Moving to Mo update...

[sfwriter]

Well, I'm learning a lot about my new home in Springfield. MO. On Feb. 1 we'll be heading there from San Francisco. They have all sorts of stuff in SW MO that we don't have here in the bay area, Army of God, evangelical schools, and Bass Pro Shops. Of course, we have things they don't have, like African Americans. They ethnically cleansed our new home with a wave of lynchings in 1906, so I expect the place will have a different cultural feel to the city by the bay.

There is one Indian restaurant within about 100 miles of Springfield, so it had better be good. I'll get to find grits and sausage and biscuits on a regular basis again. They'll have country ham in the stores there, That's a big plus for a Tennessee boy like me.

The crime rate is about a third higher in Springfield based on a Zip Code comparison of where I live now. My father-in-law says that's all fed by meth addicts there. Oh Joy. Of course, we can buy a house there. That's not even a remote possibility here in SF. The crime rate is still lower than my home town in TN, so that's a plus.

I have three scheduled meetings with potential employers at a magazine, movie theater, and radio station. Likely ALL that work would be freelance or part-time, but it is nice to hit the ground running. I have 45 resumes out to various potential jobs spanning the gamut of my skills.

By Feb 15, I'm already planning to attend a Science Fiction convention in town, hosting a party, and scheduled to play a D&D game with a group there, so I'll hit the ground with something of a social life. I have a line on the local DFA meetups and will seek out what few pagans and atheists are in the area to offset the evangelical dominance.

Any other suggestions? Should I plan on seeking out any great parks, shops or eateries?

All the best,

Sandy

[Cobalt-60]

1. Stay wasted

You'll need to cushion the shock.
Springfield is in deepest hoosier space.

[MODemocrat]

2. Welcome to Missouri; you'll be so close to Branson, I envy you

Springfield is such a beautiful city. We've always had friends who've lived there. We love it so much.
My daughter and son-in-law drove back here from Elk Grove California, just to go on the Katy Trail; and
to go to Branson and Silver Dollar City. They loved it. My daughter had gone there with our family many times as a child, but she enjoyed it so much this spring, it was like her first time being there.

Good luck on your endeavors. :thumbsup: :hi: :hi: :hi:

[sfwriter]

3. We had a Silver Dollar City...

In Pigeon Forge, near were I grew up. It will be a trip seeing that again.

-Sandy

[evlbstrd]

4. Go south.

Wander the Ozarks. They're beautiful.
When the fundies finally drive you nuts, come to KC and party a while with us.

[Neecy]

5. good luck and keep us posted

I moved to the KC metro area from San Francisco and the first year or so was a complete culture shock...not to mention the weather was kind of a shock, too. I'm still getting used to the fact that Republicans really exist - I knew very few in SF - but other than that I'm gradually coming around. Lots of good liberals in the midwest, more than advertised. I still get bummed out when dungeness crab season opens (I miss fresh seafood - lots) and I miss weekend trips to Napa, Santa Cruz and Tahoe. Still, the cost of living is much, much cheaper here and at least in KC I can get some diversity in food, music, etc.

Let us know how it goes and how you're doing...

[sfwriter]

6. Piles o Crab for the holidays..

Trips to Monterrey. I'll even miss Mt. Tam and Mt. Diablo.

-Sandy

[MadHound]

7. One thing about SW Mo that you should enjoy,

And that is the natural aspects of the Ozarks and that area. Get out into the woods, the hills, the hollers, it is absolutely beautiful. If you want water recreation, rather than go to the crowded Lake of the Ozarks up north, or Table Rock down south, head up to Pomme de Terre lake about sixty miles north of Springfield. One of the top ten cleanest lakes in the country, and the area is just beautiful.

Get rid of your CA tags ASAP, they're just going to make you a target for the police. If you live in a house with a basement, be prepared for some flooding. In fact be prepared for Springfield to flood at the drop of a quarter inch of rain. Seriously, the storm water drainage in that town is horrible. Since you're from TN originally, get reaquainted with tornado drills, you'll need them. Springfield not only gets hit with ice, but also with tornadoes.

If you like flea markets, antiques and auctions, you're in the right neighborhood. Though the hey-day of getting good antiques cheap passed about fifteen years ago(the area people started figuring out how much they're stuff was worth before they sold it), you can still find a good deal if you do some poking around. If you want to get some great deals, venture further south into the Arkansas area and attend the estate sales.

