Praxis

Homegrown Missouri food

2008-04-18T11:42:00.006-06:00

Finally, spring is here! We can open our windows, plant our beans and potatoes, and light the grill! My mouth is already watering for Missouri strawberries and blueberries. It's almost time for Rhubarb pie and sugar snap peas.

Here in mid-Missouri we have lots of options for eating fresh, ripe, local produce all through spring, summer and fall. Perhaps the easiest place to find the harvest is the Farmer's Market. There are two markets in Columbia:

Columbia Farmers Market

Saturdays 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (Apr-Nov)
Mon. & Wed. 4-6 p.m. (May-Oct)
Behind the ARC on the corner of Clinkscales and Ash Streets

Boone County Farmers Market

Saturdays 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (Apr-Oct)
Mon. & Wed. 4-6 p.m. (May 12-Sept)
Parking lot of the Health Department Building, 1005 W. Worley Street

There are other ways to get local produce as well. CSAs (Community-Supported Agriculture programs) allow members to invest in the farm at the beginning of the growing season and then reap the harvest throughout the spring, summer and fall. Typically a CSA membership provides you with a weekly supply of food. By supporting a farm this way, members can give farmers the start-up funds needed to plant and grow, and members both share in the bounty when the weather is good and help take the fall if there is drought or crop damage. Pierpont Farms is an active CSA in Columbia.

To have the most fun, pick your own! There are many places in mid-Missouri to pick fruits and veggies, including Sunny Acres Farm, Pick-n-Pick and Grown in Paradise to name a few. Here's a great site that lists area U-pick farms: http://www.pickyourown.org/MO.htm. Terra Bella farm has a season-round stand and offers farm tours.

And, finally, to truly appreciate the source of your food, plant the seeds yourself. Create a garden in your backyard. If you don't have the yard space for this, you can obtain a plot through the Community Garden Coalition or Big Canoe. The latter also offers the option of working in already established gardens for food.

Of course, the most convenient place to get food is the grocery store. The Root Cellar offers locally grown food throughout the growing season, and you can get some local produce at Schnucks. You can also find local milk, eggs and cheeses at a variety of stores including Clover's and HyVee.

Graduate Education Week 2008

2008-04-03T14:03:00.005-06:00

In 2006, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed a proclamation declaring that the state would designate a week every April to celebrate the accomplishments of graduate students and raising awareness of the benefits of an advanced degree. This year’s Graduate Education Week will take place from April 14–19 and Mizzou is hosting a variety of events to mark the joyous occasion:

Getting into Graduate School: the Basics & Getting into Graduate School: Making Your Application Stand Out

Tell all of your friends who aren’t in grad school to attend these two events, held on April 14 and 15 in Memorial Union S304 and Memorial Union N222/223, respectively. These seminars will help prospective graduate students to better understand the benefits of an advanced degree and how to get into graduate school.

Graduate School Open House

Come see where all the behind-the-scenes graduate school action takes place on April 17 from 3-4:30 p.m. in 210 Jesse. Learn who’s really responsible for tuition waivers and graduate student insurance—it can’t hurt, right?

Adventures in Education

This fun event, held from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday in Jesse Hall, includes interactive exhibits put on by graduate students that engage kids in the exciting world of advanced education. Exhibits this year include Colors of Chemistry, where kids can make their own slime, African Masks & Fabric Printing and What Happens When Cells Freeze? There will also be FREE tiger stripe ice cream!

Other events on campus

In addition to the Graduate School’s Adventures in Education Fair, there are other (non Graduate Education Week-related) events across campus on Saturday, April 19. The School of Veterinary Medicine will also be holding an open house that includes a petting zoo, the Budweiser Clydesdales and a scavenger hunt. Additionally, there will also be a Physics & Chemistry Open House that will include fun experiments for kids, demonstrations of science equipment and recipes for cooking with chemistry!

The Graduate School encourages you to get involved with Graduate Education Week, if only to give yourself a pat on the back for contributing some great research to the world of advanced education!

Pack Light This Spring Break!

2008-03-21T13:41:00.002-06:00

For those of us lucky enough to be going somewhere this Spring Break, here’s a tip for you: packing light makes your life easier. I know that’s a tip I really could have used last summer as I lugged my 50-pound suitcase up and down the metro stairs across many a country in Europe. Learn specifically how you can pack less in this article (courtesy ZenHabits Blog via Lifehacker). In fact, this abbreviated packing list includes just enough items to fill one backpack. So carry on this vacation to reduce your stress and increase your fun! The Graduate School wishes all graduate students a relaxing and safe Spring Break.

