COMO | The Innovation & Technology Issue 2024

INSPIRATION, INNOVATION, AND INVESTIGATION AT THE CUBE Wally Luther guides Kai Kurok during a woodworking project at Columbia Independent School's STEM Lab.

THE

INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY

That’s

She Said is a

for everyday women to share their extraordinary stories.

Adonica Coleman Augusta Cooper

Ranjana Hans

Erica Dickson

Elizabeth Herrera

Ellery Miller

Rebecca Miller

Stacie Pottinger

Jean Plumley

Vicky Riback Wilson

MANAGEMENT

Erica Pefferman, President Erica@comocompanies.com

David Nivens David@comocompanies.com

EDITORIAL

Publisher | Erica Pefferman Erica@comocompanies.com

Editor | Jodie Jackson Jr Jodie@comocompanies.com

Intern | Kelsey Winkeljohn

DESIGN

Creative Director | Kate Morrow Kate@comocompanies.com

Senior Designer | Jordan Watts Jordan@comocompanies.com

Photo Editor | Madi Green Madi@comocompanies.com

MARKETING

Director of Web Services J. J. Carlson JJ@comocompanies.com

Marketing Representative

Sarah Hempelmann

Shempelmann@comocompanies.com

Marketing Representative

Becky Roberts Becky@comocompanies.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Keith Borgmeyer, Madison Green

Sara Nivens Sara@comocompanies.com

MARKETING

Director of Sales | Charles Bruce Charles@comocompanies.com

OUR MISSION

To inspire, educate, and entertain the citizens of Columbia with quality, relevant content that reflects Columbia’s business environment, lifestyle, and community spirit.

CONTACT

The COMO Companies

404 Portland, Columbia, MO 65201 (573) 499-1830 | comomag.com @wearecomomag

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Candice Ball, Alicia Belmore, Barbara Buffaloe, Lauren Sable Freiman, Lori Galaske, Jules Graebner, Jodie Jackson Jr, Hoss Koetting, Amanda Long, Rhonda Stone, Michelle Terhune, Dr. Brian Yearwood

Up in Here Making Changes

Ilove change! I am the personality type that thrives on trying new things and just winging it! I’m constantly dreaming up new events, looking for new content for the magazines, trying out new software systems and new technologies. And my team does such a great job at keeping up with our constantly changing environment, even if they’re not always as excited in the beginning as I may be. I strive to make the best decision with the resources and information I have at the time, and I am never afraid to make another decision quickly when things inevitably change. However, this should not be confused with believing that I’m an early adopter of technology. It’s odd being the one who knows how all of the big brother AI enhanced targeted marketing works but needs my 16-year-old daughter to reprogram the remote control to the TV. Just a couple of weeks ago, I set up multiple screens in my o ce. I mean, using my laptop and two monitors has been life-changing for working! It takes this ADD riddled brain to a very large next step! How have I not had this magical NASA-like setup before in my life?

e interesting thing about innovation is that by its very nature it brings with it change and closing of chapters. Even when it’s exciting, it can mean leaving something behind to pursue new opportunities. Our editor of four years, Kim Ambra, is welcoming change into her own life and pursing a new career in event management with Cooper’s Ridge. We have had a great partnership with Cooper’s Ridge over the years and wish her the very best in her future endeavors. is transition has provided us the opportunity to promote our digital editor, Jodie Jackson Jr, a long serving mid Missourian journalist, to our editor position. I’m thrilled to have his long

The interesting thing about innovation is that by its very nature it brings with it change and closing of chapters.

history of all things Columbia at our helm. Like me, he has his own unique mixture of knowledge and appetite for innovation. He can tell you a very detailed story from 1972 about local politicians at the time while adjusting the pens in his pocket protector and immediately follow it up with his plans for our new podcast and vlog that he wants to do. I am very much looking forward to this partnership.

As we close out this issue and send it to press, I am struck by the technology and innovation needed to pull this o . COMO Companies as a parent company owns and operates several brands including COMO Magazine, COMO Business Times, COMOTickets.com, COMO Events, COMO Convos, and COMO Marketing with new ventures always on the horizon. We run all of this with a small but mighty team of twelve employees and the help of software and technology to keep it running seamlessly. However, at the end of the day, it’s our relationships with our community and you as our readers that help it all stay relevant and successful. If you have ideas on how we can innovate and improve the COMO Magazine experience, I would love to hear from you.

ERICA PEFFERMAN PUBLISHER erica@comocompanies.com

ON THE COVER

Wally Luther guides Kai Kurok during a woodworking project at Columbia Independent School’s STEM Lab.

Photo by Keith Borgmeyer

Jodie & Kim at our 20 Under 40 event last year!

Representing Voices from All Different Walks of Life.

We take pride in representing our community well and we couldn’t do what we do without our COMO Magazine advisory board. Thank You!

Beth Bramstedt

Associate Pastor Christian Fellowship Church

Heather Brown

Strategic Partnership Officer Harry S Truman VA Hospital

Chris Cottle

Studio Manager Sumits Hot Yoga

Nickie Davis

Executive Director The District, Downtown CID

Sam Fleury

Assistant Vice President

Strategic Communications, Columbia College

Chris Horn

Sr. Reinsurance Manager American Family Insurance

Jeremiah Hunter

Assistant Police Chief Commander Investigations Bureau Columbia Police Department

Kris Husted

Senior Content Editor NPR Midwest Newsroom

Amanda Jacobs Owner Jacobs Property Management

Megan Steen

Chief Operating Officer, Central Region Burrell Behavioral Health

Nathan Todd

Business Services Specialist First State Community Bank

Wende Wagner

Director of Resource Development The Boys and Girls Club of the Columbia Area

21 WELLNESS

Innovative education and technology helps train medical professionals and improve patient care.

47 COLUMBIA IS WITH THE BAND

The state of broadband in Columbia is solid. And it's getting better all the

52

AUTOMATED TRASH COLLECTION ROLLS INTO COLUMBIA

Roll carts to improve safety and renew interest in open positions.

Research, Spot, Research

MU researchers and students use a unique robot to help guide technology for the future.

BY RHONDA STONE

Readers of a certain generation will remember the “Dick and Jane” book series that featured those two youngsters and their dog, Spot. Dick and Jane cheered their pet with “Run, Spot, run.”

Imagine what would have happened if Spot had met Astro, the futuristic dog from e Jetsons, with all the advanced gadgets and technology. In the heart of MU’s College of Engineering, located in Laferre Hall, there is a version of “Astro-Spot.” Produced by Boston Dynamics, Spot the robotic dog has gained widespread attention in robotics as the rst consumer-available robot.

Kristo erson “Kris” Culmer is an assistant teaching professor and director of the autonomous lab where Spot is “kenneled.” Culmer has been working with

Spot since it arrived at MU in 2020. Entering the lab, he nds Spot lying on its belly next to two other Spots; one owned by MU and the other owned by the electric utility Ameren Missouri.

Culmer inserts a large battery pack into Spot and uses an iPad connected to a gaming controller to control the robot.

“I prefer the toggle switches; they give me better touch control,” Culmer says, laughing. “Maybe I've been playing too many video games.”

for a pat on the head. Culmer turns Spot’s face towards him and the cameras eerily stare back at him.

As Spot’s computer module comes on, the noise in the room gets louder, and its face comes to life with colorful LED lights. When Spot fully awakens, the LED lights turn neon green, and it becomes quieter. With a ick of his thumb, Culmer requests that Spot stand up. Spot rolls to the right side and unfolds its articulated legs, placing its feet on the padded oor. Standing up, Spot is about twenty- ve inches tall at the shoulder and weighs roughly eighty pounds with the battery pack installed. Its lean yellow body closely resembles a dog, and it seems to be ready

MU purchased Spot using donated funds and was one of the rst universities to acquire the robot. Today, many other universities and high schools have also acquired a Spot robot for research and teaching purposes. Spot is a culmination of several technologies, including robotics, communication, motors, electronics, laser ranging systems, global positioning systems, and more.

Culmer demonstrates some of Spot’s abilities, including self-correction when pushed, recognizing barriers, and movement through constricted areas. Spot has ve cameras; one on each side, one on the rear, and two on the front panel. Each camera is specially designed to work with installed sensors, helping Spot map out a room. Spot can move at three miles per hour, has a 360-degree range of vision, is dustproof and waterproof, and can withstand temperatures as low as negative four degrees, and up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Spot can also add payloads to his frame, including a retractable arm that can turn doorknobs.

Undergraduates can use the lab for research or independent studies, and many

“Those who possess knowledge of technology will be in high demand. MU’s graduates’ knowledge will be significantly enhanced by using this lab and learning to work with Spot.”

KRISTOFFERSON “KRIS” CULMER, assistant teaching professor and director of the autonomous lab

have learned to program Spot, using the technology to advance their research in the eld. Spot is transforming how organizations monitor and operate their technology to ensure the safety of their teams and make data-driven decisions. Spot’s capabilities can be used where humans or wheeled robots cannot proceed, such as in a smoke- lled, burning building or a toxic fume- lled factory. Although a trained dog could also do those tasks, if a robot falls, it can be repaired. e same can’t be said for a real dog.

“People will need to have a better understanding of technology from an academic perspective,” Culmer says, adding, “Drones are becoming increasingly commonplace, and driverless oor cleaners are being used at Walmart. Self-driving cars are also in development. ose who possess knowledge of technology will be in high demand. MU’s graduates’ knowledge will be signi cantly enhanced by using this lab and learning to work with Spot.”

Following Spot down a hallway, the robot suddenly lowers its backend and slows.

