Missouri Travel Girl

The CWE

2011-07-13T11:49:00.001-05:00

I was in St. Louis the other day for a meeting at an office located on the Central West End (CWE). This area is a great mixed use area with shopping, dining, businesses and homes. You’ll see all types on the CWE from folks dressed to the nines to a grungy guy with multiple piercings walking his dog past the trendy types sitting at the sidewalk tables outside a restaurant.

On this trip, I noted a woman coming out of the local gourmet grocery putting her items in the basket of her bicycle. While I sat waiting on the light to change, she pedaled off. We were experiencing some of our hot and humid Missouri weather that day and I couldn’t imagine being on that bike. I would have liked to walk around after my meeting, but it was just too hot for me.

The CWE dates back to the 1800s and runs into Forest Park. It’s a vibrant area.

There is a cupcake bakery that calls my name Every. Single. Time. Bissinger’s chocolate, a St. Louis institution, is another temptation for me.

I remember my first trip to the Central West End. I was in college and was in St. Louis with friends. It was summer, and I think every college student in St. Louis was hanging out there that night. Over the years, I’ve dined there, shopped there and just hung out. We took some travel writers there a few years back for a festival and just let them wander around. We had a hard time getting everybody back at the appointed time because they were having so much fun.

It’s just that kind of place.

Fireflies

2011-07-10T14:08:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year. As I pulled into the driveway one evening, I looked to the side yard. The flickering lights of fireflies took me back to my childhood. I sat in the car enjoying the sight and remembered chasing them, catching them and putting them in jars (seems so cruel now).

But fireflies are just one symbol of those fabulous summer nights. There’s something about summer, when the daylight seems to stretch on endlessly; I remember chasing rabbits through the yard in the evening, while my parents sat on the front porch (what can I say, they’re Southerners).

I remember wishing on the first star and gazing up as that one and many others twinkled above our heads. Those evenings were about the simple things. And those things, being with family and simply appreciating a beautiful summer night, were all that mattered.

A Visit to the Water Lillies

2011-07-05T21:29:00.003-05:00

I don’t know much about art. I can’t really talk about lighting or composition or brush strokes. I like what I like. In fact, I when I took the “easy A” art appreciation class in college, I got a B.

One style I do know and appreciate is Impressionism. There is something about this style that speaks to me. I can identify it, though I may not be able to tell who painted it. There are several famous names from this period including Manet, Pissaro and Renoir and probably the most famous, Monet.

Monet was prolific, painting well into his senior years. He painted a lot of outdoor scenes and has a series of water lilies that are very well known. This summer, three of those water lily paintings have been reunited at the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City. One painting regularly hangs in the Nelson; the others are normally in St. Louis and Cleveland. I went to see them last month. They are displayed horizontally side-by-side and art lovers could sit on benches in front of the paintings and just soak them in. I overheard murmured conversations about the play of light over the grouping.

I just thought it was pretty. No need to dissect it.

I also enjoyed some of the works of Thomas Hart Benton, a Missouri native. When it comes to his work, I will say that I do love his use of color and the way his paintings convey movement. But that’s as far as my art conversation goes.

The Nelson has other cool stuff, such as suits of armour. I imagine that gear had to be horribly uncomfortable and really hot when those Europeans went on the crusades in the hot deserts of the Middle East.

I had a great day at the museum. While I’ll never be an art connoisseur, as I said earlier, I like what I like.

Churchill in Missouri

2011-07-04T12:57:00.002-05:00

I am a huge history nut, and I am particularly fascinated by World War 2. I spent an entire day in the National World War Two Museum in New Orleans, and left only because they closed.
So I’m ashamed to admit that it took me forever to check out the Winston Churchill Memorial, in Fulton, Missouri, just 25 minutes from my house. Like many of us, I overlooked what was right under my nose. It was close at hand so I always figured I had time to go.
Churchill was a towering figure during WW2, but he did so much more. He’s probably most famous for his Iron Curtain speech, which he gave in Fulton, and more specifically at Westminster College. He was accompanied by President Harry Truman, a Missourian.
So how did Winston Churchill end up in Fulton? Connections. A Westminster grad was an aid to the president and brought the invitation to his attention. The president added his encouragement and it happened.
Finally, I made it a point to visit and learn more. The museum is a treasure and traces Churchill’s life from his early days through his most famous moments.
Copies of letters between Churchill and his parents, his wife and others dot the exhibits, giving a glimpse into his personality and helping to explain how he became the man-and leader-that he did. The museum traces his early military and political careers; I learned about his time as a war correspondent and how he participated in World War 1.
Of course for me, the WW2 years were the most important. I spent a lot of time on the rise of Nazism and the war years. There is an exhibit where visitors can identify planes hung from the ceiling. The silhouette tells whether the plane is German or Allied. During the war, it was important to be able to identify the plane quickly. Friend or foe?
There’s a great film about the war narrated by another Missourian, Walter Cronkite. And then the Cold War and the speech; the real title is Sinews of Peace. Such a big story for such a little town.
The museum is housed in The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, a London church destroyed during the Blitz. It was reassembled in Fulton.
The museum is entertaining for all ages and for those who love history a lot like I do, and for those who just know a little bit.

Where has the time gone?

2011-01-23T15:14:00.003-06:00

It's been more than a year since I posted. In that time I've changed, as we all do over any period of time. Most times, we just don't realize it.

In my case I started working on eating better and working out more. Then I slacked off. I thought I was going to get an opportunity to teach a class, though not enough students enrolled to make a class.

I handled the rehearsals for our Miss Fashionetta, which meant twice-a-week dance rehearsals for about three months.

And I changed jobs (going back to my true love). Now I'm back in the tourism world, where I was when I started this blog. It's called Missouri Travel Girl and I haven't shared many of my travel stories lately.

I need to do better. I have stories to tell, like the Rams game I went to on Halloween, that I tried my hand at glass blowing, visited Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and that there are plans for a National Blues Museum in St. Louis.

There's so much to share. We'll see how I do.

A Real-Life Love Story

2009-11-22T13:02:00.002-06:00

This is a real-life love story.

Yesterday, I attended a memorial service for a woman I've known my entire life. She was 101. Her husband passed in 2000; he was 96 or 97.

They were still traveling the world in their '80s. They, along with a few other seniors I've known, are the reason why I don't think of people in their '60s and '70 as being old.

All my life, this couple just was (If you know what I mean). They just seemed to have been made for one another. When I learned their entire story, this seemed even more so.

It seems they had first met in college, but someone's parents didn't approve. They went their separate ways, marrying others. She divorced. Something that wasn't done much in that time. He and his wife had a daughter.

