What do a 20-year-old former MVP of Mizzou’s Elite basketball camp and a 57-year-old Linn Tech electronics instructor have in common?

Both are Jefferson City beauty queens.

Neither Ashley Strohmier, a former Helias basketball star and the reigning Miss Missouri USA, nor Linda Franchini, a Linn Tech instructor and the reigning National Class Ms. Dream Girls USA, fit the pageant girl stereotype. Here, they each share some fun insights into the world of pageants, the contests’ allure and what it takes to win.

ASHLEY STROHMIER, DOING WHAT IT TAKES

Miss Missouri USA Ashley Strohmier has always liked to work out, and she’s getting to spend a lot of time in the gym now. A pre-law major, Strohmier has even taken the semester off to prepare for the Miss USA pageant. (She will attend St. Charles’ Lindenwood University on a full scholarship earned with the Miss Missouri USA title.) When she won Miss Missouri USA, she came under contract with the pageant’s producer, Vanbros and Associates. Her Vanbros “directors” have instructed Strohmier to spend an hour and a half each day running and an hour and a half each day lifting weights. Strohmier is more than willing to submit to the grueling regimen.

“There’s this new thing that’s going to make every pageant girl cringe,” she says. “It’s high-definition television. It’s very unforgiving.”

Besides daily workouts, Strohmier will also take part in Vanbros boot camps, where she and her counterparts from four other Vanbros sister states will spend entire weekends training and preparing.

When asked what life is like backstage at pageants, Strohmier says: “It’s just like anywhere else. Girls are going to find their cliques.”

The finals of the Miss USA pageant will air live from Las Vegas on Sunday, May 16, on NBC. Strohmier will arrive in Las Vegas two and a half weeks early.

“It’s going to be a culture shock going from Jefferson City, Cole County, Mo., to Las Vegas with 50 other beauty queens,” she says. “It should be interesting.”

But then she laughs. “It’ll be fun,” she says, and her voice exhibits the confidence befitting a pageant queen.

LINDA FRANCHINI, TAKING ON A NEW CHALLENGE

In a matter of months, Linda Franchini lost her mother and had both of her children move away. The abrupt end to two eras in her life left her with a need to get reacquainted with herself. As a ballet instructor, she had helped little girls enter pageants to showcase their talents, and at 50 years old, she decided entering one herself might be fun. She chose the Beauties of America pageant and competed against other women in their 50s.

“I came in absolutely dead last,” she says. “I was so scared. My daughter laughs and laughs watching the video. It is funny.”

Despite her stage fright, Franchini had a fabulous time.

“I was so motivated,” she says. “I told my husband, ‘We’re coming back next year, and I’ll be ready.’”

She was. She won the whole shebang, which she says proves it’s the inside that counts.

“People don’t believe that, but it’s true,” she says. “It’s the confidence you have on the inside. The judges see that on the stage.”

At work at Linn Tech, Linda wears nondescript clothes and often has her hair in a ponytail. Most of her students are male, as are her three fellow instructors. Pageants are a fun place for her to dress up and be feminine, she says, but more than that, pageants have brought her a new beginning.

“Pageants have been a good place for me to discover me, to look at me a little differently,” she says. “You just get to know yourself a little better when you are scared spitless and trying to smile on stage. It’s a challenge.”

Unplanned Path, Meaningful Journey

From Jefferson City to Miss Hawaii to First Runner-Up Miss America

By Kanoelani Gibson Nitta

I was born in Jefferson City and moved to Hawaii at a very young age when my parents separated. I lived in Hawaii until I was 8 and moved back to Jefferson City for school, as my mom felt I would receive a better education there. I attended South School, Jeff City Jr. High, Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Simonsen. I graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1998. During those years, I spent most Christmases and every summer in Hawaii with my mom.

I never considered myself a pageant girl and never even considered running in one until I was furloughed from my flight attendant job post 9/11 at Hawaiian Airlines. I made plans to finish my degree at the University of Hawaii but found it difficult to pay the tuition on my own. One night in 2002, while singing at one of my gigs (I’m a part-time singer as well), a preliminary pageant director from the Miss Hawaii Organization came up and insisted that I run. She said that I possessed all the qualities of a Miss Hawaii — beautiful, talented, sophisticated and a great presence. I was flattered, but I brushed it off. However, when she told me that Miss America gives $40,000,000 in scholarships every year to women, I was suddenly willing to listen. Needless to say, I attended the orientation meeting for the Miss Diamond Head pageant (you are required to win a local preliminary title before being eligible to run for Miss Hawaii).

My experience at the rehearsals and meetings was a turbulent one. I was literally like Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality — I would twist my ankle as I walked in the 3-1/2” heels, and I was completely embarrassed when I had to flaunt what I thought I lacked of a bikini body. I was a mess, but the committee really took it upon themselves to try to help me, as they believed I had the potential to win. The potential they saw was particularly wrapped up in my talent piece. At the time, talent was 30 percent of the entire score.

The interview process is something that most people don’t know about. The Miss America Organization prides itself on having extremely intelligent women as its representatives. Therefore, a grueling interview is required prior to the actual pageant, and interview constitutes 40 percent of the total score. The judges’ panel fires questions for 12 minutes and asks anything from your platform (a nationally pressing issue you choose to advocate), politics, current events or life questions. I got everything from platform questions to gay marriage to North Korea and its threat to the U.S.

My platform was Learning Disabilities Awareness, as I helped raise relatives with learning disabilities and saw their struggles in school. And at the time, I was also a part-time teacher, so my emphasis was on tailored education, particularly for those with learning disabilities who want to be included in regular classes (as opposed to special education classes).

My whole plan with Miss Diamond Head was to place high enough so I could at least get a scholarship to kick-start my way back into class. Much to my surprise, I ended up winning the title of Miss Diamond Head on January 20, 2003. I won the talent scholarship ($500), the actual title scholarship ($1,000) and the chance to compete for Miss Hawaii in June.

I worked even harder to prepare for Miss Hawaii. I began working out with a personal trainer and getting into better shape. I watched CNN every morning, read the newspapers and listened to AM talk radio to hear political and life debates. The stakes were higher at Miss Hawaii, as the winner would receive $5,000 in scholarships and have a chance to obtain more at Miss America. I wanted the scholarships. And on June 13, 2003, I won the talent scholarship ($1,000), the title scholarship ($5,000) and the University of Hawaii scholarship ($5,000). I received wardrobe and jewelry sponsorships, a personal hair and makeup artist as well as a Mercedes to drive during my reign.

Now I worked even harder. My new personal trainer had me running six miles a day, circuit training three days a week and on an extremely strict diet. I literally ate boiled chicken breasts and raw vegetables for every meal. It wasn’t pleasant, but it was incredible how focused my mind was and how good I felt mentally, physically and spiritually. I was in the best shape of my life.

