0 1 . 1 8 . 1 8 / / F R E E E V E RY T H U R S D AY
HOME MAKEOVER
Breathe fresh life into your personal space with these four interior design trends PAGE 3
GET OUT
Learn secrets of the escape room boom from local business owners PAGE 4
At home with history The Niedermeyer apartment building, now over 180 years old, stands as an enduring structure among Columbia’s high-rises PAGE 6
IN THIS ISSUE
ONLINE
January 18, 2018 VOLUME 20 ISSUE 1 | PUBLISHED BY THE COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN
FEATURE In a landscape of new, towering student complexes, Niedermeyer Apartments stands out from the crowd. Find out more about the storied history of this Columbia staple. PAGE 6 THE SCENE A new year means it could be time for a new look for your space. Local interior designers have the details on the trends you can use to revamp any room. PAGE 3 NEWS & INSIGHT The owners of Columbia’s escape rooms reveal the secrets behind the puzzles that keep you stumped and what makes the escape experience so popular. PAGE 4 MUSIC Spice up your workout playlist with these suggestions that will keep you moving toward your fitness goals no matter what type of workout you choose. PAGE 12
UNCOVER COLUMBIA CUISINE Find your new favorite restaurant with our restaurant guide. With everything from fast food to fine dining, there’s something for everyone. NEVER MISS A BEAT Stay in the know by subscribing to the VoxTalk newsletter. The hottest stories and upcoming events will be sent straight to your inbox every week. BE A BUSY BEE Our online calendar is your key to keeping up with what’s going on around town. Your next outing is waiting to be discovered.
EDITOR’S LETTER
ARTS & BOOKS Last year might be history, but tattoos are forever. Local tattoo artists review the tattoo trends of 2017 and talk about what they expect to see in 2018. PAGE 13 Q&A: STEPHEN GRAVES MU postdoctoral fellow Stephen Graves strives to help underprivileged communities thrive in Columbia. He talks about what his nonprofit, Troublesome Movement, does to make that happen. PAGE 14 MADISON FLECK COVER DESIGN: KEEGAN POPE COVER PHOTO: EMILY JOHNSON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
320 LEE HILLS HALL, COLUMBIA, MO 65211 EDITORIAL: 573-884-6432 vox@missouri.edu ADVERTISING: 573-882-5714 CIRCULATION: 573-882-5700 TO SUBMIT A CALENDAR EVENT: email vox@missouri.edu or submit via online form at voxmagazine.com. TO RECEIVE VOX IN YOUR INBOX: sign up for email newsletter at voxmagazine.com.
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I first set foot in the Niedermeyer Apartments over a year ago when attending a friend’s Halloween party. I distinctly remember being confused as I approached the place. It looked more like someone’s home than an apartment building. When I stepped inside, I had no idea where to go. There were people walking around the hallways, and most residents had their doors open. It was welcoming — and different — and that isn’t something new for the ever-evolving space. This week’s feature (Page 6) tells the historic past of the building located on Tenth and Cherry streets. The building that is now Niedermeyer Apartments dates back more than 180 years, when it was constructed to be the home for the Columbia Female Academy. The historic space has had varied identities: as a school, as a hotel and now, as an apartment complex. But no matter the owner or its function, it has always been full of life. Where I live now lacks this sense of community. Yes, there’s a pool, and the landlords try to have barbecues in the summer to bring the residents together, but the sense of companionship in my apartment complex crumbles compared to stories of the Niedermeyer. Unlike early times at the Niedermeyer, late-night lobster bakes are unheard of, and summer sprinkler parties are non-existent. That welcoming atmosphere I experienced my first time at the Niedermeyer is an echo of a feeling that’s woven into the building’s history. And the complex continues to thrive among the sea of downtown’s high-rise apartment buildings.