His wife died suddenly after their child was grown. He reconnected with his(true?) love. His daughter gave her blessing; she was off living her own life.

Of course the townspeople were "appalled." People always have stuff to say. But they were married a year later. They were together for 41 years. I can't imagine either of them with anyone else, because that's all I ever saw.

The lesson in this for me is that you must live your life for yourself and stop worrying about what other people think or say. If they had listened to the folks, they would not have been together and had all those years.

She nursed him at the end of his life when his health declined. At his funeral, she stood there ramrod straight (her posture was as good as any Marine's). Now, they're together again.

This is a real-life love story.

From one extreme to the other

2009-09-19T17:14:00.006-05:00

I partipated in a facilitated discussion today about women, love and life. It was sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta sorority at Lincoln University.

The conversation ranged over a wide variety of topics. At one point though, one of the women remarked on the lyrics of current music. Many of us felt the music was inappropriate and not respectful of women.

Later I plugged in my iPod and dialed up my Jackson 5 greatest hits. In the song "Maybe Tomorrow," MJ poignantly sings "You are the book that I read. You are the song that I sing. You are the four season of my life." While he was only around 12, he really touches you as he sings.

What happened to that kind of music? And what does it say about us that we now shake our behinds to "back that thing up?"

I left that gathering and attended the football game between Lincoln U and Morehouse. Known as "The House," Morehouse is one of the more prestigious HBCUs in the nation, counting men such as Martin Luther King, Jr., among its alumni. Lincoln, once known as the "Black Harvard of the Midwest," has turned out its share of successful alumni as well.

Today, LU did not perform well on the football field, though the Marching Musical Storm put on yet another fabulous performance at halftime. As is often the case at HBCUs, no one gets up at halftime, but stays to enjoy the show.

A marching band battle

2009-09-18T20:32:00.006-05:00

I recently took my favorite nine-year-old to see the Battle of the Bands between Lincoln University of Missouri and Langston University. Both bands put on a quite a show, and for two hours were treated to music, dance moves and cheering. The only drawback was that we were inside the gym. That made the two powerful units even louder than necessary.

The nine-year-old wanted to know if the competition was going to be like the movie Drumline? She had a ball and was very impressed. She can't wait for more.

I am so proud of Lincoln's band. My soror is the band director, and they are the bomb! They're currently competing to go to the Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta. I am spreading the word through Facebook, Twitter and every other social network I know telling people to vote for LU.

So do it today and every day through the end of October. www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com

How Time Flies

2009-08-24T19:03:00.005-05:00

My goddaughter moved in her college dorm on Friday. I went along with her and her mom where I embarassed her taking pictures, helped get her room set up and marveled that she was old enough to go to college.

It doesn't seem that long ago that I was moving into my first dorm room. It certainly doesn't seem to be that long since I went to hospital and held her for the first time. I remember the three year old arguing with me about whether the birds at the pond were ducks or geese (I was right but I finally gave in because she was convinced). When she was eight, we made our own icing for our Christmas cookies. It was a little thin and runny, but we ate them anyway. She's been my partner in many adventures when her mother generously allowed me to "borrow" her and introduce her to my many hobbies.

When I worked in the tourism industry, I took her along to festivals, reenactments and other great sites in the state. And now, she's attending Westminster in Fulton, site of Winston Churchill's famous Iron Curtain Speech. The memorial and a piece of the Berlin Wall occupy prominent places on the campus. It's a true tourism destination in our state.

I'm excited for her as she starts on this new journey. And if my tourism exposure didn't get her interest before now, then being on a campus with a lot of tourists coming through might.

Living Outside the Box

2009-08-13T22:42:00.003-05:00

There’s a popular song being played on the radio right now where the singer - a young woman - is bemoaning the fact that the object of her desire doesn’t notice her. She compares herself to the woman who does have his attention, noting “she wears short skirts, I wear sneakers,” and longingly wishes for him to see what’s right in front of his face.

As this song began to be played in frequent rotation, I found myself becoming annoyed with it. Not because the man can’t see the singer for who she is; that’s an issue for another day. No, I’m annoyed because the singer has so narrowly defined herself. Why does she have to be one or the other? Why can’t she be both the girl who wears sneakers and the one who wears high heels? Why can’t she be fully dimensional with many different sides?

This juxtaposition works as a metaphor in the song, but in real life we need to stop putting ourselves in boxes. This type of thinking limits us. We need to look at ourselves differently and recognize all the facets of our personalities. We need to explore who we are and experience whatever it is that intrigues us, no matter whether or not it is conventional to do so.

A few years back a group of us were trying to organize a horseback riding excursion. One friend stated, “black people don’t ride horses.” Why not? Who said? Show me where this rule is written down. Why do we put limits on ourselves and then become upset when others try to limit us? Those of us who went had a great time (well except for the one friend whose horse decided it was time to head for the barn, even though it wasn’t time to head for the barn).

Finding, and following, your passion

2009-08-08T19:54:00.005-05:00

I went to see Julie and Julia today and I have the book on hold at the library. It was such a cute movie.

I really liked how the main character figured out a way to combine her passions for food and writing. She made it work and it worked out well for her.

That got me to thinking about how I could follow my passion. I love traveling and exploring new places, experiencing neighborhoods and restaurants serving local food. I love reading mysteries and the NFL. I am a contradiction.

So how do I combine these passions and take my life in a new direction? I'm not entirely sure, but I'm going to figure it out. Just like Julie and Julia did.

The Wonderful Word “No”

2009-08-07T18:47:00.000-05:00

It’s one of the first words we learn. As toddlers, we utter it frequently and with strong emphasis. And yet, by the time we become adult women, we are afraid of it.

We shouldn’t be. Instead we should use it judiciously, to save our sanity, protect our health and maintain balance in our lives.

The word “no” is drummed out of us as little girls. Be nice. Be sweet. Don’t be mean. Don’t be selfish. Share.

All great concepts used to socialize us and make us fit to live in “polite society.” But little girls are molded to go the extra step and put others first.

By the time we’re adults, we don’t know how or we don’t feel comfortable taking care of ourselves. “No” is not a reglar part of our vocabulary. It needs to be.

We have to bring back the word “no.” When you’re overworked, stressed, worn out, taken advantage of or just flat being used, just say "NO."
No, I can’t head up that project. No, I can’t drive the carpool this week. No, I can’t carry your burden for you.

It feels selfish. But it's necessary.