The Miss America delegates spent one week in Washington D.C. before heading to Atlantic City for two weeks before the pageant. I honestly didn’t think I would stand out one bit among the law school and Harvard graduates, medical doctors and Ph.D. students. I hadn’t even completed my bachelor’s yet. So my goal at Miss America was just to have fun. And that I did. However, much to my surprise, I ended up getting called into the top 15.

When I made it into the top five, my stomach dropped. We were narrowed down, one by one, until I was left standing with Miss Florida Ericka Dunlap. I started crying and hyperventilating — a happy cry, thinking about my dog that I’d have to leave for a year and the true responsibility and stress of being Miss America. I wasn’t sure if I was ready. At that point, I said a prayer: “Lord, if you want me to do this, I will with all of my heart. Do what you will, and I will honor you.” I thank him to this day that he made me first runner-up that night because not only did I walk away with $45,000 in scholarships, but I was also able to go back and be the best Miss Hawaii I could be — and I could see my dog.

The year of my reign was filled with speaking engagements, public appearances and travels to and from the U.S., Philippines, Japan and Taiwan. I was able to testify to the state to make Miss Hawaii the official Honorary Hostess of the State of Hawaii — and at the end of my reign, they did.

My life hasn’t slowed down much in the seven years since my pageant experience began. I will finally graduate in fall 2010 with my degree in management and marketing from the University of Hawaii. I still work as a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines and am still singing around Oahu at various events, hotels and lounges. I am interning as a broadcast journalist at FOX’s affiliate KHON2 News in Honolulu and plan to continue in broadcast journalism. I got married in May 2008 to Gye Nitta and am expecting my first baby boy in June of this year.

The pageant success paved a road of opportunities that would’ve taken me a lot longer to come across on my own. However, it’s all what you choose to take away from it. I see girls in and out of pageants every year who remain the same or become even worse than before they entered. I chose to take advantage of every opportunity that I knew would make me a better, more valuable person. I learned so much about myself and became more disciplined, cultured and confident in who I was and who I could become. n

By Aaron Smith

Smokers in Jefferson City might soon find themselves getting kicked to the curb. With more localities across the state going smoke-free, some are now looking for Jefferson City to follow suit. Within the next few months, the City Council is expected to consider an ordinance that would force smokers to step outside the next time they want to light up a cigarette. Although such an ordinance would provide a cleaner, healthier environment for the local community, it would also mandate what restaurant and bar owners can do with their businesses, and the question becomes more than just a burden of social responsibility.

MISSOURI’S SMOKE-FREE HISTORY

In 1992 Missouri legislators passed the Indoor Clean Act that prohibits smoking in all public places except in designated smoking areas. However, it left most social establishments, such as bars and some restaurants, exempt from its definition of a “public place.”

Without a statewide smoking ban, local governments have held the power to decide whether they should adopt a no-smoking ordinance in all public places. Some cities that have already passed such ordinances include Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Independence and Warrensburg. In total, 14 Missouri cities and towns have passed a smoking ban since 2006.

Even with these local smoking bans, some businesses are exempt from the no-smoking list. Businesses such as casinos, private clubs and retail tobacco shops are among the few examples of establishments still allowed to have smoking.

SMOKE-FREE JEFFERSON CITY

Ultimately, it will be up to the members of the Jefferson City Council to introduce a smoke-free proposal and decide on the details of such an ordinance.

The Smoke Free Jefferson City coalition has worked together for the past five years to promote a smoke-free environment in Jefferson City. They built a Web site that provides up-to-date articles and links to facts on tobacco smoke and its effects on air quality and human health. They are also the driving force behind efforts to encourage City Council members to draft a smoke-free bill.

“The end goal would be to have the City Council adopt an ordinance or put a referendum before city residents to adopt a comprehensive smoke-free law,” says Kathy Harness with Smoke Free Jefferson City. “A law that does not have exemptions … All places open to the public would operate under the same ordinance, and they would be smoke-free.”

Smoke Free Jefferson City hopes the City Council will put the proposal to a vote sometime between April and June of this year.

LOCAL BUSINESSES’ REACTION AND IMPACT

Some businesses have taken the initiative without a city-wide ordinance; appromiximately 100 restaurants and bars have already made their establishments smoke-free. Paddy Malone’s, owned by Allen Tatman him, has been a smoke-free bar since June 2007.

When asked about how the decision has affected him, Tatman says his business has increased, but he believes going smoke-free should be up to individual businesses, not mandated by the city.

“I don’t think it’s the City Council’s place; we were in a position where we could manage it and have a place for our smoking patrons,” says Tatman, referring to the bar’s outside deck. “There are a lot of places that don’t have that option, and it would hurt them. They are disadvantaging some businesses over others by passing it.”

Some establishments have made the argument that a no-smoking ban would put them out of business. For businesses whose revenue is largely generated from tobacco products, there is legitimate concern. Some of those businesses, such as smoke shops, openly allow smoking inside their stores and will often have amenities for a smoker-friendly atmosphere.

THE DEBATE

Opponents of the city-wide ban ask why a person would choose to go to a restaurant or bar that allows smoking if they don’t want to be exposed to smoke. Why not go to a restaurant that doesn’t allow smoking? Those in favor of a smoke-free Jefferson City believe it is the burden of social responsibility for restaurants and bars to make their establishments smoke-free environments.

Most would agree that smoking and secondhand smoke are bad for a person’s health. Numerous studies show the degenerative effects that smoking has on a person’s lungs, the increase in chance for cancer and heart attacks and how smoking affects the air quality in public places. For example, continued exposure to fine-particulate air pollution has a significant and measurable decrease in life expectancy.

However, a smoke-free ordinance for Jefferson City is about more than health concerns. If Jefferson City is to adopt a nonsmoking policy, the City Council will have to decide whether it is OK for one person to tell another what he or she can or cannot do with his or her own business. N

SMOKING STATS

from www.tobaccofreekids.org

• Percentage of Missourians who smoke: 25 percent

• Number of Missouri kids (less than 18 years old) who become daily smokers each year: 7,500

Because everyone deserves to breathe clean air

By Kathi Harness, director of government relations for American Lung Association/Missouri

The minute a business opens its doors to the public, it is expected to comply with a number of regulations designed to protect customers and employees, such as minimum building codes, sanitary preparation of food and fire safety standards.

Property rights do not provide an implied license to endanger public health. Owning property doesn’t provide the right to willingly allow dangerous substances such as arsenic, carbon monoxide or formaldehyde to be introduced into the air. Yet, tobacco smoke contains these and more than 4,800 other chemicals.

