Bears are a prominent part of the Missouri state seal. Two of them stand, facing each other with grumpy expressions, around a circular device with the words "united we stand, divided we fall." In which case we are plummeting fast. But in any event, we have a large theater downtown named for whatever corporation puts up enough money. Flanking the entrance are a pair of stone bears with more benign expressions. Nothing like a pair of huge bears to make you feel welcome.
Shots along the route of the Idiotarod. The obstinate Missouri mule is our official state animal but there are a pair of bears on the state seal. Several of them surround the Peabody Opera House downtown (which has not produced an opera since its multi-million dollar restoration and reopening a couple of years ago. They mostly present pop trash.) I like the bears. They are stylish and unthreatening. Somebody got the top one with a can of Silly String, but that's what it's for. The bottom one quietly observes the Where's Waldo team racing up 14th Street.
