Vox Magazine 8.31.17

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CYBER HACKS

TUNE TRACKER

How to keep your information safe from internet breaches

We found four music locales to explore outside of Columbia

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WHO’S A GOOD DOG?

Missouri pit bull owners face historical stereotypes, but their dogs just want love PAGE 6

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IN THIS ISSUE

ONLINE

August 31, 2017 VOLUME 19 ISSUE 20 | PUBLISHED BY THE COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN

FEATURE Pit bulls have a reputation for being one of the most aggressive dog breeds. This means owners are plagued with restrictive regulations that determine how they manage their dogs. Pit bull parents are now rallying to destigmatize the negative views that are associated with their four-legged friends. PAGE 6 NEWS & INSIGHT Storing personal information on your devices might be convenient, but keeping that information safe should also be a priority.

Heed these five preventative measures to keep your data secure from hackers. PAGE 4 MUSIC Entertaining music venues that feature concerts, solo acts and open mics are all within driving distance from Columbia.

Whether you’re north, south, east or west of the city, try visiting one of these euphonious settings. PAGE 13

AN HONEST OZARK REVIEW A central Missouri native offers his opinion on the new Netflix series, Ozark. The show centers around a financial planner who is forced to relocate to the Lake of the Ozarks with his family because of his criminal business partners.

PAGE-TURNERS COMING THIS FALL Few things are as relaxing as nestling into a blanket and getting lost in a book. With major novel releases hitting bookshelves this fall, you’re going to want to snag one of these upcoming tomes and curl up indoors.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU Many eateries in town seem to be in a constant state of transition. Stay in the know about which of your favorite restaurants are currently open, closed or under renovation.

EDITOR’S LETTER

ARTS & BOOKS Gennie Pfannenstiel, a local art teacher and social justice advocate, is using her mosaics to share stories of life, loss and hope.

Inspired by events such as the refugee crisis, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and ISIS kidnappings, her works create a united visual from smaller pieces. PAGE 12 Q&A: MELISSA LEWIS As a member of the Cherokee Nation, Melissa Lewis, an assistant professor at the MU School of Medicine, is tackling the issue of racism in the health care system and how it affects Native Americans. PAGE 14 COVER DESIGN: KEEGAN POPE COVER PHOTO: EMILY JOHNSON

MADISON FLECK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

320 LEE HILLS HALL, COLUMBIA, MO 65211 EDITORIAL: 573-884-6432 vox@missouri.edu ADVERTISING: 573-882-5714 CIRCULATION: 573-882-5700 TO SUBMIT A CALENDAR EVENT: email vox@missouri.edu or submit via online form at voxmagazine.com.

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It’s easy to catch puppy fever in Columbia. The city is home to nearly 3,000 dogs — and that’s just the registered ones. If you walk downtown or stop by a park on a nice day, you’ll see tons of puppers, doggos and floofs walking happily alongside their owners.

And if you’re like me, you don’t discriminate by breed when you ask an owner if you can pet their dog. But some breeds get a bad rap, especially the “bully” ones.

I got my dog, Webber, five months ago. When I first entertained the idea of getting a dog, I was set on a pit bull (I’d just seen John Wick: Chapter 2, and the pit bull was my favorite part of the movie). But when I started researching what all I’d need to do in order to have a dog, specifically a pit bull, at my apartment, I realized I’ll most likely have to own a home before I can own a pit bull.

According to my landlord, there are breed and weight restrictions for dogs at my apartment complex, and aggressive dogs are one of the restrictions — pit bulls included.

I’m now a happy owner of a border collie, but I had to jump through hoops even for a non-aggressive breed. I had to pay fees, and my monthly rent increased just for owning a dog.

This week’s feature (Page 6) breaks down why the negative stigmas surrounding pit bulls exist and how Missouri lawmakers and pit bull owners are working to change the breed’s narrative. Despite the pit bull’s past of fighting and aggression, most of those traits have been bred out, leaving us with a gentle, playful and clever dog.

The stereotype is changing, but it’s far from erased. So when you see a pit bull on the street or at the park, ask the owner if you can pet it. You might be surprised how friendly and loving the dog really is.

VOX STAFF Editor: Madison Fleck Deputy Editor: Sten Spinella Managing Editor: Kelsie Schrader Digital Managing Editor: Lea Konczal Multimedia Editor: Meg Vatterott Online Editor: Brooke Vaughan Art Directors: Alexandra Wozniczka, Keegan Pope Photo Editor: Erin Bormett News & Insight Editors: Lauren Puckett, Rachel Treece The Scene Editors: Brooke Kottmann, Lily Zhao, Brea Cubit Music Editors: Amanda Lundgren, Lis Joyce Arts & Books Editors: Karlee Renkoski, Mary Salatino, Micki Wagner Editorial Director: Heather Lamb Executive Editor: Jennifer Rowe Digital Director: Sara Shipley Hiles Office Manager: Kim Townlain

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PHOTOS BY OR COURTESY OF EMILY JOHNSON AND NETFLIX

RADAR

Vox’s take on the talk of the week

HELPING HOUSTON The situation in Houston is devastating. With so many relief funds popping up, it can be overwhelming to know where to donate and how to help.

Nonprofits such as Charity Navigator and government agency FEMA provide some guidance. Here are a few of their suggestions: The Greater Houston Community Foundation: Started by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner United Way of Greater Houston: First priority is safety, shelter and basic needs National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD): If you’d rather volunteer than donate money

A SIGH OF FINANCIAL RELIEF You might have heard about some free tuition lately thanks to the Missouri Land Grant Compact.