“ is is something that we started questioning,” Culmer says, “We reached out to others who have a Spot about why it would do this, and after discussion, we soon realized that it is from the re ection of the ceiling lights onto the shiny concrete hallway oor. Spot began to compensate because it looked like it would be traveling down an incline or stairs. Spot also realized that a hallway in the building had been painted a dark color and would refuse to go down it out of the recognition that it could be a hole or that it might fall.”

Culmer says the Engineering and Information Technology Department hopes to o er a class on autonomous technology that would use Spot as that teaching tool.

“It’s just a matter of time before homes may have in-house assistants that are more robotic,” he explains. “We will need people who understand technology, including how to repair, reprogram, or enhance these machines.”

As Spot jogs back up the hallway to its home, Culmer icks his ngers, making Spot slow down and turn to look at the lagging humans, almost as if the robotic canine with its all-seeing eyes wants the humans to pick up their pace.

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Simulation Center Boosts Expertise

Innovative education and technology helps train medical professionals and improve patient care.

BY CANDICE BALL

Learning how to treat patients — regardless of age, diagnosis, or special needs — is a necessary but complicated endeavor. Luckily, Mizzou’s Shelden Clinical Simulation Center provides training and technology to assist medical students and active professionals in achieving that goal.

e center got its start in 2008, says Dena Higbee, the director of simulation services for Mizzou’s School of Medicine.

“At that time, simulation was coming about throughout the country, but not in an organized fashion here at the university, and that’s when they decided to open up a brand new facility here, to be able to do all modalities of simulation,” Higbee says. “ e modalities are primarily what we call simulated participants, which are real people from the community, who are trained and paid to portray patients. So, they get a script, which they memorize, and that’s how our students learn to do

do everything from breathing to having a pulse to reacting to various medicines.

“[Our students] use these trainers to learn procedural skills, like how to start IVs, how to clear an airway, how to insert a catheter — all kind of things that might happen to a patient,” Higbee explains.

Higbee spent fteen years of her career watching the technology grow and evolve, and she’s now been with the Shelden Center from the start. Being part of that process has given her both perspective and knowledge, through her education, experience, and the di erent leadership roles she’s lled. All of those factors have helped her succeed in her position.

An average day in Higbee’s life is generally centered on management, she said.

“I’m always thinking about the best use of resources, whether it be space, employees, or our nances, and trying to make sure we have the best training materials possible,” Higbee notes. “I also work very closely with the faculty and their schedules – guring out what their learning objectives are, and what kind of simulations we can use to meet those learning objectives, and guring out how to use those simulations e ectively.”

e Shelden Center operates to help prepare both students and active healthcare professionals for challenges they might face. e team works with Mizzou faculty and students — along with nurses and doctors — to create real-life simulations to ensure the best possible standard of care.

physical exams, take histories, break bad news, and have di cult conversations.”

Another element of the Center is the use of a “task trainer,” which is a simulation mannequin that’s built to provide both students and healthcare professionals the opportunity to perform a variety of medical procedures while receiving feedback in real-time. e “task trainers” simulate the behavior of real human patients: they

“We work in service of the learning opportunity. We’re kind of the wizard behind the curtain,” Higbee laughs. “We can focus on making the simulation happen, and the faculty can really focus on being the content experts, and doing assessments, and focus on their learning objectives.”

SHELDEN CLINICAL SIMULATION

CENTER — MU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Email: ClinicalSimulation@missouri.edu

Website: medicine.missouri.edu/centersinstitutes-labs/shelden-simulation-center

Learning in Today’s World

Columbia Public Schools combines traditional means and innovative technology to help students succeed.

BY DR. BRIAN YEARWOOD

Technology has become an integral part of education, transforming the way students learn in public schools.

e in uence of technology in schools ranges from providing access to vast educational resources to fostering interactive learning experiences to the day-to-day of managing communication, assignments, and the necessary operations of a large school district.

In Columbia Public Schools, we operate on the scale of a small city, processing billions of data connections and transactions each month through our 152 servers. Our district has invested in providing 1-to-1 devices for our scholars. Our scholars in elementary and middle school are issued iPads. Scholars in high school are issued laptops.

Along with devices, the district’s technology department also manages account access for our more than 18,000 scholars, 3,000 employees, and over 20,000 parent accounts. Each month, there are over

300,000 account logins into our portal system used by our scholars, sta , and parents to access resources and district systems such as our course content learning management system, digital libraries, supplemental learning applications, our student information system, accounting systems, and more.

ACCESS TO DIGITAL RESOURCES

One of the primary ways technology in uences learning is through the accessibility of educational resources. e internet acts as a vast repository of information, enabling students to explore topics beyond traditional textbooks. Online libraries, educational websites, and digital platforms o er a wealth of materials that cater to various subjects and learning levels. is accessibility not only broadens the scope of knowledge but also allows for more dynamic and engaging learning experiences.

In Columbia Public Schools, our library media and our technology services departments work together to provide safe access to millions of educational resources and books. From lessons on digital literacy to maintaining a robust electronic library in addition to traditional paper books our media specialists work hard to combine the best of both the traditional and the innovative. Our technology services team works to provide the safe, ltered access points and the systems necessary to make digital resources available to all our scholars.

THE FUTURE OF THE CLASSROOM

Interactive learning experiences are another signi cant aspect of technology’s impact on education. Digital tools and applications provide opportunities for students to actively participate in their learning. Interactive simulations, virtual labs, and educational games make complex concepts more tangible and relatable. is hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of subjects and content, which also helps to cultivate critical thinking skills. Technology facilitates collaborative learning, allowing students to engage in group projects and class discussions inside and outside of the traditional classroom.

Online learning is also becoming a hallmark of the technological in uence on education. Columbia Public Schools o ers online learning options for scholars through its CPS Online department. Students can take classes synchronous or asynchronous classes during the year or over the summer. is is often a choice for scholars wishing to seek credit advancement or to free up time in their high school schedules to take desired elective o erings — of which there are many.

Communication between scholars, teachers, schools, and families has been signi cantly enhanced by technology. Learning management systems, emails, and online forums provide e cient channels for continuous interaction. Scholars can seek clari cation on assignments, participate in virtual discussions, and receive timely feedback from teachers. is connectivity not only strengthens the student-teacher relationship but also fosters a sense of community within the learning environment.

THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Challenges with technology do exist. Most notably the digital divide. Our district, with the support of our community, has made signi cant strides in providing equal access to technology to avoid disparities in

While the influence of technology on learning in public schools is undeniable, it is essential to strike a balance ... It’s an important component of everyone’s social-emotional well-being — adults included.

educational opportunities. Providing 1:1 access to devices was critical in bridging this gap. e district ventured into its 1:1 program in 2012-13 with a pilot of iPads for scholars at Battle High School. By 2013, all high school students were issued devices. e program expanded to middle schools in 2016 and high schoolers were switched to laptops and fth graders were issued iPads. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, we implemented an immediate expansion of the 1:1 program to PreK through 4th grade for the 2020-21 school year to assist our learners in virtual learning. At that time, with the support of Boone County government, CPS also distributed more than 1,500 hotspots to families without reliable internet connections.

Bridging this gap requires concerted efforts to ensure that every scholar, regardless of socioeconomic background, has access to the necessary devices and internet connectivity. Addressing the digital divide is crucial for preventing technology from exacerbating existing inequalities in education. We continue to advocate at the state and federal levels for increased internet access for areas in our district that do not have reliable internet access.

CONSIDERING AI

As technology continues to evolve, the role of arti cial intelligence (AI) in education is becoming a hot topic. ere is much to be considered with how this innovative technology can and should be used in education. It isn’t going away so learning how it can be used appropriately in a learning environment is important.

AI-powered tools can assist in automating routine administrative tasks, synthesizing information, and answering questions, among other uses. e district

is looking at how it can impact academic learning integrity as are many school districts and higher education institutions.

e district has policies that prohibit academic dishonesty and utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT and others to create work and present it as your own does fall into our policies related to academic dishonesty. Each scholar has a voice that is their own and we want our scholars to be able to use their voices to articulate what they know and have learned through the course of their studies and assignments.

STRIKING A BALANCE

While the in uence of technology on learning in public schools is undeniable, it is essential to strike a balance. Excessive screen time and over reliance on technology may have adverse e ects. erefore, a thoughtful and intentional integration of technology is crucial. Families can set limits on screen time and not all learning and assignments students complete should be technology-based. It’s an important component of everyone’s social-emotional well-being — adults included.

Technology has the potential to revolutionize education. It will also continue to evolve. Today’s innovative tools will be tomorrow’s artifacts. To ensure our scholars are ready for life and the workforce after graduation, we will need to continue to adapt to harness its bene ts while mitigating potential drawbacks.

Dr. Brian Yearwood is the Superintendent of Columbia Public Schools.

Accelerating Dreams

Job Point offers students an innovative approach to career development.

BY ALICIA BELMORE

There is much more to Job Point than meets the eye. In a nutshell, it o ers training and education to those seeking a meaningful career.

Founded in 1965 by the Columbia Cosmopolitan Club, Job Point is a nonpro t organization that has professionals coming together to make a di erence in the community. As its website says, Job Point’s main focus is “linking people and jobs by providing education, training, and employment assistance.”

WORKING TOGETHER, MOVING FORWARD

Comprised of di erent departments that work together to help match students with careers and community development, Job Point is led by Steve Smith, the longtime president and chief executive o cer who recently announced his retirement e ective September 30, 2024. Job Point o ers courses and hands-on training in a variety of skills and careers, including o ce technology, construction trades — from carpentry to heavy highway construction and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) — health care, and retail sales.