VOX STAFF Editor: Madison Fleck Deputy Editor: Sten Spinella Managing Editor: Kelsie Schrader Digital Managing Editor: Brooke Vaughan Multimedia Editor: Meg Vatterott Online Editor: Brea Cubit Creative Director: Keegan Pope Art Directors: Tong Li, Christine Orzechowski Photo Editor: Annaliese Nurnberg News & Insight Editors: Samantha Brown, Morgan Niezing, Erika Stark The Scene Editors: Alex Edwards, Annamarie Higley, Margaux Scott, Peyton Stableford Music Editors: Jessica Heim-Brouwer, Anna Maples, Hannah Turner, Chloe Wilt Arts & Books Editors: Kat Cua, Kayla McDowell, Rachel Phillips, Ashley Skokan Digital Editors: McKenna Blair, Amber Campbell, Michael Connolly, Brooke Kottmann, Lauren Lombardo, Megan Schaltegger, Rosemary Siefert, Micki Wagner, Bobbi Watts Designers: Corin Cesaric, Tong Li, Jennifer Litherland, Lidia Moore, Morgan Seibel, Rebecca Smith Multimedia Producers: Kaylin Burris, Cassandra Florido, Megan Liz Smith, Yixuan Wang, Maoyan Wei Editorial Director: Heather Lamb Executive Editor: Jennifer Rowe Digital Director: Sara Shipley Hiles Office Manager: Kim Townlain
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PHOTOS BY EMILY JOHNSON AND HUONG TRUONG
THE SCENE
A renovation resolution
Redecorate your space with these interior design trends BY MEREDITH WRIGHT We’ve all said we’d head to the gym and eat healthier in the new year, but creating the right workspace to be productive is essential as well. Whether you’re a student, a workaholic or anything in between, redecorating your space just might make that dorm room or office feel a little more livable and less like a glorified shoebox. To help yourself out, try incorporating the expertise from interior designers in Columbia. Colors Jane-Ann Stahl, a workplace wellness designer at Inside the Lines and owner of Spaces in Balance, says a popular trend is to bring natural colors into the home. “The grays have been really popular over the years,” Stahl says. “Bright colors are great accents, but overall, we are seeing calmer colors in the greens and blues.” Patterns Bethany Strodtman, an interior designer at Bethany Strodtman Interior Design, says geometric patterns and the contrast of black and white will be popular.
She notes a global influence on many designs. “Even on pillows, you’ll see African-looking patterns, small doses of animal prints, natural woods,” she says. These patterns can create an updated, modern and clean look that can be put on an accent wall or even used on a larger scale. Natural designs Another idea is to bring the outdoors inside, both literally and figuratively. Stahl says feng shui, an ancient Chinese practice for creating harmonious spaces, can cultivate a positive energy in any living space. “It’s a calming effect to bring nature in, and it has a lot of health benefits,” Stahl says. “Humans are hardwired to be a part of nature, and when you bring that indoors, it gives a nice experience to people at home.” Strodtman notes the gradual shift to natural elements, too. “People are craving real plants as opposed to fake plants,” she says. This trend can be seen in water fountains, materials such as teak wood, natural light and nature photography as well.
Bethany Strodtman says people crave the comfort of deeper colors when in a home or office. Her original artwork, seen above, is intended to create this effect.
Eclectic looks Take a risk by combining colors and textures to create unique spaces that reflect your personality. “For example, don’t be afraid to put a sleek metal chair with a rustic dining room table,” Strodtman says.
Combining different styles doesn’t just have to be two pieces of furniture. A chair with an eclectic look could have copper legs and a wooden surface, and a doorknob could be made of brass and chrome.
Daily Lunch Buffet - All You Can Eat
10% Student Discount
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK | TUES - SUN Lunch 11am - 2:30pm Dinner 5pm - 9:30pm PHOTO COURTESY OF BETHANY STRODTMAN
• Dine-In • Carry Out • Catering
Authentic Indian Cuisine
1101 E Broadway | Columbia, MO 65201
573-817-2009 01.18.18
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NEWS & INSIGHT
Building a mystery Owners of Columbia’s escape rooms unlock answers to your questions
and sporting events held here, there are constantly new people crossing Columbia’s city limits fixing for something fun to do.
BY ANNAMARIE HIGLEY
How often are the rooms updated? All four owners have to make important executive decisions to open up new rooms or alter pre-existing ones. They say the lifespan of a room depends mainly on customer demand. Until bookings are low and customers are antsy, it is unlikely the owners will consider a redesign. Westhoff emphasizes the effort each room entails; opening a new one is a long and difficult process. “One thing we kind of pride ourselves on is putting a lot of resources into the rooms we build,” Westhoff says. “A lot of money and time and thought and design.” Instead of doing full remodels, at Breakout CoMo, employees prefer to tweak the puzzles and props in the rooms to enhance the experience.