For sanity, and a bread from the place, take a few weekends in St. Louis, Columbia or KC.

If you garden, recognize that you're dealing with red Ozark clay, and the first order of business will be to build up the soil.

Good luck!

[cornermouse]

8. Uhhh.

Grits? In Springfield? I don't think I've ever seen them.

Country ham? In Springfield? They have a law that allows them to add enough water to ham to make it taste like bologna and they use it.

If you're used to a major city, you're probably going to find Springfield boring. For the most part, people tend to be more laid back and easier going than easterners so you may want to adjust accordingly. By the way, there are African Americans in Springfield.

You're not that far from Arkansas, you might want to take a look in that direction as well. If you like crafts they have HUGE yearly craft fairs at War Eagle and Ole Applegate in Benton County, Arkansas. If you go, wear your walking shoes.

Every spring, people in waders line the banks of Roaring River on opening day of Trout Season. Snow and ice does not stop them.

[cornermouse]

9. I forgot about the prehistoric

fossil cave that they found last year. They plan a future museum. You might want to keep an eye open for that also

[Broken_Hero]

12. Yes, I forgot about all the caves...

there are a bunch in SW Missouri...my wife is still trying to talk me into going to a few, but I adamantly, have refused....:D

[cornermouse]

13. Have you ever been in that one south of Anderson (I think)

witha small ramshackle building (I think) near it? I'd have be there to find it and describe it more accurately. I never had the courage. Caves give me claustrophobia.

[Broken_Hero]

14. no, I think the one you are thinking of

is just outside of Lanagan...that one has been shut down for a while now. As a matter of fact, a good number of the local ones here, have been shut down. About the biggest draw is the river resort(laughed while typing that) in Noel, MO....

I hate Noel...a lot, sorry I'm biased.

[cornermouse]

15. The thing I like about Noel driving on the road beside the river

under that big rock overhang and the bluff in town. Other things I liked. Spring with all the dogwoods, forsythia, and redbuds in bloom. The drive through Ginger Blue or is that Blue Ginger? And the backroad between Anderson and Goodman with all the iris blooming in the spring. I haven't gone back for a long time though.

[Broken_Hero]

17. Ginger Blue is now...

desolate, its a weak ghost of its former self. The area itself looks good, but all the tourist stuff at Ginger Blue is no more. The over hanging rocks just outside of Noel, are...they look neat, I give it that. But, heaven forbid, if a new semi truck driver is on that road for the first time...the over hang isn't that high up, and a lot of new truckers think they are going to hit the bluffs, so they go into the oncoming traffic lane....its happened to me a good number of times, thats why I go so slow going in/out of Noel...its a heart stopping moment, when all of a sudden you see a HUGH Tyson chicken truck doing 60 in YOUR lane, coming right at ya....:)

The back road between anderson/goodman is old...highway 71 I believe...its not to bad. Fall time around here, is...pretty decent actually...a lot of colors, and what not. NOt as colorful as say, NW Arkansas aka Fayetteville, but it is beautiful.

[sfwriter]

10. Grits and Country Ham ...

I know that I can find country hame from previous visits. Unlike here in the bay area where I can find every gourmet or asian delicacy on the planet, but no country ham.

As to race, according to the census, Springfield is 92.5% White and 3% African American. Where I live right now is 32% White and 31% African American with healthy Latino and Asian populations.

My grits will be more colorful! :-)

[Broken_Hero]

11. D and D!

I haven't played in years...do you play 3rd edition rules, or ? The only thing I can think of is visiting Branson, but its...overrated IMO. My wife, and my inlaws rant/rave about Silver Dollar City(which is near Branson)...

Other than that...I hope you like white sausage gravy, and biscuits, and fried chicken....there is a TON of it here....:D

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. I have never been a Branson fan myself

THE TRAFFIC!!

Then once you get where you need to be, you are drowning in country music and country food and country deco. It gets to me after a day or so. I am just not a country fan, LOL, can you tell?

I haven't been to Silver Dollar City since I was a kid. All I remember is a lot of people talking about Jesus and making crafts. I guess they have a roller coaster there now? But when I was a kid, I sure don't remember any rides.

We used to spend a lot of time at Rockaway Beach. Now that was beautiful and my kids loved fishing there. Hard to believe it is so close to Branson.

