COMO Living Magazine - April/May 2016

COMO VO L .3 / A MAGAZINE A B O U T CO LU M B IA LIF ES T YLE A N D C ULT UR E

LI V ING

APRIL/MAY

CULTURE O C M HOMES O FASHION THE TRAVEL ISSUE

The Travel issue Ready, set, pack!

Adventure bound or just wishful thinking, this issue offers travel tips and more.

International EATS Try something new right here in CoMo pg. 27

Bridging Communities

he TTRAVEL issue

Rob Roach and Kaitlyn Kohley are fueled by a common passion pg. 45

03

APR/MAY

2016

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COMO L I V I N G

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A PR I L - 2016

A BUSINESS TIMES COMPANY PUBLICATION

EDITORIAL Deb Valvo, Publisher Deb@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Audrey Sharp, Editor Audrey@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Kristi McCann, Copy Editor DESIGN Keith Borgmeyer, Senior Editorial Designer Keith@BusinessTimesCompany.com

C R E AT I V E S E R V I C E S Kate Morrow, Graphic Designer Kate@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Jordan Watts, Editorial Designer

LE T TER from THE PU B LISHER

A NEW JOURNEY

Jordan@BusinessTimesCompany.com

MARKETING R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S Crystal Richardson, Digital Marketing Manager Crystal@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Megan McKenna, Marketing Consultant Megan@BusinessTimesCompany.com

John Anderson, Marketing Consultant John@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Tami Turner, Marketing Consultant Tami@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Janelle Wilbers Haley, Marketing Consultant Janelle@BusinessTimesCompany.com

As this is the Travel Issue, it seems like the perfect time to talk about adventure!

Working for The Business Times Company is nothing short of an adventure each and every day — some are planned and some, perhaps, not so much. So, I am thrilled to now be on a new excursion as the publisher of COMO Living magazine. Our little company continues to expand as we’ve moved some staff around while also adding some amazing new talent to our team. We’re always on a journey around here.

Speaking of journeys, have you heard about the upcoming Tour of Tuscany? COMO Living is partnering with the University Club of MU and St. James Winery for this amazing Tuscany trip June 19 – 25th. Be watching out for some fun photos online and in COMO Living’s August/September issue.

And since travel means culture, I’d be remiss in not pointing out the culturally interesting and delicious dishes featured from some of our favorite local restaurants beginning on page 27. Eating is another of my favorite “adventures,” and we’re so lucky to have such great options.

And as always, thanks for taking all our “journeys” with us as we continue to share with you beautiful homes, fun events and our favorite foods in each and every issue.

We so appreciate you!

MANAGEMENT Erica Pefferman, President Erica@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Renea Sapp, VP of Finance

Deb Valvo Publisher

deb@businesstimescompany.com

ReneaS@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Amy Ferrari, Operations Manager Amy@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Website - comolivingmag.com Twitter - @COMOLivingMag Facebook - facebook.com/COMOLivingMagazine

Jamie Patterson, Digital Services Director Jamie@BusinessTimesCompany.com COMO L I V I N G

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A PR I L - 2016

COM O LIVING Business Times Company 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100 Columbia, MO, 65202

P: (573) 499 1830 W: www.comolivingmag.com

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

- Anonymous LE T TE R from TH E E D I T O R

THE NEXT ADVENTURE I once saw this quote (probably on Pinterest) during one of those moments in life when I just wanted to get up, pack a bag and go. Whenever most of us start to feel this way, we don’t even have a plan as to where we’re headed, but there is normally a common thread in our mindset—we want to escape whatever it is we are dealing with. Luckily for me I was just about to take a trip with a bunch of girlfriends to Las Vegas for a bachelorette party. The best part about the trip wasn’t staying at the Bellagio hotel and eating my weight in delicious sushi, but it was hiking Red Rock Canyon outside the bustle of the city and gaining true perspective.

It was there, on top of that giant rock, after two hours of climbing that I realized this quote could not be truer. As much as we feel like we’re escaping reality when we travel, we’re actually just letting life explode within us. Traveling gives us energy, life and perspective on where we’re headed and where we’re from.

When we were planning this travel issue of COMO Living, we wanted to make sure we focused on adventure. In Christy Asper’s wedding crashers column, she mentions adventure over and over again. As much as the word is synonymous with travel, it’s about the adventure of life, really. In this issue, Rob Roach and Kaitlyn Kohley talk about their life adventures, challenges and goals. We also take a look at some of the best travel apps for your next trip, the best international eats right here in CoMo, money tips when traveling abroad and so much more.

Life is one giant adventure, so when you start to plan your next trip, don’t plan it because you want to escape life at home; plan it so you soul bursts with life when you return.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Keith Borgmeyer, Ronda Favor, Anthony Jinson, Ben Meldrum, Joel Pauley, Drew Piester CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christy Asper, Beth Bramstedt, Nicole Flood, Alex George, Marilyn Haigh, Brian Hazelrigg, Cale Kliethermes, Leighanne Lamb, Zach Lloyd, Josie Mickey, Marcie Olivas, Jill Orr, Monica Pitts, Mary Caitlyn Rodriguez, Jonathan Steffens, Nellie Symm-Gruender, Michele Towns, Megan Whitehead, Tim Zakrewski THE BUSINESS TIMES CO. INTERNS Marilyn Haigh, Caroline Harding, Jessica Kaiser, Sean Nelson, Alisiana Peters, Mary Caitlyn Rodriguez, Brooke Skiles, Amber Taylor COMO LIVING BOARD Kristi McCann, Jill Orr, Erica Pefferman, Michele Towns —

SUBSCRIP TIONS S U B S C R I B E O NL I NE

www.comolivingmag.com PH O NE O R DE R I NG

(573) 499 1830

Audrey Sharp

SUBSCRIBERS

Editor

Subscription rate is $5.95 per issue, 6 issue subscription is $12.95. Call Amy Ferrari at 573-499-1830 ext. 1003 to place an order or to inform us of a change of address.

audrey@businesstimescompany.com

COMO L I V I N G

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M AY - 2016

CO N TE N TS FEATURES / DEPARTMENTS

27 35 12 Publisher’s Note 13 Editor’s Note 16 Agenda 19 Shelf Life 20 Libations 22 Day In the Life- Meet 25 27

the Widbins

Confessions of a Working Mom: Two is Enough For Me Gourmet: International Eats

33 The Dish: At-home PadThai

35

Fueled by a Common Passion: Bridging Communities

78 Health and Wellness 85 Doc Talk 93 Unleashed 95 Engagements 96 The Business

Travel Companions: Apps and websites to help travel with ease

98 Midwest Wedding

Home Tour: Kitchens In Bloom

103

DIY: Camping Chic Nursery

106 April/May Calendar

Fashion: Luggage for every adventurer

41 Traveling and Money: 45 51 56 67

10 Financial Tips for International Trips

69 What the Pros Know 75 (F)lying in the Friendly Skies COMO L I V I N G

Times Company Engagements

111 CYSK: Bob and Jocelyn Kilgore

113 Strong Woman: Carolyn Paris

114 Nonprofit Spotlight: Pascals Pals

Crashers

Being Seen: 20 Under 40, Black Men Rock

of Events

109 Love and Relationships

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A PR I L - 2016

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MAY - 2016

AGE N DA FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

22ND ANNUAL ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS BANQUET WHAT

An awards banquet recognizing strong, professional women in our community. The 2016 ATHENA leadership and ATHENA young professional awards will be given.

WHEN

April 7, 5:30- 7:30 p.m.

WHERE

Kimball Ballroom, Stephens College

INFO

ColumbiaMoChamber.com

4/7

PEDALER’S JAMBOREE VIII WHAT

The Pedaler’s Jamboree is a music festival created for bicycle riders and non-riders alike. Get a ticket for a weekend bicycle ride full of adventure or a non-rider ticket for the Kemper Park festivities.

WHEN

May 28-29

WHERE

Bicyclists start on Saturday at Flat Branch Park from 7:30-10 a.m. in Columbia.

INFO

pedalersjamboree.com

28TH ANNUAL SALUTE TO VETERANS AIRSHOW WHAT

This free weekend (free admission and free parking) has been honoring the vigilant and the brave for 28 years. Head out to Columbia Regional Airport for what is sure to be a weekend of fun and excitement. This is your chance to see USN F-18 Super Hornet TAC Demo, Canadian Forces F-18 Hornet TAC Demo, World War II DeHavilland Vampire Jet Aerobatic Demo, United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, Canadian Forces Skyhawks Parachute Team and a large variety of military flying and static aircraft from WWII to current.

WHEN

May 28-30, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

WHERE

Columbia Regional Airport

INFO

salute.org

COMO L I V I N G

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A P R I L - 2016

5/28

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WE’RE GOING TO FLOOR YOU. NEW STORE HOURS

8070 E. I-70 Drive SE Columbia, MO 573-474-7550 BusenbarkFlooring.com

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SHELF LIFE

BEACH READING

by A L E X G E O R G E

E

very year the columns of magazines and newspapers and the airwaves of NPR stations across the country are filled with suggestions for summer reading. There’s an inherent assumption in all these pieces that I’ve never understood, which is that summer reading is different from fall or winter reading – it’s lighter and less demanding. But this confuses me. Does the presence of the sun in the sky or the proximity of sand reduce our capacity to digest longer, denser, more complicated books?

Quite the opposite, I would contend.

On those (all too rare) occasions when my wife and I are able to finagle a kidfree trip to a distant beach somewhere, we pack more books than clothes and always stay somewhere with no internet or phone service. Hammocks, on the other hand, are an absolute must. The enforced break from the incessant demands of our busy lives is just as pleasurable as bobbing up and down in the waves and drinking margaritas. And we read up a storm.

When I’m at home, it can be a struggle to claw out time to read even a few pages a day.

To my wife’s amusement, I often fall asleep with my book still in my hands. I wake up in the morning unable to remember what I read the night before, and for obvious reasons, this makes it a challenge to keep

track of a novel’s plot. But with all that glorious, uninterrupted vacation time, I’m able to immerse myself in books in a way that I simply cannot with the usual distractions of everyday life. So for me, vacations (at least vacations without my children) are an opportunity to get my teeth into all those long, dense novels that I have been eyeing on my shelf for the rest of the year.

So here’s a suggestion. When you pack for this year’s spring break or summer vacation, forget this idea that beach reads should be fluffier fare than what you read back at home. Experiment. Take a risk or two. Pack a book you’ve been meaning to read for ages but just never had the time for. Dive in.

When you come up for air, that margarita will be waiting for you.

In signing off I’d be remiss not to mention (one last time) the Unbound Book Festival, which takes place on the campus of Stephens College on April 23. This event, which is completely free to the public, will bring dozens of nationally renowned and bestselling authors and poets to Columbia to talk about their lives and books. There is something for everyone – including an amazing program just for children. More information is at www.unboundbookfestival. com. I hope to see you there!

“ALMOST FAM OU S WOM EN ”

BY MEGAN MAYHEW BERGMAN Without question my favorite book of short stories of last year, “Almost Famous Women”, is a deliciously quixotic collection of tales of women lingering just out of the limelight. The characters that populate these stories – conjoined twins whose show business career has faded, Oscar Wilde’s niece, Lord Byron’s illegitimate daughter – are all real, but Megan Mayhew Bergman has reached into the shadows of untold history to conjure up these bewitching stories. The results are spellbinding. Not to be missed.

Book Club

Alex George

Alex was born in England but has lived in Columbia for the past 12 years. His most recent novel, “A Good American,” was a national and international bestseller, and his new book, "Setting Free the Kites,” will be published by Penguin in January 2017. In addition to writing, Alex also runs his own law firm and is the founder and creative director of the Unbound Book Festival.

COMO L I V I N G

Unbound is starting a book club. Join our reading list to get access to our picks and information about our highly interactive book club. We’ll be hosting Google Hangouts, Twitter chats and meetings to discuss each book on the list. To sign up for our newsletter today, visit comoliving.com.

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MAY - 2016

L I BAT I ONS

BAR TIPS 101

BY CHELSEA BESSEY Ca t e r i ng Di re c t o r, Le s B o u rge o i s Mi s s o ur i w i ne .co m

T

here’s lots of pressure being the host of a party. You want to impress your guests and make sure everyone is happy. With so many details to plan, one thing that doesn’t have to be stressful is the booze. I’ve been the catering director with Les Bourgeois for six years, and there is definitely a pattern.

When providing alcohol for an event, an average guest will consume one drink per hour.

Typically, it is evenly split between beer and wine. However, I always need to stress words such as “average,” “patterns” and “typically” because everyone is different. Things that can sway you from the norm would be providing transportation, time of day and the nature of the event.

Most of my clients just provide beer and wine. Cocktails are always well received but not necessary for a successful party (especially if you’re on a budget).

For beer, something lighter, such as Bud Light, is generally the biggest crowd pleaser. For those who want a craft beer, a pale ale or wheat beer is the way to go as the heavier varieties, such as IPAs, porters, stouts, etc., won’t have the widest appeal.

As for the wine, I always recommend a variety of four to six (two sweet, two semi-dry and two dry with a red and white in each category). The most popular combination from Les Bourgeois’ selection would be Riverboat Red (sweet red), Riverboat White (sweet white), Pink Fox (sweet but not too sweet blush), Vignoles (semi-sweet white), Solay (dry white) and Norton (full-bodied dry red). If you only wanted two options, Vignoles and Norton are the way to go.

Let’s say you are hosting a wedding reception on a Saturday evening for 100 guests with the bar open from 6:30-10:30 p.m. You want to provide beer and wine but aren’t too sure what everybody likes. I would recommend the following: one case of Riverboat Red, one case of Vignoles, one case of Solay, one case of Norton, a full keg of Bud Light & a pony keg of Broadway Brewery’s Organic Honey Wheat. There are about 50 glasses of wine in a case, 160 12-ounce servings in a full keg and 80 12-ounce servings in a pony keg. If you are providing a shuttle service and plan on “kicking it up,” then I would add one case of Pink Fox (sweet but not too sweet blush) and bump the pony keg up to a full keg.

By following these simple guidelines, you will be sure to throw the party of a lifetime. Just remember, don’t sweat the small stuff and have fun. It is a celebration after all!

CHELSEA BESSEY Chelsea is originally from Nevada, Missouri, and has been in Columbia for 10 years. She is definitely an animal lover with two dogs, Rufus and Walter; one cat, Sugar; and a goldfish, Gill; at home. She is also a marathon runner but mainly so she can eat all of the tasty food at The Bistro.

COMO L I V I N G

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A PR I L - 2016

LIBAT I O N S

TAKE A BEERCATION

B Y J O N AT H A N S T E F F E N S CO- OWN E R, C RA F T B E E R C E LLA R Craft b e e rce l l a r.co m

TRIP IDEAS

N

www.roadtripsforbeer.comt Think Frommers for Beer, a complete literary guide state by state outlying some the greatest craft breweries in any region.

othing says vacation like sitting back without a care in the world and knocking back a nice, cold beer. We’ve all been there, so why not make that the focus of your next vacation - or perhaps, “beercation?” With more than 2,400 breweries and brewpubs in the United States, according to the Brewers Association craft beer industry group, just about any vacation destination in the U.S. is going to have one. And, chances are, wherever you’re going on your next trip might have a brewery just around the corner from your destination.

In this issue of COMO Living, we delve into the various beercation locales.

You can visit Denver, Saint Louis or just about any town in Oregon for a great craft beer travel experience, but we also highlighted four off-beat regions that might offer you something different this summer.

www.brewerymap.com Going on a road trip? Plot your course, and discover the plethora of breweries along the way as you fuel up for the next leg of the journey.

Bonus: Take the “perfect” brewery road trip this summer crisscrossing the U.S. while visiting more than 70 of the nation’s top breweries in under 200 hours. Whoa! flowingdata.com/2015/10/26/top-breweryroad-trip-routed-algorithmically

DESTINATIONS

www.brewtrail.com Traveling Abroad? bonbeer.com or www.beertrips.com Visiting Europe? Try Bonbeer or Beer Trips to book your next trip touring the worldrenowned Belgian breweries, and learn about the storied tradition of this classic style.

Destination: AS H EV I L L E , NO RT H C A RO L I N A They don't call Asheville Beer City USA for the heck of it. The Southern city has 11 breweries — and counting. Asheville's brewing community is diverse with operations that range from the nanobrewery at the Thirsty Monk to the heavyweight Highland Brewing Company, the third largest brewery in the Southeast.

Destination: SAN D I EG O, C A L I FO R N I A New York, New England and the Pacific Northwest are great places to enjoy a tasty pint, but here's a better idea: drink beer on the beach! If you’re traveling west for your next vacation, be sure to stop in Southern California. Southern California has been pushing the hoppy envelope lately, which has helped define what the world now refers to as a West Coast IPA, and ensuring it's only a matter of time before West Coast and East Coast IPAs start killing each other with strands of barley. You should try to hit AleSmith, Green Flash, and Ballast Point, and don’t even think about skipping town without experiencing Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens.

Destination: N APA CO U N TRY Why are we dumping beer lovers into a region known primarily for wine? Because that's actually where some of the best beer in the country is located. From Petaluma to Santa Rosa, northern California boasts some of the most storied breweries that you enjoy everyday. There, beer geeks pack in to sample Pliny the Elder straight from the tap and sample beers that brewmasters haven't even made available beyond California and select parts of Oregon. What could make a better vacation than wine and beer meant for two?

Destination: UP S TAT E N E W YO R K To most people, Cooperstown is most recognized by being the home to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Lucky for you, it’s also the center of a beverage trail in upstate New York. Brewery Ommegang is the heavy hitter in the lineup, and its spacious property and European-inspired design are bound to impress. Spend a night at the Inn at Cooperstown (which offers bed and brew packages), and you’ll be able to drink your way to four nearby breweries. Just make sure you get a designated driver for the night.

COMO L I V I N G

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J O N AT H A N S T E F F E N S

Jonathan is a beer evangelist, entrepreneur, and devoted husband.

