8 minute read
CALENDAR
What’s Going On
THE EVENTS YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Dates and events are subject to change. Please visit the event website for the most up-to-date information.
December
DEC. 1-3 SHELTER INSURANCE WINTER WONDERLAND GARDEN OF LIGHTS
SHELTER GARDENS Kick off December with a magical winter wonderland at Shelter Insurance with Santa and a few new displays. The three-day event will take place in the beautiful botanical garden adjacent to the Shelter Insurance office in Columbia. 6-8 p.m.; free; shelterinsurance.com
DEC. 2 LIVING WINDOWS
THE DISTRICT Enjoy live scenes in the windows of local businesses in downtown Columbia. Living Windows transforms The District into a holiday wonderland. There also will be open houses, shopping, lights and of course, visits with Santa. 6-8 p.m.; free; discoverthedistrict.com/events/ living-windows
DEC. 3 WINTER BLUEGRASS BASH
THE BLUE NOTE Boogie over to The Blue Note for the Winter Bluegrass Bash featuring Arkansauce, Armchair Boogie, Fireside Collective and One Way Traffic. All ages are welcome. 8 p.m.; $15-$25; thebluenote.com/event/ winter-bluegrass-bash/
DEC. 7-18 BRIGHT LIGHTS/HOLIDAY NIGHTS
VETERANS UNITED Enjoy more than 1 million lights in a mile-long magical journey. Make sure to plan extra time, as this drive-thru light show attracts many each year. People are asked to enter from the east on Veterans United Drive to experience this annual event. 7-10:30 p.m.; free; facebook.com/VULights
DEC. 8 SHREK RAVE: SHREK THE HALLS
THE BLUE NOTE Spend time in the swamp with Shrek and Donkey for the “Shrek”-themed rave at The Blue Note. Bring your best Shrek voice and dance moves for a fun night! 9 p.m.; $20-$35; thebluenote.com/event/ shrek-rave/
DEC. 3-23 (WEEKENDS ONLY) HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES
THE DISTRICT The wintery rides are back in The District to take you on a tour of some of the best and newest holiday decorations. Those who arrive early will have a chance to shop in a heated bubble tent, provided by CoMo Picnics. 4-7 p.m.; free; discoverthedistrict.com
DEC. 11 KAY BROTHERS CHRISTMAS
THE BLUE NOTE Local favorites the Kay Brothers are returning to The Blue Note for a Christmas show featuring Molly Healey. Get into the holiday spirit with some good tunes! 7 p.m.; $12-$20; bit.ly/kaybrothers-xmas
DEC. 14 ONE FOR ONE FOOD DRIVE
COLUMBIA MALL What is better than lending a helping hand for Christmas? Join the Food Bank of Central & Northeast Missouri, Zimmer Communications and the Networks of Mid-Missouri to raise money and goods for the community this holiday season. People are encouraged to bring canned items including meat, fruit, vegetables, beans, peanut butter, soup and pasta. 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; sharefoodbringhope.org/onefor-one
DEC. 14-23 “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
ARROW ROCK LYCEUM THEATRE The Lyceum tradition continues this year with the production of “A Christmas Carol” throughout December. Experience the familiar story of a heartless miser who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. Enjoy the timeless story with your family and friends to get you in the holiday spirit. 7 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinee on selected days; $20-$46; lyceumtheatre.org
THE BLUE NOTE Celebrate the New Year in style at the Gimme Gimme Disco New Year’s Eve 2022 Celebration! This disco dance party is inspired by the beautiful sounds and look of ABBA. 9 p.m.; $15-$45; bit.ly/GimmeNYE-BN
JAN. 12 XTREME BAR BINGO
DIVE BAR Enjoy a no-cost, no-cover bingo night consisting of nine games and awesome prizes. Take part in the progressive jackpot that has given away more than $20,000 in cash and prizes since 2018. 7-9 p.m.; free; divebarcomo.com
JAN. 19 COLUMBIA VALUES DIVERSITY CELEBRATION
HOLIDAY INN EXPO CENTER This annual event recognizes and honors those whose work in the community exemplifies the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The 2023 awards will be presented in two categories including individual/family award and organization/group award. 7-9 a.m.; $25; como.gov/cultural-affairs
JAN. 21 ROC 7K TRAIL RUN
COSMO PARK Start the new year off right with the 10th annual ROC 7K Trail Run! Enjoy the scenic twists and turns of Columbia starting and finishing at Cosmo Park. Registration is required before the race. 9 a.m.; $35; como.gov/parks-and-recreation/special-events/
February
FEB. 10 THE LIGHTNING THIEF: TYA EDITION
JESSE AUDITORIUM Get tickets to enjoy an adapted production of the book The Lightning Thief at Jesse Auditorium. The story follows Percy Jackson who is about to be kicked out of boarding school and is now interacting with mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus. 7 p.m.; $25-$35; concertseries.missouri.edu
