Corners and countertops are cluttered, you’ve stepped barefoot on a Lego again and you just found your crumpled fun fair assignment in the bottom of a backpack, due tomorrow. Happens all the time. Take a breath and listen to Joe Scruggs’ delightful song “By the Way” from Deep in the Jungle. He gets it. But […]
Special Issues
Posted inCapital City Parent
Family event calendar
NOVEMBER 2025 Arts and Crafts Fair Fri., Nov. 14, 5-8pm and Sat., Nov. 15, 9am-3pm. Find unique gifts, beautiful art and amazing crafts – all handcrafted by local artisans. Free admission. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, Springfield, IL 62711, 217-585-9550. Funshop Kids Club Fri., Nov. 14, 5:30-8:30pm and Fri., Dec. 12, 5:30-8:30pm. […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Prepare your yard and garden for fall
It’s a great time of year in the circle of garden life. Autumn in the garden. Cool weather crops. Final summer harvest. A few weeks to tuck in the garden for winter before the spring seed catalogs arrive. Here’s what area gardeners are doing this fall, what they recommend to start a new garden and […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Take the 30-day decluttering challenge
As the seasons start to change, it’s time to put away swimsuits and goggles in order to find sweaters and slacks. Oftentimes, when you are looking for fall and winter items, you may notice that an abundant amount of stuff has somehow piled up in every cabinet and drawer throughout the course of the summer […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Try fortified wines for fall
The scent of autumn is in the air, distinctly spicy from the freshly fallen leaves and ripening wildflowers baking in the afternoon sun. As the season shifts from summer to fall, so do our choice of beverages, away from icy cold glasses of crisp rose in the shade to a cozy tipple by the fire. […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Don’t let winter blindside you
The following checklist is in no way a hastening of winter; rather, it’s a stress reducer, because a little time spent preparing your home for winter now will save you a great deal of grief later. Begin with the exterior of your home while warmer temperatures prevail and then move to the interior: Roof Have […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Fall Home & Garden Calendar
Illinois Product Farmers Market Third Thursday of every month, 3:30-7:30pm. Through Sep. 18. This market hosts a variety of producers, growers, bakers, artisans and local vendors as well as a food truck, live music and wine and beer choices. agr.illinois.gov. Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave. Old Capitol Farmers Market Wednesdays, Saturdays, 8:30am-12:30pm. […]
Posted inReGen
A message of peace from China
On a rainy Friday in Secor, Illinois, the quiet town of 300 just west of El Paso welcomed a rare diplomatic visit from the Chinese Consulate in Chicago. Consul General Wang Baodong, joined by four consulate officials, gathered with members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), directors of the Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS), […]
Posted inReGen
Obesity is a chronic medical disease
My medical education began in 1992, at a time when there was still belief that obesity was a problem of self-control or lack of motivation. There was minimal training in obesity itself, let alone nutrition and its impact on health. As I practiced primary care, it became apparent that weight management impacted many other medical […]
Posted inReGen
What does it take to be a man?
This feels like a dangerous topic and a forever question. My intention is not to create division or argue about biology and what someone should or should not do, but to bring light to some wisdom teachings and build discussion on the topic for all of us, whatever our age, gender and ways in which […]
Posted inReGen
Explore Your Community
ONGOING Illinois Prairie Pastel Society “Pastel Play” member showThrough Oct. 7, 10am-5pm. Presented by the Illinois Prairie Pastel Society. An opening reception will be held from 3 to 5pm Sep. 21. Free. Athens Public Library, Athens, 410 E. Hargrove, 217-636-8047. Free Community BreakfastSundays, 7:30-8:30am. Through Dec. 28. Enjoy a breakfast and friendly fellowship. The mission […]