Change - It's Good for You

2009-07-06T22:16:00.002-05:00

We all know the old adage – if you do what you’ve always done, you‘ll get what you’ve always gotten. Have you ever thought about what that really means? It means you’ve got to change.
Change.
We resist it. We fight it. Often it is inconvenient. Sometimes it terrorizes us.
But out of change has come some of the world’s greatest innovations.
We can’t move forward in our lives without change. If we want to improve our health, we must make changes to our lifestyles. If we want to improve our positions in life, often we must seek out more education, get a degree, change jobs or strike out on our own.
Without change, America would not stretch “from sea to shining sea.” Yes, there were many negatives along the way, but this westward expansion created the country we live in and the opportunities we now experience.
We shouldn’t shun change, we should embrace it. Yes it can be painful, but it’s like eating your vegetables. It’s good for you. It causes you to grow. Even in the worst of circumstances, change can have a positive impact on your life. Especially when you can’t see the eventual outcome
So what change should you be embracing? What will make your life better? Figure it out and then make it happen. I found this unsourced quote on the Internet, but I’m making it my new motto “Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”

Making a plan . . .

2009-06-09T20:26:00.004-05:00

I am inspired by the many entrepreneurial women I've encountered and read about. And it has pushed me to try my own hand at starting a business. What do I want to do? I certainly won't be selling my knitted scarves. LOL

But what do I know? Writing, public relations, travel. So I am exploring branching out into those areas. It seems the direction to go. Much research to do; I have to come up with a business plan and then marketing and communications plans. A Web site is mandatory. I do have a somewhat catchy name (I'll unveil that later) but I need a logo. There's so much to do.

I'm gonna give it a go. Stay tuned. I'll keep you informed.

Relay for Life

2009-06-06T00:00:00.005-05:00

Spent the evening at the Cole County (Jefferson City, Missouri) fairgrounds for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event. This is a truly worthwhile annual event that raises funds for cancer research.

The event is designed to mimic the cancer patient's journey through cancer. It begins early evening and continues overnight. The teams are asked to have at least one member walking all night to symbolize the fight against cancer through the darkest hours of the night until the sun comes up the next morning.

Each year since 2003, my sorority(Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.) has fielded a team and participated. Now we're all a little too "prissy" to camp out (my definition of camping is a hotel)but we still want to take part in this important event. Who doesn't know someone who has been touched by cancer?

So each year we raise money, show up and participate in the event and leave about 10:30. We sleep in our own beds. LOL

No matter - if you have a chance to support an event such as this, please do. It's certainly worth it.

National Fist Bump Day

2009-06-02T20:38:00.005-05:00

Just learned that there is a movement underfoot to make tomorrow National Fist Bump Day. It's to commemorate the fist bump between Barack and Michelle Obama one year ago.

So keep it in mind tomorrow if someone offers you their fist. LOL

http://www.nationalfistbumpday.com/

It's Officially Official

2009-05-26T19:27:00.004-05:00

Yay me! I received my final grades. I have successfully completed my master's degree in communications management.

I participated in the graduation ceremony, but at that point, I hadn't submitted my thesis.

Now, I'm just waiting on the school to mail me my degree

Here's a picture of me and a classmate that I swiped off the school's Web site. Ha! We were posing with our (empty) degree folders.

Your Tax Dollars At Work

2009-05-26T10:18:00.002-05:00

We’ve all seen the signs on the highway when road construction is taking place. Well, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is designed to put lots of tax dollars to work stimulating the economy.

The Act is approximately 800 pages and covers a wide array of topics. There is money for established federal programs, such as unemployment and Medicaid. There is stabilization money to help states balance their budgets and then there are competitive grants that will do things like bring broadband access to rural areas or weatherize houses.

The intent is to get money moving through the economy and create jobs.

In March, I was at my sorority conference when our international president asked how many people in the audience had read the Act. A handful of people raised their hands. I put mine up halfway because I have a copy in my office. I’ve skimmed it because my boss is the “Stimulus Czar” for Missouri.

On my drive home, the wheels in my brain started to turn. I suggested to the sorority that we sponsor a presentation on the Act so that everyday folks could have it broken down into digestible bites. I then approached my boss, who agreed.

We invited the other Greek letter organizations and the NAACP to join us in sponsoring the event. So this Thursday in Jefferson City, Kelvin Simmons, Commissioner of the State of Missouri’s Office of Administration, will give a presentation on how Missouri is using these dollars.

We’ll be in the Teleconference Room of the Inman Page Library on the campus of Lincoln University, a historically black college with a phenomenal story of its own.

Come join us - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and the NAACP. We hope to see you there.

It's Been A While

2009-05-18T23:32:00.002-05:00

I haven't shared my thoughts in several months. Quite a bit has happened in that time. I started a new job about three and a half months ago, so tour and travel has not been top of mind.

But, now that I have my feet under me, I'm back. I'll still be sharing some of my great Missouri experiences with you, but now I'll be all over the place, which is how my mind often works.

Oh yeah - I graduated with my master's a couple of weeks ago. I did my degree online through Webster University, and I went to St. Louis for the graduation ceremony, which was at The Muny in Forest Park. What a cool place that was. I'll post the pics tomorrow.

So, I'll try and write more often now. I'm keeping the Missouri Travel Girl moniker, but who knows what I'll say.

It's past my bedtime, so g'nite.

The Life List

2009-01-13T20:56:00.003-06:00

Last week I had an interesting conversation with a girlfriend. She has started her "Things to do before..." list and will be marking a big one off this spring with an international trip.

That got me to thinking about all the things I want to do, think I want to do or have thought about doing. Yet, here I am being the same ole me.

So, my question to you is, "do you have a life list?" If so, what's on it? Of course I know I can't base my life list on anybody else's. Then it's wouldn't be my life list.

BUT - I'm basically a nosy person, so if you want to share, I'm game.

I'm gonna have to start putting my list together. I'll let you know what I come up with and when I start marking them off.

My St. Louis Urban Adventure

2009-01-11T16:41:00.004-06:00

I recently spent a few days in St. Louis visiting some tried and true tourism attractions and some new spots.

Believe it or not, January is not a bad time to go to the zoo. While it was chilly, the animals were out and about and enjoying themselves. We played peek-a-boo with Sophia, a not quite grown leopard who would run up to the ledge in her enclosure, pop up to the top and then drop back down. We watched the tiger cubs romp in their enclosure with their mother, who wore the world-weary expression of any mom with five kids.

We also visited the Science Center, the Art Museum and the Botanical Garden, all St. Louis icons. We went bowling at a newer attraction, Flamingo Bowl in the loft district on Washington Avenue. Giant screens hung above the lanes tuned to MTV2 and Turner Movie Classics (what a combo, huh?). I can’t bowl to save my life, but it was great fun anyway.

