As the University of Illinois Springfield continues to grow and evolve, one student population stands out for its resilience, drive and increasing presence on campus: first-generation college students. These students are the first in their families to navigate the world of higher education – a journey that often comes with unique challenges. Our enduring mission […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inFilm
Humor lifts Bugonia, Farrell helps Player pay off
Ironic humor buoys Lanthimos’ sly, pointed Bugonia Teddy is convinced he’s right. There’s no question in his mind there’s a race of aliens embedded on our planet, intent on wiping out humanity. The Andromedans aren’t overt in executing their plan; they’re taking a subtle approach which is why only Teddy and few others are aware […]
Posted inUncategorized
Cathedral stands in for site of 1842 wedding
On Nov. 4, 1842, Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd were married in the home of her older sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Ninian Edwards. That old Edwards home is long gone – demolished in 1918 to make room for a state government building (now the Howlett Building). OK, history lesson over. Now, 183 years later, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Locally made horror-comedy to air on NPR Illinois
Springfield native Matthew Brookens has written, produced, directed and starred in “Illinois Hell Hole,” a project he describes as a “two-hour, fully scored horror-comedy audio drama.” This oddball extravaganza is scheduled to air on NPR Illinois (91.9 FM) in three parts Oct. 28-30 and promises to be a uniquely flavored Halloween treat, with spooky humor […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Making the ordinary special
Among the songs that I remember from my parents’ collection of phonograph records of Yiddish folk music was a melancholy and poignant melody whose lyrics expressed the lament of a poor and humble tailor that the holiday season and its celebrations were coming to an end and that he would soon be returning to his […]
Posted inUncategorized
Growing central Illinois one skill at a time
Central Illinois employers are facing a critical shortage of skilled workers. The relentless pace of technological change worsens this problem. Hiring alone won’t solve this crisis. To keep pace with evolving demands, employers must make targeted investments in professional development, building the skills their teams need to adapt and thrive. As new technologies transform every […]
Posted inFilm
House of Dynamite both suspenseful and terrifying, Shelby Oaks disappoints
Plausible Dynamite a terrifying doomsday tale Timely, taut and terrifying, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite is a master class in suspense, times three. Working from a script by former journalist Noah Oppenheim, the director plays out an all-too-real doomsday scenario from a trio of different perspectives, taking the viewer repeatedly on a tumultuous ride […]
Posted inArts Features
Somewhere that’s green for Halloween
Little Shop of Horrors is a 90-miniute, sci-fi musical-comedy skillfully co-directed by Ginny Racette and Joe-Michael Jackson that transports you to a graphic novel, B-movie version of Skid Row – the infamous 1960s stretch of the Bowery District in lower Manhattan. Inspired by Roger Corman’s gruesome cult film, Little Shop of Horrors, this musical adaptation […]
Posted inIT Picks
Zoolie Ghoulie
Grab those little ghouls and goblins and have a wild time wandering through the zoo’s spectacularly spooky Halloween scenes for some safe trick-or-treating, festive fun and Halloween magic. Costumes are encouraged! Admission is $5 with children 2 and younger free. Every ticket aids the zoo’s mission. The event includes a free shuttle from 10:30 a.m. […]
Posted inPoetry
Vampires
My student wrote about her childhood fear of vampires, the extensive preparations she made to her bed each night to make it vampire-proof, the number of talismans she possessed to keep vampires at bay. Her room reeked of garlic. This student is into mature years now and I have never heard of a vampire attack. […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
On love for the poor
Care for the poor is both “the burning heart of the Church’s mission” and the heart of Pope Leo’s first message to the world’s Christians. The apostolic exhortation, released earlier this month, is called Dilexi Te – I have loved you – and subtitled On love for the poor. To take in its message, I […]
Posted inFilm
Message of Good Fortune muted, The Perfect Neighbor a gripping cautionary tale
Near perfect Fortune hindered by conclusion There’s a tempered optimism in Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune, and for good reason. When his film Being Mortal was canceled in mid-production due to accusations of impropriety leveled towards its star, Bill Murray, the writer/director needed a fresh start. Turning lemons into lemonade, he was able to pivot and […]