Jonathan spends his days as IT guru for State of Missouri, co-owner of Craft Beer Cellar and aspiring photographer.

MAY - 2016

COMO L I V I N G

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A PR I L - 2016

DAY IN T H E L I FE

RON AND SALLY WIDBIN F R O M C O LU M B I A TO G U AT E M A L A

by M A R I LY N H A I G H | photos by T H E W I D B I N S

TIMELINE

W

hen Ron Widbin went on a mission trip to Guatemala in 2011, he realized God had other plans for him and his wife, Sally. They traded traditional retirement from their respective jobs at KMIZTV and Columbia Public School District for a two-room cinder block home high up in the mountains of Chichicastenango, a Guatemalan town known for its traditional Mayan culture.

For three and a half years, the Widbins have worked with ASELSI Ministries, a Guatemala-based ministry, which serves the Mayan population. In addition to leading short-term mission teams from the United States, Ron makes videos for the ministry to use for promotional or informational purposes while Sally works with special needs children.

The Widbins have found many things to love about Guatemala — their work at the mission, the natural beauty of the land and bountiful produce in Chichicastenango’s famous markets. But there are always challenges to adapting to life in a foreign country.

The Mayan population speaks 21 different dialects, so for many of the people the Widbins work with, Spanish is their second language too. Sally misses hot baths because their home doesn’t have hot water, heating or air conditioning.

“I think the people who have the most difficulty living in a foreign country are those who try to live ‘American’ in a place other than America,” Sally says. “We don’t live Guatemalan, but we don’t live American either. We try for a balance.”

The biggest sacrifice is being away from their three grandchildren, but God fills the void, Ron says. He and Sally were both surprised by their two children’s reaction, or lack of a reaction, when they announced their plans to move. “We expected you to do something like this,” they said.

The Widbins don’t know how long they will stay in Guatemala but know that when they do leave, they’ll go back to Columbia. “We miss everything about Columbia, but we both know when our time is up in Guatemala, we will miss the joy and adventure we’ve experienced here,” Ron says. One of the things they love the most about life in Guatemala is that there is no typical day.

YEARS IN GUATEMALA:

4

5 a.m. - Ron and Sally Widbin begin the day with a cup of coffee, breakfast and sit down to read the Bible together and pray.

7:40 a.m. - The Widbins walk to work. The mission is a twenty minute walk from their tworoom cinder block home. They don’t use their car often in Guatemala.

8 a.m.- The Widbins arrive at work and check in with the full-time Guatemalan staff.

If the Internet is working that day, they check their emails. Each day is different depending on whether or not a mission team is in the country.

Ron and Sally help facilitate visiting missionary groups’ work. Mission work might include setting up medical clinics in the mountains or doing construction at someone’s home. The mission has a milk program for undernourished babies, and sometimes they take visiting groups to spend time with the children there. If there isn’t a mission group “in country,” the Widbins plan everything the next group will need. They set up transportation, hotels, security and meals — the whole process can take up to two months of planning.

1 p.m.- The Widbins eat lunch at the mission or go back home for a meal. Sometimes, Ron and Sally go into town for lunch and eat fried chicken at a booth in the market. Fried chicken is a staple in Guatemala, along with eggs, beans and tortillas. The meal of chicken, rice, vegetables and tortillas costs less than $4 per person.

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2 p.m.- After a hearty meal, the Widbins usually take their car to another mission in Guatemala that needs videos and educational materials.

Lately, they have been working with an orphanage in San Lucas, a town about 35 miles away. The orphanage has taken in 35 children, who fit into three categories: HIV-infected, sexually abused or abandoned by teenage mothers. Ron shoots, writes and edits videos that will be used to raise funds to support the orphanage while Sally works with the Guatemalan teachers.

6 p.m.- The Widbins return to the home in Chichicastenango and eat dinner. One of the biggest perks of living in Guatemala for Sally is all the fresh produce available.

Sunday is the big market day in Chichicastenango, but Ron and Sally shop on Saturday when the freshest goods are just arriving from farms around the area. Everything is fresh and very inexpensive, but they have to remember to let the produce sit in a bleach solution before eating it.

7:00 p.m. - After dinner, Ron and Sally relax after a busy day. They enjoy reading books, which they download to read on a tablet. In Guatemala there aren’t bookstores or libraries nearby since a large part of the population is illiterate. They also have a television and some Internet access — Ron is a Cardinals fan and likes to catch a game on TV. They also use that time to call their family back home.

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CONFE S S I O NS

TWO IS ENOUGH FOR ME BUT ARE YOU SURE YOU DON’T WANT A THIRD?

by M O N I C A P I T T S

I

t seems like at each stage in my adult life, I’m being groomed by my peers to join the next stage in a big ‘ol hurry. Just six years ago when I got married, everyone asked, “So, when are you going to have kids?” Then after we had our first child, it was, “So, when are you going to have another?” And to both questions I’d like to ask, “When did it become any of your business?”

When you’re pregnant people ask, “How much weight have you gained?” What? What kind of question is that? Then, they touch your baby belly like it is just part of the furniture.

Lately, the million-dollar question people keep asking me is, “When are you doing to have a third kid?” As if there’s some kind of kid quota I’m missing. I had two already. I therefore replaced me and my husband in the population count and plan to raise those kids to work and pay taxes. Guess I missed the memo that I was required to have more.

When did the family size get a minimum stamp on it? Some families have one child, some families have ten, while others have none. There’s nothing wrong with that. Did it ever occur to you that perhaps the woman you’re asking about having another child is undergoing fertility treatment or on a list to adopt a baby because what she wants more than anything in the world right now is to be a mom?

I try to explain my own values and life situation to those who ask me. Or just pretend like I didn’t hear the question. I work. I run a company. My husband is a successful man as well. And we love each other, so we don’t want to have more kids. We just want to love the heck out of the ones we have.

I think each family is different. Some families live for their children, and that’s what helps build their family. They have a “more is better” mentality, and I respect that. At times I envy it. There’s nothing more powerful that the love a mother has for her child, so

I can see why it’s hard to imagine why I wouldn’t feel like I want to make my children my life’s work.

I can’t tell you how many times I have wished that staying at home and raising my children would make me feel fulfilled and happy. My husband and I have spoken about it a thousand times — how much easier would our lives be if one of us would dedicate each day to keeping our family in shape? We joked for years about how if we just had a wife, our lives would be complete. Then we finally broke down and hired a nanny and I must admit, I do feel pretty spoiled. It’s awesome to have someone who looks after my life and remembers all the little things I seem to forget.

and raise a family. Work will still be there when your kids are raised.” That’s a pretty powerful perspective. To which I replied, “I had a conversation with God before I conceived my second child, and we made a deal. I told God if I can have two healthy children, I won’t ask for anymore. But if it’s your choice to give me more, I’ll love them all. And do you know what God said? “Get to work.’” And so I did.

What will ultimately make our children most happy is my husband and I making choices that keep us happy. So, two is good. And work is good, which makes a good mama and daddy, too.

We just want to love the heck out of the ones we have.

MONICA PITTS Monica is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of MayeCreate Design. She spends her days brokering a marriage of form and function and creating art with her team to grow businesses through websites and online marketing. By night she's a story reading, singing, dancing, microwaving mom of two. She and her husband Mike have two daughters, Ellis and Aveleen, and two dogs, Maybe and Roxie. Monica considers herself an artist, yogi and web dork with the ability to speak geek and English.

COMO L I V I N G

One day I had a gentleman say to me, “God wants you to stay at home

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BE SOCIAL.

comolivingmag.com

/ComoLivingMagazine

A Magazine about Columbia Lifestyle and Culture

COMO L I V I N G

@ComoLivingMag

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G OURM ET

Jina Yoo, owner of Jina Yoo’s Asian Bistro, crafted this beautiful sushi roll just for our COMO Living photoshoot.

I n t e r n at i o n a l E AT S It’s been said before that Columbia is the melting pot of mid-Missouri, and we couldn’t think of a truer statement. For this special travel issue of COMO Living, we wanted to give you a taste of what types of authentic international cuisine you can find right here in Columbia. Our first stop was to Eleven Eleven, conveniently located inside The Broadway hotel. This comfortable yet sophisticated restaurant offers an extensive menu, which is sure to please all those you dine with. Our next stop took us to Café Poland. You know that cute little place on Locust across the street from Missouri Theatre? If you’re like us, you’ve driven past it a few times and wondered, “Hmm, I wonder what’s in there?” Well, we’ll be the first to tell you that next time, you need to stop and go inside. Iwana, the wonderful woman who greets you with a smile, will be sure to cook you something delicious. Our last stop was at Jina Yoo’s Asian Bistro and of course, Jina herself plated some delicious food that wasn’t just good for the taste buds but the camera lens as well. Her food is beautifully crafted and wonderful for lunch or dinner.

Flip through the next few pages of this spread and next time you and your family or friends can’t decide what to do for dinner, think outside the box.

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by AU D R E Y S H A R P photos by K E I T H B O R G M E Y E R

G OURM ET G OURM ET

This is a delicious seafood dish you have to try.

Eleven eleven

A M O D E R N WO R L D B I S T R O Bouillabaisse: This delicious dish consists of fresh shrimp, calamari, mussels, scallops and salmon in a rich saffron and tomato broth.

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#foodcoma #french

G OURM ET

#foodcoma #polish

Drinkable Red Borsch: Perfect for a chilly day or a sore throat, this delicious, drinkable soup will hit the spot.

Café POLAND Pierogies: You get six of these delicious pierogies and can choose between potato and farmer’s cheese, beef, potato and bacon or sauerkraut. Or better yet…mix it up.

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G OURM ET ET G OURM G OURM ET

#foodcoma #asian

Jina Yoo’s is south Columbia’s finest Asian bistro with a top-notch menu.

Jina Yoo’s ASI A N B IST RO Shrimp tempura, cream cheese, crab mix rolled in beet tempura flakes topped with spicy tuna, jalapeño, chipotle aioli and siriracha.

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THE DISH

PAD -THA I T H E P E R F E C T AT- H O M E PA D -T H A I

by AU D R E Y S H A R P INGREDIENTS Chicken: 1 lb chicken, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 tablespoons low-sodium tamari (or soy sauce)

INSTRUCTIONS: • In a medium bowl, combine the sliced chicken, cornstarch and tamari. Stir to coat and set aside.

• In a 2 cup measuring cup or larger, combine the fish sauce, tamarind paste, water, tamari, lime juice, chicken broth, sambal oelek, brown sugar and tablespoon of oil. Whisk until the brown sugar dissolves completely; set aside.

• Heat a large pot of boiling water, add the noodles and turn off the heat. Allow the noodles to soften for 5 minutes.

Drain the noodles, and immediately rinse with cold water.

• Heat a large wok over medium-high heat. Add in 1 tablespoon of oil, along with the garlic and let it cook for 30 seconds, then add the chicken and allow for the chicken to cook through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Remove the chicken to a plate. Add the light green portion of the scallions, along with the carrots and let sauté for 30 seconds before adding in the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and the beaten eggs. Scramble the eggs in the pan until they cook, about 1 minute, then add the chicken, noodles, bean sprouts, and the sauce. Pour the slurry into the pan, toss the pad thai using wooden spoons so that everything mixes together. Let sauce thicken 1 to 2 minutes.

• Serve immediately topped with dark greens of scallions, cilantro, chopped peanuts and lots of lime wedges.

Sauce: ¼ cup fish sauce 1 tablespoon tamarind paste 1 tablespoon water 2 tablespoons low-sodium tamari (or soy sauce) 3 tablespoons lime juice 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1 teaspoon sambal oelek 1/3 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon oil Stir Fry: 2 ounces flat rice noodles 2 tablespoons oil 5 garlic cloves, minced 1 bunch scallions, sliced (light greens and darks separated) 1 cup carrots 3 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup bean sprouts 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (made into a slurry) ½ cup cilantro, chopped ⅓ cup roasted peanuts, chopped COMO L I V I N G

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MOM DESERVES

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FASHION

Travel Bags

001

Luggage

Check out this Samsonite bag on the next page.

Travel PACKED FULL

No matter where you travel, you have to take things with you. Whether you’re headed to the Grand Canyon for a rugged backpacking trip, overseas for a tour of Europe or just a few states away

for a weekend getaway, look no further for your next travel companion.

Luggage is important, so we wanted to make sure you knew about all the best options on the market.

by AU D R E Y S H A R P photos by K E I T H B O R G M E Y E R

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EXPLORE

FOR THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURER

Patagonia, Black Hole Duffel 60L, shock pink, $129 Alpine Shop

Osprey, Waypoint 80 pack, highland green, $280 Alpine Shop This bag will take you anywhere. It has a highly adjustable suspension system that helps you carry the heaviest of loads.

To protect your shoulders, it has spacer mesh for carrying comfort. If you decide to take a hike in hot temperatures, your back will stay cool with the meshcovered back panel. This bag is perfect for traveling, trekking and backpacking.

This go-to duffel might make you look like the coolest adventurer of all time, but it will also keep you organized. It has a tough exterior, which is perfect for the most extreme conditions. It has a padded bottom for extra protection and even has an exterior pocket to hold those things you’ll need to access quickly. It’s made from 15-oounce, 900-denier polyester ripstop nylon (50% solutiondyed) with a TPU-film laminate and a durable water repellent finish.

Samsonite, Omni PC hardside 20” spinner, teal, $129.99 Dillards

Fashion/Explore

001

This bag is 100 percent Polycarbonate and features a micro-diamond texture, which is extremely scratch resistant. You won’t have to worry about your bag getting beaten up under the plane or during baggage claim. It has a full-zipper interior divider and cross-straps, which increases packing organization for a long trip.

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Camelbak, Lobo 100z, black, $99 Alpine Shop

On any adventure you take, you’re going to get thirsty. So why not make sure you have plenty of water with this Camelbak Lobo. It’s ideal for the person who wants to stay cool and hydrated while keeping the mentality “less is more” when it comes to packing your belongings.

This bag comes in several colors and is comfortable on the shoulders.

DAYTRIPPING

FOR THE STYLISH TRAVELER

Spartina, Heyward Summer Tote, $145 S.Stewart Home

Warmer temperatures call for brighter colors. This bag is perfect for spring and summer and boasts organization and functionality. This is a large, relaxed bag that has four exterior slip pockets and a deep interior. It is soft to the touch using a linen and leather combination.

Spartina, Amelia Jetsetter Tote, $145 S.Stewart Home

This tote is sure to be your favorite new travel companion. Whether you’re taking a quick trip with the family or hopping on a plane across seas, this bag will be your best travel bud. It has adjustable straps that allow you to re-size the bag, so it fits all your necessities.

It has a deep, spacious interior and several pockets for maximum organization.

Spartina, Madison Barrel Duffle, $225 S.Stewart Home

Fashion/Daytripping

The Spartina duffle bag has a stylist flare. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend trip with the girls or just need a durable, yet fashionable, gym bag, this travel-ready bag is perfect. It has a roomy interior that is sure to fit all your necessities and then some.

002

xxxxxx COMO L I V I N G

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LOADED

FOR THE SERIOUS TRAVELER

Samsonite, DK3 29” spinner, charcoal, $229 Dillards

This bag features four multi-directional spinner wheels and rolls upright.

For traveling in airports or waiting for a taxi, this bag is ideal. It has multiple exterior pockets that help keep you organized, including a zippered pocket for magazines, an umbrella or a beverage container. This case might look like it has plenty of space, but if you’re an over-packer you’ll be happy to know it expands.

Plus, it has a removable interior zippered suiter.

Fashion/Loaded

003

Cabrelli & Co., leather tote, $149.99 Dillards

Solo Class Overnighter Case, $99.99, Dillard’s This travel bag is ideal for the traveler who’s on the move.

It’s perfect for a business trip with plenty of organization, an overnighter section, padded carry handle and front zip-down organizer.

Keep all of your belongings where you can access them quickly and keep them safe.

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This beautiful bag is classy and effortlessly beautiful.

The soft leather is flexible and durable while offering maximum organization.

The comfortable straps make it ideal for carrying around the airport or to and from your destination.

Cabrelli & Co. did it again by making this versatile leather bag for the frequent flyer.

A PR I L - 2016

WEEKENDER

FOR THE LIGHT PACKER

The Sak, Sycamore leather, $248 Dillards

Is this the perfect leather bag or what? This messenger bag from The Sak is soft and slouchy and features beautiful hardware on the straps. This would be a great carry-on that could double as purse once you get to your destination. We are in love with the feeling of this leather!

Vera Bradley, Campus Backpack, camocat, $109 Dillards Vera Bradley, Weekender, camocat, $98 Dillards

Fashion/Weekender

004

This bag is roomy and would work perfectly as a carry-on travel bag. It offers flexibility and organization packed with five inner pockets that help keep your smaller items in place. The backside of the bag has a place for your cell phone or boarding passes. If you’ve been looking for the perfect carry-on for your next trip, this bag is for you.

Whether you’re looking for a backpack for someone in your family or you want a carry-on that you don’t have to carry around the airport, this backpack is going to be perfect. The main compartment in this bag has two slip pockets, two pen slips, an ID window and more. The outside organization is just as good, and features side pockets large enough for a water bottle. The padded back panel allows for maximum comfort. xxxxxx

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TRAVELING & M ONEY T ra v e ling in ter nati onal l y ca n b r in g a s eri ous r u s h o f e x c it em ent. B ut w ha t ’ s no t s o exc i ti ng i s ha v in g f inanc i al i ss ue s a b r o a d. M endy D ie l, p r iv a t e banker w it h C o m me rc e B ank i n C o lum b ia , g i ves us pi e c e s o f a d v i c e for k e e p in g o ur money s afe.

by ZACH LLOYD

Tips for

international travel

TRAVELING & M ONEY

Before the Trip

With summer weather just around the corner and that Christmas bonus still burning a hole in your pocket, planning a trip abroad seems like a great idea.

