On the Job
September 02, 2010
On the job: Rink floor guard
He skates competitively, guards vigilantly and coaches enthusiastically. Mark Reagan is a floor guard at Empire Roller Rink, and his job is more than a bouncer on wheels. He might have to supervise some rowdy tweens, but mainly he helps to run the whole rink.
August 26, 2010
On the job: Septic tank repairman
In his job for D&R Pumping Service, Inc., Louie Cashatt siphons septic systems for a living. He helps keep Columbia’s waste out of sight — and smell.
August 12, 2010
On the job: Wedding dress consultant
Even the most vicious of bridezillas is no match for wedding dress consultant Jessica Morton. The assistant manager works with her mom and two sisters at The Gown House as a bridal dress consultant. She has been finding brides the perfect look for their big days for the past year.
August 05, 2010
On the job: Farrier
No, Travis Smith doesn’t take passengers from place to place by ferry. As a farrier, Smith fits shoes to horses. Shoeing these sturdy animals takes expertise and muscle, and although he has fun at his job, Smith doesn’t horse around. How would you describe your occupation? I take care of horses’ feet. It’s like my coworkers are horses, and I know lots of them by name and know their careers.
July 29, 2010
On the Job: Fruit designer
Flower bouquets might make nice gifts, but unfortunately, they’re not edible. Enter Kristy Jacoby, fruit designer at Edible Arrangements. She transforms pineapples, strawberries and apples into magnificent designs so her clients can have their fruit and eat it, too.
July 22, 2010
On the Job: Pet waste remover
David Jacks’ job is full of crap. His weapon: a pooper-scooper. His mission: master cleaner. As owner and operator of Scoop-n-Doo, Jacks takes pride in cleaning up Columbia one pile at a time — for a filthy good price.
July 15, 2010
On the Job: Short-order cook
The sounds of clanging pots and pans and an occasional “order up” fill Lucy’s Corner Cafe every morning and afternoon. They accentuate the diner atmosphere that the red booths, metal countertops and steamy grills create. This setting is a home away from home for cook Cody Rice.
June 17, 2010
On the Job: Midwife
Valerie Bader is a kind of coach, but instead of a ball, she’s catching a baby. Instead of players, she’s coaching women as they give birth — naturally. Bader and her colleagues at New Village Midwives offer Columbia’s women an alternative to hospital birth.
May 20, 2010
On the job: Music Teacher
Becky Buckler is all about the music. When the former public school music teacher isn’t playing piano or directing the choir at Calvary Baptist Church, you might find her teaching the next Ludwig and Wolfgang — Beethoven and Mozart, that is — in her quaint home studio.
May 13, 2010
On the job: Hair stylist
In her three decades as a stylist and 17 years as co-owner of The Look hair salon in northern Columbia, Robin Roberts has seen her fair share of jittery brides-to-be and prissy promgoers requesting a wide range of fancy hairdos.
May 06, 2010
On the Job: Pastor
With discussions on everything from in-laws to sex and birth control, Michael Burt, lead pastor at the nondenominational Grace Bible Church, helps engaged couples talk about important (and awkward) issues (imagine being asked about your fiancé’s use of STD creams) before they tie the knot.
April 29, 2010
On the Job: Plastic surgeon
Dr. Matthew Concannon, an alumnus of the MU School of Medicine, runs his private practice in Columbia. The former Harvard Medical School faculty member tucks, folds and, ahem, enlarges. Yes, he is a plastic surgeon, but not the kind you see on Nip/Tuck.
April 08, 2010
On the Job: Animal control supervisor
In the 6,000 calls her department handles annually, Molly Aust, Columbia’s animal control supervisor, deals with rabid bats and rogue alligators.
March 18, 2010
On the Job: Caterer
From the parking lot, Anita Jany’s easy-to-miss Columbia Catering Company doesn’t look like it could churn out meals fit for ’80s rock bands or presidential hopefuls. The restaurant-owner-turned-caterer spends six days a week cooking each meal by herself in her industrial kitchen, and not even a lap full of piping hot veggies can stop her.
March 11, 2010
On the Job: Pageant Director
Practice your pageant wave, and grab the Vaseline to prep those smiles. Erin France, director of the Miss Columbia Scholarship Program, coaches competitors on how to perfect their poise. France competed in pageants while attending Grand Valley State University in Michigan and now works as a hairdresser, but she helps others strut their stuff in this Miss Missouri preliminary.
February 18, 2010
On the Job: Driving Instructor
The first time behind the steering wheel can be a zany experience for a driver. Is the brake on the right or the left? What’s the trick to parallel parking? Paul Abney, who runs Columbia’s A+ Driving School, guides green steerers.
February 11, 2010
On the Job: Master Jeweler
Kanye West says “Diamonds are forever / Throw your diamonds in the sky if you feel the vibe.” Jim Pringle is responsible for many of the diamonds in the sky in Columbia. He’s been crafting jewelry for 25 years and won the De Beers Design Award in 1993, which propelled him to shine on the international jewelry stage. Pringle’s clients rave that he’s made some of the best jewelry of all time.
February 04, 2010
On The Job: Cleaner
Mark Anderson’s trademark blue dustpan and broom rest idly outside the door of Tiger Barber Shop while he catches up on the latest drama and jokes with downtown shop owners. After chatting, the Special Business District street sweeper continues on his task of cleaning sidewalks and removing graffiti from 60 downtown blocks. After four hours, The District is clean again.
January 28, 2010
On the Job: Plastics Recycler
Rummaging through your plastics can be a drag. But Gary Ryan, owner of Ryan Enterprises, recycles nearly every type of plastic. This renegade recycler transforms shrink-wrap and empty butter containers into a variety of useful products. He makes Missouri greener one milk jug at a time.
January 21, 2010
On the Job: Tai chi instructor
The yin yangs in Mary Cruise’s tai chi studio aren’t a ’90s hangover. They reflect her personal search for yin and yang, the balance principles that drive this Chinese martial art. The search led Cruise (front right) to teach tai chi in Columbia. She now shares her passion 20 times a week with students age 6 to 96.
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