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KEEPING UP WITH KOMBUCHA
Get a taste of this tea trend by shopping CoMo stores PAGE 4
BIG-CITY DREAMS
Local church choir takes on Carnegie Hall for performance of a lifetime PAGE 5
Taking the reins Meet Zander Crouch. Born with a genetic condition that hinders his speech, the 12-year-old is making progress and gaining confidence through horse therapy. PAGE 6
IN THIS ISSUE
ONLINE
November 23, 2017 VOLUME 19 ISSUE 30 | PUBLISHED BY THE COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN
FEATURE Twelve-year-old Zander Crouch was born with Opitz G/BBB syndrome, which required many corrective surgeries and caused speech impediments. It wasn’t until equine therapy that Zander said his first word. Take a look at his journey through photos. PAGE 6
CRANBERRY CRAZE Green bean casserole might not have made it to the first Thanksgiving, but cranberries did. Read up on all things cranberry while feasting on a cranberry chocolate pie recipe that was created for Vox by local chef Gaby Weir.
NEWS & INSIGHT A local health blogger, nutritionist and personal chef offer their advice on how to fill your plate with Thanksgiving goodness without tipping the scale. PAGE 3
BREW-TEA-FULL BAKES Tea isn’t just for steeping in hot water or to ease sore throats. It can also add delicious herbal notes and a greater depth of flavor to recipes. Here’s how to use tea to cook anything from dinner to dessert.
THE SCENE Tea lovers and health enthusiasts alike sip kombucha, a fermented and sweetened black or green tea. Keep up with the trend, and try a variety of flavors. PAGE 4
NAVIGATE TRICKY FAMILY DINNERS The holidays are a time usually spent with family, but controversial topics such as the NFL protests or gun violence might come up. Here are Vox’s tips on how to avoid arguments.
MUSIC CoMo’s 17-member choir at Bethel Baptist Church was discovered on YouTube. Now, the group will perform among other choirs at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 27. PAGE 5
EDITOR’S LETTER
ARTS & BOOKS One of the owners of Distant Planet Comics & Collectibles suggests starter comics to introduce you to the world of comics. PAGE 13 Q&A: WENDY EVANS AND KAITLIN MCDANIEL The MU vet students who won Startup Weekend in October discuss their new business, House Collars, which offers in-home vet care. PAGE 14 COVER DESIGN: KEEGAN POPE COVER PHOTO: COLLIN KRABBE
MADISON FLECK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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Zander Crouch is more steadfast than I am. After a horse stepped on my foot when I was 6, while I put on its saddle, I promptly quit my horseback riding lessons. The horses were too big, too scary. But Zander has been riding horses since he was 2 — and shows no such fear. For Zander, who’s now 12, it has been essential therapy. It helped him learn to speak and cope with his Opitz G/BBB syndrome, which caused abnormalities including a laryngeal cleft, a twisted intestine and a speech impediment. The Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center in southern Columbia has provided strengthening therapy for him and others dealing with disabilities in the community. His mother calls it his breakthrough. This week’s feature (Page 6) is a story from photojournalist Collin Krabbe that follows Zander doing what he loves most: riding. Zander wasn’t supposed to live, but now, as he enters his teenage years, he has riding ribbons hanging over a window in his room. He is starting to move on to other passions and activities as he approaches high school. The riding center has served as a safe place for Zander and a place where he doesn’t feel judged and isn’t gawked at. And now, he can take the confidence and stamina he’s received from riding into his bright future.