Here’s how that breaks down: Amount of monetary support offered through the Missouri land grants: $5 million | Year this starts: Fall 2018 | Students eligible: 3,500 per year | Expected MU enrollment for 2017–18 academic year: 30,400 | Percent of student body that will receive free tuition: 11.5 percent | Amount MU invests on need-based financial aid: $12 million per year

SHOW-ME STATE SHOWDOWN

Ready for football season? The Tigers will take on the Missouri State Bears on Saturday — the first time the two teams have met in almost a century.

Missouri State’s been throwing academic jabs lately, with University President Clif Smart telling the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the school is focused on out-recruiting MU. Here’s how the schools match up on and off the field:

2016 FOOTBALL RECORD 4–7 4–8 ACCEPTANCE RATE 85% 78% NOTABLE MONUMENT PSU Bear Mizzou Statue Columns

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2016 TOTAL ENROLLMENT 23,537 33,239 YEAR FOUNDED 1905

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2017–18 RESIDENT TUITION $7,306 $9,786

HOW TO: HISSSSY FIT Taylor Swift announces she’ll drop her new album, Reputation, on Nov. 10, suspiciously coinciding with the anniversary of Kanye West’s mother’s death. Katy Perry needles archenemy Swift while hosting the MTV VMAs. Kim Kardashian bans the snake emoji on her Instagram account after reportedly being harassed by Swift fans. There seems to be a trend here. Snake is the new black.

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NEWS & INSIGHT

Five hacks to dodge hackers The convenience of phones can blind us to the costs of losing our data.

Vox explains how to stay vigilant against cyberattacks. BY NADINE LAEMMLER We live in an era in which our whole lives are saved on our phones. With one click, you can see your credit card, bank account and contact information, and that’s just the start. This is scary when you consider that there have been 939 cyberattacks and breaches in the U.S. so far this year. More than 19 million records have been exposed — not including attacks that go unreported and unnoticed — according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

New legislation allows internet providers to sell online information such as browsing habits, app usage history and location information without your consent. Despite a large public outcry against this legislation, tech companies such as Google and Facebook already use this information. This explains why you see ads for swimsuits on Facebook after shopping for them online.

If this makes you as uncomfortable as it makes us, check out the following tips and tricks on how to keep your data yours and your phone private.

MAKE SURE YOUR BROWSER IS SECURE If you open a website, make sure it says “secure” with an image of a lock next to the URL in the address bar.

Colton Hinkle of Tiger Tech says this is the most basic

line of defense. If it says secure, it’s a trusted website, and your information is well-protected. If this isn’t enough, instead of staying logged in to your online shopping accounts, buy things as a guest or one-time user to make sure your credit card information is not saved with the site.

USE PAYPAL If you’re a frequent online shopper and don’t want to give up the convenience of your already-saved account, make sure to use PayPal whenever possible for your purchases. Hinkle explains that PayPal takes responsibility for purchases you make, so if someone uses your account, chances are you can talk to someone at PayPal, and the company will rectify the situation on its end.

DON’T EVER SHARE YOUR PASSWORDS Whether it’s the four-digit code on your phone, your PIN or your social security number, don’t give those numbers to people unless you must. Kevin Lee, a technician at iGenie Repair, also recommends creating long passwords that include special characters and numbers. Use LastPass, an internet application that stores your passwords, to stay organized.

IF YOU GET A NEW PHONE, WIPE THE OLD ONE CLEAN Make sure to go to a place where you can be 100 percent certain memory will be completely wiped off.

To get rid of your old devices in Columbia, check out Gravity, an iOS-certified shop downtown. The store e-cycles old Apple products and doesn’t just reset your device to factory settings. It completely takes the hard drive apart and breaks the discs on which everything is saved.

USE COMMON SENSE WHEN ONLINE OR ON YOUR PHONE Kyle Huebotter of Gravity says the best thing to do when someone calls you asking for information is to instruct the caller to recite your name and address. If it really is the IRS, Apple or someone else trustworthy, the person will be able to tell you. If he or she doesn’t, hang up.

Most importantly, Lee says, “Don’t let people touch your phone, especially if they hate you.”

A U G U S T 2 4 - 2 7 | A U G . 3 1 - S E P T. 3 | S E P T. 7 -1 0

“Me and the guys at the home office have been following this plant of yours. We’ve come up with one incredible idea.”

Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman

$ Adults 14 $ Seniors 12 Students $12 Thursdays $10

1800 Nelwood Drive; Columbia, MO | 573.474.3699 | www.cectheatre.org 4

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ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXANDRA WOZNICZKA

JUNE

RORY

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MOLLY

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DRIPPY

NORA

PHOTOS BY EMILY JOHNSON

NO BAD DOGS HERE

Pit bulls have a reputation for being aggressive.

Where did this stigma come from? And what is life like for the owners of such heavily regulated pets?

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BY JENNA ALLEN PHOTOS BY EMILY JOHNSON, EMILY SHEPHERD AND MARTA PAYNE

isa Franko told herself that Anni would sleep on the floor, but ever since she let the 3-year-old pit bull into her bed the day after she adopted her, she hasn’t slept alone. “She always starts on the floor,” Franko says. “I would say halfway through the night, she finds her way up there.”

Franko adopted Anni from the Central Missouri Humane Society at the end of January.

