COMO Living Magazine - December 2015/January 2016

COMO VO L .1 / A MAGAZINE AB O U T CO LU M B IA LIF EST YLE A N D C ULT UR E

LI V ING

DECEMBER/JANUARY

CULTURE HOMES FASHION

C

O O

M

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

Booze-Infused Desserts FOR THE HOLIDAYS PG. 34

Dressed to the Nines IT’S FUN TO PLAY DRESS UP SOMETIMES PG. 42

01

D E C /J A N

2016

$ 5. 95 US

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A Splash of Boldness AT HOME WITH JESSE BODINE PG. 71

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Time for a Family Meeting to Discuss Financial Preparations?

During the holidays, you may find it valuable to have a family meeting to discuss financial preparations that affect you and your loved ones.

Consider a scenario that would work under two different circumstances: a meeting with your own grown children or a meeting with your elderly parents.

In either case, you’ll want to review the following areas: • Investment information. Let your grown children know where you keep your investments and what sort of investments and retirement accounts you own. You should also provide your children with the name of your financial advisor. And talk to your parents about their investments. You might think that this could be challenging topic to bring up, but you might be surprised at their willingness to talk.

• Estate planning documents. This can involve a variety of legal documents, such as a will, a living trust, power of attorney, etc. If you’ve already created these documents, share their location and their intent with your grown children, who will be active in carrying out your estate plans. The same is true with your elderly parents — encourage them to share all their estate-planning documents with you, especially if they will be counting on you for their care.

• Names of professional advisors. As you put together your estate plans, you will likely need to work with a team of financial, tax and legal advisors. Make sure your grown children know their names and how to contact them.

Similarly, seek the same information from your parents.

• Future living arrangements. It’s possible that you will be able to live independently your whole life but you may eventually need some type of long-term care. Let your children know what your feelings are about such a possibility, and what preparations you have made. And try to elicit the same information from your own parents.

• Funeral or burial instructions. If you make your own burial or cremation plans in advance, and possibly even prepay for them, you’ll be taking a tremendous burden off the shoulders of your loved ones. You’ll also want to learn about your parents’ desires for their final arrangements, and what steps they may have already taken.

By holding a family meeting about these issues, you can avoid a lot of future stress and misunderstandings. So bring out the coffee and cookies — and start talking.

Trusted Investing Advice from these local financial advisors

Gary Anderson (573) 441-8300

Shawn Bedford (573) 445-7671

Jim Bowman (573) 886-8600

908 Rainforest Parkway Columbia, MO 65202

2509 Bernadette Road Columbia, MO 65203

3600 I-70 SE, Ste. D Columbia, MO 65201

Nathan Brown (573) 817-9620

Stuart Eastman (573) 817-3108

Ann Echelmeier (573) 446-2770

Travis Figg (573) 442-6470

Jody Frank (573) 657-5775

Bill Fretwell (573) 443-0043

Madalyn Gramke (573) 234-1700

J R Lawless (573) 443-8871

1206 Bus Loop 70 W. Ste. D Columbia, MO 65202

4301 Rainbow Trout Dr. 1729 W. Broadway, Suite 3 Ste 102, Columbia, MO 65203 Columbia, MO 65203

201 W. Broadway, Bldg 2 4240 Philips Farm Rd. Ste. H, Columbia, MO 65203 Ste. 107 Columbia, MO 65201

2900 Falling Leaf Lane Columbia, MO 65201

Kathy Lou Neale (573) 442-9590

1905 Cherry Hill Drive Columbia, MO 65203

203 E. Nifong Columbia, MO 65203

1000 W. Nifong, Building 3 Columbia, MO 65203

Mark Richardson (573) 442-1276

Ray Schachtner (573) 445-1122

Eric Willmeth (573) 449-1256

EdwardJones.com Member SIPC

* This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

2415 Carter Lane, #104 Columbia, MO 65201

1603 Chapel Hill Road Columbia, MO 65203

34 N. 8th Street Columbia, MO 65201

COMO L I V I N G

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CARPET

TILE

HARDWOOD

LAMINATE

GRANITE

VINYL

CABINETRY

DETAILS MATTER.

And we understand that when it’s your bathroom, kitchen or any part of your home, the only thing that matters is everything.

WE’RE GOING TO FLOOR YOU. NEW STORE HOURS

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

Mon-Wed &COMO Friday: 8am - 5pm Thursday: 8am - 7pm L I V I N G - 1 3 - JA NUA RY - 2016

Saturday: 9am - 4pm

COMO L I V I N G

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DE C E MB E R - 201 5

COMO L I V I N G

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JA NUA RY - 2016

A BUSINESS TIMES COMPANY PUBLICATION

EDITORIAL Audrey Sharp, Editor Audrey@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Kristi McCann, Copy Editor DESIGN Keith Borgmeyer,

ON THE COVER Gracing the cover of Volume 1 of COMO Living are two outstanding (and photogenic!) Columbia residents. Pablo Araujo, along with his wife, Victoria, own Blanc Studio in The District. He is modeling a show-stopping suit from Bingham’s. Julie Middleton, extension professional and director of organizational development for MU Extension, models a beautiful coat from White House Black Market. Both of these photos, in addition to those you can find in our fashion spread on page 42, were shot at The Club at Old Hawthorne on a windy Monday morning.

There are several people we need to thank for making this photo shoot happen: The Club at Old Hawthorne, Blanc Studio, Keith Borgmeyer, Pablo and Victoria Araujo, Mike and Julie Middleton, Bingham’s, Swank Boutique and White House Black Market.

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 Jordan@BusinessTimesCompany.com

MARKETING R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S Deb Valvo, Director of Sales Deb@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Jamie Patterson, Digital Services Director Jamie@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Stacy Zorn, Marketing Consultant Stacy@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Tami Turner, Marketing Consultant Tami@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Nicole Heislen, Marketing Consultant Nicole@BusinessTimesCompany.com

MANAGEMENT Erica Pefferman, President Erica@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Renea Sapp, VP of Finance ReneaS@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Amy Ferrari, Operations Manager Amy@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Crystal Richardson, Marketing Manager Crystal@BusinessTimesCompany.com

Turn to page 42 for our fashion feature

COMO LIVING Business Times Company 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100 Columbia, MO, 65202 P: (573) 499 1830 W: www.comolivingmag.com —

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

WELCOME TO COMO LIVING MAGAZINE — Don’t worry, I’m still here.

When this magazine arrived in your mailbox, you might have had a few different thoughts: 1. “Columbia has another magazine? Since when?” Well, we don’t. We just replaced the old with the new and it’s called COMO Living.

2. “Who is the mastermind behind this magazine?” Well, his name is Keith Borgmeyer. He’s my editorial designer/photographer/creative genius who helped me transform Columbia Home into what you’re holding in your hands.

3. “Wait, I have a handsome man on the cover of my magazine, but my neighbor has a beautiful woman on the cover?” Yup. We decided to print two covers. Just because.

Columbia Home is what I grew up reading. It talked about the people, places, events and culture in our beautiful city of Columbia, Missouri. Nothing about our content has changed. We still cover fashion, food, homes, people, places, events and culture. To be quite honest, we’re covering more. We’ve added a few departments to the book, so flip through and see what’s new. The magazine is going to look a bit different, and that’s because Columbia looks different. We’re no longer a quiet town in mid-Missouri.

Instead, we’re a bustling, urban, diverse community with thousands of stories to share. COMO Living was designed to be the forefront publication and go-to read for people who have either lived here for decades, years, maybe even months or those who are just popping into town for one of the many worldrenowned festivals, thrilling sports events or top-notch conferences.

One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately (since I’ve had to keep this reveal secret for almost a year…) is what living in Columbia means to me. I could write a book about what living and working in Columbia means to me, but for you, I’ve narrowed it down to a few words: family, culture, diverse, busy, fun, lively, traditions, friendly and most importantly, home. With the holiday season coming and going, there is nowhere I’d rather be than home.

As you flip through the first edition of COMO Living, explore the people, places, events and culture that make up our Midwestern city. We have worked so hard to make this magazine something Columbia can be proud of. I am so proud to be a part of the COMO Living team, and I think we’ve got a lot of cool things ahead of us. This issue contains holiday booze-infused desserts, traveling for the holidays, overcoming unexpected challenges, trying out extreme sports as an adult and so much more.

So, I leave you with this: what does living in Columbia mean for you? I hope this town is somewhere you want to bring people back to. I hope it’s a place you like to explore. I hope it’s home.

— AU D RE Y S H AR P EDITOR Email - audrey@businesstimescompany.com | Website - comolivingmag.com Twitter - @COMOLivingMag | Facebook - facebook.com/COMOLivingMagazine

Jesse Bodine, Keith Borgmeyer, Casey Buckman, Angelique Hunter, Anthony Jinson, Morgan McCarty, Ben Meldrum, Anastasia Pottinger

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kim Becking, Jennifer Bondurant, Beth Bramstedt, Chris Danforth, Hogan Davis, Nicole Flood, Sarah Frost, Alex George, Brandon Gerau, Brian Hazelrigg, Shaun Henry, Rachel Holman, Jessica Kaiser, Cale Kleithermes, Zach Lloyd, Jill Orr, Monica Pitts, Renea Sapp, Sierra Stewart, Nellie Symm-Gruender, Amber Taylor, Nathan Todd, Michele Towns, Rachel Trujillo

THE BUSINESS TIMES CO. INTERNS Caroline Harding, Jessica Kaiser, Peyton Kuligowski, Sean Nelson, Alisiana Peters, Brooke Skiles, Sierra Stewart, Amber Taylor, Rachel Trujillo

COMO LIVING BOARD Kristi McCann, Jill Orr, Erica Pefferman, Michele Towns —

SUBSCRIP TIONS S U B S C R IBE ON LIN E www.comolivingmag.com PH O NE OR D E R ING (573) 499 1830 S U B S C R IBE R S Subscription rate is $5.95 per issue, 6 month subscription is $29.95. Call Amy Ferrari at 573-499-1830 ext. 1003 to place an order or to inform us of a change of address.

AB OUT THE B OAR D

E RI CA P E FFER MAN President, Business Times Company

I am so proud to introduce you to COMO Living. Two years ago, we engaged our community by asking questions and researching what Columbia Home meant to the city, both currently and historically.We participated in focus groups, brainstorming sessions and pizza and beer meetings. What we all knew was that Columbia Home had grown up. CH had proven to be valuable to the community and had delivered on the promises made to entertain and inform, however, all of us knew that CH was changing in small ways as we stayed reflective of the changes being made in Columbia. A year ago we embarked on creating what we all referred to as Columbia Home 2.0 or “The Relaunch.” It involved reviewing content, collaborators and creative. What you hold in your hands is not only the culmination of many people’s hard work and dreams but what we feel is a true reflection of the Columbia that we all know and love. I do hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed creating it. And, if you ever grow nostalgic for the old Columbia Home, come by the office and have a cup of coffee with me as we walk our halls and admire many of our old covers. We love her still too!

MI C H E L E TO W NS

KR ISTI MCAN N

JILL OR R

The day after she married her husband, Kevin, the two of them moved from Michigan to Columbia. They immediately fell in love with the city and after raising two daughters, now ages 26 and 18, it is without a doubt home for their family and has been for the past 36 years. Working with the magazine as their DIY guru, as well as serving on the Advisory Board for almost two years, has been very rewarding for Michele.

She loves connecting people she knows with the readers of Como Living.

Sharing stories and ideas and helping others gives her energy and a sense of accomplishment. Working with the magazine has given her the opportunity to meet new people, do what she’s passionate about and have fun doing it!

Kristi is currently an event coordinator at the Columbia Country Club, but she has always had a passion for magazines and journalism. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 2012 with an emphasis in magazine editing. As a previous full-time employee of The Business Times Company, Kristi has enjoyed being able to still be part of the team as part of the Advisory Board as well as the magazine's copy editor.

She loves having the opportunity to work with the magazine’s staff and the other ladies on the Advisory Board while staying updated on current happenings in Columbia. Like Michele, she is a Columbia transplant but after attending college here and returning to be with her now fiancé, Ryan, she feels Columbia is home.

Jill Orr has a Bachelor of Journalism and a master’s degree in social work, both from the University of MissouriColumbia. She is a stay-at-home mom, writer, reader and a gifted napper.

COMO L I V I N G

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CO N TE N TS FEATURES / DEPARTMENTS

71

50 16 On the Cover 17 Letter from the Editor 18 About the Board 22 Agenda 24 Datebook 27 Book Worm 29 Libations 30 Day in the Life 33 Confessions of a

41 The Dish 42 On the Cover: Dressed

34

81

to the Nine’s

50 Back to School 57 Home (Away From

Pg. 95- From the Local Market

Home) For the Holiday’s

60

Pg. 96- Arthritis

Seasons of Change, Kathleen Oglesby’s Story

64 A Time For Giving 71 Your Home: A Splash of Boldness, At Home With Jessie Bodine

Working Mom

Booze Infused Desserts

89 DIY 93 Life Coaching 94 Health & Wellness

What The Pros Know

COMO L I V I N G

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Pg. 98- Active Wear

101 Doc Talk 109 Love and Relationships

110

Weddings

DE C E MB E R - 201 5

113

Mommy Chronicles

114

Being Seen: Diamond Night, a Storybook Gala

117

Engagements

119

Couple You Should Know, C.Y.S.K.

121

Strong Woman: Chrissy Maurizi

122 Giving Back: A COMO Non-Profit Spotlight

COMO L I V I N G

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JA NUA RY - 2016

AGE N DA

DECEMBER 2015 / JANUARY 2016

“A C H R I S T M A S C A R O L ” WHAT

The University Concert Series presents the Charles Dickens classic with a mix of Christmas carols and holiday cheer. “A Christmas Carol” tells the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge, who must learn the real meaning of the Christmas season before it’s too late.

WHEN

December 4, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE

Missouri Theatre

INFO

For more information or tickets visit www.concertseries.org

12/4

COLUMBIA EVE FEST WHAT

Ten venues in The District host a celebration of the arts that includes music, dance, art and magic. This year’s theme is Color Your Dreams in 2016! Venues will include Missouri Theatre, the Rooftop Star Gazing Venue, the seven venues within the Missouri United Methodist Church and the 9th Street Stage.

Be sure to check out the performances by Jordan Wax and Lone Pinon and Victor and Penny and their Loose Change Orchestra.

WHEN

December 31, 7:00 p.m.-midnight

WHERE

The District in downtown Columbia

INFO

For more information visit www.columbiaevefest.com

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS TOUR WHAT

The Harlem Globetrotters are touring various arenas, and they’re making a stop in Columbia, Missouri. Come see them in all their glory as they showcase their famous trick shots and moves on the court.

WHEN

January 3, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE

Mizzou Sports Arena

INFO

For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com

12/31

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

FLEX PASSES

Good for any 6 shows excluding special performances

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Your one stop holiday shopping experience!

Great Gift for Theatre Lovers!

2016 Production Schedule Black Pearl Sings!

February 12-14, 19-121

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

Hoss’s Gift Certificates make the perfect gift!

Mothers and Sons October 14-16-21-23

Stud Ducks

December 2-4, 9-11

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July 8-10, 15-17

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September 9-11, 16-18

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JA NUA RY - 2016

C A L E N DA R / DECE M BER 2015 WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2

The Lonely Biscuits, Rose Music Hall, 8 p.m., $8-10, visit rosemusichall.com Riff Raff, Road to Spring Break Tour, The Blue Note, 8:30 p.m., $25-45, visit thebluenote.com

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9

“Winter Wonderettes,” Stephens College, Macklanburg Playhouse, 7:30 p.m., call 573-876-7199

THURSDAY, DEC. 3

Justin Adams, Rose Music Hall, 8:30 p.m., $10, visit rosemusichall.com Figure, The Blue Note, 10 p.m., $15-18, visit thebluenote.com

Free Movie Wednesday, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” Memorial Union, Wrench Auditorium, 8 p.m., visit stufftodo.missouri.edu

THURSDAY, DEC. 10

FRIDAY, DEC. 4

First Fridays in the North Village Arts District, S. 10th Street, 6-9 p.m., free entertainment and light refreshments served, call 573-864-6641 “Annie Jr.,” Stephens College, Warehouse Theatre, 7 p.m., visit trypskids.com “A Christmas Carol,” Missouri Theatre, 7 p.m., call 573-882-3781 or visit concertseries.org “Winter Wonderettes,” Stephens College, Macklanburg Playhouse, 7:30 p.m., call 573-876-7199 The Delta Saints, Rose Music Hall, 9 p.m., $10, visit rosemusichall.com The LACS, The Blue Note, 9 p.m., $20-25, visit thebluenote.com

SATURDAY, DEC. 5

“Annie Jr.,” Stephens College, Warehouse Theatre, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., visit trypskids.com “Winter Wonderettes,” Stephens College, Macklanburg Playhouse, 7:30 p.m., call 573-876-7199 The Jolly Brothers Reunion, Rose Music Hall, 9 p.m., $10, visit rosemusichall.com

SUNDAY, DEC. 6

“Winter Wonderettes,” Stephens College, Macklanburg Playhouse, 2 p.m., call 573-876-7199 “A Dickens Victorian Christmas,” Stephens College, Historic Senior Hall Parlors, 4 and 7:30 p.m., call 573-876-7199 “Annie Jr.,” Stephens College, Warehouse Theatre, 7 p.m., visit trypskids.com

MONDAY, DEC. 7

“The Nutcracker,” Missouri Theatre, 7 p.m., call 573-882-3781 or visit concertseries.org “A Dickens Victorian Christmas,” Stephens College, Historic Senior Hall Parlors, 7:30 p.m., call 573-876-7199 COMO L I V I N G

TUESDAY, DEC. 8

“A Dickens Victorian Christmas,” Stephens College, Historic Senior Hall Parlors, 7:30 p.m., call 573-876-7199

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“Winter Wonderettes,” Stephens College, Macklanburg Playhouse, 7:30 p.m., call 573-876-7199

SATURDAY, DEC. 12

Don McLean, Missouri Theatre, 7 p.m., call 573-882-3781 or visit concertseries.org

SUNDAY, DEC. 13

Missouri Symphony Society Conservatory Fundraiser, Barnes & Noble, 2208 Bernadette Dr. 12-4 p.m., call 573-875-0600

12/2

Hinder, The Blue Note, 8 p.m., $20, visit thebluenote.com

THURSDAY, DEC. 17

Columbia Cougars Women’s Basketball vs.

Lindenwood University-Belleville, Columbia College, 5:30 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com Stephens Stars Basketball vs. Freed-Hardeman University, Silverthorne Arena, 7 p.m., free with college ID and $5 for public, visit stephensstars.com Columbia Cougars, Men’s Basketball vs. Lindenwood University-Belleville, Columbia College, 7:30 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

SATURDAY, DEC. 19

Stephens Stars Basketball vs. Williams Baptist College, Silverthorne Areana, 2 p.m., free with college ID and $5 for public, visit stephensstars.com

SUNDAY, DEC. 20

Missouri Symphony Conservatory: Symphony of Toys Concert, Missouri Theatre, 3-5 p.m., call 573-875-0600

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30

Columbia Cougars Men’s Basketball vs. Philander Smith College, Columbia College, 12 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

THURSDAY, DEC. 31

Stephens Stars Basketball vs. Columbia College, Silverthorne Arena, 2 p.m., free with college ID and $5 for public, visit stephensstars.com D E C EMB E R - 2 01 5

12/4 M U S T S EE IN D E C E M BE R MAGIC T RE E LIGHT ING

The Magic Tree is covered branch-to-trunk in an array of Christmas lights. The lighting of this iconic tree will be held December 3 at the Cherry Hill Event Center from 5-9 p.m. The festival will include a trolley, vendors and an appearance by Santa. For more information visit www.magic-tree.org

C A L E N DA R / JANUARY 20 1 6 SUNDAY, JAN. 3

Mizzou Tennis vs. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Mizzou Tennis Complex, 5 p.m., visit mutigers.com

Harlem Globetrotters Tour, Mizzou Arena, 2 p.m., visit ticketmaster.com

1/3

THURSDAY, JAN. 7

Mizzou Women’s Swimming and Diving vs.

