Cap City

Mais oui, a jaunt on the continent can get you college credit at Lincoln Land Community College. Chris McDonald, a political science professor, is planning a nine-day trip to France for next year’s spring break, thus the course title of “Springtime In Paris.” Both students and folks who just want to be smarter than they […]

The James J. Eldred House in Eldred, about 45 miles south of Jacksonville, will be open to the public for the first time in a decade the weekend after Labor Day as part of Greene County Days. “This is the first time that we’ve really felt comfortable allowing people in the house again,” said Seth […]

Breanne Harney is flirting with the fashion big leagues. The lifelong Springfield resident graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in June and is looking for a job, but she’s on her way to receiving a major resume boost. Harney is one of 22 semi-finalists in the second annual FASHION|NEXT initiative, a […]

For many, a treehouse is a symbol of childhood. After a short climb and a kid, shorter than all those in the adult world, is suddenly master of his own little universe. But for others with disabilities, treehouses have often been off limits – until now. Whether child or adult, climbing isn’t necessary to sit […]

Every October since 1992, Vicky Tyler has turned either the local Forest City parks, her home or now a series of old properties into the ultimate haunting experience that visitors travel hours to see. Forest City, a town of about 300 residents, is about an hour north of Springfield, in Mason County. “We’re bloody. We’re […]

There’s a new online school-supply company for parents of children in Springfield elementary schools that’s giving back to the community with every purchase. The company, called American Student Supply, sells name-brand materials that are grade-specific, called MyPacks, which come in a nifty nylon drawstring bag. The bag is child-safe, of course. MyPacks are not available […]

With the advent of digital book downloads, it seems unlikely that a company specializing in electronic books would encourage people to visit traditional brick-and-mortar libraries. But the Chatham Area Public Library is proof of the power of reading, no matter what the medium. The Chatham library recently won a $1,000 grant from OverDrive, Inc., a […]

Nothin’ beats the blues like being a part of them. Downtown Springfield, Inc. is looking for volunteers to help with its 2011 Old Capitol Blues and BBQs event, a street celebration scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26 and 27. The event, which features a BBQ competition and various styles of live blues music, starts […]

The voice of the song “Riding with Private Malone” and a face of Operation Troop Aid, country music star David Ball will be in Springfield this Saturday, July 30, to help raise money for soldiers stationed overseas. Ball is the second feature that night at Robin Roberts Stadium, where the Sliders will play a 5:05 […]

Are you having trouble making ends meet? Do you often find your bank account empty toward the end of each pay period? If so, there is help available, in the form of a free budget counseling session with ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions. The nonprofit’s Springfield branch is moving to 1999 Wabash Avenue. The new location […]

Peace Camp is looking for a new director. After 16 straight years of teaching children about constructive ways to deal with conflict, this summer’s week-long Peace Camp program has been cancelled after volunteers were unable to find a director. Originally run by the Heartland Peace Center until that organization dissolved, Peace Camp survived in recent […]

After more than a year of work and anticipation, the first leg of the Sangamon Valley Trail is almost ready to open. The 5.5-mile section connects Springfield’s Centennial Park with Stuart Park at a cost of $3.7 million in federal, state and county funds. The full 38-mile trail will eventually run from Girard north to […]