The scientific evidence on the health risks of exposure to secondhand smoke is clear, convincing and overwhelming. Secondhand smoke is a known cause of heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, asthma and emphysema as well as other health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, nearly 50,000 Americans die each year from lung cancer and heart disease attributable to secondhand smoke.

Free market principles work well for the selling of goods and products but not for protecting the public health. Imagine a restaurant owner refusing entry by the health department because he or she felt it was a violation of his or her property rights? Just as the health department inspection is needed to help assure the food and drink is safe to consume, how much more important is it to assure the air you breathe is safe?

Rather than an erosion of freedoms, this is a restoration of a freedom of the basic human need to breathe clean air. Smoke-free laws respect everyone’s basic right to breathe smoke-free air — smokers and nonsmokers alike. Because everyone deserves to breathe clean air.

I Choose Not to “Eat at Joe’s”

By Jet Ainsworth

A little after 1 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2006, rights of your brothers and sisters were taken away. You’d think that you’d remember something important like that, but you probably don’t — and it’s not OK.

You see, almost three and half years ago, after hours of deliberation and presentation, the Columbia City Council passed a smoking ordinance that bans smoking inside restaurants and bars. The ordinance passed by a vote of 4 to 3.

The thought of a smoking ban was, and still is, polarizing. There were plenty of public outcries to put such a divisive notion to a citywide vote. Health officials, business owners, professors, students, police officers, moms, dads, smokers, non-smokers, liberals, conservatives — everybody votes. To deny such a vote, as Columbia has done many times, makes “for the people, by the people” seem silly. What do the people know about what’s good for them? Let’s save the people from themselves. Let’s think for them. Let’s choose for them. They were smart enough to vote us into office, but they’re not smart enough to make any other life-affecting decisions outside of that. In a handful of smaller localized polls, the people agreed that a smoking ordinance was not proper unless it included a time provision, such as no smoking before 9 p.m.

Compromise. That’s what the people wanted. That’s not what the City Council wanted.

Well, in the end, the people did decide. Seven people decided, to be exact.

You don’t have to look too far in Columbia to find a petition or a business owner who is still trying to have the ordinance repealed.

This isn’t a scientific, research-supported statistic, but I would venture to guess that close to 100 percent of Americans are aware that smoking is unhealthy. I also don’t think I would be going out on a limb to say that when the words smoking ordinance come up in conversation, some would favor it simply because, to them, it equates to no smoking.

Unfortunately for our country and, on a more intimate level, Jefferson City, that’s not at all what those against a smoking ordinance are arguing. Here’s the true issue: Should an appendage of government mandate what a business can or cannot allow in regard to a legally obtained substance?

Should there be a limit on the amount of alcohol one can consume at an establishment? It’s as deadly of a legal substance as tobacco. Should there be fines handed out for restaurants that knowingly serve foods that exceed a particular amount of cholesterol, fat, sugar, calories or, heck, Yellow #5?

If you don’t want to be shot at, don’t buy a house in Compton. If you don’t want to eat or buy a drink someplace with cigarette smoke swirling around you, eat at Applebee’s. Nobody has the right to eat or drink anywhere. In fact, most establishments have a sign that gives them the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. As complicated as it is, this could be a job for the people’s hero the Ninth Amendment.

If you are in favor of a smoking ordinance being passed because you don’t like smoking, then perhaps you are missing the boat on what this is really about.

Freedom of choice. What a cute idea.

By Lauren E. Sable • Photos by Chris Hollaway

As an interior designer, Sherry Fitzpatrick spends time getting to know clients and understanding what they want in a house before developing a plan based on their input. After more than two years of planning, drawing and redrawing plans and nearly a year and a half of building, it was time for Fitzpatrick to put her artistic touch on her clients’ dream home – a custom 6,000-square-foot ranch-style home built by Turk’s Construction.

With their eye on building a home to fit their lifestyle and needs for years to come, the homeowners, empty nesters who moved into their new space in February 2009, were very involved in the home’s design. They wanted a mellow, livable space that would accommodate their love of entertaining and allow them to live on one floor in the years ahead. They achieved that vision with 3,600 square feet and two bedrooms on the main floor and 2,400 square feet and two more bedrooms downstairs.

A classic, timeless design marked by a monochromatic color scheme and textural elements makes the home feel cozy and welcoming despite its size. Low ceilings — only nine to 10 feet — also give the large space warmth, while upscale features such as a theater room; a large covered outdoor patio; an outdoor kitchen area with a grill, sink and refrigerator; three fireplaces; and a large open great room contribute to the luxurious feel.

“The main thing my clients wanted was something very classic, a lot of really light green colors and a very sunny, bright house,” Fitzpatrick says. “We were trying to create a very serene, textural space that is very inviting. It really fits their lifestyle and their look.”

The intricate detail throughout the house is eye-catching, says Fitzpatrick, so she chose furnishings and finishings to highlight and complement the beautiful architectural details of the custom home, such as arched doorways with wood casings, embossed trim, ceilings adorned with specialty moldings and custom walnut cabinetry. Fitzpatrick took a less-is-more approach. Every piece in the house has special meaning and was carefully chosen to enhance the home’s natural beauty. Most of the artwork is original art collected during the homeowners’ travels, and Fitzpatrick rematted and reframed the pieces to match the home’s color scheme.

The choices were difficult but deliberate, and the ultimate goal was to choose accessories that would make a statement but not detract from anything else in the house. Simple draperies in rich textures, custom-made rugs in neutral hues to cover the oak floors, paints with pearlized finishes and soft, overstuffed furniture tie together the casual, elegant look.

The end result is just what the homeowners had in mind, and they especially enjoy the floor plan that they spent so much time perfecting. They also appreciate their builder’s craftsmanship and attention to detail.

“We don’t know the word can’t,” says Dave Perrey, owner of Turk’s Construction. “This is the kind of home we have built for years and years, and we still build the old way, by doing the work ourselves and taking responsibility for the quality of the home.”

Resource List

Builder: Dave Perrey, Turk’s Construction

Interior Designer: Sherry Fitzpatrick, Sherry Pilger Design

Furnishings: Major Interiors

Check out what these local captains of industry are all about and what they bring to Jefferson City and beyond.

By Joanna Schneider • Photos by Chris Hollaway

Scholastic

Number of local employees: 1,400
Head of operations in Jefferson City: Faye Edwards, vice president/general manager
Year established in Jefferson City: 1968
Address: 2931 E. McCarty St.
Chief product: children’s books, educational technology and children’s media

Amount of chief product produced in 2009: Scholastic publishes approximately 600 original children’s titles annually and sells more than $150 million in educational technology programs every year.

Giving back to Missouri: During the 2008-2009 school year, the total value of free books and school materials earned through Scholastic-sponsored book clubs and book fairs was $5,143,450.