Vanderbilt, Mizzou Aquatic Center, 2 p.m., visit mutigers.com

Stephens Stars Basketball vs. Lindenwood University-Belleville, Silverthorne Arena, 7 p.m., free with college ID and $5 for public, visit stephensstars.com

Mizzou Men’s Swimming and Diving Tiger Invite, Mizzou Aquatic Center, 5 p.m., visit mutigers.com

Columbia Cougars Men’s Basketball vs. FreedHardeman University, Columbia College, 7:30 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

Stephens Stars Basketball vs. Lyon College, Silverthorne Arena, 7 p.m., free with college ID and $5 for public, visit stephensstars.com

SATURDAY, JAN. 9

Columbia Cougars Men’s Basketball vs. HarrisStowe State University, Columbia College, 7:30 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

Columbia Cougars Women’s Basketball vs. Williams Baptist College, Columbia College, 2 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com Columbia Cougars Men’s Basketball vs. Williams Baptist College, Columbia College, 4 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

THURSDAY, JAN. 14

Stephens Stars Basketball vs. William Woods University, Silverthorne Arena, 7 p.m., free with college ID and $5 for public, visit stephensstars. com

FRIDAY, JAN. 15

MAR K Y O U R CALE N D E R S IT'S GO NNA B E A P A R TY T H E BUSINESS TIMES COMPANY 20 UNDER 4 0 PARTY

Every year, The Columbia Business Times selects 20 outstanding professionals and acknowledges their talent, hard work and passion. The event will be held at Kimball Ballroom on the Stephens College Campus on Thursday, January 21. For ticket information call 573-499-1830.

Columbia Cougars Women’s Basketball vs.

Harris-Stowe State University, Columbia College, 5:30 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

FRIDAY, JAN. 8

Mizzou Wrestling vs. University at Buffalo, Hearnes Center, 7 p.m., visit mutigers.com

1/30

THURSDAY, JAN. 28

Columbia Cougars Women’s Basketball vs.

Freed-Hardeman University, Columbia College, 5:30 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

FRIDAY, JAN. 29

Mizzou Men’s Swimming and Diving Tiger Invite, Mizzou Aquatic Center, 10 a.m., visit mutigers.com Mizzou Women’s Swimming and Diving Tiger Invite, Mizzou Aquatic Center, 5 p.m., visit mutigers.com

SATURDAY, JAN. 30

Mizzou Women’s Swimming and Diving Tiger Invite, Mizzou Aquatic Center, 10 a.m., visit mutigers.com

Mizzou Wrestling vs. Eastern Michigan University, Hearnes Center, 7 p.m., visit mutigers.com

Mizzou Tennis vs. University of Northern Iowa, Mizzou Tennis Complex, 11 a.m., visit mutigers.com

SATURDAY, JAN. 16

Columbia Cougars Women’s Basketball vs. St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Columbia College, 2 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

Columbia Cougars Women’s Basketball vs.

William Woods University, Columbia College, 2 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com Columbia Cougars Men’s Basketball vs. Williams Woods University, Columbia College, 4 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

Stephens Stars Basketball vs. Central Baptist College, Silverthorne Arena, 2 p.m., free with college ID and $5 for public, visit stephensstars.com

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20

Mizzou Wrestling vs. Oklahoma University, Hearnes Center, 2:30 p.m., visit mutigers.com

FRIDAY, JAN. 22

Columbia Cougars Men’s Basketball vs. St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Columbia College, 4 p.m., visit columbiacougars.com

SATURDAY, JAN. 23

Mizzou Tennis vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City, Mizzou Tennis Complex, 5 p.m., visit mutigers.com

MLK, Jr. Event, Civil Rights Activist Diane Nash, 7-8:30 p.m., visit mlk.missouri.edu

Kill Paris, The Blue Note, 10 p.m., $15-18, visit thebluenote.com

Stephens Stars Basketball vs. HannibalLaGrange University, Silverthorne Arena, 2 p.m., free with college ID and $5 for public, visit stephensstars.com COMO L I V I N G

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SUNDAY, JAN. 31

Mizzou Wrestling vs. Old Dominion University, Hearnes Center, 1 p.m., visit mutigers.com DE C E MB E R - 2015

Columbia’s Only Children’s Boutique $

10

gift certificate with $100 purchase!

NOW OPEN! CLOTHING, SHOES, ACESSORIES & MORE!

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Weddings • Portraits • Events • Commercial

573.881.1050 • www.caseybphoto.com COMO L I V I N G

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DE C E MB E R - 2 01 5

W H AT S H O U L D I R E A D

E-BOOKS AND TABLETS AND READERS, OH MY!

by A L E X G E O R G E

I owned an e-reader once. Two, actually.

One was a Christmas present. I sent it back before New Year’s Day. The other one I kept a little longer, but when I lost its charger (I am always losing chargers), I didn’t bother to get a replacement. All of which is to say I tried.

Lots of smart book enthusiasts swear by their e-readers, but I just can’t give up my actual books. It’s not that I don’t understand the appeal. When my wife and I go on vacation, we pack more novels than clothes, and yes, every time I haul our ridiculously heavy bags down from the overhead compartment, I marvel ruefully at the fact that I could carry enough books to last a lifetime in a device smaller than the in-flight magazine.

But, convenient as that might be, it’s not actually something I want.

Books are more than the words that lie between their covers. They contain pleasures that can’t be reduced to electronic files – the feel of pages beneath one’s fingers, the smell of paper, the exquisite heft of the thing. The physical aspect of a book and its existence as an object in

the world is important to me. I like to gauge my progress through a story by my bookmark’s steady march from the front cover to the back. I like to look at the spines of books on the shelves in our home. When I see the book I am reading on a table, I am warmed by the prospect of opening it again later that day.

It’s not that I don’t like reading on a screen. I do it all day while I’m at work.

But I read differently on a screen, more quickly and, I suspect, more superficially, too. A screen connotes connectivity, and connectivity promises the neverending possibility of distraction. For me, the pages of a book offer delicious, quiet sanctuary from all that. It’s a relief to escape from all those pixels.

Don’t get me wrong I’m very happy that e-books exist. Anything that encourages people to read more is a cause for celebration. But speaking personally, I don’t know that you can beat the old technology of paper and ink. Another advantage is real books don’t need chargers, which if you’re me, is obviously a good thing.

“THE F I S H ER M AN ”

BY CHIGOZIE OBIOMA This magnificent debut novel was shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize and with good reason. Set in the small Nigerian town of Akure in the mid1990s, "The Fisherman" is a story of fate and family that will haunt you long after you have reached the last page. The writing is powerful and richly lyrical, and the tale is equal parts mythic and domestic. My guess is that you won’t have read anything quite like this. It’s beautiful.

Book Club

Alex George

was born in England but has lived in Columbia for the last 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.

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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. Sign up for our newsletter today. Visit comoliving.com.

JA NUA RY - 2016

As a local business, we are grateful to have many loyal customers. We are proud of the services we provide and are happy to help those in need. We are committed to providing the gift of a clean home to women undergoing treatment for cancer through the Cleaning For A Reason Foundation.

Our staff would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Does your home need a Personal Touch?

Office: 573.256.1920 www.personaltouchcleaningservicellc.com Like us on Facebook!

COMO L I V I N G

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L I B AT I O N S

POP. FIZZ. CLINK!

BY RACHEL HOLMAN CEO of Le s B o urge o i s V i n eya rds M i s s o ur i w i ne .co m

I

t’s officially the holiday season, but more importantly it is champagne season. Well you say champagne, I say sparkling wine, and technically the French won’t allow us to use their designation, but you get the idea. I adore sparkling wine all year long, but I exceptionally love this wonderful time of year when sparkling wine enjoys some well-deserved time in the spotlight. Beyond the usual obligatory New Year’s toast, there are abundant opportunities in the coming months to have a little fun with your pairings. When it comes to holiday gatherings, I like to pair wine with guests and to give neophyte wine drinkers the chance to try a myriad of wines they might not have otherwise given a second thought.

So don’t let dinner table flavors rule your holiday selections this season and remember, bubbles always pair well with difficult relatives.

Our list

TH E L I F E OF T H E PA RT Y: LBV B R U T Let this guest do what he or she does best and get the party started. The LBV Brut makes a perfect hostess gift and will be sure to please even the most discerning of palettes. Using estate grown Vidal grapes gives this methode traditionale sparkling wine a refreshing aroma with a crisp effervescence and dry finish. Pop, fizz, clink and repeat.

TH E N OVI CE : L BV B R U T RO S É Ease your novice into the tasting pool with this unassuming, lighthearted and fun sparkler. It’s not too dry, it’s not too sweet and who can resist its festive holiday color?

Made with the St. Vincent grape, this rosé begins with a tart hint of lemongrass that moves into a delightfully subtle strawberry finish.

R AC H E L H O L M A N

Rachel Holman graduated from Mizzou in 2005 with a degree in finance and marketing. She joined the Les Bourgeois team in 2006 heading up their special events. One year later she was promoted to marketing director. In 2013 she was named CEO of Les Bourgeois. Rachel is also a member of the Missouri Wine & Grape Board marketing committee and remains active in several non- profit organizations through her position at Les Bourgeois while pursuing her passion for food, wine and hospitality.

Hionligdsay Pair

AND FOR THE FOLKS WHO AREN’T NECESSARILY ALL ABOUT THE BUBBLES...

TH E SWE E T TOOTH : COL L ECTOR’S SE RIE S MOSCATO This wine drinker knows what they like and probably has a favorite brand they are fiercely loyal to. Get them to step out of their comfort zone with one of the newest additions to the Les Bourgeois line of favorites. Treat them to lively aromas of pineapple, white peach and mandarin orange with refreshing flavors of melon, lemon peel and candied ginger with a delicate touch of honey to finish.

TH E L A BE L QU E E NS: WINTE R WH ITE Easy to spot, these wine drinkers are the best dressed at the party and always top off the perfect outfit with designer shoes and any bottle of wine with a whimsical label: a zebra, a cute furry animal, a limited edition “Mad Men” wine. You name it, they love it.

Our seasonal Winter White is the perfect fit. It’s a luscious sweet white wine with peach, strawberry and kiwi fruit characteristics in an adorable winter package.

Book Club TH E SNOB: 2013 NORTON We all know one. That one guest at the party who uses every opportunity to shame whatever your drink of choice is and explain to you in painstaking detail why the 2002 Chateau Snobbery Vineyard Select Reserve is far superior. Give them a taste of this fullbodied, dry red that showcases the unique characteristics of the Norton grape, the state grape of Missouri. This wine boasts a bouquet of violet, spice and earth tones with rich fruit flavors that linger and are sure to give your wine snob something to talk about.

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DAY I N T H E L I F E

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DAY I N T H E L I F E

MELANIE MAYES A S S I S TA N T S U P E R V I S O R AT M O D OT

T

by J E S S I C A K A I S E R | photos by A N T H O N Y J I N S O N

he average person living in Boone County might take for granted the ease of their morning commute. Sure, that guy who cut you off this morning was pretty annoying, and why is merging onto the highway so difficult for some people? It’s easy to forget how fortunate those driving experiences really are. Luckily, Boone County has Melanie Mayes watching its back. As the assistant supervisor of MoDOT Boone County, Melanie is dedicated to ensuring the safety of county citizens and the employees she oversees. She began working for MoDOT as a seasonal employee in May of 2006. A few months later, she began working full-time at the Williamsburg facility. It was in March of this year that she began her job as assistant supervisor in Boone County. This will be Melanie’s first winter here, and it is going to be an intense change from the rural roads she has worked on in the past. Her greatest concern is keeping her co-workers safe as they care for the dangerous, icy roads that can only come from a mid-Missouri winter. But this mother of five is up to the challenge. At home and at work, she thrives on her busy schedule. Whether she is responding to a problem at the construction site at Rangeline and I-70 or getting her daughter to volleyball practice, this is a woman who gets the job done.

4:30 a.m.: Melanie is awake. After all, she has a 40-mile commute into Columbia.

Y E A R S AT M O D OT:

9

5:30 a.m.: On her way into work, she is catching up with her sisters on Voxer, an app that works like a walkie-talkie. Despite being spread out in different parts of the country – mid-Missouri, Arizona and even Southern California – the women manage to take this time out of their days to check on each other.

6:15 a.m.: Melanie arrives at the MoDOT facilities in Columbia. Today is going to be an in-office day. As assistant supervisor, she does not get to go out in the field as much as she’d like to, but she enjoys working so closely with her co-workers. Her responsibilities now include making sure her co-workers are safe and assigning them to any problems people might be encountering on Boone County roads.

7-8 a.m.: This time is often spent dealing with the business-side of things at MoDOT. Working with financial services and the logistics of their complex operations are just some of the responsibilities that accompany Melanie’s promotion to assistant supervisor.

8:30-10:30 a.m.: Always

safety focused, Melanie is providing a first aid class to the facility’s construction office. This is part of an effort to increase awareness of COMO L I V I N G

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MoDOT’s Statewide Safety Day, which occurred this year on October 8th. This class is a way for Melanie to remind all MoDOT employees of safety’s importance and to continue spreading the message of safety across the county.

11:30 a.m.: Lunchtime. No

matter where they are, at the office or responding to a call, MoDOT employees across the state are encouraged to take this time to relax after their long mornings.

12:30 p.m.: Now it’s time for

Melanie to catch up on emails.

Most of what she receives is customer service requests. She will quickly assign these to members of her team while making sure any emergencies are given top priority.

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.: As part of

MoDOT’s preparations for winter, Melanie goes through the facility’s entire lot with one of their engineers.

They are gathering a list of what they need, checking equipment and getting rid of anything that could be a safety hazard. All of this must be done so that MoDOT employees are as safe as possible on the slick winter roads.

5 -6 p.m.: Melanie is on her way home. This is her time to unwind.

Usually she is listening to the Foo Fighters and other alternative music, but as a guilty pleasure, she searches for some Pitbull for today’s drive.

Dr. Kyle Bowers, DC La s e r Bod y Scu l pt i n g

A new year, a new you.

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DOES YOUR CLOTHES DRYER TAKE MORE THAN 30 MINUTES TO DRY YOUR CLOTHES? If you notice any of these warning signs, please contact us to schedule a professional dryer vent cleaning:

‣Lint buildup on the back of your dryer. ‣Clothes have lint on them after drying. ‣Damper on exhaust termination barely opens when dryer is on. ‣At the end of the cycle your clothes are damp or hotter than usual. ‣Laundry room is warmer than usual. ‣Laundry room is more humid than usual. ‣Clothes take more than 1 cycle to dry. ‣Dryer is producing airflow, but no heat. ‣Outside of dryer is unusually hot. ‣It has been more than a year since you had your dryer vent cleaned.

DIRTY DRYER VENTS ARE THE #1 CAUSE OF ALL HOUSEHOLD FIRES! Free preventive home maintenance inspection with dryer vent cleaning.

COMO L I V I N G

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BEFORE

AFTER

Our Service Technician will clean your dryer vent from the back of the dryer to wherever your vent exits out of your home.

WE RECOMMEND PERFORMING THIS SERVICE IN YOUR HOME AT LEAST EVERY TWO YEARS.

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CALL US TODAY! 573-397-5042 200 Old Hwy 63 S, Suite 208 Columbia MO 65201

DE C E MB E R - 201 5

CONFESSIONS

T H A NK G O D F O R TH E HOLIDAY SE ASO N !

WI TH THE H O L IDAYS A P P R OACHING, TA KE THIS A DV ICE FROM MON I CA PI T T S

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

THAN K GOD T H E R E ’ S N O C H R I S T M AS D ÉCO R O RDINA NCE. Yeah, we’re the people who still have Christmas lights out on their deck. I actually replaced a string just this July because they were burnt out. Christmas is one of the few times of the year my usually haphazardly decorated house actually has a theme to pull it all together. Glitter and multi-colors aren’t faux pas, they’re expected. I don’t understand why I have to take down all the glittering awesomeness so fast. The lights make me happy. I’m lobbying for a Christmas quarter. Why limit all the goodness to just one month? Put up décor November 1, and take it down February 1. Then you can just pack away the green things. After all, red, pink and purple are perfectly suited for Valentine’s Day.

TH AN K GOD FOR T H E D I S N E Y C H A N N EL A N D CHEERIO S .

I never really understood the phrase, “Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again,” until now. By the end of the school holiday break I’m sneering at my husband, “Yeah, well you actually get to go to work.” Now, work is a privilege for adults in our household. I try to look forward to my time with the kids, plan out activities, create a workable office schedule, and then there’s reality. I have to leave work early clinging to the fantasy of working from home. Then I’m short with my kids because I can’t get work done.

At a certain point I just give up, close the doors and baby gates, turn on the Disney Channel for my 5-year-old and let my 18-month old play with a box of Cheerios. And when my work is done, I just scoop all the cereal out of the couch onto the floor for the dogs to clean up.

THAN K GOD FOR A M A ZO N. Before I had kids, I made gifts for everyone. Giving those gifts was fun and making them was part of getting into the holiday spirit. Now, giving gifts feels like just another thing on my to-do list. Upon entering a store I become a fish who is captivated by shiny objects and before I know it, I’ve lost one child and the other is licking the shopping cart. I spend more time looking for the lost pacifier and blanket than shopping. Last year, I started shopping in June (yes, June), and I forgot half the darn gifts because they got lost under a pile in the storage closet.

So I ended up buying everything on Amazon anyway and overnight shipping the gifts to the office. God bless Amazon. I have wisely moved cleaning out the storage closet to my 2016 to-do list, and the resulting garage sale will be epic.

T HA NK G O D FO R S T RETCH DRES S ES A ND A FUNC TIONAL HUS BA N D. Tis the season of gifts, parties, thank-you baskets and hangovers. Instead of focusing on the extra tasks at hand and spending quality time with my children, I end up texting one babysitter after another in between meetings, dinner, bath and bedtime. I end up buying a party dress that stretches since I can’t seem to keep away from the candy and cookie trays in the office. Maybe this year I’ll conserve calories by drinking my vodka straight. Then, thank god I have a functional husband who will watch the kids on Sunday while I nurse my hangover. So what if he zips them into the trampoline and feeds them only bacon and liquids for the first four hours of daylight? After that, it’s nap time and then we can get in some quality family time watching football and eating a wholesome pizza dinner.

T HA NK G O D FO R FRUIT S N ACKS A N D IPADS. No working mother of young children should be required to do a holiday circuit.

The thought alone of maneuvering treats, presents, the Pack ‘n Play, suitcases and kitchen sink into the car is enough to make me need a drink. I literally spend every night the week before we leave packing for our two-day family Christmas trip.

Then there’s the car ride, aka parental torture. The chorus begins: “She’s touching me!” “Are we there yet?” “How much longer?” “I have to poop.” God forbid they take a nap. I try to go as long as I can without distributing technology by thinking it’ll be good for them to learn to entertain themselves. Eventually, I crack.

God bless iPads. When the magic of technology starts to wear off, there’s always fruit snacks. Then the little stinkers fall asleep 15 minutes before we get to Nana’s house. They wake up as we carry them and fully commit to whining the rest of the day about how they have to wait until after dinner to open presents.

T HA NK G O D FO R NO N-S TO P FLIG HT S A ND MEX ICO. This year, my husband started listening to my holiday cheer in September. While enduring a holiday drama tornado discussion, he turned to me and said, “Why don’t we go to Mexico?” To which I replied, “I love you.” God bless non-stop flights.

This year I figure I can spend every night of the week packing to spend a week on the beach instead. I’ll bring a backpack full of fruit snacks, iPads and Cheerios. My resort assures me they have the Disney Channel, and I figure a note to Santa and a daiquiri is all I have left standing between me and a perfect holiday.

MONICA PITTS

“WHY DON'T WE GO TO MEXICO?”

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

TO WHICH I REPLIED, “I LOVE YOU.”

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c F E AT U R E

BOOZE

infused desserts by

AU D R E Y S H A R P

photography by

KEITH BORGMEYER

Typically, the holidays are a time for bakers to whip up their best desserts. At each holiday gathering, there’s a chance that you might see the same delicacies: fruit cake, hundreds of types of cookies, moist coffee cake, various cakes, delicious pies and so much more. The best part is that they’re all equally delicious.

(Well, maybe except the fruitcake, but we’ll let you be the judge of that.)

COMO Living reached out to a few local chefs when we decided to tackle booze-infused desserts. What two things go better together than booze and dessert? To us, not a whole lot. Inside this spread, you’ll see a hot buttered rum donut, Irish coffee bread pudding and a coffee flavored cake soaked in Frangelico with a Nutella butter cream and toasted hazelnuts. Did you just drool a little bit? Harold’s Donuts, 44 Stone Public House and local chef Shana Woody were gracious enough to share their delicacies with us.

We were able to taste test these delightful desserts, and they are for sure COMO Living approved.

Opener: Harolds Doughnuts, Homemade Eggnog doughnut with Dogmaster Whiskey pipette.