According to the Humane Society, Anni is a mixed breed, but because of her appearance and the fact that Anni was used for breeding by her previous owners, Franko has suspicions that she could be full Staffordshire bull terrier — one of the four breeds legally considered to comprise the pit bull category. When Franko began her search for a dog, she had no interest in adopting a pit bull, due to both her lack of experience with them and the stigma surrounding them. Although Franko says no one around her actively talks about it, she sees pit bulls portrayed as mean, particularly with stories recounting pit bulls attacking other dogs and children. The Humane Society even told Franko that Anni, statistically, was one of the hardest dogs to adopt out because of aversion to her possible breed and her dark coat.

The perpetuation of the negativity surrounding pit bulls has caused tension among their advocates and adversaries, especially when that reputation’s origins are a bit murky.

Many people, such as Franko, say they are aware of it but don’t necessarily know when or why it came to be. Because many view pit bulls as inherently dangerous, the dogs are often generalized as having violent temperaments, which has resulted in breed-specific legislation regulating — and even banning — dogs identified as pit bulls around the world. In Columbia, landlords and insurance companies reflect these breed-based restrictions, which affect pit bull owners more than owners of other breeds. Government officials at both the state and local

WE’RE ADOPTABLE!

Vox photographers visited the Central Missouri Humane Society to take these photos. All of these dogs are looking for a forever home.

For more adoption information, visit VOXMAGAZINE.COM

levels in Missouri are taking a stand against breed-specific legislation — with little luck.

According to DogsBite.org, Missouri is one of 42 states with municipalities that have dog breed-specific laws. There are 87 communities in Missouri that have dangerous dog breed ordinances, and all of them include pit bulls in some way. Regulations vary but include those that declare pit bulls dangerous, restrict them, require they be sterilized or outright ban them. No Boone County communities have breed-specific regulations. An animal control ordinance from the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, approved by the Boone County Commission about 25 years ago, states, “No dog shall be defined or considered vicious solely because of its breed.” However, neighboring communities do have these regulations. Within a loose 50-mile radius of Columbia, there are five towns that have ordinances banning pit bulls: New Florence, Montgomery City, California, Pilot Grove and New Franklin.

Breed-specific legislation has come under fire as dog advocates and professional organizations question its effectiveness and reasoning. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Veterinary Medical Association, for instance, condemn it. The ASPCA opposes state or local laws regulating or banning dogs based on breed because “no convincing data indicates this strategy has succeeded anywhere to date,” according to its website. The AVMA considers breed-based legislation unacceptable because it often relies on dogs’ appearances and quick judgments that can result in euthanizing dogs based on how they look rather than on how they’ve acted, according to its website.

Bronwen Dickey, author of Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon, argues that breedspecific legislation imperils the public rather than protects it. In a Los Angeles Times op-ed from 2016, Dickey cites examples of locations with breed-based laws that have experienced higher numbers of injuries or hospitalizations resulting from dog bites since implementing bans — an indication such laws are ineffective. Toronto is one of these places, which, despite implementing a ban on owning, breeding, transferring, abandoning or importing pit bulls in 2005, is experiencing more dog bites overall than in previous years, according to a February 2016 Global News Toronto article. The United Kingdom, another location Dickey cites, has banned pit bulls since 1991 but has seen an increase in the number of hospital admissions for dog bite-related injuries or attacks over the past 10 years, according to a 2015 article from The Guardian.

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to handle individual dogs acting out but instead focus attention on dogs that look a certain way. Such breedspecific laws also aren’t necessarily specific, especially where pit bulls are concerned, Dickey says. Four breeds — American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier and American bully — constitute the pit bull category. “If you’re going to make people adhere to special laws, you should have solid information to back it up as a lawmaker,” Dickey says. The lack of one widely accepted definition of the breed complicates creating and enforcing policies.

About 22 states either prohibit breed-specific legislation or have legislation opposing breed-based laws, according to the Animal Legal and Historical Center at

“If we’re insuring families that might have an aggressive dog, we just need to make sure that if there is a claim, we can pay it. It’s all a business.”

—Missy Dundov

State Farm Insurance

the Michigan State University College of Law. Of these states, seven have state laws that also prohibit any municipal regulation of dogs based on breed — Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Utah — and 15 have state laws that ban municipal declaration of dogs as “dangerous, potentially dangerous or vicious.”

Missouri is not included in either category and is among the states that currently do not prohibit breed-specific laws.

In the past two years, two Missouri representatives have proposed acts to change that. The first legislation was proposed in 2015 by former state Rep. Ron Hicks, and it didn’t move forward. This year, a bill proposed by Rep. Bruce DeGroot was referred to committee in March, but no hearing was scheduled before the close of the regular legislative session in May.

NO PIT BULLS ALLOWED

Breed-specific laws are just one hurdle pit bull owners face. Many property managers, landlords and apartment management companies also have breed-specific restrictions. According to the Central Missouri Humane Society’s website that lists Columbia property restrictions for pets, the majority of landlords bar “aggressive” breeds, which include pit bulls. Many other properties specifically name the dogs not allowed, and pit bulls appear numerous times.

Student housing apartment complex The Arch has a policy that all dogs have to be approved, but generally, aggressive breeds are not allowed, David Streeter, general manager of the property, wrote in an email. He noted that many apartment companies don’t allow pets, but he couldn’t speak on their policies.

