Lifestyles

Teenagers can be great on family vacations — if you let them live a little and make their own decisions.

The Ricketts marked Independence Day by gathering for a meal at Cosmopolitan Park, restarting a tradition that began nearly 20 years ago.

Seven Columbia residents are part of a "Team In Training" that is raising money to participate in a triathlon this September to benefit research for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. 

An MU student left Wednesday for Panama to offer shoebox gifts to San Blas youth, who lack the supplies to go to school. The trip is offered through Samaritan's Purse, a non-denominational organization that emphasizes international relief and introducing the word of God.

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, the second-oldest orchestra in the nation, is declaring a successful season in terms of attendance and ticket sales.

The new Missouri Psychiatric Center is to replace the Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center. The new center is to operate under MU Health Care with most of its existing staff.

Despite the decline in the number of West Nile cases over the past six years, Missourians should still be cautious over the next few months.

Arborists have been taking wood samples from the popular McBaine oak tree, using them to create little clone trees called grafts in order to preserve the 350-year-old tree's DNA. 

Amir Ziv hopes to break ground on the cottages, but must follow several city requirements.

The three-acre Citygarden, which was funded with $30 million from the nonprofit Gateway Foundation, is free to the public and offers an audio tour including the voices of St. Louis leaders such as Hall of Fame Cardinal Ozzie Smith.

The Walking School Bus Program needs to find $75,000 to cover costs for the 2009-2010 school year. The program, run by PedNet Coalition, recruits volunteer chaperones to help kids walk to school safely.

Members of Columbia Hope Episcopal Church listened to a presentation about racism and shared visions for change.

Two Columbia pastors, one from Woodcrest Chapel and another from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, are both taking time off. Pieter Van Waarde and Paul H. Moessner recognize the importance of taking time for personal reflection.

Churches in Columbia find dynamic, creative, and fun-filled ways of presenting their faith to children through summertime Vacation Bible School programs.

Some outdoor events required extra precautions but are still going strong after a week of intense heat.

Heather Hughes hula hoops every day as a way to relax and express herself. She makes her own hoops and sells home-made hoops at festivals and the Sedalia Area Farmers' Market.

Crossing guard Cedar Albert spends her days slowing down the cars that drive by Eugene Field Elementary and has become a familiar face on Range Line Street.

Take a look at the many successes and controversies of the King of Pop, from his days in the Jackson 5 to his death on Thursday.

Despite his faith in God, Joseph Snow has no desire to go to heaven just yet. He says he has work left to do here, and hospice volunteers are making sure he can comfortably continue working in his garden.