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dining out wishflour

Wishflour Bakery Creates A Sweet Narrative All Its Own

Photos by L.G. Patterson Wishflour Bakery Owner Marcey Mertens wants you to defy the traditional narrative, but only if it makes you happy. She followed what she sees as the traditional narrative for women, which to her means “graduate, go to college, find a husband, get married, buy a house, have kids, work a nine […]

encounters

Tory Kassabaum Sells Local Flowers to Support Nonprofits

Photos by L.G. Patterson and Tory Kassabaum Flowers are used every day to celebrate life. Whether it’s a wedding, an anniversary, a holiday, a special occasion, giving thanks to someone, apologizing to a loved one or even recognizing loss, flowers are most used to bring joy with their vibrant colors, pleasing scents and beauty. Tory […]

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Serving Spring Sets on and off the Court

Styled by Madelyn Jones and Bre Smith  Photos by L.G. Patterson  Spring has sprung! This means it’s time once again to enjoy your favorite outdoor activities. To ensure you are ready to strut onto the court in style, we put together the perfect mix of local workout wear from tennis skorts and dresses to different […]

pets morty

Cutest Pets Contest 2024 Winners

Photos by L.G. Patterson You sent in pictures and voted … and the winners are finally here! We asked for this year’s cutest pets in Columbia, and you did not disappoint! With a high record of submissions, we didn’t know who would come out on top. This was the first year we had a wallaby […]

Las Margaritas, global eats feature

Embark on a Flavorful Global Adventure Without Leaving Columbia

Photos by L.G. Patterson Take your taste buds on a trip around the world while staying in Columbia. From the flavors of Kenya and India to tasting the delicacies of Italy, we have put together the perfect map for you to taste the diverse culinary landscape of the world while staying at home. So, gather […]

Hannah Holzum cooking

Get Tips on Creating and Keeping Healthy Habits

Photos by L.G. Patterson and Ava Kitzi  The hardest part of a New Year’s resolution isn’t finding a goal, it’s keeping it. Research from the Fisher College of Business shows that by the first week, 23% of people quit their resolution, and 43% have called it quits at the end of January. Hannah Holzum, a […]

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Escape: Take a Quick Getaway to These Local Lodgings

Photos Courtesy of Amy Higgins Stambaugh, Angad Arts Hotel, Bryan and Catina Topash, Evolve Now that the holidays have wound down, the winter months truly start setting in. While some thrive during the wet and cold weeks, others dream of warmer days with beach vacations. Though mid-Missouri traditionally lacks such summery opportunities during this time, […]

winter boots fashion photoshoot

Find the Perfect Pair of Boots for the Winter Season

Styled by Madelyn Jones Photos by L.G. Patterson Winter fashion isn’t complete without fantastic footwear! Tall boots shine this season, keeping your feet warm and style hot. We’ve assembled numerous pairs and color combinations so you have plenty to choose from. With help from members of our team, here are our chic boot selections to […]

Catina Topash encounters profile

Catina Topash Combines Two Passions to Create Harmony

Photos by L.G. Patterson Whether you are dealing with trauma, stress, anxiety or just a long day, holistic healing in many forms is something all people can benefit from. Catina Topash found her footing in yoga and holistic healing after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. “She and I started a wellness journey together through […]

ding out la calle 8

Husband & Wife Team Opens La Calle 8 in Downtown Columbia

For Columbia natives and travelers alike, the city’s thriving coffee scene allows any java junkie to find their concoction of choice when on the go. A love of traveling and the community brought the idea of a new cafe to longtime residents Rafael and Itzel Bobea. “We try to travel as much as time and […]

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Learn the Jingle Bells and Whistles to Planning Festive Festivities

Photos by L.G. Patterson When it comes to the holiday season, there are so many things to get you in the spirit. Whether it’s hosting a holiday party, putting up festive decorations with your family, finding the right Christmas tree for your home, serving a next- level holiday cocktail or elevating your next movie night […]

Kip Kendrick, Jessica Kempf and Randy Cole during the CEO Roundtable luncheon.

Local Leaders Discuss Affordable Housing, Homelessness

Photos by L.G. Patterson Finding affordable housing in mid-Missouri can be a real challenge. But it’s not an issue that’s unique to the Columbia area. Across the country, communities of all different sizes are grappling with a shortage of affordable housing. And when that is lacking, it ripples out and affects other issues, including homelessness, workforce […]

dining out

Sisters Open New Bar Targeted at Post-College Young Adults

When you think of the downtown scene in Columbia, you might not think of a relaxing young adult atmosphere because, let’s all admit, during the school year, the college kids have the run of downtown. But Greta and Ava Gunderson, a dynamic duo from Omaha, Nebraska, have set their sights on redefining the bar experience […]

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Krystal Martin Creates Luxurious, Plant-Based Skin Care Solutions

Photos by L.G. Patterson There are so many products that are used in homes and on your skin that could contain harmful ingredients. Whether it’s your lotion, the holiday-scented candles burning in your home or even the soap you clean your body with, many mainstream products can contain parabens, triclosan, benzophenone, phthalates, formaldehyde, sulfates, petroleum, […]

holiday stress

How to Navigate Holiday Stress

Illustration provided by Burrell Behavioral Health The holiday season brings so much with it — celebrations, family gatherings, traditions, dinners and more. And while each piece brings its own layer of fun and revelry, this season also can bring some less welcome feelings, like stress and anxiety. “There’s this duality at the holidays where it’s […]

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Embracing The Flavors of Fall

Photos by L.G. Patterson  No matter the season, some of the best memories are made with food. But the flavors of fall are something special. To help you discover new recipes and flavors this season, we assembled a section of desserts, from local shops’ signature sweets to in-house recipes. So, whether you prefer getting your […]

Truman the Tiger rides into a Mizzou tailgate.

Tailgate Traditions in the SEC

For more than a century, tailgating has been inextricably linked to football. And any diehard University of Missouri Tiger fan knows that it is an essential part of the whole experience. From hearing the familiar chants of M-I-Z, and of course yelling back Z-O-U, to the standard sight of Truman’s Taxi, the vintage firetruck that carries Truman around Faurot […]

Chris Foley bread

Local Baker Uses Challenging Method to Make Tasty Creations

Photos by L.G. Patterson While creating a perfect loaf of bread may become complicated, Chris Foley says finding his love for baking was easy. When he was 14 years old, Foley, now the owner of Fiddle & Stone Bread Co., got a job at a bakery in Ashland and knew he had come across something […]

Dining Out - Sipz

New Soda Shop Opens in Columbia

Photos by L.G. Patterson After working as a stay-at-home mom for 20 years, Brenda Andrus decided to take on a new adventure with her husband and six children in opening Sipz Sodas on Columbia’s south side. “Our kids have been involved from the very beginning,” she says. “It’s nice having something to do with the […]

Cooper's Landing is a perfect spot to enjoy the Missouri River scenery.

Respites Along the River

Photos by L.G. Patterson Who doesn’t love a good day spent by the river? Whether you’re planning to swim, kayak, fish or just enjoy the scenery, one of the joys of living in central Missouri is the easy access to the Missouri River. And when you’re out and about on a river adventure, it’s always fun to […]