The escape room industry is one that relies on secrets — secret passageways, secret clues and even secrecy pledged by its customers. In this business, the mysteries behind closed doors really should stay there. But the owners of Columbia’s four escape rooms — Conari Escape Rooms, Breakout CoMo, Escape Plan and Epoch Escapes — gave Vox a peek behind the scenes and explained why Columbia has become a popular center for these group attractions. Where did all these escape rooms come from? In summer 2015, Jon Westhoff was at his own bachelor party in New York City when his friend convinced the groomsmen to try out an escape room. It didn’t take Westhoff long to realize that Columbia was primed for one of these game businesses. Buddying up with now co-owner Connor Hickox and escape room company Breakout KC, Westhoff opened Breakout CoMo in May 2016. Lauren Davis and Dustin Copple, the owners of Escape Plan and Epoch Escapes, respectively, both purchased their businesses from previous owners. Davis, who took over Escape Plan in October 2016, attended her first escape room at the very location she now owns. “The second I caught on as to what I was supposed to be doing … I just completely fell in love with the whole concept,” Davis says. Copple acquired Epoch Escapes even more recently, in March 2017. He first tried an escape room in Branson, and similar to Davis, it was love at first lockin. He had been a restaurant manager for years and saw how the problem-solving skills he’d learned in that industry could allow him to explore ownership. What makes Columbia such a prime spot? Westhoff, a Columbia resident since 1999, was already well-acquainted with the community before he opened Breakout CoMo. He describes Columbians as creative and interactive. “They’re into doing stuff as opposed to just watching stuff,” Westhoff says. This tendency is what attracts locals to escape rooms. James Caspari, owner of Conari Escape Rooms, says he heard Columbia was in the midst of a growth spurt. Between the academic conferences 4
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How are the rooms built? Caspari does most of the heavy lifting, both creatively and manually, for Conari. His construction background combined with his job experience at an escape room in St. Louis gives him the foundation to design the current three rooms largely by himself with some help from his family. Davis says she was set on utilizing a refrigerator in one of her rooms, so much so that she changed the storyline from military-themed to nuclear power plant-themed simply to incorporate the appliance. “You get attached to this specific item that you buy,” she says, “and then your concept kind of molds around it.” Are they laughing at me? All of the escape room owners promise that employees aren’t judging participants too harshly from behind the scenes. But workers do watch on television screens as customers try to puzzle their way out. Davis is frank about it. “Yeah, we laugh,” she says. “It’s totally funny to watch people completely dazed and confused.” But she promises she was equally as dazed and confused during her first escape room experience. Copple’s employees also get the giggles at times. “We’re not laughing at you; we’re laughing with you,” he says. What’s the fastest escape time? A set of student amateurs holds a Breakout CoMo record. They tackled Y2K, a room with a one-hour limit and a 40 percent success rate, in 38 minutes, 5 seconds. “This group willed their way to the top score,” Westhoff says. “It was a sight to watch.”
The Escape Plan’s Meltdown escape room was created using carefully selected pieces.
The Meltdown escape room has a scorched dummy to add to the authenticity. BREAKOUT COMO 218 N. Eighth St. Sun.–Thurs. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. 340-5625 $25 per person
CONARI ESCAPE ROOMS 908 E. Walnut St. Tues.–Sun. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 207-9500 $24 per person
EPOCH ESCAPES 2529 Bernadette Drive Mon.–Thurs. 12–8 p.m., Fri. 12–10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun. 12–6 p.m.; 239-9066 $25 per person
ESCAPE PLAN 314 Nebraska Ave. Mon.–Sun. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 489-2890, $25 per person
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAUREN DAVIS
FILM FEST MARCH 1-4, 2018 /COLUMBIA, MO / TRUEFALSE.ORG
PASSES NOW ON SALE
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More Than
bricks
L
In an era of high-rise construction, the Niedermeyer represents hope for the future of old structures in the city BY LIBBY MOELLER • PHOTOS BY EMILY JOHNSON
LIKE AN OLD GATE, THE WOODEN,
gap-filled door catches against the dirt ground and struggles to swing open. Small shards of glass litter an area of the floor, so every step must be planned and considered. Ahead, there’s a broken base of a candlestick wedged into the dusty earth. At the next doorway, light fades, and the territory ahead becomes unknown. Click. A single dangling light bulb illuminates the ancient basement of the Niedermeyer Apartments on Tenth and Cherry streets. There are no distinct odors, even after all these years. To the left of the building is a massive mound of dirt that leaves a thin film on the hand of whomever touches it. To the right is a red brick wall, showing its age with the occasional hole and cracked mortar. Thick wooden beams, which stretch from floor to ceiling, work in tandem to keep the structure above from tumbling apart. The dim room could double as an ideal spot for a haunted attraction. Nakhle Asmar, the building’s current owner, sees much more than that for the future of the Niedermeyer. The 180-year-old foundation — one of the oldest in Columbia — holds pieces of both the building’s and the city’s histories. This structure keeps the building alive, and it’s what allows the Niedermeyer to remain a downtown staple among emerging modern high-rises.