International Week

2008-02-29T12:29:00.003-06:00

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? The International Fashion Show takes place this Saturday, March 1, at 7 p.m. in Jesse Auditorium. Learn a little more about other cultures through their fashion and experience their dances and music through exciting performances. Read more about preparations for the event in this article in the Columbia Missourian before you go.

This event is sponsored by the MSA/GPC International Programming Committee.

Spring break close to home

2008-02-27T09:45:00.005-06:00

Okay, I admit it. I envy those of you who will spend spring break (March 22-30) on a sunny island somewhere a tad closer to the equator. I really do. But what about the rest of us, who, for various reasons, are stuck in Columbia for part or all of spring break? Assuming Mother Nature is in a slightly better mood in a month, we can have some fun, too. Now's the time to make your local spring break plans.

Visitmo.com is a great place to start hatching ideas.

Here are a few possibilities:

For some outdoor exposure, visit one of Missouri's beautiful state parks, float the Current River or go mountain biking in the Ozarks.
St. Louis: There are plenty of things to do in the state's largest city, aside from going up in the Arch. Check out the Botanical Garden, the City Museum, art galleries, the zoo (free!) or riverboat casinos, to name a few.
Tour Missouri's wineries.
Branson: I admit I have not had a Branson vacation myself, but people do come from all around for the shows and attractions in that quirky southern Missouri city.

Of course you'll find many more ideas out there. There is fun to be had for the rest of us.

Write Meaningful Follow-Up Letters

2008-02-22T09:18:00.002-06:00

This article (courtesy of Freelance Switch via Lifehacker), is especially useful to me today as I prepare to attend the College of Business Career Fair. I’ll probably meet at least a few recruiters who I’m interested in following up with, and chances are these same recruiters will receive countless follow-up letters from other eager students as well. So how do I make my correspondence stand out from the crowd and remind the recruiter of who I am? Following up quickly and including action items in my note are only some of the useful tips this post mentions.

You know you’ve sent out at least a few blanket “It was great to meet you last week” letters in your own professional life. Give these techniques a try and make your follow-up letters a powerful networking tool.

Share your research with kids

2008-02-18T12:21:00.005-06:00

Think you know your research inside and out? Try presenting it to grade-schoolers! The Graduate School is looking for grad students to present their work in a fun, hands-on way to children in grades 2-6 at Adventures in Education on Saturday, April 19. This family-focused event at Jesse Hall is a part of our week-long celebration of Graduate Education Week April 14-19.

Please contact us at gradwebeditor@missouri.edu if you are interested in presenting or providing help with the event.

True/False Film Festival

2008-02-14T09:19:00.004-06:00

Local Film Festival February 28 – March 2

The True/False Film Festival returns to Columbia for the fifth year on “Leap Day Weekend.” This festival, begun by the owners of Columbia’s Ragtag Cinema, showcases thought-provoking documentary films from other festivals (including the Sundance Film Festival) and films that haven’t yet premiered anywhere else.

Individual Tickets on Sale February 28

As of January 7, festival-goers had the option of purchasing a “Simple,” “Lux,” or “Silver Circle Patron” Pass. These passes allow purchasers to view all film screenings and entitles them to a number of other perks, depending on the level purchased. The passes quickly sold out, however, so you’ll have to settle for purchasing tickets for individual shows starting on the first day of the festival. Read a little about the films that will be screened at the festival here to decide which you want to attend. Happy watching!

How to Turn a Bad Day Around

2008-02-07T15:02:00.000-06:00

I’m currently in the throes of a bad day, so I thought I’d look into this topic today. This article, via eHow, outlines exact steps to take to turn your bad day around. If you ever find yourself on campus all day without the option of just going home and calling the day a loss (as I have been inclined to do before), maybe these steps will help you. I’ll even work through them as an example to see if they help me. Here goes:

Don't try to fight your bad mood.

No problem here. I’ve already accepted this fact.

Tell the people that you work with so they will know not to bother you.

I don’t know about this one. It seems obnoxious to announce to everyone that “I’m having a bad day. Stay out of my way!”

Think about what happened to put you in this bad mood.

Locking my significant other out of the house and the dog in the house. Failing a quiz. Numerous meetings that require me to trek all over campus.

Try and remember what makes you happy.

Naps.

Take a long lunch break or a walk around the block to think things over.