Scholastic was founded in 1920 as a single classroom magazine, The Scholastic. Since shipping its first carton nearly 70 years ago, Scholastic has delivered more than six billion books to young readers and teachers nationwide.

Today Scholastic publishes one of every two children’s books sold in the U.S. and is the largest publisher and distributor of children’s books in the world. Globally, Scholastic exports to 65 counties, and Scholastic en español imprint publishes 50 children’s titles each year.

Jefferson City is the company’s primary warehouse and distribution center and is the city’s largest private employer. Named the Nation Service Organization, three buildings totaling nearly 1.5 million square feet of combined office, bulk warehousing and order-fulfillment space comprise the Scholastic facilities in the capital city. At NSO facilities, Book Clubs’ cartons are packed with care and travel a two-mile conveyor system. The distance traveled by all the cartons in a school year is 3.25 million miles — the equivalent distance of seven round trips to the moon.

Locally, Scholastic’s NSO partners with a diverse group of businesses, not-for-profits and educational institutions including Lincoln University, the United Way, Boys and Girls Club of the Capital City, Jefferson Public School System, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Samaritan Center, Jefferson City Day Care and the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Each year, Scholastic Trade Books publishes hundreds of new hardcover, paperback and novelty books. This list includes the phenomenally successful publishing properties Harry Potter, Captain Underpants, I Spy, Clifford The Big Red Dog and Goosebumps. Numerous best-selling and award-winning authors and illustrators are published by Scholastic Trade including J.K Rowling, Maurice Sendak, Suzanne Collins, Dav Pilkey, Jon Muth, Blue Balliett, Ann M. Martin, Pam Muñoz Ryan, David Shannon, Mark Teague and Walter Wick, among many others.

New in 2009, Scholastic published a groundbreaking multi-media series for children ages 8 to 12 called “The 39 Clues,” which tells a story through a 10-book series, collector cards and an online game. Additionally, Scholastic Education launched SYSTEM 44, a technology-based reading intervention program for middle- and high-school students who struggle with basic reading skills.

“2010 will bring more digital and multi-media properties designed to engage and educate today’s tech-savvy youth,” says Kyle Good, vice president of corporate communications. “Literacy is at the heart of everything we do at Scholastic, and our team in Jefferson City, delivering books into the hands of children throughout the world, is critical to the mission.”

ABB Inc.

Number of local employees: 600
Head of operations in Jefferson City: Jeff Weingarten, vice president and general manager
Year established in Jefferson City: 1990
Address: 500 W. Highway 94
Chief product: Padmount Distribution Transformers for the residential and light commercial markets

Amount of chief product locally produced: Since 1972, the Jefferson City facility has produced more than 2 million transformers. At peak capacity, the plant can produce a transformer every four minutes.

Return to Jefferson City through taxes and charity: More than $5 million in local taxes and approximately $50,000 annually in charitable donations. Additionally, the company supports employees who volunteer their time to support local charities and local school education programs.

ABB Inc. is a global company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with more than 110,000 employees globally and approximately 14,000 in the U.S. ABB’s chief products include power- and automation-related devices. The company is known as one of the top engineering solution companies in the world. Additionally, ABB is the world’s largest provider of power transmission and distribution systems and helps deliver two-thirds of the electricity used in North America.

Westinghouse built and began operating the facility in 1972 and maintained ownership until ABB purchased it in 1990. The facility, including its time under Westinghouse ownership, has been a major manufacturing employer in the Jefferson City community for more than 37 years with excellent wages and benefits, says ABB HR Business Partner Matt Boyle.

ABB provides transformers to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. “Our transformer products are known for their high quality, durability and innovative designs,” Boyle says.

Interestingly, this site survived the Missouri flood of 1993 when the Missouri River crested at 38 feet and flooded the factory floor level. Following the flood, all employees worked together to return the facility to working order.

Future product focus includes more energy-efficient transformer designs and transformer applications for alternative energy sources such as wind and solar energy.

Unilever

Number of local employees: 316
Head of operations in Jefferson City: Dennis Myers, supply leader
Year established in Jefferson City: 1966 as Chesebrough-Pond, acquired by Unilever in 1986
Address: 2900 W. Truman Blvd.
Chief product: Personal-care liquids including shampoo and conditioner, body wash and skin lotion. Brands include Caress, Dove, Suave, Sunsilk, Axe and Vaseline Intensive Care.

Amount of chief product locally produced in 2009: 333 million units. Locally, Unilever ships approximately 40 finished-goods trucks per day, about one every 36 minutes.

Return to Jefferson City through charity: In 2009 the Unilever Foundation grant program allocated the Jefferson City facility $37,500 to be distributed in the community plus a special grant of $15,000 to the local Boys and Girls Club.

Chesebrough-Pond’s originally opened in Jefferson City in 1966, and Unilever acquired the facility in 1986. Today, the facility has been transformed into Unilever’s largest personal-care liquids plant in the world. With the site’s high degree of reliability, favorable cost structure and central location, it has become the “innovation hub” for the majority of strategic personal-care liquids innovations, says Supply Leader Dennis Myers.

Unilever was created in 1930 when British soap maker Lever Brothers merged with the Dutch margarine producer Margarine Unie. Today, Unilever operates several hundred manufacturing sites across the globe. Although not produced locally, Unilever’s portfolio in the U.S. includes such iconic personal-care and food brands as Axe, Ben and Jerry’s, Bertolli, Breyer’s, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal-care products, Hellmann’s, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline.

Locally, Unilever currently runs a series of high-speed packing lines in a 24/7 environment. “The complexity of the factory has changed throughout the years, and the facility now has the capability to run multiple product groups and bottle shapes/sizes on any given packing line,” Myers says.

A large portion of 2009 was dedicated to Total Productive Maintenance at Unilever. In January, the local facility received the TPM Level III award, a prestigious global award that involves challenging loss-elimination activities across all aspects of the business. The Jefferson City facility is the first Unilever plant in North America to be awarded Level III status.

2010 will bring many positive changes to the local facility. In December 2009, Unilever announced approval for a project that closes an alternate Unilever manufacturing site and brings the majority of that volume to the Jefferson City site. As a result, the facility will add manufacturing assets throughout its factory to meet the site’s aggressive growth agenda.

The company’s local community relations committee coordinates activities and fundraisers throughout the year to help out in the community when the need arises. Last year Unilever raised nearly $3,600 from these activities and donated the money to the Salvation Army Hope House, United Way Campaign, Samaritan Center and Thorpe Gordon. Local Unilever employees also contributed more than $20,000 to the United Way Campaign through payroll deductions. Recently, Unilever made a $500,000 monetary donation to the victims of the Haiti earthquake through its global partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme. Unilever also matches individual employee donations to the Red Cross on a two-for-one basis.

