One of the challenges of being autistic is making and keeping friends. How can you as a parent help nurture these friendships? The neurodiversity movement recognizes and celebrates the diversity of how our brains are wired, instead of pathologizing some as normal and some as abnormal. The brains of autistic kids are wired differently. They […]
Carey Smith
In addition to freelance writing, Carey Smith also manages the Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens. She's a big fan of trees, prairies, board and card games, her family, and assorted nerd-out topics like soil science, archaeology and systems thinking. She loves living in the Enos Park neighborhood.
Posted inSpecial Issues
Backyard fun
Whether you’re hosting a party or entertaining your kids, outdoor games are fun for everyone. Traditional games like horseshoes and bocce ball can be played in a spacious backyard, as can croquet. These games are relaxing and require negligible athletic skill, though supervision is advised with children, given the nature of flying horseshoes, balls or […]
Posted inNews
City surveys residents to determine internet needs
“We have a pretty big digital divide between the Black and white population,” says Tom Chi, chief innovation officer for the city of Springfield. This is one of the drivers behind the city’s recent internet survey. Partnering with University of Illinois Springfield, the survey gathers input from Springfield residents about the current speed, quality and […]
Posted inOpinion
Rather than light it up blue…
April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. While awareness is great, there continue to be misconceptions about what autism is and how people with autism function in our society. Springfield has a wide range of support services for children with autism, but this support is quite lacking for adults. There is no pathway to diagnosis […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Be active indoors
It is said February is the shortest month for a reason. Even in a year with full access to in-person school and a variety of indoor places like children’s museums to visit, cabin fever is hard enough. With pandemic restrictions in place for nearly a year, this February has hit parents and kids harder than […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Bullet journaling
It’s the time of year when many people make goals to shed undesirable habits and encourage healthy behaviors, and meeting a buddy at the gym or a meditation class can provide accountability. However, a pandemic restricting indoor activities and social gatherings puts a damper on this time-honored method. A bullet journal can provide another means […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Looking for unique holiday gifts?
“This is a really good time to go with the flow,” says Adena Rivas of launching Creative Reuse Marketplace during 2020. Rivas works for the City of Springfield as the waste and recycling programs coordinator, in addition to her volunteer work as the founder and project manager of the Creative Reuse Marketplace (CRM). Beginning in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
SAA Collective opens new gallery downtown
The Springfield Art Association (SAA) Collective has opened its new gallery in the historic Broadwell Pharmacy building downtown at 105 N. Fifth Street, relocating from the Hoogland Center for the Arts, which has been closed to the public since March. “The closure was a big piece” of moving the gallery, states Betsy Dollar, SAA executive […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
A Christmas made by hand
Twinkling lights, heartfelt cards, delicious cookies, singing together – Christmas can mean so much to us. Some celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, commemorating the birth of Jesus, while others celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday, rejoicing in togetherness and the spirit of giving. In times such as these, when we are living with daily […]
Posted inBest of Springfield®
BEST EDIBLE
Cannabidiol, more commonly referred to as CBD, is often considered a natural mood enhancer, as it reduces anxiety, depression and inflammation. It can also provide relief for pain and insomnia and promotes a general feeling of well-being. Many users with a variety of chronic conditions such as bowel disease and migraines report relief after using […]
Posted inCapital City Parent, News, Special Issues
Open your heart and your Springfield home
“He’s more independent,” says host home provider Nigel Tiller, Sr., of Springfield, of the young man who lives with him. “He feels like he has somewhere he belongs.” Now in its 70th year of assisting and supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Peoria-based EP!C is looking for host homes in the Springfield area. Host […]
Posted inNews
How best to help the homeless?
“Those are conversations and plans that should’ve been underway long before now,” said Ward 3 Ald. Doris Turner at a recent Springfield City Council meeting, referring to the lack of a plan for housing the homeless as seasonal cold draws near. Springing up in late July, an encampment for about 50 homeless people known as […]