Too cold out. And I have heels on.

When you leave for lunch pretend like you are leaving for the day, so when you come back it's like a whole new day and mood.

Well, this one just sounds silly to me. Let’s disregard it.

OK, there are some tips to help you turn your own day around. I feel somewhat better just writing about my own bad day, so perhaps writing therapy should be added to the list. Here’s hoping that you’re able to turn your bad days around in the future!

Thirteen Frequently Overlooked Tax Deductions

2008-01-31T11:32:00.000-06:00

My friend just became a Certified Public Accountant at a big firm and has to work 70- to 80-hour weeks until the end of April. Ah, tax season. Make the dreaded chore of doing your taxes more enjoyable (or at least more bearable) this year by reading up on 13 tax deductions that you may be eligible for but which are often overlooked. Some of the more interesting to me are student loan interest paid by Mom & Dad and reinvested dividends—who knew that the money automatically reinvested in my Roth IRA is tax-deductible? It’s also interesting to note that while you can’t deduct job search expenses, you can deduct moving expenses once you get that first job. Something for me to keep in mind for next year...

via Lifehacker

Spread the Love on Valentine's Day

2008-01-29T11:24:00.000-06:00

It's easy to run out at the last minute for flowers and chocolate, but have you ever stopped to think about where that dozen roses or box of candy came from? The floral industry uses the most pesticides of all agricultural sectors, and most chocolate is grown in the rainforest (or what was the rainforest). This year, spread the love of Valentine's Day to Mother Nature as well by giving your special someone a gift that is environmentally friendly and fair-trade.

A few ideas: How about a rose bush from a local nursery instead of cut flowers? And fair-trade chocolate instead of just anything off the supermarket shelves. And how about a bottle of organic wine? Hand-made cards and gifts are of course the best for the environment and the most meaningful to your loved one.

You can find fair-trade chocolates and other treats locally at Clover's Natural Markets, the Peace Nook, Gerbes, HyVee or, of course, you can find them all over the Web.

Here's a helpful blog with more eco-friendly Valentine's suggestions.

Visit the Green Guide for more information about the environmental impact of the products you find on the store shelves.

Learn about A Presidential Candidate's Stance on an Issue

2008-01-28T11:24:00.000-06:00

OK, I’ll admit that I’m not as knowledgeable about the various presidential candidates’ platforms as I should be. This isn’t entirely because I’m lazy, though; it’s at least partially because I get incredibly tired of the issues being covered again and again in the 18 months leading up to the election. Now that Super Tuesday is fast approaching, however (February 5, everybody), I guess it’s time to get up-to-speed on the candidates’ exact stances. Good thing I have CNNPolitics.com, a comprehensive site for reading up on candidate’s views. The site also has detailed information about each candidate, primaries and caucuses and debates. Other sites to help keep you on top of things include PresidentialElection.com, the Washington Post and the New York Times.

Ignore Myths About the Cold and Get Exercising

2008-01-18T09:08:00.000-06:00

Here's a little post (via Lifehacker) that dispels common myths about exercising in the cold (anyone ever heard that cold air is bad for the lungs?). This is a great post because it takes away every excuse I had to give up exercise once the cold weather hits. Even though I have a gym membership, I’ve been running outside recently and I’ve been surprised by how great I feel—not just because I’m exercising, but also because I get to shake off a little of the cabin fever to which I’ve grown so accustomed. If you generally hibernate indoors all winter, you might want to try it, too.

Need a little push to get you out the door? Try joining the Columbia Track Club, which has group runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. If running isn’nt your thing, try the Columbia Bike Club or just walking on one of the city's many trails.

Social Networking for Biomedical Scientists

2008-01-14T11:04:00.000-06:00

Maybe you have a Facebook or MySpace page, and maybe you don't. They can be fun distractions, but there not really good at helping you get work done. For those of you in the biomedical and life sciences fields, there is a new social networking site called biomedexperts.com . You many not be able to play Oregon Trail, but you can find other scientists with similar research interests. And while not quite as fun as MySpace or Facebook, it could most definitely help you advance your research career.

Savings in the New Year

2008-01-11T08:47:00.000-06:00

OK, so I’m not going to lie: at least part of my decision to return to school was based on a desire for a higher salary. What I’ve since learned, however, is that another degree (or a higher salary) alone won’t guarantee future wealth. It turns out that saving is really the key to success.