FEB. 23 RED SHOE GALA
THE ATRIUM ON TENTH Get all glammed up for the Red Shoe Gala, presented by Commerce Bank. Enjoy a fun-filled night with dinner, entertainment and a live auction, and all proceeds going to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri. 6 p.m.; $175; rmhcmidmo.org
FEB. 23-24 17TH ANNUAL MIRACLES FOR KIDS RADIOTHON
ZIMMER COMMUNICATIONS Join radio stations Clear99, Y107, 93.9 The Eagle and 94.3 KAT Country as they share stories of local children who have overcome so much, thanks to MU Health Care’s Children’s Hospital with Children’s Miracle Network. Throughout the event, listeners are asked to call in, text or go online to donate to the network to help more local children in the future. 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; donations encouraged; bit.ly/CMNradiothon
THE LEGACY OF LAS MARGARITAS
25 Years of Success
After 25 years in business, it’s no wonder why Las Margaritas is synonymous with quality Mexican food. What started out as a dream has grown to multiple successful locations serving deliciously authentic dishes and carefully crafted cocktails while cultivating a loyal following of customers.
And it all goes back to Francisco Esquivel’s dream.
Esquivel, owner of Las Margaritas, left his native Mexico in 1988 to work in the United States, hoping to save enough money to buy a home when he would eventually return. But his journey would take him in a different direction.
Starting in Florida, Esquivel labored on farms for two years before heading to Georgia and beginning
his work in the food service industry. He began at the bottom, working as a dishwasher, food preparer and poultry processor at three different businesses, all at the same time. Through his work ethic and determination, Esquivel rose, working as a busboy, server and, eventually, manager. The experience gave him the knowledge he needed to open his own restaurant and a close friend began urging him to do just that. While Esquivel was being encouraged to consider Blytheville, Arkansas, at the time, something told him that it just wasn’t the right fit. So he looked a little farther north in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. After doing some research about the area and learning it had no existing Mexican restaurants, Esquivel decided that would be the very first home for his new venture, Las Margaritas.
In 1997, the first Las Margaritas opened its doors in Poplar Bluff. It became a hit and, soon after, Esquivel opened his second restaurant in the area, Maya’s. His influence on the community was cemented in 2013
when he was recognized with the Citizen of the Year Award from the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
But Esquivel’s dreams went beyond the city limits of Poplar Bluff.
In 2012, the very first Columbia location of Las Margaritas opened its doors. Esquivel was directed to the city by a close friend at First Midwest Bank who believed Esquivel would find further success at what is known as the Corporate Lake location on Southampton Drive.
And he has.
By mid-2019, Esquivel had expanded to an additional two Columbia locations, ensuring all residents had access to his top-quality Mexican fare. After all, that’s what keeps people coming back to Las Margaritas time and again. It all comes back to originality, excellent customer service and, of course, high quality authentic Mexican food. That incredible combination also has helped Las Margaritas win gold for Best Mexican Restaurant in Inside Columbia’s Best of Columbia for nine straight years.
Now, Esquivel’s children are working to continue the legacy he built. His son, Francis, opened his own restaurant, Taco Taco, in Poplar Bluff in 2015 with his wife, Rachel. The pair also help run the Las Margaritas social media accounts. And Esquivel’s daughter, Franzia, is graduating from the University of Missouri this winter. She has helped supervise all three Columbia locations, helps organize events and created a drink menu for the Columbia locations. The Esquivel children are sure to continue the legacy of excellence and success for years to come.
When it comes right down to it, it’s actually a pretty simple recipe: great food, great people and a great atmosphere make Las Margaritas the perfect place to enjoy your next meal!
SNOWBALL SKILLS
Preparing for a snowball fight of epic proportions? Do yourself a favor and do some advance work by making a bunch of snowballs at once. The warmth from your hands will help the snow release moisture, making it softer and easier to form. By setting them aside, that same moisture has time to freeze up again, firming up your arsenal. Now you’re ready to take on the whole neighborhood!
life
CONTENTS
42
Tips for a Healthier Holiday
44
Moving Through History
47
A Wonderful Wedding
48
The Best Shows for Unwinding