Job Point is a fully accredited health and human services nonpro t organization, serving people with disabilities, people with de ned economic disadvantages, youths ages 16 and over, people on probation or parole, and unemployed Columbia residents. Headquartered in Columbia, Job Point also has o ces in Boonville and Moberly.

John Scalise, Job Point’s director of rehabilitation services, praised the “longevity of the team at Job Point and how

rewarding it is to be able to use my social services background to help the community the way we can.”

‘POTENTIAL FOR GREATNESS’

Many times, Job Point has given individuals insight and inspiration to pursue

their career dreams. Students who didn’t graduate high school can get help in preparing for the high school equivalency diploma test (HiSET) to combine with community service projects to show employers a well-rounded individual ready for the world.

Job Point instructor, Kenneth Petska, assists a student using the simulator to practice driving a sem-trucki in different environments.

Job Point

1965

MISSION STATEMENT

We promote the abilities of individuals seeking employment through innovative training, education, and business partnership, enriching the communities where we work and live.

BOARD OFFICERS

• Rockne Corbin, chair

• Lauren Karr, vice chair

• Nick Allen, past chair

• Bruce Sones, treasurer

• Tom Dugan, secretary

• Liz Lea, member at large

• Gary Lee, past chair

BOARD MEMBERS

• Viviane Melo

• Brian Burks

• Ben Falby

• Tim Howald

• Lakeela Mings

• Jonathon McQuilkin

• Keesha Johns

• Christopher Nichols

• David Nichols

• Jeanne McGuire

“Regardless of their circumstances, age, education, or background we see that potential for greatness in every person,” Job Point’s website states.

Another unique aspect of Job Point’s programs is YouthBuild, headed by Director Jerrell Morton. YouthBuild falls under the skills training aspect of Job Point and allows youth to learn and grow on actual job sites while continuing to work on their education. Students build a house or two per year through this program. e houses are then sold at a ordable prices, helping boost the community’s stock of a ordable housing.

One innovative tool that Job Point has at its ngertips to help people learn and grow into a lifelong career is the commercial truck driver (CDL)/car simulator. Funded by the city of Columbia, the simulator is set up with a “windshield” of computer screens and the functionality of moving vehicles for simulation of real-life situations. A student demonstrated that the simulator will not begin without the driver’s seat belt buckled.

e student showed how he was able to “drive” a truck that requires the driver to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). He “drove” through the rolling hills of the country on a two-lane road.

e simulator includes a steering wheel and transmission gear shift.

ere are several settings allowing students to learn on buses or semitrucks requiring a CDL; students can also begin with a basic small car. It can be automatic or multi-speed with a variety of settings — country or city driving — and di erent weather as well. Many of Morton’s students use the simulator.

“We get young people that don’t have the opportunity to practice driving so they can get their driver’s license,” Morton explains. “Maybe they have some fear, so they can start with the simulator.”

While some students use the simulator for driver’s license training, some will use it to rehabilitate after an accident or to acquire a CDL that may open up other career opportunities or even lead to a raise for their current position.

Smith is eager to see how the program can grow.

“In the future there may be opportunity with MACC [Moberly Area Community College] to add the use of a real truck to practice with,” Smith adds. “It is exciting; the possibilities.”

WHAT THE HOME PROS KNOW

BRENDAN ROST ROST LANDSCAPING

ELIAS ABADI C OMO PREMIUM EXTERIORS

AUSTIN ILSLEY AI PAINTING PLUS

SHAUN HENRY ATKINS

SPONSORED CONTENT

DO YOU KNOW THE RISKS OF LEAD-BASED PAINT?

By Austin Ilsley Find more at aipaintingplus.com

L

ead paint and the environmental and health impacts of lead are always important topics of conversation, especially for property owners and homeowners who want to remodel or renovate a home that was built before 1978. In April 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a mandate that has significantly impacted the remodeling and home improvement industry.The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) has changed how painting and other renovation contractors approach working on buildings built before 1978, as well as schools, nonprofit buildings, government buildings, and hospitals.

Before getting into some of the finer details and some tips on how to know if your home or building features a lead-based paint product, it’s important to make consumers aware that Ai Painting Plus has seven RRPcertified painters on its team and is the only local certified painting company capable of handling RRP projects. If you’re looking to hire a painting company that is certified to remove the old paint and put on a new coat and finish, you’re looking for Ai Painting Plus which is known for painting historic homes in the community.

According to the EPA, most buildings built prior to 1978 will likely contain lead-based paint, a heavy mercury-like substance that is a health hazard to humans. Fortunately, now that the dangers of latent lead-based paint have become public

knowledge, the EPA is actively involved in creating stringent regulations that govern the renovation of older homes containing this substance.

While lead-safe work practices require an EPA lead-safe contractor, additional labor, and materials, certified contractors will ensure that lead-based paint debris is removed and handled in a way that is safe to your home and family, as well as themselves. Always ask any contractor for their EPA Lead RRP certification number.

What does RRP certification mean?

An EPA lead certification means that the certified firm has at least one EPA lead certified renovator on staff. (Ai Painting Plus has seven!) A person becomes certified by completing an EPA-accredited training course.

Do I need a lead certified painter? If your home was built before 1978, or if lead paint has been detected on your home, you should hire an EPA Lead certified painter.

How do I identify lead paint? Most hardware stores offer paint testing kits that detect if there is lead present on painted surfaces. Home test kits, however, can only test if there is lead on the surface. Some

573-639-2343

home inspectors can run more advanced tests to verify.

What are the dangers of lead-based paint? Lead paint can be dangerous if it is beginning to break down with cracks and peeling, or if it is sanded. Lead is a toxic metal that can lead to a variety of health problems if inhaled or ingested.

Any renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) project in a pre-1978 home or building can easily create dangerous lead dust. EPA requires that RRP projects that disturb leadbased paint in homes, childcare facilities, and preschools built before 1978 be performed by lead-safe certified contractors. Generally, EPA’s Lead RRP rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own homes. However, it does apply if you rent all or part of your home, operate a childcare center in your home or if you buy, renovate, and sell homes for profit (i.e., a house flipper).

HIGH TECH VERSUS TRIED AND TRUE

By Shaun Henry Find more at AtkinsInc.com

First impressions of your property, commercial or residential, will impact the public’s perception and can dramatically impact the success of your business and/ or the value of your property. Grounds maintenance is a critical part of creating and maintaining your curb appeal and promoting those good first impressions. They say curb appeal can account for drawing in nearly 70 percent of first-time sales for you savvy entrepreneurs out there.

SHAUN HENRY ATKINS

WHAT THE HOME PROS KNOW

A Columbia native, Shaun Henry found a home at Atkins in 2000 when he started his career as a turf technician. Shaun holds a commercial applicator’s license through the Missouri Department of Agriculture and is a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the Mid-America Green Industry Council, and the Missouri Green Industry Alliance. Shaun strongly believes in the importance of a great customer experience where the Atkins staff knows their clients and anticipates their needs accordingly.

Shaun is an MU alumnus and has a degree in plant science.

573-874-5100 ATKINSINC.COM

From personal experience, caring for the lawn and landscape around my home was key in its quick sale a few years ago.

For grounds maintenance service providers, business, and homeowners, we’re seeing some high-tech trends in turf and tree care now and on the horizon:

Low Maintenance Landscapes –Strategically select plants with fewer pest problems, greater tolerance for drought, and ones that can withstand the extremes of all four seasons of Missouri weather.

Smart Irrigation – Properly designed and implemented, the irrigation system can water different areas of your property based on the plants’ needs, sun exposure, and drainage. In other parts of the country, capturing rainwater to re-use for irrigation has become more popular to aide in water conservation efforts.

Landscape lighting – With advancements in tech and more efficient systems, affordable options are now available. The addition of lighting to your landscape can increase its aesthetic appeal.

Innovations in Equipment – Better small gas engines producing less emissions, lighter weight, and increased fuel

efficiencies have made a significant impact in the world grounds maintenance. Battery powered hand tools, trimmers, mowers and trucks will continue to become more prevalent.

Artificial Intelligence – AI is infiltrating all industries and the green industry, being heavy in labor, is no different. AIpowered robot mowers using cameras and sensors to navigate properties safely will cut the lawn all on their own and save a lot of labor. Eventually, AI bot-powered diagnosticians will be able to troubleshoot outdoor equipment issues. They eventually could also identify and spot spray weeds, identify other pest related issues in the lawn and landscape, and offer solutions. Autonomous trucks and trailers are on the horizon as well.

Minichromosome Technology – Currently trending in agriculture, it will soon move to other plant-related industries. Rather than modifying plant genetics, you can enhance a plant’s traits with minichromosome tech. Increased drought tolerance and increased pest resistance is possible.

We’re still a few years out from much of this tech taking root here in COMO, but it’s certainly on its way. For now, we still

promote tried and true methods to manage your property:

• Water deep, less often.

• Raise your mower blades and keep them sharp.

• Manage weeds before they become a big problem.

• Prune twice per season to keep things manageable.

• Mulch is primarily for appearances, but can help with weed management and will promote the overall health of your landscape plants by providing organic matter to the soil around them.

• Aerate and seed in the fall to set your lawn up for success the following season.

• Remove leaves and debris before winter.

• Grounds maintenance is complex and understanding that what works in one place may not work everywhere else.

• Hire a local, reputable lawn and landscape care service provider.

There is a significant advantage to hiring a business, like Atkins, to be your grounds maintenance service provider, specifically when it comes to equipment, tools, systems and methods in the world of lawns and landscapes. We’re always here when you need us! That’s just what neighbors do.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED A ROOF INSPECTION FOR HOME SAFETY?