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s t u n h g u o D

HAROLDS HOT BUTTERED RUM DOUGHNUT WITH TORCHED HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOW

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Stone

44

IRISH COFFEE BREAD PUDDING COMO L I V I N G

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Woody

SHANA

KAHLUA COFFEE CAKE COMO L I V I N G

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Kahlua Coffee Cake with a Frangelico Soak and a Nutella Buttercream INGREDIENTS FOR T H E CRUN CH : • ½ cup Filberts* (hazelnuts) or cocoa nibs _____ FOR T H E CAK E : • 2 cups flour • 2 cups sugar • ½ teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 2 sticks butter • 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon instant coffee crystals and hot water • ¼ cup Kahlua • ½ cup buttermilk • 2 whole eggs • 2 teaspoons vanilla • ¼ cup Frangelico (hazelnut liquor) _____ FO R T H E I CI N G: • 1-1/2 sticks butter, softened • 2 cups powdered sugar • ½ cup Nutella • pinch of salt • 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease, flour and parchment two 8-inch round taking pans.

2.*If you’re using Filberts and you weren’t able to purchase them already toasted, I recommend toasting the raw hazelnuts prior to baking the cake. You can do this process as you prepare your cake batter. Start by placing them in a baking dish in your preheated oven and stir about every ten minutes until fragrant and lightly golden brown. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow time to cool. While the cake it baking, roll them on a cutting board to remove some of the skins. Discard the skins that fall off and finely chop the remaining nuts. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, mix sugar, flour, salt and baking soda.

Set aside.

4. Melt 2 sticks of butter in a pot over medium-low heat.

While that's melting, add 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon instant coffee to ¾ cup boiling water. Set aside.

5. Once butter has melted, add coffee mixture and Kahlua to the butter in the pot. Let it come to a boil for about ten seconds, then turn off the heat. Set aside for just a minute.

mixture. Stir the mixture together gently. It doesn’t need to be mixed together perfectly; you just want to cool down the heat from the butter and coffee mixture before adding the egg mixture.

8. Add in the egg mixture and fold or stir gently until well combined. Then pour into pans.

Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (crumbles are okay).

9. Allow to cool for about 10-20 minutes. Turn out the cakes onto a wire rack.

10. Drizzle the Frangelico onto each cake. There are many ways to do this, but I personally like to poke holes in the cake with a skewer then use a silicone pastry brush to “sprinkle” the Frangelico over the top. Try to get as even as a drizzle as possible.

11. While the cake continues to cool, prepare your frosting. Beat the butter with the paddle attachment of a standing mixer until fluffy.

12. Add the powdered sugar. Pulse the sugar in (turn the mixer on and off quickly a few times to get the powdered sugar worked in without it flying everywhere). Beat until incorporated.

13. Add the Nutella and salt. Beat again until well combined.

14. While mixer is beating on low, add heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon at a time until you have a smooth, fluffy, spreadable texture.

6. In a separate bowl, add buttermilk, eggs and vanilla.

Mix until well combined.

15. Once the cake is completely cooled, start by icing the first layer, add a layer of hazelnuts (or cocoa nibs), place the second layer on top, ice the rest of the cake and press the remaining hazelnuts onto the exterior of the cake. You can also just sprinkle on top if you don’t want that much crunch. I’ve done it both ways.

7. Pour the butter and coffee mixture into the flour

16. Cut, serve and enjoy. Happy Holidays!

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COMO L I V I N G

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THE DISH

GR A NDM A FAN N I E ’S DATE R O LL C O O K I E S A BAKING TRADITION

by R E N E A S A P P | photo by B E N M E L D R U M Grandma Fannie was a baking expert. Growing up on the farm, she was a wonderful gardener with prizewinning flowers, vegetables and fruit, but I think her true love was baking. Every year, she would fill the trunk of the car with baked goods for entry in the Prairie Home Fair and would always bring home lots of blue ribbons. The year after she passed away, I entered her recipe for date roll cookies in the fair and was happy to bring home the blue ribbon one more time.

I still think of wonderful times with my sweet grandma when I smell these cookies baking. I make them at Christmas just like she always did. Our family calls them Grandma Fannie’s Date Roll Cookies.

INGREDIENTS DO UGH 1 cup shortening (I use Crisco) 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup white granulated sugar 3 eggs, beaten lightly 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking soda

s e i r o m e m t Swee

½ teaspoon salt 4 cups flour F ILL IN G 1 pound dates ½ cup sugar ½ cup water 1 cup chopped pecans 1. Mix first seven dough ingredients well and slowly add flour. Mix well. It will be a thick dough.

2. Divide into two parts and roll about ¼ - inch thick. I roll out dough between two sheets of wax paper to prevent sticking.

3. Heat filling ingredients in sauce pan until dates melt.

4. Spread date mixture on rolled out dough. Roll as a jelly roll. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate or freeze to chill thoroughly.

5. Grease and flour cookie sheet. Cut roll in slices, and bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.

Good to keep wrapped well in freezer and bake as needed.

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FASHION

Victoria and Pablo Araujo

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FASHION

Dressed to the Nines.

THE CLUB at Old Hawthorne

story by AUDREY SHARP | photos by KEITH BORGMEYER hair and makeup by BLANC STUDIO syled by BINGHAM'S, SWANK BOUTIQUE AND WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET COMO L I V I N G

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TH E A RAUJ O ’ S VI C TO R I A Kenda Kist circle drop hook earrings, $65, Swank Boutique Elizabeth & James Mondrian ring, $225, Swank Boutique Elizabeth & James Obi cuff, $115, Swank Boutique Rebecca Minkoff Leo clutch, $125, Swank Boutque Finders Keepers “Take A Chance” dress in dark floral, $160, Swank Boutique

PAB L O Ted Baker printed pink tie, $95, Bingham’s Paul Betenly suit, $595, Bingham’s Pocket Square, $49.50, Bingham’s

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Mike and Julie Middleton

TH E M I D D LE TO N’ S MIKE Franco Tassi sport coat, $295, Bingham’s Pocket square, $49.50, Bingham’s Ted Baker bowtie, $49.50, Bingham’s

JULIE Suede ankle strap platform heel in Marianna Port, White House Black Market Cutaway belted sheath, $160, White House Black Market Suede skinny belt, $48, White House Black Market Teardrop jeweled necklace, $60, White House Black Market Arrow teardrop earrings, $30, White House Black Market Shield stretch bracelet set, $50, White House Black Market

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ON A BREEZY M O N DAY M O R N I N G,

Pa b lo a n d Victo ria Araujo, wh o own Blanc St udio a nd L a F ie ra in The Dist rict , c a m e rea dy to sho ot at The C lu b at Old Haw t ho rne.

Pa b lo looke d fa nt a st ic in his s u it f rom Bing ham’s, and Vic tor ia lo o ked st unning in h er Swa n k Bo ut ique dress.

Mod elin g s eem ed to be nat u ra l for t h em a s Keit h a nd I looked at each photo later on t h at af terno o n. The t rend cont in ued w hen M ike a nd Ju lie M id dleto n showed up a few h ou rs later. Julie a nd I s p ent a few ho urs to get her t h e p revio us Friday playin g d res s u p at White Ho use Bla c k Ma rket at Co lum bia Ma ll. I t wa s so difficult fo r u s to c h oos e just t wo o ut fit s for h er to m o del. Julie wo rk s a s t h e extensio n profess ion a l a n d directo r of o rg an iz at ion al develo pm ent fo r M U E x ten sio n. Her husba nd, M ike, w ho lo o ked dapper in h is s u it fro m Bing ham’s, is t h e interim president of t h e Un iversit y of M isso uri Sys tem . We had a wo nderful t im e wit h bot h co uples a nd c a n’t t h a n k t hem eno ug h fo r b ein g p art of o ur very first COM O Living Find more about this fashion shoot at www.comolivingmag.com

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E UI SMOD VU L PU TAT E PH A R E T RA

E UI SMOD E PH A R EBlack T RA Market Starling black VU bowL PU heel,TAT White House Long sleeve, ruched waist sheath, $120, 11 -- AM E L U AM ET TBlack L II G GMarket UL LA A U U LT LT RI RI CI CI E ES S White House Split pave hoop gold earrings, $30, White House Black Market Fusce dapibus, tellus ac commodo, tortor Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus cursus commodo, On right: Wide lapel coat, $250, White Housetortor Black Market mauris mauris condimentum condimentum nibh. nibh.

2 2 -- P PU U RUS RUS V VE ES ST T II BU BU LU LU M M posuere consectetur est at Sed Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. lobortis.

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Bliss

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school

BACK TO

by HOGAN DAVIS

photos by KEITH BORGMEYER

Tyler Leslie

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F E AT U R E

When

a sermon, but I’m not here to preach about bad habits.

Most people know a marathon runner or two, people who rave about “runner’s high” and the beauty of an empty trail at dawn. These are the individuals I dream of tripping down a flight of stairs. (Just kidding, runners.

Don’t come after me because I don’t have the endurance to get away.) Running for an extended period of time or lifting weights at the gym, although good things in their own right, are not enough to entice everyone to be as physically active as they should. More often, as a Columbia roller derby participant named Maimy Fisher put it, we have to trick ourselves into exercising.

The best way I’ve found to make that happen is to get involved with the many sports leagues and clubs across Columbia. Wait a second; don’t run away just yet. I know you’re thinking something along these lines of “But Hogan, I wasn’t an all-state pitcher in high school or a running back for Mizzou. How could I even think of joining a sports team as an adult?” That’s why I’ve done the dirty work for you by taking a tour of some of the sports (especially those less well-known to residents) Columbia has to offer. I wasn’t always a shining success (a total lack of athletic ability was witnessed), but if a writer can get away from his computer to try some new things, anyone can.

the National Football League and First Lady Michelle Obama share a common cause, it’s a good bet that the issue is an all-encompassing one. Regardless of how you feel about either of them, their campaigns to get Americans to be more active (Play 60 and Let’s Move!, respectively) highlight the problem. We don’t exercise enough.

It is impossible to live in the United States in 2015 and avoid all lectures about bad eating habits and lack of exercise. Studies have linked greater physical activity to health benefits as diverse as lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases to improved memory. Credible sources from the Mayo Clinic to Harvard Medical School routinely publish pieces outlining the ever expanding list of advantages to getting more exercise.

We tend to tune out such information because we know the solutions and maybe even have vague plans to put them into action. Clichés such as, “I’ll start working out after New Year’s,” or “The diet starts tomorrow,” are in our lexicon for a reason. Fast-paced lives filled with other commitments often lead to putting our health on the backburner. Sitting back and hitting “next episode” on Netflix is so much easier than going to the gym, even though we know the workout would be better for us.

Don’t bail on me yet. That sounded like the start of

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DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE The first stop on my adult athletic journey was an open field at the Katy Trailhead off of Scott Boulevard for a practice with the Columbia Outlaws rugby team. Across the street, kids raced around new playground equipment at Jay Dix Station Park. Back on the east side of Scott, however, a slightly more serious group of athletes gathered, stretched and tossed around an over-inflated football without laces. Rugby enthusiasts are quick to point out that their sport developed before American football, so I should say that on Sundays in the fall, the Rams play with a rugby ball that is tapered on the ends. If you don’t follow rugby, picture it as “a cross between football, soccer and kill the man with the ball.” Coach Don Baker, an IT guy and former college football player who has been with the Outlaws for more than 20 years, gave me that description, which is a good place to start. I was immediately struck by the variety of people standing around warming up. From a few men that

looked like they could suit up at linebacker for Mizzou on Saturday to a 14-year-old girl that sold fundraising candy bars after practice, a wide range of shapes, sizes and ages were represented. Men with foreign accents and even a professor of physics rounded out the group.

Under the direction of Richard Ross, a short, intense man with a buzz cut who looked like he had come straight out of a casting for the fiery head coach in the next inspirational sports movie, calisthenics started as practice got under way. Hitting blocking pads and pushing tackling sleds, perfect for the montage scene in said sports movie, didn’t seem much different than what you’d see at any high school football practice. Things got trickier when we began the more specific drills for forwards and backs (think linemen and skill players in football, respectively).

I quickly realized I was in over my head.

Coach Baker, once again, said it best when he told me, “You’ll feel like you have eight

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thumbs out there sometimes.” When I wasn’t accidentally tackling a teammate or stepping on someone’s hand in the ruck (a mini dog pile that took place whenever someone with the ball went down), I was pitching the ball to an empty space one of the backs on my team had vacated a second earlier.

After practice as some people scattered, others stayed around to grab a beer and hang out for a little while. Rugby has a very fraternal feel. Those who play have a common interest wherever they go. One of the great things about a close-knit sport like this one is an instant social group to grab a drink with at the pub, crack jokes and talk trash about the last scrimmage with. As a newcomer who showed little promise on the field, it was gratifying to be accepted into the fold with several members encouraging me to come back for another practice or complimenting me for attempting it in the first place.

rugby L E F T PAG E

C O L U M B I A O U T L AW S T E AM H U D D L E

S H AN S C H A U F F L E R

— T O P R OW T E AM S E T S O U T J E R S E Y I N M E M O RY O F L O S T FAM I LY M E M B E R CHRIS MASON — BOTTOM ROW CHRIS SLATEN

Indoor Outdoor Sports

OLD FARTS’ LEAGUE Waking up the morning after my first rugby practice led me to the discovery that you don’t need an expensive gym membership to get a full-body workout. Muscle groups I didn’t know existed were so sore I debated a rain check on my next athletic endeavor. Let me preface this segment by stating that soccer is, by far and away, the most popular sport in the world, so it might seem a little out of place profiled here next to some lesser known pastimes.

However, most of us seem to think of eight-year-olds getting orange slices from their moms when we picture the average soccer player in Columbia. The guys at the Missouri Athletic Center, part of Wilson’s

Fitness off of Forum Boulevard, have something to say about that. For the last eleven years, the MAC has hosted a men’s over 30 league (in addition to leagues for just about every age group and gender) that some affectionately refer to as the Old Farts’ League (or the OFL for short). On Wednesday nights from 7-10:00, members of the six team league compete on an indoor field, talking trash and braving turf burns.

Ray St. Omer, a manager at the MAC and OFL participant, graciously waved the age restriction to let me play a couple of games one Wednesday. I quickly learned that the nickname of the league was a serious misnomer as I staggered off the field during a hockey-style substitution, out of breath after a five minute spurt of COMO L I V I N G

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bungled passes and errant shots.

Picking up the intricacies of indoor play took a little trial and error. The first time a player passed the ball off the wall to himself as he streaked by me, I was only able to turn and watch as he blasted a shot that nearly took our keeper’s head off.

That wasn’t the last time my poor defense led to a goal for the opposing team, but it did illustrate a good lesson for playing any of the sports I covered: pay attention to your surroundings or you will get burned.

Don’t let my struggles give you the impression that you need Lionel Messi’s foot skills to play in the OFL. A little effort takes you a long way. Alex George, a British expatriate, lawyer and columnist for COMO Living commented that what I lack

Chicken

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in skill (which is a lot), I try and make up for by running about a lot.

If you put in a little work, the worst you’ll get is a little ribbing before you’re offered a beer between games, and as Alex put it, “If you can’t poke fun at your mates, who can you poke fun at?”

CHICKEN AND PICKLE

After back-to-back days of intense team sports, I was looking forward to a little more relaxed night out with the Show-Me Pickleball Club. I won’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of pickleball, but you probably would have before long as it lays claim to the title of fast growing sport in America (several others share this assertion, but pickleball would appear to have as good a case as any of them). I’ll try to give a brief explanation. Played on a court slightly smaller than those used for tennis, combatants hit a wiffle ball back and forth across the net with solid paddles about twice the size of the ones you see in ping pong players’ hands. Got the idea? Alright, the best way to learn is to just get out on a court and play. Members of the club were kind enough to politely point out when I had broken a rule or made a mistake during one of the many nights they play at Albert Oakland Park.

The new pickleball-specific courts there were years in the making, but they’ve helped turn a group that started with a few couples eight years ago into an ever-growing association with 120 on their regular email list. These range from younger players like my friends and me, who learned most of the rules of the game in high school P.E. classes to an octogenarian or two who routinely whip those half their age.

The rapid expansion of the sport has a lot to do with the description Carole Kennedy, one of the club’s founders, gave me. “It was easy to learn, fun to play, great exercise and an opportunity to meet new people I would have not known otherwise.”

There are many former tennis players who have picked up the sport, which with its underhand serve and smaller court is not quite as physically demanding as its better known cousin. Don’t think that means it isn’t good exercise, especially when playing opponents whose skill far exceeds your own. You might think that a couple of reasonably fit twenty-something’s (my friends Tanner and Marcus were good enough to help me test pickleball out at a recent club gettogether.) would do well in a sport with a significantly higher median age, but you’d be very wrong. We quickly learned that a little skill and good technique more than made up for our perceived athletic advantages. But it was a great time, and the people we played were far too nice to rub it in our faces.

and

SWEET ELIZA SKINNER’S BAD@$* SONG If my week of touring Columbia’s fields and courts contained a few embarrassing moments, then my turn at the roller rink would fill a highlight reel of bloopers. The CoMo Derby Dames, our very own women’s flat track roller derby league, allowed me to wobble around on skates at a beginner’s practice one Monday night. It gave me a much greater appreciation for the skill on display at the scrimmage I watched the night before. Another sport that can’t be done justice COMO L I V I N G

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with one of my brief explanations, roller derby involves two teams in a tight pack circling an indoor track. Three blockers for each team try to clear space for their jammer, the person who scores points by passing members of the opposing team. Contact in the sport is a given. G-force, a Stephens College student who joined the team recently, said, “Roller derby is like rugby in stilettos.” The bouts are far more complicated than that, of course, but the great coaches at beginners’ practices (Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. at Empire Roller Rink) do a much better job of explaining it than I can.

Roller derby is easily the most colorful sport I’ve covered with members choosing fantastic, though often unprintable, derby names for referring to each other. A few that I can publish are Jo Danger, Slashtag, Phineas Rage, etc., just to give you an idea. Don’t let the bright outfits or amount of glitter fool you; these are serious athletes.

Complicated plays and maneuvers (with great names such as my personal favorite, soul crushing) are tough enough on a football field with breaks in between. Attempt them at speed on roller skates, and the degree of difficulty is stepped up a notch or two. Their competitive season will be finished by the time this article is printed, but I’d highly suggest giving it a whirl at a practice or watching a scrimmage to get a better idea of the sport.

Roller derby, as a full-contact sport played almost exclusively by women, is a very interesting study. Little things like free babysitters available at practices or the fact that I was one of just two guys among thirty women on skates stuck out to me, but it means much more to those that play. G-Force gave this description of what roller derby can teach girls. “I just got hit by a truck and I’m fine and I’m going to get up and I’m going to go to practice tomorrow,” she says.

There is more to the sport than a few empowering life lessons, though. Many of the women described the league as a community.

Members pitch in when someone needs help, and being in the group means always having a friend to grab a celebratory drink with after making it through a tough week.

This was the most common theme that I encountered with every team or league with which I spent time. People don’t just play because they need the exercise, but because they make great friends there. Having an instant social network through the bond of a sport that encourages teamwork and provides a readily available topic of conversation is one of the biggest benefits that playing as an adult has to offer. Whether you’re laughing together over a particularly spectacular fall in roller derby or cheering a great shot on the pickleball court, playing sports in Columbia is just a lot of fun.

Of course, the teams I covered are far from the only groups in or around the city. There are so many other places and ways to get involved that I’d need the full magazine to profile them all. Go play volleyball at The Deuce next summer, or check out the activities the Parks and Recreation Department has running year long. At the risk of sounding like the world’s least qualified motivational speaker, get up and get out there. Columbia has a whole world of possibilities waiting for you.

Pickle

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F E AT U R E

HOME {away from home} for the holidays

by AU D R E Y S H A R P

»

Tis the season to be jolly. The songs on the radio have switched over, and we’re all finding ourselves singing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “I’m Dreaming Of a White Christmas.” I’d also imagine that the decorations in your home have gone from pumpkins and candy corn to miniature sleighs with eight tiny reindeer, garland and red and green M&M’s. You might even have an extra-large cookie jar full at all times. (It’s ok; it’s legging season anyways.)

T

he holiday season is a time for traditions; the kind of traditions that if they’re a little bit weird, it’s ok. For example, my brothers and I are now the ages of 24 (almost 25) and 20.

Yet, when it’s time for a family picture, we have to take them in two places: in front of the Christmas tree and on the staircase. Christmas Eve is spent reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in our pajamas.