And of course – we ate and drank. We went to Sweetie Pies, a soul food restaurant where you’d think your grandmama was in the kitchen. Generous portions of entrees and sides guarantee you won’t leave hungry. Familiar favorites include fried or baked chicken, greens, mac-n-cheese, cabbage and black-eyed peas. The Riverfront Times ranked it the best place for soul food for 2008.

We stopped for drinks at SubZero on the Central West End. This vodka bar offers more than 250 vodkas and an impressive menu of drinks as well as the some of the city’s best sushi and New American hamburgers.

But the eating didn’t stop there. We lunched at the Historic (and haunted) Lemp Mansion. The Lemps were a prominent St. Louis family in the 1800s who encountered all sorts of tragedy. The mansion is reported to be inhabited by a ghost or two. Who knows, it might be true.

One night I insisted on a Italian and had the best risotto at Bartolinos. We stopped at Modesto on The Hill for drinks first, where I enjoyed sangria for the first time. Yummy.

A good time was had by all. You should try it some time.

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-01T14:04:00.002-06:00

Out with the old, in with the new. Today, I'm going to get a little sappy. Just deal with it.

What are you going to do to make this year better than the last one? While we're all thinking about our lives, worrying about our 401Ks and listening to the doom and gloom coming from the media, take a moment to count your blessings.

Do you have your health? Your family? A job? A job you like? How about a job you love? Do you have the use of your limbs? Are you in your right mind? Are you making the best use of the talents that God gave you? Think about all you have to be thankful for.

And then, do something for someone else. Volunteer at church, a shelter or other community organization. Give of yourself. Share your time and talents. Believe me, someone out there will be so grateful for you. And you will feel so good at the end.

Take care of yourselves. Eat a little bit better. Exercise a little bit more. Love your family a whole lot harder.

Make 2009 your best year.

Do You Hulu?

2008-12-31T23:44:00.004-06:00

Happy, happy. Joy, joy.

I just discovered Hulu. Or should I say I finally got around to checking it out after someone hipped me to it.

Either way, this is what I'm doing on New Year's Eve. I just watched one of my favorite movies on Hulu. It's called The Man Who Never Was. It's a WWII drama, made in the '50s and based on a true story of how the British deceived the Germans into believing there would be an invasion of Greece, when in fact they invaded Sicily.

What is so great about this movie is that it's about the people behind the scenes in the war. The ones thinking and planning and - in this case - plotting. If you like smart movies, I think this is one for you.

A Christmas Story

2008-12-24T19:03:00.004-06:00

Well, it's Christmas Eve and TBS is once again running its 24-hour marathon of "A Christmas Story." I love this movie. It's so sweet. Ralphie simply cracks me up.

For those who've seen it you know all the gags; the Leg Lamp, Ralphie getting "soap poisoning," the triple-dog dare and "You'll shoot your eye out!" If you haven't seen it, you really should watch it at least once. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

So, tonight I'm wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Pie

2008-12-19T21:23:00.007-06:00

I'm not a huge pie person. I usually prefer chocolate cake. But I occasionally enjoy a good pie - key lime, peach or apple, maybe blueberry. Today, I had an absolutely fantastic double crust peach pie with a cinnamon, sugar icing dribbled over it. So amazingly good.

This pie came from a great little shop called A Slice of Pie. The first restaurant opened in Rolla, Mo., which is on the original Route 66. It's been covered in various blogs and magazines. There's a location in Jefferson City as well, which is where I checked it out.

I visited the shop yesterday for the first time after getting a rave review while yacking with my manicurist. She swore that it was beyond good. So I took myself to the shop and bought a whole pie to share with the office. We cut into it at lunch today and ate every bit.

A Slice of Pie also offers quiche and pot pies and if those are anywhere near as good as the pie, it's gonna be phenomenal. I'll let you know.

We Need a Little Christmas

2008-12-18T16:03:00.006-06:00

Earlier this month I posted that my mom wanted to go see the Radio City Christmas show in St. Louis at the Fabulous Fox Theater. I wrote that I'd learned the world-famous Rockettes started out in St. Louis before moving to New York.

So this past weekend we took a road-trip. This family-oriented show included rousing song and dance numbers, colorful costumes and set designs. As our group ranged from eight to eighty-plus (literally), it had something for everyone.

My favorite eight-year-old sat mesmerized through the first act, her finger in her mouth and her eyes wide. Scenes included a unique version of The Nutcracker; instead of people all the characters were wearing teddy bear costumes. It was really adorable.

And the Rockettes did their famous Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. They were precise and their formations were flawless. I was impressed.

The show definitely set the mood for Christmas. I've been humming the songs all week. As the song, "We Need a Little Christmas" ran through my head once again, I had to look it up to see where it came from. It's from Mame.

If the show comes your way, take your family. You'll enjoy it, I promise.

Knit one, purl two?

2008-12-18T00:30:00.006-06:00

While we were traveling to St. Louis this past weekend to see the Rockettes at the Fabulous Fox Theater, my favorite eight- year-old pulled out her knitting needles. Like many kids, she didn’t focus on it for long before moving on to some of the other things she brought to entertain herself on the drive.

But seeing her attempting knitting got me to thinking about taking it up as a hobby. I’ve recently read a couple of books that were set in yarn shops (I really enjoyed the last one, Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton. Take one magical town ala Harry Potter, add a romantic subplot and set it in a yarn shop. There are also a couple of mystery series built around knitting and other needle work.)

But I digress. So the eight-year old and the books combined to remind me that my mother tried to teach me to knit. I probably wasn’t much older than eight or nine and it just didn’t take. Then a Twitter pal mentioned knitting.

Is this adding up to a cosmic hint?

I Googled “knitting in Jefferson City” to see what turned up. I didn’t find any classes in my town, but a couple of options exist in Columbia. I also discovered Ozark Handspun, “artisan -crafted homespun yarn,” that’s created right here in mid-Missouri. According to the company’s Web site, the owner began “washing, dyeing, carding and spinning,” after a visit to a yarn shop in California.

So I’m seriously considering stopping in one of those shops on my next trip to Columbia to get more information on the beginner’s classes and to check out all that soft fluffy yarn. Just what I need, another addiction. Ha!

TGIF

2008-12-12T21:41:00.007-06:00

I have always loved Friday evenings. When I was a kid, Friday was often the day we’d get McDonald’s. That was a big deal back then, because fast food was a treat. Most days you ate home-cooking. (Which I now understand is so much better for you)

Friday night meant staying up late, 'til ten o’clock, even.

Friday nights brought the promise of Saturday morning cartoons, at a time before Cartoon Network and Nickelodean.

Friday nights meant the whole weekend was ahead and the possibilities were endless. There would be no school tomorrow (except one year when it snowed A LOT and they made us make up days on Saturdays. Boo).

