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NATURE’S DECOR
Grab some cider, and learn about the life of your Christmas tree PAGE 4
DRINK, AND BE MERRY
These three holiday-themed drinks will satisfy your taste buds without breaking the bank PAGE 17
A PASSION FOR PINBALL
What started as a simple date led Josh Noble and Paige Ilsley to a lifestyle of competitive pinball PAGE 8
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURE When Paige Ilsley agreed to go on a date with Josh Noble, she had no idea she’d be introduced to a world of competitive pinball. From practicing in a basement to competing in tournaments, this couple has changed what it means to play pinball. PAGE 8
ONLINE
December 14, 2017 VOLUME 19 ISSUE 34 | PUBLISHED BY THE COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN
NEWS & INSIGHT Local business owner Jean Gruenwald offers comforting, one-of-a-kind products with her shop, Coming Home. PAGE 5
NONTRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS COOKIES Forget the plain old cut-out cookies, and switch up your holiday treat tradition with creative recipes such as peppermint snickerdoodles, PB&J potato chip thumbprints and eggnog sugar cookies.
MUSIC Feed your Pitch Perfect addiction right here in Columbia. Two MU a cappella groups break down what it means to carry a melody as they discuss elements of life as singers. PAGE 6
GEEK OUT Not sure what to get your movie-buff friend? This guide contains a variety of gift suggestions inspired by Pulp Fiction, Rocky and Star Wars, among others.
ARTS & BOOKS Avoid the cold, and step inside three of Columbia’s winter art exhibits. Sager Braudis, Museum of Art and Archaeology and Columbia Art League offer inspiring pieces. PAGE 16
2017 TUNES What are the best beats of 2017? Scroll through our playlist to see if any of these popular albums made your music cut.
THE SCENE Holiday-themed alcoholic beverages will keep you toasty this season. Whether you like your cocktails warm or flaming, these affordable options are for you. PAGE 17
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EDITOR’S LETTER
Q&A Looking for a new weekend hang-out? Business owner Nic Parks will introduce you to Silverball, an arcade bar that resides at Tonic’s old location. PAGE 18 COVER DESIGN: KEEGAN POPE COVER PHOTO: JESSI DODGE CORRECTIONS: In the Dec. 7 issue, Clarity Float Spa was incorrectly referred to as Infinite Wellness Float Spa, which is closed. In the same issue, the price of men’s and women’s cuts at Varsity Clips was incorrectly stated. Cuts start at $17.95.
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MADISON FLECK
Relationships are all about give and take, and the best part in spending time with someone new is the things you learn from them. When I first started dating my boyfriend, we spent a lot of time going on hikes, something I’d rarely done in the past. Other relationships have introduced me to some of my now-favorite things such as Indian food and The Office. This week’s feature (Page 8) is about a couple who thrive off of love for each other and a game: pinball. It’s something that started during Paige Ilsley and Josh Noble’s first date and has continued through their relationship. It’s something they enjoy doing independently, and it doubles as a way for them to enjoy each other’s company. But pinball has become more than just a game for Paige and Josh; it’s part of their relationship. The game is a staple in their daily lives, as they now own four pinball machines. They play in competitions, and Josh heads the local league. Part of becoming ingrained in someone’s life includes having some of their traits rub off on you, and for these two, a love for pinball is merely part of life together.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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 OR COURTESY OF JESSI DODGE AND ABC NEWS
RADAR
Vox’s take on the talk of the week
Mistake ≠ Fake We hear a lot about “fake news” these days. President Donald Trump has tweeted those two words as frequently as eight times in a single day, often in reference to media organizations such as CNN and The Washington Post. This week, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during a press conference, “There’s a very big difference between making honest mistakes and purposefully misleading the American people.” And she’s right. There’s a huge difference. But hold on. Sanders was insinuating that the media purposefully spreads misinformation. Like most outlets, Vox wants to set the record straight: You can find our corrections on pg. 2. When we make a mistake, we’ll always tell our readers. That’s not “fake news.” That’s being honest.
Track Down the Tacky Friday is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, so it’s time to find the perfect knit, one bedazzled with jingle bells, LED lights and pompoms. Vox predicts where you’re likely to find your soul mate sweater:
GOING FOR THE GOLD The Golden Globes nominees were announced this week, which caused an uproar on social media when Twitter users pointed out that, once again, white dudes were recognized over deserving women and minorities in some categories. Check out a few nominated films still playing in theaters this December: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (six nominations) Lady Bird (four nominations) Roman J. Israel, Esq. (one nomination) Coco (two nominations) Loving Vincent (one nomination)
Hanging forgotten in your parents’ closets (along with the Hawaiian T-shirts and vests from the ‘80s) In a vintage thrift shop, such as Maude Vintage at 818 E. Broadway At Walmart, an hour before your holiday party starts You DIY. It’s not a true Ugly Christmas Sweater until you’ve burned yourself with a hot-glue gun over it. : Let’s g ds o thrift or shopp w and ing o r Tw itte ue l l g g
29% 11%
23% 37%
Mo m kno and w b Dad est
Tak trip e a Wa to Wo lly rld
News from the Zou It’s already been a wild ride for Mizzou Athletics this year, but the twists and turns won’t stop coming. Here’s what has Tiger fans talking this week: Mizzou basketball freshman guard C.J. Roberts, who was set to redshirt this season, is transferring. His absence will leave the Tigers with an open scholarship for the 2018 recruiting class.
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Mizzou football head coach Barry Odom received a two-year contract extension, which means his contract now runs through the 2022-23 season. Josh Heupel, the former Mizzou football offensive coordinator, and Glen Elarbee, former offensive line coach, are both leaving their positions at Mizzou for coaching jobs at the University of Central Florida.
/Q1061Hits @Q1061
Written by: Brea Cubit, Brooke Kottmann, Lauren Puckett, Karlee Renkoski PHOTOS BY OR COURTESY OF PIXABAY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND ALEXANDRA WOZNICZKA
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NEWS & INSIGHT
A Christmas (tree) story: from the ground up Take a look at how these holiday evergreens go from seedlings to market BY KRISTIN BLAKE A Christmas tree’s journey begins long before the ornament boxes are dusted off and the tinsel is strung. For Starr Pines Christmas Tree Farm in Boonville, this process starts by hand-planting seedlings in April. Ann Harmon, co-owner of Starr Pines, says a Christmas tree takes seven years to become full-grown and ready to sell. Starr Pines currently has between 40,000 and 50,000 trees in the ground on its 200-acre farm. Each year, 3,000 new trees are planted. In some parts of the farm, there are trees as close together as every 7 feet. With more than 20 years of experience at Hinkson Creek Tree Farm in Columbia, John Alspaugh also understands the long-haul of growing a Christmas tree. “When we buy the trees, they’re 8 to 10 inches tall,” he says. “We plant them, and it takes them seven years to grow 5 feet.” The Downtown Optimist Club also starts preparing its stock of Christmas trees long before the weather turns chilly. In the summertime, one of the members talks to Christmas-tree vendors, and the club receives its first shipment of trees at the beginning of November. “We’re looking for good, straight trees and that they’re fresh as they can be,” says Ed Musterman, president of the Downtown Optimist Club. For Starr Pines, opening day is on Thanksgiving. The customer cuts down his or her tree before bringing the festive pine to the barn for “the Christmas tree dance” — a phrase Harmon likes to use when talking about the mechanical shaker that gets rid of loose pine needles. This year offered weather that was ideal for growing evergreen trees, Harmon says. “We got the right amount of rain,” she says. “Not too much, not too little.” Good weather isn’t always a given, though. On April 10, 2001, a tornado devastated Starr Pines, but this catastrophe created a better farm in the long run, Harmon says. Using evergreen trees as a holiday tradition stems from the 16th century, and the presence of this tradition is still going strong today. In 2016, Americans purchased 27.4 million real trees and 4
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At Starr Pines Christmas Tree Farm, customers pick their trees, and then take them to do “the Christmas tree dance,” where a mechanical shaker rids the tree of loose pine needles. After the tree is netted, customers can grab a cup of hot spiced cider. One of those customers is Peter Cleavinger (above) who chose a 9-foot Christmas tree from the farm. Hinkson Creek Tree Farm owner John Alspaugh (left) plants saplings that are less than a foot high. In seven years, they’ll grow to about 5 feet, he says.