VOX STAFF Editor: Madison Fleck Deputy Editor: Sten Spinella Managing Editor: Kelsie Schrader Digital Managing Editor: Lea Konczal Multimedia Editor: Meg Vatterott Online Editor: Brooke Vaughan Art Directors: Keegan Pope, Alexandra Wozniczka Photo Editor: Erin Bormett News & Insight Editors: Lauren Puckett, Rachel Treece The Scene Editors: Brea Cubit, Brooke Kottmann, Lily Zhao Music Editors: Lis Joyce, Amanda Lundgren Arts & Books Editors: Karlee Renkoski, Mary Salatino, Micki Wagner Contributing Writers: Taylor Banks, Emma Beyer, Kristin Blake, Alex Edwards, Jasmine-Kay Johnson, Kaylin Jones, Caroline Kealy, Meghan Lally, Rick Morgan, Rachel Phillips, Bianca Rodriguez, John Sadler, Samantha Stokes, Caroline Watkins, Meghan Weinewuth, Catherine Wendlandt, Chloe Wilt Editorial Director: Heather Lamb Executive Editor: Jennifer Rowe Digital Director: Sara Shipley Hiles Office Manager: Kim Townlain
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PHOTOS BY COLLIN KRABBE AND GABY WEIR
NEWS & INSIGHT
Eat, drink and be healthy Keeping waistlines in check is easy with these seven tips BY ADRIANNA TALAVERA For many, the holidays are a time to visit family and feast on favorite foods. In fact, the average American might consume more than 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving, according to the Calorie Control Council. That’s about twice the amount the average person should consume in a single day. This overeating can result in some serious unwanted weight gain. If you’re concerned about the fate of your fitness goals, here are a few ways to ensure that you don’t leave dinner more stuffed than the turkey.
Work out first thing in the morning.
By the time cooking, eating and football games are finished, it’s unlikely hitting the gym is a main priority. To combat this, squeeze in a workout before the festivities begin. “I personally am not a morning person, but if I get my exercise done in the morning, then I’ve got the rest of the day just to relax and play and just do whatever I want to enjoy the holidays,” owner and chef of Love2Nourish Laurel Dunwoody says.
Make exercise less miserable.
Whether it’s a holiday-themed 5K such as the Boone Hospital Turkey Trax Run, post-dinner walks with
family or running through the mall on Black Friday, Samantha Bowers, creator of The Fit Brunette blog, says to make exercise fun and enjoyable. “Exercise doesn’t have to be miserable,” she says. “It can be going for a walk with your dog, or just simply getting up and getting moving. Anything that is active.”
Bring your own healthy dish.
If you know ahead of time there won’t be much variety of fruits and vegetables, help the host, and bring a healthy side or dessert of your own. “So if it’s a potluck, be responsible for choosing a healthier dish,” Hy-Vee dietitian Megan Kemp says. “Then you know you have something to go back (to).”
Fill up on protein to avoid eating too many sweets.
One way to prevent filling up on desserts is to eat more substantial foods that keep you fuller longer. “Less desserts, more of the meat and protein can help fill up, so (people) eat less in the long run,” Kemp says.
Cut the carbs.
It is key to reduce the carbohydrates that often come with traditional holiday foods. “Everybody talks about how turkey makes you sleepy after your Thanksgiving meal, and it’s not always that,” Dunwoody says. “It’s the amount of carbohydrates you put in your body that make you a little lethargic after the meal.” She suggests getting creative with vegetables. For example, whip up some roasted cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes, or prepare a protein-packed sausage and apple stuffing.
Be mindful of portion sizes.
Avoiding your favorite foods isn’t the only way to be
It’s possible to stay active during the holidays. Even Columbia’s Boone Hospital Turkey Trax Run gets people exercising before Thanksgiving celebrations.
healthy during the holidays. With so many delicious dishes in one place, it can be hard to resist indulging in unhealthy foods. “Try to make half your plate fruits and vegetables,” Kemp says. “As far as the holidays go, that can be difficult because if it’s green beans, it mostly has butter on it. If it’s sweet potatoes, it’s gonna have brown sugar.” She recommends consulting the Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate, a nutrition guide that shows what a plate should look like at each meal.
Get into a routine.
Bowers says a key part of her motivation for a healthy lifestyle is scheduling a routine. “Just like it might be hard to initially start working out or start eating healthy, once you do get into that routine, it’s hard to stray from that and go back,” she says. “Just make it kind of an appointment so that you don’t miss it. Then that’s something that will really help you stay on track and help you stay accountable.”