RR Donnelley

Number of local employees: company declined to disclose
Head of operations in Jefferson City: Richard Dunn, vice president of manufacturing
Year established in Jefferson City: Late 1950s
Address: 321 Wilson Drive
Chief product: elementary, high-school and college textbooks, directories, trade books and business-to-business catalogs

Amount of chief product locally produced in 2009: More than 3,000 full and partial truckloads of books were shipped from the plant to customers.

Charity involvement: Multicultural Forum, United Way, Relay for Life and YMCA

RR Donnelley is the largest printer in the world and manufactures books, catalogs, retail inserts, magazines and commercial print. The Jefferson City division is one of the largest book manufacturers in the United States and has been at its Wilson Drive location since the mid-1960s.

RR Donnelley acquired the Jefferson City division from the Von Hoffman Corporation in May 2006. Von Hoffmann started in St. Louis in the early 1900s and moved its printing operations to Jefferson City in the late 1950s.

The Jefferson City plant totals 650,000 square feet, and 10 percent of employees hold more than 30 years experience. Approximately 13 percent of the plant’s workforce volunteers to serve on the company’s safety, inclusion, recycling or recognition committees.

It is not unusual for a book to have a first printing and up to 10 or 12 subsequent printings. The plant purchases its paper in large rolls — each weighing 3,000 pounds — and more than 18,000 tons of paper, aluminum and plastic was recycled in 2009.

In 2009, the plant obtained its ISO 9001/2008 certification, was awarded the Multicultural Forum Company of the Year award, installed new information systems throughout the plant and expanded offerings to meet new and existing customer needs.

For the new year, RR Donnelley plans on continued capital investment to advance and automate the manufacturing processes and anticipates that projected continual economic recovery will spur an up-tick in activity, says RR Donnelley Controller Michael R. Thompson. Additionally, the plant hopes to expand its recycling efforts and continue green initiatives while also expanding its employee recognition programs and a commitment to diversity in the workplace. n

A great promoter of Helias High School, Coach Pitts bleeds blue and gold. He teaches five classes of Algebra I A and B, coaches football and baseball, runs Helias sports camps during the summer and supervises off-season conditioning and weight training. He and his wife, Lindsey, are co-chairs of the 2010 Helias Foundation Fund Drive. This year, he will serve as a Helias representative at the National Catholic Education Association Convention in Minneapolis, Minn.

In addition to his many activities at Helias High School, Pitts is working on a master’s degree in school administration from Lincoln University. He graduated from Helias in 2000, and in 2005 he graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in general studies. He also played football at MU for four years. Pitts began teaching at Helias in 2005 and married his high-school sweetheart, Lindsey Brondel, in 2006.

“Phil Pitts brings enthusiasm and charisma to everything he does,” says Stan Ochsner, Helias dean of students and student activities. “I often use him as an example in my leadership class when we are discussing the qualities of effective leaders. He continually demonstrates an amazing work ethic, and his passion excites kids and inspires them to achieve things that they probably didn’t think they were capable of.

“Phil would be an incredibly valuable employee in any line of work. I am just glad he chose teaching/coaching and Helias.”

Teacher Feature

KIDS! PARENTS! Do you know a special teacher who goes above and beyond the call of duty? Tell us about them! Send us photos and a description of what makes that teacher special for a chance to be featured in Jefferson City Magazine.

Running and other exercises that involve aerobic activity have both cardiovascular and mental health benefits, says Dr. David Flood, director of the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute at Capital Region Medical Center and an avid believer in aerobic exercise.

“Aerobic exercise is good for your mental health in that is induces the brain to release endorphins into the blood stream — that’s good for anti-anxiety, anti-stress, your sense of well-being,” Flood says. “You feel good after exercise and get addicted. You want that sensation of well-being that you get when you get to that aerobic threshold.”

Cathy Schafer, internal medicine nurse practitioner at JCMG, has been a runner since seventh grade. Now 52, she plans to continue her practice of a daily run until the day she dies.

“If I can’t or don’t run, I don’t feel as good,” she says. “For me, my runner’s high is how some people feel about their cup of coffee in the morning. If I don’t get it, my whole day is off.”

Schafer is up at 4:20 every morning to run four to seven miles at the YMCA. Conscious of concrete’s wear on her knees, she opted for the treadmill earlier this year but prefers to run outside.

“When I was a sprinter in high school, I don’t think I ever felt the runner’s high, but running long distance, I think I’ve felt that,” Schafer says. “The longer I’m out there, the better I feel physically and emotionally. Even if I have a cold or back pain, I don’t notice them when I am running.”

According to Flood, recommendations for exercises that raise the heart rate vary from patient to patient and are specific to age and cardiac condition.

“If you break a sweat, you are achieving the benefits of aerobic conditioning,” Flood says. Along with some kind of daily exercise such as brisk walking or cycling and cross-training, he recommends people work up to running three days each week.

Keri Austin, owner of Wilson’s Fitness, cautions that there are a few things to keep in mind before beginning a running routine. Chief among them is the need to get your doctor’s approval. If you plan on running outside, make sure your joints are strong enough.

“A lot of people physically just can’t run on the concrete because it’s too hard on their joints,” Austin says. For them, a treadmill might be a better option. Walking and elliptical machines offer even less impact.

Austin also suggests getting an analysis of your gait to determine what type of shoe fits your foot type best. Austin, Flood and Schafer all recommend investing in good shoes before running.

When you are ready to begin, give yourself time to adjust to the new routine.

“I would suggest that you start a walk-run interval,” Austin says. “So maybe the first week that you start, you might walk for five or six minutes then jog for one. It’s getting your body and your lungs and your muscles prepared and getting better at what you would eventually be doing for 30 minutes.”

Schafer reminds would-be runners that it’s not for everyone. “For many adults who have never run, they might not like it, but a good brisk walk can be just as good,” she says. n

Real-Life Runners

By Amy J. Hoffman

They’re not doctors, not physical trainers or members of a track team, but these real people have developed a running routine.

Rick Contryman

Retired from the Missouri Department of Social Services, Contryman has been running for nearly half his life. He started in 1979 when he was inspired by a couple of co-workers who ran on their lunch hours. Believing that he was in better shape than they were, he figured that if they could run, so could he. Before long, Contryman found himself running every day.

“Then I kind of got into racing and enjoyed that for a little while,” he says. “It kind of gave me some goals.” In addition to shorter races, Contryman has run in eight marathons.

“I don’t run too far or too fast anymore, but I do go every day.” In fact, Countryman celebrated his 19th consecutive year of daily running on          Nov. 24, 2009.