18.6 million artificial trees, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Harmon has seen a generational change in buying trends. “It seems like the millennials are coming back to real trees,” Harmon says. “The artificial tree is our biggest competitor, but they’re made in a foreign country out of petroleum and aren’t biodegradable.” She also says the trees can help prevent soil erosion, cycle oxygen into
the air, and in the end, they are made to be cut down. “A tree is one of the best things for the environment,” Harmon says. When the tree has been cut and is ready to take home, Musterman says it’s important to keep water at the base of the tree because a fresh cut opens up the tree’s capillaries and its life system. “Otherwise, it’s going to dry out pretty quick,” he says.
Even after the holidays end, the trees have a purpose. Some years the Downtown Optimist Club sells out, but if not, Musterman says the leftover trees can be put to use even if that means not gracing a family room on Christmas morning. “Nothing really goes to waste,” he says. If the Downtown Optimist Club does not sell all of its trees, Musterman says the conservation department can take what is left over to be used for things such as fish habitats. STARR PINES CHRISTMAS TREE FARM 21298 Pleasant Hill Road, Boonville HINKSON CREEK TREE FARM 4150 Mexico Gravel Road PHOTOS BY KAYLA KAUFFMAN AND ABBY CONNOLLY
NEWS & INSIGHT
Feels like coming home-goods Columbia’s small-shop owners search for their ideal decor and atmosphere to bring customers closer BY RENAE WHISSEL Shopping for home goods can be a nightmare, especially when you buy something only to discover your neighbor brought home the same decor from a chain store. Local business owner Jean Gruenewald is looking to fix this problem with her home-goods shop, Coming Home, which opened in July. The store shares a building with a few small businesses on Orr Street, and Gruenewald displays her products in clusters or on a wooden picnic table to make the shop feel warm and cozy. Although Columbia has a number of home-goods businesses, Gruenewald says what sets Coming Home apart is its rare mix of products. BRINGING AN IDEA TO LIFE Gruenewald works part time as an academic advisor for the MU College of Engineering and says she’d been toying with the idea of starting a business again after she sold her needlework shop in St. Louis 16 years ago. Gruenewald started seeing items everywhere that she knew would fit well in her dream shop. When she moved back to Columbia in early 2017, she found the space on Orr Street and saw it as the perfect opportunity to start up Coming Home. It’s just minutes away from her office at MU, and the foot traffic from the other businesses in the building serve as an automatic customer base.
PICKING THE PRODUCT The small store boasts a broad, one-of-a-kind selection, with products such as alpaca rugs and hanging plants. Coming Home hosts commodities further out of the ordinary: Garden Sprinkles, which use seeds and herbs to draw in birds, butterflies or even cats; reusable e-cloths, which clean almost any surface with just water; and environmentally friendly Bee’s Wrap, an alternative to plastic wrap. Gruenewald says she hopes to offer “comfort things” that might remind customers of their past, such as the hanging macrame decorations that were popular when she was in college. “When I look through things, I can just tell if this is something that fits with the vibe,” she says. It’s a vibe she describes as homey but not country. Finding what fits and something that “no one else will have” is key to keeping the atmosphere Gruenewald strives to create. MANAGING THE COMPETITION Although Columbia already has a fairly saturated home-goods market, Gruenewald doesn’t see other small businesses in town as direct competitors. “I think there’s room for everybody, and I’m hoping for those people that are looking for this kind of thing, that they’ll find me, or I’ll be able to reach them,” she says. Other stores downtown, such as Poppy, which sells handmade home goods, jewelry and stationery, also
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Jean Gruenewald, owner of Coming Home, has a mission to bring product variation to her home-goods store in Columbia. “I am trying to be unique to Columbia,” Gruenewald says.
try to identify uncommon products. Like Gruenewald, however, the owner of Poppy, Liz Tucker, chooses her products based off her gut instinct. Crafting the store’s inventory is less about fighting the competition and more about building the store’s identity around an atmosphere, whether that’s warm and friendly, fancy, chic or edgy. Although many of these businesses carry similar types of products, they look, smell and operate in a variety of ways, making each store a different experience for shoppers. Gruenewald says she hopes that, this way, customers can find the right home goods experience in Columbia — one that fits their lifestyle to a tee.
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Kansas City, MO |
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MUSIC
Pitch perfect or out of tune? Find out if the big-screen version of a cappella harmonizes with reality BY SAVANNAH WALSH You’ve heard the songs, you know the characters, and you can recite all of the hilarious jokes that make up the Pitch Perfect movie series. But how much do you actually know about the world of competitive a cappella? Ahead of the Dec. 22 release of Pitch Perfect 3, see what local a cappella groups Mizzou Forte and The Naturelles have to say about separating the mock melodies from the aca-accurate.
Auditions In the audition scene from the first film, leaders of several a cappella groups at the fictional Barden University watch as hopefuls perform Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” to varying degrees of success. But like the Barden Bellas’ reaction to Beca stopping time with her bare-bones rendition of “Cups,” when talent walks through the door, everyone takes notice. “When someone comes in and does crazy runs and stuff, I literally fall out of my chair,” says Mizzou Forte’s Maya Hill. “Because we hear the same songs a lot, so it’s just like, all of a sudden someone comes in with something totally different and it’s just like, ‘What just happened?’” Both groups agreed that though the same amount of nerves are associated with the auditions in real life, the formatting is much different. Auditions usually take place over two days. To start, each auditioner performs a song of his or her choosing. Then, on the second day, the groups teach them a song. After that, the groups pick who to induct as new members. Another key difference? Each a cappella group holds separate auditions, so there’s no kickball-style drafting for prospective members.
Training Prepping for a national a cappella competition takes a lot of rehearsal time, as depicted in the scene where the Bellas leap, belt and mouth their way through practice. 6
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But Forte and The Naturelles say the group members aren’t nearly as athletic. “We are not that active,” says Forte’s Hannah Tonner. “We have, like, three athletic people in this group, maybe.” The Naturelles echo the same sentiment. “We don’t run,” says president Natalie Matheny. “Choreo isn’t our strong suit.” Hill notes that though there is an award for choreography, it’s not held to as high of a standard as the vocal quality. But the group does practice in competition shoes and in front of mirrors in order to make the formations and footwork shine on the day of the performance. “(Pitch Perfect is) definitely over-dramatizing the dancing and how perfect everyone looks,” says Forte’s Jacob Moscovitch. “When you watch the performances, you’ll be like, ‘How can they all sound that good and be jumping and basically running?’”