Experiencing the world is one of the truly wonderful opportunities money can give you. But overseas travel also opens up a whole new financial world for you to be aware of in terms of your bank, your budget and your financial security.

Mendy Diel is a private banker with Commerce Bank in Columbia.

She specializes in ensuring clients’ financial experiences are as smooth and hassle-free as possible, and that includes preparing for overseas travel. In preparation of the looming crop of spring breakers and summer trips getting underway in the coming months, COMO Living spoke to Mendy for some money dos and don’ts advice for vacationers planning to travel abroad. Here are 10 pieces of advice to keep in mind when planning, taking and recovering from an international adventure:

M E N DY D I E L

“I think that time management should be the first step, from the time you’re planning to book tickets to the moment you’re boarding your plane,” Mendy says.

By chronologically planning out the steps of a trip, travelers-to-be can keep the whole process orderly and efficient from start to finish.

1. Let Your Bank Know “My first recommendation would be to notify your bank of your travel dates and the country you’ll be visiting, so you don’t get a suspect fraudulent transaction or get your debit and credit cards turned off,” Mendy says.

Many banks automatically flag expenditures in foreign countries as suspect transactions, so by placing a travel notice on your account, you make sure your bank knows it really is you making international purchases. After all, you don’t want your card to be denied after enjoying an amazing beachside dinner in Mozambique. You could get stuck washing the dishes as payment.

2. Consider Opening a Travel Account Travelers should entertain the idea of opening a specific travel account with their bank for multiple reasons. “You might want to open a credit and debit account for travel that has its own specific funds, so if there is a situation, you can notify your bank and still have a separate account as backup,” Mendy says.

By filling a travel account with a specific amount of funds used only for your trip, you protect yourself from any thieves who might want to access your usual bank account back home. This way your usual assets are still secure, and you can use your old accounts as a sort of backup in case of emergencies.

Travel accounts might also be useful for organizing specific vacation funds as you know how much money you have available and can easily budget your expenses.

3. Convert Before You Leave And no, not in a religious sense. It’s usually better to convert any cash you’ll want to take with you before you leave home. United States banks typically have better conversion rates and are more user-friendly than places such as airport currency exchangers or ATMs in tourist locations. “Check with your bank to see if they have foreign currency available,” Mendy said. “When you go to an airport for an exchange, you’ll usually have additional conversion fees on top of whatever the exchange rate is for that day.”

Two Commerce Bank locations in Columbia offer foreign currency exchanges to both Commerce customers and noncustomers and typically have euros, pounds and pesos on-hand. Other more exotic currencies can be ordered from affiliate branches within one to two weeks.

4. Duplicate Important Information and Leave a Copy Home One of the worst nightmares of traveling abroad would be getting ready to board your flight home only to realize that you’ve lost your wallet complete with credit cards, driver’s license and passport. It’s a good thing you enjoy gelato because now you’re stuck in Florence for who knows how long. “You want to make copies or take pictures of your credit cards, driver’s license and passport, and you’ll want to keep one of those at home and the other in your hotel safe,” Mendy says. “If there was a pickpocket situation, that way you’d be secure and you wouldn’t lose all of that information.” Mendy recommends to also make sure you have records of any account assistance numbers you can call from overseas. These are usually listed on the back of your card.

Mendy Diel is a private banking relationship manager with The Commerce Trust Company. Mendy manages clients’ day-to-day banking, cash management and credit needs while ensuring each client’s experience with Commerce Trust exceeds expectations. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Missouri. She currently serves as a member of the Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation Recruitment Committee, Rotary Club of Columbia Northwest, Women’s Network, Mill Creek Elementary PTA, Rock Bridge High School PSTA and the Columbia Country Club Advisory Board, where she also serves as treasurer. Mendy is a recipient of the Columbia Board of Affiliate Honor Society, Women’s Council of Realtors Affiliate of the Year, 2008 Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge Class, Commerce Mortgage Corp. Top Mortgage Producer and Columbia Business Times’ “40 Under 40” Award class.

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TRAVELING & M ONEY

During the Trip Okay, so you’ve spent the past few weeks getting everything ready, copied, locked up and double checked. Your bank is notified, you’ve traded in for pesos and you’re ready to treat yourself to an in-flight margarita and the latest edition of SkyMall. You’re on vacation time, baby, and you’ve left all worry behind you. That’s all well and good and vacation shouldn’t be about constant vigilance or financial worry, but there are some concerns to stay focused on as you enjoy your trip.

1. Learn Some Local Lingo It’s a good idea to learn some important buzzwords such as “withdrawal,” “fee” and “transfer” in the appropriate foreign language, so you can use ATMs and payment programs correctly. This way you’ll be in the know if an automated teller is going to charge you additional fees, plus you can impress the locals with your mastery of ATM-related linguistics.

2. Take One, Leave One “You want to have two different credit or debit cards with you overseas in case of a pickpocket and you need a backup,” Mendy says. “Keep one on you, and leave the other in the hotel just in case.” She recommends keeping your spare cards, cash and other important documents secure in hotel safes or lockboxes since getting new credit cards while abroad can be a nasty process.

3. Make a Tip Pad As you travel, keep a pen and pad close to write down your important information. Notes, such as local conversion rates, taxi pickup locations

and hotel addresses, can help you navigate your way around town and keep track of your expenses as you go.

4. Carry a Twenty “Euros, pounds and pesos all have different conversion rates, but they usually say to keep $20-worth equal to the local currency with you at all times,” Mendy says. “Especially in less populated areas, such as the Caribbean or exotic islands. Some places will not accept credit or debit cards when a transaction is under a certain amount.”

Just like all of your other important financials, keep your cash somewhere safe while exploring: front pocket, sock, fanny pack, etc.

5. Protect Yourself From Crime Pickpocketing and thievery are serious issues all around the world and something tourists should be very aware of. In 2011 alone, 569 tourists were victims of theft within the British Transport Police area, according to BTP estimates.

The British Transport Police also stated that 99 percent of those thefts could have easily been prevented if the victims had implemented certain precautions, such as zipping up their bags, carrying possessions in front of them and keeping all money safely stored away in pockets and purses. However in the digital age, grabbing purses and picking pockets is no longer the only form of theft tourists should be wary of. “Your security is a lot better today with things such as chip cards, but I would not use your cell phone or iPad over there to purchase an item with your credit card,” Mendy says. “Thieves can pull your password information off of that.” Avoiding online transactions while in a foreign country can be one way of protecting your purchases and making sure someone in New Zealand doesn’t buy seasons 1-31 of “The Joy of Painting” with your money.

Just like all of your other important financials, keep your cash somewhere safe while exploring: front pocket, sock, fanny pack, etc.

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After the Trip Now you’re back home, the vacation was a blast, and you had a wonderful time thanks to your careful spending and responsible financial management.

Your budget is balanced, your bank accounts are back to normal, and you even have a little pocket money left from the trip. There’s just one more thing left to do: The Final Exchange “You can bring money back into Commerce and exchange it into U.S. dollars at whatever the rate is that day,” Mendy says, “As long as the amount is $30 (USD) or more.” Or you could save those funny-looking bills as a souvenir to remember your trip by. Give it as a present, or keep it for yourself. Why spend money on a gift when you can just give the gift of money?

The takeaway here is to be reasonable with your money while in a foreign country and things should work out fine. By utilizing these strategies and staying informed about the location you’re visiting, you can make sure your trip is successful and worry free.

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COMO L I V I N G

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COM M ON PASSION

FUELED a common passion by

The stories of two young Columbians who care deeply about the intersection of the LGBT community and faith

by B E T H B R A M S T E D T photos by C A S E Y B U C K M A N

Rob Roach and Kaitlyn Kohley have never met. Despite being comparable in age, they grew up in different towns, attended college in separate states and have led very independent lives. Yet in 2016, the two young professionals share the same city streets, expound kindred values and live and breathe a parallel passion.

Both Rob and Kaitlyn care deeply about the LGBT community and love their faith. After personally coming to terms with how the two intersect, they each share a desire to tell their stories in hopes of helping others who struggle with similar questions. Meet Rob Roach and Kaitlyn Kohley.

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COM M ON PASSION Wrestling with Faith

R

ob is not a fan of people putting others in boxes and then denying it. He prefers to live his life based on becoming the kind of person he wants to be, not the one the world expects him to be. A self-proclaimed over-achiever, it’s a motto he not only verbalizes as an adult but has lived out in his everyday decisions since childhood.

Rob was born in Columbia into a life of humble beginnings. His mother was born in the Republic of Palau, came to the United States at the age of 13 and gave birth to Rob five years later. She worked two jobs while going to school in order to support her young family. Rob says he never knew he was without as a child, but he always knew he was different.

Growing Up “Different” Sitting comfortably in his office at Caledon Virtual, Rob recalls the time he belted out Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” at age 6 and his tendency to talk a lot. “I was always interested in what the girls around me were interested in,” he says. “But I was also athletic and enjoyed playing sports.” Rob admits to shutting out those differences while a student at Russell Elementary, in part because of the love of his family.

Rob says his mother, Nelly, as well as his father, J. Michael, who formally adopted him in

the fourth grade, raised him to do his best and have no regrets. “They were always supportive and even though I knew I was different, I grew up thinking being different was normal.”

By age 10 or 11, the dark-skinned, darkhaired Rob says he was learning more about who he was than who he was attracted to. While a student at Smithton Middle School, he admits being captivated by both Beyoncé and Serena Williams. “I loved music and tennis and knew they had values I wanted.” He describes Serena as tenacious, fierce and confident. “I found those characteristics attractive,” he says.

Rob, described in his company bio as perceptive, brilliant and clever, recalls desperately wanting the new Beyoncé CD but says his family was conservative and listened to mostly Christian music. “My dad said if I could beat him in tennis, I could get the CD,” Rob shares. “I was determined, so I did.”

While having the courage to be himself and go after what he wanted was easier at home, Rob remembers being bullied and called every name in the book at school. The result? “I was smart and hardworking, but I started changing to survive, to fit in.”

Rob notes that by the time he reached high school, however, he found his love in tennis.

“Being alone on a court with a tennis racquet was me,” he says. “I had found me.”

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While growing physically and developing mentally, Rob was also discovering his faith. He remembers showing up at the neighborhood church as a child to get candy and sing with the choir. “I was a strong, devout Christian,” he says. “I even helped bring my parents to faith.”

Rob knew from growing up in church that many saw homosexuality as a sin. And that’s where his real wrestling began. Leaving West Junior High, Rob knew that he was gay.

“I denied it for social conformity,” he says sincerely. “I mean how do you reconcile denying yourself or denying your God?” Looking back, Rob sees things much clearer.

Past the emotions of his years at Rock Bridge High School, Rob describes the revelation that changed everything for him. “I realized that if I deny who I am, I am denying my God.” That one statement gave Rob the courage to live fully as himself while still embracing his faith. Thanks to a scholarship opportunity, Roach packed his bags the fall of 2010 and headed to Azusa Pacific, a private, evangelical Christian college in the suburbs of Los Angeles. He was ready to tackle the next chapter of his life.

Exposing the Secret Although Roach felt free internally, he still kept his sexual orientation a secret from his family and friends. Near the end of his freshman year, his best friend went public after reaching a top leadership position within the Christian university. “He came out of the closet to show that you can make a difference in people’s lives whether you are gay or straight,” Rob says.

The action resonated with Rob, who knew he had leadership abilities, but didn’t know how to unleash them given the secret he was carrying.

So one day after chapel, he made the decision to tell his friends the truth. The reaction was one of empathy to his internal struggle. “They wept,” he shares.

The next step was to tell his family and friends in Columbia. That step took a while longer. “I wrestled, researched and prayed about it,” Rob says. “I’d garner confidence and then I’d get scared.”

Finally on a trip back home, his parents pinned him down and made him talk. “My mom told me she knew what it was and that I

COM M ON PASSION

just needed to voice it,” he says. “So I did.

It was so rejuvenating for me. It catapulted me to the next level.”

From there, Rob finished his degree with a double major in pre-med biology and marketing and a minor in Biblical studies. He chose to pursue marketing and moved home to join his parent’s business as an account executive. At the end of 2014, Rob met his boyfriend, Brandon Stotts. “He has softened me,” Rob says with a smile. “I’d bulldoze people otherwise. He’s helped me gain empathy and add that to my leadership skill set.”

Moving Forward Now that Rob feels settled, it’s time to think about the future. “I’ve been brought up to believe that something you do needs to be about goodness, about adding the lives of others,” Rob says, his dark eyes sparkling with excitement. Feeling grounded in who he is and what he believes, he wants to pass that confidence on to others like himself. “I’m searching to invest in other Rob Roach’s,” he shares.

His passion runs deep. “I’m a homosexual, and I’m a Christian,” Rob continues. “I’ve proven to myself that I’m both. That powers me to have a mission to bring our two communities together.” While Roach is in the beginning stages of determining how to accomplish his idea, he is enthusiastic about his calling and values.

“It’s an issue about inclusion,” says Rob sitting up straighter in his chair. “I have influence over two groups of people who don’t agree. That’s a sign. I want to bridge that divide and help people open their minds to other views,” he says.

“Differentiation progresses.”

While he figures out the next steps, Rob will continue attending church, working with clients, spending time with family and friends and volunteering for Women’s Network. “I’m happy with my community. They may not continue to be happy with me,” he says, “but I plan to keep challenging them.”

L

ike Rob, Kaitlyn Kohley has a deep attachment to the LGBT community and a desire to protect the place she has found an abundance of love of grace.

Yet, she also struggles with feeling in limbo and unsure how to engage within the community when her primary connection comes from having a lesbian mother who came out later in life.

Kaitlyn, quiet yet resolute, was born in a small Missouri town and moved to Columbia in the fall of 2008 to pursue a degree in psychology from the University of Missouri. She then found jobs in the social work field for three years before starting work on an MPA from the Truman School of Public Affairs in 2014.

“I have multiple passions,” says Kaitlyn, who will graduate in May. “I’m not sure where they will lead me.” Her interests are primarily two-fold: to use statistics and narrative to communicate health policy in understandable ways and to educate communities on the needs of LGBT families, particularly the church community. Both passions have grown out of her personal story.

Starting Out While sipping her favorite coffee at Lakota, Kaitlyn recalls a childhood similar to many Midwest families.

“My parents were intentional about providing a safe home,” she notes. “We had dinner together as a family, then played games or watched TV before going to COMO L I V I N G

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bed.” Kaitlyn believes that structure had a great impact on her and was foundational to her feeling loved and accepted as a child.

Around age 11, however, her family dynamic shifted. Kaitlyn remembers turning to survival mode. “It was a lonely and stormy time for a lot of reasons,” she shares as she thoughtfully reflects on how to best describe the situation. “That season helped me realize how strong I am, showed me the value of a support network and gave me a desire to help others.”

By the age of 14, Kaitlyn’s parents decided to divorce. Both parents stayed living in their small town and shared custody of her and her sister. “They wanted to make it the best transition possible, so we would still spend holidays and birthdays together,” she says.

Kaitlyn continued on with teenage life striving to adjust to the change and the new custody schedule and unaware things would change again the day she turned 17. “Basically, my mom came out to me on my seventeenth birthday,” she says.

Kaitlyn recalls spending an enjoyable day with her mother, who asked if there was anything else she wanted before they headed home. Sitting in the car, Kailyn noticed a ring on her mother’s finger and mentioned liking it. “She got really quiet and then mentioned it was a gift. I remember asking about ‘him’ and her responding, ‘He’s a she.’”

Kaitlyn says she sat in silence struggling to verbalize her mixed emotions until her mother asked what she was thinking and feeling. “I told her I was shocked, but I loved her.”

In those moments and the ones to come, Kaitlyn found herself surprised and confused about her mother’s new relationship given that she had been married to her dad. Yet she also yearned for her mom to understand that her confusion didn’t change the way she felt about her.

Living in a New Reality Once Kaitlyn and her sister both knew, the family began wrestling with managing the change. “My mom had us both see a counselor to talk things through, but I wasn’t ready to talk about it yet.” she mentions.

“I also remember both parents telling us to be careful who we told.”

Kaitlyn understood the reasons. She had heard the anti-gay language around school and knew her parents

COM M ON PASSION didn’t want her to be negatively affected, but she admits to pushing a lot of her conflicting feelings down without working through them.

“What I heard was that my mom was still in the closet and I need to keep quiet to protect her,” Kaitlyn shares. “What I know now is that I felt like I was also placed in a closet because I couldn’t talk about it.”

Looking intently through her silver frames, Kaitlyn says she didn’t share the hurt with her mother either. “How do you tell someone you love that a part of their life is impacting you like that?” she asks as the memory takes her back in time. “I felt alone, and I was afraid that meant I didn’t love her.”

Kaitlyn says she wasn’t aware of anyone or any resources to help. “I had nothing, no one, my sister and I didn’t really talk about it” she shares.

“I thought I was the only one alive who had a gay parent who came out later in life.”

Her feelings only intensified after her sister’s friend got angry and shared about their family situation. “We were outed to the community, and I can’t tell you the level of fear I experienced,” Kaitlyn says. Although afraid of those who used derogatory language, Kaitlyn says she never was bullied. “It seemed to make a difference that people actually knew me.” she says.

In a conversation with her mother much later, Kaitlyn realized her mother had no idea the level of hurt she had experienced during that season.

Embracing the Change After graduation, Kaitlyn moved to Columbia to start college. Once in new surroundings, she disassociated herself with the LGBT community believing it was her mother’s life and wouldn’t impact her here. “Yet I knew it did,” Kaitlyn says.

“It’s like having an identity, a part of you, that people can’t see.”

Her loneliness and silence continued and as she began attending church more often, her internal crisis intensified. “I had never had problems with my mom or her partner ever,” she shares. “They were both beneficial to my life. I didn’t see their life as a sin.” Yet she says many of the people around her did, which caused emotions Kaitlyn could not resolve by herself.