[Broken_Hero]

18. I went to Branson, my first time last September

we went to this weak ass Titanic museum, it was a total rip off. A good bud of mine was down from Anchorage, and he is a Titanic historical buff, and he was disgusted with the museum...you can't call it a museum...more like "A place, where we got picture copies of the authentic pieces/documents". We didn't do much up there, cause after that let down, we were all a little pissed.

My wife, and her parents swear up/down about Silver Dollar city...they say they cook food in HUGH cast iron pots/pans, and the lifestyle shows that they have are good...but this is coming from people who ADORE little house on the prairire, so its their thing....

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. I am a big Little House fan myself

but that doesn't mean I am a Branson or Silver Dollar City fan. :)

[Broken_Hero]

24. Thats true

and I confess, I like LHOTP the tv show...I got my wife all 9 seasons...and, I've seen them all except the Final Farewell. My wife has a majority of her books, and has visited LIW house, thats somewhere around here(as in Missouri).

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Mansfield, MO

It's the best one, IMO. Most of the others aren't nearly as neat as that one.

[sfwriter]

21. I use D20 or Gurps mostly...

I'm partial to Space Opera, but this is a straight D&D group and a way to meet people, So I'll roll up a barbarian and go for it. :-)

In my experience, games change as you age and plot and character become more interesting.

-Sandy

[AllegroRondo]

19. Head up to Hermann and try the wines!

there are also a lot of wineries in the Rolla area, just up I-44.

Of course, they probably dont compare to the fine stuff you got in California, but we are darn proud of them.

[sfwriter]

20. Wine...oh I don't know... We have some swill out here...

There are a lot of disreputable brands.

I'll tell you a great one though, Blacksmith. You have to hunt to find it, but the maker is a craftsman and the wines are short-run, single region varietals, not some averaged swill from 80 vinyards.

I love small local wines when they work.

[AllegroRondo]

26. I'll let you in on my favorites, then

Stone Hill Winery, a small winery in Hermann, which specializes in German style whites. They also make a very good Norton, which is a red aged in small oak barrels, and a killer cream sherry. They have an outlet in Branson, which is also where they make a sparkling white.

St James Winery, in St James MO, just east of Rolla. Very good reds and whites, but their Norton isnt that hot. I recommend the School House Red and School House White. They also do a wine from Concord grapes that some people really like, but i wasnt too wild about.

But there are LOTS of small local wineries in those areas, well worth a weekend trip. There are also about a dozen in the St Genevieve area, and more around Washington, just west of St Louis.

[legally blonde]

22. Springfield is beautiful area

especially if you like the outdoors. But prepare yourself for some serious bible-thumpers and super conservative rednecks.

Missouri isn't all conservative, though. St. Louis is pretty liberal (for a Catholic town) and only 2 1/2 hours away up I-44. Kansas City is a great city, too.

Welcome to Missouri! :hi:

[freebrew]

27. No one metioned Eureka Springs

If you're from SF, a little bit of home in Arkansas,
the arts, the hills and busking in the summer is lots of fun.
And in Springfield, you'll be pretty close.
Also, Bull Shoals Lake is the clearest water I've seen in a looooong time.

LofO isn't so bad in some places, just stay away from the tourist sites(and Party Cove).

[ikojo]

28. You will find cool people in Southern MO

I just returned from riding in an SUV from St Louis to DC with two people from near Branson. One teaches at Missouri State Univ and the other is a principal and superintendent in a school district down that way.

I'll try to get my friend's permission to share her e mail address with you.

[ikojo]

29. Where is there a con in Springfield?

Having just met a couple of real cool people from down that way, I'd now love to have an excuse to take the train or whatever down there.

St Louis isn't really THAT far from Springfield.

As for pagans and such, believe it or not there are a few in rural MO because of the space and land availability.

One thing they do have in the Branson and Springfield area that you should be used to is homeless people. Because most of the service sector jobs pay minimum wage and less (wait staff in MO get paid less than minimum wage because of the expectation of tips), there is a lot of homelessness.

It is a VERY poor area.

[sfwriter]

35. www.visioncon.net

that's it. I'm throwing a cool party there.

The West Coast Geeks Party
Theme: Booze and Resumes

-Sandy

[ikojo]

30. Did you say something about pagans in MO?

There is an annual pagan picnic in St Louis...come on up and meet some of the local pagans who come from all over MO...the picnic is on July 14-15, 2007 in Tower Grove Park in St Louis.

There is also the annual gay pride event, also in Tower Grove Park.

MO isn't California but then again there ARE rednecks and racists in Cali...I think Tom Metzger of WAR lives in southern California, doesn't he?