Riff-Off The sequence in which the Barden University a cappella groups have a street-fight-esque riff-off is the element of the film real a cappella groups wish would happen off-screen as well. Matheny says that though the group has been invited to a riff-off in the past, the members decided not to go for fear it was a setup or that they wouldn’t know what to do. But both groups express skepticism about how fast each group in the movie was able to select a song, find a harmony and perform flawlessly.
Competition Performances In the film’s final competition, the Bellas perform a six-song mashup that includes elaborate dancing and beatboxing. Their rivals, the Treblemakers, incorporate a full-on rap, which is something The Naturelles’ music director Natalia Alamdari says hardly ever goes smoothly. “Rapping in a cappella is not generally done that well,” she says. And the multi-colored lighting concept isn’t present on the high school auditorium
The Naturelles is an all-female a cappella group formed in 2006. Anna Yannessa, Hal Robison and Mary Downes are three of the group’s 16 members (left). Mikaela Ashley practices with The Naturelles twice per week in preparation for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Midwest quarterfinal (right).
stage where most performances are held, though both groups wish they were. In reality, a cappella groups get 12 minutes to fill with songs of their choice. Last year, Mizzou Forte created a Kanye West medley with tracks such as “Heartless” and “All of the Lights.” Some groups take pauses after each song, while others find transitions. Doing one giant mashup, as depicted in the movie, would be unrealistic, Hill says.
Rivalry The moment that rings least true for the a cappella groups is the movie scene in which the Treblemakers lived up to their name and got in a physical fight with another group after a competition. Hill says conflict doesn’t run that deep, if at all. Each group knows how much work it takes to get up on a stage in the first place. “It takes a lot of effort and planning and a lot of guts to put yourself out there, so I don’t think anybody is here to tear anybody down,” she says. The groups favor camaraderie over competition. “None of us are music majors,” Hill says. “None of us are pursuing this indefinitely. We’re here because we love music and we love each other. And we love making music together.” Tonner agrees. “Honestly, I’m just in it for the road trip,” she says. “I just want to eat McDonald’s in the car with you guys for three hours.” International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) — Midwest quarterfinal Feb. 10, 7–10:30 p.m., $25 Plaster Student Union, Missouri State University
PHOTOS BY JESSI DODGE
Get the story on Columbia’s latest showings. MOVIE REVIEWS VoxMagazine.com
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Pinballing in love When Josh Noble asked Paige Ilsley to play a game of pinball on their first date, neither knew the fast and competitive sport would become a constant staple in their relationship.
By Kelsey Hurwitz Photos by Jessi Dodge
VOXMAGAZINE.COM | 12.14.17
Josh Noble has led the Columbia Pinball League since 2015. He took his girlfriend, Paige Ilsley, to her first tournament in St. Louis in 2014; he’s been cheering her on ever since.
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t’s 10 a.m. on a Sunday, and a bearded, 35-year-old Josh Noble carries a cardboard box. In it is a small plastic trophy and a rolled-up poster. Over his shoulder, he hauls a backpack heavy with computers to the Silverball Bar on Ninth Street. He walks with purpose, looking slightly out of place among the older couples and families who are casually leaving their morning church services. As Josh arrives, so does Nathan Goett, who has a set of keys to Silverball and ushers them both in. As they enter the barcade, they pass the green and white Gunther’s Games sign hanging by the entrance. The tournament begins at 1 p.m., and the men are three hours early to set up. Technically the bar isn’t even open on Sundays, but the owner, Nic Parks, is cool with Josh and Nathan opening the place specifically for tournaments. Josh, tournament director of the Columbia Pinball League, organized this event, so it’s up to him to figure out the tournament format and arrive early to troubleshoot. Before other participants show up, Nathan and Josh spend the next few hours testing each machine to make sure it’s running as it should — light bulbs aren’t burned out, the software registers each shot, the coin-drops accept each dollar coin inserted — and cleans each inside and out until they’re immaculate. Once the tournament begins, he doesn’t vacate this role. While other players, including Nathan, focus on their games, Josh makes sure coins don’t get eaten and the floor isn’t sticky with spilled beer. It’s all part of his plan to make Columbia a popular pinball town.
Love at first flip
In November 2013 at Snapper’s Bar, Paige Ilsley had just arrived with her brother, Austin, and their friend Jordan. Josh, a friend to Austin and Jordan, greeted Paige’s group. After a few rounds of Jell-O shots, the pair exchanged numbers. Convinced Paige wasn’t interested, Josh waited weeks before reaching out. A couple of nights before Paige was slated to lead-sing at Roxy’s with her blues band, The Last Kings, Josh texted Paige that he’d be there. The Last Kings had just finished its set, and Paige walked off Roxy’s stage while Josh watched her from the crowd. Jenny, Paige’s friend, approached Josh. “You look way better in person than in your Facebook photos,” she said, catching him off-guard. It wasn’t until this moment that things clicked for Josh. “Oh, Paige likes me,” he thought. Paige looked for Josh in the crowd and saw him speaking with Jenny. She made a beeline for them. As soon as Paige approached, Josh asked, “Can I make you dinner?” She said yes. Days later, Paige was primping for their first date when she got the pre-date jitters. For reassurance, she consulted Jenny, who gave her the ultimate get-out-of-jail free card: “If the date sucks, just text me, and I’ll fake an emergency.” On Sunday the night before Paige was to drive to his house, Josh texted her. “Sauce is on the stove.” “I was like, ‘Holy shit,’” Paige says now of the memory. She was impressed even before tasting the meal. “He even missed (pinball) league to cook me dinner the night before.” Paige arrived at Josh’s Tuesday at 7 p.m. The pair 10
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Josh Noble skipped pinball league to cook Paige Ilsley dinner on their first date. Now, he is the tournament director for Columbia’s league. The group’s next 10-week season begins on Jan. 15 at Silverball. It costs $3 to join.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dined on ricotta-stuffed pasta shells with red sauce — a dish that looked fancy but was easy to make. Paige said dinner was delicious. Without realizing, an hour had gone by, their plates were clean and they were lost in conversation. Josh waited for an awkward pause before asking: “Wanna play pinball?” “Oh, sure. We can go out!” Paige said. She’d never played before but was always game to try something new. She figured they’d leave the house and go somewhere downtown to play, until Josh began descending the flight of stairs to the basement in his socks. Paige followed. Nestled there were three pinball machines side by side: Popeye, Atlantis and Swords of Fury. Josh led Paige to Swords of Fury and pressed the “start” button. The two played the first of what would end up being thousands of games together. After an hour, Josh could tell from Paige’s face that she was a little overwhelmed. They went back upstairs for a movie. Before she left around midnight, Josh sent her home with a Tupperware full of shells leftover from dinner. On her drive back home, she looked over at the shells and realized she never took her friend up on the fake emergency offer. She then called Jenny and gushed about how great Josh was.
