A Circle of Help and Hope
Great Circle is a Missouri nonprofit with a centuries-old history and a comprehensive goal. For Aubrey Ash, what started as a desire to foster children with the hope of one day adopting turned into six adoptions over the course of 12 years. She and her husband, Tony, adopted their first child internationally, but the high […]
Let’s Make Their Positions Permanent
Well, let’s be done with it. Erase the word “interim” from their titles and formally make John D. Glascock, PE, Columbia’s next city manager and confirm Lieutenant Geoff Jones as the next police chief of the Columbia Police Department. There, I said it. Quit fooling around with out-of-town consultants, because this is just another case […]
A Hand Up, Not A Hand Out
First Chance for Children focuses on kindergarten readiness and educating parents. First Chance for Children is a hidden gem in Columbia for some parents. Offering a plethora of services for parents expecting a baby and parents of young children up to age 5, First Chance is passionate about providing family education to Boone County and […]
Karen M. Miller, Retired, Happy Hour Hostess
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Elizabeth Leiva, Firefighter, Columbia Fire Department
What’s your background? I started in the fire service doing wildland firefighting in the summer of 2008 working for Grayback Forestry Inc. based out of Missoula, Montana. After a couple seasons, I moved back to Missouri. I wanted to continue working in the fire service, so I eventually became a volunteer for the Boone County […]
Strong Woman: Rebecca Walden
Following her family’s battles with cancer, Rebecca Walden draws strength from God and others. Age: 50 Years Lived in Columbia: 27 On a typical weeknight, we could find you doing what? Spending time with friends or my son, Wyatt, or reading. Who or what has been your biggest inspiration? Unconditional love. That absolutely inspires me […]
Transformations: From Depression to Hope
Rachel Olson awakens from her emotional coma and learns to love herself. In the fall of 2013, Rachel Olson was stuck in a cycle of severe depression. She felt emotionally numb and her automatic response to most situations was shame. Her internal struggle was magnified by a relationship that didn’t meet her emotional needs, and […]
CYSK: John Gilbreth & Amanda Rainey
Pizza Tree owners John Gilbreth and Amanda Rainey grow their family and business. How did you two meet? Amanda: We first met when I was one of the music organizers for True/False, and I booked John’s band, The Onions, to play at the festival. I thought he was pretty cool, but he didn’t check his […]
John Glascock, City of Columbia, Interim City Manager
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Jason Gruender, Owner, Liberty Insurance Solutions
1. What’s your background? Born and raised in Columbia, I graduated from Hickman High School in 1998. After earning my electrical engineering degree from MU in 2003, I began in the electrical construction industry and earned my professional engineer’s license in 2009. July 1, 2016, marked the day I began managing Liberty Family Medicine, which […]
The Changing of the Guard
A new legislative season began in Jefferson City in January with familiar faces in unfamiliar places. The resignation of former Governor Eric Greitens at the end of May 2018 set off a chain reaction that has replaced most of the statewide office holders. Last year delivered a different governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and state […]
A City Forecast Amid Change
Props to John Glascock, PE, who has hit the ground running as acting city manager. He’s listening to, talking to, and renewing the confidence of those who serve the city while wondering about their jobs and where the city was headed. The easy part for this former public works director will be ministering to and […]