BUILDING IN JEOPARDY
The building’s long history isn’t without its struggles. In 2009, a nearby crane blew over and toppled onto the roof of Niedermeyer Apartments. The accident displaced only one resident, a student who wasn’t too keen on the new skylight addition to his unit. Even with its reputation as a historic building of downtown Columbia, the Niedermeyer faced possible demolition with the proposal of a new apartment complex in 2013. The name “Niedermeyer” skyrocketed to the forefront of Columbia news. City officials, columnists and past residents came to the defense of the apartment building. Asmar had seen the news in the papers. Niedermeyer Apartments, a building he’d never set foot in, was facing the threat of demolition. It appeared to be the next building in Columbia to give way to yet another towering apartment complex. Asmar wondered what would become of the green-and-white structure, a recognizable marker of downtown Columbia. He had experience owning 6
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buildings throughout the city. In addition to being a mathematics professor at MU, he also owns Ginger C, LLC, a property management company with properties throughout north and central Columbia. “The more I read about it, the more I felt almost compelled to do whatever possible to save the building,” Asmar says. In 2013, Asmar purchased the building from Collegiate Housing Partners. He says he believes the company was happy to give up control of the building following outcry from downtown residents who protested the building’s demolition. The interior was a mess and in need of longoverdue maintenance. “It was a shock,” Asmar says of his first time stepping inside the building. The hard work to get the building back in shape began on day one. Immediately, he prioritized tasks such as safety and cleanup. Even with peeling paint and cluttered units, Niedermeyer Apartments had something he couldn’t find anywhere else in Columbia. Unlike most new apartment complexes, the Niedermeyer has a front yard that serves as a buffer between porch and street, allowing room for the building to breathe, as Asmar puts it. “The building wasn’t designed to maximize all of its space,” Asmar says. The wide corridors and abundance of windows are pleasing to the eye rather than solely functional. He planned to assure that the essentials were preserved: the natural light, the original floors and the signature green-and-white color scheme. All of the building’s bones were open for improvements, including the outdated heating and cooling systems. To him, the idea of change was good. Dealing with 30 or so units within the building has proved to be a tiresome task, but Asmar has never regretted his decision. “It’s a building that shows appreciation immediately,” Asmar says. “In that sense, the overworked feeling is compensated directly by the results you see in the building.”
RICH HISTORY
In 1833, the 12th year of Columbia’s existence, the Missouri General Assembly heard requests for an institution of higher education for young women. The legislature designated a charter for what would become the Columbia Female Academy. Lucy Wales, a Philadelphia resident, traveled by stagecoach, steamboat and carriage that year to claim her newly appointed position as the academy’s first headmistress. For the first few years, the school operated out PHOTOS BY OR COURTESY OF
The Niedermeyer Apartment building, originally constructed in 1837, stands as a historic structure in Columbia. Over the building’s 180-year history, it has served various purposes under five separate owners.
PHOTOS BY OR COURTESY OF
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of the Columbia Presbyterian Church downtown on Walnut Street. However, seeking a space to call their own, the members of the academy pushed for the construction of a separate building. The academy’s board of trustees eventually got the funds to purchase a $175 plot of land, Lot 100, on Feb. 26, 1837. Later that year, this land would hold the building known today as the Niedermeyer Apartments. The school made a name for itself. In 1840, Mary Todd Lincoln paid a visit to the academy to see her young niece, Madora Todd, who was one of the students. At its peak in 1853, the school had 122 registered students. However, the academy faced challenges after its principal left and his successor resigned due to illness. Denominational differences caused parents to pull their daughters out of the school, and some trustees left to establish Baptist College. Now known as Stephens College, the school ultimately nudged the Columbia Female Academy out of the spotlight, and it shut down in 1855. Columbia resident Samuel Victor purchased the building in 1865, and not much is known of his time there as owner. His years of ownership saw the former academy used as both a private residence and rental property. It wasn’t until 1895 that the building switched ownership again, this time landing under the care of the Cunningham family. The Cottage Hotel was born. 8
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The Cunningham family worked with “Squire” Turner Gordon to run the hotel. Two years later, Frederick W. Niedermeyer took ownership. He kept Gordon as manager and, in the early 1900s, referred to it as the Gordon Hotel. Whether guests referred to the hotel as the Cottage or the Gordon, the public agreed that it was the finest hotel in Columbia, according to Between the Columns by Warren R. Dalton Jr. The hotel was a dining hotspot. Breakfast meant fresh buckwheat cakes, and Sunday dinners boasted a delicious turkey. Country ham and chicken were menu staples. Hotel guests shared meals with Columbia residents who also frequented the dining room, and students from MU and Stephens College sought out jobs as servers in hopes of earning good tips. One night in June 1902, Mark Twain attended a Phi Beta Kappa meeting held in the Gordon Hotel. He received an honorary degree from MU the next morning. According to previous Columbia Missourian articles, Twain addressed a captivated crowd of 60 men, which forever instilled his name into the structure’s history. In 1911, a fire destroyed the Department of Domestic Sciences. That building, which is now MU’s Mechanic Arts Building, had to undergo another transition. By this point, Gordon had sold his share of the structure, which left the building
After the long battle that threatened the Niedermeyer building in March 2013, MU Department of Mathematics professor Nakhle Asmar became the new owner. Asmar chose to preserve the original structure and character of the building as much as possible.