Controlling the chaos
At the time he began dating Paige, then 21, Josh who was 31, had only been playing pinball for about six months, but he’d fallen for it — hard. He started playing at Gunther’s Games downtown and found himself there after work almost every night learning tricks to the different games. At one point he even got a part-time job at Gunther’s so he’d have keys to each game. After working at his information technology job from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., he’d work the night shift at
Gunther’s till 11 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. He kept the position for about four months, and it wasn’t for the minimum wage he was earning; it was for pinball. The bright, flashing lights and dinging sound effects can be easily distracting for a beginner. But somehow pinball focused him. Strategy kept him coming back. Each machine has its own fingerprint, its own rulebook and design. Pinball can be played by a novice, but only a practiced veteran can really master the game, and Josh was determined to do just this. “You get stuck in that little world under the glass,” he says. “It’s chaos, and you try to control it.” But controlling the chaos — the constant flashing lights that direct players toward various shots, the unexpected sounds, the lightning-fast 80-gram silver ball that ricochets from one part of the machine to another — sounds easier than it is. “When I first started, I was overwhelmed by it,” Paige says. “He kept telling me to shoot the flashing lights, and I was like, ‘Everything is flashing!’” Always eager to share some meticulously studied pinball knowledge, Josh is happy to offer Paige, or anyone else he sees playing, advice on how to gain control of the game. He says it helps to have a method, to pick the shots you want to make and to try your best to hit them. For example, on many machines, sending the ball up the ramps repeatedly will start a mode, and the display will tell the player to continue to send the pinball around the curved ramps for an increased number of points. Locking three balls will start multiball and activate an array of jackpot shots. Josh says having a backup plan — a different set of shots to accomplish — doesn’t hurt, either, in case you can’t make your original shots. Manufacturers design modern machines, so anyone can enjoy the game,
Talkin’ smack
Fast Facts
The player-controlled pinball flipper was invented in 1947 on the Gottlieb game Humpty Dumpty. Before that, players had to physically move the playfield to change the direction of the ball. It was a game-changer — literally. It made skill much more important than luck.
Every sport has its own language. Here are some terms to help you become fluent in pinball:
Drain:
That sad, ill-fated moment when the ball slips beyond the grasp of your flippers down the middle and is no longer in play. As in: The game ended because my ball drained.
Extra ball:
An additional ball that you get to play after your current ball drains, usually achieved through hitting a certain shot. As in: I wasn’t sure if I could beat his score, but with my extra ball, I definitely can.
Multiball: A mode in which more
than one ball is launched onto the playfield. As in: My fingers can’t flip fast enough to keep up with this multiball.
Rage tilt: When you get so mad
after your ball drains that you violently shake the machine and then tilt on purpose. As in: I got robbed on that machine, and I was so mad I rage-tilted.
Tilt:
When you nudge a machine too hard, and it ends your ball and takes away your bonus. As in: If you’re not tilting, you’re not trying. whether it’s your first time playing pinball or you’re ranked in the top 10 of more than 55,000 registered players in the world. There are multiple methods to playing each machine, so it’s essentially impossible to “beat” the game. Designing the machines this way allows beginning players the opportunity to easily rack up points and encourages them to develop their skills. Experienced players can work on more advanced techniques, such as stacking up various modes and bonuses to achieve an avalanche of points. If all else fails, Josh recommends beginners relax and remember they’re playing to have fun. Even if the game ends, the next one is just a another coin away.
Jacob Rogers (center) had the role of tournament director for the Columbia Pinball League before Josh Noble took over the role in 2014. CPL is a great opportunity for Columbia to play competitive pinball, Rogers says.
It’s not just a game; it’s a sport
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Pinball quickly became Josh and Paige’s thing in the early days of their relationship. Paige enjoyed aspects of the game, but couldn’t keep up with Josh’s pace. While she could play for an hour or so before she was ready to call it quits, Josh would’ve been content to play until closing time. She thought, “I wonder if we’re gonna play every night.” The answer was yes. For the next two years, they played almost nightly after work. In their basement, at Gunther’s (before it closed) at Lazer Lanes and at Shakespeare’s, they’d spend a few hours each night enveloped in the world of pinball. Colorful lights
illuminated flashing arrows, circles and squares. Abrupt sound effects known as “call outs” sounded, such as Paige’s favorite: the hilarious “lion man!” quote from Swords of Fury. Frustratingly fun games would make them jubilant when they won or devastated when they lost. Together, Josh and Paige would unwind downtown with a pitcher of beer and a pocketful of quarters. Paige steps up to The Hobbit machine. She leans over the glass, eying the measurements next to the plunger, and releases the ball into play, where it skates along a roll-over target. She achieves the skill shot.
She’s standing back about 2 feet from the machine leaning her upper body toward the game in a strong stance that enables her to put more power into her arms when she nudges the game. She has the habit of moving her legs around more like she’s standing in front of a ballet barre than a pinball machine. As she gets consumed by the game, her feet squirm with every close call she encounters. The ball is recklessly bouncing around the playfield, and she tries to regain control. In one last-ditch effort, she gives the machine a push with the weight of her body behind it, and when 12.14.17
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Fast Facts
she’s not able to keep the ball in play, she lets out a frustrated “uuuurgghhhhh!” She’s smiling, though, as she walks away from the machine. It might have gotten her this time, but she still has another ball. Early on, Paige enjoyed playing for fun, but she wanted to win, so Josh introduced her to tournaments. He started playing in tournaments in 2013 and has since made a name for himself competing around Missouri. Josh has competed in tournaments as far away as Pittsburgh. He hit a personal record playing in 32 tournaments in 2016 and has played in 22 so far this year.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a 10,000-square-foot museum with over 200 different games. The games range from the 1950s to the 1990s and are all part of Tim Arnold’s collection. It’s not just a museum though. If you come with quarters, you’re welcome to play any of the games.
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he was nervous watching her and wondered if the student had become the master. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> In July 2014, the couple traveled to St. Louis for Paige’s first tournament at the Silver Ballroom. Josh and Paige walked into the retro, punk rock-venue and felt at home. The other players and tournament hosts were friendly, but there was also a wave competition in the air that Paige couldn’t help but feel. This is when Paige began to love pinball. For their first game of the pin-golf tournament, where players try to get a certain score plunging the least number of balls as possible, Josh and Paige were assigned to the Attack from Mars machine along with a burly tattooed and bearded man who Paige says intimidated her. He was one of the best players at the tournament. The goal of the machine was to get 1 billion points. Paige was the first in the group, and she achieved over 1 billion points on her first ball — because she got in the zone, Josh says. He was nervous watching her and wondered if the student had become the master. Luckily, he also put up over 1 billion on his first ball, too, so they both started out the tournament with good scores. The bearded man took notice. “Where’d you guys come from?” he asked. But this game was the pinnacle of the tournament. “That was the only good ball either of us had that day,” Josh says of their play in the rest of the tournament. Out of 31 players, Paige placed 27th and Josh 13th. After that first tournament, Paige wanted more. She has since played around Missouri and in Oklahoma City and Louisville — each tournament had about 100 players. On May 13 in St. Charles, she took first place in the Missouri Open Women’s Pinball Championship: a 16-player, all-women tournament in St. Charles. “She didn’t just win,” Josh says. “She wiped the floor with them.” They like to brag about each other. For winning, she received a trophy of the Statue of Liberty holding a pink pinball, which Paige says was a pretty rad memento.