N OV E M B E R 30-D E C E M B E R 3 | D E C E M B E R 7-10 “You see, we, the Neo-Futurists believe that you can, in fact, write a two- minute play with just as much depth and humor and poingnance as something that taks five acts, twenty characters, fifteen set changes, and two hours and ten minutes to complete. Perhaps dare we say it? - we can achieve even more.”
by Greg Allen
Adults Seniors Students Thursdays
14 $ 12 $ 12 $ 10 $
* this production contains mature content and explicit language
1800 Nelwood Drive; Columbia, MO | 573.474.3699 | www.cectheatre.org PHOTO BY ADAM VOGLER
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THE SCENE
The kombucha craze
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Here’s what you need to know about this fermented sweet tea BY ASHLI ELLERMAN The popular kombucha trend has made its way to Columbia. DrinKraft, a local kombucha startup, is set to open in early 2018. Kombucha, however, dates back thousands of years to 220 B.C. Its popularity continued to spread throughout the late 2000s, and just last year, PepsiCo purchased KeVita, a small kombucha company, for around $200 million.
What is kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented sweet tea that is mixed with bacteria and probiotics. The color of the drink differs depending on how long it ferments. People drink it for a variety of reasons, and the taste varies from slightly sweet to tangy and even spicy. SCOBY, which stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, is a home for bacteria and yeast to grow. When the microbes have had time to ferment, the final product is a fizzy drink that tastes similar to apple cider or wine.
Bacteria meets yeast
Simply speaking, kombucha can be made with four ingredients, says Kalle LeMone, co-owner of Nourish Café & Market. Black or green tea, sugar, SCOBY and a flavor additive make up the basis of the drink. SCOBY is a living entity for the microbes to ferment and is what transforms the tea into kombucha. “Pieces of the SCOBY — the SCOBY looks like a little sea creature — can be in the kombucha,” LeMone says. SCOBY also regenerates every time it is reused in making another batch of kombucha.
Flavors and ingredients
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Kombucha comes in a variety of flavors such as fruity, flowery and spicy. For people who have never tried it, LeMone recommends a simple flavor such as grape, but there are other unusual ones including cayenne and turmeric. One of her favorites is lavender hibiscus, she says. Pete Hinshaw and John Wexler, co-owners of a local kombucha brewery startup called DrinKraft, plan to create flavors such as grapefruit, carrot and beet kombucha. They also want to use different variations of ginger and fruits. “Ginger just goes really well with kombucha,” Hinshaw says. “It goes really well with apples or blueberries.”
Kombucha tea is an increasingly popular drink, and a variety of flavors and brands are sold in stores. Kombucha is a fermented tea with bacteria and probiotics.
Other flavor ideas include chai, hibiscus, lime and beerbucha, which is hops-flavored kombucha. The alcohol content in kombucha varies according to the length of time it is fermented. Hinshaw says their kombucha is not regulated as an alcoholic beverage as long as the alcohol content is under 0.5 percent to comply with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
POPULAR BRANDS Brew Dr. Kombucha: In 2006, Matt Thomas started Townshend’s Tea Company with the idea of serving high-quality tea in a casual setting. Two years later, he expanded and began brewing kombucha using his organic tea. Where to buy it: Clovers Natural Market, $2.79; Hy-Vee, $3.99; Lucky’s Market, $3.29 GT’s: In 1993, GT Dave was gifted with a Himalayan mother SCOBY from a family friend, which inspired him to brew homemade batches of kombucha. Where to buy it: Clovers Natural Market, $2.99; Hy-Vee, $2.99; Lucky’s Market, $3.49 Health-Ade: Started in 2012 by a husband, wife and best friend, the trio dreamed of bringing handcrafted, high-quality kombucha to the commercial shelves. Where to buy it: Hy-Vee, $4.69; Lucky’s Market, $3.79
-LILY ZHAO PHOTO BY NATE COMPTON
MUSIC
From Columbia to Carnegie Hall in a New York minute The Bethel Baptist Church Choir proves if you can make it here, you can go anywhere — including Carnegie Hall BY GABRIELA MARTINEZ Small but mighty — that’s how Bethel Choir accompanist Audra Sergel describes the 17-member Columbia church choir to which she belongs. And mighty they must be, as the group will perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City on Nov. 27. The ensemble joins 24 other choirs in a performance of composer and conductor Joseph Michael Martin’s Appalachian Winter: A Bluegrass Christmas. It’s the ensemble’s first music-centric trip, and though the members’ travel experience varies, some have never been to New York City. “I didn’t ever think that I would find an opportunity to travel to this prestigious venue,” says Robin Anderson, director of the Bethel Baptist Church Choir. “We’re actually performing with the composer of the work, which, he’s a really prolific composer. I didn’t ever think that I would find that opportunity in a small little church in Columbia.” Bethel prides itself on working hard to create opportunities such as this one. The choir raised nearly $2,000 through various fundraisers and rummage sales to offset the costs of the trip for the choir members, and the work has paid off. “I use the term ‘lofty,’” Robinson says. “You never expect to be able to say, ‘I took a choir to Carnegie Hall.’ That’s really cool.” So how does a small, mid-Missouri church choir get discovered by a big-city venue like Carnegie Hall? Katie Silvestre, who’s in charge of program and development at DCINY, an independent choral concert producer in New York City that puts on shows at Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center, says it was as simple as searching the internet. While researching for the performance, Silvestre came across Bethel Choir, which prompted her to invite the small ensemble to audition. MU graduate and first soprano Julie McGinnity, who has been involved with the church and choir for four years, received the news via email while in Colorado. For McGinnity, the part she is most eager for has nothing to do with the Carnegie space itself; it’s working with the composer. “To hear his vision for the music and to really respond to that and in a huge group of people; that is what I’m excited about.” Bethel Choir is multigenerational. The youngest member is 15, and the age range goes up to women and men in their 60s and older. McGinnity describes the group as collectively dynamic. “As individuals, we all have really different backgrounds, particularly musically. I went to music school; there’s a couple others who can read music and can play piano and different things, and then there are some who can’t,” McGinnity says. “We can do a lot to a piece of music; we can do a lot to a worship service in just our small number; and that’s something that is really amazing, and it’s going to be even more amazing to multiply that by 10, as in 10 choirs, when we go to Carnegie.” The choir is diverse in other ways. Sergel, the accompanist, is a professional musician and recently performed at the Citizen Jane Film Festival. After PHOTOS BY ELLIE CHERRYHOMES
Robin Anderson has been directing the Bethel Choir for the past four years. The small church choir ranges in age from teenagers to retired members in their 60s. Bethel Choir will join 24 other choirs at Carnegie Hall.
CARNEGIE HALL FUN FACTS ààThe Carnegie Hall stage is limited to performers only. ààFirst performance: April 1, 1891 ààWilliam Burnet Tuthill, an amateur cellist, was the architect for Carnegie Hall, which was the first and only concert hall he designed. being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, a condition that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid, Sergel decided she needed to shorten her commute to work in Jefferson City. Anderson, who is Sergel’s best friend, suggested working for Bethel Choir. Sergel had her qualms about joining a church choir, especially because of the fact that she is openly gay, and working for an American Baptist church didn’t seem like the right step. Anderson convinced her that Bethel was welcoming, and Sergel stayed. “Bethel’s pretty groovy,” Sergel says. “I’m proud to know Christians that act like Christians.” The choir as a whole is gearing up to take in as much of New York City as possible in its five days and four nights there. McGinnity is one of the few who has been to New York City on several occasions, and she relishes the joy of the other members. “Everyone is going nuts,” McGinnity says. “It’s very different for me; but it’s kind of neat to see. It’s very much the attitude of, ‘we might not ever get to go to New York again, so we’re going to make the most of it.’”
ààMore than 46,000 events have taken place in Carnegie Hall’s three auditoriums since 1891. ààOldest/youngest to have performed at Carnegie: April 19, 1900, 4-year-old Lolita Val de Cabrera Gainsborg played piano; pianist Eubie Blake was 97 when he performed on Jan. 20, 1981 ààThe first African American person to perform at Carnegie Hall was soprano Sissieretta Jones on Feb. 13, 1893. ààAlthough the Carnegie family pronounces their name Car-NAY-ghee (as befits their Scottish roots), the concert hall has always been known as CAR-nuh-ghee Hall. Source: carnegiehall.org 11.23.17
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TAKING IT IN STRIDE At age 2, Zander Crouch spoke his first word while on a horse. Ten years later, riding still helps him find his voice. Photo Story B y C ollin K rabbe
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A guide assists Zander Crouch during a therapy session at Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center. Over the years, Zander has developed a special bond with the volunteers who work at the center. “They mean a lot to me because they’ve helped me all my life,” Zander says. “They made me get the strength to talk more.”