You’ll find me sitting the middle as I read every word, even though I can pretty much say it from memory. “‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicolas soon would be there…”

Here’s the catch. Since my family moved here in 1996, we’ve only been home for Christmas five times. We’ve only been able to attend Christmas Eve service at our church a handful of times. I can count, on one hand, the number of times we’ve actually “hung the stockings by the chimney with care” on Christmas Eve. It’s not that we don’t get to do all these things.

It’s just that we do them in a different place each year. With the exception 2003, 2005 and 2011 when we went to Shreveport, LA. In 1996, my family moved here from Muncie, Indiana. My dad, Rex, COMO COMO LLI IVVI INNGG

worked as the head athletic trainer for Ball State University for many years before taking the job as head athletic trainer for the University of Missouri. Now, in his 20th season, he is the associate athletic director, sports medicine, a title he earned in 2011. He directs the operation of the Dr. Glenn McElroy M.D. Sports Medicine Center, which serves as the primary treatment and rehabilitation facility for MU Athletics. The only sport that he travels with is football, which means when the team goes to a bowl game, the Sharp family goes to the bowl game.

Since 1997, the Mizzou football team has attended twelve bowl games: 1. 1997 Holiday Bowl in San Diego, California 2. 1998 Insight.com Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona 3. 2003 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana 4. 2005 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana 5. 2006 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas 6. 2008 Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas, Texas 7. 2008 Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas 8. 2009 Texas Bowl in Houston, Texas 9. 2010 Insight Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona 10. 2011 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana 11. 2014 Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas 12. 2015 Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida

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The Roush Family

“It h a s be e n an ad ju s tm e nt , bu t I d on’ t th ink th at we wo u l d trad e th ose e xp e rie n ce s o u t fo r a ‘n ormal ’ C h ris tma s t im e .”

- LYNN ROUSH The Tiemeyer Family

Contrary to what the popular majority might think, a football travel party doesn’t show up the day before the bowl game. Instead, we spend up to 10 days in the host city. All the arranging for the more than 800-person travel party is done by what I call The Bowl Team. The Bowl Team is made up of several key people to the athletic department: Colleen Lamond, Associate Athletic Director, Facility Operations and Event Management; Bryan Maggard, Executive Associate Athletic Director; Tim Hickman, Executive Associate Athletic Director; Dan Hopkins, Director of Football Operations; and Don Barnes, Assistant Athletic Director, Equipment.

» Packing Up Christmas

The Christmas spirit can go with you wherever you are. I’ve come to realize that after being away from home for several years over the holidays.

My dad told me about one of our first travel experiences. “The very first bowl opportunity we had after our move to Mizzou took us away to San Diego for Christmas,” he says. “Santa wrote the three of our children a letter that was delivered before we left for the trip and explained to the kids that even though we would be gone, he would make an extra effort to find us.”

One Christmas I remember being gone, and I wanted Santa to bring me an iPod. No, not an iPod Touch, but one of the chunky, white, spin-your-finger-around-the-dial, iPods. We left for the trip two days before Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we had our non-denominational service with the team and families who wanted to attend, went off to bed and woke up bright

and early just like I would have at home. I ran down the hall to my parent’s hotel room and knocked loudly on the door. Much to my surprise, there were three presents on the coffee table in their room, two for my brothers and one for me (I hoped). Sure enough, inside that wrapping paper was the most beautiful iPod you ever did see.

Another year, Ugg Boots were the thing. I felt like the last person on the planet who didn’t have a pair of the ugly, expensive, comfortable, oh-so-practical pair of boots. I think by this point they had been popular for two years. Two years I went without a pair of these boots. Again, the trip ended up being over Christmas. In fact, I think it was the Houston trip (Texas Bowl). All I wanted for Christmas was a pair of those dang boots. My brothers, who would have been 13, wanted cell phones. So, we did our usual thing.

We woke up early, ran down the hall, pounded on the door and saw the presents. I knew just from the size of the box that they had to be Ugg Boots. And sure enough, they were. I don’t think I took them off for weeks. My brothers got their cell phones too, and still haven’t put them down.

Several families have to pack up Christmas, so their kids can experience the joy of opening presents on Christmas morning. This is especially true with families who have young kids. Neisha and Casey Hairston have three young ones. They pack up a Christmas tree, presents and decorations each year we go to a bowl game. Other families that take part in bringing Christmas trees are the Barnes’, Kuligowskis, Hills, Hensons, Hickmans and many more. Packing up Christmas wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Mizzou equipment staff. For each trip, they rent COMO L I V I N G

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a special U-Haul just for Christmas trees, decorations and presents. Not only that, but they collect all of the luggage before we leave, drive it down to the hotel and put it in our rooms for us. Don Barnes and his staff work around the clock from the time they arrive in the host city. Once the semi-truck arrives, they unload all the bags, sort them according to room number, and make countless trips to each room. So many things have to be packed up and moved, and it wouldn’t be possible without the equipment staff!

In the past, to make my hotel room feel a bit more festive, I would usually add some Christmas lights for decorations. Not only did it make my hotel room look cute, but it made it feel like home.

» The Reason for the Season Shay Roush and Nathan Teimeyer of The Crossing Church are the team chaplains. Each year, they put together a beautiful Christmas Eve service for those who want to take part in celebrating Christ’s birth. This is something we have been doing for many years and something I look forward to each Christmas Eve. There’s something really extraordinary about getting to celebrate the holidays with those you are with during that special time.

“Our athletic administration has always been very generous and made special effort to have a non-denominational Christmas Eve service and a Christmas Day buffet for the entire travel party,” Rex says. “One bowl trip, our family did some spontaneous volunteer community service work on Christmas Day in the host community.

It was a very meaningful, rewarding time to serve complete strangers, and although we were

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considered goodwill ambassadors for Mizzou, we were just doing what felt natural.”

Shay and his family have been traveling with the team since its Independence Bowl appearance in 2005. “The first year we were asked to join the team, I didn’t know what a bowl trip was. I didn’t understand the concept.

It took me a while to know the purpose of it and the significance of it,” says Lynn Roush, Shay’s wife. “I was pregnant with my youngest son, and had a 5 and 2 year-old. Sleeping in a hotel room wasn’t fun, but it was the first year that we got to know some of the families on the trip and started to realize that we were part of something special that created new memories and experiences.”

New traditions had to be made, and family members who didn’t travel with the team had to adjust to the new plans. “My mom wasn’t very happy about us going on bowl trips because it meant that we could no longer make a trip up to Chicago at Christmas time,” Lynn adds. “It has been an adjustment, but I don’t think that we would trade those experiences out for a ‘normal’ Christmas time.”

Nathan Teimeyer and his wife, Rachel, have three young kids and the oldest is just nine years old. “[My kids] love the trips in general, and they don’t seem to have any problem being away from home on Christmas. We just do our Christmas morning in the hotel room, and they are still really excited.”

Even though the Teimeyer’s kids are younger, Nathan says they still talk about the trips. They have traveled to the Insight Bowl, both Cotton Bowl games and the Citrus Bowl.

“One thing I’m thankful for is the fact that my kids regularly remember and talk about experiences they’ve had on those trips,” Nathan says. “Being kids, they love just playing in the pool, doing stuff with other friends, etc.”

“We find time to gather with our extended families before or after the bowl week, but we truly enjoy the time away together as a family and with our football friends,” Rachel says.

When asked what one of their favorite memories were about traveling over the years, Rachel and Nathan shared a comical story:

“Last year at the Citrus Bowl, our then four -year-old son decided before anyone could stop him, to relieve himself in a planter by the pool right in front of Mike and Rocky Alden,” Nathan says. “I guess he didn’t want to have to go all the way over to the restroom. That might be a commentary on us as parents, but the Alden’s thought it was hilarious.”

Being one of the team chaplains means that Nathan gets to help plan the nondenominational Christmas Eve service we share together each year. “The Christmas Eve service is a great opportunity to celebrate the good news of Jesus with people who don’t have the option to go to their home church at a really important time of the year,” Nathan says. “That good news had a profound effect on our lives, and it’s why we got into ministry in the first place, so that’s a pretty good deal.”

» One Big Family

Tim Hickman and his wife, Karen, have two kids, Chris and Anna. They have also been traveling with the football team since the 1997 Holiday Bowl.

“Being gone for Christmas is what our kids know as Christmas,” Tim says. “It’s part of our family tradition. They look forward to traveling to bowls and spending time with our immediate family and the Mizzou family. A lot of our families have been here a long time. I have fond memories of all our kids growing up together. We also have great memories of the kids getting footballs signed by the players, the hotel hospitality and the many games.”

The Hickman’s also have a bowl tree that they pack up and take on all the trips. The tree is an important part of their holiday home away from home.

Christmas isn’t the only holiday that the Mizzou sports teams miss throughout the year.

Men’s and women’s basketball conflicts with Easter and spring break while football also tends to overlap with Thanksgiving each year, whether that be for a home or away game. For many years, my parents have opened up our doors on Thanksgiving for those who probably won’t get to go home to see their families.

“There is so much more that goes into the final product on the field that no one ever knows COMO COMO LLI IVVI INNGG

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except those of us that live it every day,” Rex says.

“Our family has grown up with Mizzou football, the team cast of characters might have changed every few years, but the bond lives on. Certainly the holidays, whether it be Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas are a special time for families.

When you work as closely with a team as the sports medicine staff does with Mizzou football, often a minimum of 80-85 hours per week, the members of the team become a second family.

The relationship is very symbiotic, with our immediate biologic family becoming part of the players’ family as well. No different for the other support staff and coaches.”

» Fond Memories The 2015 Citrus Bowl was the first bowl game that my brothers, Adam and Jered, and myself had to miss. To be honest, it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I remember finding out which bowl we were selected for, scrambling to look at dates, getting the itinerary and realizing that I just couldn’t make it down to Orlando.

That’s what sparked the idea for this story. Not only did I want to reflect and reminisce about all the fun times had on bowl trips, making new friends, experiencing new places and creating new memories, but I wanted to educate you, our reader, about what happens behind the scenes.

The University is such a huge part of Columbia, and to me, this town just wouldn’t be the same without it. If you talk to enough people in your circle, I’m sure you will find someone who has been on a bowl trip, experienced it first hand and has memories of their own. Whether they traveled to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl, made the trek to Shreveport a few times, visited Houston, San Antonio or San Diego, they probably have fun stories to share as well.

“I suppose the take away from the multiple holiday bowl experiences is that as long as the family can be together, the location is irrelevant,” Rex says. “New traditions and customs can be made and blended with the old.”

Growing up as part of the Mizzou family has been a wonderful part of my childhood, and I really wouldn’t have had it any other way. MIZ!

SEASONS of CHANGE M U SE N I OR EMBRAC ES LIFE FOLLOWING A SLEDDING ACC IDENT.

by BETH BRAMSTEDT

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For the most part, her life looks like any other University of Missouri college student. She invests her days in class, doing homework and hanging out with friends. She volunteers at KLIFE, an interdenominational Christian ministry, and spends weekends engaged in campus activities with her Alpha Phi sorority sisters.

Since August 1, home is “Little Burnam,” a quaint two-story brick house in a quiet neighborhood near the sorority, which she shares with the same three girls she has roomed with for almost three years.

She talks about her upcoming graduation with excitement and can’t believe she will be attending the ceremony with her classmates in May. After finishing up two summer classes, she plans to receive her diploma in health science and be one step closer to a career as a Registered Nurse.

Yet just nine months ago, Kathleen Oglesby’s future was much less certain.

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LEFT: KATHLEEN AND ANNA HOWSER | KATIE STEPANEK AND KATHLEEN

KORY MCDONALD AND KATHLEEN

Photos by Ben Meldrum

[DISTRESS]

Sitting comfortably in her wheelchair, sporting leggings, an oversized shirt and bare feet, Kathleen recounts the day last February that changed her life.

“My sister Olivia and I were surprised to get a new sled for Christmas,” she shares, her voice animated and her eyes twinkling with anticipation. “MU had a snow day, and I really wanted to go sledding.”

In an effort to take advantage of the remaining daylight, the girls stopped the movie they were watching, rushed to get dressed and dashed out the door. They chose a spot in a residential neighborhood just off Crestwood Lane. “It was a fun, steep hill, and we decided to try it out,” Kathleen explains.

While waiting for Kathleen’s boyfriend, Kory McDonald, and another friend to arrive, the sisters decided to give it a shot. “There were a lot of people and trees around,” Kathleen remembers, as she replays the events back in her mind. “We tried to avoid them, but the sled flipped around and all I remember is flying backwards.”

When the sled came to a halt, it had slammed into a tree, and Kathleen couldn’t feel her legs. She was cold and shaking and remembers talking to her sister about calling 911. “After that, it all gets fuzzy,” she recalls.

Kathleen now knows that firemen showed up at the scene, strapped her in the sled and pulled her up the hill to the ambulance. While most of her memories of that period are blank, she does remember a few random things.

“I remember being disappointed that my new leggings were ruined,” she commented with a laugh, and she recalls repeatedly asking the emergency personnel, “Am I going to be paralyzed forever?”

That question has yet to be answered, although her prognosis is hopeful.

After a three-hour surgery, the doctors shared that Kathleen’s COMO L I V I N G

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condition revealed cracks in several vertebrae and damage to her spinal cord. Thankfully, the accident had not severed the nerve, so they believed Kathleen had a chance to walk again.

[ADJUSTMENT]

Armed with that information, Kathleen began the grueling battle of physical therapy and getting healthy. She spent several weeks in the hospital, followed by a month at Rusk Rehabilitation Center, a month in her Columbia home and another three weeks at Rusk.

“When I first got to Rusk, I was in shock and confused,” Kathleen explains. Having been surrounded by supportive people while she was hospitalized, Kathleen hadn’t experienced much alone time. Without time to think, she admits being unaware of just how her injuries would impact her life the following weeks and months.

When she got to Rusk, she realized that there were things she might never get to do. She admits those were some of her darkest days.

“The days and weeks after the accident were painful,” Kory describes. “I knew the best thing I could do for her was to be present, to help her stay positive and smiling.”

Her sister was one of her biggest cheerleaders. “I have the strongest sister in the world,” Olivia wrote on Facebook a few weeks after the accident. “I’m so proud of how strong she is and I love her so much!”

Eventually, through the support of her family and friends, Kathleen realized “it might be possible to do everything I want. It will just look different.”

Through continued physical therapy, practice and her optimistic attitude, Kathleen has mastered many of the skills needed to be selfsufficient. Transferring in and out of bed and vehicles has become easier, and she is proud to have recently put on her first pair of jeans since the accident.

“Moving has forced me to be a lot more self-reliant,” Kathleen DE C E MB E R - 2 01 5

CLARE HANKS, KATIE STEPANEK, ANNA HOWSER AND KATHLEEN

admits. Her friends happily rearranged their sleeping quarters to grant Kathleen the basement bedroom, which has easy outside access. A chair lift gets her up to the kitchen and living room on the main level.

The disability office at the university even worked with her to assure all of her classes were close together.

Despite enormous progress, Kathleen does admit that some things, such as cooking, are still difficult. “It’s hard to move all those pots and pans around,” she describes, simulating the process with hand gestures and a big grin, but she says she’s learning to make due.

Kory has noticed a few changes, too. “Things take a little longer now,” he explains, “and I have become a professional piggy back giver.” He says the accident has given them a reason to spend more time together and helped them find joy in the small things in life.

Sells, foundation communications coordinator.

“I’m not scared about driving again, just excited,” Kathleen shares with enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling. “It’s a push-pull system. You push for the gas and pull for the brake. It seems easy.”

[GRATITUDE]

In reflecting on gratitude this holiday season, Kathleen is thankful for her friends, her family and her faith.

“Everyone has been so supportive, and my faith has kept me rooted in what I believe and helped me stay positive,” she shares.

Specifically, Kathleen is grateful for everyone who texts just to ask if she needs a ride and for friends who go out of their way to make disappointing circumstances fun. During football season she was feeling sad that she could no longer sit in the student section. “But Kory made a point to sit with me in the ADA seating area and make it a positive experience,” she says And then there are the kids at KLIFE. “The elevator is broken right now,” she explains with a giggle, “so they make a game out of getting me up and down the stairs.”

And the gratitude goes both ways. Audrey High, women’s director for the Christian organization, respects Kathleen’s constant joy and genuine love for others. “I am consistently blown away by Kathleen’s maturity in understanding how her faith relates to her injury,” Audrey says. “She’s a great example of a faithful, dedicated leader who takes the influence she has on students’ lives seriously.”

Kory describes Kathleen as an incredibly positive person. “I truly do look up to her,” he says, “and how she doesn’t let anything get her down.”

Kathleen also sees herself as happy and cheerful, and says she loves to smile and laugh. She hopes telling her story will inspire other people facing adversity. For those who know her, it seems it already has.

[HOPE]

Kathleen’s body continues to move forward as well. “I’m getting more feeling back,” she shares as she massages her thighs, “especially in my upper legs. That means some signals are getting through.”

What does the future look like for Kathleen? “I’m ready to drive!” she exclaims. “I’m excited to have that little freedom back and not feel like a bum getting rides everywhere.” Kathleen has passed her driver’s test and received her license. “Now I just need a car,” she says with hope. Her dream will soon be a reality thanks to support from the community and the Veteran’s United Foundation.

To get a car modified, Kathleen explains, it needs to have less than 100,000 miles. Hers did not. Friends rallied this spring to raise money in support, and Kathleen believes those funds will be used toward purchasing an adaptive vehicle equipped with hand controls for her.

In mid-October, the foundation agreed to donate the remaining funds needed for the project. “Kathleen’s positive attitude during her recovery is inspiring to Veterans United employees,” shared Lindsey COMO L I V I N G

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F E AT U R E

A TIME

FOR GIVING

T H E M I D-M I SSO UR I CO M M U NITY GIVES BAC K THROUGH LOC AL NONP ROF I T S .

by NICOLE FLOOD

D

with on a daily basis. “I am inspired by the amount of talent, time and treasure that our community gives back each year,” says Andrew Grabau, executive director at the Heart of Missouri United Way. “I see this generosity daily through my interactions with community volunteers, the business community, our strong faith community and community leaders and stakeholders.” The 2014 Heart of Missouri United Way campaign raised $2.8 million dollars from the community.

Nonprofits in the area work together to help serve the population. “I think the community is incredibly generous, and I feel a personal responsibility to help connect dots in this community, so they understand how the agencies actually work together rather than competitively,” says Susan Reeves, director of advancement at Great Circle.

In addition to events held throughout the year by local nonprofits, several events occur during the holidays. A communitywide campaign of end of the year gifts called CoMoGives is held December 1 - 31 online at www.comogives.com. CoMoGives is a product of the Community Foundation of Central Missouri. This year marks the third year for the event with 71 local organizations participating. In 2014, 53 organizations participated and collected $264,000. The event is donor directed, and individuals can visit the website to donate to the organization of their choice.

“Find that charity that resonates with you, and find a way to be supportive of it because we need everybody’s help to really make a difference,” Lindsay says. Here is how the local community gives back to a few of the nonprofits in the area:

uring the holiday season, the old adage, “It’s better to give than to receive,” is passed around tenfold.

Holiday songs even echo this call to action with wishes of good tidings and goodwill toward men.

With a chill in the air and festive heart, it’s a time many of us feel generosity toward each other. In the Columbia area though, it seems that time for giving occurs all year round.

Approximately 1,200 nonprofit organizations are registered in the Columbia and Boone County area. These organizations have missions and offer services including health services, empowerment, career training, art and culture, education, human services and animals. According to a preliminary report received by the Community Foundation of Central Missouri, in Boone County alone, nearly a quarter of a billion dollars funneled through the nonprofit sector for goods and services in 2014. This revenue was generated through income for services, foundation grants, federal, state and local dollars, and individual donations.

Aside from monetary donations, the community volunteers and offers assistance through donations of blood, food, clothing and time. The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, for example, had more than 44,000 volunteers in 2014, which doubled their work force. “Volunteers are so essential to the work that we do,” says Lindsay Lopez, executive director at the food bank. “We are so grateful for the volunteers that we have.” The food bank also distributed 33 million pounds of food in 2014, which positions them as one of the largest food banks in the country.

The American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri annually holds the largest blood drive in the country at the University of Missouri. The Red Cross brings in resources from all over the country to support the three-day blood drive that typically collects 5,500 units of blood. University of Missouri alumni associations in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and throughout the state hold blood drives in conjunction with this event.