Caryn McClanahan, who works for Jacobs Property Management, says restrictions against breeds considered aggressive are standard for management companies. Jacobs Property Management doesn’t allow puppies, Doberman pinschers, pit bulls, Rottweilers, chow chows, Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies or their mixes. This is because the company manages more than 500 residences for more than 51 owners who have insurance policies that might or might not cover these breeds, she says. The rules create a standard for all properties to avoid confusion and possible insurance violations by renters. Not allowing Dobermans, pit bulls and Rottweilers has been part of the company’s policies for the nine years McClanahan has worked there and said guidelines were in place before her hiring, she says.

When it comes to homeowners insurance for properties with dogs, some companies vary their coverage based on breed, but others, such as State Farm, don’t. Missy Dundov, a spokesperson for State Farm, says the company determines coverage on an individual basis, and it’s not just the breed of the dog that determines what is available for customers. Instead, State Farm looks at how the owner handles his or her dog, the history of the dog — specifically whether he or she has bitten someone — and the likelihood the dog will bite again. “It’s not necessarily that a pit bull bit you, or a Rottweiler bit you,” Dundov says. “If a golden retriever bites somebody, then we have to look at, is there

a chance that the dog will continue to bite, and figure out then what kind of coverage that owner should get.”

Underwriters and agents work to determine any future risks based on the individual situations where bites have occurred. “If we’re insuring families that might have an aggressive dog, we just need to make sure that if there is a claim, we can pay it,” she says. “It’s all a business.”

Franko says she and her roommate chose their property — an apartment owned by Montmartre Apartments and Properties — because of its pet policy. The lack of specific restrictions allowed her roommate to keep her cat and allowed Franko to adopt any dog.

FRIEND OR FOE?

Historically, pit bulls weren’t defined by their negative rap. In her book, Dickey examines the public perception of pit bulls in America and how it has changed over the past 100 years. In the early 1900s, the dogs’ popularity stemmed from the idea that they were a friendly dog for the average American, gracing the cover of Life magazine three times — more than any other dog. Pit bulls were even used to represent the spirit of America in propaganda and advertising during World Wars I and II. As Dickey states in her book, the term “pit bull” encompasses multiple breeds and is a wildly imprecise and elastic phrase. Outside the law, pit bulls are more commonly defined as such based on physical characteristics, which casts a much wider net as far as what types of dogs are included. Dickey points out that if mixed-breed dogs possess characteristics similar to the four aforementioned breeds, including what Dickey calls blocky heads, brindle coats and white markings on their chests, people are often quick to label them pit bulls even if it might not be totally accurate.

When dogfighting became widely publicized in the 1970s, however, the perception of pit bulls drastically shifted as people began to see these dogs associated with fighting. They were often bred for this due to their natural strength and assumed scrappiness. “Once reporters and misinformed activists cast the dogs as willing participants in their own abuse,” Dickey writes, “pit bulls were exiled to the most turbulent margins of society, where a cycle of poverty, violence, fear and desperation had already

Four of a kind The term “pit bull” is used to refer to four different dog breeds, which makes its definition relatively loose. Although these breeds share many physical characteristics, they also differ on some characteristics, such as size, build and tail shape.

American pit bull terrier These terriers are known for their short, tapered tails.

Sources: AKC.org, petwave.com, ultimatehomelife.com

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American Staffordshire terrier Am Staffs have strong builds with coats in all different colors.

American Bully These guys are bigger than other pit bull breeds, weighing in at 70 to 120 lbs.

Staffordshire bull terrier Staffordshires are smaller than Am Staffs, weighing in at 24 to 38 lbs.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, PIXABAY

Lisa Franko spends an evening studying with her pit bull, Anni, at their home in Columbia. Many apartment complexes don’t allow aggressive dogs, including pit bulls, so she had to find a place to live that didn’t have such restrictions.

Lisa adopted 3-year-old Anni in January, though she hadn’t set out to adopt a pit bull specifically. She says she was worried about how people would feel about the dog.

The Humane Society told Lisa when she adopted Anni that she is a mixed breed, but Lisa thinks she could be one of four breeds legally considered a pit bull.

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created a booming market for aggressive dogs.” Now, coverage of pit bulls is largely dominated by news stories recounting violent attacks. Searching “pit bull” on Google News yields results that reflect this media phenomenon.

Searching “dog attacks” conjures up more articles documenting pit bull attacks, even without the specific pit bull search parameters.

Looking at local statistics, it’s true that pit bulls are overrepresented in dog bite cases. The Columbia/ Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services keeps records of dog bites reported to animal control. Of the 175 total bites reported in the year from April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017, 43 breeds were represented. Only three breeds broke into double digits: German shepherds with 15 bites, Labrador retrievers with 19 bites and pit bulls with 51 bites. These numbers are consistent with reports from previous years, writes Eric Stann, community relations specialist for the department, in an email. What is more difficult to determine is how many of each breed live in Columbia. Although the city requires dogs to be licensed, only 11 percent are, according to the Board of Health. Of the 2,709 dogs licensed up to 2015, about 156 are pit bulls.

Crunching the numbers, it would seem that pit bulls are more likely to be part of a dog bite incident, with about 5 percent of the licensed dogs making up 30 percent of the dog bites reported. But that is far from a complete picture — not only because the true numbers of resident dogs are unknown, but also because the very stigma surrounding pit bulls could skew reports. People might be more likely to report bites by dogs that look like pit bulls. When Dickey was researching for her book, she says an animal law enforcement officer in Colorado told her it’s difficult to get anyone to care if it’s not a pit bull bite. Misidentification of breed by victims in dog bite situations is another factor. “Pit bull” encompasses four breeds of dogs in varying sizes, shapes and colors. “It would be like if you were going to compare the accident rates of the Toyota Tacoma, the Ford Expedition and all sedans,” Dickey says.