“There are some days that are tough, when it’s snowing and cold or 100 degrees, but you just have to go out and do it,” he says. “That’s it.”

In addition to keeping “some of the poundage off,” Contryman credits his regular routine with helping him to maintain a mentally healthy lifestyle.

“It’s a good stress release,” he says. “Frustrations, troubles, all that you can leave on the pavement out there. Take it out on the asphalt.”

Laura Payne

Laura Payne, mother of three and a sales and marketing representative with Midwest Advertising Specialties, had been running on and off for years but never made the commitment to a real routine until two years ago.

“I decided I wanted to start running on a regular basis … to get in shape and to get in better health than I had been,” she says. “I had a lot of stress and changes going on in my life, and I just wanted to find an outlet to refocus my energy and get my stress under control.”

With the help of a trainer, Payne worked up to running between four and six miles most days of the week. She supplements her routine with weights and circuit training but really feels that running has made the biggest difference for her health. Currently, Payne runs about four times a week. Weather permitting, she’s outside, but most of the time she’s on the treadmill.

“Finding the time and energy with three little girls and working full time has sometimes been a challenge, but my daughters always seem to be good sports about going to the gym with me,” says Payne, whose daughters are 3, 6 and 7 years old. “They would even tolerate watching me run around our driveway if I didn’t have a lot of time.”

Payne recently tried her hand at racing and took part in two 5k runs; she finished fifth in the first and second in the most recent.

Navigating the world of health care can be an overwhelming task.

How do I find the right doctor for me?
How do I know if I’m taking the right medications?
What if I want a second opinion?

To help you map this uncertain road, Jefferson City Magazine turned to local health care professionals to help answer these questions and more. So what are you waiting for? Read on.

Actively Participate in Your Patient/M.D. Relationship

Educating yourself about your medical conditions is the first step to taking charge of your health care, says Dr. Stanley Dorst, a family physician at Jefferson City Medical Group. It’s important to know what medicines you are on and what they are for, he adds.

In addition to being aware of your current medications, physicians and pharmacists say it’s important to know what medicines you have been on in the past and why you are no longer on them. Some items to make note of: Were they ineffective? What were the specific side effects? Was I allergic?

Dorst says it’s key to take responsibility for your own health and well-being. Know what needs to be done to monitor your condition; don’t just leave that to the doctor. Find out what tests and follow-up appointments might be needed, and keep track of when these are due.

And perhaps most importantly, be sure to ask questions about these things or about anything else you don’t understand about your medical conditions.

“Just remember there is no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to your health,” Dorst says.

The bottom line is that you must take an active role in your health care, says Dr. Janet Theby, a board-certified family practice physician at St. Mary’s Medical Clinic. That way, you ensure the best possible care from your doctor.

“The more you engage in your health care by sharing information, asking questions, taking information with you and understanding follow-up plans, the better your care will be,” she says.

Theby suggests keeping the following in mind when meeting with your physician:

• Bring a brief health history to your initial appointment. The history should include current and past medical concerns, surgeries, medications (what strength and how often you take them), vitamins and supplements and any side effects or allergies from medications. Consolidating information is key. Also, bring a list of all current specialists you are seeing.
• If you have specific questions, write them down before your appointment. Be sure to put them in order of priority so that the most important questions are addressed right away. It might be necessary to schedule a follow-up appointment to continue your talk about other concerns, but making a list will help the physician be thorough with your care.
• Don’t be afraid to speak up. It is important to let your doctor know if you don’t understand something. Otherwise, your doctor will think you understand everything that she/he has told you.
• Written instructions are helpful and might be necessary to assure that instructions, scheduled appointments and medication changes are understood accurately. Ask how/when test results will be available. Clear expectations will decrease needless worry and serve as a safeguard for timely care.

“By doing these things, you will help streamline your care rather than it becoming fragmented and confusing,” Theby says. “Your personal physician will be better equipped to provide smooth, comprehensive care whether it is management of an acute/chronic illness or providing effective and efficient preventive care.”

Find the Right Doctor

Where is a good place to start? Ask friends and family if they have been happy with a physician they have worked with or know of someone who has been pleased with a physician in the area. Or, if you’re more tech-savvy, try surfing the Web and checking out the Web sites of local hospitals or nearby academic institutions.

“They will frequently have lists of their physicians in different specialties, including information about specific interest or advanced training,” Dorst says.

Get a Second Opinion

Before you do anything, do a little research about your condition because it might turn out that the physician gave you perfectly appropriate information. If you still have questions after reading about the condition from a reliable source (for example, WebMD or an accredited national organization), make a list of specific questions to ask the physician at a follow-up visit. These questions can be about things the physician said that you don’t understand or about things you have read or heard about the condition that he or she either didn’t address or contradicted.

If you still don’t feel comfortable with the diagnosis from your current doctor and would like a second opinion, Dorst suggests requesting a reference from your primary care physician.

Second opinions do serve an important role in patient care, Theby says. Many times they are mandatory for certain conditions or procedures. Consider seeking a second opinion when:

• There is an abrupt life-changing diagnosis or major surgery.
• There is a personal concern regarding the doctor’s experience or skill.
• There is inadequate physician-patient communication.
• You are not seeing improvement in your medical condition.
• Anytime you are not satisfied with the information you have received from your doctor.

“The consultant should be independent of your personal doctor,” Theby says. “Most physicians would welcome a second option because it helps clarify difficult decision-making. Many times the specialist verifies the initial physician’s conclusions, giving everyone peace of mind. Even conflicting opinions are useful, as they can shed light on the complexity of the problem.”

Alternative Health Options

Alternative health options are becoming more and more popular. Most obvious, and so commonly recommended that they are no longer considered alternative, are diet and exercise. Also, quitting smoking and decreasing or stopping alcohol consumption can make a significant difference in many medical conditions.

Additionally, Dorst says many patients with musculoskeletal conditions benefit from manipulation from a competent chiropractor, osteopathic physicians and massage therapists. For chronic pain, acupuncture can also be effective. Many chronic conditions can cause anxiety or depression, and for this reason, Dorst suggests support groups or professional therapists.

Herbal treatments are a little trickier, Dorst explains.

“Many people think that because herbal treatments are natural, that means they are safe,” he says. “In fact, many things found in nature can be quite toxic. In addition, manufactured medications are not the only treatments that can have side effects — natural treatments have side effects also.”

Also problematic is the fact that there is usually not much research available on the effectiveness of herbal treatments, so there is more uncertainty about their effectiveness and safety. With this in mind, some herbal treatments have been demonstrated to be effective, and others are probably effective. Before trying an herbal treatment, read about possible side effects and toxicities just as you would do for any medical treatment.