And then when I got a little older, Friday night meant football games, movie nights with friends and pizza parties.

Of course in college Friday nights meant parties and after graduation Friday often meant happy hour after work.

Now, Friday evenings are the time to chill out after a long week.

The weekend still is ahead and possibilities include all sorts of adventures. Shopping, eating out, going to the theater or the movies, taking in sporting events or just relaxing with family and friends. You can do as little or as much as you want during the weekend.

So this weekend, be sure and give it a whirl. If you’re looking for something new, check out VisitMo.com for suggestions.

Eye-high Kicks

2008-12-02T20:58:00.005-06:00

My mother informed me she wanted to see the Radio City Rockettes touring Christmas show. I went online to buy the tickets and learned a little tidbit that may interest only me – the Rockets started in St. Louis as the Missouri Rockets.

The creator, Russell Markert had seen the Ziegfield Follies and decided he wanted to “get a group of American girls who would be taller and have longer legs and could do really complicated tap routines and eye-high kicks…” He debuted his dream in 1925 and by the ‘30s the Rockettes were kicking it up in the Big Apple. The rest as they say, is history. The Rockettes are known for the kick line that still closes each show.Roc

So we’re headed to St. Louis in a couple of weeks to see the World Famous Radio City Rockettes, just not at Radio City.

It's December

2008-12-01T20:20:00.006-06:00

So today is the day I officially stop complaining about the commercialization of Christmas. I have been fussing loudly about retailers putting stuff out in October and advertisements that begin mid-November for the past few weeks. In my not-so-humble opinion, Christmas does not come before Thanksgiving or Halloween.

Now that it is December, let the holiday celebrations begin. But let's not forget the reason for the season. Don't get so caught up in to-do lists and the holiday frenzy that you miss the important things.

This month there are all manner of activities that will delight. Go for a drive and take in the holiday lights, watch a parade, go caroling or have the neighbors over. Just enjoy this time of year with your family and friends.

No matter how you observe the holidays, I wish you peace, joy and prosperous new year.

Black Friday

2008-11-28T00:18:00.007-06:00

Well, it's that time of year. The biggest shopping day of the year.

Folks are planning their shopping strategies, and many will be heading out in just a few hours. In fact, the 10 p.m. news spotlighted some early birds that were camping out overnight to get the best bargins.

Whether you're shopping today or closer to Christmas, check out our Web site, VisitMO.com for suggestions on where to look. You'll find high end designer options and handcrafted goods made by artisans. No matter what you want, we've got it.

Happy holiday shopping!

Being Thankful

2008-11-19T00:22:00.004-06:00

Thanksgiving is next week. (Where did the year go?). Anyhoo, in between rants on Christmas advertising that appears in the month of November, I decided to take a moment to be thankful for all of the blessings in my life. I have family, friends, good health, and a job I enjoy. Who could ask for more?

To all of you, I say take a moment to do the same and think about all you have to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shopping Road Trip

2008-11-12T22:08:00.005-06:00

So we had the day off yesterday because of the holiday. What better way to spend the time than by engaging in the sport of shopping?

You didn't realize shopping was a sport? Well, there's an objective. Scoop up the best stuff at the best price. There are strategies and tactics to achieve the objectives such as “stalking” merchandise to get the best sale price before someone else beats you to it.

Shopping often requires stamina and endurance to see it through to the end. Like the tortoise and hare, slow and steady often wins the race. In my family, the training starts early in life; if you can't keep up, you get left at home.

Yesterday, we chose to point the car east and headed to St. Louis. Our St. Louis road trips follow a familiar layout. We start at the farthest point and work our way back. You can even divide the trip into periods, though yesterday we only had three, instead of the usual four.

We begin at the Saint Louis Galleria, which has two levels of stores and includes some of my favorite such as MAC and Nine West. Of course the big department stores anchor the mall. And I always have to visit The Coach Store. (Note I said visit).

I have a thing for shoes, so I've gotta hit all the shoe departments in the big stores as well as the shoe stores. If there’s a sale, I’m in trouble and it doesn’t matter if I don’t have a thing to go with them. You can always find something later. (Right, Mom?)

There are some great restaurant options for lunch, and then it's split up and head out. We've discovered that the other great thing about the shoe department is that it’s a logical place to meet up after you’ve scored your stuff. All those chairs make a great waiting room for the first to show up. You meet up there and then just like the end of the first quarter in a football game, it’s time to change to the other goalpost.

For what amounts to the second period of our game, we headed to West County Mall. This is another two-level monument to shopping. It has some of the same stores, but there are some different ones, like Nordstrom’s. The beauty of stopping here is that you can search out the things that you couldn’t find at your first stop such as the sizes and colors that eluded you. I snagged some great sweaters at The Limited. Buy one, get one half off. Score!

For the third period, we moved again. This time we stopped at Chesterfield Mall. I looked at more shoes. (No surprise there) I also checked out some winter coats that were marked down. I talked myself out of the coat. Not practical. Chesterfield has just undergone a renovation and I had to do some walking to figure out where everything was. This is the mall where I like to visit Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma. I just love going in those stores.

We finally sat down for dinner, then headed back home. There’s one other great thing about this kind of shopping day. Walking those malls counts as exercise!

Say "Thanks" to a Vet

2008-11-10T21:33:00.007-06:00

I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks, and I thought this was as good a time as any to share what's in my head. The elections are over and we're now gearing up for the holidays. I can't believe it's just two weeks until Thanksgiving. Where did the time go?

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, and our offices are closed. I'm hitting the highway and pointing my car in the direction of several malls. I know we'll close the mall tomorrow night.

But as much fun as we'll be having, it's important to remember the purpose of the day. It's the day when we Americans remember and honor our military veterans, as described in this Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day

We live in a great country that allows us freedoms unimaginable in some parts of the world. I'm very proud of our country and grateful to our veterans who have defended these rights for us. So tomorrow, while I'm shopping and lunching and enjoying my freedom to do these things, I'll also be thanking a vet.

Aaaahh!

2008-10-29T00:12:00.008-05:00

The call was to remind me of my appointment for a manicure and pedicure. Believe me a mani/pedi is not something I’m likely to overlook. For me it’s a little escape from the day-to-day facets of life. Since I always go to the same person (Jamie) we laugh and talk about all kinds of crazy things. On my last visit I told her she could do whatever she wanted and I ended up with each toe painted a different color. With the cooler weather I won’t be showing them off in sandals, but I have to say these toes make me smile.