The Heart of Missouri United Way provides support to more than 50 local social service nonprofit agencies through advocating and volunteering. As advocates, the United Way helps bring awareness to community issues their partner agencies work COMO L I V I N G

“FIND THAT CHARITY THAT RESONATES WITH YOU, AND FIND A WAY TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF IT BECAUSE WE NEED EVERYBODY’S HELP TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.” -LINDSAY LOPEZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOOD BANK FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MISSOURI.

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F E AT U R E

AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MISSOURI www.redcross.org/mo/jefferson-city The mission of the Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Blood drives are just one of the five service lines of the Red Cross in addition to disaster relief, preparedness, health and safety, services to armed forces and international services.

The Central and Northern Missouri chapter serves 29 counties and has 429 volunteers.

“We have a staff of six covering 29 counties,” says David Griffith, executive director. “We couldn’t do that without our volunteer force.”

Of all services delivered across the country, 95 percent are delivered by volunteers.

In 2014, the Red Cross helped 261 families under the disaster relief service line in the central and northern Missouri area, who were affected by a house fire. The Red Cross helps connect them with partner agencies in the community, such as the United Way, to help facilitate their road to recovery. “I think that’s the key thing,” David says. “We’re not just

giving handouts, we’re giving a hand up, and they have to own that recovery themselves.”

Including the 5,500 units of blood acquired on Mizzou’s campus, The Red Cross collectively accumulated 42,199 units of blood in central and northern Missouri in 2014. One unit of blood has the potential of saving three lives.

Under the service to armed forces line, the Red Cross is the only organization that can communicate directly with commanders in the field. In times of crisis, they can communicate messages to your deployed family members.

The Red Cross also supports veterans at the VA Hospital in Columbia, VFWs and the American Legion, and those members at Ft. Leonard Wood and in National Guard Units.

Last year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program collected and distributed nearly 7,000 holiday cards to active duty military and veterans. This year, Holiday Mail for Heroes will have a card signing in the Columbia Mall on December 5.

In 2014, $290,000 came from individual donations in the eastern region and another $200,000 came in through grants and foundations. “The gifts alone speak volumes to me,” David says. “We appreciate all donations; it shows their support and that they believe in what we’re doing.” Recently, Storage Mart became a $50,000 Ready 365 partner. Ready

"SIMPLY PUT COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE HEART OF MISSOURI UNITED WAY. " ANDREW GRABAU, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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365 engages companies and corporations to donate ahead of a disaster.

Under the preparedness, health and safety service line, 11,146 students were trained in central and northern Missouri last year in lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid.

The Good Samaritan Award is presented during the annual Heroes Dinner to one youth and one adult who stepped up and saved someone’s life in their service. The event takes place in March, and they are accepting nominations for the award in December and January.

“There aren’t many jobs that you have that you know that every day you have affected somebody’s life,” David says. “Truly, every single day I can see something the Red Cross has done to make a difference in someone’s life and to be able to stand with them during their darkest hour.”

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL MISSOURI cfcmfoundation.org “The Community Foundation of Central Missouri is for anyone who wants to make a positive difference by engaging in charitable giving,” says John Baker, executive director. “We try to match donors to causes they care about, and we have a tagline of ‘Working together.

Improving lives.’” The Community Foundation started in 2010 and in calendar year 2015, they will pass on more than one million dollars to local charitable organizations or projects.

Everything in the nonprofit world happens through nonprofits fulfilling their philanthropic missions. The Community Foundation provides funding resources for those missions to be fulfilled, but nothing happens without the charitable donations, Baker says. “We are a great philanthropic tool to have in the community because of our flexibility and the breadth of our reach,” he says. “Our primary goal is to establish funds that will grow overtime and distribute overtime and for those who want to have a longlasting impact with their philanthropic dollar.”

Part of this is through CoMoGives, which is a product of the Community Foundation, and the rest is from distributions out of the 62 component funds the Community Foundation manages for their donors. In 2013, 30 organizations participated and collected $62,500. This year’s participation grew to 71 organizations with hopes that the donations will surpass last year’s fundraising efforts of $264,000.

F E AT U R E celebratory 5K running event.

The program is offered in both the spring and fall to sites in midMissouri. This fall, 162 girls took part in the program. “We could not offer Girls on the Run without our committed and amazing community volunteers,” Cheryl says. Fifty-four volunteers worked with the girls at the 11 partnering sites this past fall. The Heart of Missouri Girls on the Run has served more than 400 girls in mid-Missouri during its four year history.

Heart of Missouri Girls on the Run is supported by local individuals, civic organizations and local businesses. Part of the organization is supported through registrations fees, however scholarships are available (33 percent of the fall’s participants received a scholarship).

“Having the opportunity to equip these girls with the tools necessary to stand up to pressure placed on them by their peers and the culture in which we live, I wake up every day knowing I’m making a meaningful difference in the lives of mid-Missouri girls,” Cheryl says.

GREAT CIRCLE www.greatcircle.org

“Essentially, we provide comprehensive, specialized behavioral health services for children and families,” says Susan Reeves, director of advancement at Great Circle. The organization formed in 2009, and their services in the central region are comprised of home and community-based (60 percent), intensive treatment (30 percent) and special education (10 percent). “So there are all kinds of things that are happening to help families be successful in staying together,” Susan says.

“We’re working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental and behavioral health and help open doors for people to get the help they need.”

In 2014, Great Circle served 20,536 individuals across all programs throughout the state. In the central region, they provided specialized behavioral health services for 2,780 children and family members. Strong partnerships with area businesses and organizations aid in volunteering time to help Great Circle meet basic human needs, such as tutoring, HEART OF MISSOURI UNITED WAY back-to-school drives, recreational activities and much more. www.uwheartmo.org Great Circle’s largest fundraising events throughout the year are the Golf Classic for Kids and the Diamond Night Gala. The Golf As advocates, the United Way helps bring awareness to community issues Classic for Kids event raised nearly $50,000 in 2015. Diamond Night their partner agencies work with daily. “We also provide opportunities was held on November 6, and 450 people attended. The gala is their for capacity building within the agencies and provide financial support largest fundraiser supporting service in this region raising more than for agencies in supporting specific areas of our community,” Andrew $100,000. The event celebrates the successes in the transformation of says. In addition, the United Way also helps align volunteer opportunities the youth in their care. The gala also has a silent and live auction, as well between agencies and the community. as a Fund-a-Need-Appeal.

“United Way promotes an understanding of the larger issues Great Circle also does an end-of-the-year drive to be able to give the involving poverty and how we can work with the community at better 200 children in their care a holiday. During the holiday season, they addressing the root causes with strategic programs,” Andrew says. are looking to recruit people who are willing to do a general drive for the children or adopt a wish list.

“Not only are we meeting basic needs and "HUNGER KNOWS NO SEASON" taking care of people, but I really do feel like LINDSAY LOPEZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR we’re doing some amazing things in getting people to where they have the ability to move forward in their lives and to turn the corner, which has long term effects for our community,” Susan says.

HEART OF MISSOURI GIRLS ON THE RUN heartofmissourigirlsontherun.org By using experience-based curriculum that integrates running, Heart of Missouri Girls on the Run has lessons focusing on body image, selfesteem, gossip and team community service. It is not a running club but rather a physical activitybased, positive youth development program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade. “It’s a youth (girl) empowerment program with specific goals to build life skills that equip girls to appreciate their own strengths and to acknowledge and encourage the strengths of others,” says Cheryl Unterschutz, council director. At the end of the 10-week program, the girls complete a COMO L I V I N G

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F E AT U R E By supporting 31 United Way funded local agency partners, more than 51,835 needs were addressed last year.

“Simply put, community volunteers are the backbone of the Heart of Missouri United Way,” Andrew says. “We could not do our job without their year-round participation and dedication. The community in the greater Columbia area is highly involved. More than 130 companies and 200 volunteers helped engage the community in the Heart of Missouri United Way campaign in 2014, which raised $2.8 million.

“What is most fulfilling is knowing that we are making a difference in our community with all of the various stakeholders we interact with,” he says. “We are a convener between the partner agencies, their clients, our business community, city and county governments, and the community at large.

We bring the community together around a common call to action to make a difference and be a part of something greater to benefit everyone in our community.”

JOB POINT www.jobpointmo.org “We primarily educate and train folks with skills and then help them find and maintain jobs,” says Steve Smith, interim president and CEO. “Basically, helping people get and maintain jobs is our bottom line goal.” Job Point celebrated 50 years of service this year and held several events to show appreciation in the community. They held a day of service, which helped 50 individuals in the community find placement in jobs such as yard work. They also put on a concert in Stephens Park and held a carnival for children in the community.

Job Point serves more than 500 clients each year teaching hard skills, such as HVAC installation or Certified Nursing Assistant courses, and also soft skills, such as being on time, dressing appropriately and controlling your emotions. In addition, Job Point also helps with resumé preparation, mock interviews and appropriate dress. Most of Job Point’s clients are referred to them and most receive scholarship or the services provided are paid for by several different sources. Steve adds that people in the community put in a lot of time and effort whether they are a board member, committee member or a supporter.

In 2014, funds that came from the Columbia area including fees for service, grants and

donations, which totaled roughly $400,000.

Steve says the most rewarding and inspirational part of the year is at the graduation ceremony and getting to celebrate the success with their clients. “Another focus is helping employers fill jobs in the community and obviously taking folks and helping them be self-sufficient citizens,” he says.

THE FOOD BANK FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MISSOURI sharefoodbringhope.org “Our mission exists because we want to ensure that we are able to feed people who are hungry in our service region,” Lindsay Lopez, executive director at the food bank,” says. One in five people in this community throughout Missouri and across the country are considered food insecure, which means they may not know where their next meal is coming from.

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri serves 32 counties, which covers 18,000 square miles. The food bank serves 114,000 people monthly, and their 17 fleet vehicles help distribute food to people who need it. In 2014, 44,000 volunteers helped the food bank, and effectively doubled their workforce of 54 employees. In 2014, the food bank also distributed 33 million pounds of food, which positioned them as one of the largest food banks in the country. Throughout the 32 county service region, they work with 130 partner agencies, which are on the front lines of delivering food to people in their area.

“Columbia is an incredibly generous community and of course I would encourage everybody to get involved with the food bank because I believe in the mission,” Lindsay says.

“Volunteer or participate in a food drive or make a contribution.”

The food bank is part of a network of 204 food banks across the country called Feeding America. Of the six food banks in Missouri, they are the only one that provides food at no charge, and they are one of 14 in their food network of 204 that provides food for free.

The food bank’s Buddy Pack program provides food to children to help supplement their meals on weekends and holidays. The food bank works with 150 partner schools and provides 7,500 Buddy Packs on a weekly basis – 1,700 in Boone County alone. The food bank partners with 38 schools and early learning centers and three school pantries in Boone County who identify students in need.

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The food bank sponsors two large food drives. The Partnership Against Hunger happens the Tuesday before Thanksgiving every year in collaboration with Schnucks grocery stores in Columbia and Jefferson City and in partnership with Walmart throughout the service area from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. The One for One Holiday Food Drive takes place December 16 from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. in the parking lot at the intersection of Providence and Broadway.

“Hunger knows no season,” Lindsay says.

“We are so appreciative of people being in the spirit of giving during the holiday season, but hunger is an existence all year long, and we hope that people will remember that when the holidays are over.”

›

Other Holiday Nonprofit Events Voluntary Action Center: Annual Holiday Program Great Circle: Holiday Gift Drive

Rainbow House: Annual Adopt-A-Family Program

Room at the Inn: Emergency Homeless Shelter

Salvation Army: Kettle Drive Salvation Army’s Harbor House: Cold Cot Program Coyote Hill Christian Children’s Home: Annual Christmas for Kids Program

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri: One for One Holiday Food Drive

American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri: Holiday Mail for Heroes

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Florals by Katie Burnham Wilkins

P

astel pink and white feathers for holiday decorations? Of course. The nontraditional but elegant décor in this holiday home reflects the design mind behind the creation. Jesse Bodine is fearless, and her work is a true thing of beauty.

Whether taking a leap of faith by changing career paths or starting a new business, this Columbia mom and entrepreneur knows how to trust and follow her heart. Her grandmother, a source of her inspiration, would be proud.

In 2011, Jesse was working as nurse in the neonatal unit at Boone Hospital when she started a home design blog, scoutandnimble. com. A creative outlet, the blog enabled her to share interior design and before-and-after projects with friends and family.

“I’ve always been passionate about home design,” Jesse says. “As a kid, I was always changing up my bedroom creating floor plans. Light fixtures, blinds, bedding – I wanted comforter catalogs, not toy catalogs because I was always searching for products.”

JESSE'S BOYS' ANGEL WINGS VALENTINE'S DAY PROJECT FROM LAST YEAR GRACE THE CHAIR BACKS

In college, Jesse followed another one of her loves, which was a desire to help others, and studied for a career in health care.

“Design was my big passion,” she says. “But I didn’t know I could make a living at it.”

Her Scout & Nimble blog was a place for Jesse to record her home design projects from refinishing end tables to a kitchen makeover, and she had no idea the following that she would build. What was playtime for Jesse to indulge her passions quickly grew into something more.

“When I started to get requests for design help beyond family, I thought why not make this a business?” she says.

Today, Jesse offers interior design services locally in Columbia, but her reach is anything but limited by geographic location. Currently, Scout & Nimble has 36,900 followers on Instagram (@ scoutandnimble), and Jesse leads a unique online retail operation that brings together designers from all over the world to design entire rooms for sale to the public.

“It’s a resource for consumers, designers and businesses,” she says about her website, COMO L I V I N G

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which launched in 2014. “It’s not just a retail shop.”

At home in Columbia, Jesse is mother to Henry, age 7, and Oliver, age 5, and wife to Sam, her partner in www.scoutandnimble. com. When it comes to decorating for the holidays, she argues that you have more creative license to try things you might not normally.

“I love the holidays,” she says. “There’s a lot of fear for people when it comes to decorating. I love the fact that the holidays are the perfect excuse to do some bolder, riskier moves. It doesn’t have to be forever,” she adds.

The whimsical pink decorations that decked her home during the 2014 holiday season give evidence to the great results that come from doing things a little differently.

“I was loving all the blush colors I was noticing last year,” she says. “And with two boys, I don’t often get to incorporate pink. I wanted to give the space a sense of whimsy, relaxation and softness. I’m a big believer that space around you affects your life. A space should be a reflection of the person or

Peace Frosty

Joy Misteltoe

H O ME TO U R

PA STEL PI NK AND WHI TE FEATHERS FOR HOLI DAY DEC ORATIONS? OF COURSE.

people that live in it, and I tend to decorate rooms based on how I want someone to feel in a space,” she says.

For Jesse, the holiday season was the perfect time to pull in a soft, romantic look and create a soothing environment for herself and her family. The gentle pinks and sparkling silver, feathers, the soft texture of a sheepskin rug and various florals created the desired affect.

“This time of year is crazy,” she says. “I wanted to walk in and feel transported.”

Jesse encourages others to take risks with their designs, particularly during the holidays, a great time for a temporary change. Her advice? Start with the traditional then add a splash of boldness.

“Take the green or red and bring in a less common color. Find some of those pinks. An accent color goes a long way. Even if it’s only used in 10 percent of a room, it can make it different.”

Jesse encourages working on a collection by buying one extra color of ornaments and following a direction.

“You don’t have to buy all new stuff,” she says. “It doesn’t take a lot to change up the whole décor.”

In the example of her holiday home, Jesse started with her existing white, gold and silver ornaments and decorations. She pulled sheepskin rugs from other areas of in her home to create COMO L I V I N G

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the tree skirt. The boys’ angel wings Valentine’s Day project from the year before graced the chair backs. A trip to the Dollar Store leaded her to the fake pink floral bundles that she placed within the tree and used for the fireplace garland, which was an easy and inexpensive pop of pink.

“I don’t go out and purchase new items every year,” she says. “I will mix and match from previous years, shop other areas of my home for items that go with my theme and create new items by DIYing items or making small purchases to fill in any gaps.”

She also keeps her eyes on items her friends and family might be ready to pass on in order to add to her treasure trove. Tree stumps that a friend no longer wanted created perfect pedestals in the holiday design and added another natural element. Jesse also used her grandmother's silver and crystal to hold small ornaments, florals and decorations throughout the house.

The story of Jesse’s grandmother reveals the meaning behind the name for her blog (and now retail site), Scout & Nimble. Marjorie Walbridge Henslee, or Yai-Yai as her grandchildren called her, was always an inspiration to her.

“Brave, strong, courageous, confident and determined are just a few of the adjectives that I would use to describe her,” Jesse says in her February 27, 2014 blog post about Yai-Yai. “She is my ultimate definition of a strong woman.”

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Left on a New York doctor’s doorstep as a baby, Yai-Yai was given up by parents who couldn’t care for her and then adopted.

As a young woman, for the sake of her four children, she made the difficult decision in the early 1960s to end her marriage, seek a divorce and relocate. She ended up establishing her own farm in Springfield, Missouri.

As a single mom, working a man’s job in a man’s world, YaiYai set an example of strength that was integral to Jesse’s personal growth.

“She was a woman who literally did not worry,” Jesse shares in her blog. “She would choose a direction and then she’d fully go after it never looking back and never afraid that it wouldn’t work. She knew that if it didn’t pan out, another door would open and something else would be there. Yai-Yai wasn’t afraid of a challenge or hard work and never feared going against the grain.”

When Jesse started her blog in 2011, choosing a name that tied back to Yai-Yai was only fitting. “(Yai-Yai) named all of her vehicles and the two that sat in the garage were Scout & Nimble,” Jesse says.

Scout was the workhorse vehicle, “a blue International Scout that was filled to the brim with hay.” Nimble was a gray 1986 Buick Riviera, Yai-Yai’s going-to-town car for errands, church and social events.

The dichotomy of the two vehicles reveal both strength and social grace, traits Jesse has needed to launch a business that now connects with designers and decorators, professional and DIYers, all over the world.

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Call Courtney Stoddard for your consultation.

573-819-4020 | cstoddard@budgetblinds.com

COMO L I V I N G

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In House

Sewing Center

573-445-4906 1414 Rangeline St., Columbia, MO www.BooneSewingCenter.com columbiasewingcenter@gmail.com JA NUA RY - 2016

Dental Excellence, Compassionate Care From the appointment desk to the exam chair, our caring and competent staff ensures the most positive experience possible. We’re your local choice for: • advanced dental diagnostic and treatment options • the all natural, drug free, anti-anxiety technique (NuCalm) • a comprehensive selection of cosmetic options • comprehensive dentistry for the entire family

Shelley A. Lyle DDS, PC Molly Tegerdine DDS General Dentistry

COMO L I V I N G

Welcoming New Patients | We Have EXPANDED Hours Payment options through Care Credit 3111 Keene Ct., Columbia • 573-442-1869 DDSColumbia.com

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COMO L I V I N G

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COMO L I V I N G

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W H AT T H E P R O S K N OW

WHAT THE PROS KNOW Whether it's home maintenance, style tips or buying advice, this team has you covered.

CALE KLIETHERMES

KLIETHERMES HOMES AND REMODELING

BRANDON GERAU

SHAUN HENRY

LANDMARK BANK

SARAH FROST

BRIAN HAZELRIGG

STUDIO HOME

COMO L I V I N G

ATKINS

STATE FARM

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W H AT T H E P R O S K N OW

THERE’S MORE TO A PROJECT’S COST THAN LABOR AND MATERIALS

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

M

any people often think that when the cost seems out of proportion to the actual materials and labor required to complete the job, the difference is lining the contractor’s pockets.

Believe it or not, despite the fact that remodeling can seem expensive, it’s not a highly profitable business, especially when you consider the amount of risk a contractor has to assume every time he or she takes on a new project. Plus, the amount of effort it takes to keep a project on track. In addition to the actual labor and materials, there are so many other expenses every successful contractor must figure into the price in order to survive.

Without having a basic understanding of this, you might simply disqualify one or more of the actual professional contractors you have considered simply by believing that the price is too high.

The list to the right is some of the key elements that make up overhead in every successfully managed remodeling company. If one or more of these essential elements is missing, the company’s ability to manage your project and provide quality service drops considerably.

These are just some of the items that a professional contractor has to account for.

When you consider that all of these items have to be paid for out of the money that’s left after paying for labor and materials, it’s hard to believe remodeling does cost even more!

This all adds up to a substantial amount of money. In order to cover overhead, a contractor typically must add between 40-60 percent (or more) depending on various factors of the actual cost of labor and materials required to complete your project. Again, this is just to cover overhead expenses. It doesn’t include profit. Most professional contractors try to maintain a 5-10 percent profit when all is said and done. Without a profit, the contractor will eventually go out of business.

