Arts and Culture

As you can probably imagine, the phones at Voluntary Action Center have been ringing non-stop ever since the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a stop back in March, with housing concerns at the top of the list. That's according to executive director NICK FOSTER, who remains cautiously optimistic that the upcoming holiday program remains a high priority to those who plan on sponsoring a family. September 18, 2020

Like most events this year, the annual Kidney Walk for the National Kidney Foundation is moving to an online format. Regional executive director KATHLEEN DAVIS invites those interested to follow #KidneyWalkLaceUp and to join the festivities via Facebook Live on Sunday, September 27. Yours truly will be serving as the virtual MC with Cathy Cox singing the National Anthem. September 17, 2020

Just because your recycling isn't being picked up from the curb these days doesn't mean those items now have to go to the landfill. City of Columbia sustainability manager BARBARA BUFFALOE talks about the future of the program, the drop-off sites in Columbia and how they take the pressure off the need for those blue bags each week. September 16, 2020

Catholic Charities is the refugee resettlement agency for mid-Missouri. They also offer immigration services at a low rate. Volunteer coordinator GRACE WILDENHAUS tells us how they serve refugees coming to our country to "flee persecution." Also, OsteoStrong Columbia owner DAYNA GLANZ talks about what she calls the "silent disease": osteoporosis in men over 50; she adds, "most don't realize they have it until they fracture." (3:41) September 15, 2020

If you're a baby boomer, you're also part of what's known as the 'sandwich generation'. This comes about because there's a chance, at this stage in your life, you're taking care of both your elderly parents and your fresh-out-of-college children - and the costs to do so can be "really stressful on the budget," according to today's guest, investment advisor ALEX LaBRUNERIE, LaBrunerie Financial. September 14, 2020

Did you know that the story you just read online or in a newspaper might've been written by artificial intelligence? Today's guest SCOTT CHRISTIANSON says, "The Wall Street Journal does this with a lot of their reporting in financial areas, where they're talking about a company...all that's date-driven, it's easily put together by an AI, and they can generate hundreds or thousands of articles in a matter of minutes." September 11, 2020

'The Foolish Corner' author and MU professor of finance, JOHN HOWE, tells us why he's chosen 'hubris' to be the word of the day (hint: within the definition of the word 'hubris' is the word 'overconfidence'). September 10, 2020

So what does a dietitian do? It's a question you don't often hear asked. SARAH EBER, MPH, RD, LD, CDE, Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says, "traditionally, you hear about dietitians in the hospital giving out meal plans, but the truth is, we do a lot of things." Also, Boone County Clerk BRIANNA LENNON talks about the "very strict" vetting process mail-in ballots are subject to at the Boone County Clerk's office. Brianna also touches on absentee ballots. (4:27) September 9, 2020

Columbia native, and now author, DON LEE, shares with us the ups and downs of a life spent in the funeral business, a topic that also happens to be the subject of his new book, 'Table For One'. Also, TOM BENDER talks about some of the classes being offered during the online-only edition of Osher@Mizzou's fall session. Registration is now open! (5:35) September 8, 2020

Singer/songwriter LARRY BROWN performs Charlie King's 'Our Life is More Than Our Work' (with an original verse) at [1:38]. Larry on the added lyrics (about employment): "you know, when you struggle with not having employment, you struggle with the tentativeness about employment." September 7, 2020

There's a movement happening this year in which monuments to controversial figures are being removed or suppressed at the request of those it offends. Local columnist/activist/environmentalist KEN MIDKIFF tells us about another one that you may not know about: Sierra Club founder John Muir, who was a "absolute racist." September 4, 2020

Earlier this year, Missouri's first poet laureate, WALTER BARGEN, shared some of his original poetry featured in Today's Farmer (MFA Incorporated's monthly magazine); well, I guess there's more where that came from because he's back to read six more poems against a backdrop of photos by staff photographer Kerri Lotven. September 3, 2020