While I go to a local day spa, there are spas located in vacation destinations that can enhance any getaway or longer stay. And with the increasing popularity of girls’ getaway trips, spas are becoming a destination themselves. Spa Shiki, at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks, offers a full range of services, including massages and facials.

Bellehaven, The Spa at Chaumette, is located on the grounds of Chaumette Winery in Ste. Genevieve (talk about the best of both worlds). There are services that use grape seeds, stalks and vines. A few, such as the Red Wine and Honey Wine wraps, use wine extracts directly from the winery.

I'm due for a massage and facial myself. Perhaps I'll plan a spa tour of the state. I think I've earned it. LOL

An Excuse to Eat Pasta

2008-10-23T00:32:00.009-05:00

Saturday is World Pasta Day. October 25th is the founding date for the International Pasta Organization, a group “dedicated to increase(d) pasta consumption and awareness.” This year the group is meeting in Turkey to discuss how pasta can play a role in children’s health around the world.

That’s pretty heavy for a food most U.S. kids love in the form of spaghetti and meatballs. I’ve come a long way from my early days of preferring the stuff out of the can to the homemade version my mother prepared. Now that I look back on it that’s pretty insulting, but hey what do you expect from kids? LOL

Anywho, now my tastes have matured to the point where I can appreciate pasta in lots of different ways. One of my favorite ways is in Italian cuisine. I love a good Alfredo sauce and there’s nothing better than crusty bread dipped in a good olive oil seasoned with herbs and a little freshly-grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. I have to be careful to save room for the meal.

Now, one of my favorite places to enjoy pasta is on The Hill in St. Louis. Many Italian imigrants settled in the neighborhood during the 1800s and the neighborhood retains much of that flavor today. Restaurants, houses, bakeries and markets sit side-by-side. Famous St. Louis baseball players Joe Garagiola and Yogi Berra are both from the neighborhood.

But it's the food that I love. It was in a restaurant on The Hill where I first experienced bread and olive oil. I'm hooked now. Oprah featured one of the restaurants on her show. Giovanni's on the Hill named a dish for her, Pappardelle alla Bella Oprah. It's one of the most popular on the menu.

So start planning to eat some pasta on Saturday. I am. I'm sure we'll all enjoy it.

First to Fight

2008-10-22T17:28:00.008-05:00

Remember the movie Glory? Starring Denzel Washington, the movie told the story of the 54th Massachusetts, a black regiment that fought during the Civil War. Well thanks to that movie, many folks think that the 54th was the first engagement of black troops.

Not true. Next week marks the 146th anniversary of the first engagement of black troops. On Oct 27-29, 1862, in Bates County, Mo., two battalions of the First Kansas Colored Infantry skirmished with Confederate guerrillas at a site known as Island Mound. This happened nearly six months before the federal government officially authorized the use of black troops.

The soldiers had commandeered a Southern sympathizer’s log home for their home base and named it Fort Africa. A small detail of about 30 troops engaged more than 100 Confederate Guerillas. They fought bravely and the action caused a stir in the nation, as the troops proved that blacks were willing to fight for the nation.

The state has purchased 40 acres of the farm where the battle took place, including Fort Africa, and plans to open it to the public in time for the Civil War 150th anniversary in 2011.

Bates County recently unveiled a statue commemorating the battle. It sits on the square in Butler. Here are some photos of the statue with the sculptor and the re-enactor who posed for it.

The Origin of Homecoming

2008-10-20T21:25:00.005-05:00

It's Homecoming Week at Mizzou and while looking for information about the activities going on, I came across this Web site which says the University started this tradition in 1911.

Who knew?

It seems the first Homecoming was built around the intense rivalry of the Mizzou/KU Jayhawks football game. The oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi, the tension of the games traced back to the real tension of the Border Wars between the states that led up to the American Civil War.

The school's athletic director invited alumni to "come home" for the game to add to the excitement.

Click here to learn more.

Fall Getaways Available Here

2008-10-20T14:39:00.006-05:00

This is a great time of year to get out and explore. The weather is crisp, but not too cold and the trees are at their most colorful. Our state offers an abundance of opportunities to experience it all whether on a city excursion, outdoor adventures or anything in between.

To entice you just a little bit more, the Missouri Division of Tourism is sponsoring a Fall Getaway Contest. Be sure and check out our Web site, VisitMo.com and enter for your chance to a great trip.

Four lucky winners will enjoy a relaxing Wine Country and B&B package in Hermann, where they'll participate in the Holiday Wine Trail. Two other winners will head to Kansas City or St. Louis to catch the excitement of Chiefs and Rams football.

So don't delay, enter here.

Boo!

2008-10-15T18:13:00.005-05:00

Fascinated with things that go bump in the night? Think that deserted old house at the end of the lane is creepy? Seen every episode of Scooby Doo? (LOL)

If you love things that give you goose bumps, I just saw a notice for a program at the Missouri
State Archives that will be right up your alley. "Haunted Missouri: A Ghostly Guide to the Show-Me State's Most Spirited Spots" may not confirm that there are ghosts in your attic, but it should be a lot of fun.

Journalist Jason Offutt will talk about his travels throughout the state looking into all manner of creaky, shiver-inducing stories of ghoulies. I'm planning to go, and if you're in Jefferson City you can too. The talk is scheduled for next Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Archives.

For all the rest of you looking to get your scare on, check out VisitMO.com for a list of haunted attractions and events. Perfect for the season.

Missouri Day

2008-10-15T13:56:00.004-05:00

Way back in 1915, our state's lawmakers created Missouri Day, to be observed the third Wednesday in October to "foster love for our state's history and to teach rising generations of boys and girls the glories of Missouri." I love the flowery language they used to use.

In our office, we're passing out Missouri-grown apples to mark the occasion. That leads me to consider some of the other great Missouri products that you can enjoy, from great wines, to pumpkins, chestnuts and goat cheese, you can find it here. To see what else is out there, check out the AgriMissouri blog.

I Love a Parade

2008-10-11T12:14:00.014-05:00

Just got back from the Homecoming Parade. As usual, it was the place to be on Saturday morning. Lincoln's parade always draws a large crowd, including the folks in town who don't have any affiliation with the school. Lincoln's band puts it down (I am a little biased, as the band director is my soror), plus they bring in high school bands from St. Louis or KC, drill teams, car clubs and this year, Buffalo Soldier re-enactors on horse back. Of course you also have the local politicians, candidates for office and Miss Lincoln University and her court.

The campus sits on top of a hill, and the area at the bottom is known as The Foot. The parade starts and ends there, and vendors set up to sell barbecue, soul food, sweets and drinks, t-shirts and other paraphrenalia for both the school and Greek-letter organizations and sometimes even jewelry. The Foot becomes the place to see and be seen, as alumni hang out and reconnect.
Kids run around collecting candy and older folks bring their chairs to enjoy the sights. An altogether satisfying morning.