I
n fall 2008 at Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, Zander Crouch reached a milestone in his life. While on horseback, he uttered the riding command “walk on.” At age 2, he finally said his first word. For his mother, Brandi Crouch, it was a significant breakthrough. “We had no communication at all, really, with him,” Brandi says. “So when he finally said something, it was quite an amazing moment.” He was born with Opitz G/BBB syndrome, which affects an estimated one out of every 10,000 to 50,000 males, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. For Zander, this meant being born with a laryngeal cleft (a gap between the larynx and esophagus), a malrotated (twisted) small intestine and no anal opening. He required several surgeries to have a chance at survival. “(The doctors) didn’t think he was going to make it,” Brandi says. “They told us on three separate occasions that he wouldn’t make it.” After being born at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Zander was transferred to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where doctors did an immediate colostomy and inserted a feeding tube. After 2 1/2 months, he was finally released from the hospital. Two years later, a case worker at Boone County Family Resources suggested that Zander do therapeutic horse riding at the Cedar Creek center. After hearing of others’ positive experiences, Brandi decided to give it a try. For Zander, the decision would prove to be a
defining moment. “It means a lot (to me),” Zander says. “I mean, that’s one of the first things I can remember is doing horse riding. It’s basically been my life.” At the riding center, located on Missouri Route 163 near Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, student volunteers from local colleges can be found doing a wide variety of farm chores. Others lead riders and their horses around the stable, closely following the instructions of director Karen Grindler. A former nursing home recreation director who also rides horses, Karen says she started the program to fill a void she saw in the community. Her inspiration came during a drive to a riding lesson. “I heard Ram Dass on the radio say, ‘Look around the community for something that needs to be done, and do it,’” Karen says. “And I decided, you know, we need a therapeutic riding center.” Cedar Creek, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, now has more than 100 weekly riders and volunteers. Although the physical and emotional effects of hippotherapy, horse riding as a therapeutic treatment, have not been widely researched, several studies have concluded that it does benefit children with disabilities. Karen says the largest improvements she noticed with Zander were not physical at all. “As he’s gotten older and more independent on the horse, it’s just done wonders for his self-esteem,” Karen says. Over time, the program became a point of pride for the 12-year-old. Hanging above the window in his room are the riding ribbons he has won over the years.
“I kept on getting more confidence that I could do it, and then I kept getting better and better,” Zander says. Now, as he approaches adolescence, Zander has found a new passion. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Noah, he is looking forward to trying out for the marching band at Battle High School. If all goes well, he will play percussion. He has also found new sources of motivation as he moves past his medical difficulties. In his room is a stuffed teddy bear that sports a tracheostomy tube, which he had until he was 10 years old. Perhaps even more important to him, however, is a light-blue book that sits on his bedroom shelf. Written by R.J. Palacio, the book Wonder chronicles the experiences of a 10-year-old boy with facial differences and his journey from being taught at home to entering the school system. Incidentally, the main character had the same number of surgeries as Zander: 27. “As a little kid, I thought I was the only one who had that issue, and then I saw that book,” Zander says. “I just am glad that I’m not the only one.” On Nov. 1, Zander finished his 10th season of riding at Cedar Creek and received another ribbon for his collection. For his longtime riding instructor and mentor, the process has been a joy to watch. “When he gets on a horse and throws his fist up in the air and smiles and is excited, it’s a great thing to see,” Karen says. “For me, to see him grow as a young boy into a confident teen someday is a very cool thing.” 11.23.17
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TOP: With assistance from Cedar Creek director Karen Grindler, Zander dismounts his horse, Zippo. Karen says Zander has bonded with some of the horses at the riding center, which has helped him form relationships with other people. BOTTOM LEFT: Zander and his horse practice the trot, which is when the horse moves at a pace faster than the typical walk. Karen says the two-beat gait is essential to helping riders develop physically. “The trot is something that helps with their equilibrium,” Karen says. “It gives the body the sensational input to help them sit up straight, to respond to that movement.” Trotting is Zander’s favorite part of riding. BOTTOM RIGHT: Zander performs an exercise during a therapy session. Every week, riders learn a new skill. Then, they play a game that incorporates the new skill, such as musical stalls, where the riders must steer their horses into the nearest stall when the music stops. “A lot of the things we do look like they’re just for fun, but they’re actually skill-building activities,” Karen says.
