Jennifer Waters has devoted her life to helping children and families. A children’s author and sole proprietor of Novel Tea Publishing, she writes books designed to help children build both practical knowledge and confidence through everyday experiences. For example, she recently published a book designed around making the kitchen a safe learning environment for children. […]
Special Issues
Posted inCapital City Parent
Thinking is part of the learning journey
Earlier this month, the Illinois State Board of Education released guidance on artificial intelligence for Illinois schools. The guidelines are needlessly complicated, repetitive and lacking substance. In a bit of self-parody, ISBE readily admitted to using AI to construct the 409-page word salad. The phrase, “teaching and learning are shaped by human relationships and by […]
Posted inCapital City Parent
Does back to school equal back to tech?
Back-to-school shopping lists traditionally have included fresh pencils, new notebooks and colored folders. However, recently parents have noticed tech accessories such as headphones and chargers showing up on their school supply lists. As a necessity during the pandemic, many schools moved away from textbooks, worksheets and workbooks and toward using “1:1” devices such as laptops […]
Posted inCapital City Parent
Learning about leadership
Honesty. Integrity. Humility. Perseverance. Empathy. Nineteen middle school students from across Illinois spent June 21-26 in Springfield immersed in Abraham Lincoln’s five pillars of leadership as part of the LEAD: Spirit of Lincoln Youth Leadership Academy. Learning from Lincoln scholars and reenactors, mentors and each other – and through visits to historic Lincoln sites – […]
Posted inHistory
Fourth of July celebrations in the 1800s
Today in Illinois and elsewhere, the Fourth of July is a holiday for boating, barbecues and fireworks. More than 180 years ago, the celebrations were more scripted and formal, though fireworks were always a constant. Back then, revelry on July 4 was an all-day affair, complete with processions, bands and a multitude of speakers. The […]
Posted inHistory
Drive-in movie theaters
On a warm summer night in the 1960s, long before Netflix and HBO, I would hop in a car with family or friends and head to the Harvest Moon drive-in theater. Once there, we would crank down the driver’s window, hook a speaker over the glass, grab some snacks and settle in for movie night […]
Posted inHistory
Marbold marks 175 years
The Marbold Farmstead Association hosts a yearly fall event and other activities throughout the year at the Marbold Home near Greenview. From 1-4 p.m. on July 12, a special celebration will take place with music, house tours, children’s activities and storytelling. A program, “175 Year Journey: Our Story” will begin at 2 p.m. and include […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Magical marinades
A well-made marinade makes all the difference when grilling and can transform an otherwise lackluster meal into a stellar spread. Marinades and dry rubs perform two main functions to achieve this, first by allowing salt to penetrate thoroughly and evenly, resulting in a juicy, well-seasoned dish. Second, the acids and enzymes in many marinades can […]
Posted inBooks
More than a book about a baseball game
The First All-Star Game: Babe Ruth, FDR and America at the Crossroadsby Randall Sullivan (Grove Atlantic Books, 2026). Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game will be held July 14at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia as part of a nearly weeklong schedule of baseball-related events. The game coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Major League Baseball has jumped aboard the celebration with full gusto. In […]
Posted inNow Playing
July music coming in hot
Welcome to July of 2026 as our national holiday weekend celebrating Independence Day in the U.S. of A. comes in hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July, to borrow an appropriate phrase for the occasion. I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about the 250th anniversary of America, so let’s move on to the music […]
Posted inIT Picks
Capital City Comix present Friday Night Live
COMEDY | New local comedy venture begins Get ready, Springfield. For three Friday nights this month, the comedians of Capital City Comix will take over the upstairs stage at Arlington’s for what is billed as a fast-paced night of “unhinged sketch comedy, satirical news and music. … Like SNL, but local, louder and weirder,” reads […]
Posted inCellebrate America
Celebrate America
Between this week’s Fourth of July holiday and the America 250 activities taking place throughout the year, there are many ways to celebrate. This special issue looks back at historical observances of the Fourth of July and highlights ways to spend your upcoming holiday weekend.
