Safe and stable housing creates the foundation that every person in our community needs to thrive, live a healthy life and reach their goals. As achieving stable housing grows difficult so too does the number of our neighbors forced to spend their energy in survival mode each day trying to figure out where and how […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inUncategorized
Bloody Bone Temple saved by graceful moments, Choral scattered but salvageable
Humanity emerges through Temple’s bloody surface Nia Da Costa’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is two movies in one which, unfortunately, vary drastically in quality. This middle chapter in a new trilogy of the Danny Boyle franchise is a frustrating exercise, one that in moments soars with innovation and daring, and at others, wallows […]
Posted inPoetry
Warning
Having a baby is a genetic lottery. A couple of my kids have inherited a gene from myself and one from their father resulting in a genetic disease. They caught it in time but found others on the internet who hadn’t. How many folks in the past have contacted strange maladies for no apparent reason. […]
Posted inIT Picks
Molly Schlich International Film Series returns
This popular film series, in its 34th year, features eight award-winning international and independent films from around the world. Once again it is presented by the Springfield Art Association in support of the Michael Victory II Art Library and the SAA’s creative program. The series is named after Molly Schlich, a local woman “dedicated to […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
In praise of single women
I hope the title of this column makes at least a few people do a double take! It isn’t every day, after all, that you hear words of praise directed at single women. Perhaps you’re one of those who recently viewed that perennial holiday favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life. If so, you’ll recall the scene […]
Posted inPoetry
New Year’s Gift
If I could give to you one only gift To hold forever, in remembrance of me, It would be the peace that enters in the heart When love comes there to dwell, all silently. I’d wrap it in the silver of the moon. And tie it with the distant purple haze; I’d seal it with […]
Posted inFilm
Best films of 2025
The major film studios are in a desperate spot, still not having recovered from the mass exodus to home viewing that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting enough viewers to theaters to justify the huge budgets for tentpole movies has proven difficult. Once sure things, such as Marvel films or big-budget action movies, are no […]
Posted inFilm
The 10 best scenes of 2025
Movies are about moments – big moments that erase our cynicism about cinema and remind us of its capacity to dazzle as well as touch us. This happens in a way only possible with a medium that seamlessly combines so many other art forms. These are instances that prompt us to consider things in a […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The power of community: Looking back on 2025 and ahead to what’s next
We’ve spent the past few weeks at United Way of Central Illinois reflecting on what an incredible year 2025 was, and honestly, we’re still a little overwhelmed by the generosity we witnessed. This year’s campaign theme was “The Power of Community,” and we saw that power show up in ways big and small. From the […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Who can but prophesy?
In the scriptural portion that was read this past week in Jewish congregations the patriarch Jacob, on his deathbed, speaks to his sons about the future destiny of the tribes that they will found and that will bear their names. “I will tell you what will befall you in days to come.” (Genesis 49:1) The […]
Posted inIT Picks
The Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters originated 100 years ago on the south side of Chicago and have been entertaining generations of fans ever since. It has been 100 years of thrills, laughs, amazing moves and fun. The team, on its 100 Year World Tour to celebrate, will be here in the capital city, too. Older fans will […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
How does Jesus save?
Have you heard the one about Jesus and Satan, a computing contest and a power outage? I’ll spare you, but the joke came to mind while I was thinking through the question about how Jesus saves in light of a particular text from Matthew’s Gospel. In that scripture Joseph is told to name Mary’s baby […]