By Elias Abadi Find more at comoexteriors.com

Have you ever wondered why roofing professionals insist on regular roof inspections? Think of a routine roof inspection as a regular health check-up for your roof, which aids in early detection of issues, prolongs its lifespan, and helps comply with warranty conditions.

Identifying Potential Issues Early

The key to cost-effective roof maintenance lies in early problem detection. A thorough roof inspection can reveal potential issues like leaks, damaged shingles, or poor ventilation before they become major headaches. Early identification and resolution of these issues help curb expensive repairs and extend your roof’s life.

Extending Your Roof’s Lifespan

No matter the roofing material – be it asphalt shingles, metal, or others – your roof’s lifespan can be significantly increased through regular inspections. By promptly addressing potential issues, you can prevent further damage that could lead to expensive roof replacements.

Ensuring Warranty Compliance

Were you aware that maintaining your roof’s warranty necessitates regular roof inspections? By documenting the condition of your roof and addressing any issues that could potentially void the warranty, you safeguard yourself from unexpected expenses on future repairs.

Determining the Frequency

Do you find yourself questioning the frequency of roof inspections? Typically, it’s every one to two years for a residential roof, though your local climate and special events, like severe weather, could necessitate more frequent evaluations.

Impact of Local Climate

The schedule for your roof inspection can also be greatly influenced by your local

climate. For instance, if you live in an area with harsh weather conditions such as frequent rain or extreme temperatures, you may need to schedule inspections more frequently to keep your roof in good shape.

Special Circumstances That Require Additional Inspections

ELIAS ABADI OWNER

WHAT THE HOME PROS KNOW

CoMo Premium Exteriors is midMissouri’s largest roofing and exterior remodeling company. We believe in providing homeowners and business owners with free, honest inspections and advice to help them make informed decisions. We never use high pressure tactics because our goal is to build long-term relationships built on quality workmanship, great communications, and good cleanup when we’re done. If you need a new roof, gutters, siding, windows, or a deck; give us a call!

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roof inspection to identify and address any damage promptly.

Water Stains and Leaks Inside the Home

Certain special circumstances may also dictate the need for additional inspections. For instance, if your area has recently been hit by severe weather or if your property has undergone significant construction work, it would be wise to schedule an extra inspection to ensure your roof remains sound and secure.

Signs You Need an Immediate Roof Inspection

Now that you understand the importance of regular roof inspections, it’s crucial to recognize the signs that signal the need for an immediate inspection. These include visible damage after severe weather, water stains and leaks inside the home, and missing shingles or visible roof surface deterioration.

Visible Damage After Severe Weather

Severe weather can wreak havoc on your roof. Strong winds, heavy rain, hail, and snow can all cause significant damage, leading to leaks and other issues. After any severe weather event, it’s important to conduct a thorough

Water stains on your walls or ceiling are a clear sign of a potential roof leak. In such cases, it’s crucial to schedule an immediate roof inspection. Ignoring these signs can lead to more serious issues like mold growth and structural damage to your home.

Missing Shingles or Visible Roof Surface Deterioration

Lastly, if you notice missing shingles or visible deterioration of your roof surface, it’s time to call in the professionals. These signs can indicate underlying issues that need immediate attention to prevent further damage and costly repairs.

In conclusion, regular roof inspections are essential for maintaining a safe and comfortable home. Whether it’s identifying potential issues early, extending the lifespan of your roof, or ensuring warranty compliance, these inspections play a crucial role in roof maintenance. So, don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule your free roof inspection with CoMo Premium Exteriors today and give your roof the care it deserves.

BUILDING THE PERFECT OUTDOOR KITCHEN

By Brendan Rost Find more at rostlandscaping.com

Brendan Rost is a Columbia native and son of Rost Landscaping owners Tim and Toby Rost. He grew up playing at the garden center and nursery and has worked in all divisions of Rost Inc. Brendan received his degree in horticulture and design from MU and now works as a designer in the landscaping division. He thrives on building relationships and creating unique landscapes that complement their space.

Outdoor living spaces are a growing trend in landscape design. They enhance your space’s livability, increase your ability to host or take the edge off, and they add value to your home. Whether your outdoor living space is centered around a pool, fireplace, patio, or recreation area, all that leisure can really work up an appetite. Outdoor kitchens are a fantastic complimentary piece to any outdoor living area but getting the perfect setup for you may require some expertise.

With each new outdoor kitchen, we first want to assess the space and your needs. For the minimalist in your life, a simple grill station and some prep area can be sufficient. A quality cooking station can be built to last and look the part by building the grill into a masonry cabinet and adding extra countertop space. Natural stone or concrete blocks, concrete panels, or steel framing with a stone veneer can be utilized to create a wide variety of aesthetics and create a functionally beautiful focal point for your back yard. From there, there are endless possibilities of features that can be added.

With each outdoor kitchen, we try to include bar-height seating connected to the counters of an island makes the kitchen space a communal space. We’ll design the

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prep and cook areas close to the seating so you can watch the grill and still be a part of the party. Add a sink and garbage disposal and all the cooking and cleaning can take place without taking a step. I like to build trash receptacles into the cabinets for easy clean up and to eliminate any worry about weather or pests creating a mess. Large pellet ice makers are an under the radar accessory that can be built into cabinetry to keep the refreshments flowing while a minifridge and freezer keeps you stocked with the essentials. Some more niche accessories can go a long way in adding function. For example, we love a wood fire pizza oven

and having cookouts where everyone can make their own personal pizza in just a few minutes. It’s something fast, easy, and a fun unique experience for all your guests.

Outdoor kitchens are not just a functional space, they are catalysts for social gatherings. Whether you’re hosting friends and family or cooking dinner for the family, the cook(s) won’t want to miss out on the fun. By adding amenities to your outdoor kitchens, you can create a striking accent piece to your yard that enhances all your social and family gatherings and makes your next hangout spot a one-stop shop.

Aesthetics INNOVATIONS IN

With new technology constantly emerging, Shock Plastic Surgery & Spa prioritizes expertise over novelty.

BY JULES GRAEBNER

Cutting-edge technology is often associated with robots, computers, and arti cial intelligence, but many of its earliest adopters are far more focused on the human element. For mankind, aesthetics is intertwined with the sense of self, making businesses like Shock Plastic Surgery & Spa both technically advanced and uniquely human.

“I think of the business as being a full-spectrum approach to aesthetics,” says Dr. Leslie Shock, the eponymous physician and owner of the company. “We’re a spa that transitions into a medical spa, that transitions into a plastic surgery clinic, so we’re like three entities in one.”

Shock Plastic Surgery & Spa has a staggering amount of o erings to suit any client — breast augmentations, facelifts, Botox, facials, massages, the list goes on — which was Dr. Shock’s goal from the beginning.

PURPOSEFUL PLANNING

Originally from Je erson City, Dr. Shock knew that she wanted to be a plastic surgeon from an early age. She wanted to use her training to bene t the mid-Missouri community and ll two speci c needs. e rst was simple: being a female plastic surgeon. Many women feel far more comfortable with female physicians, especially for intimate procedures.

“I think [being a woman] helps put some of my patients more at ease,” Dr. Shock says, noting that she can connect with many of her patients in meaningful ways. “I’m a mom, too, and it makes it easier to relate to patients about the changes that happen to your body after pregnancy and delivery. I understand what a lot of the patient’s concerns are and I can empathize with that.”

e second need was a bit more di cult to ll: building a full-service business that paired her skills with the capabilities of a medical spa and the relaxing services of a traditional spa.

“Growing up in this area, it drove me nuts not having a nice spa [where] I could go relax. ere are some wonderful spots, but not very many have a lot of amenities,” Dr. Shock says. She explains that when the opportunity arose to build a clinic, she jumped at the chance to expand beyond just plastic surgery and med spa procedures and to create a relaxing spa experience, too.

At the time, med spas weren’t as popular as they are now, and Dr. Shock believed that many of her potential clients were intimidated by the idea. Drawing on her own experiences, she wanted to provide a welcoming environment where clients could feel relaxed, no matter their comfort level.

On one hand, the hope is that clients who feel secure in the spa environment are comfortable enough to ask about other options to address their needs. On the other hand, it provides a holistic approach to the healing process, as Dr. Shock’s plas-

tic surgery patients can use spa services to relax and feel at ease during the recovery period.

Health and healing are at the forefront of Shock Plastic Surgery & Spa’s method, which is why the building also houses a small retail area that o ers supportive garments for those in the recovery period.

“It’s another example of something I really wanted to be provided in Columbia,” Dr. Shock says. “After body or breast procedures, you have to wear certain garments during healing.”

Unsatis ed with the traditional humdrum girdles and skin-colored compression tights, Dr. Shock o ers garments that are both functional and fashionable.

“I would much rather wear a cute pair of high-waisted yoga pants than uncomfortable surgical compressive devices,” she remarks. “We try to o er things that are cute but also functional to ensure compliance with aftercare.”

SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES

ough Shock Plastic Surgery & Spa is far more than just a med spa, Dr. Shock has noticed a rise in interest in med spa services both at her own business and in general. e reason why is hard to pinpoint, but Dr. Shock has a few theories. e rst is what she calls “the Zoom e ect.

“No, seriously,” she says with a laugh. “ ere have been studies done that have shown people got tired of looking at themselves on Zoom, and on camera, realized they look older or didn’t like their appearances and the industry has grown because of that.”