With more than 50 years of experience training dogs, Ann Gafke, owner of the dog training facility Ann Gafke’s Teacher’s Pet in Columbia, says she summarizes

“She is very food-motivated,” says Anni’s owner, Lisa Franko, as the dog licks peanut butter, her favorite snack, out of a bone in her home. The American Bully breed has been bred to eliminate aggression in the dogs.

Bred in history

These dogs have come a long way since their days of fighting Simply named “bulldog” during this time, the Staffordshire Bull terrier was bred in England for the sport of bull-baiting, where dogs were pitted against bulls.

Bull-baiting, was deemed inhumane in the UK and was replaced by dogfighting.

1835

Early 1800s Early 1700s

The Staffordshire breed is created in England when the bulldog and mastiff are mixed.

The original American pit bull terrier is bred by the Colby family in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

1800s

Experimentation began with crossing bulldogs and terriers in England, Ireland and Scotland.

1889 1860

Entrepreneur James Hinks creates the all-white English bull terrier.

1898

The American pit bull terrier is first registered by the United Kennel Club.

Sources: UKCDogs.com, AKC.org, petwave.com, badrap.org, vitaminsforpitbulls.com, San Francisco Weekly

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PHOTOS BY OR COURTESY OF MARTA PAYNE, WIKIMIEDIA COMMINS, PIXABAY; INFOGRAPHIC BY KEEGAN POPE

pit bulls by five characteristics: protective, tenacious, stubborn, independent and willful. Being stubborn and independent might fuel the stigma surrounding pit bulls and the generalization that they have inherently bad temperaments, but Gafke says each trait can be considered positive or negative. A dog’s environment and its training affects temperament more than inherited traits, she says.

If dogs are not educated by their owners, breed traits can manifest themselves in negative ways. Saying certain breeds have a “good” or “bad” temperament is like saying one group of people does or doesn’t do something solely based on their culture, Gafke says. Dogs that cause problems are the result of a lack of training, not what is in their DNA, she says.

Michelle Casey, the assistant director of the Central Missouri Humane Society, says she thinks the long-held stigmas surrounding pit bulls are slowly dissipating as people advocate for them. Missouri Pit Bull Rescue, headquartered in Kansas City, is one organization fighting for the rights of pit bulls across the state. The organization strives to teach people about the breed and how to care for a pit bull responsibly, and it also combats legislation against the breed. Educating the community about pit bulls is a necessary component in dismantling negative stereotypes, Casey says. One way the Humane Society does this is by including pit bulls in adoption events to increase awareness of all dog breeds. This allows people to form beliefs based on personal experiences with dogs rather than on reputation alone, Casey says.

In addition, Casey says the Humane Society’s community engagement coordinator goes to schools and teaches children about responsible animal ownership and humane treatment of all living things, using the same technique of creating positive individual experiences to erode ingrained beliefs about aggressive dogs. “She’ll bring dogs of all different shapes, sizes, breeds and just really tries to instill in (students) how important that human-animal bond can be,” Casey says.

Despite steps toward reducing negative views about pit bulls, Franko says she has seen people react to Anni in ways she doesn’t think they would react to other dogs. Although no one has ever said anything to her about Anni, sometimes, when she takes her for walks in a crowded place, Franko notices people sidestepping her a little more than she’d

Stubby, an American Staffordshire terrier, became a sergeant and the most decorated dog of World War I.

Pit bull myth-busting

BY JENNA ALLEN Myth: Pit bulls are inherently dangerous Fact: Although pit bulls were bred for dogfighting at one point, which forced them to develop a skill set that could be considered formidable, it is impossible to characterize dogs in one breed as all the same, whether dangerous or not.

Dog trainer Ann Gafke says breeds tend to fall in ranges and have some characteristics that are similar, which is what sets them apart from other breeds. She says pit bulls might have been bred to have more tenacity and stubbornness, but you can’t say they have a common temperament or predict their behavior based on what type of dog they are. A more accurate indicator of how a dog might act is its level of education and environment, Gafke adds.

Myth: Breed bans are the most effective way to combat dog bite injuries Fact: Behavior and temperament cannot be predicted based solely on breed. So, breed-specific legislation would not be the most effective way to combat dog bite injuries, as it leaves out individual dogs of other breeds that could be dangerous or could have already bitten someone. In the case of banning pit bulls, their generic appearance of a pit bull makes breed-specific legislation difficult.

Myth: Pit bulls don’t get along with other dogs Fact: Gafke says behavior of an individual dog can’t be predicted based solely on its breed. Factors such as training and the environment determine how dogs will interact with other dogs more so than breed. Gafke adds that raising dogs with socialization — whether with expect. When Franko was looking for a dog, this is exactly what she wanted to avoid. “I wanted a dog that I could take out in public,” Franko says. “I kind of worried about having her out and about and how people would react.”

