CPD seeks community feedback on Flock cameras
The Columbia Police Department (CPD) invites community members to attend presentations on Flock Safety technology to explore its potential use to combat crime in the city of Columbia and provide feedback on a proposed related policy and procedure. Flock Safety cameras provide real-time alerts to law enforcement when they detect stolen vehicles or suspect vehicles […]
Silence and Solitude: Learn to Love Down Time
A few weeks ago, I texted my husband around lunchtime. The text read, “This morning was exactly what I needed. Time alone in an empty house. No TV or music, just quiet. I feel so much better!” The text came after a full week. My head had been feeling heavy and lethargy swept over my body. […]
The Power of Teamwork in Columbia
As I sit down to reflect on the essence of our community, one word comes to mind: Teamwork. The sight of my son’s fifth-grade basketball team giving it their all during the district semi-finals brought this concept to life for me. Although they didn’t emerge victorious, their spirit and support for each other was contagious. […]
‘Buffalo Turds’ and Faurot Field Memories
My, how things have changed. I can remember my first trip to Faurot Field. It was 1976, and a good friend’s dad was a high school coach. In the summer, he ran a sports camp, and had an old school bus that he used to shuttle the attendees around. The bus was christened “Coach’s Coach,” […]
Athletics Leads the Cheer for COMO’s Economic Development
Sports tourism is an integral part of the city of Columbia’s economy. Our Parks and Recreation Department continues to emphasize sports and the development of athletic facilities as a key economic driver for our community. Sporting events contribute to our economy in many ways, with residents and visitors spending money on hotel stays, local restaurants, […]
A Slam Dunk for Faith and Fun
There’s an electric tension in the air — a mix of anticipation and the energy of the players on the court. The audience is on the edge of their seats, their collective breath held, and the only sounds are the rhythmic “thud” of the basketball and the squeak of sneakers. As the most skilled player […]
A Day in the (Culinary) Life
Alan Petersen is the director of Culinary Performance Services for the University of Missouri Athletics Department. He recently tracked a day in his work and home life. Please give us a description of your responsibilities. I oversee two dining locations — one at Memorial Stadium in the South End Zone and the second in the Missouri […]
Ready? Set! Where?
I have grown up around sports my whole life. Although, not in the way one might think. Growing up in Joplin (otherwise known as the Four States), we never had a team that was the hands down favorite. Collegiate football teams from Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri were equally cheered for. Basketball wasn’t really a […]
MR340: Scores of Paddlers Ready for Annual River Race
More than 500 boats and nearly 700 racers will begin the 19th Annual Missouri American Water MR340 river race at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23. Participants will paddle 340 miles from Kansas City to St. Charles in non-motorized boats, kayaks, and canoes in a four-day race to the finish line. “The Missouri American Water […]
Created to Love. Called to Serve.
It was a normal Monday and a co-worker and I headed out to lunch. When we arrived, we were surprised to find an empty lobby. A cheerful, middle-aged woman greeted us from behind the cash register and took our order. As I went to pay, my card was declined. I mentioned it was my business […]
The Mayor’s Core Values: Service, Trust, and Joy
In the two years I have worked as Columbia’s mayor, there are two questions that have come up repeatedly: “Is the job everything you thought it would be?” and “Who would subject themselves to this for $9K a year?” My answer to the first question is “Yes” (with a few caveats). My answer to the […]
Community Land Trust Helps Protect Investments
The Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) is a pioneering model for creating permanently affordable housing. Put into a sentence, the CCLT may sound miraculous, but the concept can take a moment to digest. Anthony Stanton, CCLT’s most impassioned ambassador as well as president and founding member of the CCLT board, was initially a skeptic. The […]