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Springfield is the big sister city to the north of Branson and ranks the third largest city in Missouri. Over the last 10 years an urban art and nightlife culture has emerged and over the course of a day I realized just how involved I am in it.

I hitched a ride with Mrs. Purvis, the wife of Branson Ward II Alderman Jack Purvis and left Branson at 8:30 A.M. after hiking down the cliffs of Hollister to their downtown Branson home.

After six cups of coffee from the Mud House and an interesting conversation with the local Episcopalian priest I’m ready for Millie’s café where I’ll be a guest along with KSPR’s News Director Ron Davis and the author of a Springfield blog called Life of David.

A safe distance from the Pharisees and Sadducees of Branson I engage Rev. Kenneth L. Chumbley with a whopper of an opener about churches as houses of mammon as opposed to houses of God. Chumbley engaged me snapping back with a few details about a Congressional hearing on the same topic and how some of the “Mega Church” practices are coming into question making some wonder, “ Is it a church or a business?” A book I read once said man cannot serve two masters but a few churches seem to beg the question. Lately, I’ve questioned whether Branson is a christian Community. That is, would people assume the community was religiously enlightened if businesses weren’t using God’s name to promote themselves. If poverty and drug use in Taney County are indicators, it could be assumed some of the churches are doing the same as businesses.

After coffee with the priest, it’s time to discuss my next favorite topic – politics. A community of Springfield Public Relations specialists meet to discuss blogging. It’s worth a free steak sandwich and in typical form I treat it as an event there is no need to dress up for. In fact, if you can believe it, I actually dress down.

Coming from an advertising background – I know the dark side well – how to use the press to move product. It was a great opportunity for me to take potshots at Davis on behalf of the Springfield media for not covering Branson enough and the problems its caused me (I’m a selfish fella). Men sharpen men and both Ron and Jason are men to be sharpened by.

Jason has no shortage of heart but I was surprised to hear that he had a media background because of his free flow format. The guy can tell one heck of a story though. He was excited about an interview with Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson though my favorite is when he talks about life with his autistic son. Putting yourself in another Indians Moccasins is hard to do – Jason’s skills make it easy for me to try his on. In essence, that is one of the most important aspects of media – to help us understand the breadth of the human condition.

Mike Brothers, who recently left a columnist position at Gannet’s Springfield News Leader led the meeting. He’s a more handsome fellow than the “In the Groove” photo I’m use to seeing in the Springfield News-Leader. His profile is a better shot than his headshot and some people just don’t look as good in black and white.

Springfield’s public relations director voiced some disapproval towards KTTS and promised they’re access will be limited. A remix of the audio files at the expense of a Springfield official continues to be a sore spot. You just can’t trust the traditional press these days.

After lunch I sucked down a couple more cups of coffee at the Mud House where I ran into Steve Olsen who was training a new protégé who to help him plot the next Springfield Film Festival marketing campaign.

The thing about hipster urban communities is that they are always changing. Establishments come and go – and when you leave for long periods of time your favorite spots may never be found again. You can only own a city for a period of time. Cultural epicenters are like a meandering mate – leave too long and she becomes someone else’s. You can never truly come home when you’re a mod.

I ran into a few friends of mine while exploring downtown nightlife. Apparently, friends don’t appreciate it when you neglect to call for a couple of years. As you can probably tell from DJ Imperial’s eyes, beer was an adequate replacement for my company.

Before the night ended I visited a ministry/café next to Ernie Biggs. It gives street kids a place to stay safe without compromising the integrity of a functioning business where bible studies ensue in huddled circles and the tattered emblems of punk rock culture don’t seem to mind mingling with small groups of middle class adults sipping tea in cardigans. Somehow, Pastor Ryan Wiksell has managed to plant a ministry cohesive with an organic art and nightlife community.

Perhaps, the most impressive individual I met was late in the evening, Tyler Hendrix a recovering meth addict was celebrating two years of sobriety. From witnessing 38^th Circuit Drug Court I understand what an achievement this is. It was inspiring to see someone beat the odds since I know what they are and how high they’re stacked against him..

I love Springfield, she never leaves my mind wanting food for thought.