Another theory is that the stigma around cosmetic procedures has lessened. In the past, plastic surgery was seen by many people as shameful, but now, celebrities, in uencers, and everyday people alike are far more open about the procedures they’ve undergone. As these procedures have become destigmatized, they have become more accessible to the masses and seen as a form of self-care.

“[People] are more in-tune with themselves — not in a self-centered way — but they’re focusing on their health and wellness,” Dr. Shock says. “If something is bothering them, functionally or cosmetically, they want to improve upon, I think they’re just more comfortable asking for it. ere’s no timeline or bene t to wait for something to become a more serious issue.”

TECH AND EXPERTISE

New technology is introduced into the aesthetic industry every day, but Dr. Shock says that she and her team aren’t jumping to implement every new gadget into their already vast selection of service o erings.

“What we really try to do is become experts in everything that we’re o ering,” she says. “I’m sure we’ll o er more products and services [in the future], but it’s important that we do our due diligence. Doing our research, making sure it’s actually an e ective and safe treatment before we provide it to people.”

SHOCK PLASTIC SURGERY & SPA shockplasticsurgery.com

573-224-8200

3220 Bluff Creek Dr. Suite 107

Günter Hans Günter Hans

Ein Bisschen Deutsch in Downtown Columbia.

BY AMANDA LONG

On a Sunday in February 2022, Morgan Wright received a surprising phone call from Lydia Melton, owner of Günter Hans, the beloved European-inspired pub and café at 7 Hitt Street in downtown Columbia.

e surprise was not the actual call, as Morgan had been working for Sysco, a restaurant food and product provider, since 2018 and was the sales representative for Günter Hans; she and Lydia were business acquaintances.

“Every time I went to Günter Hans to take their food order, Lydia was always trying to talk me into working for her,” Wright remembers with a laugh.

After nine successful years of ownership, Melton told Wright that she had decided it was time to sell the restaurant and pivot her attention towards consulting and other start-up ventures. e surprise was that she wanted to sell Günter Hans to Wright and her husband, Regan.

Wright says, “After I hung up the phone, I turned to Regan and said, ‘ ere’s no way we can make that happen.’ And he replied, ‘Why not?’ At that time neither of us loved our jobs so we decided to at least ask for more info.”

e next steps happened quickly. Melton sent the Wrights a package of assets and nancial documents for review.

ey subsequently called the bank and quali ed for a woman-owned business loan and made an o er the following Wednesday, which Melton accepted on ursday. Wright assumed the position as the second female owner at the age of twenty- ve on March 9, 2022, the same age Melton was when she decided to open Günter Hans.

e Wrights were living in Kansas City at the time and had to quickly tie up loose ends and relocate to Columbia, including selling their house and nding a house in Columbia.

“I lived with Lydia and her husband, Cody, for six weeks while Regan nished

“Lydia always said that food is an influential part of those kinds of experiences. Günter Hans’ entire menu is made by hand to emulate the artisanship one could experience while touring Europe.”

— MORGAN WRIGHT

up his job. I worked a lot of shifts those rst few weeks getting to know the sta and customers,” says Wright.

Ein Vermächtnis Geht Weiter

Wright began her college career at the University of Missouri studying business management. Coming from a restaurant family, she made the inevitable switch to become a third-generation legacy of the hospitality management program, graduating in 2018.

“My dad and grandparents are all in the industry both on the events and catering and restaurant side,” she explains, “so it’s in my blood.”

With a passion for the industry and innate leadership abilities, Wright made the transition to owner nearly seamlessly. Melton continued for the rst few weeks showing Wright the ropes including bookkeeping, ordering, scheduling, and how to deal with internal issues.

“We had a meeting with sta to do introductions and make the announcement and they initially thought I was the new manager. ey were surprised at rst but then seemed happy as they realized that things weren’t really going to change,” Wright recalls. “I knew that I didn’t like how management was run at previous jobs and that I wanted to start fresh and handle management in the way that I want to be treated. I love my sta and I want them to know they are appreciated. It’s hard to nd people who care about your business and show up and stay happy.”

In fact, such strong relationships have been created that a past employee came back to get engaged during Homecoming 2023 and then came to Günter Hans to celebrate.

Auf der Speisekarte

Melton’s vision for Günter Hans came from a study abroad trip to Germany during her college years. Finding nothing in Columbia quite like what she experienced there, she decided to open a German-style bar.

“Lydia always said that food is an inuential part of those kinds of experiences. Günter Hans’ entire menu is made by hand to emulate the artisanship one could experience while touring Europe,” Wright says.

rough the years, Günter Hans has become recognized for its eclectic European beer selection, seasonal cocktail menu, outdoor Biergarten seating, and indoor event space, as well as the artisanal menu featuring bretzels and Liège wa es.

“ is restaurant was one of the reasons that I fell in love with Columbia in the rst place,” Wright adds.

e Günter Hans bretzels are made from scratch daily and served with a variety of gourmet dips including mustard, cinnamon butter, Boursin cheese, and jam. For those who can’t decide there is a signature ight dip. e recipe was created by Melton and inspired by the laugenbrezeln she tasted in Germany. A traditional German pastry, laugenbrezeln are soft pretzels characterized by their soft and chewy texture.

Another menu o ering, Liège wa es, originated from the Belgian city of Liège, and are a distinctive variation of the traditional Belgian wa e. e incorporation of pearl sugar into the dough, which caramelizes during baking, creates a sweet

and crunchy exterior. Günter Hans’ Liège wa es are served warm with a choice of toppings including fruit preserves, honey, homemade cinnamon butter, Nutella, whipped cream, chocolate, caramel, or syrup.

e Monte is an upgraded version of a Monte Cristo with ham and cheese topped with jam nestled between two Liège wa es.

e bar boasts a wide variety of craft beers rotating on the fourteen taps from sours to lagers and ales to ciders, including a ight option for the adventurer.

“My bartender Tyler orders the beers and pretty much has free rein (within a price range) to choose from all over the world, which makes it easy for him to recommend beers to expand customers’ palates,” Wright says.

She adds that the ideas for the seasonal cocktail menus also come from the sta “and it is really fun for the customers.”

e current menu’s most popular include the dirty chai espresso martini with chai syrup, rumchata, cold brew, and

German Lesson: Ein Bisschen Deutsch A little German Ein Vermächtnis Geht Weiter A Legacy Continues Auf der Speisekarte On the Menu

vodka. e pomegranate martini is a punchy mix of pomegranate juice, vodka, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and homemade simple syrup.

A one-of-a-kind option for outdoor seating and special events, Günter Hans o ers the Biergarten — a brick patio with strung lights and a bar that seats seventy-six and is open year-round (weather dependent).

In 2019 the Barrel Room was completed — a European-inspired space with a modern American twist for private events with a capacity of 115 guests. e European-inspired catering menu includes a cheese spread and a Bavarian brat spread.

“Working with our events coordinator we can host anything from graduation parties, baby showers, wedding receptions, and fundraisers,” Wright explains. e restaurant also has regular weekly events including trivia on ursdays, which has drawn quite the regular crowd. Saturdays and Sundays the restaurant o ers bottomless mimosas from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In September 2023 Wright and her husband welcomed their rst baby girl into the world, causing her to stick to mostly the behind-the-scenes daytime tasks of running a restaurant.

Regan works for a local home-building company and is dubbed “the handyman,” she says jokingly, adding, “He only comes around to get drinks and x things that are broken.”

With the idea of venturing into a new business that focused on shelf-stable, pandemic-proof products, the couple recently opened a new liquor store, 63 Liquor, this past December.

“Our sta is so great. ey are all go-getters and when we opened the liquor store, they were all willing to help. It helped them out, too, as December and January are our slower months here at the restaurant,” Wright says.

Günter Hans is open from 4-10 p.m. Wednesday and ursday, from 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. For details on menus, weekly events, and rental options, go to gunterhans.com.

Cookin' With Hoss

BY HOSS KOETTING

Old school, anachronism, O.G., dinosaur. I’ve been called all of these, sometimes a ectionately (sometimes not), but by and large, pretty accurately. I came up in restaurant kitchens when technological advancements were the microwave and food processor, both tried and true additions to the kitchen.

When I was trained on the grill, although kitchen thermometers were present, they were the slow-read mechanical types, so they took thirty to forty- ve seconds to register the temp, which is an eternity over a hot grill, so I was trained by the cooks how to judge the doneness by touch. While not exact, with enough practice, you get pretty darned good at it.

Now I’m not totally opposed to the new technology. I don’t embrace change merely for the sake of change, or just because there’s a new way of doing something that has been done e ectively for eons. One example of new tech that we used at Hoss’s Market was the Vulcan Flash Bake oven, using technology developed in 1993. is would cook with high-intensity light and infrared energy, producing a sandwich that would have the texture and taste in about two minutes that would take about ve or six minutes in a traditional oven, while having a footprint the size of a microwave.

Unfortunately, they were expensive and the demand wasn’t enough to make them pro table, so they were discontinued in 2010.

Another tech advancement that has had a more successful stint is the instant-read digital food thermometer. I nd this indispensable for roasts, some sauces, holding foods, fryer oil temps, and a variety of other uses. One use, though, that drives me nuts, is when line cooks overuse them to check temps on burgers, chicken breasts, and steaks. Back to my old school method of cooking, I don’t understand why the item coming o of the grill should look like a pin cushion when it doesn’t need to.

A relatively new solution to this problem for the “culinarily dubious” or the novice is a bluetooth thermometer. ese use a heat-resistant probe that communicates with a monitor or your phone. e downside is that most of them have only one probe, so if you need to monitor multiple items, you're S.O.L., although there is one available with four probes for about $300!