There’s an app for that
It’s October 2017, and Josh and Paige are hungry for dinner. Where to? Phone in hand, Josh suggests they 12
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When Josh purchased his first pinball machines, his seller told him: “When these break, don’t call me. You need to learn how to maintain these.” Now, Josh has learned how to open machines up and tinker.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> just go to Truman’s Bar & Grill. The restaurant might not have the best date-night ambiance, but Josh is adamant that it’ll be a good time, so Truman’s it is. After the couple walks into the dimly lit bar, Paige realizes why Josh suggested this place: It’s the new home to a Monopoly pinball machine. “Are you kidding me?!” Paige laughs. This is just
the latest in his string of cons to get her to a restaurant or bar simply because he knows the venue has a game. “At first, I could convince her sometimes that it was just a coincidence,” Josh says of consulting the Pinball Map app, a crowd-sourced collection of reviews, working status and cleanliness of local machines, before choosing a place to eat. “But I think she knows now.”
All the moving parts The best way to learn how a pinball machine works is to play it. We’re here to help get your head in the game. {p dir=”ltr”}{span}Glossary:{/span}
Backglass: The glass panel on the
back box of the machine that has the game’s title and related art.
Bumpers:
These disks pop the ball away from them when contact is made. They’re often referred to as pop bumpers, as the ball pops off of them.
Call-out: Sound-bytes from the movie or game a machine is based on.
Display: The computer monitor-type part of the machine that gives players information on the game, such as how many credits are on the machine, what ball is in play and the players’ scores.
Drop target:
As the tournament director for the Columbia Pinball League, Josh organizes players into groups of four at the beginning of league. Each group selects a machine, and each player takes turns playing the machines.
An upright target that, when hit, lowers into the playfield.
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Flippers: What a player uses to direct
button, launches the ball and flips and nudges his way to victory. Every so often, he stops to rejoin Paige at their table for his next round of seemingly bottomless beers. Before Paige knows it, her dinner has come and gone with Josh still stuck on the machine. By the time Josh is ready to eat, his food is cold. He takes a few bites and washes them down with swigs of beer and then heads back to the machine. As for Paige, there are no hard feelings — she’s used to it by now and knows how much mastering a new game means to Josh. Before the couple leaves Truman’s, Josh pulls out his phone. He opens the Pinball Map app, as he had done before dinner. He finds the Monopoly machine and writes a review. Josh runs the Columbia page and oversees contributions. On the app, he denotes where he has spotted new machines. “I share the love and don’t keep it to myself,” Josh says. “I let everyone know after I get the high score,” Josh laughs.
and control the ball. They’re positioned at the bottom of the playfield.
Pinitials:
When a player gets a high score on the machine, they enter three initials.
Playfield: The part of the pinball
machine where the ball zooms around.
Plunger:
A player uses this to launch the ball and can control the force with which the ball is launched by adjusting how far they pull it back before releasing.
Skill shot: A shot that, if made upon
launching the ball into play, awards the player bonus points.
But Josh has another good reason to choose Truman’s: Pinburgh. If pinball were the NFL, Pinburgh would be the Super Bowl. It’s the world’s largest match-play tournament. At Pinburgh 2017, Josh had to compete on the Monopoly machine, and because he’d never played it, he didn’t know how the game worked or any of its specific rules. He didn’t have a great game. When he saw on the Pinball Map app that Truman’s had a machine, he figured it was perfect. Now, he could get in practice before next year’s Pinburgh and have dinner and drinks with his girlfriend. “It’s a horrible game, and it’s in really bad shape,” Josh says. “But it’s something different.” For the next two hours, Josh plays Monopoly by occasionally inserting coins but also on free play, meaning he accumulates enough bonuses and free balls that he doesn’t have to insert a coin. He taps the start
Nerd famous
At work, Josh is known as The Pinball Guy. Whenever he asks someone to cover for him, they ask him in which tournament he is playing. And in turn, Josh and Paige have become the Pinball Couple. To prepare for the ice storm in December 2016 and a possible power outage, Josh and Paige went to Magelings Games to buy Dominion, a card game they’d heard about. They browsed, found the game and headed to the cash register. While scanning the game and exchanging pleasantries, the man behind the register looked up at Paige and Josh in front of him. “Oh, you guys are The Pinball Couple, aren’t you?” he asked. Surprised by the recognition, they confirmed that they were, in fact, The Pinball Couple, and the man told them he’d heard about the league. He was a member of the Columbia Pinball League’s Facebook page that Josh oversees. As always, Josh encouraged
him to join as soon as he heard the “p” word: pinball. The sales associate happily gave the couple a discount and agreed to let Josh post some fliers for the league, then they left the store. “I was like, ‘Are we famous? Are we nerd famous right now?’” Paige says, laughing. It’s 11:45 a.m., and Paige, 25, is walking toward Silverball to practice before the tournament. She has baked goods in hand — pecan pie bars — as she always does. She loves to bake so much that though her full name is Paige Elizabeth Ann Ilsley, she selected PIE as her pinitials. Because she brings treats to tournaments all over Missouri, she’s become known around the state for her baking. Even when she can’t make it to a tournament, she tends to send desserts with Josh, 35. His competitors devoured her sugar cookie bars at a tournament in Springfield. For one Columbia tournament, Josh and Paige worked together to make a tasty confection. Paige made cupcakes from scratch and decorated them as pop bumpers. Josh looked up the pinitials of each player who registered in this tournament on the International Flipper Pinball Association’s website. He added them in icing to each cupcake. When she arrives at the barcade, Josh unlocks the door for her, and she proceeds to the bar upstairs, where she arranges the treats on the counter. She checks in with Josh to see if there’s anything she can help with, but he has everything under control. She picks a random machine and plunges the ball. Midway through her ball, Paige starts nudging the machine. Her hands are off the flippers, and she’s putting more weight than usual behind her shoves. Nothing happens, so she shakes the 12.14.17
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Fast Facts
Pinball used to be illegal in various cities because it was seen as a game of chance, not skill, and was used for gambling. The ban in New York City ended when Roger Sharpe, who later went on to found the IFPA, demonstrated that it was a game of skill before a judge and a pool of journalists. His son Zach Sharpe is now the top-ranked pinball player in the world.
Paige has been competing in tournaments since her first one at the Silver Ballroom in St. Louis in 2014. In 2016, she won the Missouri Open Women’s Pinball Championship against 15 other players in St. Charles.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> machine again. In her line of vision, she can see the ball is stuck in the back bumpers, but it won’t budge. The challenge is to shake the machine enough for the ball to get loose and return into play but not so hard that it tilts. Josh has been watching her play, and because of the way she’s shaking the machine, he can tell something isn’t right. He walks over, and she explains the situation. He then reaches his arm along the side wood panel of the machine, forms his hand into a tight fist and gives it a solid hit next to where the ball is stuck. The sudden impact is enough to knock it loose. The ball slides down the playfield, and Paige’s eyes are back on the game, fingers tapping the flipper buttons. Josh struts away from the machine with his arms up, flexing his biceps. “That’s what I’m here for,” he says.