Although Franko says she never considered that she might have to worry about where she and Anni will live next because of restrictions placed on pit bulls and so-called “aggressive” breeds, she says it’s something she’ll have to

1936 1935

First Kennel Club of England dog show took place at Cradley Heath in the West Midlands, where 60 dogs were entered.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Myth: Dog bite statistics are infallible and give conclusive evidence about dog breeds’ temperament Fact: A number of factors contribute to why dog bite statistics might not be completely accurate and therefore should not be considered alone when generalizing breed temperament and predicting behavior. Possible misidentification of breed when reporting dog bite injuries could skew numbers, as could the broad physical definition of what constitutes the pit bull category. Since pit bulls include at least four breeds — American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier and American bully — mathematically, that would mean at least four times as many bites as a single, relatively easy-to-identify breed such as a golden retriever.

Myth: Pit bulls aren’t good family dogs Fact: Gafke says dogs have to be examined on an individual basis. Whether a dog is a good fit for a certain family depends on what that family is looking for and the lifestyle its members lead, according to the American Kennel Club’s “What Dog is Right for Me” guide.

Gafke says that although you can have a general idea of characteristics certain breeds might possess, generalizing the temperament of an entire breed into “good” or “bad” is impossible.

think about now. “I don’t plan on staying here forever, so if I were going to rent again, I feel like I would definitely have to let them know that she’s a pit bull,” Franko says. The negative reputation makes her sad, Franko says, because she has never seen Anni exhibit any aggression. Such stereotypes also mean there might be sweet dogs like her sitting in shelters for too long.

The American Bully breed was created to give a new direction and outlet for pit bull type breeds. Traits such as dog aggression and gameness were bred out due to increasing stereotypes.

The American Staffordshire terrier was the first official pit bull registered in the American Kennel Club Stud Book.

1918

other dogs, humans or other animals — and teaching them right from wrong makes a difference in how they’ll interact with them in the future.

1990 1974

American Kennel Club registered the Staffordshire bull terrier into the American Kennel Club Study Book.

2013

The American bully breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club.

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Gennie Pfannenstiel strives to create wholeness for herself and society through various art mediums.

Pfannenstiel’s mosaic of broken glass (top) illustrates the destruction of events such as the Sandy Hook Elementary Schoool shooting and Hurricane Sandy.

Pfannenstiel’s clay sculpture honors a young girl who told the story of her escape from ISIS (above).

ARTS & BOOKS

Piecing together a picture of advocacy Local art teacher creates social justice works inspired by true stories For Gennie Pfannenstiel, a career as a teacher at Lee Expressive Arts Elementary and her work in social justice are constantly intertwining and influencing her art.

She began teaching at Lee nine years ago and has been a fourth-grade art teacher for the past two years.

“I think her life and her work inform each other,” says Ann Mehr, an art teacher at Lee. “She sees fragments and understands how they can become whole, and I see that shining through in her work with children, in the art she does with children as well as her personal art.”

Pfannenstiel joined Artists for Social Justice of Columbia and displayed a piece in its spring “Nasty Women Art Exhibit” at the ARTlandish Gallery. The Crucible Calls Me to Rise is a mosaic window inspired by the current political climate.

“I think my mission statement is to create art, to create wholeness,” Pfannenstiel says. “Whether it be wholeness for yourself in creating the art, or whether it be wholeness for the viewer that views the art, or whether it be wholeness for society and the world.”

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Lana Coggeshall, a parent of one of Pfannenstiel’s students at Lee, saw the piece at ARTlandish Gallery. She had been looking to send state Rep. Martha Stevens, D-Columbia, artwork to hang in her office, and when Coggeshall saw The Crucible Calls Me to Rise, she knew it was perfect. Coggeshall and the community pitched in to purchase the piece, and Pfannenstiel donated the $350 profit to Planned Parenthood.

“I believe as an artist that your hands are doing the work of something that’s coming to you,” Pfannenstiel says. “If it’s coming to you, then you need to share it.”

Pfannenstiel has created four significant pieces in response to social justice issues.

THE ROCK, THE RIVER, THE TREE — OUR SHARED PASSAGE “This is going to be the tree of life for the immigrants and the refugees,” Pfannenstiel says of her latest stained-glass piece. She showcased the window at the Artists for Social Justice show, “Art as Refuge,” this past May. Pfannenstiel creates her mosaic pieces

BY SARAH PRZYBYLA

by gluing down different materials and piecing the shards together instead of cutting and shaping them to her liking. “I just try to puzzle it together,” Pfannenstiel says. “I can cut the glass to break it to fit, but I prefer to take the pieces that come my way and use them in that shape.”

THE CAULDRON OF PROPHECY Pfannenstiel created this piece in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and Hurricane Sandy. She says she wanted to make a washed-up beach scene that resembled the destruction of nature and life. She created a mosaic on a table out of items such as broken plates and glasses and placed a clay octopus on a chair beside it. The mosaic’s first pop-up installation was at a Race Matters, Friends event this past summer where Pfannenstiel invited people to sit down among the art.

SILENT NO MORE Pfannenstiel heard the abuse story of a young girl who escaped from an ISIS kidnapping, and it inspired her to create something new. “I just was so taken by

her that I wanted to do something in honor of her,” Pfannenstiel says. She created the head out of clay first and then used broken plates to cover it in mosaic.

She recently revisited the piece to consider adding more mosaic elements.

FLO AND TIC TAC TOE — A MIGRATION STORY Flo, a clay sandhill crane Pfannenstiel lovingly named, was inspired by her students. After teaching her students about the distinct, cooing call of the sandhill crane, she felt moved to create Flo. “As I was walking away from the children, they all started to call out to me with the sandhill crane call,” she says. Pfannenstiel says she felt touched in that moment and truly connected to the sandhill crane. She knew she needed to use it in her next piece. After doing some research on the bird, she decided to create three baby cranes out of clay that would sit on Flo. For the final touches, she added a mosaic element around the bottom of the piece.

