ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – but behind that acronym are real people you probably see every day. They’re the teacher at your child’s day care center, the aide who cares for your aging parent, the cashier who rings up your groceries, and the server who brings your coffee. They work full-time […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inArts & Culture
Wreath-laying ceremony at Lincoln’s Tomb
Started by World War I Veterans and members of The American Legion in 1935, the Legion’s annual pilgrimage to the Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery is in its 92nd year. The wreath-laying ceremony that is part of this long-standing tradition was held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Lincoln Tomb in […]
Posted inFilm
Desperation drives Crime 101 characters, Good Luck is whiplash-inducing ride
Exceptional Crime a study of desperation Though it is being touted as an action film, Bart Layton’s gripping Crime 101 actually consists of multiple character studies, examining three people who’ve each come to a crossroads in their lives. Captivating and smart, the film benefits from exceptional work from its three veteran leads and old-school pacing, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Heart and soul: A legacy built on love
February holds two truths at once: It’s a month where we pay homage to Black history. We honor the names, the hands, the kitchens and the legacies that our ancestors have shaped. It’s also a season devoted to the essence of love. Many times, the most powerful love stories aren’t written in cards. They are […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Wedding Issue 2026
More than 40% of engagements in the U.S. occur between Thanksgiving andValentine’s Day, so this is the time of year many couples are startingto plan their weddings. We talked to area business owners involved inthe wedding industry to find out the latest trends. Couples are focusingon more personalized details and experiences to engage their guests,rather […]
Posted inPoetry
Letter From My Dad to Brother
Dear Craig, your application received. We can find work you’ll certainly enjoy.Lester could use help, he starts at 4AMand seldom finishes till after 2. Ourmen use to deliver 300 quarts a day.Now up to 600 with every other daydelivery. Your schedule would bestrenuous, 4AM, 7 days a week. Itisn’t as bad as it sounds, but if […]
Posted inFilm
Crime 101 a throwback thriller
Though it’s being promoted as an action film, Bart Layton’s Crime 101 is actually a triptych of character studies. Adapted from the novella by Donald Winslow, the film focuses on three people who’ve each reached the end of their respective ropes, which compels them to make some rash, desperate decisions. Propelled by an ever-increasing sense […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
“Teach them diligently”
A non-Jewish acquaintance, who grew up knowing very few if any Jews, recently confided in me that he had been taught by his father to admire the Jewish people because of our reverence for and pursuit of knowledge. The Jewish respect for knowledge and appreciation of its value has ancient roots going back to the […]
Posted inIT Picks
Building site of historic banquet with Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum Open HouseFri., Feb. 13, 1-5 p.m.200 S. Main St., Athens Celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 217th birthday and his enduring legacy by attending this open house at the Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum. The museum is located inside the historic Col. Matthew Rogers Building. It’s where Lincoln and his fellow “Long Nine” […]
Posted inArts Features
The Trojan Women, a Greek tragedy
In one of those rare but welcome departures from local norms, a play is being performed in Springfield that probably hasn’t been done in years, if ever. While Greek tragedy might not be high up on everyone’s list, I hope you make the time to see this one. The story and the production expertly explore […]
Posted inArts & Culture
STC’s The Addams Family – An ooky love story
The Addams Family musical is based on a 1964 sitcom which was inspired by the cartoons of Charles Addams. All feature Gomez Addams, his wife Morticia and children Pugsley and Wednesday. They share their home on Cemetery Lane with Uncle Fester, butler Lurch, helping hand Thing and someone’s grandma. They are a close-knit family with […]
Posted inFilm
Dracula shows some life, Send Help doesn’t end well
Cast finds life in flawed Dracula Estimates as to how many times Dracula has appeared on film range from approximately 200 to 500. The low number is tabulated by purists who only count productions that feature a version of Bram Stoker’s character while the latter figure included parodies or knock-offs of the seminal vampire. He’s […]
