“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” It’s the sentence Jack Torrance obsessively types over and over in The Shining, a chilling marker of his irreversible descent into madness. Yet on its own, the phrase feels entirely reasonable. Even in his state of insanity, Mr. Torrance unintentionally stumbles onto a truth about […]
By now, the scene at the Scouting Adventure Center just west of Columbia is familiar. One teen has raved for months about the center’s climbing wall, building the anticipation for her eager friends, who are about to discover the source of that unbridled enthusiasm. Some seem ready to sprint their way to the top; others
In 1991, Columbia native Jerome Rackers returned to his hometown with a newly minted marketing degree from then-Central Missouri State University. He walked into Lifestyles Furniture at the corner of E. Walnut and N. Seventh streets and got himself a job working in delivery and service. After roughly six months, he was promoted to assistant
As mayor, one of the things I value most is the opportunity to create space for thoughtful conversation. In local government, much of our work happens in public meetings that are structured around agendas, motions, timelines, and decisions. Those meetings are important. Transparency matters. Public input matters. Action matters. But good governance also requires something
What Are Council Retreats — and Why Are They Important? Read More »
When used relative to a set of numbers, the term “median” is the middle value. To determine it, you have to separate the higher half of the numbers in the set from the lower half. Some would say that principle also applies to the city’s recently enacted median-centric ordinance, likening the higher-ups to those in
We asked our Facebook followers… What are your go-to dining spots for both date nights and family outings, and which menu items or drinks are the absolute favorites at each? My birthday meal every year is a half-rack of Big Daddy’s ribs. Absolutely amazing, love the staff, love the food! — Jay Sparks Billiards on Broadway is my
As I was attempting to contrive another journalistic masterpiece for this space, I received a text from one of our kids, which was a Facebook post from nine years ago offering our trampoline to anyone willing to haul it away. This derailed my train of thought — not a difficult task — and sent me on a detour from the topic
Pacific Rim Pork Tenderloin Kabobs With Thai Sweet Chili Basil Glaze Read More »
As Bruce Springsteen once sang, “Everything dies, baby, that’s a fact. But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.” And if you haven’t heard, vinyl records are back. In a big way. According to figures released in March 2026 by the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyl sales grew for the 19th straight year. Americans bought $1.04 billion of
Bugs are a well-documented source of irritation and disease, but they aren’t the only things to watch out for during the summer months. The sun can also cause illness and injuries that can ruin your summer activities if you don’t take the right precautions. (How Not to) Burn, Baby, Burn Being outside in the sun too long without
In Columbia, we take pride in being a community that shows up for one another. Whether it’s helping neighbors, supporting our local businesses, or working together through challenges, that spirit of shared responsibility is part of what makes our city special. It’s also what guides how we approach one of the most important responsibilities of local government: public
What to Know About the Proposed Public Safety Sales Tax Read More »