Putting Como on the pinball map
The Columbia Pinball League, formed by Adam McKinnie and Robert Ryan, is the epicenter of the pinball scene in Columbia. Robert was the league’s first 14
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director, and after moving to St. Louis in 2014, Jacob Rogers took over his position for three seasons. Josh accepted the role after that in late 2014. Although he was apprehensive of the time commitment, he’s grown to love his role. “I’m not giving it up now,” he says. Since its inception, the league has had various homes: It began downtown at Gunther’s Games, moved to Lazer Lanes after Gunther’s closed and returned downtown when Silverball opened on Ninth Street in September. Josh has been running CPL, currently in its ninth season, for the past three years. Before Josh took over, the league had two seasons per year, but now there are four. Increasing the number of seasons was part of Josh’s effort to make Columbia a bigger pinball town. “Josh is a great spokesperson for pinball,” says Jacob, who knows from experience what it takes to run the league. “I think people gravitate around him, so it’s good to have him running it.” League nights are the most mellow form of competition. They give players the chance to practice in a competitive environment, but they also create a
community, a support system, a network of players of various skill levels who help one another improve their techniques. At league, Monday nights at 7 p.m., Josh organizes the 20 or so members into new groups of three or four players to compete on randomly selected machines, and each group records its scores. Members who can’t make it are allowed to post-play — Josh messages them the three machines their group picked, and they have until Sunday to play the games on their own time and send their scores to Josh. Guests are allowed to join in and play for fun. To be eligible for World Pinball Player Ranking points, which determine rankings, players have to register at the beginning of the season. After buying end-of-season plastic trophies with money from his own pocket for the past few seasons, Josh has started charging each player a few dollars at the beginning of the season to cover the cost of trophies. At the end of the 10-week season, players’ weekly scores and an end-of-season tournament ultimately determine rankings. Hosting regular tournaments is a way to put Columbia on the pinball map and attract players from all over Missouri, but running the big tournaments can be stressful. “I try to make sure that everyone’s having a good time,” Josh says, “which usually leads to me
not having a good time and playing horribly.” But he feels an obligation to make sure the tournaments run smoothly and are fun enough for out-of-towners to keep coming back. That means coming in early before tournaments to inspect each machine to make sure it’s running correctly and that it’s clean — inside and out. When he needs it, Paige helps get the machines ready and gets Josh to de-stress. “He’ll always say ‘thank you’ when I do something to help,” she says. “But he’ll never ask for help.” Paige and Josh have attended tournaments in other cities, some good and some not-so-great, and he gets a bit frustrated when he’s traveled for something sub par. Because he puts so much effort into the tournaments he hosts, he’s disappointed when he attends competitions where the machines are malfunctioning, the buttons feel slippery and germ-infested, the glass over the playfield is foggy or scratched or the site is dirty. Josh is determined to make sure that no one visiting Columbia from out of town for a tournament feels that disappointment. In November 2017, Josh made CPL a member of the Stern Army, a group formed by the pinball mega-producer Stern. Josh agrees to host a monthly tournament, and in return, Stern supplies him with giveaways, such as posters, stickers and even decorative playfields to give away at tournaments. The partnership is an effort to encourage new players to get involved, earn WPPR points and frequently participate in tournaments. The first official Stern Army partnership tournament was on Nov. 26 at Silverball, and there are monthly tournaments scheduled through January. For the December tournament, Josh and Paige decided to make the prizes more exciting by disguising them in holiday wrapping paper, so players got to open a mystery prize. To be eligible for the prizes, players had to donate food or money to a food drive for the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri. The CPL raised $100 and collected 26 canned goods, four jars of peanut butter and four boxes of pasta.
Partners in life, Competitors in pinball
It’s a Friday night after work, and Josh and Paige have ventured over to Silverball from home to get some practice in on a variety of machines. Josh looks on as Paige prepares to play a game on the AC/DC machine against the top-100 ranked Adam McKinnie and two less-experienced players. He stands close enough to watch but far enough to give the players their space. A player inserts two $1 coins, presses the start button four times to activate the four-player game, and Adam steps up first to the machine as player one. They each take turns playing one ball at a time until they’ve each completed two balls. After his third ball, Adam’s score is an impressive 60 million points. This places him ahead of each of the three players by about 40 million points. Paige is player four. She steps up to the machine for her final turn and plunges the ball. She spends the next few minutes strategically tapping the flippers and shaking, nudging and pushing the machine until she achieves a multiball. Paige’s ball drains with her score at 69 million. She’s just beaten a top 100 world-ranked player. She steps back from the machine to watch her bonus rack up on the display and then happy-dances toward Josh — a victory shimmy. He laughs and puts his hand up for a high-five, which she returns. Competing against players as highly ranked as
After dinner on their first date, Josh invited Paige down to his basement for her first pinball games ever. Now, Paige is ranked in the top 6 percent of pinballers, and Josh is in the top 1 percent.
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Rank ‘em up Rankings are based on World Pinball Player Rankings (WPPR — pronounced “Whopper”) points that are earned at IFPA-sanctioned tournaments. The IFPA determines how many WPPRs will be available in the tournament based on the number of players, tournament format, tournament “strength of field” and how the player finishes. There are currently 55,081 active players in the IFPA database, 19,237 of whom are in the United States.
Adam helps Josh and Paige elevate their own skills. All of their competitive play contributes to their IFPA ranking. Out of more than 55,000 players ranked in IFPA’s ranking system, Josh is currently ranked 496th in the world, which places him in the top 1 percent. This is impressive considering he joined the sport only four years ago. Paige is ranked 3,583rd, putting her in the top 6 percent of ranked players. For Josh and Paige, there’s more to pinball than their rankings. It’s been a way for them to spend time together doing something they both enjoy with someone who can offer assistance and support. “I play worse when she’s there,” Josh jokes — or he thought he was joking. He pulls up his IFPA profile on
his phone to glance at his recent results. Some of his best performances were at tournaments Paige didn’t attend. She looks worried. “We’re gonna have to go back and look at your tournaments to see if that’s true,” she says. But they never ended up looking into it. It doesn’t matter. It wouldn’t stop either of them from playing or supporting each other at tournaments. To celebrate their fourth anniversary, Dec. 2, Josh and Paige took a trip to St. Louis. They stopped at Nathaniel Reid Bakery for Paige, where she ordered a handful of delicious, gourmet pastries. For Josh, they bought a new pinball machine: a Stern Meteor. It’s the fourth machine in their basement. It’s a little past 6 p.m., the tournament has ended, and Silverball is empty save for a couple straggling players stuck to their machines. Josh and Paige are packing up. They take down the Stern poster, featuring a character resembling Uncle Sam with a mane of white-gray hair who points at the viewer and commands them to “Join the Stern Army.” They shut down the laptop and disconnect the computer monitor where just hours earlier, members had input their group rankings after each round. Josh had given out the trophy and prizes, so they are leaving almost empty-handed. Paige gathers up her dessert container that only has crumbs left. Sluggishly descending the center staircase, they walk toward the exit. As they leave, the Gunther’s Games sign illuminates them overhead. Outside the bar, they can see Shakespeare’s, where they’ve spent countless coins and downed bottomless pitchers. Finally, they head home, where four machines are waiting. 12.14.17
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ARTS & BOOKS
Three galleries have decked out their halls Delve into these winter exhibits that will leave you feeling educated and in awe
BY KYLE LAHUCIK
We all need a little art-infused pick-me-up during the colder months. Discover the work of six female artists at Sager Braudis Gallery in the North Village Arts District; check out the diverse showcase of local artists at the Columbia Art League in the Strollway neighborhood of downtown; or take a short trip to the Museum of Art and Archaeology’s Medieval and Renaissance exhibit on the north side of town.