HOOOMMMEEE – COOOMMIINNNG!

2008-10-08T15:23:00.014-05:00

Anyone who attended Lincoln University of Missouri or visited during homecoming week in the last 30 years has heard that call. It’s what you’d hear all week long during every imaginable event. It would take on the feeling of the call and response during a church service. Someone would tip back their head and joyously yell, “Hooommmeee – Cooomminnng!” Then others in the crowd would repeat it.

Lincoln University (LU) is one of about 100 HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) in the country. Founded in 1866 by the soldiers of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries, the school has a rich and storied history. Missouri outlawed teaching blacks to read and write in the years leading up to the American Civil War. But these soldiers had received a basic education once they were allowed to enlist in the Union army and they wanted to share their fortune. Following the war, these soldiers donated parts of their salaries and raised more than $5,000 to start a school for the recently-freed blacks in their state.

LU gained quite a reputation through the years and by the 1920s became known as the "Black Harvard of the Midwest."

Now thoroughly integrated, the school pays homage to its roots each year during its Founders' Day when it remembers the soldiers. And in 2007 the campus unveiled the Soldier’s Monument. This beautiful memorial sits at the center of campus and reminds all who see it of how the school came to be.

So it’s Homecoming Week once again. Sunday night, the campus celebrated with fireworks. Other events happen daily throughout the week and include the coronation of Miss Lincoln University, a parade that draws people from all over and of course the football game. In addition to all this excitement, the Alumni Association is holding its annual convention in conjunction with homecoming. So as the week progresses, Jefferson City should slowly sink under the weight of all the alumni coming to town to reminisce with old friends and remember their college days.

Chili Dogs and French Fries

2008-10-07T16:13:00.001-05:00

It’s a rainy October day, and all I want to do is go home, curl up and turn on the classic movie channel. Or pop in the animated version of Ray Bradbury’s “The Halloween Tree.” It’s one of my favorite Halloween movies and I feel like I have to watch it each year. Other October movies I have to see include Halloween Town on Disney and Hocus Pocus. (Yes, I am an overgrown kid).

And for lunch I want chili dogs and french fries. I don’t know when this meal became a fall favorite of mine, but there is something about the cooler weather that makes me crave it. Follow it up with some apple slices dipped in caramel (fat-free to counteract the effects of the rest of the meal) and I’m a happy girl.

Downtown Becomes Cow Town - For 10 minutes

2008-10-02T22:16:00.009-05:00

I’m in Kansas City at our Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism. We’re downtown at the Kansas City Marriott and just a short walk from the new Power and Light District.

This new entertainment district is an amazing collection of restaurants, nightlife venues and the Sprint Arena that plays host to concerts and will host sports events. Tina Turner kicked off her tour there last night and people were everywhere.

Then today the American Royal publicized its annual barbecue with a cattle drive down Grand Boulevard. A couple of us walked over to check it out. I wanted to see it because I couldn’t really picture it. Was it going to be Kansas City’s version of running with the bulls? Not exactly.

Instead cowboys and girls actually drove a herd of cattle down the street just like they did back in the day when they were bringing a herd to the stockyards. I went expecting full-grown cows, but they seemed small to me. I decided they were probably the cow equivalent of teen-agers. (Hey - I’m a city girl; don’t know much about cows). I'll tell you this though, if you’ve never seen cattle in an environment that includes concrete and skyscrapers, you don’t know what you’re missing.

So what’s it like to drive cattle down a city street? A four-wheeler leads the way,with a photographer or videographer on the back. The cowpokes and the cows followed at a brisk pace. It’s over in about 10 minutes. But I’m glad to have seen it.

Here's a link to the online story that includes video.

Any Given Sunday

2008-09-28T19:16:00.008-05:00

It's another football Sunday. I'm a true NFL fanactic. In fact, my current ring tone is Hank Williams singing, "Are You Ready for Some Football?"

Missouri's teams have not had good seasons so far, but the Kansas City Chiefs turned it around today. The Chiefs have some of the most loyal fans in the NFL and Arrowhead Stadium is one of the toughest stadiums to play. The tailgating begins early no matter the weather.

Now, we just need our Rams to get back on track. St. Louis is another great sports town, and the fans are just waiting on the team to get back to its Superbowl days.

Now I've tuned into the Sunday night game. While they aren't Missouri teams, I expect to enjoy myself anyway.

Playing Hooky at the St. Louis Zoo

2008-09-24T22:56:00.012-05:00

Last month I "borrowed" my favorite eight-year-old for a road trip to the St. Louis Zoo. I took the day off of work so we could travel to the zoo before she started school.

We had great weather, particularly for August, and spent all day enjoying this world-class zoo.

The zoo sits in Forest Park, the site of the 1904 World's Fair. There are other great attractions in Forest Park, such as the Science Center, the Art Museum and the Missouri History Museum, but we had too much to do and see to make it anywhere else that day.

This summer the zoo played host to Dinoroarus, an exhibit of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. These guys roar and move. Izzy was fascinated, but when I asked her to get closer so I could take a picture, she claimed to be "scared" of the some of them. She explained that she was okay with the Tricerotops because "it's a plant eater." I reminded her that they weren't real, but she wasn't having it. (Don't you love the logic of eight-year-old girls?)

In addition to this exhibit, we took in the motion simulator rides, one which was in 3D, enjoyed the Sea Lion show, took a ride on the zoo railroad and visited the children's zoo. Plus we saw the lions, tigers and bears. (Oh my!)

I must have taken 200 pictures. It was a great day and I highly recommend that you visit when you can.

Take Time to Play

2008-09-23T09:30:00.005-05:00

It's another beautiful September morning in Missouri, and I stepped outside to enjoy it for a few minutes. While some of the trees are beginning to drop their leaves, most are still green. The Missouri Department of Conservation is predicting a colorful fall, so pretty soon we'll be seeing lots of red and gold.

So I walked down High Street in downtown Jefferson City and noticed a little girl and her mom heading in the other direction. The little girl was scooping up some of the leaves that have already fallen and was running after her mother and tossing them. They were both laughing, and the mom kept saying, "I'm going to get you." It was cute and it made me smile to watch them.

They reminded me that beauty is all around us (don't I sound like a greeting card?) and we should take time to appreciate what is right in front of us. So take time to play today. Look around and you'll be surprised at what brings you joy. You'll be glad you did.