The next time you receive a price from a contractor that seems too high, don’t make assumptions. He might very well just be trying to pay for the very things that allow him to survive and provide a good, reliable service to you and a good environment for his employees. Beware of the contractor that tells you his prices are low because he keeps his overhead down. Chances are high that there will be trouble ahead.

CALE KLIETHERMES

FACTS THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ITEMS A PROFFESIONAL CONTRACTOR HAS TO ACCOUNT FOR.

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

- Material price increases, which might not be billable once a job is quoted - Warranty repairs - Tools and equipment - Trucks, repairs and maintenance, fuel - Continuing education, training and industry events.

- Computers and software - Business loans and interest - Accountant’s fees - Production supervision and management - Advertising, marketing and sales costs - Telephone, cell phones, pagers - Office rent - Office supplies - Stationery and printing expenses - Website hosting, and internet - Worker’s compensation and liability insurance - Health insurance - Paid vacations and holidays - Staff meetings - Payroll expenses - Office administration and management - Time doing “free” estimates

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W H AT T H E P R O S K N OW

TOP 10 FAQ’S

BY BRANDON GERAU

CHECK OUT THESE ANSWERS FROM YOUR LOCAL MORTAGE LENDING EXPERT.

?

Find more at: www.landmarkbank.com

TOP 10 FAQ'S

1.What is the minimum down payment?

There are many types of loans that require different down payments.

A bigger down payment might mean a lower interest rate and better loan terms. If you do not put 20 percent down, you will have mortgage insurance that will raise your monthly payments.

6. What are interest rates?

The loan estimate will break down the interest rates and fees. It will include the annual percentage rate (APR) which accounts for the interest rate, points, fees and other charges you will pay for the mortgage. Interest rates fluctuate every day.

2. What are the qualifying guidelines for these loans?

There are many factors that play into getting approved. Income, employment status, assets and credit history are just a few of the factors. With different loans mean different guidelines. Types of loans include VA, USDA, FHA, Home Possible and Conventional.

7. Will I have points to pay?

Lenders might charge discount points, which reduce the interest rate. Make sure to check if they are charging you or not. You also have the option to buy down the rate, which in some cases it is beneficial.

3. What are closings costs?

Closing costs consist of services provided by the lender and other parties, title companies and insurance companies. The lender is required to send out a loan estimate stating all fees that will be included in the loan.

8. How long might this process take?

Typically it takes 30-45 days to close on the loan. This process might have some delays if you’re doing a government loan and it’s a busy season.

9. Is there anything that would delay the closing?

If you change jobs or your pay changes, it could delay the loan. If you acquire any new debt since you started the process or have a change in credit history, it could create obstacles in closing the loan.

4. When can I lock in a rate?

There has to be a signed contract by both parties in order to lock in a rate. Typically, 60 day locks are as far out as you can go.

5. What documents do I need to provide?

In most cases you will need tax returns from the previous two years, a W2 from the previous two years, most recent bank statements from the previous 2 months and most current pay stub (a full month’s worth).

BRANDON GERAU

NMLS# 977618

I have been with Landmark Bank for three years now. I am a mortgage lender at our new office on the corner of Forum and Chapel Hill. I have my undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and am currently pursing my master’s in financial planning at MU. You can reach me at 573-499-7327 or email me at brandon. gerau@landmarkbank.com.

COMO L I V I N G

10. is there a pre-payment penalty?

Most lenders do not require a pre-payment penalty, and you can make as many payments as you would like. Make sure to check if there is a penalty.

IF YOU DO NOT PUT 20 PERCENT DOWN, YOU WILL HAVE MORTGAGE INSURANCE THAT WILL RAISE YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS. - 83 -

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W H AT T H E P R O S K N OW

WINTER IS UPON US Find more at: www.atkinsinc.com

THE CHANGING SEASON IS ALL TOO SOON SOME MIGHT SAY AND AS MUCH I ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND THE COOLER WEATHER, I CAN’T SAY THAT I’M A FAN OF THE SNOW, ESPECIALLY WITH AS MUCH SNOW AS WE’VE HAD THE PAST FEW YEARS. AS WE SETTLE INTO OUR WINTER ROUTINES OF TRYING TO STAY INSIDE TO ENJOY THE WARMTH OF OUR HOMES AND OFFICES, WE OFTEN FORGET ABOUT OUR LAWN AND LANDSCAPE PLANTS. HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE SPEND TIME THINKING ABOUT AND DOING THIS TIME OF YEAR AT ATKINS:

PRUNING AND CLEAN-UP!

SNOW FUN!

RODENT CONTROL

Every plant is different, but if you have some landscape trees and shrubs needing to be pruned, the winter is the time to do it. If you haven’t done it yet, now would also be the time to cut back your perennial flowers by removing their dead foliage for the winter months. After a good freeze, most landscape plants will have hardened off and will tolerate pruning a lot better. You can prune to control size and shape of your trees and shrubs at this time. You should also be removing any dead, damaged or disease-infected plant material so that it does not interfere with the success of your plant next season. You can also help to rejuvenate certain plants by cutting them way, way back. Do your research for specific plants, though. Some can be cut back nearly to the ground while others will not tolerate that aggressive pruning. Training your trees to grow away from your house and roof might be what you need to focus on or maybe you just need to shear your juniper hedge again to keep its uniform shape. Please remember that a sharp pruning tool is a safe tool and regardless of what you are pruning, be sure to visualize what your tree or shrub might look like without that stem that you are about to cut. There are no take backs.

Yes, snow. Sorry to bring it up, but the last few winters have been brutal when it comes to snowfall, or at least that’s how I remember it from a commercial snow and ice management perspective. If you’re out there snow blowing or shoveling your walks and drive, please be careful.

There are a number of slip-and-fall related injuries with these snow removal tasks. I personally put on a set of ice traction cleats over my boots when I’m out working on slick surfaces. You can find these at most any hardware or boot stores in town, and they are worth every penny if you’ve ever had your feet slide out from underneath you as you happily walk down the sidewalk or across a parking lot.

Hopefully, it’s not just me! After safely clearing your snow, you might need to consider using an ice melt product to help reduce re-freeze potential and increase traction for you, your family and your vehicle. There are numerous products out there, so you again will have to do some research to find what best works for you. The traditional rock salt can help, but it only works down to about 0 degrees while other materials out there will handle temps clear down to -25. Be careful as any of these ice melt products have corrosive properties to some degree, which can damage hard surfaces and in some cases your lawn and landscape plants if applied incorrectly. Again, do some research on your material of choice, and please be careful out there.

Wildlife continues to move indoors for the winter and often, you will find mice and voles have found a way into your home. Mouse traps and bait have come a long way over the years as people have looked for new and better ways to control and remove these rodents from our homes and businesses. As temperatures cool, mice will move indoors in search of food and shelter. There likely isn’t a house out there that doesn’t have a mouse coming and going at some point during the year. And winter seems to be the most likely time that you will have an issue. They can squeeze through a hole about as small as a pencil eraser, and they are notorious for finding those small cracks and crevices that we all have to make their way inside. Aside from actually seeing the critters scurrying around the house, you might notice droppings or chewed on foods or dry goods and materials. Listen for squeaks or scratching noises, especially after dark, to know whether or not you have an intruder. The good news is that you can reclaim your home by plugging holes and using traps or no-kill bait boxes to control them. If mice make you squeamish, you might consider hiring a professional. It’s also a good idea to remove food from the kitchen counter or anywhere that they might easily have access too. Good luck defending your home from these pesky critters this winter.

S H A U N H E N RY I was born and raised in the Deer Park area south of town where I was close to lots of cousins, my grandparents and plenty of friends. I don’t think I ever imagined living anywhere else. My wife and I both graduated from the University of Missouri and set roots in rural Columbia with our three boys. Having grown along with Atkins Inc. since June of 2000, I’m proud to be part of an organization that’s so deeply rooted in building relationships throughout the community and developing one of the finest groups of experts in the field. From grounds maintenance to pest management to commercial cleaning, our crews really know their stuff. We’d love to hear from you at 573-874-5100, or email me at shaun@atkinsinc.com.

COMO L I V I N G

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SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

W H AT T H E P R O S K N OW

FIVE COZY MUST-HAVES FOR A WARM WINTER

BY SARAH FROST Find more at: www.studiohomeinteriors.com

Real Estate

Plans to light a fire in the fire pit might have started to reason with you. There is a blizzard of leaves changing and falling to the ground.

Your olfactory subconscious is searching for the scent of pine, cinnamon and maybe some apple. Or perhaps, attempting to smell anything at all. Images of plaid are pasted in your mind, and the wool throw in the back of the closet doesn’t sound so bad. You can’t keep from thinking, “Well hello winter, old friend. When did you get here?”

And so, let me do the honor of saying it is time to think cozy.

It’s time to treat yourself to some cozy Studio Home style. We’ve got you covered. Here’s our top five fall-to-winter favorites.

01. Throws: They keep you warm while adding texture and pattern to your space.

02. Plush Furnishings: There’s nothing like curling up on a soft sofa and watching movies by yourself, loved one(s) or a friend.

SARAH FROST I’ve always been a very visual person. As a child, I was fascinated with color and texture. There is a psychology and science behind finding a well-balanced home that my visual personality and education in interior design from Stephens College allow me to understand. I understand decorating a home is a very emotional experience. That’s why all of us at Studio Home develop relationships with our clients that enable us to identify with them and build up a sense of trust.

My main goal is then to help figure out how to showcase our clients’ styles and personalities in their homes.

COMO L I V I N G

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03. Warm Accents: Accessories give your home character. They are the pearls of your tabletops.

Show them a little love.

04. Animal: A hair on hide pillow, a ceramic statue or a fur throw. Animals make the warmest statements.

05. Warm Pillows: Kilim, anyone? Color, warmth, weight—oh my.

W H AT T H E P R O S K N OW

ACCORDING TO BRIAN IT DOESN’T TAKE A BIG IMAGINATION TO SEE WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE A BROKEN PIPE WOULD DO TO A HOME AND ITS POSSESSIONS. TAKE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE FROM STATE FARM AGENT BRIAN HAZELRIGG TO ENSURE YOUR HOME IS PROTECTED THIS WINTER. Find more at: http://www.brianhazelrigg.com

Insurance can be complicated. That’s why you need someone who can explain how it works, when it works and how it can best serve you and your family. Having a State Farm agent is irreplaceable because of the education he or she can provide about how to protect your home, which is one of the largest investments in life.

One topic our agents visit with customers about this time of year is frozen pipes. About 250,000 families have their homes ruined each year because of this peril. When water freezes, it expands, and that can exert up to 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch in a water pipe. Just a 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can spew out more than 250 gallons of water a day.

It doesn’t take a big imagination to see what kind of damage that would do to a home and its possessions.

250,000 FAMILIES HAVE THEIR HOMES RUINED EACH YEAR BECAUSE OF FROZEN PIPES

Tips for preventing frozen pipe damage: • Insulate pipes located in your home’s crawl space, basement and attic.

• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled cables can be used to keep pipes warm.

• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.

• Disconnect garden hoses and use the indoor valve to shut off drain water leading to outside faucets.

Real Estate

Tips for when the temperature drops (typically around 20 degrees):

• Trickle hot and cold water from your faucets overnight to keep pipes from freezing.

• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to piping under sinks and vanities near exterior walls.

Tips for when you’re away: • Set the thermostat in your house to 55 degrees or warmer (12 degrees Celsius).

• Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house and make sure it’s staying warm.

• Shut off and drain the water system (Note: This might deactivate an in-home fire protection

If your pipes freeze • Call a plumber.

• Shut off water at the main if you detect your pipes have frozen and burst.

• Never use a torch to thaw frozen pipes.

• Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water.

If you can’t find where water enters your house, go to the water meter box outside your home. Using either a meter key (from a home supply store) or a crescent wrench to turn the valve clockwise.

Afterwards, release water pressure in your pipes by turning both hot and cold water faucets on until water no longer runs.

These are just a few tips to keep your home warm and safe this winter. For more information on how you can manage the risks of everyday life, contact State Farm Agent Brian Hazelrigg at 573-445-1687, brian.hazelrigg.qswa@statefarm. com or www.brianhazelrigg.com.

tip

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.

pro

Disconnect garden hoses before the tempature drops below freezing.

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

COMO L I V I N G

sprinkler system). Locate the main water shutoff valve. If you have a basement or crawl space, it’s likely on a wall near the front of the house. If your house is on a slab, the shutoff may be near the water heater or in the garage.

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T

was the night before Christmas...

When all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The lights were hung by ATKINS with care, A beautiful sight for all of CoMo to share!

Why haven't you shoveled the snow by the shed?

I'm sleeping 'cause ATKINS did it instead!

You're busy this holiday season. We can help you with that.

A+ RATING

Columbia: 573-874-5100 • Jefferson City: 573-635-8712 Toll Free: 1-800-982-6933 • www.atkinsinc.com

Find the new, youthful you ...

this new year!

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COMO L I V I N G

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DIY

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE, BUT IT’S GOLD INSIDE

by MICHELE TOWNS | photos by BEN MELDRUM

J

ohnston Paint & Decorating once again helped me rescue this notso-pretty buffet that I purchased at garage sale for $40. I used my favorite Cottage Paint, which is sold exclusively at Johnston Paint, in black. To seal the Cottage Paint, I used a soft wax and buffed it with an old shoe brush to make it shiny.

The hardware was a dull brass, and I love the look of bright gold, so I used Rust-oleum Universal Metallic Paint and Primer in pure gold from Johnston Paint and sprayed not only the hardware but a clear vase as well. You can pretty much spray paint anything, and you can easily become gold fingered in the process!

The chalkboard was created from an old canvas picture that my neighbor donated to me after her garage sale. I loved the gold frame and used Benjamin Moore Latex Chalkboard Paint in black. This product is available in any color. Imagine the possibilities of creating a chalkboard wall in a child’s room using a fun color.

To create a holiday feel in the space, Syd Stansberry, owner of Inkling who specializes in hand lettering and illustration, preformed her magic with a gold waterproof chalk pen. She has mad skills when it comes to calligraphy.

The white candles were embellished with gold German glitter (purchased from Studio J, located in Plume) and placed on glass black candlesticks. Now get your gold on for the holidays, and let your days be merry and gold.

COMO L I V I N G

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R ESOUR CE S: SY STAN SB ER RY, IN KLING FACEB OOK .COM/COMOINKL ING in k lin gco m o @gm ail.com JOHN STON PAIN T AND DECOR ATING jo hn s to n p ain t .co m 57 3 -4 4 3 -875 5 STUDIO J, IN SIDE PLUME ge tStud io J.co m

JA NUA RY - 2016

COMO L I V I N G

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PRO

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COMO L I V I N G

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JA NUA RY - 2016

HOLIDAY “FRUIT”?

Holiday

FRUIT!

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Bridal Spectacular For Vendor Information 2016 Call 573-636-4094

ORDER YOURS TODAY! Same day delivery available.

or Email: Vicki@MidMoBrides.com

EdibleArrangements.com • 573-445-5858 2200 Forum Blvd., Columbia, MO 65203

COMO L I V I N G

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L I F E C OAC H I N G

6 TIPS TO AVOID THE HOLIDAY CHAOS HOW I TOOK CHRISTMAS BACK

by Ki m Be c k in g

I

love this time of year. It’s often a happy, magical time. But to many, this time of year also brings emotional and financial stress and our dreaded never-ending to-do lists, which can make us all turn into the Scrooge.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle with Christmas gifts left to buy, holiday cards to get out (Note: I’ve missed that deadline for two years now.

Sorry, friends.), wrapping presents (Ok, I might cheat and use bags.), holiday parties, travel headaches…the list goes on. Are you tired yet? I am.

But I’ve learned over the yeats to take my Christmas back. I have let go of the guilt and let go of my own expectations for perfection. Who cares if the Christmas cards become New Year’s cards or even Easter cards?

Who cares if I use bags instead of perfectly wrapped gifts? Who cares if I skip holiday parties because I would rather be at home enjoying my own Christmas tree? Call me imperfect or call me selfish, but for me, I call it taking my Christmas back.

I love my family traditions, although post-divorce I had to learn to create new traditions. I love Christmas, I love giving, I love celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, and I no longer get stressed or worry. I truly do enjoy.

Here are six tips that I’ve used to take my own Christmas back over the years and avoid the holiday chaos and blues. I hope they help you too.

Kim Becking is Chief Motivator at Looking Forward Living Life and life coach who helps women thrive after unexpected change. Her own story of thriving is one that can be told through many chapters: her battle with breast cancer, the balance of being a working mother, the unexpected challenges of marriage, family and divorce, remarrying a widower with two small children, and adjusting to a new fabulous life in a blended household as Kim Becking- mom of three, party of five.

Visit her blog at www.lookingforwardlivinglife.com for more inspiration. And stay connected on Facebook at Looking Forward Living Life and Twitter @maketodaycount1.

1) STOP WITH THE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. Be authentic, be real and be who you are. A Pinterest-inspired, amazing table setting both sounds and looks awesome, but for me, probably not a reality.

Christmas cards out before New Year’s? Maybe this year…maybe.

Christmas lights on the house? Yes because I am hiring it out.

Homemade treats for the kids holiday parties? Not likely.

But that’s OK. I am here enjoying the moment. We all need to realize that the must do’s will get done, and we must let go of the rest.

2) BE PRESENT, AND FOR GOODNESS SAKES, PUT AWAY YOUR PHONES. Truly be present in the moment. Watch your kids as they sing at school. Look at the holiday lights all around you. Watch your family as they unwrap their gifts. Listen to the conversations around the dinner table. I am going to try harder at home to heed my own advice. I challenge you to do the same.

3) DO SOMETHING FOR OTHERS WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN. ‘Tis the season of giving. Over the years, I have tried to give and do for others not just during the holidays but all year long. I don’t always post these things on Facebook. I don’t do it for that reason. I do it because I believe we all have a responsibility to give back. During this holiday season, remember that it’s better to give than to receive. Teach your children that. Adopt a family, give to one of the many local charities in Columbia or lend a helping hand. Do it not for the recognition but rather because you want to do it.

Say a prayer for those who are struggling. The holidays can be hard on those who have lost someone, those who are alone or those who are dealing with a new sense of normal. I’ve been there, and it sucks. I had to look deep inside myself and create new traditions. Reach out to those who are hurting with a quick email, phone call or card. I know that meant so much to me.

4) SAY NO, SO YOU CAN SAY YES TO WHAT MATTERS. Learn to set priorities to determine what and how much you will do by saying yes at the right times and saying no at the right times. This is what many call finding balance. I call it “resigning as general manager of the universe.” The reality is that we can’t be all things to all people, and we must start to take care of us by learning to delegate and saying no. So all of those holiday parties you get invited to and don’t really want to go to, don’t. Say yes only to those you want to go to.

5) TAKE CARE OF YOU. ‘Tis the season to be tired. But if momma ain’t healthy, ain’t nobody healthy. Sleep, exercise and do something for you. You are giving to others this time of year. Be sure to give to yourself too.

Book Club 6) BE GRATEFUL, FIND THE JOY AND YES, EVEN BE A LITTLE SILLY. It’s easy at times during the holidays, in particular, to think about what we don’t have. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do have. For me, this means, putting on my Santa hat and dancing around the house like a crazy woman. I laugh, I smile and I find the joy. I dance mostly just to embarrass my kids.

So this crazy holiday season, avoid the chaos, take your holiday back and most importantly, find your joy.

COMO L I V I N G

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FROM THE LOCAL MARKET COMO L I V I N G

Figs - 94 -

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

F

ig trees can range in height from 10 to 30 feet. The fig tree is considered a Mediterranean plant and grows best in hot temperatures. During the winter months, fig plants can be brought inside in order to be protected from the cold. Since we are located in the Midwest, Stateby-State Gardening suggests that gardeners will have better success growing fig plants by planting on the south of a building. This will provide sunny exposure and can also help break wind in the winter. Butting the plant up against a trellis will help with stability. If you prefer to plant indoors, the figs, or Ficus carica, can be grown in a large pot, such as a whiskey barrel.

Figs are one of those lusciously sweet fruits that are perfect to eat by themselves or roasted with other root veggies. Read below for some of the best-hidden benefits from this little purple fruit.

1. Helps Lower High Blood Pressure: Figs are a great source of potassium, which is a mineral that helps control blood pressure.

2. Lose Weight: Figs are a great source of dietary fiber, which helps with weight management.

3. Protect Against Postmenopausal Breast Cancer: A study was done involving 51,823 postmenopausal women. Of those women, 34 percent saw a reduction in breast cancer risk compared to the women who weren’t consuming fruit fiber.

