THE GUIDE
Whether you’re new in town or a Columbia native, everybody needs a little help getting around. Vox gives you The Guide: a how-to for life in Columbia. We’ll tell you where to go, what to do and how to do it. So each week, check back for a new installment and prepare to see a Columbia you never knew.
March 15, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Just when your day seems to be going so well, it happens: A car drives by and splashes mud on your white pants, you spill ice cream down your go-to interview outfit, or a button falls off your best dress shirt. Luckily, Columbia has more dry cleaning establishments than you might think. Whether you need your laundering to be eco-friendly, rooted in tradition, close by, fancy or with entertainment, there’s a place in town to fix even the worst wardrobe malfunction.
March 08, 2010
Grow your own container garden
(Web Exclusive) If the only annual things in your home are the dead Mother’s Day flowers and an unused hoe, you might need to rethink how you plant. Decorating a small space can be a weed in anyone’s lifestyle, but any place can sprout splendor with a few containers of foliage.
March 01, 2010
The low down on connecting in Columbia
(Web Exclusive) Internet competition is fierce. You know the ads. You’ve probably heard a man talking on the radio countless times about his love of Socket. You might even have it memorized. But when it comes to picking which service provider is the best, you still feel in the dark. Don’t fear. Whether it be a hidden set-up fee, a lengthy contract term or a speed slower than your grandma’s dial-up, we can help you avoid any and all of these horrors when looking for the perfect Internet provider.
February 22, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Tax season can bring out the worst in people. If you’re looking into a box full of water-stained, crumpled-up receipts and can’t figure out which purchases can be deducted from your taxes, fear not. Columbia is home to many tax services, certified public accountants and tax assistants happy to lend a helping hand. We at Vox can’t do your taxes for you, but in hopes of helping the stressed and exasperated public get through tax season, here are a few options.
February 15, 2010
(Web Exclusive) One day, you’ll have to renew your driver’s license (try not to look like a criminal in your new mug shot). One day, the increasingly warm weather will inspire you to leave the car at home and run a few miles on the Katy Trail (watch out for killer squirrels).
February 08, 2010
How to prevent the dreaded hangover
(Web Exclusive) Vox freshens you up from the dreaded hangover with these sure-fire tips.
February 01, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Football is all about pigskins, so Vox gathered our favorite game-day recipes that make use of the rest of that pig (in the form of chorizo, bacon and pancetta). With two appetizers and a hearty stew, no one will be heading to the fridge at halftime. We left out a pork dessert; it turns out even we’re not that creative.
January 25, 2010
The guide to do-it-yourself home art
(Web Exclusive) I have never been an artsy person. My brain moves too quickly to be detail-oriented, and I have the patience of a toddler on Christmas morning. The simplest activities, such as folding laundry or wrapping presents, turn into mangled messes. At the same time, I hate throwing things away (and spending money), so the idea of taking items I no longer use and turning them into domestic décor sounded like a fun and meaningful project.
January 18, 2010
(Web Exclusive) With winter knocking Columbia on its rear end, a little bit of prevention can go miles in keeping illness at bay. Even if it's not the dreaded H1N1, the common flu or cold are enough to keep you out of the game for a week. In the U.S., an estimated 25 to 50 Million cases of the flu are reported each year, leading to about 150,000 hospitalizations.
January 11, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Whether you’re a student trekking across campus and enduring tedious classes or a cyclist or runner getting your workout in on the MKT Trail, water helps you through your day. But are you one of those people who buy water from a vending machine or otherwise use disposable bottles? It’s time to break up with your plastic and switch to a reusable water bottle, which is safe for the environment, your health and your wallet.
January 04, 2010
(Web Exclusive) From small pharmacies with a hometown atmosphere to big name pharmacies, there’s no doubt that this town is prepared when it comes to drugs. But the question still remains: Which pharmacy is the best and most convenient? Take a look at the criteria below to compare hours, basic services and what makes each pharmacy stand out. You just might find your perfect match.
December 28, 2009
Guide to New Year's Resolutions
(Web Exclusive) We all know those seven words (no George Carlin fans, not those) and try our best to stay away from them. They are the seven deadly sins: Greed, pride, gluttony, lust, envy, sloth and wrath. As the New Year approaches, instead of a traditional list of goals you thought about making for 2010, try jotting down the seven sins and keep reading to see seven (non-deadly) ways to kick some bad habits.
December 21, 2009
(Web Exclusive) Some say the kitchen is the heartbeat of the home. Maybe you just moved into a new home, or maybe you just never got around to stocking your kitchen, but you don’t want to skip a beat. No matter the reason, with the help of a few local food experts, Vox provides you with a list to make it easier.
December 14, 2009
Nine steps to protect your place during vacation
(Web Exclusive) You’ve heard the horror stories: You return from a blissful vacation to discover that your home hosted a burglar’s shopping spree. When colleges break for the holidays and students migrate home, deserted duplexes and apartment buildings become a burglar’s ideal target. “Criminals know the residents have packed up and gone home,” Jessie Haden says, Columbia Police Department public information officer. “During breaks, there’s a lot of vacant property in area without much hustle and bustle.” Ease your travel worries with these nine essential steps to keeping your home in one piece while you’re away.
December 07, 2009
(Web Exclusive) You count yourself among the farmer’s market converts and frequent the home-grown shops over the chains. But keeping the gift giving local doesn’t limit you to reusing the Missourian pages as wrapping paper. Stay local with these quirky gifts from Columbia-area designers and artists.
November 30, 2009
(Web Exclusive) Long before Chris Rock made a documentary or Solange Knowles had the “hot or not” lists buzzing by chopping all hers off, there was black hair: straight and long, kinky and thick, locked and strong. In part due to what the media and mainstream society dictate all hair should look like, black men and women have obsessed over their locks and drained their bank accounts to make a good impression or a bold statement with their hair.
November 23, 2009
Black is back: Black Friday in CoMo
(Web Exclusive) It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and you’re prepared to happily empty out your wallet in the name of getting the best deal. Forget sleeping off the turkey and stuffing — put on your walking shoes, and grab your car keys because a tribute to consumerism this big only occurs once a year, and you can’t afford to miss it.
November 16, 2009
(Web Exclusive) People need more substantive meals when the temps dip low. But along with the plummeting mercury, come a slew of holidays that leave many people needing to entertain and share a meal with family and friends. Luckily for you, some of Columbia’s best chefs and bartenders offer some tips to cook a great winter meal and how to entertain right.