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TOP: Zander sits outside his home with family friend Yadier Lopez, whom the Crouches babysit. Zander tries to set an example for those around him with his positive outlook on life. “I use all that’s happened to me in the past as motivation to keep going and keep riding,” he says. His mother, Brandi Crouch, says Zander’s always been that way. “It’s just his personality,” she says. BOTTOM: Zander and Brandi help the Battle High School marching band move equipment onto the field for the band’s performance. Zander is a fan of the drums and hopes to play percussion in the band once he gets to high school. “I’m very proud of him and all he’s accomplished,” Brandi says. “He’s been through so much.”
TOP PHOTO BY JESSI DODGE
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In his bedroom, Zander flips through one of his favorite books, Wonder. The children’s novel by R.J. Palacio centers on a 10-year-old boy named August who was born with facial differences. The book provided comfort to Zander and made him realize he wasn’t alone. The film adaptation of Wonder, which stars Owen Wilson, Julia Roberts and Jacob Tremblay, was released nationwide last week.
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TOP: Zander holds his stuffed bear, which is equipped with a unique item: a tracheostomy tube. Zander had a trach tube for the first 10 years of his life. He says losing it was a bittersweet moment. “I felt very happy and kind of sad because I had it for my whole life,� he says. BOTTOM: Over the past 10 years, Zander has accumulated several ribbons for his hard work at Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center. They hang above his bedroom window. On Nov. 1, he added a new ribbon to the collection after completing his 10th season at the riding center.
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TOP: Guides lead Zander and the other riders on a trail ride. Karen says horse riding mimics the movement of walking and improves riders’ strength. “The walk provides direct movement into the rider’s body, up their legs and spine and shoulder girth,” she says. The rocking and rotating movement helps to strengthen large muscle groups, such as the abdominals, back and arms. BOTTOM: A volunteer walks with one of the center’s 20 horses. Since the riding center was established in 1988, the program has grown from 12 riders and a handful of volunteers to 116 riders per week and at least 150 volunteers, most of whom are local college students. “Cedar Creek is a place to come and have friends, meet other people, and it’s a very welcoming and warm environment,” Karen says. “There’s no bullying out here; there’s no judgment out here. Everybody’s here to have a good time.”
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ARTS & BOOKS
Discover your comic relief These five recommendations will get you started in the intriguing world of comics BY ETHAN STEIN Looking to spice up your reading list? Dive into the world of comics to celebrate Local Comic Shop Day Nov. 18. If you’re unfamiliar with this genre or want some fun, quick, action-packed reads, check out these starter-comics as you peruse comic stores in Columbia. “Comic culture is everywhere now,” says Drew Stuart, owner of CoMo Comic Books. “You can’t watch TV or movies without seeing something that is based on a comic book.” Brandy Cross, managing owner of Distant Planet Comics & Collectibles, suggests these five comics for different types of readers.
For science fiction lovers: Saga by Brian
K. Vaughan with art by Fiona Staples
Enter the exciting world created by award-winning comic book writer Brian K. Vaughan, whom you might recognize as one of the writers of the popular sci-fi television series Lost. The comic is a fantasy space opera about a family trying to raise a child during intergalactic war. “It’s a really easy transition into the world of comics,” Cross says. The captivating storyline is matched with equally fascinating artwork from artist Fiona Staples that shows the capacity of the genre. Stefan Sheffield, sales associate at Slackers, says it’s the best comic book he has ever read.
