SLIDESHOW: Lexis Barry steps it up

(Web Exclusive) Lexis Barry talks about her involvement in the Mid-Missouri High Steppers. Barry, 15, has been stepping since she was in second grade. "I eat, breathe, drink High Steppers," Barry said. "I just can't help it."

Longer shelter stays for domestic violence victims

With the slump in the economy, it has been taking longer for clients living at mid-Missouri's women's shelters to find jobs, housing and get back on their feet. Meanwhile, the beds at True North in Columbia and the Rape & Abuse Crisis Service shelter in Jefferson City are full and the shelters have to find new ways to deal with the longer stays.

For the Record: Black Friday and Herman Cain in the headlines

The past week was full of headlines, including pepper spray attacks at Walmart, Herman Cain's sex scandals and Miley Cyrus' sweet 19th. Take a look at what was said.

Book Review: Haiku for the Single Girl

Beth Griffenhagen achieves the perfect three-line, 17-syllable articulation of the single lady life in her debut book, Haiku for the Single Girl. In fact, she finds it 72 times. Although the book is meant to comment on the life of a single girl, its sarcasm and sometimes unnerving frankness can entertain any woman, whatever her relationship status might be — single, committed, married, divorced or absolutely unsure of her love life.

Read This: Onstage, Offstage

Don’t let the sweet, smooth and dream-like voice of Michael Bublé fool you. Aside from his charming looks and conversation, it might come as a shock to learn the heartthrob gets into his fair share of screaming matches.

Vox Asks Columbians: If you could make one junk-food item healthy, what would it be?

A conversation with Nathan Anderson

Between the acquisition of the Missouri Theatre, the long-awaited performance of Kathy Griffin and hosting the Tony Award winning show In The Heights, the University Concert Series has more to offer than ever. Anderson talks about putting the series together and how he is trying to attract new and bigger audiences every year. Assistant Director Nathan Anderson tells Vox about his job.

Artist Lisa Clair debuts Creative Scroll Design

Commercial artist Lisa Clair makes memories fashionable with her new business, Creative Scroll Design. Turning event announcements and professional oaths into stylish prints, Clair is giving customers a new way to remember their big life moments.

See This: Amadeus

Jealousy can drive a man mad, and Amadeus shows just how mad one can be. William Woods University presents a play about the internal talent struggle of composer Antonio Salieri, who envies famed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The play opens Dec. 1 and runs until Dec. 4 in Fulton.

The MKT trail helps Columbians stay active

(Web Exclusive) Many people who live within walking distance of the MKT, Bear Creek Trail, the ARC or other trails and parks already know what some researchers have concluded over the past few years. Study after study has shown there’s a direct correlation between the proximity and availability of exercise facilities — gyms, pools, trails and parks — and a community’s overall physical activity.

Billie Washburn works toward a healthier lifestyle

(Web Exclusive) Billie Washburn never felt that she stood out in her hometown of Lewistown, Mo. — a town north of Columbia with a population of roughly 550 — where the majority of her family and neighbors were overweight. Being overweight was as American as apple pie. “It was normal,” Washburn says.

Walking the distance along the Missouri River

Over the course of a year, two couples enjoyed each others’ company and challenged their bodies as they walked along the crushed limestone trail that follows the Missouri River, below towering river bluffs where eagles fly above.

Mid-Missouri High Steppers work together to stay active

When Lexis Barry, 15, runs a mile in her junior high P.E. class, it’s not about just getting through it. It’s about having fun and beating her personal best — and competing with her best friend, Mariah Tillman, also 15. Both girls are part of Mid-Missouri High Steppers, a performing arts organization in Columbia. The drill-team-like dance squad involves drummers and dancers by coordinating musical rhythm with physical movement.

Health and Fitness Award winner shares her success story

Overweight since puberty, Laurie Arbuckle says she rarely exercised growing up. But after changing her habits and getting into shape, she has found a new, better way to live that let her shed 78 pounds and participate in activities with her children. Laurie Arbuckle is the recipient of the 2011 Mayor’s Health and Fitness Award.

By the numbers: How fit is Columbia?

Columbia offers a myriad of opportunities to get active and stay healthy. Whether you’re fighting off disease or trying to build up strength, being healthy represents much more than losing weight. How does Columbia shape up?

Work it out: How to stay fit and eat healthy in Columbia

The temperature is dropping, but that doesn't stop Columbia residents from staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Read about a couple's trek along the MKT Trail, high stepping high school students, guides to exercise DVDs and protein bars and more.

The Protein Bar Challenge

Vibrant displays of protein and energy bars line the health food aisles of local grocery stores, but the promise of sweet taste and great dietary value in such a small package can raise suspicious brows. With so many bars to choose from, here are Vox’s picks for protein-packed snacks to help dieters make the right choice.

Editor's Letter: Getting fit is no easy ride

Our feature this week looks at Columbians’ choices when it comes to staying fit. Whether they’re using exercise equipment, implementing a nutritious diet or taking advantage of Columbia’s many outdoor trails, locals have found their personal preferences for maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Root Cellar's Bounty Box provides Missouri produce

Jake Davis, owner of Root Cellar, encourages people to put their money where their mouths are with the store's Missouri Bounty Box program. Once a week, the store distributes boxes of fresh produce from across the state to locals who subscribe to the service.

Kathy Griffin is coming to town

Kathy Griffin will leave no stone unturned in Missouri. In fact, she has a goal to consume deep-fried ravioli in every city she visits, including Columbia. She’ll be performing today at Jesse Auditorium after her return to the United States from her Australian comedy tour.

The Snow Playlist

(Web Exclusive) With winter weather freezing people to the bone, we’ve got snow on the brain. No matter how much you might love it or hate it, songs about the fluffy stuff dominate the airwaves during this time of year.

Whitewater Ramble: Colorado bluegrass meets jam band

It’s been several months since Whitewater Ramble first traveled from Colorado to play a show in Columbia, but tonight it’s back with signature and self-described "dancegrass" jams. The eclectic band plays 9:30 tonight at Mojo's.

Columbia band Believers brings something to believe in

Tucked away in downtown Columbia is a building that looks abandoned and out of place. Sloppily hung orange holiday lights can be seen from the top window. But walking past it, the sound of uneven drums and upbeat guitar float out of the windows. For the local band Believers, this space, known as the Hairhole, is home.

Borgore brings 'gorestep' to The Blue Note

Asaf Borger, 23, used simple wordplay to combine two ideas into his defining stage name. He merged Borger, his last name, with “gore,” a genre of film and death-metal music that revels in horror and bizarre human behavior to create a name that speaks for his sound.

Hear This: The Black Keys & The Fall

Veteran post-punk rockers The Fall released their 29th record last month, as The Black Keys prepare to release their highly anticipated album El Camino on Tuesday, featuring the hit single "Lonely Boy."