Know Your Prescriptions

Medications can be a large part of your overall heath care plan, so it’s important to understand what medicines you are taking, why are you taking them and how your body reacts, says Whaley’s Pharmacist Miranda Henley.

To help patients keep track of their prescriptions and know the medications they are taking are what they need and working together properly, Henley suggests getting all your prescriptions from one pharmacy. This way, the pharmacists can make sure there are no interactions and no duplicate therapies.

You might see many different physicians for different conditions, and they might not know what the others are prescribing, but by going to the same pharmacy, you can assure that your medications are working together properly to improve your conditions, Henley explains. Also important is keeping an up-to-date list of medications that you can take to a doctor’s visit and have on hand in case of emergencies.

In what situation can a trip to the pharmacy take the place of a trip to the doctor?

“When patient’s questions or concerns are related to prescription or over-the-counter medications, a pharmacist is a great place to go,” Henley says. “Pharmacists are the medication experts on the health care team, so they should be your first stop when it comes to medication questions.”

Check with your pharmacist when you want to know what sort of specialist to see, says Uldis Pironis, a pharmacist at Jefferson City Apothecary with 40 years of experience.

“A pharmacist is a good second line of defense, and we can be a good place to start when you have questions,” Pironis says. n

Getting a Diagnosis: Top 10 Questions to Ask

Dr. Janet Theby shares this pocket-sized list of top 10 questions to ask when getting a diagnosis from your doctor.

1. Is there any chance the medical problem could have a different diagnosis?
2. Can you explain this in simpler terms so that I can share it with my family members?
3. What is the usual treatment, including its risks and side effects?
4. How will this treatment improve my health or quality of life?
5. What lifestyle changes can I make to help get well?
6. Are there alternative treatments available?
7. What are the likely results if I wait or don’t have the treatment?
8. Is there a need for a specialist?
9. Where can I get more information on this subject?

Building a house is a lot like getting married. If you aren’t sure about it, you shouldn’t do it. So on the day before the contractor was scheduled to begin building their new home, when Ashley Woods woke up and said the floor plan wasn’t the one for them, Ashley and her husband, Steven, decided to pull the plug. A feeling that the builder didn’t quite have the plans in tune with what they wanted prompted Ashley to suggest they stop construction and go with a different builder.

On a tour of a house built by Signature Homes, Ashley immediately liked what she saw.

According to Ashley, the first plan had the outside look they wanted, but Signature Homes created the changes they needed inside.

“Paulette fixed the plan,” Ashley says. The final plans opened up more space and added more detail, an attribute for which Signature Homes is known.

“They had gone to homes they liked, then showed me the floor plans,” says Paulette Kreter, design/project coordinator for Signature Homes. “The emphasis was on the great room and the kitchen. We added touches such as the high ceilings and the windows looking out the back.”

The Woods’ 4,600-square-foot residence includes five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The house feels spacious and open but not overwhelming; every space is well-used. The Woods, who will celebrate their seventh anniversary in May 2010, say they were involved with the construction from start to finish.

Ashley and Steven knew some of the basics they wanted: eye-catching ceilings, granite countertops, dark cabinetry, bold color on the walls and huge windows in the back of the house.

The floor-to-ceiling windows give the couple a beautiful rolling view of the wooded valley behind the house. A dry-stack, cultured stone fireplace in the great room complements the natural scene just outside the windows and holds special importance for Ashley. Her grandfather Larry Huffman, a rock mason from Versailles, built the fireplace.

Ashley’s father, Phillip Porter of Porter Visser Concrete Construction, also contributed his handiwork to the building project. Steven, employed by DirecTV, focused on his “baby” — the theater room in the home’s lower level. A 12-foot movie screen anchors one end of the long room. At the other end, theater seating vibrates in accordance with the sound, and a raised platform creates a convenient spot for the entertainment equipment.

Ashley worked with Signature Homes’ Angie Zimmerman on the home’s interior design. The uncluttered, clean décor makes it easy to appreciate the home’s details, such as bamboo floors — pre-finished in cherry — underfoot in the great room. Granite countertops in dark chocolate accented by silver flakes and moody blues stand next to stainless steel Frigidaire appliances in the kitchen. On the square kitchen table, a simple pot of faux green grass adds a touch of color.

Ashley says most of the decorative elements came from Pier 1 Imports, Hobby Lobby and TJ Maxx. “You just have to go out and shop all the time,” she says about finding the right pieces. She says she’s been collecting pieces since she was married and brought them together in the new home.

“I like the simplistic, uncluttered look,” Ashley says.

Wide white trim and Mission-style doors add clean lines to Ashley’s décor choices, which are eclectic but connected through their subdued tones. Elements such as fleur de lis add a European touch, while Buddha-inspired artwork adds a multicultural dimension. A leopard rug and bedspread decorate a guest bedroom.

Ashley says they got rid of a lot when they moved and scaled down to achieve the look she wanted.

Resource List

Date built: Summer 2009
Builder: Scott Schaeperkoetter, Signature Homes Inc.
Architect/Designer: Paulette Kreter, Signature Homes Inc.
Interior Designer: Angie Zimmerman, Signature Homes Inc.
Sheet Rock: Mike Simpson
Roofing: S&K Roofing
Painting: Sherwin Williams/Signature Homes Inc.
Windows: Manchester double hung/Quaker Windows and Doors from Scruggs
Lumber: Scruggs Lumber
Cabinets: Holzer Cabinetry
Appliances: Lowe’s
Kitchen/Bath Tiles: Scruggs Lumber/Signature Homes Inc.
Flooring: Howell’s Carpet
Heating & Cooling: Steiferman Heating Inc.
Plumbing: George’s Plumbing
Electrician: M.a.R.C.S. Electric LLC
Fireplace: Best Fireplace
Light Fixtures: Lowes/Homes Depot
Granite: MMG Martellaro Marble and Granite
Concrete: Porter Visser Concrete Construction
Fireplace: Larry Huffman

By Charlotte Atchley

Social networking is evolving into more than just a way to keep up with faraway friends and family. Officials and businesses such as Southbank Gift Company, BK Bakery, Coffee Zone and Initially Yours all use Twitter, Facebook or blogs to reach Jefferson City’s growing online community.

Travis Fitzwater, a local social-networking consultant, says the popularity of Facebook and Twitter is evidence that this is where businesses should be marketing.

“The average Facebook user is on average online 20 minutes a day, not watching ads on TV or reading them in the newspaper,” Fitzwater says. “If you can find them and connect with them on a personal level even through social media, they are more likely to become loyal to your brand.”

