THE GUIDE
Some Saturday nights just aren’t meant for house parties. If the weekend calls for a girls’ night out or group date, check out one (or two, or three) of Columbia’s clubs.
August 23, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Finding good sushi hundreds of miles from the ocean can often be pretty hard. Fortunately, CoMo’s landlocked residents have plenty of options to excite their palates. Get adventurous, and go fishing for some delicious rolls at these local sushi restaurants.
August 12, 2010
The Guide: Columbia's movie rental options
About 15 years ago, if you wanted a movie, Blockbuster was the most likely option. But times have changed. With computer-operated kiosks, mail-in services, online rentals and cable and satellite on-demand options, the closing of movie rental giants has become a trend. Hollywood Video and Movie Gallery have closed. According to The Wall Street Journal, Blockbuster is hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, and the future of other brick-and-mortar rental places is a mystery. With the options for watching unlimited movies, businesses are gearing toward video rental practices without human interaction. Vox examines the perks of going to a video store versus sitting on the couch and clicking away.
August 09, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Some Saturday nights just aren’t meant for house parties. If the weekend calls for a girls’ night out or group date, check out one (or two, or three) of Columbia’s clubs.
August 02, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Sliced, unadulterated watermelon is a perfect summer snack, but with a little time and care, it can be a great ingredient to a variety of light dishes. Paired with salty prosciutto or the kick of jalapeño, the sweetness of watermelon is pronounced. Try these three simple recipes if you’re looking for a way to liven up a summertime favorite.
July 26, 2010
(Web Exclusive) It’s summertime, so liberate your feet by wearing open-toed shoes and sandals. Free from the confines of shoes, toes new to summer are often callused, unpolished and rough. A pedicure is the perfect fix for these pedi-blues. Luckily, Columbia is home to many nail salons and spas.
July 15, 2010
The Guide: Float tripping on Missouri's rivers
Float trips are a time-honored Missouri tradition for everyone from good ole boys in the Bootheel looking for wild whiskey debauchery to city slicker families seeking a leisurely connection to nature’s lazy rivers. Vox gives a short list of floating tips and safety precautions you can take to get rowdy but still be prepared.
July 12, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Like those beloved happy-hour specials, summer is a limited-time deal. Don’t let the sunshine go to waste by staying indoors. Whether on a date, eating with the family or sharing a drink with friends, you can find a lot of spots in CoMo to revel in outdoor dining.
June 28, 2010
(Web Exclusive) It’s a hot and humid day, your energy level is slowly depleting, and that steamy mug of coffee just isn’t doing the trick. For cooling off and getting an energy boost, coffee shops in Columbia provide a solution — iced coffee, an alternative to its hot sibling.
June 21, 2010
(Web Exclusive) It might be a dog-eat-dog world, but there should still be some time to play with your furry friends in the park. Although Columbia has many parks, some are more canine-friendly than others. There are areas in town designated as off-leash dog parks so you and man’s best friend can play from sunup to sundown, provided you follow the outlined etiquette.
June 14, 2010
(Web Exclusive) How can you advertise your business, show your school pride, and create designs that show off your creativity all in one place? DIY T-shirt companies have popped up all over Columbia as places where the average person can become a designer within a few business days. Local DIY T-shirt shops and online stores make creating your own T-shirt simple, no matter what your reason.
June 02, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Spend just one summer day in Columbia, and you’ll soon be humming the same tune as one of Missouri’s favorite rappers: “It’s getting hot in herre!” So take a cue from Nelly, take off (some) of your clothes, and enjoy a dip in one of the public swimming spots Columbia has to offer.
May 31, 2010
The Guide: Find a farmers’ market
(Web Exclusive) So you want to buy some locally grown, fresh produce but don’t know where to look first. In Boone County, there are A-style markets, at which the vendors can only sell what they produce, and B-style markets, at which farmers can sell other people’s products, meaning consumers have more options. But no matter where you choose to shop, you will be in for a fun day while supporting local farmers
May 24, 2010
Tents and trails: Where to go to camp in Columbia
(Web Exclusive) Like backyard barbecues and baseball season, camping is a staple of summertime. A camping excursion is a good way to shuck the stresses of everyday life and escape to a simpler, more relaxing world — a perfect weekend getaway for those who have to be back at the office Monday and can’t travel far. Luckily, you don’t have to leave CoMo to find a camping site that offers the kind of experience you want.
May 13, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Spring and summer are popular seasons for making memories, and whether you’re graduating high school or getting married, documenting occasions with photography is essential. Many photographers offer standard wedding and portrait photography, but some have a more eclectic list of services ranging from pets to delivery day photography. Here’s Vox’s rundown on some local specialties.
May 10, 2010
Sculpting your lawn in Columbia
Enjoying an ice-cold tea while you gaze at a beautiful backyard landscape is fulfilling, especially if you crafted it yourself. However, a freshly manicured yard can be hard work. So if your idea of do-it-yourself landscaping is limited to sitting on the couch watching HGTV, here’s some local landscaping businesses that can help.
May 03, 2010
(Web Exclusive) The embossed calligraphy on the steakhouse wine list blurs as you laugh and swallow, praying that you don’t look as red as the roses on the table. Selecting a wine seemed like your biggest feat, but now you have to know how to taste it, analyze it and do whatever else is associated with it. It’s not as complicated as it looks, and after a few tips, you might even jump at the chance to take your boss to dinner.
April 26, 2010
Wax on, wax off: Vox's guide to Columbia's spas and salons
(Web Exclusive) The sun is radiating energy and warmth; skin that hid away all winter is not. As hemlines creep up and necklines plunge, skin needs some prep work to look its best. Luckily, Columbia’s spas and salons, including these five, are up to the challenge of de-fuzzing your physique. From small spas focused specifically on skin treatment to larger salons offering a range of services, Columbia’s estheticians are ready to wax.
April 19, 2010
Where to go for perfect picnic fare
(Web Exclusive) Feeding a crowd or even just a few can be challenging, especially when the grub has to be good on-the-go. Although picnics are a great time to enjoy nice weather and yummy food, sometimes deciding the menu can be difficult. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to plan a perfect picnic — leave it to the pros in CoMo. Whether you mix it up with non-traditional eats, keep it classy by dining with wine or just need a break from the office during lunch, Vox has the hot spots for where to get your picnic fare.
April 12, 2010
Where to wash and scrub your car
There’s no reason to drive around this spring with “wash me” scrawled in the dirt on your car window. Whether you’re a college student pushing a beat-up Volkswagen bug or a businessman cruising around in a five-series BMW, Columbia offers affordable, basic carwashes along with expensive, hand-wash deluxe detailing. Read on to learn how to handle your dirty car conundrums.
April 05, 2010
(Web Exclusive) Setting off on a road trip? Vox gives some great games to pass the time.