Most Columbia residents know that the Columbia Missouri Humane Society is excited to have won Phase 1 of the ZooToo.com Million Dollar Shelter Makeover.   So, Phase 2 here we come!   

On Thursday, March 19 the Zootoo.com founder and CEO will be in Columbia to interview the CMHS staff and visit the shelter.  ZooToo.com representatives will be visiting the 20 shelters that moved onto Phase 2 to interview staff and visit the shelter.  On April 7, Zootoo will choose 10 of the 20 shelters to move on to Phase 3 to win the million dollar makeover.

Community support is an important part of Phase 2 and can influence the decision on the shelters that will move forward to Phase 3. 

From the news release:

Community support is an essential part of Phase II," said Patty Forister, CMHS Executive Director. "They need assurance that the public will help us through such a large renovation project." The CMHS would like for the community to show their support again by wearing blue. The White Knight trolley will take Thompson through town via Hwy. 63 N. to Broadway to Providence Rd. to Vandiver Dr. to Rangeline Rd. to Big Bear Blvd. People are encouraged to stage themselves along Broadway or join the welcoming committee at the shelter at 10:45 a.m. to wait their arrival.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for CMHS and the community," said Maria Furey, President of the CMHS Board of Directors. "Bring your posters and wear blue and help us get to that next phase."

Remember to thank Columbia Catholic School students, Libby Burks and Amanda Huhman, who brought the zootoo.com contest to the publics attention.  Way to go Libby and Amanda!

The Mud Room is a place to explore your creative side while painting decorative and functional ceramics.  A special place for the kids to paint a master piece and for ladies to enjoy a Moms night out.  An experience for the whole family!  Our favorite anniversary presents for grandparents are platters with the kids handprints.  The Mud Room staff are excellent at helping get that perfect handprint with a "tickle" of paint on hands.

Columbia public schools will be on Spring Break next week and the Mudroom is offering the following Spring Break specials.

           Spring Break-  March 23-29, 2009

          Open Monday, March 23 from 10:00 - 5:00 pm

          Regular Hours March 24-29

50% off Kids' studio fees - Monday, March 23 - Friday, March 27
$2.00 Studio Fee   12 years & under
$3.50 Studio Fee   12 -18 year olds

Get creative and make some memories!

If you know someone who is currently looking for new employment, you'll definitely want to pass along this deal to them! FedEx is offering free printing of up to 25 copies of your resume tomorrow (Tuesday, March 10, 2009).

The company is inviting customers to participate in this service to help job seekers and are offering to print 25 copies of each customers resume in black ink for free.  There are 1,600 Fed Ex Office stores nationwide and orders must be placed and picked up in the store.

Check out their website for more information!  http://news.van.fedex.com/freeresumeprinting

I work from home so the internet has become a necessity in our house.  My husband finally got himself a laptop and tears came to my eyes the first time I got an e-mail from him.  My daughters received Webkinz for Christmas, so we now have a new daily ritual of checking on their Webkinz world. 

Although we live in the country we are only 6 miles outside of Columbia.  When we first moved into our house, dial up was our only internet option.  Then Wild Blue internet was offered by our local electric co-op.  It cost us approx. $300 for the equipment with a monthly fee of $79.95 per month for the fastest service.  It is not a cheap option and if it is raining with cloud cover, I take the afternoon off because the satellite won't work.  My husband also enjoys reminding me that it really doesn't seem much faster than dial-up.  Ouch! 

We received a notice in the mail the other day that we now qualify DSL.  Yahoo Hoo!  But, what we qualify for is extended service DSL and we would be the last on the line.  The speeds they quoted us were slower than the speed of our satellite internet, but the reduction in monthly rates is making me almost consider it.

Or, maybe I should try getting an air card from my cell phone company.  But then again, my husband wouldn't be able to e-mail me from his laptop the same time I e-mail him while the kids spend their limit of 10 minutes on the Webkinz website.

Hey, at least now we have options!

I ran across some information on the University of Missouri Extension website tonight that I wanted to share. 

The MU student chapter of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) will host a fundraiser this spring.  The annual Rent-a-Forester fundraiser.   Approximately 17 University of Missouri forestry students are available on a first come, first serve basis to help trim shrubs and trees. 

Their goal is to raise $2,500 to cover the expense of attending the 2009 national SAF convention this fall in Orlando, Florida.

The held this fundraiser last year as well and their time slots filled up fast so ontact members of the chapter for more information!

For more information, contact one of the following chapter officers: Dave Haberl, president, at djhwv9@mizzou.edu; Shane Botard, vice president, at sabn8c@mizzou.edu; or Ashley Owens, secretary, at amowwd@mizzou.edu.