In the book The Richest Man in Babylon (George Samuel Clason), one of the main mantras is “A part of everything I earn is mine to keep”—in other words, refrain from spending all of your money and you can invest it, thereby eventually providing yourself with a constant stream of wealth. By the way, this book was originally published in 1926, at least a partial testament to the truths in the book.

While saving and personal finance might strike you as incredibly dry subjects, it seems difficult to get through life without at least partially mastering them. And besides, you don’t want that higher salary you’ll be earning someday soon go to waste, do you?

Check out some of the personal finance blogs below to start learning more!

I Will Teach you to Be Rich

Wise Bread: Living Large on a Small Budget

Get Rich Slowly

Things to do when it's cold

2008-01-03T10:52:00.001-06:00

It has been dastardly cold in Columbia over the past week. In my attempt to stay positive about the season, here are some things to do in Columbia when it's rediculously frigid:

Warm up with a cup of coffee and lunchtime or evening music at the Cherry Street Artisan.
Bake cookies or – better yet – bread to warm up your house and your tum.
Rent a movie and heat up some apple cider. Order a pizza while you're at it.
Bowl! Try AMF lanes on Providence or save a few bucks and hit T.A. Brady's if you can do without beer or accurate scoring.
Learn to knit or crochet.
Fill up with a good meal and a live jazz pianist at Murry's.
Clean out your closets. Drop off some extra winter gear at the Wardrobe or the Salvation Army.
Of course there are always the bars. Check out Vox Magazine to see what bands are playing around town.
Settle in with a book from the New York Times Best Seller List.
Plan a garden for the spring.

7 Habits of Highly Ineffective People

2007-12-21T10:45:00.000-06:00

The Positivity Blog has an interesting post on what habits characterize ineffective people, a twist on Steven Covey's famous “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Although there are no earth-moving truths here, it is sometimes good to be reminded of what not to do. I know that I (somewhat alarmingly) seem to be exhibiting a number of the traits of ineffective people lately, and though I’ve chalked that up to end-of-the-year restlessness, it did motivate me to resolve to work more effectively in the new year. Here’s to a wonderful (if a bit ineffective) end to your own year, and a very productive year to come!

Energy Vampires

2007-12-14T11:14:00.000-06:00

Here’s a statement of the obvious for you: it’s cold outside. If you can’t tell just by looking outside, you can certainly tell by looking at your energy bill. Although cold weather brings higher gas prices, you can attempt to offset the increase by unplugging some of your most energy-inefficient household appliances when they’re not in use. Here’s an interesting article (via Lifehacker) that points out exactly how much energy your “energy vampires” use.

Here’s to staying warm on the cheap this holiday season.

Holiday Schmooze

2007-12-12T11:35:00.000-06:00

As always, Jorge Cham nails it. I'll be spending some time with some faculty members this week in a festive setting, and I imagine I'll be seeing a bit of the above. I don't really mind schmoozing with faculty from my wife's department - the trick is to always have an out. You certainly don't want to get cornered by some tenured weirdo who wants to tell you about his collection of .... anything really. So here are a couple of helpful excuses to get you out of an awkward conversation...

Can you hang on one sec? I have to check in with my wife/husband/friend/boyfriend. He/she has something the doctors think may be that flesh eating bacteria...(the beauty of this is that you will not be approached by this person again. Ever.)
I hate to change the subject, but I would love a chance to tell you about a fantastic business opportunity. What do you know about guano (that's bat poop)?
I'm sorry - I've just received a telepathic message warning me of an impending alien attack. I must prepare my defenses. Assuming we both survive the alien apocalypse, we can resume this conversation as we attempt to rebuild society.

I know I'll use a couple of these. Happy Holidays.

The best use yet for Google

2007-12-03T14:32:00.001-06:00

Alright, maybe you figured this one out on your own, but I, for one, did not. Good thing I have a co-worker to let me in on the biggest secret of the year...

When you're shopping online, whatever the site or store, just before you hit the check-out button from your shopping cart, do a quick Google search for coupons or discount key codes for that site. You'll be amazed with what you come up with. Some people have entire forums dedicated to the latest discounts.

I saved 20 percent the first time.

Yep, it was my most exciting Google moment.

Happy holiday shopping.

