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The Hot List 2009

56 Things We Love Right Now

(page 6 of 8)

* Hot Hilarious Blogger

Matt Lemmon, springfieldgo.com

Okay, you voted. Our editor won. Barely (see next item). Yes, he had a home-field advantage, and if it hadn’t been for Jason Wert’s last-minute defection to Nashville and the fact that Ron Davis apparently went into witness protection, he would never have been on the ballot anyway. That said, he appreciates your votes and your readership. He’s also the one typing this. In third person. Now THAT’S hilarious.

Hot Cottage Industry

The Mystery Hour’s Jeff Houghton

Jeff Houghton lost the Hot Hilarious Blogger title by a measly 12 votes. That’s well within the margin of error, and more than reason enough to put him on our Hot List, anyway. And really, blogging is just a marketing tool: Houghton’s Mystery Hour is a monthly sensation at the Skinny Improv Comedy Theatre (301 Park Central East., 417-831-5233), complete with video gags, celebrity guests, music and an opening monologue. You won’t find more fun for $5. Most recently, Houghton reached the semi-finals of the regional New Faces Comedy Contest, held at Comedy Works in Denver, Colorado.

* Hot Thing That Makes Us Feel 12 Again

1984

A story about 1984 appeared in the first-ever issue of GO Magazine, which is not nearly as old-school as the 21-year-old copy of Nintendo Power that sits on 1984’s coffee table. This place is perfect for kids or kids-at-heart, from Tron and Pole Position all the way to the alcohol-free snack bar, the black-lighted bathrooms and the soft neon glow of electronic glee. Ahh. 400 S. Jefferson Ave., 417-831-3665, 1984arcade.com

Hot Elected Official

Mayor Jim O’Neal

He’s overseeing the most unpredictable—and most important—Springfield City Council in years, but remains a fixture on the public-speaking circuit where he trumpets his favorite subject: community service. And he’s a pretty nice guy to boot.

Hot semi-Embarrassing Fact

The new Springfield airport’s decór makes us have to pee

The interior was intended to put visitors in mind of the rivers and streams of the Missouri Ozarks. Mission accomplished. Now where’s the restroom?

3 Things That Are Hot About Us

Hot Photo

Our “Worst of Springfield” cover

Our first (and last?) Worst of Springfield issue managed to inspire angry e-mails from almost everyone involved except for the judgmental street-corner Christians we lampooned on our cover. So that whole “turn the other cheek” thing… you actually believe that? Awesome.

Hot Stupid-Fun Event

Bartenders’ Bash

The first year we thought we had a hit on our hands. After year two, we knew it. Our Monday-night-in-January extravaganza of shots, DJ music and kick-ass bartenders is the wildest event we throw… and that’s saying something. Needless to say it’ll be back in ‘10. Mark your calendars for Jan. 18.

Hot e-Newsletter

Table Talk

Our sister mag, 417, is to dining what we are to nightlife. The newest spoke in that wheel of awesomeness is 417 Table Talk, a weekly e-newsletter dedicated to the local dining scene and helping you eat well at home and on the go. Just go to 417mag.com and find the “newsletters” link.