Olive Street Deli and Meat Market, and Joe Hahn of Norge Village; treasurer, Ralph Broeker of Royal Bank; corresponding secretary, Lynn Rossel of Rosco Electric; recording secretary, Willa Boisseau of the St. Louis Chinese-American Newspaper.  Directors will be presented at the next meeting.
 
Where will the money for funding your new business, or for expanding your present one, come from?  Those questions wee discussed by Mr. Doug Schell, Development Officer of the St. Louis County Economic Council.  A former loan officer himself, he told about programs available for small and micro-businesses.  He brought brochures and resource materials as well as advice for finding the needed funds.  He and his staff are available for help to present and future business people.
 
Shari LeKane-Yentumi of U. City East presented a copy of the basic listings of companies licensed to do business in the area along Olive.  A computer database is being constructed that will be able to sort businesses by types, locations, names and other categories.  She asked for more help with this project.
 
Bob Wagner, member of the University City City Council, told of outstanding local activities.  A celebration for the laying of the cornerstone of the new Children's Center building is being held the day after this OBA meeting, he said.  The Center will be on Vernon Avenue, just east of Kingsland.  Washington University is a partner with U. City in this 22,000 square foot project for day care of area children.
 
Dr. Ching-Ling Tai reminded members of the Fun Fair to be held in the parking lot of the Asian Farmers' Market on Olive, next door to Royal Bank, on September 20.  Everyone is invited to attend.  She said proceeds from the Fair will be donated to the Olive Business Association.  Everyone present was excited by the idea of this generous contribution.
 
The next meeting of this energetic group, the Olive Business Association, will be at 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 14, in the Heman Park Community Center.  Olive Street Road business people and others interested are warmly invited to attend.