2017 MASTERS EXHIBIT: WOMEN OF SURREALISM AND ABSTRACTION Step inside the first all-female exhibit at Sager Braudis Gallery for a hybrid museum and small gallery experience. Hannah Reeves, director and curator at the gallery, says classes and groups of students ranging from elementary school to college are visiting the 45-piece Masters Exhibit to learn about five surrealists and Hilla Rebay, who Reeves says is the “mother of non-objective abstraction.” Sager Braudis hired a professional researcher for the first time this year. The six artists are no longer living, so research was essential to properly curate the exhibit because Reeves was unable to interview the artists as the gallery normally would. One of the artists is surrealist Leonora Carrington, whose untitled piece with the description “Ritual” connects to magical realism roots in Mexico. It’s the first work you see upon entering the exhibit, and Reeves says it exemplifies how female surrealists thought and created their works differently than male artists of the period. “Something all these women have in common is that their names are lesser-known than their male contemporaries and counterparts,” Reeves says. But the artists were working alongside those men. Featured artist Leonor Fini was neighbors with the famous Salvador Dali, and she might have influenced Dali’s dreamscape artwork, Reeves says. These women “have literally been excluded from the (boys’) club,” Reeves says. Outside of Rebay, Carrington and Fini, the exhibit will also feature Dorothea Tanning, Stella Snead and Juanita Guccione. For those looking to purchase works, the price point is higher than usual, Reeves says, but they’re worth it. A Fini at auction right now would go for a fraction of the price of one of Dali’s paintings of the same size, Reeves says. Podcast episodes that discuss each of the six artists are available on the gallery’s website. 2017 MASTERS EXHIBIT Sager Braudis Gallery, 1025 E. Walnut St. Dec. 1–30, Tues.– Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 442-4831
GIVE A GIFT OF ART
Delight in the beauty of locally made artwork as you peruse 100 works by 100 artists at Columbia Art League. Although there is no theme to this exhibit, it features works of art exclusively by members of the Columbia Art League. Louise Sarver, operations manager for Columbia Art League, says there always seems to be one or two random themes that emerge during the no-theme exhibits. This time around, birds 16
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steal the show, particularly two pelicans, Sarver says. Landscapes and the natural environment are also prominent throughout the gallery’s space. Hand-crafted jewelry, original paintings, photographs and hand-built ceramic wares are some of the creations to look out for. Columbia artist Peggy Craig’s “Cracked Bottom Pot” is one such ceramic ware that welcomes you upon entering the gallery. The ceramic piece, which is listed at $120, was awarded third place in the show by judge Metra Mitchell. “The fullness of the form has power, and yet the title suggests imperfection. I enjoy the juxtaposition,” Mitchell writes in her reasoning. Each work is up for sale; the price range is more affordable than most other Columbia Art League exhibits, Sarver says, with an average price tag of $260. GIVE A GIFT OF ART Columbia Art League, 207 S. Ninth St. Now through Jan. 12, Tues.– Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 443-8838
PAGE-TURNERS: MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN ILLUSTRATION
At the MU Museum of Art and Archaeology’s upcoming exhibit, you can view some pieces that have never been shown, which are all works dating from the 15th through 17th centuries. Manuscripts, a centuries-old book and folios and broadsheets are some of the items to view during your visit. A Wolfgang Kilian engraving from 1623 and an Albrecht Dürer woodcut from 1516 are perhaps two of the most intriguing and detailed pieces to view, says Alisa Carlson, the museum’s curator of European and American Art. Carlson and graduate research assistant Christina Wytko selected 14 pieces for each of the exhibit’s two parts. Wytko says she narrowed the museum’s collection by time period, then selected works that caught her eye and were a break from the usually featured European artworks. Wytko’s favorite part of the exhibit is the Persian manuscripts.
Columbia Art League is currently displaying its annual winter art exhibit, “Give a Gift of Art,” which features pieces made by members of the gallery.
Exhibit guests are encouraged to think and view the art creatively. “You get to use your own imagination to fill in the details,” Wytko says. Educational programming, a curator-led tour and a public lecture will be held to enhance the overall experience of the exhibit, Carlson says. The exhibit runs until May 13, but the light-sensitive works will be rotated out, so catch a second round of pieces beginning on March 6. MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN ILLUSTRATION MU Museum of Art and Archaeology 115 Business Loop 70 W. Dec. 19 to May 13, Tues.–Fri., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., noon to 4 p.m., 882-3591
PHOTOS BY JESSI DODGE
THE SCENE
Have your holiday cheer, and drink it, too Sip on these three CoMo holiday-themed drinks
BY MEGAN YANCEY
For many, festive celebrations bring forth images of fulfilling meals eaten with family members, sugar cookie designs, decorations in the neighborhood and cheerful carolers. Others look forward to the heat of a nice drink to warm them on a cold winter day. Thankfully, Columbia’s bars and restaurants give everyone a chance to get what they want from their holiday wish list.
GLUHWEIN
Günter Hans European Pub & Cafe; $6 If you can’t take a trip to Europe this winter, do the next best thing, and check out Günter Hans’ seasonal Gluhwein. Gluhwein, a mulled, spiced red wine served hot, is a popular beverage during the chilly months and is often associated with Christmastime in Germany. When served, the wine fills the air with a warm aroma of oranges, cinnamon, cloves and other spices. For authenticity, the pub and cafe sticks to a traditional red wine base for its Gluhwein. Günter Hans imports nearly all its Gluhwein in bottles from Germany, says owner Lydia Melton. “We make it a point to offer the spiced wine because it is truly delicious and often hard to find in the United States,” Melton says. “It’s sad for people to miss out on this small piece of German heritage, and we love sharing our culture with others.” GÜNTER HANS EUROPEAN PUB & CAFE 7 Hitt St. Mon.–Thurs., 4–11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; closed Sunday, 256-1205, gunterhans.com PHOTOS BY JACOB MOSCOVITCH AND JEREMY JOHNSON
CHESTER COPPERPOT Barred Owl Butcher & Table; $9 Stay warm this holiday season, and head to Barred Owl Butcher & Table to try the Chester Copperpot — what bar manager Andrew Ruth calls a “seasonal spiced daiquiri with an influence of a Mai Tai.” The cocktail is crafted with rum, grapefruit juice, orgeat syrup and citrus shrub. Ruth says it’s perfect for the season. Both the cinnamon and barrel character of the rum create a “bright, fresh cocktail with seasonal-spiced influences.” Still not hot enough? Sit at the bar, and wait for the magic to begin: Your bartender sets the cocktail on fire by lighting overproof rum in the glass with an orange peel and sprinkles ground cinnamon onto the flames, causing sparks. Note: Any cocktails ordered tableside will not be lit. BARRED OWL BUTCHER & TABLE 47 E. Broadway Tues.–Sat., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday, 442-9323, barredowlbutcher.com
FOOL’S GOLD Coley’s American Bistro; $6 Coley’s American Bistro’s Fool’s Gold is sugar, spice and everything nice. The bistro brews its own apple cider for its caramel apple and hot cider hybrid cocktail as an alternative to a coffee cocktail on cold evenings. With a hint of caramel-flavored vodka, Fool’s Gold is sure to make you feel at home for the holidays. If that doesn’t sound tempting enough, the glass is rimmed in caramel and dipped in a cinnamon sugar concoction. “It’s become one of the most popular items in the winter, especially around the holidays,” says Kaitlyn Arnold, Coley’s American Bistro bar manager. “It’s just perfect to warm you up when you come inside from a blistery snow storm, and I think for some reason cider always feels nostalgic to our customers.” COLEY’S AMERICAN BISTRO 23 S. Eighth St. Mon.–Fri., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Mon.–Thurs., 4–10 p.m.; Friday, 4–11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 4–9 p.m., 442-8887, coleysamericanbistro.com 12.14.17
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Business owner NIC PARKS provides places for Columbians of all ages to let loose and have fun
I
n early September, one business expanded Columbia’s entertainment options. After the former bar Tonic closed, local entrepreneur Nic Parks took advantage of the spot on Ninth Street and opened Silverball, an arcade bar. Parks, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business at MU, has helped run other Columbia attractions such as Lazer Lanes and Tiger Bounce. He is also the CEO of The Pinball Company, a business that sells new and used pinball and gaming equipment, and president of Tigers on the Prowl, a local fundraising charity. Parks gives insight into how he became one of the top players in the city’s recreation scene. How did you get the idea to start some of your businesses? Tiger Bounce was where my son loved going, and they closed. I ended up buying it to reopen it. Kids need a place like that to go to. (Silverball) was an idea that’s been in my mind the last couple years as (arcade bars) have become popular. It’s successful in all the major cities, so I said, “Why not do it in Columbia?” 18
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What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a business owner? I really did not want to be in the bar business. I met with a lot of bar and restaurant owners and gave them my idea (to partner), and no one really took me up on it. They all have successful businesses to focus on, so I get it. The biggest hang-up was that and finding the right spot in Columbia to put (Silverball) in. But when the space became available, I said, “I have to go for it.”