Jim “Hoss” Koetting is a retired restaurateur/chef who enjoys gardening, good food, good bourbon, and good friends.

PEPPER STEAK (à la Chef Roi)

INGREDIENTS

• 4 USDA Prime steak, Ribeye, K.C. Strip, or Filet

• Coarse, freshly ground pepper

• Olive oil, to fry steaks

• 4 cups chopped green onions

• 1 cup crispy bacon bits

• ¼ cup butter

• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tsp. Hoss’s Steak Seasoning

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Generously coat steaks with freshly ground pepper.

2. Place the temperature probe in the center of the steak, and fry in a heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over moderately high heat until seared on the outside and to desired doneness.

Rare: 125 degrees

Med Rare: 135 degrees

Med: 140 degrees

3. Let rest 10 minutes

4. Melt the butter over low heat. When bubbling, add bacon bits, then green onions.

5. Sauté until onions are wilted.

6. Remove from heat and add Worcestershire and steak seasoning.

7. Top steaks with bacon-onion mixture.

THE

Inspiration, innovation, and investigation.

BY LORI GALASKE PHOTOS BY KEITH BORGMEYER

is a hot word in the world of education these days. If you have pre-collegiate children, you have more than likely heard this term. Relative to our education system, it’s fairly new, and its popularity continues to grow. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and was introduced in 2001 by the scienti c administrators at e National Science Foundation.

Since the inception of public education in the U.S., the system has grown, changed, and acclimated to the times. Now, in addition to the basic “readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmatic” that are the staple of every elementary classroom, teachers can o er any number of individual subjects.

What’s so earth-shattering about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that they have an acronym is that STEM subjects are taught in partnership with each other, and the education is experiential. STEM is lab-based, hands-on learning.

CUBE

In Columbia

Teachers, students, sta , and parents at Columbia Independent School (CIS) on North Stadium Drive refer to their beloved STEM lab as “ e Cube.” It takes its moniker from the three I’s that are its foundation as well as its path to the future: Inspiration, Innovation, and Investigation.

It began in a typical-size classroom in 2014, led by Wally Luther, previously a science teacher. Luther continues to head the program, and the lab has tripled in size since it opened its doors and now includes a shop area speci c to woodworking.

A Student’s Journey

What happens in a lab dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and math? A lot. A student at CIS can learn everything from computer programming and set building for theatre, to creating a working weather balloon or remote control gliders. Beginning in junior kindergarten, students spend regularly scheduled time in e Cube, rst learning the basics of design and programming and adding on to their skills through each passing grade. By the time students are in the upper grades, their Cube experience is ninety to ninety- ve percent hands-on.

ly designing all the time, whatever they’re creating, using computer-aided design.”

A junior kindergartener starting her Cube experience can expect to learn elemental computer skills.

“ ey start with touch screens and then move into the logic of it,” Luther explains. From there, it’s computer programming and coding. ese skills are vital in a STEM lab as they are foundational to every project. Luther identi es those as “baseline skills,” adding, “ ey’re obvious-

e younger grades program LEGO robots, build with Snap Circuits, and use software to design and print 3D geometric shapes. ey test the strength of bridges they design and build.

“ ese projects often correspond with concepts they are learning in the classroom,” says Kari Stockwell, director of admissions and marketing at CIS. “In third grade, students create cardboard communities as part of their social studies curriculum.”

A student’s initial woodworking project is to design and make a spoon. ose are the sole directives: design it and make it. Students have free rein on size, shape, and creative aspects. e spoons can be as whimsical or straightforward as they choose. Some spoons are t for the table at the top of the beanstalk and others for your morning breakfast bowl. e important thing is that no two are alike. e spoons are as individual as their creators.

As the students grow in their knowledge, skills, and abilities, e Cube classroom becomes e Cube lab. Learn-

ing moves from teacher-centric to student-centric and project-based. Students come up with an idea and present it to Luther. Together, they work out the skills required for the project.

In addition to design, students learn to ask: What materials are needed? What areas of knowledge are required: wiring, woodworking, metalwork, soldering, physics, etc. What don’t they know and therefore need to research? Where do they get the supplies, and can they use reclaimed or repurposed materials? ese are a few of the considerations at the start of each project.

A couple of helpful additions to e Cube are its 3-D printers. Students use their computer skills to design their project, fabricate a model using one of the lab’s two 3-D printers, and then begin the work of bringing their idea to life.

“They’re obviously designing all the time, whatever they’re creating, using computeraided design.”

– WALLY LUTHER CIS Cube Instructor and Coordinator

Collaboration

Although e Cube continues to be referred to as a STEM lab, there’s a blossoming partnership with art for the making of a STEAM lab. It seems natural that science, technology, engineering, and math would work together. ose are all right brain-dominant areas of study. So how do the arts t into a STEM education?

Students who are gifted in and drawn to theater, music, literature, painting, and general creativity can be found in e Cube. For theater, they work together to create sets and props, backdrops, and “living” illustrations. Students in love with literature can collaborate with students more gifted in physics and math to create scenes, objects, or illusions from a favorite story.

e teachers of these varied subjects are in this together as well. Art, science, math, even geography — these teachers work together to come up with projects for the students that combine their areas of study to create something amazing. Projects in the past have included an interactive cafeteria-size wall map of the world, weather balloons, remote-controlled gliders, and musical instruments (most notably a guitar fabricated from thousands of colored pencils and a non-metal trombone).

CIS is in the throes of planning a Renaissance festival — the ultimate collaboration among all the subjects, students, and teachers. Art plays a crucial role in the creation of scenes and props. ere will be performances and poetry readings. Math, science, engineering, and physics will showcase their skills; and of course, the Renaissance is historical, so they have now added history to the acronym.

The Future

Columbia Independent School plans to open its new high school building this fall. Luther is happy that the new space is on the same campus. It’s important to him that CIS remains one school, so the older students can mentor the younger ones and build relationships.

“We like the mentorship and modeling that goes on from the older kids to the younger kids and the exposure that everyone has to all of the activities and events that go on throughout the di erent grade levels,” he explains.

CIS o cials say that as their students graduate and eventually move into the adult workforce, they bring their skills and hands-on experiences from e Cube, giving them a jump start into real-world situations. ey graduate “with a level of con dence and a can-do attitude that isn’t typical of a twelfthgrade graduate” to challenge themselves and their peers to be the best version of themselves.”

Innovation in Government

BY BARBARA BUFFALOE

When people think about innovation in government, they often think about new technologies that automate previously manual processes — innovations like laser sensors to sort recycling or software programs that plan out e cient bus routes. ese things do exist, and I am thankful that we’re evaluating their use in Columbia. But before the city government can adopt new technology, the community needs to allow it to try new things — or better yet, encourage it.

Last October, I wrote in this publication about “possibility government.” Instead of a probability government that does what will probably work because it’s been done before, a possibility government pursues e orts that only might work — but o er great possibilities for success. A possibility government is one where innovation is fostered and encouraged.

Innovation is not just a buzzword; it’s a mindset — a commitment to exploring new horizons, challenging the status quo, and nding creative solutions to complex problems. As stewards of Columbia, it is incumbent upon us to embrace this spirit of innovation wholeheartedly.

Recently, the city has undertaken a few projects that are innovative (or at least innovative in Columbia). First, we recently purchased a program called SeeClickFix that will serve as a virtual forum for reporting issues needing repair. Currently, if you contact the city to report a pothole that needs to be lled or a streetlight that needs to be replaced, you don’t know what happens next. With the SeeClickFix, you can see where the report goes, how sta responds, and when the issue is resolved. You can also see other reported issues and how those are being addressed. It’s an innovative way to invite community members to be involved and informed when it comes to xing the city. My hope is that this new

program will show how responsive sta is to our residents’ concerns, and will continue building trust in our neighborhoods.

A second innovative project is the new Shops at Sharp End. As we all know, the Sharp End is a historic African American district that thrived during the mid-20th century but was displaced by urban renewal projects in the 1950s and 1960s. e city partnered with e District and Central Missouri Community Action to create a minority-focused retail incubator hub with supportive services — like workshops, training, coaching, etc. — for entrepreneurs who want to scale up their start ups. e Shops at Sharp End is an innovative way to create the supportive environment needed to develop new and exciting businesses.

e third innovation (for Columbia) is the transition to automated trash collection — yes, roll carts (or as my friend from New Zealand called them, “wheelie bins!”). When the city was facing unsustainable turnover, high rates of worker injury, and low rates of recycling, they knew that changes to our waste collection system were needed. Cities across the country and world have transitioned from manual to automated collection, as it improves worker safety and retention. As we nally transition to this safer system in Columbia, I am hopeful that it means resuming curbside recycling as well.

ese are just a few examples of what can happen when we embrace possibility in local government. Innovation is the heartbeat of progress, and it can propel our

beloved city forward into a future de ned by possibilities. With Missouri’s agship university, a vibrant arts community, and a thriving business sector, Columbia can be at the forefront of change. Moreover, with a rapidly expanding population, we have to innovate to meet new challenges. It means we need to foster an environment where creativity is celebrated, failure is seen as a stepping stone to success, and every voice is heard. It means empowering our employees to think outside of the box, take calculated risks, and pioneer bold new initiatives that bene t our community.

I hope you will join me on this journey to make Columbia a “possibility government” that supports innovation and the people who make it possible.

Barbara Bu aloe currently is serving her rst term in o ce as the mayor of Columbia.

What’s New?