To satisfy your comic needs or get accustomed to the genre, these five comics will get you started on the right track. Managing co-owner of Distant Planet Comics & Collectibles Brandy Cross recommends Saga; Monstress; Moon Girl and Double Dinosaur; Batman and Harrow County as great starter-comics. She says they suit the needs of a variety of people, depending on where their interests lie.
For art lovers and feminists: Monstress by Marjorie Liu with art by Sana Takeda
This award-nominated comic features a leading female character who tackles intricate themes of race, exploring one’s inner self, slavery and war. The impressiveness of the artwork brings life to the complexity of the story. “It’s beautiful,” Stuart says. “It’s the kind of thing you want to put on your wall and just look at.” The artwork goes hand-in-hand with the feminist angle of the story. “The detail of art is amazing,” Cross says. “It’s written by a woman who incorporates feminist ideas in her writing without being over the top, and it stars a very strong female character.”
For teens: Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur by Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder with art by Natacha Bustos
Throughout history, it is common to see comic books with leading characters who are straight white males. Marvel created this series to incorporate diversity that more accurately represents the world. The reboot of Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur reimagines Moon Boy as a young black girl, which carries out Marvel’s method of diversity. The original Moon Boy comics focused on a white boy and his adventures and battles against evil. The bizarre characters make this story hard to resist. “It’s a giant dinosaur, Clifford with teeth,” Stuart says. “This is an excellent one for people to get into with Marvel,” Cross says. “It’s a really important comic PHOTOS BY JEREMY JOHNSON
because the main character is the smartest person in the Marvel universe.”
For Superhero fans: Captain America Volume 5 by Ed Brubaker with art by Steve Epting Do you enjoy classic heroes with tights and capes? If so, Captain America and Marvel come together for a fun and quick read. Stuart says it’s a captivating story that grabs the reader from the get-go. “I think it’s the best 25-issue run in the last 25 years,” he says. This issue shows flashbacks to the war era and focuses on the reinvention of Captain America’s dead partner, Bucky.
For Harry Potter fans: The Unwritten by Mike Carey with art by Peter Gross
If you like Harry Potter but want another perspective of wizards, check out The Unwritten series. Mike Carey tells the tale of the young wizard Tom Taylor, who is portrayed as arrogant in conjunction with his celebrity status. Tom claims that his only skill is his knowledge of literary classics, and his adventures revolve around stories such as Frankenstein and Moby Dick. “This one hit me like a pile of bricks,“ Stuart says. “I couldn’t put it down.” 11.23.17
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WENDY EVANS and KAITLIN MCDANIEL reflect on their journey through vet school, starting a business and more
Y
ou wake up in the morning, and your dog is throwing up. You’re late to work; there’s no time to schedule an appointment at a veterinary clinic. That’s where House Collars comes in. This past year, Wendy Evans and Kaitlin McDaniel were inspired to provide in-home care during a national veterinary innovation competition and brainstormed the idea to use veterinary technicians. The initial concept was successful, but it wasn’t until Columbia’s Startup Weekend in October that they realized it could actually turn into something. “While the business idea is Kate and Wendy’s, they were very open and receptive to everybody’s input from the start,” says Charles Hutchison, a third-year law student at MU and part of the Startup Weekend team. “This definitely allowed each of our team members’ personalities to shine and strengths to be maximized.” The House Collars team took home first place during the entrepreneurship competition. How has winning Startup Weekend affected your business? McDaniel: It’s been a whirlwind. A lot of fun and excitement and stress — but in a good way. After we won, we were given a list of opportunities we could
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take advantage of during Bringing Up Business Week in Columbia. Immediately after Startup Weekend was over, we participated in the Startup Crawl in downtown Columbia. Our agenda was very full of showcasing our idea, our proposed services, basically enthusiasm for all of this. Now that the excitement of the weekend is over, we’re really getting into the grind and putting those ideas into action. How did you feel pitching your business at Startup Weekend? Evans: I loved it. They said it’s really hard for science and technology projects to come to Startup Weekend because there’s so much research that has to be done. So they thought it was really cool that we had this medical service. And from the weekend, I thought we had an amazing team, and we all worked together really well. We had a lot of fun. What challenges are you facing as a new startup? McDaniel: Prior to Startup Weekend, and certainly even afterward, we are challenged every day by the business operation side of it. As clinically trained veterinary students, we don’t have any sort of business background other than the education that
