5 Things: About the trees of Columbia

To celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday, free seedlings will be dispersed by Columbia Parks & Recreation. Find out four other fascinating facts of Columbia's trees.

Mike Robins bikes all over Columbia and the world

Mike Robins and his daughter, Mila, share a passion for cycling and rock sculptures.

Titanic Trivia: 100 years, a few facts

The modern day film cost more than a modern day Titanic, Gwenyth Paltrow was considered to play Rose DeWitt Bukater and James Cameron tweets from the deep blue sea.

Missouri visits its Titanic past

Missouri has many links to the Titanic such as famous passengers, the largest museum and on-board reporters. It will honor the 100th anniversary of the disaster with a first-class dinner and a commencement speech by oceanographer Robert Ballard, who discovered the sunken ship.

Book Review: Slant of Light

(Web Exclusive) Steve Wiegenstein reimagines life during the Civil War in his novel Slant of Light. Life in the Missouri Ozarks is what author Steve Wiegenstein knows best. As a fifth-generation eastern Missouri Ozarks native, Wiegenstein draws inspiration from the region’s history and geography to write this novel.

Rewriting history

Steve Wiegenstein is releasing the first novel in a series on April 19th. Slant of Light is historical fiction centered on a utopian settlement during the Civil War, inspired by his upbringing.

Essayist Michele Morano comes to MU

Award-winning author Michele Morano is coming to MU to share her experiences that have made her a better writer. She will be reading from a collection called Like Love.

A Conversation with David Tyson Smith

In 2006, a woman approached David Tyson Smith for help. According to Smith, she had been at the mall with her children when police arrived and told certain people to exit to the parking lot or café court area. She was willing to leave but said she couldn’t until she got her kids. Four officers jumped on top of her and pushed her to the ground.

Vox Asks Columbians: What's your go-to activity to relax or de-stress?

In the Studio: Morli Wilcox

Morli Wilcox’s artistic and personal lives intertwine. As the stay-at-home mom of Elliott, 5, she paints while she cooks gluten-free blueberry lavender lime cookies in her kitchen studio, which is full of light. She leaves her art to dry in her music room where she composes songs. Wilcox is currently working on paintings that will be on display at Make Scents beginning April 20. She will have approximately 20 pieces in the show.

From sea to shining stage

Whale Sharks, considered the gentle giants of the sea, can be found along the coastal regions of Mexico in Yucatán. Gracefully swimming in short bursts of strong, powerful movement, these sharks swim with the heartbeat of the sea. This beautiful, fluid motion is what inspired composer Tom Andes to write “Swimming with Sharks” for the Missouri Contemporary Ballet, while he was on a boat.

The Bruin Girls of Rock Bridge high

Kylee Tarbox spins around her kitchen island while her four dogs run after her. Her older sister, Leia, looks up from the kitchen table where she is doing homework and smiles. On April 9, 27 girls, including Leia and Kylee, began a three-day clinic to polish their technique. Today, they will perform a pom routine and a jazz routine in front of a panel of judges.

Army ROTC women at MU train for lives as soldiers

The women of the Army ROTC battalion at MU train and succeed alongside their male counterparts with the same strength and endurance workouts, drills, situational exercises and uniforms. Once they enter their Army careers, however, they are limited in positions such as combat roles, combat engineer groups and are faced with frightening statistics of sexual assault by fellow soldiers. They blend in with the uniforms tailored for a man’s body, and their tight regulation hairstyles under their camouflaged patrol caps set them apart from the many shaved heads.

Female firefighter suits up in a class of mostly men

The current 24-person class of Boone County firefighter recruits is not only the largest class in the county’s history, but it also holds the record for hosting the most women. Claire Dixon, 21, is one of four female recruits in this year’s class. Although she feels a need to prove herself as a woman in a guys’ club, she feels an even greater need to prove herself as a firefighter.

Editor's Letter: Women in Uniform

“Men and women in uniform” is a curious stand-in for firefighters, police officers or members of the military. Isn’t clothing, like a book cover, something we shouldn’t use to label what’s inside? Using the phrase with other professions quickly becomes ridiculous.

Strategy Gamers Society battles with wits

Not your typical gamers, the Mid-Missouri Strategy Gamers Society makes strategy games into social events.

MU University Club provides weekend reservation options

The Donald W. Reynolds Alumni Center's University Club will offer reservations for graduation weekend to nonmembers as well as members.

Comparing Italian sub sandwiches in CoMo

It’s time for your lunch break. You want something quick, easy and cheap, so you go for a sub. You take a note from Joey Tribbiani and pick an Italian. But where do you go? Vox crunches the numbers to give you the most detailed look at Italian sandwiches in town.

Preview: Miranda Lambert

Three-time female vocalist of the year Miranda Lambert talks about karaoke, her most embarrassing moment and hubby Blake Shelton. She replied via email while touring in support of her newest album, Four the Record.

The Big Muddy Folk Festival returns

The sounds of folk will permeate through the walls of Thespian Hall this weekend as Boonville hosts the 21st annual Big Muddy Folk Festival.

Hear This: Alabama Shakes and M. Ward

Alabama Shakes and M. Ward deliver albums that are steeped in nostalgia but offer a voice and style that is unheard in the music industry.

The karaoke classics playlist