BY ADONICA COLEMAN

It’s a question we toss around in conversations, sometimes as a mere social nicety, and sometimes with genuine curiosity. In today’s fast-paced world, where change seems to be the only constant, staying updated on what’s new isn’t just about keeping up with the latest gossip or trends — it’s about staying relevant and informed, particularly in the realm of technology.

For some, staying abreast of technological advancements isn’t merely a hobby; it’s a necessity. We live in an age where technology is in almost every aspect of our lives, from the way we communicate and work to how we entertain ourselves and manage our daily routines. And as much as some of us may resist being labeled as “tech geeks,” there’s an undeniable draw to understanding and embracing the latest innovations. I, for one, don’t like to be left behind in the latest slang the kids use (are we still calling each other “bruh” or nah?), so I for sure don’t want to miss what is new in the ever-changing world of tech.

Why this relentless pursuit of the new and the novel? Perhaps it’s driven by a desire to remain competitive in an increasingly digital world, where outdated skills and knowledge can quickly render us obsolete. Or maybe it’s fueled by a genuine fascination with the never-ending possibilities that technology o ers — a sense of wonder at the sheer genius of human creativity.

But beyond personal motivations lies a broader societal issue. e pace of technological advancement has accelerated at a very quick rate, bringing with it both promise and peril. On one hand, we love the convenience and e ciency that technology a ords us, from AI-powered virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to the many apps that simplify our daily tasks. Yet, on the other hand, we grapple with ethical dilemmas surrounding privacy, security, and the potential for misuse of these powerful tools.

We live in an age where technology is in almost every aspect of our lives, from the way we communicate and work to how we entertain ourselves and manage our daily routines.

Indeed, the seemingly omnipresence of technology in our lives has raised profound questions about the nature of privacy and surveillance. e presence of smart devices with their always-on microphones and cameras has led many to speculate about the extent to which our conversations and activities are being monitored and analyzed. Just how does Instagram know that I was just talking about a treatment for migraines? e line between convenience and intrusion has never been blurrier, and with that comes a feeling for me of tech being the gift and the curse. Don’t even get me started on AI.

In the face of these challenges, we must approach innovation and technology with a critical yet open-minded perspective. I’ll try not to succumb to the allure of novelty

for its own sake but rather strive to harness the power of technology for the greater good. is requires thoughtful dialogue and collaboration across disciplines, as well as a commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable digital future.

So the next time someone asks, “What’s new?” let’s not dismiss it as mere small talk. Instead, embrace the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about the ever-evolving landscape of innovation and technology.

Adonica Coleman is the founder of e COMO 411 and owner of A2D Events.

| (573) 876-7327

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Welcome Dr. Collin

Zeugin to Tiger Family!

Dr. Collin Zeugin grew up just down the road in Ashland, MO and has a passion for providing for the mid-missouri community. Prior to becoming a doctor, he worked as a strength and conditioning coach with MU. He knew he was meant to help people, and thought that was the avenue to do it, but he felt like there was something else out there. Eventually, he was inspired to become a doctor of chiropractic. He had always planned to return to this community, so that he could help those people that assisted in making him the man he is today. Today he is practicing back in Columbia, MO and eager to see how he can improve your lives with chiropractic.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Collin to our practice, I am confident that he will provide exceptional service to our practice and our community.”

— Dr. Amanda Owens, Owner of Tiger Family Chiropractic

Columbia

Is

with the Band

The state of broadband in Columbia is solid. And it’s getting better all the time.

BY MICHELLE TERHUNE

More Columbia households than ever became dependent on access to the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the world shut down, the web became the go-to connection for work, school, healthcare, shopping, and staying in touch with family and friends. And it remains a key technology in most people’s lives.

Most of us don’t know the technical ins and outs of how it works. All we know is that when we re up a laptop or other device, a dot with arcing lines shows that we’re connected. It’s a virtual lifeline to the world.

But not all internet connections are the same. Broadband is the transmission of wide bandwidth data over a high-speed internet connection, de ned by the Federal Communications Commission as having a minimum download speed of 25 megabits per second and a minimum upload speed of 3 Mbps.

You don’t have to understand the technical aspects of the internet to know that faster is better. Reliability of transmission is vital. So is security. And access to broadband technology, be it ber optics, cable, DSL, wireless, or satellite, isn’t just a luxury. It’s critical.

So, what is the state of broadband in Columbia today? Does everyone have access? And where will broadband take us in the future?

TYPES OF BROADBRAND

If you’re of a certain age, you remember dial-up internet and that high-pitched whining and obnoxious beeping that accompanied the connection process. It was slow. And if you didn’t have a phone line dedicated to it, you couldn’t make or receive landline calls while dialed into the internet server.

All that has changed now with broadband technology. You can still get it using a telephone line, but it’s not to be confused with old-fashioned dial-up. ese days, it’s a dedicated digital subscriber line (DSL).

High-speed signals are also transmitted via cable, satellite, and mobile wireless using data plans like the ones that come with smartphones and tablets, xed wireless, or over ber-optic lines.

Cable, satellite, DSL, and ber-optic are delivered into the home either aerially, on a service line from a pole or satellite to the home, or via underground lines where they may be less susceptible to wind, ice, snow, and falling tree branches.

ACCESS AS AVAILABILITY

According to the FCC’s National Broadband Map, 100 percent of households in Columbia have access to xed broadband internet and 98.88 percent have access to mobile broadband. What type, what speeds, and which providers deliver it depends on where you live. In fact, you can plug any address into another search on the FCC map and nd out which xed and mobile providers serve it and what technology they use.

Among the companies that provide broadband services in Columbia is locally owned Socket, founded here in 1994. Today, Socket continues to serve its DSL customers, but it’s focused on expanding its network of ber technology which delivers the fastest symmetrical speeds. e same is true of CenturyLink’s Brightspeed.

“What sets Socket apart is that we’re truly ber to the home,” says Clint Hall, marketing manager. “What that means is it’s a ber line all the way up to the terminal on your house. We don’t use any existing infrastructure or coaxial cable or copper lines. Other providers may run ber to a node, and then use the existing lines to the house. So, you’ll see signal and speed loss over those lines when the signal’s not being transmitted all the way over ber.”

Medicom’s Xtream and Spectrum transmit broadband via cable. Viasat, HughesNet, and Starlink use satellite. iZones.net, Air Link, Always On, and US Cellular o er xed wireless. T-Mobile and Verizon use 5G technology.

“We’re not quite in every area of Columbia yet,” Hall says. “We’re working on it. Our goal is to give 100 percent of the residents in Columbia another option for their high-speed internet services.”

Getting into every neighborhood takes time, money, and patience. Providers must juggle multiple factors, including existing infrastructure, population density, construction costs,

“It’s been a benefit for the consumer. They’re seeing more opportunities, higher growth, and a more competitive landscape in broadband.”

CLINT HALL Marketing Manager, Socket

contractor and materials availability, locations of rights of way, and navigating right-of-way access and permits, to name a few.

ACCESS AS AFFORDABILITY

Just because there’s a broadband connection available to a home doesn’t mean the resident can a ord to pay for it. e cost of broadband simply isn’t within reach for thousands of Columbia residents.

e 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the Affordable Connectivity Program. e ACP provides up to thirty dollars per month to low-income households to help pay for internet access. As of December 2023, there were 6,573 ACP subscribers in Columbia, and most broadband providers accept ACP. But the news for the subsidy’s future isn’t good.

e initial funding for ACP is estimated to run out in April 2024. Because Congress had not voted to reallocate funding for the program as of February 2024, the FCC stopped taking applications for new subscribers. Unless something changes quickly,

Columbia subscribers will lose their subsidies. Some won’t be able to a ord broadband access without it.

Monthly subscription costs run the gamut across providers, from about thirty- ve to eighty dollars. In general, rising bandwidths involving speed and reliability a ect plan charges. e top-end prices are generally for 1 gigabyte per second speeds. Socket is rolling out a 2.5 gig option for $125 per month. at speed is only going to appeal to a niche audience. But how much speed does one need, anyway?

THE NEED FOR SPEED

Download speeds and upload speeds are a couple of key factors to keep in mind when deciding how much speed you need. Most providers market their fast download speeds but unless they use ber, upload speeds are going to lag. e disparity can be signi cant. For example, 500 Mbps download but only 10 Mbps upload. While you can download a video or pdf from the internet quickly, uploading them can be painful. Still, if you just use

your internet to stream movies or browse but don’t upload anything, you might not notice the di erence.

Fiber is the only technology that provides symmetrical download and upload speeds. And if you work from home, stream on multiple devices, game, or connect smart home devices to the internet, you’ll notice the asymmetry of other technologies.

e range of 20 to 40 Mbps is probably the minimum for most individuals. A range of 40 to 100 Mbps will perform okay for high-de nition (HD) gaming and 4k video streaming. But if you need to download massive les or have multiple gamers, you probably want at least 100 Mbps. If you have multiple users doing multiple things, you may need 1 gig. at niche Socket wants to ll with 2.5 Gbps will appeal especially to multiple gamers working with video and graphics and looking for zero lag time. ( ink varsity esports in Columbia’s high schools, colleges, and universities, for example.)

“We want to stay ahead as the demand on the internet increases,” Hall says. “We want to have those speeds readily available. We’re being forward-thinking about what the next technology is that’s going to put a higher strain on broadband. We want to be ahead of that curve.”

Hall says that in the fourth quarter of 2023, 33 percent of Socket’s customers were buying plans with 1 Gbps or more.

“Fiber is currently the future-proof technology for the internet,” Hall says. “Fiber is actually light over glass as op-

posed to copper. We’re only touching the cusp of what ber can o er in terms of speed right now. Fiber itself can support much faster speeds than just a gig or 2-1/2 gig. And 25 gig is already on the horizon, which is 25 times faster than most networks in Columbia.”