Fruits richest in fiber include apples, dates, figs, pears and prunes.

4. Insulin-Lowering: Here’s a fun fact. You can eat the leaf of the fig tree. The fig leaf has been shown to have anti-diabetic properties and can help reduce the amount of insulin a diabetic might need from injections.

5. Protect against Macular Degeneration: Eating three or more fruits a day can help reduce your chances of early ARMD or vision loss. It’s easy; throw a banana into your smoothie, throw some figs on your salad and snack on an apple.

Granola with Honey-Scented Yogurt and Baked Figs until foamy. Fold oat mixture into egg white mixture.

Combine brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon salt and nutmeg; fold the sugar mixture into oat mixture. Fold in maple syrup.

3. Spread granola evenly on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 300 degrees F for 25 minutes, stirring once. Remove granola from oven; stir to loosen granola from foil. Cool on a wire rack.

4. Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. 5. Combine 2 teaspoons honey and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla in a large bowl, add figs and stir gently to coat the fruit. Arrange the figs, cut sides up, in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle figs evenly with the remaining 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt.

6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or until the fig juices begin to bubble. Remove from oven, and cool completely. Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons honey and yogurt in a small bowl. Spoon 1/2 cup yogurt mixture into each of 6 bowls; top each serving with about 2 1/2 tablespoons granola and 6 fig quarters.

IN G R E D IE N TS 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1/3 cup chopped pecans 1 large egg white 1 1/8 teaspoons vanilla exract, divided 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar 3/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided ¼ teaspoon salt, divided 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 tablespoons maple syrup 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons honey, divided 9 firm, fresh, dark-skinned figs, stemmed and quartered 3 cups plain fat-free Greek yogurt

D I R EC TIO N S 1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. 2. Combine oats and pecans in a small bowl. Combine egg white and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl; beat egg mixture with a mixer at medium speed

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

ACTIVE WEAR. FORM. FUNCTION. WORKOUT. GYM. STYLE.ACTIVE WEAR. FORM. FUNCTION. WORKOUT. GYM. ACTIVE WEAR. FORM.FUNCTION. WORKOUT. GYM. ACTIVE WEAR. FORM. FUNCTION. WORKOUT. GYM. ACTIVE WEAR. FORM.FUNCTION. WORKOUT. GYM. ACTIVE WEAR. FORM. FUNCTION. WORKOUT. GYM. ACTIVE WEAR. 7

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ACTIVE WEAR

1

BREEZEBY LONG-SLEEVE SHIRT, LULULEMON,$69, SUMITS YOGA

2

SPEED TIGHT VI, LULULEMON, $108, SUMITS YOGA

3

SWIFTLY TECH RACERBACK, LULULEMON, $48, SUMITS YOGA

4

FRINGE FIGHTER HEADBAND, LULULEMON, $18, SUMITS YOGA

5

ENERGY SPORTS BRA, LULULEMON, SUMITS YOGA

6

SUMMER LOVIN’ TOTE WITH YOGA STRAP, LULULEMON, SUMITS YOGA

7

THE REVERSIBLE MAT, 5MM, LULULEMON, $68, SUMITS YOGA

8

YOGAHOLIC COFFEE MUG, $15, SUMITS YOGA

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

LIKE A ROLLING STONE A R T H R I T I S A F F E C T S M I L L I O N S O F A D U LT S E A C H Y E A R .

R E A D B E LO W TO L E A R N H O W TO M A N AG E T H E PA I N .

by Z AC H L L OY D

T

hinking about arthritis conjures up images of crooked old-timers with knobbled knuckles who rock back and forth on the front porch and predict the timing of the next big thunderstorm. Some of the most common stigmas about the inflammatory and degenerative disease might pop into your head: arthritis only affects old people, physical activity just makes it worse, nothing can fix it besides bearing the pain until it’s time for invasive surgery. These assumptions are all incorrect.

Arthritis is a blanket diagnostic term for a collection of more than 100 health conditions that affect joints and their surrounding tissues. Most forms of arthritis cause joints to swell or painfully stiffen, which makes everyday tasks such as gardening, jogging or even sitting down difficult. In the United States, nearly 53 million adults suffer from one or more of these conditions, and almost 300,000 children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with some sort of arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While it isn’t known exactly what causes arthritis, it’s believed that genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors can all contribute to its development.

The disease is also incurable. However, incurable does not mean untreatable, and there are many ways arthritis sufferers can take back their lives from this crippling affliction, namely by refusing to stop moving. Kathleen Maier of Columbia suffered from osteoarthritis for nearly 16 years before she was able to find a treatment plan that worked for her. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of the disease and is characterized by a breaking down of the spongy cartilage between joints that causes the bones to rub together and degrade, according to the Mayo Clinic. Kathleen has a family history of osteoarthritis, and she and her siblings all began to feel its effects at a fairly early age.

Now in her 60s, Kathleen remembers the pain she used to endure after first noticing the symptoms in 1998.

“I unfortunately developed [osteoarthritis] in many joints,” Kathleen says. “It causes me to have painful, swollen joints and weakness in my extremities. It’s par-

ticularly bad in my spine, where it has developed into degenerative disc disease, and in my knees where the cartilage has been exhausted.”

Kathleen has been through countless physical therapy sessions, scheduled numerous appointments with rheumatologists and undergone spinal fusion treatment, but it wasn’t until January 2014 that her doctor suggested she make an appointment with a physical therapy assistant at the Wilson’s Fitness location on Forum Boulevard. Kathleen found her answer there in the form of Gail Tweeddale.

Gail, a veteran in the PT world, graduated from the physical therapy program at Sinclair Community College in 1982. She’s worked with a wide range of arthritis sufferers throughout her career and has become an expert on the sensitive workout techniques people with spinal or arthritic issues require.

“It’s different with every person I work with because arthritis can affect virtually any joint in the body,” Gail says. “The key is to figure out that person’s specific range of movement, find out the areas that hurt and concentrate on appropriate ways to strengthen and loosen those up.”

Gaoil recommends engaging in low weight, rangeof-motion exercises with high repetition and good posture as some of the best ways arthritis sufferers can strengthen their joints and alleviate pain.

“It was very difficult in the beginning,” Kathleen says about exercising with Gail. “We would work out for an hour, working on my core and flexibility. Then I would have to go home and go to sleep. I was so tired. At first, I was afraid working out would make everything worse, but then I started building muscles around my affected joints, and they got stronger.”

Before Kathleen began exercising at Wilson’s almost two years ago, the pain in her spine and extremities was so severe she wasn’t able to sit or stand in one position for more than a half an hour at a time. Her full-body exercises at Wilson’s focused heavily on upper body and core strength training until her muscles became stronger and she was finally able to bend and move at an almost normal level again.

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IN THE UNITED STATES, NEARLY 53 MILLION ADULTS SUFFER FROM SOME FORM OF ARTHRITIS.

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

COMMON STIGMAS: NOTHING CAN FIX IT BESIDES BEARING THE PAIN UNTIL IT’S TIME FOR INVASIVE SURGERY. THESE ASSUMPTIONS ARE ALL INCORRECT.

“I would just really like to stress that this disease is almost as much a mental one as it is physical,” Kathleen says.

“When you’re feeling like your body is limited, your mind tends to turn toward the negative as well. But it can get better and people need to do more.”

Amber Phelps is a health program specialist with the Central Missouri Regional Arthritis Center. The CMRAC is a nonprofit, federal and state funded organization that attempts to inform the public about the disease and connect sufferers with self-management and physical activity programs.

Amber mirrored Kathleen’s thoughts about the importance of mental health when dealing with arthritis. She described the disease as a part of a vicious symptom cycle that many arthritis–afflicted people go through. “People with arthritis typically develop stress and anxiety about it, which then can lead to frustration and anger,” Amber says. “That, in turn, leads to fear or depression that can increase a person’s perception of the pain they might be feeling and makes them less inclined to be positive or active about fighting the disease.” In order to break the cycle, Amber says that people with arthritis need to manage their symptoms and set achievable goals for themselves. Above

all, they need to keep moving.

In fact, continued movement seems to be the number one way to not only combat the effects of arthritis but also to prevent it from spreading or worsening in people who are just beginning to develop it.

Brittany Wills is the co-founder of Sumits Hot Yoga on East Nifong Boulevard. She guesses that one out of every 10 members at Sumits has some kind of arthritis or joint pain. The company offers several classes, one of which being an 80-minute group yoga classes in a heated room with each routine cycling through a variety of yoga postures that members can partake in at whatever level they feel comfortable. Brittany believes that the low-impact, flexiblilityoriented nature of a yoga routine could be a very appropriate treatment option for some people with arthritis.

“With all of the different postures, you’re stressing and stretching your joints in a healthy way. With yoga, you’re building muscle and lubricating your joints in gently, working out in this heated room, using your knees, elbows, body weight. You can even do it at home.”

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ed to suit individual’s needs, and there is no judgment if a particular pose or routine is too intense.

Other sufferers have turned to more medical practices to alleviate their symptoms.

Focus On Health Chiropractic opened its doors in 2010 by offering chiropractic care, rehabilitation services and acupuncture therapy out of their Cherry Hill office. With a focus on spinal health, chiropractic care might be especially attractive to patients with spinal or lower back arthritis issues, though all arthritis sufferers might benefit from this type of treatment. One of the practitioners at Focus On Health, Dr. Clint Klipfel, reiterated the importance of movement in combating the disease.

“If you have arthritis, you should find the things that you like to do, then continue doing them,” Dr. Clint says. “Keep your mobility up and prevent it from progressing.”

By far, the main piece of advice from these professionals is to never stop moving.

Working with a medical professional, determine a personalized and healthy range of motion, then continue to do activities that promote routine. Just as moss doesn’t grow on rolling stones, keeping your body in motion could help keep your arthritis at baay.

GIVE SOMETHING THAT MEANS SOMETHING

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

JOIN US! Send cards of thanks, encouragement and holiday cheer to members of our U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and military famlies, many of whom will be far away from home this holiday season.

HOLIDAY MAIL FOR HEROES Saturday, Dec. 5 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Columbia Mall

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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

COMO Living understands that health remains the No. 1 concern to our readers. We are meeting that concern by introducing you, our reader, to these local experts in their field. Columbia is lucky to have so many health professionals that truly care about our city’s overall health and wellness. Take a few moments to get to know these eleven experts in COMO Living’s Doc Talk.

DO MUSCLES HAVE MEMORY? As a physical therapist, I get asked this question quite often. The answer is, no. Muscles are simply obedient fibers that do as they are told. For all voluntary muscles, the muscles we use to move our body and our extremities, contraction occurs as a result of a conscious effort originating in our control center, the brain.

Every move you make, every position in which you choose to sit, to sleep, to stand, the way you walk, run, lift weights, perform exercise, becomes a retained motor pathway. Think of it as a motor memory, stored as a book on your bookshelf in your brain. This is your “muscle memory”, and it doesn’t go away. Once the pathway has been written, it’s there forever. And the more often you access that pathway by performing the same movements, sitting or standing in the same postures, etc., the thicker that book will be.

When your motor pathways, or movement patterns, have been written in a way that is not mechanically efficient for the way your body was designed, pain will quite often occur over time. An important part of the process of figuring out where that pain is coming from is evaluating how your brain has learned to move your body through space. Effective rehab and personal training will teach you to mindfully “write” new, efficient pathways that will eliminate unnecessary stress on your joints and tissue. Our clients will achieve optimal mobility, stability, and functionality which are often neglected, yet are essential for obtaining results and promoting optimal health.

Rachael Wittenberger

Physical Therapist, The Fitness Company COMO L I V I N G

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

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our little words: you need an MRI. Four more words: You have an alternative.

Give your doctor four words back: I want Advanced radiology.

While it’s usually not important that you talk to your radiologist, it is important that you talk frankly with the doctors who take care of you and your family. One of the things you’re entitled to expect from those doctors is that they carefully spend your money to secure high quality medical testing services for you at the best possible prices.

Like many aspects of your medical treatment, radiology is expensive.

Charges for radiological tests and reports vary dramatically from one institution to another even in the same community. It’s important that you get the highest quality health care available and the most value for your money. So, when your doctor says you need an X-ray, an MRI, or any other medical test, ask him or her to tell you the cost at each of the facilities offering those services. If you doctor won’t do that, call a few places yourself. It’s your health, your time and your money. You’re entitled to make choices about all of those things and you need price information to make wise choices.

Of course I hope you or your doctor will check the prices at Advanced Radiology because we offer both the highest quality services and the best prices in this area. We can do that because we specialize in radiological related services. This allows us to focus all of our efforts on cost efficiencies, cutting edge technology and individual patient needs without the distraction of other types of service.

Dr. Alan Hillard

Founder of Advanced Radiology

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

W

hile we see many athletes at our practice, regardless of one’s fitness level, we ask ALL our patients to perform a squat as part of the initial evaluation. “Why a squat?” you might ask. We are simply evaluating how you move and this maneuver actually assesses the entire body’s ability to work together in movement. We often find muscular imbalances as the common denominator in dysfunctional movement patterns. Sometimes, though, the issue can be anatomical. So while overall joint mobility and tissue extensibility play an important role, stability and movement control are just as relevant. It’s important to determine which of these we’re working with in order to come up with a plan of action to correct or manage the problems. Like many others, you may not give squatting much thought, yet it is imperative to daily life - regardless your level of activity. And it’s often an integral part of a well-rounded exercise plan. We can help you decide if your issues are anatomical or functional and then work toward finding the most effective treatment strategy.

We do more than point the finger of blame towards what could be causing your pain or discomfort. We also look into what the future may hold. I like to call our screening tools our “Magic 8 Ball” … will Kate have knee pain in the future? The screen says highly likely, if left unaddressed and untreated.

Dr. Curt Kippenberger, D.C. Founder of Focus on Health

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Focus On Health 4200 Merchant St. #105 Columbia, MO 573-777-5900 FocusOnHealthChiro.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

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Cummulus

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

HOLIDAY A S P E C I A L D AY O F C E L E B R AT I O N

by N E L L I E S Y M M- G R U E N D E R

T

he holidays are reason for great excitement and at times, great trepidation. We sometimes create expectations in our minds that simply can't be met.

With all the variables, it's often difficult to create a celebration that meets the needs of everyone.

This year our family lost four family members within a very short span of time.

At the time it left us all reeling and dealing with many levels of grief. Now that the holidays are upon us, we now face family celebrations with empty chairs at our table.

Each family member will cope in different ways. According to Greg Waverley of the psychiatry and behavioral sciences department at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, "When you feel yourself start being sucked into the

abyss, that's when you need to reach out to your support systems. Negative thoughts such as ‘I'll never have it as good again,’ or ‘I'm totally alone,’ are early warning signs that being alone might not be good for you right now, so pick up the phone, get out of the house and do something so you don't get caught up in it.”

Equally difficult can be with whom to spend the holidays. Gene and I have a blended family. He has three sons in Central Missouri, and I have one son in Texas. For us, the negotiation starts early.

We began talking in October about what our plans would be.

With Zach and Sarah (our Texas son and daughter-in-law) leaving for the United Kingdom the day after Christmas, they won't be traveling to us. Our Missouri sons, Gene III, James and their spouses, won't be able to travel to Texas, so Gene and I will have an early Christmas with Zach and Sarah and then will return to Missouri to celebrate with everyone else.

One big pitfall is when families have separate celebrations in the same town.

Someone is going to feel obligated to attend each. They find themselves exhausted, overstuffed from multiple meals and pressed to spend equal time

“THE HOLIDAYS ARE A REASON

Nellie Symm Gruender is a perpetual learner and seeker.

She was named Nurse of the Year in Austin, Texas, sailed thousands of miles, and is a glass artist. She has written for nursing and sailing magazines, in addition to writing for COMO Living. She lecturers on domestic violence and played a key role in the “Missouri Status of Women Report.”

Nellie and her husband, Gene, own Passions and live on their sailboat, Sun Chaser, in Rockport, Texas, and their home near Columbia, Missouri. Nellie gives generously of her time and talents to improve and support the lives of others.

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with each family. Again, negotiation is the key. Is it possible to celebrate with one family group on the holiday’s eve? Is it possible to have a special celebration the week before the holiday?

Another option is to stay home and create new traditions in your own home.

You can agree to stop by for an hour at each of the other families; homes later in the day. This allows the family connection without the holiday fatigue of traveling the entire day.

No matter what the challenge of the season might be, the key is to first be realistic. If there are family members who are no longer with you to celebrate, acknowledge the importance they played in your life, but also acknowledge that it's not healthy for thoughts of loss to consume your holiday. If your challenge is multiple family celebrations, again, be realistic and flexible. Begin the negotiations early to be sure all parties understand the plan. Then, take a deep breath, and celebrate the joy of the season.

No matter how, where or with whom you celebrate, the entire Symm and Gruender families wish you a holiday of peace and a new year filled with good fortune.

FOR GREAT CELEBRATION AND AT TIMES, GREAT TRE PIDATION”

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WEDDINGS

10 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN PLANNING THE BIG DAY

by N AT H A N T O D D | photos by A N A S TA S I A P O T T I N G E R

1

Trust your vendors: caterer, florist, planner or anyone related to your special day.

2

Know your budget. It will give you a realistic approach to booking your caterer and menu.

C O N TAC T

3

WEDDING DEPARTMENT SPONSORED BY FRESH IDEAS 1000 W NIFONG BLVD #220 COLUMBIA, MO 65203

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(573) 445-4321 freshideasfood.com

6

Establish what is important to you.

Is it the bar, food, decorations, dress, flowers, etc.? Then focus your funds in these areas.

Book your venue early.

Define your style. Will your wedding be a multi-course formal plated meal, fun cocktail party with stations or a casual buffet?

Establish a theme. You might have a list of things you like, but it doesn't all work well together. Plus, if you are hosting a country chic wedding, it probably would not make sense to do a seafood entrĂŠe.

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7

When evaluating whether or not to have a bar at your wedding, decide if you will be hosting an open bar, beer and wine, establishing a set dollar amount or if you will you have cash selections.

8

Seasonal food is always best. Make sure the features and items on your menu are seasonal. This will help cut costs and ensure quality ingredients.

9

Research your community calendar.

Multiple events in one town can make it difficult for guests to travel, find hotels and might also limit your venue options.

10 Do not book a holiday wedding. It

will increase your expenses, and as much as you think your guests will want to cut their Labor Day weekend short so that they can come to your special day, it is a myth.

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WEDDINGS

When it comes to your smile, you deserve the in Columbia!

best

Call us to schedule a dentist appointment you’ll actually enjoy. From cosmetic to sedation, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional care.

Conscious Sedation is taught as part of a post-graduate residence program approved by the America Dental Association. Dr. Willett and Dr. Patton have completed an American Dental Association approved program in which conscious sedation is taught. Cosmetic Dentistry and Implant Dentistry are specialty areas not recognized by the A.D.A. that require no specific educational training to advertise these services.

573.445.5300 | 1601 Chapel Hill Rd. | Columbia, MO | WillettandPattonDDS.com

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BRUCE FINLEY | 573.424.5566 | designbuilt@me.com | DesignBuiltMO.com COMO L I V I N G

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MOMMY CHRONICLES

AS YOU WISH PA R E N T I N G A DV I C E CO U RT E SY O F “THE PRINCESS BRIDE” [ by Ji l l Or r ]

B

ecause I am both lazy and an opportunistic multi-tasker, I like to work on my parenting skills while doing something decidedly more fun like

watching a movie. Movies are way better than hours of self-reflection. And who needs to spend time agonizing over how to impart good values to our children when Hollywood has already done it for us?

In perhaps the most perfect movie of the 1980s (which is saying something since it’s the decade that brought us “Weird Science,” “Die Hard,” “The Goonies”), “The Princess Bride” offers parents all the information we need to raise competent, welladjusted, thieves, pirates and princesses. Here are ten of the best pearls of wisdom and how to adapt them

8 - “Death cannot stop true love.

All it can do is delay it for a while.”

When the day comes that you have to look into your child’s eyes and explain to them a painful loss, these words will come in handy. Whatever your religious or spiritual beliefs, the idea that love transcends all is universally comforting.

7 - “When I was your age, television was called books.”

To update this for today’s world, you can say, “When I was your age, texting was called actually talking to people.” Or something like that. This quote illustrates how every generation feels like the next is being ruined by technology and how they are both wrong— and right— about that.

into your parenting routine.

10 - “Who said life was fair? Where is that written? Life isn’t always fair.”