we seek out ourselves. So that is why it’s been really important for us to network. It’s just a matter of assembling the right team that can strengthen our weaker spots and carry our vision forward. Did either of you ever expect to be entrepreneurs? Evans: No, actually. We’re both nontraditional students, so we came to vet school later. A lot of people that want to be veterinarians, they’ve known since they were little kids that that was what they wanted to do. Neither of us were like that. So coming into vet school, all I ever wanted to be was an Army veterinarian. And I’m in the Army now. But we both did the Veterinary Business and Management Association. Where do you see House Collars going from here? Evans: In the long term, veterinary medicine’s going to look really different. We saw these models of telemedicine work really well on humans, and they’re not legal yet in veterinary medicine, but some day they will be. — ALEX EDWARDS PHOTO BY EMILY NEVILS
THE TO-DO LIST
this week in Columbia
ARTS & CULTURE
FOOD & DRINK
Thanksgiving Buffet
Christmas Brew ’n’ View: Christmas Vacation
Say goodbye to Thanksgiving and hello to the holidays with this classic festive film that features the Griswolds and their holiday adventures and struggles. There will be Christmas-themed drink specials and free candy canes. Saturday, 7:30 p.m., doors; 8:30 p.m., show, The Blue Note, $5, 874-1944
CIVIC
Black Friday Wassail Walk If you’re not into the shopping-centric Black Friday, head out to Rocheport for some food and fun. There will be a s’mores station, strolling carolers, wagon rides and more. Merchants around town will compete to see who has the best wassail recipe. Friday, noon to 5 p.m., Rocheport, Free, 874-2489
Shop Small Business Saturday Finish up — or start — your holiday shopping during this national shopping tradition that celebrates local shops. Downtown businesses will have open doors and great deals, and as a bonus, you’ll get to walk off some of that holiday (over)eating. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., The District, Free, 442-6816
Get into the spirit of the season without spending hours in the kitchen. The Holiday Inn Executive Center invites you to its annual Thanksgiving Buffet. Make memories with friends and family while enjoying a delicious meal of traditional Thanksgiving favorites. A special buffet for guests aged 12 and under will feature kid-friendly items including chicken strips, mac ’n’ cheese and more. Today, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Holiday Inn Executive Center, $29, adults; $26, seniors; $12, kids 5–12; Free, kids under 5, 445-8531
SPORTS
Boone Hospital Turkey Trax Run
Kick off your Thanksgiving with this 5K sponsored by Boone Hospital. It’s a great last-minute workout before celebrations begin. Today, 8:30 a.m., Downtown Columbia, corner of Seventh and Cherry streets, $40, individual morning of; $140, 4-pack morning of, 445-2664
Mizzou Volleyball vs. Florida
The Tigers fell to the Gators on the road, but a home-court advantage might be what the team needs to bring in a win. Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Hearnes Center, $8; $5, seniors and youth; Free with MU Student ID, 882-6501
DON’T MISS: THE LAST WALTZ LIVE: 41ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Forty-one years ago at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, The Band’s historic farewell concert featured an unparalleled lineup of musical superstars such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris and more. Director Martin Scorsese filmed the concert and released the documentary that rocked the same name in 1978. To honor the anniversary, The Blue Note will recreate the legendary night and let concertgoers experience a piece of what is considered to be one of the greatest concerts in music history. Sean Canan’s Voodoo Players will take the place of The Band, and other guest musicians will perform the roles of each artist who was on stage that night. Friday, 7:30 p.m., doors; 8:30 p.m., show, The Blue Note, $10, 874-1944
KOPN 89.5fm...Where Else? It’s not just radio, it’s community radio. On your radio dial at 89.5 fm or live streaming at kopn.org
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PHOTO COURTESY OF SEAN CANAN
11.23.17
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