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Hello Columbia! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Late-night FIFA World Cup bar hours, Wizard of Oz on Ice, and Dr. Christine Woods on healing and stigma + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Columbia protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Breaking stigma, building resilience: Columbia social worker Dr. Christine Woods has spent 30 years helping neighbors heal. Through Crowned Counseling, the MU professor normalizes mental health care and encourages Black residents to seek support — read the full story.

Traffic impacts and safety reminders: MoDOT held Columbia’s first I-70 expansion hearing at Boone Electric Cooperative, outlining added lanes and Stadium Boulevard bridge sidewalks. Overlapping work between Rocheport and Kingdom City will last two years — get construction and safety details.

Safety steers World Cup hours: Columbia City Council voted to let bars stay open until 2:30 a.m. during seven late-night FIFA World Cup matches, with last call expected at 2:00 and a single $100 fee — learn what changed and why.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Experience glass artistry at Artlandish reception
• Dance with Big Brandy and Wendy Graham
• Cheer at CCEE wrestling fundraiser
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Sweet pie fix, stat: Craving something flaky, buttery, and worth a little celebration? Peggy Jean’s Pies bakes fruit, nut, cream, and occasional savory stunners, with a few gluten-free picks. Ideal for last-minute treats or planned preorders, these slices boost midweek morale and make any table feel like a party.

Freshen up your week: Whether it’s a birthday bouquet or a quick “thinking of you,” Kent’s Floral Gallery delivers polished, feel-good arrangements with chocolates, balloons, and other fun extras that make ordinary days pop. Brighten the house, smooth over that accidental reply-all, and smile at blooms that look as good as they feel.

Chalk up here: CoMo Rocks is Columbia’s community climbing gym with bouldering, a few rope lines, and a friendly crew for first-timers and seasoned senders alike. Bring a friend, try the kilter board, then leave with pleasantly tired forearms and more climbing buddies.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

⛸ Wizard of Oz on Ice @ Jesse Auditorium | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – Dorothy and the gang are trading the Yellow Brick Road for ice at Missouri Theatre, and yes, the Wicked Witch skates better than your nephew. Big choreography, vibrant costumes, and a reimagined Oz that actually surprises, perfect for date night, kids, or your inner Munchkin.

📚 The Enchanted Bookshop @ The Brick District Playhouse (Fulton) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – After hours, the bookshop’s all-stars, Dorothy, Sherlock, Tom Sawyer, and friends, pop off the shelves to save the store and outwit a pair of smugglers. It’s sweet, sly, and nostalgia heavy. Morning shows play nice with coffee, grandkids, and your patience.

🐦 Nest Box 101 @ Songbird Station | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Feathered house hunters want in, and this workshop shows you how to turn your yard into nesting real estate for bluebirds, wrens, purple martins, wood ducks, and more. Reservations help with handouts, packets, and snacks, and purple martin fans can stay for a short chat.

🌱 DIY Faux Terrariums @ Callaway County Public Library (Fulton) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:30 PM – Bring your inner plant parent, but leave the guilt, we’re building faux terrariums with pebbles, sand, artificial moss, faux plants, and zero chance of you forgetting to water. Tweens 9+, teens, and adults welcome at the Fulton library, all supplies included. Register at www.dbrl.org/register-fulton.

👨 Family Day @ Museum of Art and Archaeology | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – If you’re due for quality time with the kids that doesn’t involve screens, Family Day lines up hands-on activities for them and docent-led tours for you. They burn energy, you soak up art and trivia, everyone leaves smug, and your sofa avoids glitter.

🧶 Crochet for Kids Workshop @ Speckled Frog Toys & Books | Sunday (3/15) at 1:30 PM – If you’ve been looking for an easy win with the kiddo, try this crochet workshop, ages 7+. They start simple, add new stitches each session, and you leave with a project. Supplies are provided, bring your hooks and yarn if you’re picky, $20 per participant.

🌳 My Little & Me in the Trees @ Camp Takimina | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Whether you’re a parent, cool aunt, or grandparent, this in-the-trees hangout pours cacao or hot chocolate, plus a meditation, a sound bath, and treats. Bring mats, blankets, a stuffed animal, $50 for one adult and child, $15 each extra. Screens can wait.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Columbia report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 60°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 87%

Showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 60, with temperatures falling to around 48 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West wind 2 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 56°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 56. Southwest wind 2 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind 12 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

This house is wild

This custom 1.5-story in the Gates of Old Hawthorne sits at the end of a cul-de-sac on a wooded 1-acre lot. Soaring two-story ceilings and walls of windows pour in light over the living area and a chef-inspired kitchen with an oversized island. A covered patio with gas hookup, a spa-level primary suite, and an upstairs loft overlook elevate living.

Take a peek inside →