Lovin' life in the Lou!

http://www.paganpicnic.org/


Welcome to the home of the 15th Annual St. Louis Pagan Picnic!

Please excuse us while we take a little time to remodel and clean up. We're working hard to bring you all the information about the 2007 St. Louis Pagan Picnic, but we've got some work to do before July 14th and 15th when we'll be Barefoot in the Park!

This year's Picnic will be at the same location, in beautiful Tower Grove Park in St. Louis.

Check back soon for a beautiful new website and all the information about your favorite Pagan Picnic activities. Last year was amazing, if you don't count the weather, and we're planning an amazing lineup again this year. Our gracious volunteers are already planning for a ton of great pagan artists, personalities, and of course, vendors to be at Picnic this year, so stay tuned!

For more information, please contact the St. Louis Pagan Picnic volunteers:

For donations: [e-mail]
For entertainment and Bardic Circle: [e-mail]
For Kidzone: [e-mail]
For workshops and other programming: [e-mail]
For the official raffle: [e-mail]
For vendor information: [e-mail]
To volunteer: [e-mail] .
For other information: [e-mail]

[e-mail]

[turtlelowe]

31. Don't listen to any of the negative things petersond says about SDC

Silver Dollar City (SDC) is great! Petersond is my husband and adamently refuses to even try going there! He did finally go to Branson though. The Titanic museum was horrible but the drive was beautiful. If you are going to be in Springfield you must go to Lambert's. Just say the name and people will point you in the right direction. Lambert's is a restaurant known for their country cookin' and hospitable nature. You can eat directly from the cast iron skillet, partake in the many "passarounds" and catch bread hot from the oven. Yes that is right, they throw you bread. It is known as the home of the throwed rolls. My mom loves it when they throw her bread! With the "passarounds" you can have as little or as much as you want. The wait staff walk around with large pots of fried potatoes, macaroni and cheese, sorghum, and black-eyed peas. A dieters nightmare, but good eatin!

Oh, and you must go to Mansfield to see the Little House on the Prairie Museum. I loved the books and the tv show so my parents took me there when I was about 16. We stayed in a bed and breakfast set in the time when Laura lived in Mansfield. I think the room we stayed in was called the "Ma and Pa" room. It was great.

[donco]

32. "2007 A Novel Mardi Gras"

Don’t forget the Mardi Gras in the soulard area of St Louis on Feb 17.

http://www.stlmardigras.org/

[AllegroRondo]

34. now THATS a wild party

as the ads say "sleep it off next month"

[catmandu57]

33. Well good luck to you

You're in for a big culture shock, but, you know this. If you get hungry for some good road food, an hour or so north of Springfield on 13 north at the intersection of 13 and 54 is the town of Collins and Peggy's restaurant. it's good food and the homemade pie is out of this world.
When you get ready to pull your hair out head north to KC there are some of the best DU'ers there who have regular meetups, welcome to hell.

[DollyM]

36. No one mentioned . . .

The Exotic Animal drive through park in Springfield. (Buena something I think, can't remember)We took our relatives from California through it a couple of years ago and they loved it. Just remember to not feed the early animals because everyone feeds them, wait until the last half and those animals are hungry and will come right up and eat out of your hand. It is reasonably priced too and has a lovely area for picnicking or you can in in their little cafe. Then you can hit the Fantastic Caverns cave tour too. You get on this little jeep train and the tour guide takes your through the cave and explains some of the local history. Enjoy the history and beauty of the area and don't let the commercialism of Branson get you down.

OOPS never mind on the Exotic Animal park. I just found something that said it was sold and closed back in October. Apparently a land developer bought the land to put up new luxury housing units. How very sad . . .

[Pugee]

37. Oh, no! I didn't know that they closed that park!

I live in northern Missouri and wanted to go there someday! Now, I guess I wont get to go! bummer

[xmas74]

38. For those who are pagan-friendly

join the Yahoo group for Midwest Burners. It's a regional Burning Man group out of KC and they get together often. They tend to be friendly to alternative religions and alternative lifestyles, plus they do campouts all over the place.

Who knows, they might do something closer to your area this summer.

[kindground]

39. SF to MO

Woah...culture shock.

Buy a fishing pole and get a boat. =P

That's about all they do in Springfield.

[AllegroRondo]

40. or go to Branson.

but yes, the fishing is very nice here. Enjoy it! the boat is not strictly required.