The fog started to lift the summer of 2009 when she attended a leadership training event in Colorado and befriended someone with a similar story. “She

understood feeling like being in a closet and the inner conflict I was feeling,” Kaitlyn says. “It was a powerful experience.” Through the friendship, the two wrestled with their identities as children of gay parents and the resulting inner conflict. “I have lots of friends who are supportive, but it helps to have someone who has lived a similar story,” Kaitlyn admits.

As she’s grown in confidence, Kaitlyn has recognized a desire to meet other people similar to herself. “Based on the experiences with my mom, it makes me want to share my story more,” she notes. She says her background has developed into a passion to create space, especially in the faith community, for children of LGBT families to talk about their experiences.

Reaching Out When she needed an internship as part of her master’s program, Kaitlyn reached out to the Gay Christian Network in Raleigh, North Carolina.

She was accepted and spent the summer of 2015 learning about their organization and their desire to transform attitudes toward LGBT people across denominations and cultures.

“I went because I thought understanding the LGBT community was an important part of the church,” she shares. “But it ended up being an intensely personal experience.” She has used the opportunity to meet people individually, listen to their stories and begin discerning how to move forward herself.

In addition to her involvement at GCN, her education in policy making has helped Kaitlyn to identify cultural gaps within communities, understand the importance of advocacy and learn to share stories in a way that brings a needed message to the public’s attention. “Although it’s a critical component, research doesn’t always help us reach a consensus on polarizing issues,” Kaitlyn says. “In fact, people become more polarized when they have knowledge, but stories can bring people together.”

Kaitlyn doesn’t know where these realizations and passions will take her, but she is committed to sharing her story in any way that could help others untangle their own internal tension and thereby unite communities.

“I get to be part of a change that is happening— the shift in understanding that families are completely diverse.” Kaitlyn says. “And that is a good and beautiful thing.”

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Meet Jesse Bailey Jesse Bailey moved to Columbia a little over 12 years ago to start his life and to be surrounded by a more accepting and diverse community.

Bailey, who married last December, shares a home in the country with his husband, Justin, as well as their two very spoiled dogs. He spends his days at Busenbark Flooring & Granite and his nights at the Yin Yang Club, which he and Justin opened last summer with his cousin Heather and her husband, Jeff.

In his free time, Jesse can be found volunteering for community fundraisers such as Trail for a Cure, attending Mizzou events or soaking up music at the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival.

Bailey describes the LGBT community in Columbia as a tight-knit group.

“Everyone sticks together and works hand-in-hand to help with anything the community needs,” he shares. “There’s always someone willing to help.”

Bailey is excited about the future of his club and considers it a privilege to provide something to the LGBT community that he considers very important. “The nightclub offers a place for people to be who they are,” Bailey says. “Everyone is welcome, and we want them to be accepted no matter what.” He has a special place in his heart for college students and the secret lives they often lead. “We want to give them a place to go,” he shares.

Bailey is also excited to provide a place that keeps the drag community alive. “In my opinion, it’s truly an art form,” he says.

Bailey thinks Columbia is on the right track with building an accepting LGBT community that works together to fix issues and provide a safe place to call home. If he could change one thing, he would increase the activities for gay youth and create ways for families to get involved. “Gay youth need support,” he says. “It’s a hard step in life for most to come out, and family support changes everything.”

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Mon - Sat 8:30am - 6pm | Sunday 11am - 5pm COMO L I V I N G

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573.445.5300 | 1601 Chapel Hill Rd. | Columbia, MO | WillettandPattonDDS.com COMO L I V I N G

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TRAVEL APP S

T

TRAVEL APP S

ravel is something I’ve always loved. There is just something special about putting yourself outside your comfort zone and experiencing a way of life completely foreign to you — immersing yourself in the culture of another and trying new things, new experiences and new adventures. With travel brings so many wonderful and unexpected things.

Some of the unexpected can also be a source of stress. Enter technology. With so many travel apps and websites available today, leave the stress of planning and finding the best deals to them, so you can be at the beach relaxing, at the art exhibit marveling or at the top of a mountain ready to begin skiing in no time.

Two questions that always arise when traveling are where to stay and how to get there. Having a clean and safe place to stay, which is also affordable, already lined out before you hit the road gives travelers a great peace of mind. Having maps to get you to your destination also helps take a lot of guess work and stress out of the travel experience.

Two apps and websites that allow you to list vacation rentals and book from your mobile app or from the web are Airbnb and VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner). Though similar in overall service idea, they have differences that make them each unique depending on what you are looking for. Roadtrippers is a website that helps you chart your course by way of digital map for your trip.

Both are quite different in terms of audience. One seems better for spontaneity, and the other is better for getting to your designation quickly and easily. Keep reading to find out more about these apps and how they might work to help book your next overnight stay.

T RAV E L A P P S / A I R B N B

WITH SO MANY TRAVEL APPS AND WEBSITES A V A I L A B L E T O D A Y, LEAVE THE STRESS OF PLANNING AND FINDING THE BEST DEALS TO THEM.

A I R B N B / W W W. A I R B N B.C O M Airbnb totes the tagline, “Welcome Home.” The company provides customers with unique renting opportunities in more than 190 countries.

You essentially rent places to stay from local hosts from around the world. This experience is more for an adventurous traveler, who wants to experience the area from the vantage point of a local. Often, Airbnb prices can get you in fun and trendy neighborhoods without the high cost that hotels in that area would be.

The bonus is also that you feel like you’re at a home away from home because oftentimes, you are renting out someone’s actual home for the trip. Take the city of Boston for example. If you wanted to be in the heart of downtown Boston, hotel costs would be high and you most likely aren’t in a walkable area. Choosing Airbnb could allow you to rent out a cute apartment in the heart of a walkable area that has food and entertainment for a lower cost.

Airbnb was founded in San Francisco in 2008 as a “marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world – online or from a mobile phone or tablet.” Guests and hosts create profiles so that they can learn about each other before they share the rental space.

Airbnb verifies the profiles and messaging system so that guests and hosts COMO L I V I N G

can easily communicate with each other in a safe and efficient manner. The company also manages the payment platform for the rental.

“One thing I really loved about Airbnb is the verification process that takes place on both ends of the renting process,” Carrie Palombo says. She had her first experience with Airbnb last fall. Carrie works in marketing and communication for the federal government in the St. Louis area.“Not only did I have to prove who I was to the property owner, people who post their properties also have to prove who they are (via methods such as Facebook).

There is mutual agreement between the renter and the rentee, so everyone involved has the opportunity to feel safe and comfortable. If they don't, they can decline on either end.”

Airbnb offers multiple listings at varying price points and accommodation levels, so nearly anyone can find a house that fits their cleanliness level, area of choice and price point. Some rentals allow you to rent the whole house to yourself while others allow you to crash on the host’s futon for a few nights.

“I would say that the accommodations fairly represented what was online,” Carrie says. “As with many things, it's really hard to know until you actually get there. I wasn't shocked one way or another, but I will admit that I was slightly disappointed with one location and more impressed than I expected with another.”

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TRAVEL APP S

V R B O / W W W.V R B O . C O M Vacation Rentals By Owners is exactly that. VRBO boasts the tagline: “Get the whole house.

Your whole vacation starts here.” Another part of their key messaging is “It’s your vacation.

Why share it?” In many regards, it offers similar services as Airbnb, though Airbnb seems slightly more user friendly and geared more toward the younger traveler.

Airbnb also has options to cohabitate with the host versus always having the whole place to yourself. VRBO seems to have more houses and condos to rent that would be great for those in a higher price point. But it does seem easy to look at listings and get rental quotes.

Property owners can list their vacation homes on the site, and people can find the condos and vacation homes there. VRBO is under the HomeAway company umbrella. The site is fairly easy to navigate and helps property owners find renters and helps renters find places to stay. I found the website easier to navigate and more impressive than the mobile application.

Though VRBO is an application to connect renters with hosts,

APP / VRBO

it seems like it is geared more toward helping owners list houses. Overall, it seems to have a good level of satisfaction, though some individuals have reported complaints of additional fees for listing their properties.

Some properties are listed by owner directly and others by property managers. This difference is reflected in the price differences for similar locations in that those listed directly by owner tend to be slightly less expensive due to fees.

The VRBO group does do several engaging things with their clients, such as the VRBO bear.

Their employees take the VRBO bear with them when they enjoy some of the properties listed on the site for their personal vacation. They share about what they loved when they get back and people can engage with the posts and photos with the VRBO bear. It allows for an interesting blog about travel experiences from the employees and their friends and family. It also helps individuals find out more about the area and rentals from that word-of-mouth storytelling.

R OA DT R I P P E R S / W W W. R OA DT R I P P E R S .C O M WANT MORE? / COMOLIVINGMAG.COM

Roadtrippers is a site of maps made for travelers. It includes different trip ideas for camping, road trips and RV trips. Roadtrippers also offers interesting blog posts and stories from other travelers. It is a web and mobile travel planning platform and more than 5.5 million trips have been planned and booked through the site. Roadtrippers offers creative and unique content about offthe-beaten-path places to travel to and explore. They maintain a database of these locations and the applications are free to use.

Roadtrippers helps people discover, plan and book trips with an easy-tonavigate system. You can plan a trip, book a hotel and explore maps and things to do in the area. Roadtrippers calls itself the “ultimate road travel companion.” Cofounders James Fisher and Tatiana Parent are “firm believers that you’re less than five minutes away from something (or someone) you can’t find anywhere else.” The application lists anything from diners, museums, best kept hikes and other attractions, natural wonders and “weird stuff.” You COMO L I V I N G

can put in your route, and the app will show you were these hidden treasures are along the way.

The app can be downloaded to your Apple or Android products, so you can have this travel companion in your pocket for all your travels.

The reviews of both the mobile app and website are favorable and both are easy to navigate. The mobile app was nice to use, which is good since most travelers would be using either a phone or tablet when on the road. The maps through the app are really easy to use and seem best for those who are looking for spontaneous things to do and a wanderlusttype road trip. The premise seems to really highlight that the fun is in the journey and not the destination.

The blog feature also lets you read more about adventures and gives you ideas of where to take your next trip. Through the creative storytelling and interactive map routes, you can see photos and exact locations of all sorts of travel idea destinations.

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Spring Into Action

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COMO L I V I N G

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HO ME T OU R

kitchens in bloom

by AU D R E Y S H A R P Photos by D R E W P I E S T E R

C

OMO Living is proud to be the media sponsor for this year’s Kitchens in Bloom home tour taking place on May 1. This annual event is a fundraiser for Services for Independent Living.

Each year the KIB team seeks out unique, beautiful and eye-catching kitchen remodels for the public to look at and ask questions about. Whether you’re looking to do a kitchen remodel or just need some design inspiration for a home project, this is an important day to mark on your calendar. Since this is our travel issue, we “traveled” to the five kitchens in the tour in order to give you a first look into this year’s fundraiser. Flip through the next few pages of this issue’s home feature for a sneak peek. Tickets can be purchased at D&H Drugstores; McAdams’ Ltd.; S. Stewart Home; Busch’s Florist; Allen’s Flowers, Inc.; Kent’s Floral Gallery or online at www.silcolumbia.org/kib.

Other sponsors include Kerry Bramon Remodeling & Design, Dimensions in Wood, Columbia Daily Tribune, Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling, Missouri Employers Mutual, Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Downtown Appliance, Show Me Cabinets Ltd. and Spillman Contracting.

RESOURC ES K ER RY B R AM ON R EM ODEL I NG & D ESIGN 1204 Ro ger s St ., Co lum bia, MO 6520 1 57 3-8 7 5-07 94

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Porter kitchen.

K

itchens In Bloom’s Presenting Sponsor, Kerry Bramon Remodeling & Design, completed this beautiful kitchen remodel. Elaine Porter’s vision for her kitchen was simple and beautiful, much like her cottage that sits off West Boulevard in Columbia. When you first enter the kitchen, you can’t help but notice the gorgeous backsplash and beautiful countertops. The clean, sophisticated, white kitchen has a true high-end feel to it. Not to mention her amazing glass door refrigerator from Downtown Appliance. From floor to ceiling, this kitchen is sure to impress even the toughest of critics. Visit Elaine’s home during Kitchens In Bloom at 109 Clinton Dr.

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HO ME T OU R

StaveleyO’Carroll kitchen.

K

itchens In Bloom’s Platinum Sponsor, Dimensions in Wood, completed this kitchen in Old Southwest Columbia. Kevin and Julie Staveley-O’Carroll are newer to the Columbia area and knew they wanted to live somewhere close to the University of Missouri campus that has access to downtown. The unique design of their home was kept into consideration during the remodel process and the final product is one for the books. Julie says, “Bob Hoell called me one day and said, ‘We’d love to meet you and talk about your plans for the kitchen.’ Bob and his team have been providing excellent customer service ever since.” From the large island in the center of the kitchen to the unique finish on the cabinets, this kitchen is just as unique as the design of their home. Take a look inside their kitchen during the tour at 319 W. Burnam Rd.

RESOURC ES DI M ENSI ONS I N WOOD, IN C .

17 17 O ld U.S . 4 0, Colu mbi a, M O 6520 2 57 3-4 24 -998 8

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HOM E T O U R

Grace kitchen.

K

itchens in Bloom’s Silver Sponsor, Spillman Contracting, completed this stunning kitchen remodel for Brian and Christine Grace. The home, built in 1962, needed some serious updates when the Grace’s bought the home. They purchased the home in July 2014 and it wasn’t until March 2015 that they were able to move into the house. Christine says, “Jeremy was the most enthusiastic and was both positive and realistic about what could be done within our budget. He really wanted the project, and our personalities clicked.” Both Brian and Christine agreed on the fact that they wanted a bright white, open kitchen. Their fresh, bright and spacious kitchen came to life with the help of Spillman Contracting. Christine’s favorite feature is the white tile backsplash, which she says keeps the look simple and clean. You can visit their kitchen during the tour at 1011 Danforth Dr.

RESOURC ES SPI L L M AN CONTR ACTI NG 57 3-8 6 4 -2936

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HO ME T OU R

Stock kitchen.

K

itchens in Bloom’s Platinum Sponsor, Dimensions in Wood, also completed this kitchen remodel in East Columbia. Larry and Barbara Stock are far from traditional decorators with almost every room being themed, bright and colorful. Barbara’s Fiestaware kitchen collection was the inspiration behind the colors chosen to go in her kitchen. She knew from the very beginning that she wanted to display her colorful plates in glass and open cabinets. This cute, quirky kitchen is full of pops of color, including the unique custombuilt shadow boxes matched perfectly to the Fiestaware. You can visit their kitchen during the tour at 506 Arbor Dr.

RESOURC ES DI M ENSI ONS I N WOO D, IN C .

17 17 O ld U.S . 4 0, Co lu mbi a, M O 6520 2 57 3-4 24 -998 8

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HOM E T O U R

Sartwell kitchen.

K

itchens in Bloom Gold Sponsor, Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling, Inc., completed this gorgeous, open-floor-plan remodel for Joel and Marva Sartwell. It has a traditional, homey feel as soon as you walk into the kitchen. The cream colored cabinets make the kitchen feel open and bright, and the darker counter tops bring warmth into the space. Take a tour of their kitchen during Kitchens in Bloom at 1400 Longwell Dr.

R E S O U RCE S K L IE T H E RM E S H O M E S & R E M O D E L I N G, I NC. 1 902 Co ro n a Rd . #2 0 0, Co l u m bia , M O 6 5203 573 - 4 4 6-2 22 2

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Is Your Child Struggling with Social, Academic or Behavioral Issues?

Brain Balance can help!

Presenting a FREE, INFORMATIVE event for parents by Dr. Robert Melillo author, expert and specialist in ADHD, Dyslexia and other Learning Challenges

n us o Find ook to b Facear what s he parent r . othe e to say hav

Thursday, April 14th at 6:30 p.m.

Stoney Creek Inn 2501 S Providence

This event is free but space is limited so please RSVP at ColumbiaBrainBalance.com by April 11.

2703 E. Broadway #224 | Columbia MO (573) 355-9384

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C O L O R YO U R S PAC E

C O L O R YO U R S PAC E

Peach Echo Peach Echo is a shade that emanates qualities such as warmth and accessibility. It’s a shade of orange that is easy to bring into the home through accessories, such as pillows and throws. According to pantone.com, this color pairs well with other spring 2016 colors, such as Rose Quartz, Serenity and Lilac Gray.

Snorkel Blue This energetic shade of navy makes us think of vacation and escaping. It is a striking blue that brings energy to the space. This color works perfectly in the home through accessories, such as vases, pillows or throws. According to pantone.com, it pairs well with spring 2016 colors Buttercup, Iced Coffee and Peach Echo.

Limpet Shell This beautiful shade of aqua leans more toward the green family. It is clean, clear, defined and brings a sense of freshness to the space. It also has a modern look to it while also bringing out feelings of tranquility. According to pantone.com, it pairs well with spring 2016 colors Iced Coffee, Peach Echo and Rose Quartz.

COLORS for

spring

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D O I T YO U R S E L F

CAMPING CHIC NURSERY

by MICHELE TOWNS | photos by JOEL PAULEY

B E F OR E

I

’m always on the hunt for a new room to make over for COMO Living and when my friend and co-worker told me she was expecting a baby boy after having two girls, I thought this project would be perfect. This family loves camping. As for me…not so much. In fact, my idea of “roughing it,” according to my husband, is slow room service. I always want my projects to reflect the family and with the help of the owners, I think we nailed it!

It didn’t take long to land on this fabulous wallpaper from Johnston AF TER Paint and Decorating. I asked the staff if they could locate a wallpaper design that resembled pallets and within 24 hours, the staff found this wallpaper. We used it behind the crib and processed the order from Reclaimed Industrial Chic wallpaper

by Paperpro. This paper was not prepasted but still super easy. We simply rolled the paste directly on the wall and then hung each sheet.

