September 22, 2007

Organizers work toward encore of blowout birthday bash Organizers of the Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Festival predicted that about 35,000-40,000 people would attend Boone County National Bank’s 150th birthday party. Instead, an estimated 60,000-70,000 people came during the second weekend of September to downtown Columbia, where 32 bands played at three different venues, vendors […]

On the heels of a dire report from MU Truman School economics professor Judith Stallmann about declining sales taxes, Boone County government has purchased yet another expensive downtown property for which it has no plan. The county will pay $685,000 — about $20,000 over the appraised value — for the 6,000-square-foot Johnston Paint building, spending

As residents interact with local government, they walk away from the experience either exasperated or satisfied. Unfortunately, middle ground is in short supply. Over the last several years much has improved. Take, for instance, the sign hoorah at the Murray Law Firm. Jim Paneck, chief building inspector in Protective Inspection, admitted to an error in

Municipal electric utilities are unusual enterprises. They were generally set up at times when there was no ability to gain electrical service. In the true municipal context, communities cooperated to build the necessary capacity to generate electricity and provide it to their residents. The co-ops provided a similar community purpose in rural areas. Columbians long

Tony Marrero and Curtis Stelzer were high school buddies and played soccer at Hickman High School in the late ’80s. After the two friends returned to Columbia in 2004, “just kicking a ball around,” Marrero said, they came up with the idea of opening a soccer specialty shop. The result is SoccerPro, which Marrero says

Since he bought Play It Again Sports from Kim Humphreys Aug. 6, Neil Copeland hasn’t had much time for recreational activity. The MU grad has been on his own version of a hurry-up, two-minute offense to remodel the store at 1206 W. Business Loop, his first retail venture, by the end of the month. Plans

Sports marketing is a huge field, accounting for billions of dollars in advertising and other promotional fees each year. And one of the most fascinating stories in the sports marketing industry is that of NASCAR, which, in only a few years, has graduated from a regional weekend pastime to a national phenomenon, creating personalities with

In the fifth century B.C.E., a Thracian physician named Herodicus declared that physical activity was the key to maintaining good health and avoiding disease. He is often considered the father of sports medicine. While Herodicus would no doubt be amazed at the advances in athletic and fitness activities, he also would likely be gratified to