Granted, this bit of advice has been a parenting mainstay since the beginning of time (or at least since the beginning of whining), but it remains relevant today. Because it’s true. Life isn’t fair. And fairness is overrated anyway. Next time your kid bites you, take the opportunity to point that out.

9 - “You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.”

Never has a generation been more invested in the concept of immediacy than the kids we are raising now. Instant gratification has become the norm. But patience is a virtue (another pearl of wisdom gleaned from pop culture. Thank you, Trix Rabbit.), and kids need to know that there are things worth waiting for. Like love and success and a really good marinara sauce.

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.

6 - “Rodents of unusual size? I don’t think they exist.”

Westley says this a moment before he is mauled by, you guessed it, a rodent of unusual size. This illustrates why you should teach your children to expect the unexpected. It is also a handy thing to remember when you are in Mexico. Ever seen a capybara? I have, and it haunts my nightmares. . .

5 - “Cynics are simply thwarted romantics.”

I think this is true. Behind every cynical snipe or jab is a person who has been hurt and is afraid of being hurt again. Knowing this might help heal your romantic’s soft heart or help your cynic become more self aware. Either way, it bears repeating because everyone lands on one side of this equation or the other. Often times, both, depending on how well-fed, wellrested, and well-chocolated one is.

4 - “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

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

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Inigo Montoya says this to Vizzini when he keeps using the word “inconceivable” to describe things that are completely conceivable. Today, we can use this comment when our kids say “literally.” When a person under the age of 21 uses the word literally, it literally never means literally.

3 - “Get used to disappointment.”

This is another parenting mainstay but one that bears repeating. If there is one problem I see over and over again in children today, it’s that they have no capacity for disappointment. This is because we, as parents, we shield our kids from disappointment like it is an incoming Tomahawk missile. Medals for everyone?

No keeping score? Let’s not pick a winner? Please. When we take away disappointment, we also take away the hunger for achievement. It’s ridiculous. It isn’t fun to watch our kids be disappointed, but it is absolutely essential to raising a human being who doesn’t feel entitled.

And I promise you, there is no greater disappointment than getting out into the world and realizing you’re not the brightest star in the sky as you were led to believe your whole life.

2 - “There’s not a lot of money in the revenge business.”

This is my personal favorite. (Mostly because Inigo Montoya says it in his fetching Spanish-tinged-with-Jewish-NewYork accent.) But if there is one thing I hope I’ve taught my kids, it’s that old adage about how holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other Book Club guy to die which leads me to my last piece of advice.

1 - “Never go in against a Sicilian where death is on the line.”

I’m not exactly sure what parenting application this has, it just seems like good, solid advice.

BEING SEEN

DIAMOND NIGHT, A STORYBOOK GALA Diamond Night 2015 brought the mission of Great Circle alive with an evening of elegance, fine dining and celebration on Friday, November 6, at the Holiday Inn Expo Center. Thoughtful vignettes and inspiring stories illustrated the unique programs Great Circle utilizes to help guide children and families to a place where they can thrive. The evening was presented by Beau Aero and Alfredo Mubarah and Columbia Safety Employees with generous support from Carfax, Inc. and MFA Oil Company. Columbia Home was a proud sponsor of this event.

EMILY CANNON, TRACY SIEVE, ASHLEY NEWMAN AND DANI DETELICH

JULIA ADAMI, DONNIE BONUCHI, MEG GRESHAM AND CARMEN SCHULZE

JEANNA AND TODD SANDERS

PHILLURY PLATTE, JUANITA SNYDER, MARK SNYDER, TRUDY SMITH AND JOE ANTOSEK

photos by Ben Meldrum

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MONICA PITTS AND ERICA PEFFERMAN

SARAH DUBBERT, LINDSAY LOPEZ AND TOM TRABUE

BEING SEEN

ANTHONY FUCHS, MARY STAUFFER, BEVERLY SMITH AND BEAU AERO

KAY WHEELER, AUDREY SHARP AND DYANN BUTCHER

JOEDY LENZ, ALISON LENZ, CINDY GARDNER AND MIKE GARDNER

BEVERLY SMITH, BEAU AERO AND BECKY MCHUGH

ROBIN MORRISON, MO LEWIS, ANNE MOORE AND KAT CUNNINGHAM

BRANDON STOTTS, ROB ROACH, MIKALA ROACH, NELLY ROACH AND MICHAEL ROACH

ANNE AND PAUL TUCKLEY

KRISTA KIPPENBERGER, NICOLE SHELTON AND JACQUIE BOWLES

LAUREN AND GEOFF KARR

MONICA PITTS, STACY ZORN, AUDREY SHARP ERICA PEFFERMAN AND NICOLE HEISLEN

COMO COMO LLI IVVI INNGG

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LANDON J. ALBERTSON, JOHN KELLER AND JANETTE KELLER

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E N G AG E M E N T S

ENGAGEMENTS

by RACHEL TRUJILLO

ERIC AND MEGAN

SHAWN AND ALISSA

One evening Megan Hillerman and her boyfriend, Eric Shoemaker, debated over where to go to dinner. Megan thought it was just a normal date night for the two of them. “I was still in my work clothes,” Megan says. “It was nothing special.” They decided on Five Sixty, a nice restaurant in Dallas where they now live, that overlooks the city. It was during this dinner that Eric asked Megan for her hand in marriage.

“He just said he thought we have something we should celebrate,” Megan says.

Although she has gone through many phases of thinking it was going to happen over the past 11 years, Megan says this came as a complete surprise.

“This time is really did happen,” Megan says. “Just on a random Thursday night when I was having date night.”

Megan and Eric met while attending MU in 2004. “He was fraternity brothers with a bunch of guys that I went to high school with, so it worked out perfect,” Megan says. “He’s my favorite person to be around. We love to laugh together.”

They decided to have the wedding in Columbia where Megan and her family are from. “Even though we live in Dallas now, Columbia still seems like the right spot for it.” The couple plans to wed on March 12 at Stevens College Chapel with a reception following in their ballroom.

COMO L I V I N G

Shawn Noordsy and Alissa Cunningham started dating when they were 15-year-old high school students and in the seven years since, they have practically been inseparable. The two met through mutual friends while attending Rock Bridge High School, and although Shawn and Alissa felt they were too young to think about marriage early on in their relationship, Alissa says everyone was just waiting for it to happen.

In their relationship Shawn has always been the adventurous one while Alissa admits to being opposite of a dare devil. “Shawn likes to do crazy things,” Alissa says. “I am always nervous and anxious about the worst case scenarios.” So when Shawn proposed the idea of a hot air balloon ride for their yearly big date, Alissa was skeptical but not at all surprised. Each year, the couple tries to plan at least one vacation or big date. One year they went zip lining through the Redwoods in California.

When she agreed to go on the hot air balloon ride, Alissa had no idea how big this date would actually be.

The planning of the proposal took about six months. “I have always wanted to go in a hot air balloon,” Shawn says. “I knew she would never think anything would happen and it would be totally unsuspected.” The big question came right on cue when the driver of the hot air balloon requested their picture for the second time. It was in that moment – hovering 2,000 feet above the ground – that Shawn got down on one knee and asked for Alissa’s hand in marriage.

The couple plans to marry in November 2016 at Firestone Baars Chapel on Stevens College’s campus.

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COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW SHANNON KASMANN AND AMIR ZIV

by S I E R R A S T E WA R T | photos by B E N M E L D R U M

HOW DID THE TWO OF YOU MEET?

Shannon Kasmann: Well, this is kind of clichÊ, but we met at our best friend’s wedding. I was a bridesmaid.

Amir Ziv: The rehearsal dinner. The night before the wedding.

S: So we can say we met in a bar since the rehearsal dinner was in a bar. It was Grill 1-5 at the time.

A: So Steven and I, who was my roommate at the time, we went to the bar because we knew the owner and everybody there, and she was there. The next day was the wedding, and the day after, we went on a motorcycle ride going 110 miles per hour down highway 94. I, at the time, had a BMW and took her on the back and she's holding on to me. So I tapped her leg and I made her look at the speedometer and she held tighter around me.

S: And that was it. The bike ride did it.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER?

S: Next June it'll be 15 years. We just haven't gotten around to the marriage part.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU BOTH TO COLUMBIA?

S: I'm originally from Columbia, but I went to school in Denver and was a ballet dancer with some modern dance troops that moved out to the West Coast. So I

ended up going out there for about 10 years. I gave it up because I wanted to go snowboarding for a season, and it ended up lasting about three. I came back here and ended up getting into the family insurance agency business as a third generation. Coincidentally enough, he was in California at the same time.

A: I moved out here from Los Angeles to get into the TV business as a freelance soundman. I worked for NBC, ABC and ESPN. In the old days, they use to travel us.

S: He could keep you up all night talking about the stories he's worked, celebrities and sports, Katrina and Joplin...

WHAT'S YOUR FAMILY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH ANIMALS?

S: When I started working at the agency, the director of Second Chance was one of our customers. Within a week I was on the board. I've also helped cats in the community, so I wondered why I should go over there every day when I can just put them on my property.

A: I love her for that, you know? It's one of the things that is so endearing to a certain point...

S: He kind of keeps me reined in. We had always thought that a good continuous source of income would be to have a pet crematorium.

A: The idea came up where she insures a mortuary.

They had an open house, and the owner took us on a tour and took us into the bowels of the crematorium and he had this huge wall of sample caskets. Each

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one was the size of a small animal, so me being the sarcastic person I am said, "Oh, so you do pets." He said no, but that's a good business. Now we own a crematorium.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?

S: Well, he's very entrepreneurial, so he buys and flips a lot of houses. He likes to remodel. He's always looking to do stuff, and he has such a background from living in Israel, having an art gallery in Las Vegas and working in the oil rigs. He's done a lot of different things.

HAVE YOU FLIPPED ANYTHING IN COLUMBIA?

A: When I bought the building downtown on 8th and Wilkes, it had been sitting empty for eight or nine years.

It was nasty and it had a "For Sale by Owner" sign on the front of it. I took Shannon after I bought it and said, "Honey, this is our new home." Little by little we cleaned it, ripped the walls down and put in new appliances.

S: It turned out to be really special and New York loft-ish. There wasn't anything like that in Columbia at the time.

A: People always passed the building and never knew what it was.

WHAT'S NEXT?

S: I love Missouri. It's home, so maybe we'll stay here for the rest of our lives.

A DV ERT I S ER I N DEX ADT . . .......................................................................................................... 56 ADVANCED RADIOLOGY......................................................................... 103 AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MISSOURI..... 100 ANA MARIE'S BRIDAL.............................................................................. 116 ATKINS, INC.............................................................................................. 87 BETZ JEWELERS...................................................................................... 116 BLANC STUDIO..........................................................................................19 BLEU RESTAURANT & WINE BAR.. ............................................................. 2 BOONE HOSPITAL..................................................................................... 21 BUDGET BLINDS....................................................................................... 77 BUSENBARK FLOORING AND GRANITE................................................... 13 CASEY BUCKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY.. ......................................................... 26 CENTRAL DAIRY AND ICE CREAM COMPANY . . .......................................... 8 CENTRAL MISSOURI BRIDAL ASSOCIATION . . .......................................... 92 COLUMBIA ART LEAGUE.. ..........................................................................91 COMMERCE BANK.. ..................................................................................... 3 COPELAND CONSTRUCTION AND PAINTING . . ........................................ 32 DAVE GRIGGS FLOORING AMERICA......................................................... 15 DESIGN BUILT HOMES . . ........................................................................... 112 DESIGNER KITCHENS & BATHS.. .............................................................. 55 DR. LETRISHA THOMAS . . .......................................................................... 56 DR. SHELLEY LYLE . . .................................................................................. 78 EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS......................................................................... 92 EDWARD JONES . . ....................................................................................... 11 FAMILY FOCUS EYECARE........................................................................ 118 FOCUS ON HEALTH........................................................................ 97 & 103 FOUNDATION RECOVERY SYSTEMS........................................................ 14 GREAT CIRCLE......................................................................................... 90 HOCKMAN INTERIOR DESIGN . . .................................................................. 4 HOSS'S MARKET & ROTISSERIE............................................................... 23 JANOME SEWING CENTER....................................................................... 77 JENNIFER WIGGS..................................................................................... 70 JOHNSTON PAINT & DECORATING DIRECT............................................ 88 KLIETHERMES HOMES . . ............................................................................80 KPLA . . ...................................................................................................... 108

LA DI DA.................................................................................................... 26 LANDMARK BANK.................................................................................... 123 LASER BODY SCULPTING . . ....................................................................... 32 LES BOURGEIOS..................................................................................... 124 MASSAGE ENVY / EUROPEAN WAX CENTER . . ...................................... 120 MCADAMS LIMITED . . ................................................................................... 7 MISSOURI DEPT. OF CONSERVATION.. .................................................... 10 NELLIE SYMM-GRUENDER / AUTHOR.................................................... 28 ORGANIZE THAT SPACE.......................................................................... 40 PASSIONS . . ................................................................................................ 70 PEGGY JEAN'S PIES.. ................................................................................ 56 PELA CURA............................................................................................... 88 PENDULUM BOB'S CLOCK SHOP............................................................... 6 PERSONAL TOUCH CLEANING SERVICE................................................. 28 RANGE FREE . . ........................................................................................... 70 RESTORATION EYECARE...........................................................................91 SHELTER INSURANCE AGENTS................................................................ 78 STATE FARM INSURANCE - STEPHANIE WILMSMEYER...........................91 STUDIO HOME.. ........................................................................................... 9 SUMITS HOT YOGA................................................................................. 100 SYNERGY SPORTS.................................................................................... 69 TALKING HORSE PRODUCTIONS THEATER . . ........................................... 23 TALLULAH'S.............................................................................................. 69 THE FITNESS COMPANY. . ....................................................................... 102 THE VILLAGE OF BEDFORD WALK.. ........................................................ 40 TIGER FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER . . .......................... 55 UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI HEALTH CARE......................... 5, 79 & 104-107 WILLETT AND PATTON DENTISTRY....................................................... 120 WILSON'S FITNESS.................................................................................... 12 COMO Living magazine is published by The Business Times Co., 2001 Corporate Place, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo., 65202. (573) 499-1830. Copyright The Business Times Co., 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Health & Wellness

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S T R O N G WO M E N

CHRISSY MAURIZI LA DI DA CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE OWNER

by AU D R E Y S H A R P | photo by C A S E Y B U C K M A N

YEARS LIVED IN COMO:

AGE: 33 FAMILY: I'm a single mom of three children, Braden, Alyssa (my cheerleader) and Charlie-Lane, as well as a caregiver to three young adults with special needs. I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure that qualifies me for Angelina status, minus the Brad part. I'm the third generation of my family to provide care for individuals with developmental disabilities. My mother, Tina, along with being a care provider, also owns Countryside Nursery School. We both love children. My father, Dr. Michael Maurizi, just recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan. We are immensely proud of him serving our country and are happy to have him home.

20

ON A TYPICAL WEEKDAY NIGHT I AM: Spending

time with the kiddos and obsessing over my favorite children's brands online (I'm a true boutique head).

FAVORITE RESTAURANT TO FREQUENT IN COMO: Chris McD's, hands

down. The filet is beyond words.

Yum!

WHAT I DO FOR FUN:

Happy hour with the girls, trips out of town and spending precious time with my family.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: I volunteer with my

church in many ways: Sunday school, prison ministry, bucket passing‌ you name it. I also love to help out at Love Inc. It's a very special program that is near and dear to my heart. I also volunteer with the humane society.

THE MOST REWARDING PART ABOUT MY JOB: I absolutely love interact-

ing with moms and children in the store. Finding the perfect outfit and chatting it up about the trials and tribulations of parenting. There is no manual for how to do it right, just other moms who can relate and might be able to offer advice or a shoulder to lean on.

THE MOST REWARDING PART ABOUT BEING A MOM: Being a parent

is the coolest thing anyone can ever do. Everything until that point and the things you thought were fulfilling are nothing compared to being a parent.

IN A SINGLE WORD, I AM: Loyal FAVORITE ACCESSORY:

Boots. I'll wear $2 filp-flops all summer and then when fall hits, it's onward to $100's on boots. That's how I justify it anyways. It all balances out in the end.

GUILTY PLEASURE:

Heavenly Ham. I go in and buy a ham, then go to Schnucks to get Velveta and Hawaiian sweet rolls. I'll wake up in the middle of the night and make mini ham and cheeses

FAVORITE COCKTAIL:

Buffalo Trace. I'm a whiskey girl.

Give me Johnny Walker and keep the vodka.

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE?: Living in the present

and realizing that I don't have to regret yesterday. There's no need to rush tomorrow.

S U B M I T A S T R O N G W O M A N AT C O M O L I V I N G M A G .C O M COMO L I V I N G

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NON PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

CREATIVITY FOR ALL ACC E S S ART S ED U C ATE S E V E RYONE FROM S TU D E NTS TO R ET I R EES.

by C H R I S DA N F O R T H INITIALLY KNOWN AS the School of Service, Access Arts was founded by local architect Hurst John. As the father of a son with cerebral palsy, John observed how the rest of his family would benefit from their interactions with his son, who enjoyed art. In 1971, he developed what would become Access Arts, which gained its 501(c)3 status in 1973. John founded Access Arts to be “an atmosphere of inclusion,” according to executive director Shawna Johnson.

That ideal has driven Access Arts for the past 44 years. “We believe that it’s important for everyone to have access to art and art education,” says Sarah Catlin, the newest member of Access Arts board of directors. “It’s in the name — Access Arts!”

Access Arts has grown up since 1971. Initially meeting once a week, in the basement of their office, Access Arts has expanded to offering year-round classes on their three-building campus. Classes include 3-D art, such as jewelry making and weaving; graphic art, like drawing and painting; and clay art.

Access Arts is also involved with community children’s programs. Last summer, Access Arts partnered with Boys and Girls Club of Columbia to let their kids experience a collaborative art project. “We did a collaborative piece at the Boys and Girls, where we found out people’s strengths and we moved people around a lot,” Hutti says. For this project, the students worked together to create a number of clay vessels, which will eventually be placed in one of Access Arts community partners’ facilities. “Everybody was able to learn something about themselves,” Hutti says.

While Access Arts is well known for its youth classes, it also offers a number of courses for adults and students. “We have a significant part of the student body that’s older,” Johnson says, “people who have empty houses for the first time, or who used to be artists, or who wanted to be artists and never had the time.”

These artists are often veterans. Hutti, who became an artist-in-residence in July, works closely with the VA as part of his community outreach.

He wants to provide veterans with opportunities to utilize Access Arts resources and teachers.

“Oftentimes it’s not just talent,” Hutti says. “It’s having the right tool, or the right instruction, and bridging the gap over that initial fear — the ‘I can’t make art’ fear — and when they see that it’s just having the right tool, or the right technique, it becomes accessible.”

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Empty-nesters make up another significant portion of Access Arts artists. “We have one student who’s almost 80,” Johnson remarks. “Once the kids leave the house, people find they have time to pursue art.”

As Access Arts engages the community through art and teaching, they also rely on the community financially. Their funding comes from benefactors such as the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Boone County Community Trust, Boone Electric Community Trust and the Missouri Arts Council.

They also depend on community fundraisers through local businesses, like Lucky’s Market and Bluestem Missouri Crafts. These local efforts help to raise both money and awareness for Access Arts.

Access Arts also benefits from its artist-inresidence program, Johnson says. A mutually beneficial relationship, Access Arts is able to offer newly graduated artists materials and facilities so they can continue to make art and grow their portfolio. In return, Access Arts is able to offer their students skilled teachers from outside Columbia who are able to bring different skills to the program.

When asked about the future, Catlin gets excited. “We want to offer more programs to more people, obviously,” Catlin says. “We have the ability to grow, and the facilities to grow. We do a great job with kids and with adults, but we tend to lose students in their teenage years.” Johnson agrees, noting that adding more students would allow them to add more programs.

When it comes to teenagers in the program, Hutti wants to see them use Access Arts to further their dreams as artists. “We have the ability to bridge the gap between college and high school. Not just that they’d get into college, but that they’d get scholarships.” Hutti says, noting that high school students are also able to receive guidance and mentorship from the artists-in-residence.

This guidance can often be the difference between getting into an art school and “getting into a top art school and having a career as an artist,” Hutti says.

As for teaching students whose college years are behind them, Hutti enjoys taking the “stress out of people’s life for three hours out of the week.” Helping people develop new artistic skills while learning about themselves is something g Hutti believes in, and it’s been Access Arts’ mission since 1971.

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