I freshened up the changing table and nightstand with Cottage Paint from Johnston Paint in a great golden yellow color. I love this line of paint because it requires no sanding. We decided not to distress these pieces and just applied the wax to the furniture after painting. The rocking chair and ottoman were purchased off a Facebook swap shop, and I had peace of mind knowing the previous owners had kept it in perfect condition.

The owner changed out the lampshades with fun new fabric as well as recovered the cubes in the bookshelf to make the old, pink, girly cubes match the theme of what is now a boy’s room. It’s amazing what you can accomplish for a DIY project with a little spray glue, fabric and an online tutorial! I gave her the assignment and within a couple hours, she completed four new cubes that are perfect.

I contacted Amy Fisher, owner of Sweet Caroline and Company, after viewing her hand-crafted gifts and accessories. These are sold at Plume and online on her Etsy store. She created the adorable stuffed fox and minkie blanket for the nursery. Kelly, owner of Plume, asked her husband to create a fox pallet board for behind the crib, and he knocked it out of the park. Plume can create a custom pallet for any room in your home.

The arrow curtains worked really well in the room. Arrows are popular in decorating, and these arrow panels were hung to frame the window. They ended up making a huge difference in the room. Framing a window is generally better than covering it up.

Stay clever, little fox and know that this room was designed for you and your future camping days with your big sisters, mom and dad.

COMO L I V I N G

A my Fi s c he r & G i n ge r M i l l e r ~ Swe e t C arol i ne & Co. I te m s c an b e p urc hase d f ro m P lu m e o r o nline w w w. swe e tcaro line andco.co m w w w. swe e tc a ro line andco.e tsy.co m

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G o B a by G o ( Lu xe f l oor p i l l ow by Pe l l o) w w w. go babygo co m o.co m (5 73)4 4 3-8 75 5 Jo hn s to n Pa i nt a n d D e corati ng ( Wal l p ap e r) jo h ns to npaint.co m Pl u m e (Custom p al l e te ar t) (5 73)8 23-9 65 4 s o m e th ing plu m e .co m

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WH AT T HE PROS K NOW BUILDING TRENDS

MORTGAGE TIPS

CALE KLIETHERMES

LEIGHANNE LAMB

KLIETHERMES HOMES & REMODELING

LANDMARK BANK

CLEANING PROS

INSURANCE

TIM ZAKREWSKI

BRIAN HAZELRIGG

TIGER MAIDS

STATE FARM

WHETHER IT’S HOME MAINTENANCE, STYLE TIPS OR BUYING ADVICE, THIS TEAM HAS YOU COVERED.

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W H AT T H E P R O S K NOW

WHILE YOU WERE AWAY

BY CALE KLIETHERMES Find more at: www.kliethermes.com

NOTHING SAYS “WE’RE OUT OF TOWN” LIKE A PILE OF PACKAGES AROUND YOUR FRONT DOOR. TIPS FOR TRAVELERS Here at Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling, we love a great vacation. Sun in our hair, sand in our toes, a colorful drink in our hands. It’s a great feeling to get away with family and friends to destress and rejuvenate after a busy season at work. I always come back from a trip with a renewed spirit and motivation to tackle whatever lies ahead. Can you relate?

Although traveling is exhilarating, there’s nothing worse than worrying about the house while I’m away. Did we turn the lights off? Are packages piling up at the front door? What if there’s a breakin? These questions put a damper on things when all I want to do is to kick back with my wife and kids. So, I have a list of do’s and don’ts that I follow before each trip. That way, no matter where I am, I can be sure things are secure and running smoothly while I’m gone.

PREPARE IN ADVANCE A few weeks before you leave, notify the post office that you’ll be away. Nothing says “we’re out of town” like a pile of packages around your front door. Another thing to think about is what you’re posting on social media. It’s probably not a great idea to alert all of your Facebook “friends” of your absence—you never know who will see the post. Lastly, right before you leave, be sure to turn off the water main, set your light timers, and leave a key with a trusted friend who can check in while you’re gone.

YOU'VE GOT MAIL

INSTALL AN INTEGRATED SECURITY SYSTEM

DOUBLE DUTY

Nothing eases your mind more while you’re soaking in the sun than knowing your house is secure. The Nest Cam is a great tool for this. Even from your lounge chair, you can see exactly what is going on inside your house—in real time. In addition, some integrated security systems, such as, Front Porch and Protect America provide options you can control with your smart phone. Can’t remember if you locked the door? You can check with the swipe of your finger. Need to make sure the thermostat is set?

Easily make adjustments and get back to your fun.

Want to be productive even when you’re relaxing with your family?

Contact us to schedule your home remodeling project during the time you’ll be away. With our Builder Trends portal, you can enjoy daily monitoring capabilities and regular updates on progress. The best part?

You won’t have to deal with the mess of a renovation and when you get home, the project will be finished! Now, that’s a happy ending. Just give us a call or visit our website. Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling will make it happen.

CALE KLIETHERMES I was born and raised in Columbia. In 1996 I moved to Colorado, where I ultimately (after playing for several years) earned a double major in business administration and finance through Regis University.

After college, I enlisted in the Marine Corps and served four years, doing three consecutive tours to Iraq. In the Marine Corps I specialized in building and explosives. I got out of the Corps in 2009. Four years ago, I moved back to Columbia to work with my father, Dan, and our business, Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling.

COMO L I V I N G

Although traveling is exhilarating, there’s nothing worse than worrying about the house while I’m away. Did we turn the lights off? Are packages piling up at the front door? What if there’s a break-in? These questions put a damper on things when all I want to do is to kick back with my wife and kids.

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W H AT T H E P R O S K NOW

TIME TO BUY WITH HISTORICALLY LOW RATES AND A PEAK HOUSING MARKET, THE TIME TO BUY IS NOW.

BY LEIGHANNE LAMB Find more at: www.landmarkbank.com

Now, more than ever, is a great time to buy or borrow. Mortgage rates are at a historic low. Not only are the rates low, but Columbia’s home-buying market is also at its peak. Here are three reasons why purchasing and moving in the spring is ideal:

1. MORTGAGE RATES ARE LOW. 2. THE NUMBER OF HOMES AVAILABLE IS AT ITS PEAK. 3. YOU’LL BE IN YOUR NEW HOME AND ABLE TO ENJOY IT DURING THE SUMMER.

RENTING VS. HOMEOWNERSHIP 1. When you pay rent, you’re paying your landlord’s mortgage and instead of building any equity that will benefit you in the long run. A general rule is if you intend to stay in your house for at least five years, the costs of purchasing the home are more likely to be offset by accrued equity and increased housing value. You will then be able to borrow against the equity in your home.

2. For each month you make your house payment on time, your credit will go up. Lenders want to see you are able to make your payments on time, especially the type of loan they would be extending. Having a higher credit score allows you to get the best rates, highest limits and best deals.

3. You’re able to deduct mortgage interest along with your property taxes. Those who work from home are able to take deductions for their home office and portions of utilities.

4. Owning a home is a good investment, and with rates being so low today, you are locked in at that cost over the next 15, 20 or 30 years. When you rent, it tends to go up every year and is not fixed for a long period of time.

5. You can do what you want with your home. Yes, there are some restrictions and covenants at times, but those are minor. You are in charge, and you don’t have to abide by the rules and your landlord’s restrictions. Want to paint that wall or remodel the kitchen? Go for it!

LEIGHANNE LAMB

MORTGAGE TIPS

NMLS# 468555

Leighanne is a vice president of real estate lending at Landmark Bank with more than seven years of experience helping all kinds of buyers and homeowners with real estate financing. She has both her MBA and undergraduate degree in business management from William Woods University. Call her at 573-499-7307, or email her at Leighanne.Lamb@LandmarkBank.com. Landmark Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and a Member FDIC.

COMO L I V I N G

Owning a home is a good investment, and with rates being so low today, you are locked in at that cost over the next 15, 20 or 30 years.

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W H AT T H E P R O S K NOW

HIRING A CLEANING SERVICE

BY TIM ZAKREWSKI Find more at: www.tigermaids.net

YOU HAVE MANY CHOICES WHEN HIRING A CLEANING SERVICE. DO I HIRE AN INDIVIDUAL, A LOCAL COMPANY OR FRANCHISE? ARE YOU READY TO BE AN EMPLOYER? DOES THE CLEANING COMPANY YOU’VE HIRED HAVE EMPLOYEES OR CONTRACTORS? IS YOUR PROPERTY INSURED AGAINST THEFT OR DAMAGE? IF SOMEONE IS OUT SICK OR ON VACATION, WILL YOUR HOUSE STILL GET CLEANED? HERE ARE SOME VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES. WHY HIRE A CLEANING SERVICE? Having a clean, comfortable home is important. Finding the time to perform a thorough house cleaning is the challenge, especially if you work full time, have young children, own pets or all of the above. Times have changed. Most families don’t even have time to sit down together for dinner. Parents with just a couple kids perform incredible feats of scheduling. After school there are Little Leagues games, dance lessons and homework.

Couples working in fast-paced careers are just as busy. It has become a losing battle to keep up with regular household chores and hiring a cleaning service might be just the ticket to lower your stress and make your life easier.

YOUR TIME IS MORE VALUABLE THAN THE COST OF A CLEANER. How much is your time worth? Track the time you spend cleaning each week and how much you should “pay” yourself.

Chances are that a professional cleaner can clean significantly faster than you, which means it would "cost" you less to hire them than to do it yourself. Outsourcing your house cleaning is a way to manage your time more efficiently and it can be affordable, even for those on a tight budget.

If you generally spend every Saturday cleaning,

think about how you could spend that time if it was given back to you. Walk the dog, hit the gym or even take the kids to the park.

DELEGATE THE DIRTY WORK. Maybe cleaning isn't your thing. Maybe you do a great job cleaning the kitchen but struggle with the bathrooms. Or maybe it’s the dusty baseboards that never seem to get done. We all have some cleaning tasks in our home that tends to get behind. It’s OK to do the cleaning that you’re good at doing first and then call in a professional to handle the stuff you hate. A maid service can work directly with you to develop a custom cleaning plan that suits your specific needs and preferences. How much more would you love life if you never had to clean a toilet again?

A HEALTHY HOME. The first step to a healthy home is to clean it regularly. With ongoing maintenance from a professional cleaning service, your home’s surfaces will be vacuumed, dusted, cleaned and disinfected on a regular schedule. This helps remove allergens such as dust, pollen and pet dander as well as viruses and bacteria throughout a home.

LET US HELP YOU ENJOY ENTERTAINING. After hiring a maid services provider, homeowners will never have to worry about the unexpected: husband’s co-workers stopping by after work or family dropping by. Homeowners can forget about rushing home to tidy up or missing important obligations in order to maintain their home. Is your home guest ready?

Hiring a maid might just make your life less hectic, less stressful and even a little more enjoyable. Hiring a housecleaner might seem like a luxury, but it’s actually a smart, money-wise decision in the long run.

TIM ZAKREWSKI Tiger Maids was founded in 1996 by Robin Zakrewski, who has more than 25 year experience in the residential cleaning industry and currently functions as the office/customer service manager. Her husband, Tim, joined the company full time in 2007. He brings more than 20 years in operations and sales management to the table and currently functions as the general/ sales Manager.

Tiger Maids currently services more than 260 residential homes, and performs hundreds of move-out services each year for their property management and realtor partners. Additionally, they provide post-construction clean-up services for six luxury home builders.

Tim can be reached at tim@tigermaids.net or 573-999-5850.

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How much is your time worth? Track the time you spend cleaning each week and how much you should “pay” yourself. Chances are that a professional cleaner can clean significantly faster than you, which means it would "cost" you less to hire them than to do it yourself.

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W H AT T H E P R O S K NOW

ACCORDING TO BRIAN

BY BRIAN HAZELRIGG Find more at: www.brianhazelrigg.com

Although a mighty whale sunk Captain Ahab’s ship, submerged objects, such as trees and rocks, cause more damage to boats than marine animals. Before taking the crew out for leisurely days on the water, State Farm wants boat owners to know the common causes of boat damage, ways to avoid them and tips on insuring boats before leaving the dock. Safety should always be a top priority when using any watercraft.

The mid-Missouri region is a welcoming site for boaters. The Lake of the Ozarks alone has 1,150 miles of shoreline with a surface area of 54,000 acres.

Much of that space, however, is taken up in the spring and summer by boating enthusiasts. Missouri has nearly 300,000 registered boats, and many of these are about to be used for skiing, swimming, cruising, fishing, and sailing.

Claims data from State Farm, the nation’s largest property insurer and a leading insurer of watercraft, indicates the most common cause of identifiable boat damage is striking a submerged or floating object. In fact, this peril represented 31 percent of our company’s watercraft losses in 2014. Collision with a fixed object, such as a dock, was third with almost 8 percent.

Here are some good tips to keep in mind as you prepare to lower your boat into your favorite lake or river:

SAFETY FIRST • Take a boat safety education course. Many states require operators to take an approved boating safety course, so check before heading out for the first time.

• Wear a life jacket. A life jacket should be available for each person aboard. Jackets should fit snugly and be the appropriate size. Check jackets regularly for wear and buoyancy.

• Know the nautical “rules of the road,” especially when meeting, crossing or overtaking another boat.

Maintain a safe speed and keep a watchful eye on the waters.

HELP PREVENT BOAT DAMAGE

SAFETY TIPS

• Know the water. Research the area where you will be boating to familiarize yourself with possible hazards, such as submerged objects.

• Ordinary wear can cause the bilge pump and bellows to fail and the boat to sink. If you removed the plug to store the boat for the winter, be sure to re-install it in the spring. Store the plug with or attached to the boat ignition key.

• Be careful on the launch. Some boat owners detach the boat from the trailer before backing the boat

into the water, hit the brakes and let the boat slide off the trailer into the water. Unfortunately, many boat ramps have a steep incline, and the boat can slide off onto the cement.

BOAT INSURANCE TIPS • Notify your insurer when a boat, trailer or motor is replaced. Many boat insurance companies insure a specifically described boat, motor and trailer listed by specific identification numbers. Provide identifying information in connection with any replacements.

Remember boating equipment and accessories when insuring your boat. Include the value of such items as life preservers, depth finders, canopies and covers, anchors, trolling motors, and fuel tanks when determining the amount of insurance you need.

• Have a lot of personal property on your boat? If so, don’t forget to ask your insurance agent to endorse your policy with optional personal property coverage.

BRIAN HAZELRIGG Brian Hazelrigg is a husband and father of two daughters and lives in Columbia. For the past 10 years he has been a State Farm Agent. His biggest passion is to help his clients achieve their dreams and recover from the unexpected.

He also enjoys playing a supporting role in the Columbia community and its schools.

573-445-1687, brian@brianhazelrigg.com or www.brianhazelrigg.com.

By taking steps to be safe and protect their property, new boat owners and experienced deckhands alike will be on the right course for smooth sailing.Happy boating, and here’s to steering clear of all whales.

For more information on how you can manage the risks of everyday life, contact State Farm Agent Brian Hazelrigg: 573-445-1687; brian.hazelrigg.qswa@statefarm.com; www.brianhazelrigg.com.

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MOMMY CHRONICLES

(F)LYING IN THE FRIENDLY SKIES T H E F L I G H T S TA F F C A N T E L L YO U W H AT E V E R T H E Y WA N T

by J I L L O R R

L

ike many quasi-neurotic people, I don’t really like to fly. But not for the reason you think. My aversion to flying isn’t so much the risk of plummeting to my death in a large metal coffin— it’s more that I can’t shake the feeling that I’m constantly being lied to. It’s just a “minor” maintenance issue that’s delayed us for three hours.

No, you can’t listen to that iPod during takeoff. It might interfere with the plane’s radar system. Sorry, we’re “out” of Diet Coke. I can offer you a Fresca or a ginger ale. Like anyone believes that. We know they’re saving that sweet, sweet Diet Coke for themselves. And besides, in what world is ginger ale a substitute for a Diet Coke? Anyway, they treat us like we are children. And the bottom line is that once you’ve boarded the plane, they’ve got you. You belong to them, and they can tell you anything they want and you have no choice but to deal with it.

Here are my top picks for most egregious airline lies 1. I’ll be right back with that for you.

Right. I’ve been waiting on a lap blanket since 1998.

2. If there is anything we can do to make your flight more comfortable, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Your lips say one thing, but your eyes say another.

3. Use of cellular phones might interfere with the plane’s navigational systems.

If it’s true that a cell phone can bring down a planeload of people, then why would the FAA let 300 people get on a plane holding one? No one’s buying it; they should stop selling it.

4. We’ll be on our way soon!

“Soon” is a hoax. Don’t be fooled by “soon.” The runways are controlled by very precise people, who are required to time events down to the millisecond. They don’t deal in generalities such as “soon.” Air traffic control tells the pilots exactly when they will be cleared for takeoff. If they say “soon,” chances are you’re screwed.

5. In the event of a water landing, your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device.

I call bullschnitzel on this one. I can’t say that I’ve tested the theory, but there is no way that nasty, polyester piece of junk is going to keep anyone afloat in the middle of the ocean after it’s been squashed a thousand times over by America’s obesity epidemic. Then again the whole idea of a water landing where people are alive enough to need a flotation device might be the biggest lie of all.

Jill is a stay-at-home mom of two (an odd title because she is rarely ever at home). In her pre-Mommy days, she graduated from the University of Missouri with an undergraduate degree in journalism and a master's in social work, with an emphasis on children and family studies. But she wishes she would have gotten a Ph.D. in What's For Dinner and How to Get Bubblegum Out of the Carpet. That would have served her better.

Read her blog at jillsorr.com • Follow Jill on twitter @ jillsorr

Maybe the airlines think that the general population just can’t handle the truth? But we can. Don’t tell us in your cool, polished pilot voice that you’re going to have the flight attendants sit down “out of abundance of caution” because we’ve just hit some bumpy air. For God's sake, man! Tell us that the flight attendants are tired, and they just want a freaking break from the annoying ingrates that keep ringing that humiliating call button and summoning them for more peanuts. Or, tell us that we’ve lost the left engine and the flight attendants deserve to spend their final moments guzzling tiny bottles of vodka and texting their loved ones. Either way, don’t patronize us. Just give it to us straight. (Preferably with that Diet Coke that I know you stashed somewhere for later and a side of peanuts.)