in the hands of Niedermeyer alone. The university entered into an agreement with Niedermeyer to rent the Gordon Hotel as a space for teaching home economics. The building hosted seminars on subjects such as dressmaking and cooking, and the department continued to use the building for various events and courses for nearly 10 years. By 1920, the hotel had run its course, and the Department of Domestic Sciences had moved on. That year, plans were made public to convert the building into what today’s residents know as the Niedermeyer Apartments. By 1921, Niedermeyer had established the building as an apartment complex. The Niedermeyer family continued to operate the building until the 1950s when Earl Blackburn took over as manager. He looked after the Niedermeyer until 1974, when young couple Mark and Rita Reed became the managers.
TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY
When Reed, now a professor emeritus at the Missouri School of Journalism, lived at the Niedermeyer PHOTO BY KEVIN COOK
Apartments in the 1970s, tenants plucked ripe peaches from a tree off the porch. Scorching summer days called for sprinkler parties in the yard. Reed, 24 at the time, managed the building with her then-husband, Mark, who was attending MU to earn his bachelor’s degree. She interacted with tenants on a daily basis by collecting maintenance requests or engaging in simple conversation. “It was a community full of character,” she says.
“
An eccentric woman from California named Bessie June Browning sent Reed a letter insisting that if she must move to Missouri, she wanted the eclectic Niedermeyer to be her home.
”
The Niedermeyer’s aging walls hosted a number of tenants during Reed’s time as resident manager. One resident with an affinity for classical music often left discarded records in a cardboard box outside his door for neighbors to buy for 50 cents. An eccentric woman from California named Bessie June Browning sent Reed a letter insisting that if she must move to Missouri, she wanted the eclectic Niedermeyer to be her home. As manager, Reed picked her neighbors. She worked to keep a balance of students and professionals. Most residents lived alone, though some families called the Niedermeyer home. On holidays such as Christmas and Halloween, the older tenants found joy in the presence of the younger residents. The Reeds kept in sync with the building and its residents because they also felt a sense of community at the Niedermeyer. Their jobs included various perks alongside their salaries, such as free rent and utilities. At this point in time, the Niedermeyer included about 30 apartments. The units were as individualized as the residents, with no two apartments being the exact same. Reed says the rent ranged from $75 to $220 (current rates average about $400 to $500) depending on the specific apartment. During her posting as resident manager, only two months of rent were left unpaid by tenants. She says she thinks of her time at the Niedermeyer fondly, recounting numerous anecdotes about the souls who lived there and the experiences they shared. One night, a mishap occurred at the Columbia Regional Airport. A crate of 50 lobsters meant for a local grocery store broke during the trip to Columbia, and the water had slowly trickled out. Reed, working as an airport firefighter at the time, says she took the discarded crate off the grocery store’s hands. At 11 p.m., she brought the crate to the door of the Niedermeyer, and she and a handful of residents began cooking up the lobsters. Anyone who was still awake was welcome to the unexpected feast, provided they supplied butter for dipping. The lack of water hadn’t tainted the lobsters whatsoever. “Oh, they were
The Niedermeyer building has a storied past. Before it was used for long-term tenant living, it also served as an all-female academy and a hotel for guests coming through town.
absolutely delicious,” she says. Following the feast, they froze nine pounds of the leftover lobster meat.
