Ten local organizations now have access to a lifesaving tool that can help respond to sudden cardiac arrest, thanks to the Community AED Program. HSHS Prairie Cardiovascular and the HSHS St. John’s Foundation presented automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to representatives from 10 area organizations from across the region during a Sept. 22 event at the […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Building a community where systems work together
Effectively addressing homelessness requires our community to do more than solve individual crises. We have to build deeply connected systems of care with the whole person in mind. In many communities, physical health, mental health, behavioral health and homeless services function as mostly isolated systems of support, leaving people to figure out how to navigate […]
Posted inFilm
The Stunt Driver has heart, Charlie Harper almost bearable
The quest for validation propels Driver Ken Polsjek lived his life with a well-earned chip on his shoulder. Abandoned by his father, brought up in poverty and likely struggling with an undiagnosed learning disability, the cross-eyed young man was bullied and ostracized, desperate to find a place where he belonged. Fortune shone on him when […]
Posted inIT Picks
Celebrate Route 66 anniversary at this popular eventÂ
It’s the centennial of Route 66! Once again, hundreds of street machines, muscle cars and hot rods will rumble into the heart of Springfield’s historic downtown followed by thousands of spectators for a weekend of family fun, live music and entertainment. The event begins with a huge cruise Friday night, downtown light show and performance […]
Posted inArts & Culture
5k run promotes health and Latino unity
The Illinois Migrant Council hosted a 5k event on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Washington Park to promote healthy lifestyles and demonstrate Latino unity, amid an anti-immigrant and anti-Latino political climate fueled by the Trump Administration’s policies. Esnider Rojas, a Springfield resident for the last nine years and a Colombian native, said his primary exercise is […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Kate McKenzie interview
Tony Stang sits down with Kate McKenzie, CEO of Local Journalism Matters, to talk about the behind-the-scenes world of journalism, the stories reporters carry with them, and what the future of local news might look like at Illinois Times. It is a conversation about journalism, community and why telling the stories of a place still matters.
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Peaches, pears or apricots?
What is it about either or all, that sparks your interest or desire? What impact does each or either have upon your gustatorial delights? What impact does each or either have upon your digestive processes? In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed the matter of distinguishing the real from the unreal. He specifically focused […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tree companies donate services at Camp Butler National Cemetery
Five tree service companies from Springfield, Champaign, Bloomington and beyond donated their services at Camp Butler National Cemetery Sept. 16 as part of the Saluting Branches National Day of Service. Saluting Branches—Arborists United for Veteran Remembrance is a nonprofit that holds an annual day of service where volunteers from tree and landscape companies donate their […]
Posted inFilm
The Weight is thoughtful and compelling, Uprising lacks heart
Physical and emotional burdens drive compelling Weight On April 5, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102. This step toward righting the floundering U.S. economy dictated “the hoarding of gold coin, gold bullion and gold certificates” over the amount of $100 was now forbidden. The reasoning behind that was this act was leading […]
Posted inIT Picks
Learn more about Pillsbury MillsÂ
As Pillsbury Mills continues to be demolished, interest remains strong in the complex that employed thousands of Springfield residents. Here’s a chance for local residents to learn more. In this event hosted by the group Moving Pillsbury Forward, curator and artist Robert Mazrim will sign souvenir copies of his new book, Pillsbury Abandoned: Art & […]
Posted inBooks
The much-maligned Mary Lincoln – revisited
Fans of Mary Todd Lincoln, rejoice! What? You are not a fan of Mary Lincoln? There are no Mary Lincoln fans? In fact, Mary Lincoln has had bad press since the mid-19th century. Much of this can be traced to half-truths and outright lies promulgated by Abraham Lincoln’s third law partner, William H. Herndon, other […]
Posted inPoetry
Solution
We were loaned a lovely temporarily vacanthome for our stay out west, but we addlepatedadults had forgotten to retain the key, so we werelocked out. Rather than break a door or a double-glazed picture window we tried this solution: wesent our three-year-old, well instructed, crawlingthrough the cat hole. We watched as he emerged,found his way […]