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F RO M TH E LO CA L M AR KE T

by Mary C ai t lyn Rodriguez

Avocados COMO L I V I N G

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H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S

W

hy avocados?

Whether it is in your guacamole, salad or if you just feel like peeling one and digging in with a spoon, have at it. Avocados and avocado oils are your friends; they make you better, and here’s how:

1. So much potassium.

Bananas are good, but let’s be real. Avocados are better. One avocado has three times as much potassium as one banana. Potassium is good for helping with muscle cramps and is also important for maintaining your brain, heart and nerve functions.

2. They have the good fats.

Fat is a scary word, but your body needs it. One serving of avocados has three and a half grams of unsaturated fat, which is the fat we want.

Unsaturated fat helps improve skin and hair quality, as well as reduce cravings for all the processed, sugary snacks we can’t help but want.

3. Fiber, Fiber, Fiber.

Forget buying fiber bars because one medium-sized

avocado has 10 grams of fiber. Soluble fiber helps you feel full and insoluble fiber helps speed up your digestive system. Our bodies need both, and both are in avocados.

4. They are a healthier, tastier substitute.

Trade mayo, butter and cheese for avocados on your sandwiches and wraps. One tablespoon of butter has 100 calories and 30 milligrams of cholesterol, but a 1 –ounce serving of avocados has 50 calories and no cholesterol. Seems like an easy decision, right?

5. Avocado oil helps to detoxify.

Avocado oil is full of chlorophyll, which is a natural source of healthy magnesium (the same mineral found in Epsom salt). This natural substance is best known for removing metals, such as mercury and lead, from the liver, kidneys, brain and other organs.

Add avocado oil dressing to your salad and get detoxifying.

6. It strengthens your skin.

Avocado oil not only cleans the inside of your body, but it cleans the outside. too. When you moisturize with avocado oil, you boost your skin’s ability to generate stronger cells. The potassium, vitamin E and lecithin found in avocado oils are the primary skin-feeding nutrients and are easily absorbed

CREAMY AVOCADO AND SPINACH PASTA

by Mary Caitlyn Rodriguez

I N G R ED IE N TS 10 ounces spaghetti or fettuccine 1 clove garlic 1 avocado 1 cup fresh spinach ½ cup pecans ¼ cup basil 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice ¾ to 1 cup pasta water Salt and pepper to taste

DI R EC TIO NS • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package.

• While pasta is cooking, add the rest of the ingredients to your blender, and blend until it turns into a smooth sauce. Start with ¾ cup of pasta water, and add more as needed to get the consistency you want.

• Toss the pasta with the sauce in a bowl, and serve immediately. This sauce is best served the day it is made because it uses avocados, which will turn a brownish color.

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through the epidermis (the outer most layer of skin).

7. It makes your hair grow faster and fuller.

The same nutrients that are good for moisturizing and feeding skin are also great for nourishing your hair. After washing your hair, apply avocado oil alone, or mix it in with your usual regime to improve the texture of your hair and promote hair growth. No more spending money on countless bottles of Biotin.

8. It can reduce inflammation and itching.

Avocado oil is full of oleic acid, which is an antiinflammatory. It can be applied directly to your skin to ease discomfort for any skin conditions -- insect bites, sunburns and cracked heels, to name a few.

9. Reduces scarring and speeds up healing.

Once you have cleaned the affected area, treat damaged skin caused by cuts, scrapes, blisters or burns with a drop of avocado oil. Because of all the nutrients that help with growing healthier and stronger skin, the damaged area will heal faster and reduces the chance of scars.

10. Boosts your Immune System.

Forget flu season! Avocados contain the antioxidant Glutathione, which boosts the immune system overall. Enough said, right?

FUNCTION. WORKO GYM. STYLE.ACTIVE WEAR. FORM. FUNCTION. WORKO GYM. ACTIVE WEAR FORM.FUNCTION. WORKOUT. GYM. ACTIVE WEAR. FOR FUNCTION. WORKO GYM. ACTIVE WEAR FORM.FUNCTION. WORKOUT. GYM. AC WEAR. FORM.FUNC H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S

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COMO L I V I N G

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OUT. E OUT. R.

H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S

ACTIVE WEAR

1

SALUTE THE SUN TANK, LULULEMON, $54, SUMITS YOGA

2

PINK ENERGY BRA, LULULEMON, $48, SUMITS YOGA

3

METAL VENT TECH LS- MEN’S, LULULEMON, $78, SUMITS YOGA

4

OXYGEN BRA, LULULEMON, $54, SUMITS YOGA

5

DIAMOND EYE LONGSLEEVE SHIRT, SPIRITUAL GANGSTER, $58, SUMITS YOGA

RM. OUT. R. CTIVE 6

WUNDER UNDER CROP III, LULULEMON, $88, SUMITS YOGA

7

SEAWALL TRACK PANT II- MEN’S, LULULEMON, $118,

SUMITS YOGA

8

LATTICE SIDE PANT, BEYOND YOGA, $90, SUMITS YOGA

9

TRIUMPH 150 ISOFIT RUNNING SHOES, SAUCONY $150, ULTRAMAX SPORTS COLUMBIA

10 “THE YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI” BY SRI SWAMI SATCHIDANANDA, SUMITS YOGA

11

OM THE DAY BAG, LULULEMON, $128, SUMITS YOGA

CTION. 12

INSIGHT EYE PILLOW, MANDUKA, $29, SUMITS YOGA

R HEEG AE LT NH E RAAT N DI OWNEBLE L AU N ET SY S

ESSENTIAL FACTS OF ESSENTIAL OILS

Top Essential Oils

by Megan Whitehead

Lavender helps you sleep. Mint eases your stomach. Cinnamon lowers blood sugar. Natural herbs and oils have been used as curative and preventative medicines for centuries. Today, these household remedies are being marketed as simple, cost-effective methods to treat many common ailments. The popularity of aromatherapy and natural replacements for pharmaceuticals in recent years has revived the use of essential oils. Now that essential oils are becoming more mainstream, it is important to be informed of their different types and proper uses.

Marcie Olivas, owner of Regeneration Salon and Spa, and Dawn Sebion, longtime user of essential oils, break down the top oils and how to use them.

Myths and Facts

The biggest myth of essential oils, according to Marcie, is whether or not there are “therapeuticgrade” oils. Marcie stresses that because there is no set regulation system for essential oils, it is important to pay attention to individual company’s standards when choosing where to purchase your oils. Each company has different methods of distillation and plant extraction, which can improve or negate oils’ effectiveness. Dawn Sebion adds, “Oils deserve the respect of medicine, but since the FDA does not monitor them, we cannot call it medicine.” After careful research, Marcie and Dawn both chose companies that fit their standards. Marcie chose to sell Rocky Mountain Oils at her salon (www.rockymountainoils.com), and Dawn chose to buy her personal oils from Young Living Essential Oils (www.youngliving.com).

Another myth of essential oils is that they do not spoil. This is true and false. Essential oils will last for years if properly stored. Unfortunately, like any other organic material, oxidation and other natural occurrences, such as heat and light, will eventually change the oils.

TEA TREE OIL Tea tree oil was No. 1 on both Marcie and Dawn’s lists. This oil is good for wounds, acne and rashes. You might notice that many skin care products often have tea tree oil as a main ingredient. Dawn uses it in place of antibacterial ointments. Tea tree oil is one that should only be used topically and never ingested.

LAVENDER Lavender is one of the most well-known and used essential oils, especially in aromatherapy. This oil helps relieve stress, anxiety and headaches and also aids sleep. Topically, lavender has an antiseptic quality that will soothe small cuts, bug bites and burns. When mixed with a carrier oil, such as olive or vegetable oil, lavender can be used as a natural bug spray.

P EP P ERMINT Peppermint oil is a versatile oil used to ease stomach, muscle and headaches. Peppermint is also used to freshen breath and relieve congestion. In the home peppermint oil can be used as an alternative to pesticide. A similar and equally useful oil is eucalyptus. Eucalyptus oil is great for respiratory issues and congestion.

For household use mix eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle with water for a fresh smelling disinfectant.

When and How to Use

Essential oils are taken from herbs and fruits, which we use almost daily. This means that they should all be safe to eat, right? Not necessarily. This is another case where research is best.

Most oils, certainly high quality ones, will be labeled for usage. Some oils are for aromatherapy only; others can only be used topically, and some are, in fact, edible. Oils that are safe to use as flavoring are considered to be “food grade.” Some examples of food-grade essential oils are eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender, peppermint and rosemary. For a full list visit www. biosourcenaturals.com/food-and-drug-administration.htm.

Marcie explains that many oils are topical or edible when blended with a base. She warns users to pay attention to saturation when mixing oils with water. Keep in mind that oil and water do not mix. If you put too much oil in the water without a blending agent, you will get a big drink of straight oil. For making water sprays, use witch hazel or vodka to blend the oil for a nice perfume or linen spray.

Dawn suggests visiting Young Living’s blog which provides several recipes for making safe, drinkable essential water (www.youngliving.com/blog/recipe-essential-waters/)

Pure Essential Oils

The growth of the essential oils market has raised a lot of questions about the safety of oils.

Much of this concern is due to the appearance of pure essential oils. The difference between food-grade and pure essential oils is the dilution process. Food-grade oils are diluted with other natural oils in order to make them safe for topical application or consumption. Pure oils, however, are distilled from the plant with no additives. Pure essential oils are not meant to be used topically or orally. Without carrier oils, pure essential oils can cause burns when applied topically. On their own, pure oils should only be used for aromatherapy.

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LEMON Lemon and orange oils are perfect for cleaning.

Not only do they smell wonderful, they can be used for skin treatments as well as home cleaning treatments. The citrus aromas increase mental awareness and acuteness as well. Add a couple of drops of lemon oil into your laundry to avoid unpleasant smells.

FRANKINCENSE Frankincense oil works wonders for damaged skin. Not only is this oil effective for small skin abrasions, it is effective as an anti-aging serum. When added to a base cream, frankincense oil can be used daily as a replacement for store-bought anti-aging creams.

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H E A LT H A BN E AU D W TE YL L N E S S

REFRESH RENEW RESTORE Gray, silver and pastel colors for your hair are the inspired hues for this spring, and lots of women are anxious to shed the winter blahs with these fun colors.

We’ve seen celebrities showing off their fun, new pastel hair with colors ranging from lilac and silver to pastel blues and greens. The best part is that you can too. But before you make your appointment, stop and ask yourself, “Am I ready for the maintenance?” It does take time to achieve the color you want and time to maintain it once you get your desired look, so here are a few things to think about:

PA STEL H AI R COL OR? THINK PINK, PURPLE, LILAC AND MORE!

by MARCIE OLIVAS, owner of Regeneration Salon and Spa

SPONSORED

Marcie Olivas salon/spa owner

Passionate about the art of cosmetology, Marcie is also highly respected for her expertise as a Matrix Artistic Designer and as a master colorist. She’s consulted Miss USA delegates, directed photo shoots and bridal fashion shows as well consulted on various magazines. She has earned her CIDESCO Diplomate certification and has extensive knowledge in skincare.

1.) How often can you come in to the salon for service? These fashion hues are not meant to stay long, which can be both good and bad. If you want to change your current hair color but your desire is not to have it change quickly, then you need to maintain it by refreshing the tone every two weeks depending on hair condition and tone.

2.) You must commit to a good at-home regime. Moisturebalanced hair is the trick to maintaining the tone of your desired hair color. At Regeneration Salon & Spa, we have six educators on staff, who study hair structure and chemistry of color, as well as analyze the hair in order to make sure we make the best product suggestions.

3.) Great product is crucial whenever you make drastic color changes. Lightening your color is the most damaging, but adding a vibrant hue of color to previously lightened hair doesn’t damage the hair. When you decide to lighten your hair or make any color change, you’ll want it to be professionally done to minimize the damage.

Gray, silver and pastel colors are a fun trend for women of all ages, but to pull it off it takes maintaining and proper servicing.

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CHIROPRACTIC is

living life

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without headaches

Do you feel pain and pressure?

Do you get migraines or headaches?

Are your sinuses painful and full of pressure? Chiropractic care can help!

Let us help you face your day headon and free of pain. Patients under chiropractic care report improvement in tension headaches, migraines, sinus issues, and cluster headaches.

Make you r appointm ent today!

Dr. Amanda Signaigo-Owens, DC

3700 I-70 Dr SE, Ste 110. Columbia www.TigerFamilyChiropractic.com 573-443-1414 COMO L I V I N G

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Columbia is so fortunate to have access to some of the nation’s best healthcare professionals and cutting edge technology.

This special section showcases some of the area’s top providers.

Meet your professionals in the fields of: Cardiovascular Medicine Ear, Nose & Throat Neurology Physical Therapy Ophthalmology Radiology Chiropractic Oncology Pediatrics Obstetrics & Gynecology Orthopedics

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SPONSORED CONTENT

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

The body is complex. Amazing really. Great minds have studied and analyzed it for years, and we still don’t understand all of the intricate workings and connections. If we knew it all, and developed therapies and protocols could solve every problem, it would just be a matter of memorizing information and being able to regurgitate the appropriate solution to put an end to pain and pathologies. But that’s just not the case. We take the knowledge we do have and make our most educated treatment plans to bring resolution.

We continue to study, research, and do what we can to improve the quality of life of our patients. There isn’t one practitioner out there who has all of the answers. It takes the entire community of providers bringing all of their tools to the table to give you, the patient, what you need to learn how to help yourself heal, regain health and thrive. I am so grateful for the skilled and knowledgeable practitioners in our community with whom I get to work.

I get to problem-solve pain all day. It is my passion. And over my career I have accumulated significant knowledge and skill from every type of provider in healthcare and fitness.

Everything is connected in the body. When you hurt, your source of pain is not always the location you are feeling it. It takes a whole body approach.

It also takes an open-minded practitioner willing to ask for help from others when necessary. There is strength in numbers.

Rachael Wittenberger

Physical Therapist, The Fitness Company

The Fitness Company “Make Fit Happen” 124 E. Nifong Ste G. info@fitcomo.com 573-228-6508

In today’s world of technology and information access, expect your dental visits to be different from “the way it used to be”.

We respect your desire for comprehensive health care. Not only do health conditions, illnesses, and medications have a wide-reaching effect on your general health, but on your oral health, as well. We obtain pertinent x-ray images with digital low-dose radiation; detailed pictures with an intraoral camera that illuminates, magnifies, and fluoresces with significant diagnostic features; and thorough medical and dental histories.

Our patients appreciate the time we spend reviewing all the gathered information, demonstrations and discussions. Let your next dental experience be as informative and thorough as can be; give us a call to schedule your new patient appointment.

Shelley Ann Lyle, D.D.S. COMO L I V I N G

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Shelley Ann Lyle, D.D.S., P.C. Molly Tegerdine, D.D.S. 3111 Keene Court Columbia, MO 573-442-1869 DDSColumbia.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

We know chiropractic is great for adults with low back pain, but did you know chiropractic is excellent for kids, too? It’s true. The benefits of chiropractic can be seen at any age, starting with the first breath of life!

Just think about how hard it must be on a small body going through the birth canal during labor. The truth is, restrictions in the spine can be created from this trauma and lead to health concerns, including failure to latch with breast feeding, colic, frequent ear infections and more.

During a chiropractic visit, a child will be taken through a pediatric exam. If indicated, the doctor will then do a few simple, light-force spinal adjustments. I know you must be thinking, “how can such a small body withstand a chiropractic adjustment?” But rest assured that treatments are very gentle, so gentle that children often don’t even recognize anything happening.

Ear infections are a great example as they seem to plague so many of our little ones. Children’s ears are oriented so that the inner tubes do not drain as easily as adult ears, allowing bacteria and fluids to build up and foster an infection. By restoring the motion in the upper neck of the child and resetting the pressures in the ears, a chiropractor can drain clogged ears and help prevent future infections.

Chiropractic for children is much less invasive than many other healthcare options and also has no long list of possible side effects. Regularly scheduled preventative adjustments help avoid future injury and ensure proper mobility.

And who doesn’t want the best for their child’s spine, health and future?

Dr. Clint Klipfel, D.C., MS

Focus On Health 4200 Merchant Street, Suite 105 Columbia, Missouri 65203 573.777.5900

Member of the American Chiropractic Association and Missouri State Chiropractic Association.

Remember... It’s your money As Dr. Meyer said in an earlier Doc Talk, your medical services are paid for with your money. When those services are paid for by an insurance company, patients may think it’s not using your money. But whether it’s your deductible being used inefficiently, or higher costs raising your insurance premiums, the fact is that your money pays for your medical services.

Advanced Radiology is a specialized radiology group that provides absolute cutting edge technological and radiological services at a price roughly 30% lower than medical providers who try to be all things to all people. So how can you use your money wisely? Just say four words to your doctor:

“I want Advanced Radiology.”

Mark Monroe, MD

Board Certified-Subspecialized Vascular & Interventional Radiologist

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Advanced Radiology 311 Keene Street Columbia, MO 65201 573-442-1788 ARadiology.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

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Pet owners trust us to provide a better experience for their cats and dogs ...

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UNLEASHED

Pet Grooming P

by JOSIE MICKEY Owner, The Pet Fair

et grooming has certainly changed a lot over the past 20 years and one of the biggest changes is the owner’s relationship with their pets. Pets are now such an integral part of the family and are treated as such.

Pet owners are also now recognizing and expecting a top notch haircut.

We find that clients are more knowledgeable regarding breed standards and want their dog to look as close to those Westminster dogs as possible. We are allowed to show our creative side as well in the ever-growing creative grooms. We can trim that hair in any shape or add any color to their coat; just like coloring human hair but brighter.