Fitzwater warns against using these social networks to simply push product, but Jill Bednar, owner of Southbank Gift Company, has found success through Friday Freebies to promote her products and connect with customers. Every Monday since starting the Facebook page in July, Bednar posts a weekly product to be given away on Friday, and fans of Southbank Gift Company’s page have the rest of the week to comment on the picture. A winner is chosen randomly from those comments. The prizes are usually themed. Past prizes have included an MU tumbler, Christmas tree-scented candle and a Halloween Lolita wine glass. Facebook also serves as a way to remind customers of events the store is sponsoring.

Bednar says she decided to jump right into the social network site. “I just knew that social media was that up-and-coming thing,” says Bednar. “I’m always looking for new ways to get the word out to customers.” Bednar uses Facebook as another form of customer communication along with an e-mail newsletter, direct mail, wish lists and club cards. She plans to add a Twitter account as a way to communicate with customers daily.

BK Bakery started using Facebook and Twitter before the bakery turned on its ovens in mid-August. Owner and pastry chef Brandon Kelly used social media as a way to keep investors informed of the construction progress. Now he uses Twitter and Facebook to draw new customers, showcase his baking skills and open communication with customers.

“Since Brandon isn’t at the counter interacting with customers, it’s a good way for him to communicate with customers,” says Ida Cox, general manager of the bakery. Cox says Kelly responds to all questions that customers leave him. Kelly also posts pictures of new items, and if a regular pastry is having a particularly photogenic day, he’ll post it online. The pictures seem to be working. People come to the bakery and say they saw one of the treats online or they learned about the new business through a mutual Facebook friend.

While Jefferson City businesses are taking advantage of the latest social networks, Jefferson City’s mayor has also been contributing to Jefferson City’s online community. Mayor John Landwehr started his blog, “High Street Beat,” in July 2008 to present a positive, modern image of Jefferson City to potential businesses and future residents. He has expanded that mission to a Twitter account that he started a year later. Landwehr says that social media such as Twitter allow private citizens to participate in the news. Although he believes Facebook is good for sharing with your friends and family, Twitter can be used to spread important information to people who might otherwise remain ignorant.

“Until social media, people would observe and hear interesting things
all the time and could just absorb
that,” Landwehr says. “Now we can share those interesting things we see and hear.”

Jefferson City’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau also uses the Internet to offer ways for people to share those experiences. When the CVB redesigned its Web site a year ago, Communications Manager Sarah Stroesser added a blog and Flickr account to CVB’s online presence, and in the past six months CVB has become active on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Stroesser says these social networks allow CVB to communicate a lot of information with visitors and locals for free. CVB uses Flickr and YouTube as a way to give potential visitors a view of Jefferson City that’s more interactive and colorful than reading text on the Web site. Stroesser also has plans to provide video testimonials from visitors and contests on Facebook. Stroesser’s main objective is to allow visitors and locals to share their Jefferson City experiences with potential visitors.

“Instead of me saying, ‘Do this, do that,’ they can respond, and it gives a personal connection with the destination,” Stroesser says.

Stroesser suggests businesses use Facebook as a starting point when trying to break into social media. She also encourages learning from other businesses online and developing a plan before starting. Landwehr echoes: “Don’t just launch stuff because it’s technologically possible. These are tools to accomplish your goal.”

Dance

Description: Whether you have an interest in dance, want to wow family and friends at special events or are looking for a way to get back in shape, the class schedule at Capital Ritz Dance Studios has something for everyone. Swing, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Tango, Belly Dance, Ballroom and Ballet are a just a few of the classes offered. Dancers ages 12 to 75 are welcome (as long as the student is old enough to understand the instruction and has the attention span of at least one hour). Ballet classes are offered with a variety of skill levels for children, beginning at 6 years old.

Cost: Class prices vary

Location: Capital Ritz Dance Studios, 2712 Plaza Drive

Phone: 573-893-7787

Web site: www.capitalritz.com

Climb

Description: The indoor YMCA climbing wall has 33’ peaks and is open to all ages. Belay certification is required (available for $20) for climbers 12 years and older before their first climb, but certification includes a free month of climbing. Children 5 and under climb free. January to May 2010 climbing hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 to 3 p.m. Climbing wall may be rented for special occasions.

Cost: Ranges from $3 – $13 for a single climb, unlimited monthly passes also available

Location: Firley YMCA, 525 Ellis Blvd.

Phone: 573-761-9000

Web site: www.jcymca.org

Bounce

Description: Leapfrog Fun Center is a child’s dream: 10,000 square feet of bounce houses, inflatable mazes, slides, crawl-through obstacle courses, remote control trains, ball pits and a tunnel maze. When the kids are bouncing off the walls, bring them to Leapfrog where they can literally bounce around. Leapfrog is open seven days a week: Monday througha Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 10 p.m. Children ages 11 and under are welcome.

Cost: Admission gets an all-day pass: ages 3 – 11, $6; ages 2 and under, $3.

Location: Leapfrog Fun Center, 190 W. Simon Blvd., Holts Summit

Phone: 573-298-2014

Web site: www.leapfrogfun.com

Paint

Description: If you’re looking for something to brighten up the grayness of winter, Unique Creations Pottery Studio is the place. It’s light, airy and vibrant. Visitors can choose a piece of pottery (in varying sizes and shapes) to paint. Choosing bright colors and intriguing color combinations for a uniquely you piece is only half the fun. Once painted, the pieces are left at the studio for firing in the kiln and can be picked up in about a week’s time. Unique Creations is good for all ages and is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Price varies depending on pottery piece chosen

Location: Unique Creations, 3218 W. Edgewood Drive

Phone: 573-893-6111

Skate

Description: It might be cold outside, but a little cold inside can be fun. Open for public sessions as well as classes for children and adults, hockey leagues and figure skating, the Washington Park Ice Arena is a fun-filled way for the entire family to enjoy the cold season. Contact the ice arena for a schedule of public sessions or to sign up for classes or teams.

Cost: Public sessions for adults $4, ages 17 and under $3; skate rental $2; lessons and team skating fees vary

Location: Washington Park Ice Arena, 711 Kansas St.

Phone: 573-634-6580

Web site: www.jeffcitymo.org/parks/icearena.html

Splash

Description: The polar opposite of the ice arena, Timber Falls Indoor Water Park is an indoor summer splash party. Parents can float the lazy river while the snow swirls outside and children ride down the water slides. Top the day off with snacks at the concession stand, and a soak in the 21-seat whirlpool. Timber Falls is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday year-round, but visit the Web site for hours and selected weekday hours, as the schedule might change.

Cost: Water park passes are not included in Tan-Tar-A room rates. Passes are $17 per person per day for hotel guests and $22 per person per day for non-hotel guests.

Location: Tan Tar A Resort, 494 Tan Tar A Drive, Osage Beach

Phone: 573-302-5024

Web site: www.tan-tar-a.com