TIME OF CHANGE
The environment of the Niedermeyer has shifted. Today’s tenants know a vastly different experience from the sprinkler parties and movie nights of the past. Upon entry, pink floral wallpaper catches the eye of a resident or a visitor. The hallways are wide, and the staircases are thin. The chipped white paint on the staircase rail reveals its age. Bright orange water pipes snake through the halls and pop against stark walls. Light floods through large windows to illuminate the journey up to the second and third floors. Sydney Stephens, an MU senior studying journalism, moved into the Niedermeyer this past August. Since her departure from the residence halls after her first year on campus, Stephens has worked to find cheaper and cheaper rent. The price, paired with the central location and a friend’s recommendation, drew Stephens to her current apartment. The Niedermeyer’s amenities might not compare to
those of the newest complexes that have cropped up downtown, but Stephens doesn’t mind. She prefers the reasonable price and quiet atmosphere. With Harpo’s located just across the street, she knows the surrounding area offers plenty of entertainment. Stephens describes her apartment as quaint, small and cute. It’s just enough space for her and her roommate, a close friend. She has been happy with the management of the building since moving in, even though the Niedermeyer no longer has a resident manager — Reed’s previous role. Stephens enjoys lounging on the recently renovated porch on nice days. The building’s age reveals itself in both small and large details. The handle to her bathroom door is decorated with small engravings. On the day of her move-in, the lack of an elevator left Stephens huffing and puffing as she heaved a mattress, a dresser and other belongings up to her second-floor apartment. “I remember that day moving things and being like, ‘I’m never doing this again,’” she says. Along with a transitioning building, the community aspect of the Niedermeyer seems to have faded. 01.18.18
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TOP: Part of the original structure of the Niedermeyer that can still be seen today includes the wood flooring and large windows, says Nakhle Asmar, the building’s owner. The pink floral wallpaper also evokes a sense of past. LEFT: Along with the special attention given to the preservation of the Niedermeyer’s architectural elements, the original mailboxes to the apartments also remain.
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PHOTOS BY EMILY JOHNSON AND WHITNEY HAYWARD
Although the sweeping porch remains a serene gathering place, most of the residents appear to keep to themselves. Gone are the days of midnight lobster cookouts. Stephens attributes the individualized atmosphere to the fact that the Niedermeyer exists outside of the “college bubble.” Many of the surrounding residential complexes are filled exclusively with college students and often get loud as the weekend approaches, but the variety in age of Niedermeyer residents allows for a calmer living atmosphere that offers a deviation from the downtown housing norm.
PRESERVING THE PAST
Shoved against the wall of a vacant apartment, a plastic folding table sits littered with building plans and schematics. The drawings of clean lines and modern enhancements are a distinct contrast to the room’s weathered wooden floors and cracking white walls. Evolution is coming to the Niedermeyer Apartments. Asmar is currently tidying the building’s ground floor, but what will come next is still up in the air. He hopes eventually to spruce up the courtyard. Outside, the newly built Rise Apartments towers above the Niedermeyer and blocks the rays that residents used to depend on while they sunbathed in the ’70s. Although far smaller in size, the Niedermeyer’s exterior exudes much more character. “I’m glad the building is there,” Asmar says in. “It’s a really nice building. With (Rise Apartments) right next to it, it’s quite a contrast. Now, the backyard is a mess, but it’s only because we’re still working there. It’s a work in progress.” Passersby still catch a glimpse of the old Columbia, a town that’s prided itself on the preservation of historic structures such as the Niedermeyer. Although times have changed, that attitude has not. No matter the name, no matter the owner, no matter the time, the Niedermeyer stands as a distinct green-and-white callback to the city’s foundation. The Niedermeyer building takes up the lot on the corner of Tenth and Cherry streets, which makes it a prime downtown location. It’s become a home for many different people whether for a few months or a few years.
In good company
“Blind” Boone Home
The city bought the John William “Blind” Boone Home from the Warren Funeral Home in 2000, and the house underwent 15 years of renovations before reopening in September 2016. Boone, a blind pianist, was part of “Missouri’s Big Three,” a group of the state’s most famous ragtime artists. He died in 1927. 10 N. Fourth St.
Niedermeyer Apartments is one of many buildings in Columbia steeped in rich history. There are more than 40 locations in the city in the National Register of Historic Places, including these four. BY CHRISTINE JACKSON
Pierce Pennant Motor Hotel
The Pierce Pennant Motor Hotel, built in 1929, was once owned by Pierce Petroleum Company. It was originally combined with a gas station and garage. During World War II, Stephens College used the building to train female pilots. In 1959, it was converted into the Candlelight Lodge. 1406 Business Loop 70 W
PHOTOS BY OR COURTESY OF WHITNEY HAYWARD, ANNALIESE NURMBERG AND WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
“Pop” Collins Cabin
Stephens Lake Park is the original location of both the “Pop” Collins Cabin and the David Gordon House. The Gordon House burned in 1998, but the cabin was restored and relocated in 2004 to Nifong Park, where the Boone County Historical Society gives tours. 2900 E. Nifong Blvd.
Samuel H. and Isabel Smith Elkins House
The Samuel H. and Isabel Smith Elkins House is one of the last of the Italianate-style homes in Columbia. Venture capitalist and Columbia Postmaster Samuel Elkins built the house in 1882. It also used to house Columbia’s longest continuously operating stained glass studio, Village Glass. 315 N. Tenth St.
