Summer is peak time for fun in Springfield parks, and there’s plenty of work going on behind the scenes that the public doesn’t see but is necessary to keep our parks in good working order. The Springfield Park District is tasked with maintaining 36 parks, 23 miles of bike trails, more than 20 recreation facilities […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
Wildlife adventures
Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play – along with wolves, elk, bears, cougars, camels, water buffalo and plenty of other animals. Seldom is heard a discouraging word if you are looking for a day trip to see some wildlife this summer. Plenty of options exist […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The sauce is the boss
Think of these five sauces as your passport to delicious summer meals. Transform plain Jane grilled chicken thighs or pork loin into a vibrant, flavor-packed meal with a simple drizzle. They keep well in the fridge or freezer, making it easy to jazz up any meal at a moment’s notice. Chimichurri Known in my house […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Cut back on cooking this summer
Ah, the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. … And the last thing I want to do at the end of them is cook dinner. Lucky for me (and my hungry family), there are loads of wonderful things to whip up for dinner that require no or very little cooking at all. Market veggie sandwiches […]
Posted inArts & Culture
World champions from Springfield
The Sharp Shooters, a six-man Springfield team, took home the coveted first place Charlie the Cougar trophy and $11,000 prize money at the 44th annual VNEA World Pool Championships in Las Vegas earlier this month. The 2024 VNEA open division is a tournament for non-professional players, and it hosted 383 teams from 20 different countries. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Grillin’ and Chillin’
Our Grillin’ and Chillin’ issue has plenty of ideas for fun for the rest of the summer. Learn where to see wildlife, including exotic animals, just a short drive from Springfield (no, not a zoo). Find out about all the upgrades – and a splash pad – in the works for Springfield parks. We also […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Independence Day reflections
The Fourth of July is an occasion for picnics, parades, fireworks and patriotic oratory celebrating our history and heritage as a country. As a child I enjoyed having my Dad home from work on a weekday, going out as a family to eat, and, after nightfall, watching the fireworks that were shot off from the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
It’s up to us to make a better world for ourselves
Many of my peers working in politics believe people’s minds are changed by “spirited debate.” However, in my experience, shock, particularly a shock affecting someone close, is far more commonly the reason people change their worldview. If someone lives over a decade believing the world works a certain way, and seemingly in an instant they […]
Posted inArts & Culture
UIS School of Education partners with District 186 to ‘create magic’
In 2002, while working as an elementary school teacher, I frequently walked past the gymnasium and noticed a physical education teacher’s remarkable way of handling student behavior. She masterfully motivated students to buy into a team approach, where everyone looked out for each other and regularly “helped a friend.” The same students who challenged me […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Worried that artificial intelligence is coming for your job?
This concern has become very real for many of us. I am a Generation Xer (born 1965-1980), and we have been a witness to much of the tech revolution and what a few years ago was science fiction has quickly become reality. The truth is, there are many jobs that will be automated in the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
100 Day Challenge results in 29 entering supportive housing
Is it possible to support individuals who have experienced years of homelessness in connecting to permanent housing opportunities? What about those who are reluctant to engage services for a variety of reasons and are deemed to be the hardest to house? A recent Heartland Continuum of Care effort saw 29 individuals with a history of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
United Way works to empower families, create pathways to prosperity
In a concerted effort to uplift ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families across the state, United Way of Illinois, the Association of United Ways across the state, convened stakeholders and policymakers for a lobby day at the state Capitol earlier this month. UWI’s programs and initiatives are instrumental in empowering ALICE families and creating […]
