America : Here and Now

America Here and Now is an ambitious project to bring our country together in these fractious political times. This group of artists will travel across the country stopping in cities and communities to stage art experiences. Their hope is that it will renew the appreciation for creativity in our society as well and ignite conversations through the catalyst of art.

Their thoughts: "Conversations will explore themes such as great American journeys, special memories, hopes for our country, and the roles innovation and creativity must play in our future.
America: Now and Here presents a cross-disciplinary experience in visual art, poetry, music, theater, and film as the foundation for engaging audiences in a unique American experience.  Through art, people will come together for timely dialogues about America, sharing their insights, ideas, and points of view. Through the America: Now and Here experience, everyone can participate in an exciting national conversation and contribute to this historic American journey."
 
 The first stop of the tour is in Kansas City. It kicks off tomorrow and runs through the 28th. I deifnitely think this is day trip worthy. Check out the calendar of events and website for more info.  

Tackling Thai Food : Chim's Thai Kitchen

Thai food in Columbia has been a challenge for me. Too much of it seems like Chinese food with peanut sauce thrown on it. I tried everyone's favorites and had a few dishes here and there that became favorites. But overall, I had written off Thai food in Columbia, Missouri.

Until last week when I met my pal Scott at the new Chim's location. He'd been sining the praises of the Jefferson City location to me as long as I had know him. But he had never brought me any despite repeated requests. I could have made it out to Cooper's Landing and had some for myself (they run the Thai truck there) but somehow bike riding + outside with bugs didn't = Thai for me. So lunch was my first Chim's experience.

We ordered the Tom Yum Kai soup to share and each got one of our Thai faves. I went with the Laab and Scott got the Pad Kra Pao. I asked for a spice level of seven while Scott kicked it up to nine. Since Marcia Vanderlip was there writing a story for the Tribune, our food was served to us by Chim herself.

And then my taste buds were happy. Finally Thai dishes that were subtle and layered. It takes skill to make fish sauce tickle your taste buds instead of walloping your jaw. My baselines (Laab and Tom Yum Kai) were executed well but it was really Scott's dish that won me over. The balance of Thai basil and peppers hit the mark and the fresh bell peppers added color and crunch. I would go back again and again just to eat it.

Get yourself over there stat. It's in Peachtree but it's less puzzling than most. Take a left at Break Time, and it's down a few feet on your right. Go, eat, and ask for extra fish sauce.

Chim’s Thai Kitchen, 3907 Peach Tree Lane at Nifong Square; 777-8626. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Fancy Dinners Out

So today my husband and I have been married nine years and we're celebrating with a night out on the town. But we haven't picked a place. Where should we go?

And just for fun, a picture from our wedding...

The Purple Dress Project

If you haven't noticed Ashley Hasty already, then let me be the first to tell you about this local blogger and her month long fund raising effort.

I met Ashley through Twitter and when she won a Hoot Design print on the blog, I suggested we have lunch. During lunch I learned about her year long struggle with Crohn's disease. As someone who suffers from an auto-immune disease, I really related to her helplessness and admired her fortitude. Not only did she continue through her PhD program while in and out of the hospital, she decided to take on the disease when she recovered.

Instead of just making a donation or joining a walk (though she is doing both of those things), she decided to combine her love of fashion with her cause and conceived the Purple Dress Project. Every day in April she is wearing the same purple dress to show that living with Crohn's is not something to be ashamed of. She's put a glamorous spin on a very unglamorous disease.

You can learn more about the project on Ashely's blog. And you can donate to The Purple Dress Project here. Please comment if you do because I will be donating a $1 for every comment up to 50.

Pouring Missouri Wines

After attending two wine conferences in the first two weeks of April, I have been doing a lot more thinking about what I chose to drink. I admit that I have a love for foreign wines and most of my wine funds go there. But after hearing wineries speak with such passion about their product and hearing Todd Kilman ask why the localvore movement ignores local wine, I am determined to turn over a new leaf.

So while I a plan to cover more Missouri wines here and on my new #winechat page, I also want to put my grapes where my mouth is and start drinking more Missouri wines. So tell me, what do you drink? What's your favorite winery to travel to?

Drink Wine with Me : Drink Local Wine Missouri

This weekend will be a celebration of all things Missouri Wine. The Drink Local Wine conference is pulling up to St. Louis this Saturday to talk regional wine. The Drink Local Wine website has made it their goal to spotlight wine made in the 47 states that aren't California, Washington, and Oregon. It's the brainchild of Washington Post wine columnist Dave McIntyre and wine blogger Jeff Siegel, the Wine Curmudgeon.

As a localvore, I am thrilled to have the chance to attend as part of the local media. I am really looking forward to learning more about Missouri wine. And to hear what some of the national media heavy hitters of wine like Lisa Hall of Wine Business Monthly, Doug Frost, the godfather of regional wine writing, and Eric V. Orange, the founder and CEO of Local Wine Events think of our state's wines. And Todd Kliman, the author of  The Wild Vine: A Forgotten Grape and the Untold Story of American Wine, the definitive book about Missouri’s signature grape norton will there too!

But I have to say, since I am an admitted Twitter addict, the thing I am looking forward to most is the Twitter Taste Off. On Saturday afternoon, two dozen Missouri wineries will pour two wines each for the Twitter Taste off. Participants will blog or Tweet about what they've tasted and then the people's choice award will be given to the participants favorite. Olivia Wilder, host of Olivia Wilder Times, will do her radio show live from the event, interviewing the winemakers and wine personalities in attendance.

Ticket packages start at $35. You can check out the schedule of events here. In addition to the Twitter Taste Off, there are talks scheduled for Saturday morning, a buffet reception scheduled for Saturday night, and winery tours scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Go to the Drink Local Wine website to order tickets. Hope to see you there.

Giveaway : Free Sushi!

It's spring break here in Columbia and the locals are celebrating the brief emptiness of their local watering holes and parents are trying to amuse their kids. My own kids are living up in New Orleans with their grandparents. So it really is a spring break for me. So if you've ever wanted to meet me in my natural habitat, I will be out and about at my own favorite local places all week.

If you too need a break, then enter to win a $25 gift certificate provided by Kampai Alley, my personal favorite sushi place in town. I've raved about them before: the food, the space, the drinks. Everything works. Leave a comment to enter with what you would order when you go.