2011

Sparkling wine is the toast of the town in the holiday season, but the fancy French stuff is only one of the bubbly choices you have for festive occasions. Champagne — a sparkling wine so popular that its name has become a generic…

When the tour buses and camera crews of the television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” rolled up in Joplin last month, an estimated 10,000 volunteers from across the country poured in to help. They worked day and night to build seven…

KRCG-TV’s Columbia Bureau Chief Mark Slavit recently sat down with Columbia Chamber of Commerce President Don Laird for a conversation about recent growth and opportunities for the local economy What holiday expectations do you have for…

People drink coffee all the time, but most don’t really know what it is or how it is made. Most think it’s just roasted beans that have been ground and have hot water poured through them. While that a simple explanation, there is so much…

Dear Fancy Bar Chef, Every year when the holidays roll around, I love drinking hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps or flavored coffees as we munch on fudge and cookies. This year, I want something new and different that I can sip on…

Kasandra Aslanidis was dancing with friends at Generic Night Club the night of April 24, 2008, when out of nowhere came this man she’d never met. Anthony Gress had noticed Kasandra from across the room. “He started dancing with me, and…

Jacaway/Varner Brittney Jacaway and Paul Varner will marry Dec. 2 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the reception to follow at Elm Street Ballroom. Brittney is the daughter of Robert and Deanna Jacaway of Columbia, and Sherry and…

The black and white tile floors illuminated by rows of pendant lighting invite customers to the front, where they are greeted with a smile. A picture of Francis Quadrangle stretches from the floor to the ceiling, and pictures of Columbia…

Dear Fancy Bar Chef, With the falling of the leaves comes the beautiful fall weather when my husband and I enjoy our homemade cider. We love pumpkin, squash, nuts, apples, cinnamon and clove along with almost any fall flavor. I was…

The frozen yogurt scene in Columbia has become one store sweeter. But Orange Leaf, the city’s newest frozen yogurt bar, doesn’t focus on whipping up a healthier dessert than anyone else. Instead, the store offers a casual environment with…

Control Your TV From Your Phone// // // // // // // Life just gets easier and easier. Forty years ago, the remote control was another person in the room you could tell to change the TV channel. Of course,…

It’s getting colder and you’re getting busier. You need a one-pot meal to feed the masses — family, guests or anyone coming over to your house for a little grub. It doesn’t have to be complicated or get every piece of equipment in the…

When the tour buses and camera crews of the television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” rolled up in Joplin last month, an estimated 10,000 volunteers from across the country poured in to help. They worked day and night to build seven…

I was lucky enough to land a spot competing with a good friend last month in the Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ competition. Many fans of barbecue may think the competition sounds intriguing — until you’ve participated in the competition. If you…

“Why do you keep texting back and forth instead of just calling?” “Did I ask you to text me? No, I asked you to call me.” “How is it even possible to send 100 text messages in one day when most of the day is spent at school?” It’s…

The University of Missouri is celebrating 100 years of Homecoming! With a tradition stretching back to 1911, Mizzou’s Homecoming is one of the oldest, biggest and most famous Homecoming events in the nation. A look back on Mizzou’s…

Check out these local haunts for chills and thrills this Halloween season. NecroPlanet Sept. 29–Oct.31 1207 Rogers St. www.necroplanet.com For those looking for heart-pounding scares this Halloween, check out…

Tellers in Columbia, MO// // // // // // // “The spot was open and it was a little bit of the right space at the right time,” Rust says.The two opened Tellers Gallery and Bar in May 1998. Since then,…

When restaurant veterans Robin Ayers and Deb Rust saw the perfect downtown location at 820 E. Broadway, they knew they wanted to start their own restaurant. “The spot was open and it was a little bit of the right space at the right…