Copying the code

Back in elementary school, “copycat” was a vicious insult. Nowadays, Dan Brown could throw out quite a few insults as writers attempt to copy his formula for writing best-selling thrillers. Authors hope to achieve the success that Brown has found — The Da Vinci Code sold 81 million copies and made $758 million at the box office — however, such authors probably would prefer not to have their names tied so closely to controversy. Angels & Demons opens in theaters tomorrow, so take notes. You might learn a thing or two about Brown’s methods.

On the Job: Golf Instructor

Dennis Goettel is large and in charge — of your golf lesson. At 6 feet 5 inches, the Goliath of Perche Creek Golf Club might be overwhelmingly tall for a golfer, but his biggest impact has been teaching golf to the community. When he was a child, he wanted to be a baseball pitcher. But once he realized how fierce the competition was, he decided it was time to get into another outdoor sport. The 1977 Missouri State Amateur champion played in the 1980 U.S. Open. Soon after, the accomplished golfer decided he could do the most good as a teacher. He now enjoys sharing his knowledge with beginner golfers of Columbia. Goettel says that watching the progress of his students is what makes his job worthwhile.

Feeling the rhythm

Getting into Tecktonik takes two preliminary steps. Step one: Find your tightest pair of pants. Step two: Throw them away, and get some tighter ones.

The good, the bad and the ugly

the goodSmash your probs! When Paul Brown needed an outlet for his stress, he didn’t just take a day off. He found a new business concept: Smash-N-Shatter. Customers at the Lee’s Summit store can throw glassware in the “Smash Room” or take a hammer to drywall in the “Shatter Room” for as low as $14.95. Take that, boss!

Streetside Chatter

Vox asks Columbians what three people would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

Good grief, Dan Brown

(Web Exclusive) Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, was unaware that his books would be controversial because they centered on topics that have been around for years. Or so he says on his Web site. Brown’s threshold for debate seems pretty high. But something must be up if the Vatican, people with albinism and Brown’s colleagues don’t like him.

Get SM(ART)

Civil War photographer Alexander Gardner took Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter and manipulated the image, which fooled Americans for almost a century. The subterfuge at hand involves the artificial construction of a tableau photograph by moving and arranging a rifle and dead body from its original place.

The Visibles-Review

(Web Exclusive) DNA. It’s more than an acronym for an acidic tongue twister. It’s where you place blame when your hairline begins to recede and why you unintentionally find yourself imitating the square personalities of your parents. It ultimately determines what you look like based on those who came before you. So for those with a less-than-ideal lineage like protagonist Summer Davis in The Visibles, the infamous double helix can wind up causing chaos and confusion.

Denim, Vox, 2009 styling

Whenever I enter a bookstore, I tend to bypass the classics and head straight for the chick lit section with its rows and rows of pink glossy hardcovers. It’s not that I have anything against Hemingway or Dickens – well, maybe Dickens – it’s just that where my eye leads, my feet follow. I often wonder if I would be more likely to pick up a Steinbeck or a Faulkner if these old titles were given fresh looks. I’m not saying they need pink (although we all need a little pink), but some styling never hurt anybody.

Unprotected tween sexting

Sexting is a controversial and growing trend among teens, who often perceive it as little more than flirtation. Last fall, the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy surveyed teens and young adults about sexting. The results showed that 39 percent of teens have sent sexually suggestive messages, and 48 percent reported receiving such messages.

Trying to get by

Photographers Kayla Bowcutt, Rose Brack-Kaiser and Colleen McDevitt document three ways of making a living: A family's farm, a student worker and a pastor working through loss.

Click this: Sporcle.com

Like addictinggames.com but with a Trivial Pursuit spin, Sporcle.com contains more than 1,350 quizzes with varying time limits that include topics as specific as naming the von Trapp family children from The Sound of Music, Disney villains or European capitals.

Festivals with flair

The secret’s out: National and regional music festivals can be time-consuming and pricey (tickets to Bonnaroo cost as much as $250). Missouri hosts a slew of great music events for all tastes. Although they might not have Bob Dylan or any Phish reunion sets, these outings make for a better time than watching summer TV reruns.

The Woodstock Playlist

Hear This

Album review: Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Outer South

(Web Exclusive) Forget trying to pick a favorite member of the Mystic Valley Band. Although Conor Oberst might be the obvious choice, he is not the only one with talent that stretches beyond one musical instrument. The group’s debut album, Outer South, provides a mix of genres for people with short attention spans.

Summer stimulus

Millions of Americans are losing their jobs each day due to budget cuts as a result of a failing economy. Now, an older, more experienced generation is competing for the entry-level jobs typically sought by inexperienced college grads. In an attempt to brighten this bleak picture, Vice President Joe Biden and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon presented young Missourians with what they hope is the light signaling an end to this jobless tunnel.

It figures: Parks

Dish of the week: Shish kabob

Step out of Columbia and into the Mediterranean world of Casablanca. With authentic Middle Eastern music playing in the background, the small restaurant has a homey feel.

You WANT, WHERE you should go, WHAT you will get