COLUMBIA IS BOOMING WITH FUN SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES

It just keeps getting better! There is actually more than one place for a gal to go shopping in Columbia, and I'm not talkin groceries! Got a few hours for shopping? Here's where to head:

Start on North Main at Curtis Jewelers, just off Route 3. There you'll find great jewelry from fine jewelry like gold and diamonds to a great selection of sterling silver jewelry with semi precious stones. Next head south on North Main to the Distillery Building and check out Elements Off Main home decor and furnishings consignment shop. In addition to the home decor you'll find an unbelievable selection of handmade, sterling silver and vintage jewelry. They also sell a line of handbags, wallets, scarfs, hair accessories, candles, gourmet foods and a whole lot more. Just down 2 doors in the Distillery Building is Agnes Ross, a great boutique carrying the k. hall line of moisturizers, oils, diffusers, candles and more. You'll also find great loomed rugs, pajamas, bed linens and more. Just a block away is Memory Lane Gifts & Florals. Pam, the proprietor, carries a great little line of giftables and silk floral arrangements along with a large array of fresh floral options. Continuing south on Main head next to the boutique at Vida Verde Spa. They carry a great line of women's clothes at not so "boutiquey" prices along with handmade jewelry, handbags, accessories and even original artwork. If you're looking for antiques, Evalina's is the place. They also carry coffee and sweets. Looking for a great bottle of wine? Stop in and see Andrew Traughber at Bon Vivant Wine Shop, voted by the RFT as the best wine shop in the St. Louis Metro area. At the other end of Main is the new shop Chic Junktique. The shop carries consigned items from home decor to jewelry and handbags to original works of art.

Have extra time? Maybe get a manicure or massage at Mist Day Spa or Vida Verde, both located along Main Street. And if you work up a hunger there's also plenty of places to put the feedbag on. Just off Main on Rapp is Our House Cafe. On Main you have your choice from Boccardi's, Thai House, Tiny's, Gruchala's and The Lantern. Or drive over to Marketplace Shopping Centre and eat at Mokka Kaffeehaus, well worth the short drive. Also in the plaza is Bully's and Tequilla's. So, did you ever dream you'd be able to spend an entire day enjoying Main Street in Columbia?

INSPIRATIONAL GREETING CARDS BY DEBBIE LARGENT

Debbie Largent of Waterloo shared with me her new endeavor.  In addition to being a floral designer at Memory Lane Gifts and Floral on Main Street in Columbia, she is now also one of their resident artists.  She is producing "inspirational " cards that combine her photography with inspirational verses.  At the present, her collection includes 20 different photographs.  Some of her photographs are from her travels while others are from right in her own backyard.  She carries her digital camera with her at all times just in case she needs to pull off the road and take a picture. She thanks Gary Edwards of Dupo for all his help in providing her with the spiritual verses. Debbie said that the photographs are nice by themselves and the spiritual verses are also nice, but it took both the photograph and the verse together to make the card "complete".  Debbie is very excited that her cards are ready to sell and also equally excited that her name is on the back of the cards.   Currently the cards can be purchased at Memory Lane and Drew's Landscaping in Evansville.

Debbie will also be participating in the Art on the Bluffs Art Walk in Columbia on Saturday, October 3^rd.  The Art on the Bluffs Committee is in their final push to round out the slate of participating artists.  If you are interested in displaying and selling your art in the fair please get your application in as soon as possible.  Applications are available at City Hall and by emailing artonthebluffs@hotmail.com.  The committee is also looking for sponsors for the event.  If you would like more information on the various sponsorship opportunities please contact Carol Fetcho by emailing her at dfetcho584@aol.com.