Sunday football

2008-09-21T18:42:00.006-05:00

Well, it was another sad day for Missouri's pro football teams. The Rams went down to division competitor Seattle, while the Chiefs lost to Atlanta. *Sigh*

The Coolest Hotel Room ever

2008-09-20T23:28:00.004-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, I checked into the coolest hotel room ever. The color scheme was lime green, silver and red. The wood was dark. The headboard used red fabric and sat against an accent wall sporting the lime green. There’s a towel folded into the shape of an elephant sitting in the chair in the room. How cool is that? Instead of doors, the closet has curtains. The hotel’s Web site describes the décor as Art Deco. I just know I like it. A lot.

I stayed at the Aladdin Hotel in downtown Kansas City. Downtown KC is undergoing a transformation, becoming a hip, exciting place again. You can feel the energy in the Power and Light District.

And this hotel was totally cool. (By the way, how many times can I use the word “cool” to describe this place?). So I did a little research and learned the property has received a gazillion awards, including 2007 Holiday Inn Renovation of the Year Award, the 2007 Missouri Preservation Award, the 2007 Kansas City Historical Preservation Award and the 2007 Best Kansas City Lodging Establishment. The hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and within walking distance of the Power and Light District.

There’s a spa, restaurants, a rooftop ballroom and a Martini loft for meeting friends and lounging. The Aladdin combines old and new in a way that works. This is the place to stay if you like an urban vibe, architecture and modern amenities. Be sure and check it out.

Eating my way across the state

2008-09-18T19:20:00.006-05:00

One of the highpoints of my job is escorting press on tours of tourism destinations and attractions around the state. I get to take them to amazing venues and sit down to some unbelievable food. The drawback is too much good food.

On a recent tour we crossed the state from west to east and then west again. In Kansas City, we checked out a sample platter at perennial favorite Arthur Bryant’s. The platter included ribs, brisket, sausage and chicken, plus coleslaw and baked beans. Stuffed to the gills.

We sampled several dishes off the menu at Jefferson City’s new brew pub, Prison Brews. Located near the original Missouri State Prison, the brewery offers an eclectic menu. Our group chose salads with cranberry and walnuts, a Reuben, a wood-fired pizza and beer bread and cheese. Several in the group also enjoyed the home brewed root beer.

In St. Louis we dined on a duet of Chicken Cordon Bleu and filet of beef while cruising the Mighty Mississippi on a riverboat. Cheesecake rounded out that meal.

Traveling south, we enjoyed a languorous meal at Chaumette Winery in Ste. Genevieve. The Tuscan roasted red pepper soup made me seriously ask the owner if I could take the chef home with me. The grilled pork chops sealed the deal. (I did ask the chef; he turned me down). Others at the table had pretzel crusted tilapia with mustard creamed spinach, salmon and crab cakes. For dessert, some of us sampled the blueberry custard, while others enjoyed peach cobbler or watermelon sorbet.

If you’ve never experienced the Blue Owl in Kimmswick, a little river town south of St. Louis, you don’t know what you’re missing. The menu is varied, and our merry little group picked from all over it. On one end of the spectrum, some in our group ordered the strawberry salad. At the other, heavier end, there was chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans and a roll as big as your head. Soups included taco, white chili and Canadian cheese. The quiches of the day included ham and broccoli and crab and asparagus. The restaurant is known for its levy-high apple pie and assorted other desserts.

Even though it may seem like all we did was eat, we did visit many tourist attractions along the way.

Eat Local

2008-09-17T18:47:00.015-05:00

One of the great ways to experience a community is to eat where the locals eat.

Tonight I met up with my soror who was in the next town over (Columbia) for a conference. It's where we went to college, so she knows her way around, but she's not familiar with the current restaurant scene. Columbia offers an amazing variety of dining options from fine dining to greasy spoons. Cusines range from Thai and Indian to Mediterrean, Greek and Americana. There's a lot to choose from that we either didn't know about or wouldn't have been able to enjoy when we were the proverbial poor college students.

We went to a locally-owned restaurant, Addison's, located downtown in The District. The District is home to shops, restaurants and entertainment options. It was a great night to be out, and people milled about the stage set up on Ninth Street, listening to the performers.

In addition to the great food at Addison's, the restaurant showcases the work of a local Columbia artist, David Spear. A painting featuring the four owners hangs near the bar. You can check out Spear's work at his online gallery AlleywayArts.

We ate light, sharing a fruit and cheese plate and a fabulous tempura lobster ravioli. She enjoyed a glass of reisling with hers, but since I had to drive home, it was iced tea for me. Maybe next time, we'll get to enjoy a nice Missouri wine, perhaps from Les Bourgeoise right outside Columbia in Rocheport.

My soror had several other places she intended to visit on her culinary trip down memory lane - Shakespeare's Pizza and Booches - the best hamburgers you've ever tasted - topped her list. But no matter where your tastes run, Columbia can please your palate.

Remininscing

2008-09-17T18:47:00.014-05:00

My soror (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.) , line sister and college roommate is in Columbia for a conference. Since that's right up the road from Jefferson City, I'm heading that way for dinner and remininscing. The beauty of this get-together is that Columbia is home to the University of Missouri where we met. So, I'm sure our evening will be filled with lots of laughter as we talk about how the town has changed and play remember when.

Columbia is a great restaurant town, and since I live close, I've experienced many of them. I'll be sure to let you know where we end up and what we eat.

Time Flies

2008-09-16T22:11:00.005-05:00

Last week I spent some time on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia (Mizzou) where I did my undergrad. It was a beautiful early fall day, with sunshine, blue skies and moderate temperatures.

Students were sitting outside enjoying the weather, particularly on Francis Quadrangle, site of the iconic columns. These six columns are all that are left of the administration building that burned in the late 1800s. The original marker from Thomas Jefferson's grave also can be found on the Quad.

As I watched the "kids" enjoying the day, I couldn't help but think about my own school days and how it doesn't seem like it's been more than 20 years since I was in their shoes.

If you've never been to Columbia, it's a great town, full of surprises, including a culinary scene that has to be sampled to be believed.

Towne Grille

2008-09-16T13:12:00.003-05:00

It's a beautiful sunny September afternoon and I took a lunch time stroll. Jefferson City's downtown is quite charming, and people were enjoying the outdoors and eating lunch at the tables sitting outside various restaurants and coffee shops.

I chose to indulge myself with a good old-fashioned cheeseburger and fries at a Jefferson City institution - Towne Grille.

Sitting at the counter with my library book, I could enjoy the scene around me, including the chicken fried steak being enjoyed by the guy sitting next to me. It was served with the requisite mashed potatoes both covered generously with cream gravey and mixed vegetables. Maybe next time. . .

If you're ever in my town, be sure and check out this fabulous diner.