Give with a purpose

2007-11-29T10:15:00.000-06:00

We’ve all been there (well, most of us anyway): the last-minute holiday shopping panic that causes us to blindly buy gifts. We’s overwhelmed by the crowds and the omnipresent advertising and the number of recipients for whom we need to buy. This year, take a deep breath and try a few tips for some conscientious present shopping:

Consider adopting a family for Christmas, rather than (or in addition to) exchanging gifts. You’d probably get more satisfaction from helping a family in need than receiving another fashionably-questionable sweater, anyway. The Adopt-A-Family program is sponsored by the Voluntary Action Center located here in Columbia. Beginning October 1 of each year, call 573-449-6959 to sign up.

Not sure if being responsible for someone else's entire Christmas is for you? You could also give a charity gift card (just what it sounds like), or you could buy a gift that donates a portion of the proceeds to charity–several available online at Amazon.

Lastly, should you prefer to keep your charitable efforts and your holiday giving separate, make sure that your recipient will actually enjoy their gift by picking out one tailored to their personality at Gifts.com This popular Web site allows you to view gifts by gender, personality type and occasion.

Here’s to getting your gift shopping done and to getting gifts with a purpose!

TravelZoo

2007-11-15T16:03:00.000-06:00

Although this directly contradicts our previous post, it is sometimes nice to get out of town. Even better when you can do it cheaply. That’s where TravelZoo comes in: the company finds and evaluates the best travel deals out there–and they only publish those whose accuracy and availability they can confirm, so no shady deals here.

They even make it easy with TravelZoo’s Top 20, which aggregates the week’s best 20 deals and sends it to you in a neatly-packaged e-mail. This week’s Top 20 includes a $338 flight to London from NY or Washington D.C. with a free hotel stay, a $199 Carribean 4-night cruise from Miami and holiday airfare for about $100 roundtrip. In order to get these steals, you often have to book immediately or leave at very specific times, so these are not so much for you plan-ahead types. But for those of you still looking for an excuse to avoid the family this Thanksgiving, this might be just the ticket. No pun intended.

5 Reasons to Stay in Columbia Over Thanksgiving

2007-11-13T12:45:00.000-06:00

While it seems unavoidable that I will have to travel over Thanksgiving, I’ve thought a great deal about how nice it would be to stay in Columbia over the Thanksgiving break. The following are my carefully crafted reasons why.

5) Airports on holidays suck. No getting around it. Unless you’re the type of masochist who enjoys long lines, intrusive pat downs and cramped seats, airports are to be avoided

4) Remember those nice international students in your department? Think about how much fun you could have showing them a proper American Thanksgiving – overeating, overdrinking, and then sleeping through a football game.

3) Cooking your own turkey could make you feel like a real grownup. You’ll probably mess it up, but that is part of being an adult. After you’ve burnt it or undercooked it or whatever, you can throw some money at the problem and get some Chinese takeout. Also like a grownup.

2) No awkward run-ins in your hometown. For me, there is always that one awkward encounter – an ex-girlfriend, guy who really likes me but I can’t remember his name.

1) It is not inconceivable that you would get some work done. It’s not likely, either, but it’s not inconceivable.

Whatever you do, have a fun and safe holiday.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Bucklava

The colors of graduation

2007-11-07T10:42:00.000-06:00

Graduation time grows near. I've been to every Graduate School commencement for the last 5 years, so I'm pretty well schooled in the ins and outs of graduating. This article on the colors of graduation was news to me, though. Everybody has to wear a funny outfit at graduation, but this article explains why some funny outfits are one color, and others another color.

For those of you attending this year's graduate school commencement (congratulations, by the way), I'll be the one standing at the back of the room pointing which way you should walk. It's a very important job, you know. I guess your job is important as well - show up in your funny outfit and smile a lot.

Showing your professional side - online

2007-11-05T11:42:00.000-06:00

You probably have a Facebook or MySpace page. I've got both, and I love my online network. But if I were in the market for a job, these would not be the pages I would want my prospective employers to stumble across. (Although compared to many, they are quite tame.)

Enter Yahoo Kickstart. This is a free online network similar to Facebook and MySpace, but it is a place for you to put your professional side forward. Basically, it's a free online resume. Nice.

Tell prospective employers where you've worked and where you've gone to school. Then network with people and companies, and affiliate yourself with groups. You can view other MU profiles if you choose "Colleges" from the drop-down search menu, and then enter University of Missouri-Columbia.

These days, when you apply for a job, expect to get Googled. In preparation, Google yourself and see what you come across. Adjust the privacy settings of your Facebook and MySpace pages if they have the potential to reveal embarrassing drunken photos, etc. And try to get your name out on the Web in places that highlight your achievements, rather than telling the world how much fun you had on Saturday night. (Though I'm glad you had a good time.)