What a clever and unique way to use their skills to earn the money they need to attend this convention!

Mid-Missouri Home and Garden Show in Columbia, Missouri

February 28 - March 1

They are predicting snow this weekend so why not spend a family afternoon at the Hearnes Center at the annual Mid-Missouri Home and Garden show.  I enjoy visiting with the different businesses and community groups.  My children enjoy the large amount of free marketing materials they get to pick up.  Boone Electric is usually there and each year they give away tree seedlings.  We have several planted in the backyard and they are doing great!

The show also features Jim Parks, host of HGTV's "New Spaces" on the expo stage. 

The show is set in the Hearnes Center Field house located on the campus of the University of Missouri- Columbia.  The hours of the event will be from 2 to 8 pm Friday, 10 am - 8:00 pm Saturday, and 10 am - 4:00 pm Sunday.  Admission is $5 per person or free for children younger than 12.   Parking is available on the east side of the Hearnes Center.

My family and children are the joy of my life.  We have become quite familiar with the birthday party offerings in Columbia.  A client and new mom in town asked for some ideas and I'm happy to update this list and share!!!

A Musical Birthday!  Kindermusik with Brenda

Ages newborn to 8, up to 15 children
Children under 3 must have adult supervision.
$60 for 30 minutes of activities
$75 for 45 minutes of activities
a $25 non-refundable deposit is required
with the balance to be paid the day of the party

Held at your location an empty space --furniture moved to the walls & knick-knacks out of
sight-- for sitting on the floor and gross-motor movement OR
Held at the Kindermusik with Brenda Studio
additional $50 facility fee

*Travel within 20 miles of ZIP 65203.  If travel is over 20 miles, an extra travel fee may apply.

Party Favors
Red Kindermusik Egg Shakers $4 each or $7 per pair.
Red One-Bell Jingles $4 or $7 per pair
Set of Wooden Rhythm sticks $4
Other items available to go along with your theme.

Book your child's most musical and FUN birthday party early!

What will we do?
A Licensed Kindermusik Educator will present age
appropriate activities to promote social interaction, pretend
play, movement and more based around your theme.

Kindermusik with Brenda
Brenda Haynes, MEd
573-881-1574
brenda@kindermusikwithbrenda.com

Going Bonkers- 

An indoor play area. They have separate party rooms and you will get your own party host to help serve pizza, drinks and clean up after.  Going Bonkers gets busy on the weekends so if you plan a party there, try to get the first slot of the day. 

www.goingbonkers.com/

Flipz USA Gymnastics

Flipz is a 15,000 sq. foot state of the art gymnastics facility.  Party times are usually available on the weekends and typically include private use of the gym, a personal coach to insure the children are safe and enjoy facilities.  The Flipz birthday parties are one of my children's favorites and they have been taking lessons there for almost five years.

http:\\www.flipzusa.com/

The Little Gym

In my opinion, The Little Gym offers one of the most enjoyable parties for kids as well as the adult.  Why for the adult too?  Well, TLG mails your invitations, decorates the party room, and organizes activities for the kids.  They coordinate the whole party from cake cutting; fun time and even help the present opening go smoothly.  The best party I have had for my children.  Not only did they have a blast, but it was so easy on me!  Bring the cake and they do the rest!

www.thelittlegym.com/

Chuck E Cheese

Yes, we have one now!  What more can I say?   The kids love it!

www.chuckecheese.com/

Bowling Alley

The AMF Town and Country Lanes on Providence has been remolded.  If you haven't been there in a while, you really need to check it out.  With the smoking ban, it really has become a more family friendly environment and my children really enjoyed the bowling party they attended.

http://www.amf.com/townandcountrylanesmo/centerHomepage.html

Horsin O Round

Our most recent birthday party was at a horse stable located west of Jefferson City.  After a quick mini lesson, the children mounted their horses.  Towards the end of the hour long horse time, my daughters horse got a slap on the rump which sent them trotting around the ring.  I held my breath and she squealed in delight.  It was a trek down to Jefferson City, but it was a unique and exciting party that my daughter will never forget.  I highly recommend this location for a birthday party!

horsinoround.com/

Stephens Lake Park

Columbia is lucky to be home to a progressive parks department.  Stephens Lake is one of the cities newest parks.  Sitting on 114 acres just east of downtown, the park consists of a swimming/fishing lake, sledding hill, individual picnic shelters, restroom facilities and 3 different playgrounds.  There is also an indoor pavilion available to rent.

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/Parks/Stephens_Lake/