See more of Pfannenstiel’s art online at VOXMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS BY MICHAEL CALI

MUSIC

Music in every direction Take a mini road trip, and enjoy shows at these four venues outside of CoMo

BY JENNA ALLEN

Columbia has its fair share of great live music, but it’s certainly not the only town in central Missouri with performers worth seeing. If you have time to spare and you’re interested in music, Vox has four places to get you out exploring mid-Missouri. With an adventurous spirit and a passion for song, you’ll be rocking out or casually swaying to the beat at these live music locales.

North of Columbia: The Aquadome

120 S. Main St., Kirksville Hours vary. Check the weekly schedule at theaquadome.org.

How long is the drive? 1 hour, 30 minutes What kinds of tunes will I hear? Indie, alternative, lo-fi, post-alternative, punk Why should I go? The Aquadome is a volunteer-run, nonprofit venue. The alternative community space, which is inspired by DIY art and culture, hosts concerts, open mics and more throughout the year. Aquadome PR coordinator Scout Sale says the venue is unlike any other place in Kirksville. “The Aquadome is just a very inclusive community and safe space for people to express themselves,” Sale says. “(It’s) the only place that discusses art and music in the way that we do. We’re very community-focused.”

The Kay Brothers perform at The Mission in Jefferson City. The Mission showcases live performers of all genres five days per week, owner Jenny Babcock says.

East of Columbia: Adam Puchta Winery

South of Columbia: The Mission

1947 Frene Creek Road, Hermann Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

How long is the drive? 1 hour, 15 minutes What kinds of tunes will I hear? Classic rock, reggae, country Why should I go? The winning combination of wine and solo acts singing tunes everyone knows are just a couple of the reasons this winery stands out in the mid-Missouri music scene. “It’s not necessarily that people are picking Adam Puchta Winery just because of the music,” says Aimee Viehmann, general manager of the winery. “When they come to the winery, it’s an added bonus.”

915 E. High St., Jefferson City Tues.–Sat. 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

How long is the drive? 30 minutes What kinds of tunes will I hear? Bluegrass, hard rock, country, punk, acoustic Why should I go? The Mission has live music Tuesday through Saturday, including solo acts, bands and open mics. Jenny Babcock, owner of The Mission, highlights the variety of music the venue offers. “You name it; we do it,” Babcock says. “We try to incorporate all experience and talents.”

KOPN 89.5fm...Where Else?

Monday thru Friday National Programming Line-up...

Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman 8-9am and Noon-1pm

The Diane Rehm Show 9-11am Rocheport General Store is a venue that hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night. In addition to music, the store offers drinks, dine-in food and pantry items.

West of Columbia: Rocheport General Store

202 Central St., Rocheport Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; music Fri.–Sat. 8–11 p.m.

How long is the drive? 30 minutes What kinds of tunes will I hear? Classic rock, jazz, blues, country Why should I go? Jessica Long-Day, who books the bands, says the Rocheport General Store is unique with the crowd it attracts. “We get the people that don’t want to be out late,” Long-Day says. In addition, attendees can eat at the store and stay for the music. “It’s almost like dinner and a show,” she says.

PHOTOS BY MONIQUE WOO AND STEPHANIE MUELLER

Fresh Air with Terry Gross 11am-Noon On your radio dial at 89.5 fm or live streaming at kopn.org 08.31.17

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MELISSA LEWIS exposes racism against Native American patients

W

hen Melissa Lewis asks her medical students about Native American patients, she says they reply, “Well, I’ve never seen them.”

This doesn’t seem right to Lewis, an assistant professor in Family and Community Medicine at the MU School of Medicine and a member of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. She began work on her curriculum while she was still a professor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and her current project at MU involves youth leadership and cultural programs within the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. Melissa Walls, an assistant professor in the Department of Biobehavioral Health and Population Sciences who worked with Lewis at UMD, says, “We just try to think about this idea of ‘treat the patient, not the culture, but allow a safe space for people to express their cultural ways.’” Lewis looks to Walls as inspiration for her curriculum.

Lewis discussed her firsthand experience with the barriers Native Americans face in the health care system.

Get tickets at rootsnbluesnbbq.com

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What kinds of challenges do indigenous people experience when seeking health care?

All the challenges from access to care to prevention to treatment to the service facilities — ­ in every one of those categories that you can possibly access the health care system, native people fare much worse. So for instance, indigenous children receive fewer vaccinations. Indigenous people are less likely to have a primary care provider.

Indigenous people are less likely to be perceived well by their providers, or they’re less likely to be trusted when they give their pain scores. Providers are less likely to believe them, so it’s pervasive.

How did you develop your curriculum?

I invited all my students and native experts to help me. I asked them, “What do you think indigenous patients want these medical students to know, and how should we teach them?” It ended up being these seven-hour curricula mostly taught by folks who are outside of the medical school.

Have you experienced racism in the health care system as a member of an indigenous community?

Yes, all the time. I’ll even fill out some (medical) forms, and I’ll mark the box that says “American Indian.” I’ll get my paperwork back, and it says “White.”

They just change it. Again, it’s this misunderstanding of what a native person is. So they want someone to almost come in with a headdress on for them to know that they’re a native person.