decision-maker. You don’t have to ask me anymore. You’re in control.”
What is the atmosphere like at Silverball? There’s a lot of people standing up, drinking frozen drinks, playing and rooting each other on. There’s a lot of laughter, a lot of cheering. It’s a totally different kind of atmosphere. I don’t know how to explain it. Just the energy — it’s a fun place.
What’s it like being involved in the charity Tigers on the Prowl? It’s very rewarding for me. One of our drink flavors is going to be assigned to a charity, and we’re going to give a percentage of every drink purchase to that charity. For example, Pac Man’s Punch could be Ronald McDonald House, and we would give Ronald McDonald House a percentage. I just think that’s important for every business owner to establish a philanthropic goal and make it part of your business plan. — CAROLINE KEALY PHOTO BY JEREMY JOHNSON
Do you manage all of this by yourself, or do you have help? I do everything for my family and at my wife’s side. So I made my wife president of The Pinball Company. Every time she started asking me questions about what we should do in a situation, I’d say: “You’re the
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs? You just have to do your research and find someone who is doing it at a high level and try and do it better, or at least learn. If you think you can do it, and you’ve done your research, go for it when you’re young.
THE TO-DO LIST
this week in Columbia
ARTS & CULTURE
Winter Wonderland at Maplewood House
Take a walk through the Historic 1877 Maplewood House, which was decorated by local designers and florists. Admission includes access to the History & Culture Center and its holiday-themed model train exhibit. Yuletide food, drink and holiday music will be provided. Sunday, 1–4 p.m., Boone County History & Culture Center, $5, adults; $3, ages 6–14; Free, ages 5 and under, 443-8936
CIVIC
The Crossing Magic Tree Celebrations
Start off your holidays with twinkling lights and Christmas spirit. The Crossing will host live music by Jordan Heckemeyer and hot drinks near its Magic Tree. Friday, 6 p.m., The Crossing, Free, 256-4410
Christmas Bird Count
This annual event is sponsored by Columbia Audubon Society. Groups count birds at designated areas; bird checklists and maps are online at columbia-audubon. org. A tally party and chili dinner will follow the event at 6 p.m. at Fairview Road Community of Christ Church. Saturday, All day, Throughout Columbia, Free, 703-6448
Citizen Jane Shop + Give Finish your holiday shopping at the final Shop + Give of the season. Twenty percent of proceeds will go toward the Citizen Jane Film Festival. Sunday, 5–7 p.m., Poppy, Free, 442-3223
FOOD & DRINK Merry Beermas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year (for a beer). Sport your ugliest sweater, and enjoy the holiday drinks on tap. Saturday, 5–11 p.m., Craft Beer Cellar, Free, 449-0242
Breakfast with Santa Prepare your wish list, and get breakfast with Santa at this build-your-own pancake bar. Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon., Conley Hy-Vee Market Grille Express, 442-7703
SPORTS
Cat’s Pajamas: Pajama Jam! Rock out in your best set of pajamas. Catdaddy’s Funky Fuzz Bunker Band will take on Dumpster Kitty in a jam session. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Central Missouri Humane Society. Today, 8:30 p.m., Rose Music Hall, $4, 874-1944
Ex-FBI agent Leo (Tommy Lee Jones) and former lawyer Duke Diver (Morgan Freeman) used to defend mob leaders. Now, they join forces to stop a mafia hit in
Mizzou Men’s Basketball vs. North Florida The Tigers have been playing strong, even without Michael Porter Jr. See if Jeremiah Tilmon and Jontay Porter can keep the momentum as they play against the North Florida Ospreys. Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Mizzou Arena, Price varies, 882-6501
this action comedy. R RUNTIME = 1:31
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (PG-13) As she takes steps into the Jedi world, Rey develops her abilities with Luke Skywalker’s guidance. Meanwhile, the Resistance and the First Order are preparing for battle. R, F RUNTIME = 2:32
SCREEN
Beyond Skyline (R)
After the Los Angeles population disappears off the face of the Earth, detective Mark Corley sets out to rescue his son, who is trapped on an alien spaceship. After the ship crashes in Southeast Asia, Corley must create an alliance with other survivors in order to figure out how to save his son and take back the planet. R RUNTIME = 1:45
Ferdinand (PG)
MUSIC
Just Getting Started (PG-13)
Still playing
A young bull, Ferdinand, escapes from a training camp in rural Spain after his dad never returns from a showdown. Ferdinand is adopted by a girl who lives on a farm, but his peaceful life is disrupted when authorities return him to his captors. F RUNTIME = 1:46
A Bad Moms Christmas (R), R Coco (PG), R, F Daddy’s Home 2 (PG-13), R, F Lady Bird (R), RT The Man Who Invented Christmas (PG), R Marshall (PG-13), RT Murder on the Orient Express (PG-13), F, R Permanent (PG-13), F Roman J Israel, Esq. (PG-13), R The Disaster Artist (R), R Thor: Ragnarok (PG-13), F, R Three Billboards (R), RT Wonder (PG), F, R Zoot Suit (R), RT Theaters F = Forum R = Regal
RT = Ragtag = available in 3D
WE BUY & SELL GOOD BOOKS
G B O O D O K W S O H L OP L EY
December 17, 2017 at 3:00 pm Missouri Theatre Buy tickets online at MoSymphonySociety.org, at the Missouri Theatre Box Office or call 573-882-3781.
Children who bring a New Toy for the Toys for Tots Program get in for Free!
8 South Ninth St. Columbia, MO 65201 573-442-3330
8 South Ninth St. | Columbia, MO 65201 | 573-442-3330 Mon. - Thurs. | 10 am - 6 pm Fri. - Sat. | 10 am - 8 pm Sun. | 12 pm - 4 pm 12.14.17 SOT_VOX_121417.indd 1
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FILM FEST MARCH 1-4, 2018 /COLUMBIA, MO / TRUEFALSE.ORG
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