September 02, 2010

A beginner's guide to roller derby

By Robyn Seale One of CoMo’s Derby Dames runs down the ins and outs of roller derby and shows what happens when push comes to shove.

August 26, 2010

Hate the job — not me

By TRACY GREEVER-RICE Daily frustrations range from minor annoyances to outright catastrophes. Sometimes, they’re earned: You neglected to pay the year’s worth of parking tickets stuffed in your glove box, or your party got a little loud and out-of-control last weekend. Other times, it’s a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, such as when your car breaks down. Whether it’s your fault, these situations can feel disastrous, and the folks who deliver the bad news might seem responsible. But don’t shoot the messengers: Vox shadows Columbians whose work is often given a bad rap.

Towing job deals with irritable customers

By Tracy Greever-Rice People are rarely thrilled to need a tow or to have their cars removed from a prime parking space. For the past five years, Sam Bartolacci, a driver for Carl’s Towing and Recovery, has counted on the fact that his customers will be irritable when he meets them.

Divorce attorney used to stereotype

By Tracy Greever-Rice Cullen Cline knows why some people marry each other, get a divorce and then marry each other and divorce again. They really, truly love each other and really, truly cannot stand each other.

Real estate appraiser knows its easy to be blamed

By Tracy Greever-Rice Now is a hard time to be in the real estate appraisal business, which analyzes the market and determines the monetary value of real estate. The 2007-08 housing bubble burst has been particularly hard on property owners with a need to buy or sell.

Car salesman doesn't give a hardball sales pitch

By Tracy Greever-Rice Chris Felten couldn’t believe it when a carload of young women squealed their tires out of his parking lot and yelled obscenities at him for not giving them a hardball sales pitch. Typically, customers don’t make final purchasing decisions with a group of friends.

Owner of bail bonds company works strategically

By Tracy Greever-Rice Tina Bozarth, owner of Bozarth Bail Bonds, Inc., tries to do her job quietly and strategically. She has worked in bail bonds for about six years and stumbled upon the opportunity when she met an agent whose business was for sale.

Health code inspector expects compliance

By Tracy Greever-Rice Kris Vellema knows her visits can be intimidating. She is one of the City of Columbia’s eight environmental health inspectors. Kitchen managers, beware: When Vellema pays a visit, you’re expected to be in compliance with all city regulations, including maintaining refrigerators at 41 degrees or cooler and keeping clean and dirty linens separate.

Fundraising is hard work

By Tracy Greever-Rice Most fundraising can be justified as supporting a worthy cause. But that doesn’t always make the interrupted dinners, overdramatic testimonials or full mailbox any more appealing to a potential donor.

Bouncer throws out bad behavior

By Jay White was surprised to find that Americans are slightly more well-behaved drinkers than those in England. Growing up across the pond, he worked at his dad’s security company, which was frequently hired by restaurants, nightclubs and pubs to manage crowds and maintain control.

August 19, 2010

Columbia residents share their takes on the town

By Vox staff Columbia’s got a lot going for it — three colleges, a vibrant downtown scene and a deep outer fringe of parks and farmland. The town’s diverse landscape is both created and reflected by its residents. Here, an array of Columbians give their takes on the town they call home: A retired conservationist is still volunteering at 92, an exurbanite mom blogs about her life and an international student is shocked by how Columbia compares to her native Turkish hometown of 4 million. Although they might not have the same Friday-night hangout or favorite restaurant, each offers the opportunity to take a walk in his or her shoes.

The academic life: Alan Strathman, professor

By Emily Morris For students, running into professors in everyday life can get awkward, especially when they forget these teachers have lives outside of school. But psychology professor Alan Strathman knows this town inside and out, including which bars to go to in order to avoid students on a weekday night.

The world traveler: Nilay Muslu, Turkish student

By Krystin Arneson Nilay Muslu thinks Columbia is a little small. She’s from Izmir, Turkey, a bustling city of about 4 million. Last year, Muslu studied English and applied to graduate school in Philadelphia.

Writing Columbia’s history: Bill Crawford, retired conservationist

By Krystin Arneson Bill Crawford’s small house is a historian’s dream. Antiques and mementos perch on mantels, sideboards and end tables. Unused seating and every inch of tabletops are covered in stacks of documents, photo albums, brochures and newspaper clippings.

Locally born and raised: Jerry Wagner, native son

By Tracy Greever-Rice Jerry Wagner can help you choose a restaurant, choose a good swimming hole or tell you the shortcuts. He can offer an informed, historical opinion on community politics. He’s even run for the Columbia City Council.

New to town: Kate Canterbury, explorer

By Andrea Kszystyniak Everybody in Columbia knows that when someone chants “M-I-Z,” someone is bound to respond with a resounding “Z-O-U.” It’s a part of local culture in a city that seems to revolve completely around MU. However, newcomer Kate Canterbury says she had never even heard of the university before she prepared to move to Columbia. The first time she stepped foot on Missouri soil was when she and her family moved here last August. For Canterbury, everything here is new.

Sophisticated expat: Galina Malikin, city slicker

By Andrea Kszystyniak For those from larger cities, moving to Columbia can be a huge transition. Gone is the roar of the subway, the traffic and the culture that comes with city life. Galina Malikin has spent lots of time in the city. Her sophistication is evident the instant she opens her mouth.

On the outskirts: Don Mayse, farmer

By Krystin Arneson Don Mayse’s cows might see more of Columbia than he does. The busy farmer and owner of Show Me Farms not only raises crops and chickens but also owns a drove of cattle whose meat he sells to some of the best restaurants in town.

Alex Pfeifer, southern transplant

By Emily Morris Alex Pfeifer can often be found riding her bike on the pebbled path of the MKT trail. For this 22-year-old college junior, the trail is one of the town’s biggest attractions, and it’s one she can’t stop talking about.

Kayla Blevins, student

By Tracy Greever-Rice When you grow up in a town of 4,000, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll live someplace bigger when attending college. Mount Vernon native Kayla Blevins, 20, didn’t have to convince herself that living in a town of 100,000 was a good idea, and she couldn’t wait to head for College Town, U.S.A.