THE PANDEMIC PUSH

Hall says the state of broadband improved because of the global pandemic. It would have eventually become better, but COVID-19 gave it a push.

“ e pandemic caused a shift in our day-to-day lives. We have more working from home, more telehealth, online education, more streaming,” Hall says. “De nitely, the need arose, and Socket adapted because of it.”

He added, “It’s been a bene t for the consumer. ey’re seeing more opportunities, higher growth, and a more competitive landscape in broadband. Expanding in Columbia is a goal of ours so if somebody needs to work from home or attend a telehealth appointment, they have the appropriate broadband to do that.”

e state of broadband is solid in Columbia and getting better. High saturation and competitive options among prices and providers are helping households get connected. But whileber may be the future of broadband right now, who knows what may come along next?

Automated Trash Collection Rolls into Columbia

Roll carts are expected to improve safety and boost interest in open positions.

BY LAUREN SABLE FREIMAN

At the end of January, homes around Columbia began receiving deliveries of roll carts for their trash. Deliveries continued through February in preparation for automated trash collection, which began on March 4. e implementation of the new program comes after several years of often contentious discussion and planning.

Matt Nestor, public information specialist for the city of Columbia utilities, said the idea rst came to light in 2016. At that time, a group of citizens got petition signatures which put the proposal on the ballot for a city-wide vote.

“ e measure got voted down, which prevented us from instituting roll carts at that time,” Nestor says.

As discussions continued about ways to improve trash collection, in 2021 the city started a “pay as you throw” program. Each home was initially provided with 104 trash bags with a city logo for use each year.

“If anybody needed more bags, they’d have to go to the store and buy the bags with the city logo,” Nestor says. “If residents were putting out more trash, they were paying more for it.”

But conversations about roll carts weren’t over, and from November 2022 through January 2023, Nestor says the city held citizen engagement meetings, allowing residents to share their opinions on the best way to move forward.

“Should we stick with bags, try roll carts?” Nestor says. “We got a lot of feedback from citizens, we went to the city council and said we’d like to move forward with roll carts.”

In March 2023, Columbia City Council voted unanimously to implement roll carts for trash collection. Every residence that has curbside trash collection is required to use the carts, Nestor says.

A Better Way of Trash Collection

Keeping Columbia clean isn’t an easy task, and before moving to automated collection, it was extremely physically demanding. According to Nestor, one of the most important bene ts of moving to automated collection is improved worker safety.

“It’s a tough job, jumping on and o the back of the truck multiple times throughout the six or seven-hour day, especially days with zero-degree weather,” Nestor says. “ ere is too much of a risk for people getting hurt, getting sick, or injuring themselves.”

In addition to making it a safer job, Nestor says the city aims to make it a more desirable job, with a key goal of attracting more interest and more applicants for open positions.

“We are understa ed, and we are actively hiring and looking to ll positions,” Nestor said. “When actively hiring for the automated method of collection, we are hiring someone who is expected to sit in the truck and not do all that di cult manual labor. We think this will help recruit and retain drivers, which we’ve had issues with in the past.”

A Tailored Trash Solution

While the roll carts themselves are delivered at no cost to residents, residents are responsible for the cost of collection, just as they were with trash bags. Residents can

“It’s a tough job, jumping on and off the back of the truck multiple times throughout the six or seven-hour day, especially days with zero-degree weather. There is too much of a risk for people getting hurt, getting sick, or injuring themselves.”

— MATT NESTOR

choose from one of three roll carts based on their usage and needs, and the collection fee is based on the size of the cart.

A thirty- ve-gallon cart holds two to three thirteen-gallon trash bags, with a collection fee of $12.87 per month. A sixty- ve-gallon cart holds ve to six thirteen-gallon bags, with a collection fee of $17.37, which was the cost of trash pickup before roll carts. A ninety- ve-gallon cart holds seven to ten thirteen-gallon bags, with a collection fee of $22.50 per month.

“We understand that roll carts are not a one-sizets-all for everybody,” Nestor says. “If a family wants to save money on their trash collection and go to a thirty- ve-gallon cart, maybe they will look into ways they can reduce waste. ere is a bene t to the environment if we can recycle more and make less waste.”

While the ability to select a cart size allows residents to tailor their trash collection to their needs, it also brings fees for trash collection in line with fees for other utilities that are based on usage, Nestor says.

All trash must go inside roll carts, Nestor says. Trash cannot be placed on the ground or top of carts. However, residents who require an extra pick-up can call the city to request an additional collection.

“If they need an additional collection they can call and schedule it for a fee,” Nestor says. “ at fee will be added to their next month’s bill.”

Increased Tracking

e city will lease thirteen new trucks to handle the trash collection routes, including ten full-size trucks and three smaller trucks that can more e ciently navigate smaller streets in some of the older neighborhoods around the city.

“We have in our budget every year to replace older trucks, and instead of replacing the trucks last year we held on to the money in preparation for the switchover to the automated collection and used the money to enter into a lease for the new trucks,” Nestor says.

Instead of the eight routes the city ran with bag collection, it will now run ten shorter routes. With the new trucks and new collection system, the city will also have new capabilities of tracking collections through a unique bar code on each roll cart.

“We are going to be able to track the roll carts because customer bills are predicated on the size of the carts they are using,” Nestor says. “We don’t want one person to order a thirty- ve-gallon cart and use their neighbor’s ninety- ve-gallon and pay less. With the bar code, if a cart is taken or misused, we will be able to nd it.”

e bar code will also allow drivers to easily and eciently determine if residents have outstanding bills.

“With using the trash bag system, if someone hadn’t paid their bill, the driver didn’t know that,” Nestor says.

“If a family wants to save money on their trash collection and go to a thirty-five-gallon cart, maybe they will look into ways they can reduce waste. There is a benefit to the environment if we can recycle more and make less waste.”

— MATT NESTOR

Curbside Recycling Service Resumes

Good news for Columbia’s environmentally conscious residents. Ten months after the city’s solid waste utility suspended the curbside recycling service, the service will resume on March 18.

The city suspended the recycling service on May 18, 2023, citing a lack of employees. Since then, residents have been taking their recyclables to drop-off locations around Columbia; in many instances creating overflowing heaps of plastics, bottles, cardboard, and similar products.

City Manager De’Carlon Seewood announced the recycling service restart in a February 25 news release. He said that customers who have an email address listed with utility customer service can expect emails with information on how to access an interactive collection map in the future. The city will also be providing more information about routes and other details on curbside recycling pickup before March 18.

The service will be provided every other week. Customers who want to use the service can place mixed containers and mixed fibers on the curb on their regular weekly pickup day. The collection routes have not changed.

Meanwhile, the drop-off sites will continue to operate, with some exceptions. Based on a consultant’s report and recommendations, the city is closing the recycling drop-off sites on the MU campus and downtown “because they are misused to the point where they are detrimental to the recycling operations,” said utility spokesman Matt Nestor. The South Providence and State Farm sites will be consolidated, and remaining sites will be gated and staffed to prevent abuse and misuse, he added

Residents will continue to use the blue, city-branded bags for mixed containers — glass, plastic, aluminum cans, and tin cans. Mixed fibers — cardboard, paper, magazines — should be bundled in a cardboard box or paper bag.

Nestor said the recycling service does not accept Styrofoam, plastic bags, paper plates, or beverage cartons.

“We have ways of knowing which cans belong to which addresses and which can’t have their carts emptied if someone isn’t paying their bills.”

Working Through Challenges

While the bene ts outweigh the challenges, the new trash collection program is not without challenges for some Columbia residents.

“Change is hard,” Nestor says. “ rough working with the citizens and hearing what a number of them had to say, and looking internally at our employment, we felt this was the best decision moving forward for the city.”

With the new roll cart program underway, Nestor says the city is continuously evaluating the program and is also looking at ways to improve the city’s recycling program. e city’s eight drop-o recycling centers will continue to operate around the city, and Nestor says the city currently doesn’t have the sta to operate curbside recycling.

However, the city is working with a consultant to review current methods and practices for recycling, and it will begin to review options and assess associated costs.

“Curbside recycling collection is something we want to do, but we have to do what’s best for everyone,” he says.

What piece of technology has fascinated you the most?

VR and the idea that soon we may live in a digital hybrid world where the meta verse is part of real-world perception.

– NEAT + NIMBLE

EV conversions and what they mean for the future! It’s not what you think.

– GKR MOTOR CARS

I recently heard about “BakeryScan” — AI technology that was developed to identify 100s of di ering types of pastries — but has since gone on to other industries — like cancer research, because a researcher “realized that cancer cells, under a microscope, looked kind of like bread.”

– KATE MORROW

How the digital landscape is transforming learning, from corporate training to terminal university degrees. Education without walls is de nitely here to stay.

– AMY LEMPERGEL PLETZ

I’m just happy to nally have dual monitors!

– ERICA PEFFERMAN

A 360-degree car camera, also known as an around-view monitor system.

– SARAH HEMPELMANN

For me, it’s a DNA kits. e idea that you could look at my DNA and tell me where in the world my family was from. It’s just remarkable.

– HEATHER McGEE

While it’s been around for a while, CRISPR technology has fascinated me for some time: CRISPR (short for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”) is a technology that research scientists use to selectively modify the DNA of living organisms. CRISPR was adapted for use in the laboratory from naturally occurring genome editing systems found in bacteria.

– JJ CARLSON

AI, I went to a class on it, and I can see how it can help with many tasks.

– DIANNA BORSI O’BRIEN