The Kitchens in Bloom fundraiser may be cancelled this year (due to the pandemic), but the mission of Services for Independent Living goes on. Today, executive director JESSICA MACY talks about some of the medical equipment available free of charge for those who may need it! Also, JILL WOMACK, executive artistic director at TRYPS, updates us on the upcoming fall season, all of which will be done online! (3:54) September 2, 2020

Lincoln University's 'teaching greenhouse' is home to a number of native plants, like paw paw fruit, persimmon trees, coneflowers and many more. Native plant specialist NADIA NAVARRETE-TINDALL says they're hoping to open this "demonstration area" to the public this fall! September 1, 2020

Just because the fall season is on our doorstep doesn't mean the tick population is thinning out. DR. MAR DOERING, DVM, All Paws Medical and Behavioral Center, cautions pet owners to keep an eye out for the pesky parasites, and shares tips for do-it-yourself prevention. August 31, 2020

How does The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri plan to distribute 'Buddy Packs' - two, ready-to-eat entrees - if the recipients aren't in school? President and CEO LINDSAY LOPEZ says, "as we have with everything during this pandemic, we've just become accustomed to being creative in the way that we do things." August 28, 2020

We take a look at the winning entries from this year's Missouri Junior Duck Stamp Contest with TIM HALLER from the Big Muddy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Find out which one of the twelve winners also earned best in show! August 27, 2020

It looks like wood, but it's actually carpet. See if you can spot the difference based on the sample SCOTT BRADLEY brought with him from his store, Carpet One Floor and Home! Also, League of Women Voters Columbia-Boone County president MARILYN McLEOD is dressed to the nines in honor of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote! (4:23) August 26, 2020

Did you know there was a time when blind people were not allowed to vote? National Federation of the Blind's GARY WUNDER pulls back the curtain on the process of casting a vote for the sight-impaired among us, and throws in a little history, too. August 25, 2020

Self-Management and Recovery Training, also known as SMART Recovery, is finding new life online during the pandemic. Facilitator SUZANNE OPPERMAN says new meetings are being added due to its growing popularity. So what makes SMART Recovery's approach so different? She says, "because it's [about] changing the person's perspective on how they look at choices, regardless of what it is that you're struggling with." August 24, 2020

Heart of Missouri United Way strategically invests the donations made by you into programs that provide healthy food, physical education and general health care to those less fortunate in our community. According to executive director ANDREW GRABAU, in one report, 94% of people who benefitted from these programs had "improved healthy outcomes." He says what that means is, "when we break down these barriers and provide access, people get healthier." August 21, 2020

There's hundreds of billions of dollars of federal funding on the line based on the results of the 2020 Census. That's money for schools, infrastructure, healthcare, outreach and more. SARA HUMM says that's why it's so important that everyone be counted: "it really touches our lives in the simplest of ways." August 20, 2020

Mobility Worldwide's planned fundraiser at Logboat Brewery in Columbia is happening as scheduled later this month! $20 gets you in the door, and for every $300 raised, that means a new cart can be built and sent to someone in Kenya. Guest: JEFF MORAN | Also, LELANDE REHARD is asking trail users to help maintain the natural beauty of their surroundings by taking a moment to pick up a fallen limb, for example. And if you're a really big fan of that kind of work, consider getting involved with the relatively new CoMo Trail Association. (4:48) August 19, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on a lot of things this year, including live theatre, and Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon is no exception. That said, artistic director TODD DAVISON is holding out hope that their production of 'Greater Tuna' and 'I Love a Piano' will go on as scheduled this fall. Find out what it'll take to pull it off! August 18, 2020

Investment advisor ALEX LaBRUNERIE, LaBrunerie Financial, says without question the U.S.'s deficit is "stunning," but now is not the time to talk about paying it back. He says, "it's important to remember this money is going to help stimulate, stabilize our economy until our people can get back to work." August 17, 2020