Does your community work in the Cherokee Nation fit in with your other medical work, and how?

Heck yeah! Medicine is about the health and well-being of people, and I think we’ve gotten stuck too long in thinking of medicine as the treatment of disorders.

Now that there are more native people in health research, we’re beginning to look at what really creates a healthy person and a healthy native person. What comes back every single time is being rooted in your family, in your community and in your culture. And those people are less likely to have diabetes. They’re less likely to be depressed. They’re less likely to have heart disease. They’re less likely to have anxiety disorders.

—JARED KAUFMAN‌ PHOTO BY ERIN ACHENBACH

THE TO-DO LIST

this week in Columbia

ARTS & CULTURE Flick on Faurot: Wonder Woman Grab a blanket, and head to Faurot Field to enjoy Wonder Woman on the big screen.

Watch as she wields her sword and endeavors to save humanity. Friday, 8:30 p.m., Faurot Field, Free, 882-6776

“Interpretations V”

Fine art and the written word unite in this annual exhibit where 40 writers swap their literary works with 40 visual artists, who likewise offer up their artwork. The artists and writers use their interpretations of the swapped pieces to create new ones and, ultimately, to remind people that everyone sees things differently. Through Nov. 3., all day, Columbia Art League, Free, 443-8838

Countering Cancer Legacy Tournament

It’s time to put that Magic: The Gathering deck to good use. Valhalla’s Gate is hosting a tournament to support a friend’s GoFundMe for cancer treatments. The store requests that all players call ahead to register, as the event will be capped at 80 people. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Valhalla’s Gate, $30 plus tax, 442-9909

CIVIC Women Who Own It Speaker Series: Kelsey Meyer Raymond

Perk those ears, and listen to Kelsey Meyer

Raymond, the co-founder and president of Influence & Co., speak about her business journey. Her company focuses on executive branding, content marketing strategies and more. Bring a lunch to nosh on while you learn. Friday, noon–1 p.m., Missouri Women’s Business Center, Free, 777-5235

With a Girl” and “She Sets the City On Fire.”

Tuesday, 8 p.m., The Blue Note, $30, GA; $55 Gold Circle; $100 VIP, 874-1944

SPORTS 6th Annual Prison Break Race

and Tayla Solomon, who each face ups and downs throughout the year but find solace in their teammates and coach.

RT RUNTIME = 1:24

Still playing

MUSIC The Flood Brothers

SCREEN Close Encounters of the Third Kind 40th Anniversary (PG)

The 1977 sci-fi classic will be played in honor of the movie’s 40th anniversary.

The film, written and directed by Steven Spielberg, follows the uncanny events that take place after a line worker has an encounter with a U.F.O. R RUNTIME = 2:25

All Saints (PG) R Annabelle: Creation (R) F, R Atomic Blonde (R) R Baby Driver (R) R Cars 3 (G) R The Big Sick (R) R, RT The Dark Tower (PG-13) F, R Despicable Me 3 (PG) F, R Dunkirk (2017) (PG-13) F, R The Emoji Movie (PG) F, R Good Time (R), RT Girls Trip (R) F, R The Glass Castle (PG-13) F, RT The Hitman’s Bodyguard (R) F, R Leap! (PG) R, F Logan Lucky (PG-13) F, R The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (PG) F Spider-man: Homecoming (PG) R War for the Planet of the Apes (PG) R Wind River (R) F, RT Wonder Woman (PG-13) F, R

Gavin DeGraw

Step (PG)

Theaters

FOOD & DRINK Seasonal Brunch Recipes

Chelsea and Jake Davis, Root Cellar co-owners, are sharing some of their favorite seasonal recipes for the perfect brunch menu. Join them to learn some valuable cooking tips and tricks. Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Root Cellar, $25, 443-5055

The Flood Brothers will perform with belly dancers from Moon Belly Dance Studio located in Columbia. The show is inspired by the concept of water, symbolizing renewal as well as the Standing Rock protests.

Saturday, 7–10 p.m., Cooper’s Landing, Free, 657-2544

The “Not Over You” singer will bring his pop, rock and soul melodies to CoMo as part of his 2017 RAW tour. DeGraw found his footing in the music industry with his 2003 debut album Chariot and has been releasing hits ever since, including “In Love

It’s the ultimate test: Escape from a dungeon beneath the Missouri State Penitentiary, and complete a 5-mile course that’s sure to challenge every ounce of your athleticism. You just might have what it takes to escape from prison. Participants must be 18 or older. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, 9–11 a.m., Missouri State Penitentiary, $40, 632-2820

Step, previously shown at True/False this past spring, chronicles the events of a high school dance team in Baltimore as members navigate their way through senior year.

The documentary mainly focuses on three students, Blessin Giraldo, Cori Grainger

F = Forum R = Regal

RT = Ragtag = available in 3D

October 7, 2017 Columbia, MO

17 N. 10th St.

Mon-Sat: 10am - 8pm Sun: Noon - 5pm

Downtown Columbia

874-8600

Since 1968

Register or Donate TODAY KomenMissouri.org/MidMoRace Act. Donate. Get Involved.

Stop in at Aardvarx where you are free to be.. fun, loud, crazy, or hip..whatever defines YOU. We have everything you need to express yourself.

T-ShirTS, CloThing, CandleS, inCenSe, PoSTerS, TaPeSTrieS, TobaCCo, Smoking aCCeSSorieS, Jewelry, body Jewelry, TaroT CardS CrySTalS & muCh more!

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