Nationally, here are some of the quirkier trends.

Asian Styling This styling is meant to give your pet the look of a cute stuffed toy. There is no rule about sticking to the way your specific dog should look but creating shapes that give him a super cute teddy bear look.

Creative Grooming We’re seeing some beautiful colors and patterns on dogs and cats.

Stencils can be applied with paint and glitter. These can last several weeks or longer depending on the color used and type of coat. There are some very interesting grooming competitions available where trim designs and colors are judged.

Nail polish While this practice is not necessarily new, it’s expanded to involve patterns, glitter and unusual colors. It’s very important that polish designed specifically for dogs is used for safety sake.

No matter what the trend, good grooming helps maintain a healthy coat, healthy attitude and ensures a great looking pet!

An added bonus for me is that I work with people who love their pets, which is about as good as it gets!

Josie Mickey

Certified Master Groomer with the National Dog Groomers Association.

If someone had told me that I would grow up to own a small business and groom dogs, I would have thought they were crazy. I mean, who does that for a living? Well, for the past 20 plus years, I have been doing exactly that and have enjoyed (almost) every minute of it. As the owner of The Pet Fair, I love perfecting my craft and building a trust worthy home away from home for our resort guests.

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beautiful moments

Live Theatre in the Heart of Downtown Columbia 210 St James St, Columbia, MO 65201

"Most musicals don't aim for the virtue of modesty, so there's something touching about the restrained ambitions of "A Man of No Importance," an unabashedly minorkey new show from the creators of the vastly larger-scaled "Ragtime." 'Man' tells an intimate story that aims merely to tug at a heartstring or two and raise a dozen wry chuckles." - Variety.com

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2016 Production Schedule A Man of No Importance April 15-17, 22-24, 29-May1

Truffles And Nougat June 10-12, 17-19

The Last Five Years August 12-14, 19-21, 26-28

Mothers and Sons October 14-16-21-23

Stud Ducks

December 2-4, 9-11

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COMO L I V I N G

It Started With a Touch September 9-11, 16-18

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E N G AG E M E N T S

ENGAGEMENTS

by MARY CAITLYN RODRIGUEZ

S

ometimes it isn’t love at first sight; sometimes it isn’t even friends at first sight.

Maybe it begins with a mutual annoyance with one another. Over time it might lead to a friendship, which could lead to falling in love. For Meredith McCoy and Jacob Biener, that is exactly what happened.

Meredith and Jacob MEREDITH MCCOY met three years ago in AND JACOB BIENER graduate school at the University of Missouri.

They were each studying to become school counselors, but it wasn’t until the second year of graduate school that they became friends.

“We really didn’t pay attention to each other our first year of graduate school… other than to annoy each other,” Meredith says.

During the second year the two were working in the same hallways as graduate assistants. They both recall that they were “basically forced to interact with each other.” It was during this time that the two got to know each other and realized their mutual love of hiking and being outside. Their friendship grew on rock climbing excursions and continued to grow from there.

The relationship was somewhat new when the end of graduate school was approaching and they were both applying for jobs. During this process, Jacob realized just how much he wanted to be with Meredith.

“Meredith got a job offer in Columbia and we went out to celebrate,” Jacob recalls. “I felt sick the whole time, not because I was jealous of her beating me to a job offer, but because I had interviews lined up in different cities the next week and didn’t like the idea of not being in the same city as her.”

Jacob proposed in July at Rainbow Point, which is the highest point at Bryce Canyon in Utah. While taking pictures and talking about the scenery, Jacob got on one knee and completely shocked Meredith in the best way.

While the two prepare for married life, they are each excited for all the “firsts” they will experience, such as buying their first house, first vacations and even first kids. However, Meredith is equally as excited for the food.

“Jacob is a master at the grill, and I’m looking forward to eating delicious steak the rest of my life.” Meredith said.

Meredith and Jacob’s wedding will be July 8, 2016 in Saint Louis.

COMO L I V I N G

WENDY DICKEY AND ROBERT COLE

F

riends can be sneaky, but it’s usually for your own good, right? For Wendy Dickey and Robert Cole, it was since the two are now counting down the days to their wedding.

Wendy and Robert met five years ago at a 5th birthday party. They had mutual friends that invited each of them with every intention for the two of them to hit it off. They didn’t know it was a set-up but ended up being attracted to each other nonetheless.

“He was fun, and he obviously loved being around kids since we were at a child’s birthday party,” Wendy says about what first attracted her to Robert.

Over time they realized they had a lot of the same interests, one being bowling.

The couple is part of a Friday night bowling league in Boonville. They each also love farming and sport shooting.

On Feb. 21, 2015, after the State Championship bowling tournament was when Robert decided to propose. He took her to visit the botanical gardens in Springfield, Missouri, which, unfortunately, was still covered in snow and ice from a previous snowfall.

“He wanted to go by the lake,” Wendy recalls. “He told me later that all he kept thinking was, “Where’s a dry spot? Where’s a dry spot?”” He eventually found one and got down on one knee. She, of course, said yes!

The wedding is quickly approaching, and Wendy mentions they are both excited to be able to start a family together. “We already have a house and a farm.

We both just want a family.”

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E N G AG E M E N T S

STAFF ENGAGEMENTS

KRISTI MCCANN AND RYAN RUPRECHT had crossed paths while Kristi was Ryan’s waitress a few times, although the two had never actually hung out. One particular night was different when they noticed they had a mutual friend and the groups of friends were mingling with each other.

Immediately, Kristi was attracted to Ryan’s charm, which she remembered from their previous encounters. She received an invite from him to go to a shooting range the following day with him and a few friends. After convincing a close friend to go with her, Ryan and Kristi had their first official “date.”

As much as the two enjoyed hanging out, Kristi already knew of an upcoming transition to Dallas, Texas, where she was moving for a job opportunity. The two decided to stay in touch regardless of the distance. After enduring a 10-hour long distance relationship, they both knew there was something special about the two of them together.

Two and a half years after Kristi had moved back to Missouri, Ryan popped the question inside a gorgeous chapel overlooking Table Rock Lake.

The wedding will take place on September 17, 2016, at St. Peter Catholic Church with a reception following at The Millbotom in Jefferson City.

by AUDREY SHARP

EVAN RITTER AND CAROLINE HARDING met in high school during the summer of 2009 and started dating the following February. After high school, they came to Columbia to attend The University of Missouri.

On December 23, 2015, Evan said he wanted to go to dinner at their favorite restaurant. Shortly after being seated, they went to take a picture on the balcony that overlooked the river, just like every other time. Once we got upstairs, Caroline looked over the edge to see a huge sign made out of pretty lights that read, “Marry Me?” When she turned around, Evan was down on one knee.

Of course she said, “Yes, yes, yes!” It was a wonderful night spent with loved ones as their parents were waiting downstairs to join them for dinner.

In May, Evan and Caroline will graduate from MU. They have set the date for August 13, 2016, in their hometown of Cape Girardeau.

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DAVID HAWKS AND HANNAH SAPP met through

a mutual acquaintance that he worked with. They met the same day Hannah interviewed in his school district, and they could tell there was chemistry within a few minutes. About eight months later he was proposing to her in the middle of a Christmas light show in Springfield on their way to a family weekend in Branson. Similar to the rest of their love story, their engagement will be short. They have begun planning a summer wedding for June in Columbia, Mo.

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JESSICA KAISER AND MATT PATSTON met because they’re both nerds. Both would show up 20

minutes early to their sophomore year journalism class and both would sit silently next to each other in the hall until class started. After a few months of this, they started studying together and a few months after that, they were in love.

Matt proposed on August 5, 2015, at the World’s Fair Pavilion in St. Louis’ Forest Park. Things didn’t go according to plan, they missed their lunch reservation because Matt got a speeding ticket, but Jessica said yes anyway. In May, they’ll both be finishing up their undergraduate degrees at MU. Both are current employees at The Business Times Company, so they know all about planning amazing events. They’re hoping to have the wedding of their dreams in September, 2018. In the meantime, they’re happy to be planning every detail together.

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WEDDINGS

Midwest Wedding Crashers: Adventure

by C H R I S T Y A S P E R | photos by R H O N DA FAVO R

T

he third wedding we crashed lived up to the cliché; third time was the charm. We had crashed two other weddings (see our blog on the COMO Living website), and they weren’t so successful. This time around, we met a lovely photographer in St. Louis – Rhonda Favor from Rhonda Favor Studios – and casually asked her if she had any weddings coming up. She had a wedding that weekend in Hermann, Missouri and we were ecstatic. We adore her photography and have wanted to crash a wedding in Hermann. In fact, all of the photography seen here is hers. She explained that the couple met though mutual friends, and they were smitten from that day forward. We dug a little deeper to find out a little bit more about the happy couple. Liza Hackman and Matt Paulsmeyer were getting married the weekend before Valentine’s Day at Valentine’s Hall. Is that not perfect? Liza was a registered nurse and worked for the emergency room at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City. Matt worked for his family-owned business, Paulsmeyer Farms Inc. Liza grew up in Hermann and dreamed of a wedding in the town she called home.

This lovely German town with incredible history is where I hoped our real wedding crashing adventure would begin. According to one of the ushers, the entire wedding party spent the night having fun and playing games at a local bed and breakfast, Up Up & Away B & B, overlooking Hermann. The next day the men stayed to get ready for the wedding, and the women headed over to Impressions Salon and Tanning to get all dolled up. Their wedding style included rustic wreaths, natural wood accents and a sharp color scheme of navy

blue and a vibrant red. It was a magnificent way to add color and sophistication to a country wedding.

The ceremony began at 1 p.m. at a quaint country church in Morrison, Missouri called St. James United Church of Christ, which was just a few minutes from Hermann. It was packed and dressed in the most beautiful greenery thanks to Hermann Florist. It was the same church where her parents got married more than 20 years ago and where she had attended church services since she was a little girl. Is that not the sweetest thing you have heard? My parents were married in a courthouse, and we were married in a converted bowling alley. You can probably see why I found it touching.

Liza and Matt were married by two officiates. Guests that we spoke to explained that these were incredible mentors to Liza in her youth. We were moved by the small traditional touches that often get overlooked in today’s fast-paced world. We watched them light a unity candle that is a longstanding tradition in marriages long ago. By the time they exchanged vows and shared their first kiss, my mascara was running. I really can’t crash weddings without shedding a few tears. Watching couples commit their lives to each other is so moving, especially surrounded by their closest friends and family members.

Did I mention they were traditional?

Yeah, those of you who have attended very traditional weddings know what is coming next — the receiving line, of course. We had to think fast and found a side door to sneak out. The reception did not start until 3 p.m., so we had an hour to kill. We may or may not have stopped

by Stone Hill Winery, one of my favorite places in Missouri.

By 3:00, we made our way to the COMO L I V I N G

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reception hall. Everyone was super friendly, and we just said we were college friends of the groom. Why not? We loved hearing stories about the bride and groom. It was clear that they were loved, cherished and teased throughout their lives. Stone Hill Wine was served in abundance. Apparently, the maid of honor is Liza’s lifelong friend and her family owns the winery. Amazing wine! Who needs Napa Valley when you have Hermann?

The bridal party arrived at 4:30 p.m., and we began eating soon after. We were finally attending a wedding where there were no seating arrangements and a buffet line. The hubby was in heaven, and the cutting of the cake sealed the deal. Catering was provided by Trailside Catering, and the cake was made by Sugar and Spice Laura’s Delight. It was (ready for a pun) a slice of heaven. I think it takes a lot out of my husband to get out of his shell and crash weddings, but great food helps him forget. In fact, I think if he was writing this article, it would evolve into a food critic of wedding catering.

We stayed, danced, and continued to suggest our favorite songs to the DJ. We even participated in the dollar dance.

Somehow by the end of a wedding crash, we can forget that we are wedding crashers and begin to think we know the couple.

We believe our own stories and gain new friends. Life is full of highs and lows, success and failures, but it’s all a part of the adventure.

What about the happy couple, you ask?

They’re in Australia for the next month.

Adventure on! From all of us at The Ink Café and COMO Living, we wish Liza and Matt a lifetime of romantic adventures!

A PR I L - 2016

Resource List Aric Bremer Up Up and Away B & B Hermann, Missouri upupandawaylodging.com (314)604-3726

Hermann Florist Hermann, Missouri 314-226-1964 www.hermannflorist.net Trailside Catering Rhineland, Missouri 573-236-4411 www.trailsidebarandgrill.com

Impressions Salon & Tanning Hermann, Missouri 573-486-3797 Around the Clock Mobile DJBill Farr Jefferson City, Missouri 573-694-8228 www.aroundtheclockmobiledj.com

David’s Bridal 573-446-0255

Sugar & Spice Laura’s Delight Montgomery City, Missouri 573-564-2573 www.sugarnspicebakery.com

Rhonda Favor Studios St. Peters, Missouri 573.291.7715 www.rhondafavor.com

Savvi Formal Wear 573-445-6602

WEDDING DEPARTMENT SPONSORED BY:

COMO L I V I N G

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SUMMER CAMP

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN May 31st-August 12th

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OUR EVENTS Columbia: 573.449.8820 Jefferson City: 573.636.3800 Lake of the Ozarks: 1.800.421.3064

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20 Under 40 Top of the Town City’s Best (Jefferson City)

Most Awarded Minivan Ever.

Best-Selling Minivan Ever.

The 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Starting MSRP

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*See dealer for current offers and complete details.

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Dominator of road trips. Destroyer of multi-tasks. Slayer of to-do lists. Manager of munchkins. Dodge Grand Caravan – the minivan of choice for over 30 years.

Today ’s incarnation? Simply our best ever. You’re welcome. Now get going.

Joe Machens Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

1310 Vandiver Drive, Columbia, MO 65202 (573) 474-9500 • joemachenschrysler.com

BEING SEEN

TWENTY UNDER FORTY Ain’t no party like a CBT party! On January 21, The Business Times Company hosted our 20 Under 40 class of 2016 winners along with their family and friends. The event was held at Kimball Ballroom, and everyone enjoyed food from Bleu Events and live music from Spontaneous Serendipity. For a full list of winners, visit columbiabusinesstimes.com.

ANDREA PAUL, KAT CUNNINGHAM AND TAMI TURNER

ANGELA SHAFFER, COLLIN GRACE MEILI HOLLINGSWORSH, MADELEINE LEMIEUX, CAMDEN, BILL AND MELODY DAILY

BARTLEY AND CANDACE STEVENSON

DANIELLE SCHLACKS, KAITLYN SCHLACKS, WILLIE SCHLACKS

CAROLINE HARDING AND EVAN RITTER

CALEB & LINDSEY COLDBERT

DAVIDTHENIVENS, STEVE NAGEL BUSINESS TIMES CO. STAFF

BLAKE TOPPMEYER AND BRENNA MCDERMOTT

GREG AND MARY ROPP, STEVE NAGEL, DR. CHRIS COLLIER, KRISTA KIPPENBERGER, DR. CLINT KLIPFEL

JORDAN WATTS, BRENNA MCDERMOTT AND JAMIE PATTERSON

KENT AND NICHOLE WILMSMEYER, LAUREN AND GEOFF KARR, NICOLE AND JOHN GALLOWAY, GARDELL POWELL

KIMBERLY AND RYAN KENNEY

DEMMY BRAM, LAURA ROEDER AND BOB BRAM

MARY JO SANDERS, ANDREW SHARP, LEIGH HABERMEHL

CANDACE STEVENSON AND ANDREA PAUL

TWENTY UNDER FORTY PARTY

LYRIA BARTLETT, TAYLOR BARTLETT AND CHRIS SANDERS

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TED BRAKEMAN, ROBERT BATTLE AND ANDREW SPURLING

MAY - 2016

TRACY TRABUE, BRENDAN STEWART

find out how trees reduce stress - www.TREESWORK.org Trees Work 2_Inside Columbia 8.75x11.25 Ad_09_2013.indd 1

9/3/13 5:26 AM

BEING SEEN

BLACK MEN ROCK At the Black Men Rock event held on February 6, awards were given to men nominated by individuals and the community across several categories. These awards acknowledged men who have been resilient role models, exceptional examples, authentically able and loyal leaders including: R.E.A.L. Educator, R.E.A.L. Mentor, R.E.A.L. Man of Faith and R.E.AL. Entrepreneur. An award was also given to a promising Youth-on-the-Move. The program included an agenda filled with African-American men who exemplify why Black Men Rock through various performances and words of empowerment, encouragement and motivation. The Youth Empowerment Zone (YEZ) honored these men from across Columbia, who are outstanding leaders that empower and/or have the ability to positively influence youth to achieve success by positive means.

KENTRELL MINTON AND GUEST

DR. MUSKGROVE & LORENZO LAWSON

KENTRELL MINTON, ANSUR ADAMS

DR. CLYDE RUFFIN-REAL MAN OF FAITH AWARDEE

MR & MRS. DR. CLYDE & SHEILA RUFFIN

MR. JOE COLLIER-REAL EDUCATOR AWARDEE

LLOYD HENRY-REAL ENTREPRENUER AWARDEE

COMO L I V I N G

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KEONDRE HARRISON-REAL YOUTH ON THE MOVE AWARDEE

C A L E N DA R / APR I L 2016 APRIL 1 Little Black Dress, a benefit for True North, Columbia College, littleblackdresscolumbia.com APRIL 1-3 Show-Me State Games Hoopin’ It Up Basketball Tournament, Mizzou Student Rec Center, call 573-882-2105 for details APRIL 3 Rose Comedy Club: Pints and Punchlines, Rose Music Hall, 7 p.m., $5, rosemusichall.com Maxtrax Duathlon, 8 a.m., call 573-445-2664 or visit ultramaxsports.com for more details

Stephens College, 2:00, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.