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MUSIC
Hot bod, hotter hits The key to your fitness resolution is the right kind of music BY JANIE MATTHEWS New Year’s fitness goals are easier set than done. According to a 2013 Scientific American article, finding the right music could be the key to success at the gym: “Music distracts people from pain and fatigue, elevates mood, increases endurance, reduces perceived effort and may even promote metabolic efficiency.” So, take a look at our list of recommended workout music, and get moving. High intensity cardio To keep up his energy during a cardio session, Kevin Downs, a personal trainer at Wilson’s Fitness and a coach at MKT CrossFit, keeps his playlists stacked with loud and upbeat music. “If a certain song comes on right when I’m about to get tired (during a workout), I’ll hear that song and kind of kick in another gear, push it a little bit harder,” Downs says. “A song can make or break a workout.” Song recommendations: “Mask Off” by Future, “A Milli” by Lil Wayne
Cycling If you’d rather skip the weight room and hop on a bike, MizzouRec cycling instructor Lauren Russ has plenty of songs that will take your ride to the next level. She likes to stick to Top 40 pop music so the class will get amped hearing popular songs from the radio. Russ also puts some throwbacks on her playlists to give people a blast from the past. “For cycle, the music is one of the most important components,” Russ says. “It’s really important that the music is able to push people to keep them going; it has to be at a high beats per minute.” So, basically, anything by Beyoncé works. Song recommendation: “Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato
Running Local marathon runner Terry Robb knows running isn’t an effortless sport and says music is often the solution to getting yourself outside and moving. When he’s looking for a little extra push, he reaches for songs by contemporary artists. Song recommendations: “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas
Using music as encouragement, Samantha Bowers runs through Peace Park. Local runner Terry Robb suggests songs by Lady Gaga and The Black Eyed Peas.
February 1-4 | February 8-11 | February 15-18 2018
“Some hurts never heal.” Adults Seniors Students Thursdays Brian Yorkey music by Tom Kitt
book and lyrics by
14 $ 12 $ 12 $ 10
$
* this production contains mature content and explicit language
1800 Nelwood Drive; Columbia, MO | 573.474.3699 | www.cectheatre.org 12
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PHOTO BY EMILY JOHNSON
ARTS & BOOKS
Fads fade, ink is forever
Local tattoo artists reflect on 2017’s most popular designs and predict what tattoo trends are expected for 2018 BY JASMINE-KAY JOHNSON
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Blackwork consists of designs done in black ink. This type of tattoo, despite its ancient roots, was one of the most popular styles this past year.
Tattoos are an expression of whatever one chooses and often follow certain trends. Gabe Garcia, a local tattoo artist and owner of Iron Tiger Tattoo and Tattoo You, says he doesn’t think trends are as easy to pinpoint as they used to be. Garcia has seen everything from lower back tribal tattoos to stars and infinity symbols this past year. Before you get a tattoo, take a look at some of 2017’s most popular trends. Compasses Roxane Jeffries, a tattoo artist at Living Canvas Tattoo, Body Piercing & Art Gallery, says she thinks tattoos are more about images representing an idea than they are about following trends. “Compasses have been a symbol of traveling and finding your way home for centuries,” Jeffries writes in an email. This particularly held true for sailors. According to the website Tattoo SEO, sailors believed compass tattoos would bring them home safely. People might not get compass tattoos for protection anymore, but the basic message stands. Collectors A collector is not actually a type of tattoo so much as a type of person. Collectors are tattoo enthusiasts who “love the culture of tattooing and PHOTO COURTESY OF ROXANE JEFFRIES
love tattoos, in particular the style of tattooing they prefer,” Garcia says. He says most collectors who come in stick to a particular style for cohesion.
MUSIC MATTERS
Blackwork Garcia says blackwork might be the hottest trend of 2017, but this style is nothing new. According to tattoo anthropologist Lars Krutak’s website, blackwork is a style that was — and still is— a staple in tribal communities. Blackwork tattoos consist of large, solid areas of black ink and were originally “produced with combs, needles, cutting tools and natural black (and sometimes red) pigments for a variety of ritual, personal and social reasons.” Future of tattoos Garcia says he’s beginning to see people who want simple, straightforward designs. He has found that his customers are concerned about “having a timeless quality in their tattoos rather than all the bells (and) whistles.” It’s no easy feat to predict the future of tattoo trends, but if anything is certain, it’s that people will continue to get tattoos. “Tattooing is ever-changing and evolving,” Garcia says. “There is no way to pinpoint what it will do next. That’s why I love it.”