TRYPS Fairy Tale 5K, Stephens College, 573449-4536, trypskids.com APRIL 17 Missouri Symphony Conservatory 5th Annual Serenade Fundraiser, University Club of MU, for tickets call 573- 875-0600 APRIL 21 State FFA Convention, Hearnes Center, All Day, contact Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for more information

APRIL 7 22nd Annual ATHENA International Awards Banquet, Kimball Ballroom, Stephens College, 5:30-7:30 p.m., columbiamochamber.com

Primrose Hill Gala, Moberly, Municipal Auditorium, 6-9 p.m., $25, primrosehilltc.com

Mo’ Health Mo’ Happiness, Smoothie King CoMo Wellness fair sponsored by Smoothie King, Epoch Health, Focus On Health and MO Fitness, $2 off smoothie with a spinal screen, 5-7 p.m.

Big Shoals, The Bridge, 9 p.m., bigshoalsband.com

APRIL 22 Earth Day

APRIL 23 Cole Swindell live on 9th Street, The Blue Note, 6 p.m., thebluenote.com

APRIL 8- APRIL 9 TRYPS: Skippy Jon Jones: Cirque de Ole, trypskidscom.fatcow.com/tryps2015/

Unbound Book Festival, Stephens College, all day, unboundbookfestival.com

APRIL 10 Bridal Open House, Serenity Valley Winery, 2 p.m., 573-642-6958

APRIL 28 Rainbow House Spring Fair, Flat Branch Park, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., rainbowhousecolumbia.org

APRIL 11 15th Annual Hero Awards, Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, 4 p.m., $17, columbiatribune.com/hero_awards

APRIL 30 Kacey Musgraves live on 9th Street, The Blue Note, 7:30 p.m., thebluenote.com

Chancellor’s Arts Showcase, Missouri Theatre, 7 p.m., concertseries.org April 15-April 17, April 22-April 24, April 29 A Man of No Importance, Talking Horse Productions, talkinghorseproductions.org APRIL 16 Mizzou Football Black and Gold Game, Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, 5 p.m., mutigers.com

4/3

Float Your Boat For The Food Bank, Bass Pro Shops, 11 a.m., floatforthefoodbank.org Chasing The Sun 5K , Stephens Lake Park, Happy Hallows Shelter, 9 a.m., renewmo.org/ chasing-the-sun-5k.html Cooking Date Night, Dimensions In Wood, 5-8 p.m., call 573-268-2248 for tickets Rain 2nd Annual Charity Poker Tournament, American Legion, 4 p.m., missourirain.org

4/10 M U S T S EE IN AP RIL A PRIL 1

Little Black Dress, a benefit for True North, Columbia College, littleblackdresscolumbia.com A PRIL 23

MU College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Open House, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, 9 a.m.

Stephens College Student Fashion Show,

Heart of Missouri Girls On The Run 5K, AL Gustin Golf Course, 7:45-10 a.m., $25 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6-12, heartofmissourigirlsontherun.org

Unbound Book Festival, Stephens College, all day, unboundbookfestival.com

C A L E N DA R / MAY 2016 MAY 1 TriZou Triathlon and Duathlon, University of Missouri, ultramaxsports.com

5/6

A Man of No Importance, Talking Horse Productions, talkinghorseproductions.org MAY 3 Breaking Benjamin: Unplugged, The Blue Note, 8 p.m., thebluenote.com MAY 6 Leadercast Columbia- Architects of Tomorrow, Woodcrest, registration begins at 6:45 a.m., comoleadercast. com/details/ First Friday in the North Village Arts District, North Village Arts District, 6-9 p.m., northvillageartsdistrict.org MAY 6- MAY 7 Stephens College Commencement MAY 6- MAY 8 TRYPS: Disney’s Aladdin Junior, trypskidscom.fatcow.com/tryps2015 Rock & Gem Show and Sale, Bob LeMone Building, Hallsville Fairgrounds, all day, cmrlc.org MAY 7 Missoula Children’s Theatre: “Rumpelstiltskin,” Jesse Auditorium, 3 p.m., concertseries.org

5/16

MAY 8 Mother’s Day Missouri Symphony Conservatory Concert, TBD, mosymphonysociety.org

MAR K Y O U R CALE N D E R S IN MAY

MAY 13- MAY 15 University of Missouri Commencement

MAY 8

Mother’s Day M AY 22

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, The Blue Note, 7:30 p.m.

MAY 14 National Association of Letter Carrier’s Annual “Stamp Out Hunger” ® Drive, fill a grocery bag or box with non-perishable items (peanut butter, cereal, rice, etc.) for your mail carrier to pick up

MAY 16 Great Circle Golf Classic for Kids, Columbia Country Club, Shotgun at 11 a.m., visit greatcircle.org MAY 20 Billy Currington, The Blue Note, 6 p.m., thebluenote.com Paleo Cooking Date Night, Dimensions In Wood, 6-9 p.m., call 573-268-2248 for tickets MAY 22 Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, The Blue Note, 7:30 p.m.

MAY 28 Pedaler’s Jamboree VIII, Flat Branch Park- Katy Trail Entrance, 7:30-10 a.m., pedalersjamboree.com, Off Track Events MAY 28-29 Salute to Veterans Airshow, Columbia Regional Airport, free, salute.org MAY 30 Memorial Day Parade, downtown Columbia, 10 a.m.

KNOW OF AN EVENT COMING UP? SUBMIT IT TO COMO LIVING’S CALENDAR —

COM O L I V I NG Business Times Company 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100 Columbia, MO, 65202

P: (573) 499 1830 W: www.comolivingmag.com

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COMO L I V I N G

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L OV E A N D R E L AT I O N S H I P S

depended on clear, concise communication.

Other times, such as when we were trying to secure the anchor, communication across the center of a boat with directions being shouted each way could become a rancorous no-win event.

As exotic and exciting as it sounds, it wasn't all Jimmy Buffet and margaritas. We had to divide chores: standing watch when we were underway, shopping in each port, meal preparation on a moving boat, cleaning the boat and, of course, laundry. I had to become the Educator in Chief to Zach, and Gene took on the responsibility of the Captain, CEO and safety officer.

Gene and I shared the responsibility of raising a son, who was living a unique lifestyle. We wanted to be sure that he learned social skills while using every opportunity to teach him real-life skills and made sure he fully appreciating each culture he had the opportunity to live in. It was an amazing childhood filled with the wonder of travel and enjoying or enduring Mother Nature.

We learned to be creative about seeking opportunities for each of us to have “alone T O M A K E A J O U R N E Y, T Y P I C A L LY O F S O M E L E N G T H time.” Gene and Zach enjoyed diving and fishing. Zach played on the beach with

by N E L L I E S Y M M- G R U E N D E R other “boat kids.” I loved getting together with other women in an anchorage to have a “Girls Night Out” to watch a movie on ravel is so much fun when you get to share it with your life partner. someone's boat. We each developed many friendships with people Making plans, deciding where to go and choosing where to stay can from all over the world. be an enjoyable part of the journey.

Thankfully, Gene and I were able to maintain a close, loving, Now, imagine your life partner comes to you and says, “I think respectful relationship that embraced our amazing adventure we should move aboard our sailboat, sell our cars, our house, take our child out while overcoming the challenges that we faced. As evident by the of school and sail until we get tired of it.” Crazy, you say? Believe it or not, many boats that are for sale in the islands, some relationships and people around the world do it every day, and my husband and I are two that adventures don't have a happy ending. did just that.

The lifestyle we chose isn't for everyone, but for those who choose At the age of 45 and 50 we each quit our jobs, sold our house and took our to throw the lines from shore and sail into the sunset, Jimmy Buffet 10-year-old son out of school to pursue our dream of sailing. It meant we went and the margaritas might be just over the horizon. from a large three-bedroom house to a 37-foot sailboat. Our only modes of transportation were the sailboat and a dinghy to get to shore. Once on shore we Nellie Symm-Gruender is a perpetual learner and seeker. walked everywhere.

She was named Nurse of the Year in Austin, Texas, sailed We traveled off and on for three years, and we lived in the Bahamas, Jamaica, thousands of miles, and is a glass artist. She has written for nursing and sailing magazines, in addition to writing Cuba, Cayman Islands and Mexico on our sailboat. We used our savings, wrote for COMO Living. She lecturers on domestic violence for sailing magazines and made a million memories along the way. and played a key role in the “Missouri Status of Women Report.” Nellie and her husband, Gene, own Passions So, how does a relationship survive in a relatively small space while living on and live on their sailboat, Sun Chaser, in Rockport, the water? Sometimes it was a challenge and other times it was the closest we Texas, and their home near Columbia, Missouri. Nellie gives generously of her time and talents to improve and have ever been. We had to become a cohesive team. Many times our survival

TRAVEL

T

support the lives of others.

COMO L I V I N G

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“... HE NOW HAS OUTSTANDING VISION”

Having a near sighted 3 year old with astigmatism was more than a little concerning.

Dr. Rich and his staff took exceptional care of him and he now has outstanding vision.

Konstantine actually looks forward to going to his appointments at Family Focus Eyecare!

I highly recommend them to any parent.

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3301 W. Broadway Business Park Ct., Suite E, Columbia (Across from Truman’s) 573.446.1600 ColumbiaFamilyFocusEyeCare.com facebook.com/familyfocuseyecare

CYSK

COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW B O B A N D J O C E LY N K I L G O R E

by AUDREY SHARP HOW DID YOU MEET? Through mutual friends.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DATE? Dinner at Murry’s.

HOW DOES TRAVEL PLAY A PART IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP? Bob – It gives us time to be away from the day-today responsibilities and lets us truly just enjoy each other’s company.

Jocelyn – Traveling is something we both love to do and has been something that we enjoy doing together. On one of our early trips together we went to Roatan in 2010. Bob was scuba diving and I was snorkeling…On that same trip we met another couple from Columbia that were both scuba diving, and we all instantly become great friends. At that point I realized I needed to get scuba certified, so I did. Ever since we have been going on at least two scuba adventures a year either as a couple or as a group. It’s not only the traveling together, but more so the activities that we enjoy together that we really bond over. We are both really physically active, adventurous and like to try new things.

HOW DOES BUSINESS PLAY INTO YOUR RELATIONSHIP DYNAMIC? B – We own a business together and sometimes it presents challenges, but on the other hand, it gives us something that we can work on and do together and accomplish goals together.

J – It gives us an opportunity to work together and to appreciate one another’s talents and strengths on a business level rather than a personal level. I really admire how Bob is business savvy and have learned so much working with him that I have been able to apply to my business as well.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK? B – Travel, scuba, hike, hang out with friends, eat at local restaurants, yoga and hunting.

J – Yoga, travel, scuba, hike, fashion and friends.

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WHAT IS THE BEST TRIP YOU TWO HAVE BEEN ON TOGETHER? B – Micronesia – Palau and Yap. It had awesome diving, and we got to experience some interesting cultures.

J – It’s a tie for me between Australia and Little Cayman. Australia was incredible. We visited while Trevor (Bob’s oldest son) and Nicole (Trevor’s wife) were living in Perth. We had an epic road trip that covered a big chunk of the west coast. It was some of the most scenic views I’ve ever seen and was a very non-tourist approach to seeing the sights (thanks to our local travel guides). On our trip to Little Cayman in January 2015, we got married in a prayer circle the beach…just us, our best friends and priest. There were no decorations, no flowers and no special meal. It was so simple and so beautiful.

WHAT ARE THE BEST ASPECTS OF YOUR PARTNER? B – intelligent, fun-loving, hard working, she gives great presents, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s really pretty.

J – Charming, generous, smart, kind and outgoing.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP? B – We are both business owners separately and together J – It’s just easy. There is really no pressure. We both love to enjoy life, and we get along really well.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT TO FREQUENT IN COMO? B - Murry’s J – Murry’s WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? B – I have a big sweet tooth.

J – I’m a north Missouri farm girl.

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OF CONSERVATION.. ......................................... 6 & 104 ORGANIZE THAT SPACE......................................................................... 15 PASSIONS . . ............................................................................................. 54 PERSONAL TOUCH CLEANING SERVICE.............................................. 54 RESTORATION EYECARE....................................................................... 74 STATE FARM INSURANCE - STEPHANIE WILMSMEYER..................... 108 STUDIO HOME.. ........................................................................................ 2 SUMITS HOT YOGA................................................................................ 84 SUPERIOR GARDEN CENTER/ROST LANDSCAPING........................... 62 SYNERGY SPORTS............................................................................... 100 TALKING HORSE PRODUCTIONS.......................................................... 94 THE FITNESS COMPANY. . ...................................................................... 86 THE PET FAIR........................................................................................ 92 THE VILLAGE OF BEDFORD WALK.. ...................................................... 44 TIGER FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER . . ....................... 84 TIGER MAIDS......................................................................................... 72 TIGER SCHOLARSHIP FUND............................................................... 100 TRYPS CHILDREN’S THEATRE INSTITUTE AT STEPHENS COLLEGE... 64 UNBOUND............................................................................................... 77 UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI HEALTH CARE................................5 & 88-91 WILLETT AND PATTON DENTISTRY...................................................... 50 WILSON’S FITNESS . . .............................................................................. 40

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S T R O N G WO M A N

CAROLYN PARIS

by AU D R E Y S H A R P photo by A N T H O N Y J I N S O N

The Three Amigos (me and my sisters)

Besties road trip hanging out on the Washington Coast Shopping in Aix-en-Provence, France with Judy Knudsen Off the grid in Patagonia, Argentina

MY I N S P I R AT I O N :

NATURE

Bliss in Patagonia

5 things that inspire me: • Birds in flight especially, eagles, vultures and hawks • MO Town Music • Traveling to new places.

(Ok, traveling just about anywhere) • A clean house • Sitting on the screened- in porch, listening to the rain

COMO L I V I N G

5 favorite places I have traveled: • Dominica, scuba diving • Santa Fe, New Mexico • Paris & the French countryside • Budapest, Hungary • Patagonia, Argentina

k roads of ugh the bac Herding thro t guide es b ith the Patagonia w - 11 3 -

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

MAKING CHILDREN HAPPY PASCALE ’ S PAL S BR I NGS JOY TO K I D S D E A LI N G W I T H CH R O N I C D I SEAS E AN D LO N G H O SP I TA L STAYS.

P

by S A R A H B E R G E R

ascale’s Pals has a simple objective: making children happy.

Although that might sound easy enough, for children battling chronic diseases and spending a lot of time in the hospital, making a child smile can be a pretty hefty goal.

Still, Pascale’s Pals has been successful in spreading cheer and happiness during some of the most difficult times of a child’s life.

Sylvie Carpentier established Pascale’s Pals in 1995 after realizing the lack of excitement and joy in her daughter Pascale’s life while she was battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Carpentier and a few of her close friends founded Pascale’s Pals Inc. as a nonprofit corporation. Pascale had a relapse in 2000, during which time an anonymous donor provided children waiting for bone marrow transplants with $200 to spend as they pleased. Carpentier saw how Pascale beamed with excitement, and she realized how necessary it was to bring joy to a sick child’s life.

‘It helps them heal’ Through donations, proceeds from a live and silent auction and other fundraisers, Pascale’s Pals provides children at University Women and Children’s Hospital, as well as children at Rusk Rehabilitation Center, with wish baskets that typically run from $700 to $1,000. The wish baskets are primarily given to children suffering from chronic diseases and who will be spending significant time in the hospital.

Pascale’s Pals is transparent that it’s a Christianbased organization, and each basket includes an age-appropriate Bible, journal and a special gift the child requests. The organization delivers between 15 to 20 wish baskets a year, and the recipients of the wish baskets are patients who are recommended by social workers at the hospital.

“It started back in the day with Game Boys; that was the big thing,” says Lotta Timberlake, a friend of Carpentier and partner of Pascale’s Pals. “Now we get requests for trampolines, iPads and computers, just something we can bring them [the children] to lift their spirits and something their parents might not be able to afford. It is important to help the child feel a little bit of happiness because it helps them heal.”

Along with the wish baskets, Pascale’s Pals has made some major donations and renovations to the Women and Children’s Hospital itself; the organization has donated TVs for every room, sleeper beds so parents can sleep next to their children, a playground, a renovated waiting room and a medical machine that COMO L I V I N G

acts as a vein viewer and uses a light to show the patient’s veins so children are poked less with needles.

Pascale’s Pals is focused on bringing happiness to children’s lives, and it’s also there to provide financial support and help families that are struggling to meet more practical needs. In the past, the nonprofit has given money for families that need help buying food, airline tickets, propane to heat their homes and, in some situations, funeral costs.

“What’s so unique about Pascale’s Pals it is the one-on-one, immediate assistance that we give,” Timberlake says. “We don’t have to go through a board meeting and this or that. There’s no overhead; every penny we get goes straight to the kids and stays with the kids.”

‘It’s in all of us’ Pascale’s Pals raises money mainly through its live and silent auction held in March. Last year, it had 710 people attend the auction and 50 volunteers helping to run the event. Carpentier and Timberlake both have seen a common trend of former Pascale’s Pals kids growing up and giving back to the organization.

“Last year we had the first kid we helped [in 1995] come to the auction with his baby that he just had,” Carpentier says. “All those families that we had been helped are now helping back.

Every year at the auction we get a lab puppy from someone in Cape Girardeau; we have never met the donator, but because we brought a basket to her niece, she wants to helps us out, and that puppy raises around $3,000 every year.”

Pascale’s Pals projects last year at the Women and Children’s Hospital included renovating the neonatal intensive care unit, establishing a courtyard, updating the playground, providing educational materials to patients about hospital items and purchasing books for parents about cystic fibrosis.

“I never thought it would be this big,” Carpentier says. “The first time we all got together, we were doing a bake sale. We have done a lot, but there is still more to do. I’m waiting for the next big project. I would like to redo the playroom; I would like it to be magical.”

Although Carpentier and Timberlake work hard to make the children happy and their lives a bit brighter, both women agree the experience of watching Pascale’s Pals grow makes their lives much brighter as well.

“The whole aspect of being able to give and help, it’s in all of us,” Timberlake says. “For me to have the opportunity to do that, it’s a gift. It’s so fulfilling.”

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