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STEPHEN GRAVES works to empower local minority groups
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hen MU student Ryan Stockton was asked about his professor Stephen Graves, the first thing that came to mind was Graves’ sense of style. “Always keeping it fresh — fresh ideas, fresh outfit, it all kind of aligns,” Stockton says. These fresh ideas and Graves’ “high-energy, fast-paced” teaching style are what inspired Stockton to pursue an education in political science and black studies. A postdoctoral fellow in the MU Political Science and Black Studies departments, Graves came to Columbia two years ago after founding and building up his nonprofit, Troublesome Movement, in Gresham, Oregon. Troublesome provides scholarships and mentoring services to underprivileged and underrepresented populations in order to uplift communities. Graves is the author of A Crisis of Leadership and the Role of Citizens in Black America: Leaders of the New School. This year, he was honored with the MU Faculty Achievement Award in Diversity, a testament to his mission to promote excellence in underprivileged communities in Columbia. What inspired this nonprofit organization? A lot came through frustration of what people have or their expectations of government and the expectation
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they then have of themselves and the community — ideas that someone else was going to be responsible for upliftment and assisting oppressed communities. What are some of Troublesome’s projects? We try to feed the homeless, provide resources for families, so that we can show that attainment of the common good is the primary focus of what communities should be about. How are you working with students on Troublesome’s goals? We just filed to register the nonprofit 501(c)(3) here so we can do the things that we want to do as far as transforming communities, being involved in the black community, trying to lead by example and bring great ideas. What are your future goals for Troublesome? We would like to develop scholarship programs for students who want to study black studies and/or political science. We want to promote greatness, exceptionality and intellectual virtue. We are advocating for that in all aspects. We want to spread that message. —TAYLOR BANKS PHOTO BY EMILY JOHNSON
THE TO-DO LIST
this week in Columbia
ARTS & CULTURE
SPORTS
January Exhibit at Sager Braudis Gallery
Missouri Men’s Basketball vs. Auburn
Sager Braudis Gallery presents the January Exhibit featuring mixed-media paintings, monoprints, oil paintings, painted woodcarvings and more. A mix of local and international artists are represented. Through Jan. 27, Tues.–Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sager Braudis Gallery, Free, 442-4831
Jump, Jive and Jazz with Mizzou Swing
No matter how many left feet you have, you’re never too young or old to dance. The talented instructors of this beginner swing dance lesson will teach you everything you need to know to have fun on the dance floor. Stick around after the lesson for an hour of jazz from the DJs. Wednesday, 7–9 p.m., LDS Institute, Free, 884-2196
CIVIC Resources for Your Small Business
Discover the library’s free resources to help you start or expand your business, such as registering a firm and conducting market research. Registration is requested. Thursday, 6–8 p.m., Daniel Boone Regional Library Training Center, Free, 443-3161
Watch two Tiger teams duel it out on the court when the Missouri Tigers take on their Auburn counterparts. Auburn beat Missouri three times in 2017, but the hometown Tigers’ success so far makes this match-up a mustsee. Wednesday, 8 p.m., Mizzou Arena, Price Varies, 884-7297
SCREEN 12 Strong (R)
Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon star in the true story of the first American Special Forces unit sent to Afghanistan after 9/11 to fight the Taliban with help from an Afghan warlord. F, R RUNTIME = 2:10
Den of Thieves (R)
This crime flick pits the LA County Sheriff’s Department against an unstoppable team of bank robbers in an attempt to pull a heist on a Federal Reserve Bank. F, R RUNTIME = 2:20
Forever My Girl (PG)
This film stars Alex Roe as a country music star who returns home for a funeral and has to face the life he left behind, including the girl he left at the altar. R RUNTIME = 1:44
Still playing
Call Me By Your Name (R) RT
MO Fest
Catch the final weekend of The Blue Note’s fourth annual MO Fest — a music festival celebrating 50 Show-Me State artists. The festival features 10 genre-specific mini-fests spread out across three weekends and two venues. This weekend includes Missouri Alt Fest and Missouri Bass Fest. Missouri Alt Fest: Friday, 9 p.m., Rose Music Hall, $6, 874-1944; Missouri Bass Fest: Saturday, 9 p.m., Rose Music Hall, $5, 874-1944 Coco (PG) R The Commuter (PG-13) F, R Darkest Hour (PG-13) RT The Greatest Showman (PG) F, R Insidious: The Last Key (PG-13) F, R Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13) F, R Molly’s Game (R) R Paddington 2 (PG) F, R Pitch Perfect 3 (PG-13) F, R
The Post (PG-13) F, R Proud Mary (R) R Star Wars: The Last Jedi (PG-13) F, R Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (R) RT
Theaters F = Forum R = Regal
RT = Ragtag = 3D
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