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Spring Guide
Spring Guide has information on worthwhile day trips, nearby museums, area vendor fairs, brunch options, an expanded three-month calendar of events and more. Related Related Related Related Related Related Stories
Penguins Lessons has valuable insight, Death of a Unicorn too predictable, Snow White misfires
Deft touch makes for poignant Penguin Peter Cattaneo’s The Penguin Lessons is a loose adaptation of the best-selling memoir by Tom Michell, which recounts his teaching experiences in 1976 Argentina. In the film adaptation, the instructor is presented as a burnt-out recluse, a man who takes this position because he has no family, has nothing…
After public pressure, state commits $8M to restoring New Salem
Nearly a century after the Civil Conservation Corps reconstructed the once-thriving village of New Salem where Abraham Lincoln spent his 20s working odd jobs, studying law and winning his first election, the historic site just northwest of Springfield has fallen into disrepair. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site is a replica of the hamlet where…
Illinois joins motion to block dismantling of U.S. Education Department
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 20 other state attorneys general are asking a federal judge to immediately halt President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. In a motion filed March 24 in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, the coalition of Democratic attorneys general are seeking a preliminary injunction to block…
Alto Nights gives De Niro a dual role, Magazine Dreams a gripping story, Black Bag clever espionage tale
Dual De Niro’s a Knights asset There’s an unfortunate gimmick hanging over Barry Levinson’s The Alto Knights, a gangster chronicle that covers a heretofore unexamined chapter in mob history, at least where the movies are concerned. Two-time Oscar-winner Robert De Niro takes on the dual roles of rival gangsters Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. One…
Former music and theater director sentenced in child porn case
Adam Power avoided criminal charges for five years after Springfield police investigated him for alleged inappropriate online comments and text messages with minors he met in Springfield Theatre Centre programs and productions. But since 2018, Power, a Petersburg resident and former Springfield-area substitute teacher, choir director and community theater director, used lies and more than…
Charges increased for teen driver who hit woman and dog
Lilly was a bright-eyed Labrador retriever who brought joy to her family and smiles to her neighbors. On a sunny afternoon Feb. 27, her owner, Kimberly Sharpe, took her for a walk from which she never returned. While in a crosswalk, a car grazed Sharpe and ran over Lilly. In the weeks that followed, tears…
Fun museum day trips
You could call Atlanta, Illinois, the land of giants these days. Towering over the community 45 miles north of Springfield is a collection of roadside icons brought together by a small museum. Those itching for a spring road trip should get their motors running and head out on the highway to Atlanta. From there look…
Rabbit Hole explores themes of loss
Last week, I watched the courageous and artful William Wyler film The Children’s Hour. Originally a play, it’s based on a true story from 1810 about two Edinburgh school teachers whose lives were destroyed when one of their students falsely accused them of engaging in an “unnatural” relationship. During the intro, I learned about how…
Breaking up with your employer
If you’re on the job hunt this year, you’re not alone. More Americans want to leave their jobs now than in the past decade, according to Gallup. And 28% of workers globally are extremely or very likely to change employers, compared to 19% during the “Great Resignation” in 2022, a survey by PwC shows. There are always…
Is job hopping right for you?
The term “job hopper” typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting disloyalty and instability. However, frequent career changes are becoming more prevalent. But does job hopping ultimately harm or help your career? A study by SideHustles.com surveyed full-time employees about job hopping. It found that 12% identify as job hoppers, with Gen Z leading at 19%. Tech industry…
Shop these area vendor fairs
“Let’s root for each other and watch each other grow.” That motto of the Small Town Dreamers Market seems fitting with many specialized vendor fairs and small-town outdoor markets. The vendor fairs bring together like-minded people to share their passions and buy and sell their goods. Small town markets are outlets for local farmers and…
Dodge the deceit: Spotting and avoiding job scams
In today’s digital age, job scams have become alarmingly common, preying on individuals eager to find employment. These scams can be sophisticated, often mimicking legitimate job offers and leading unsuspecting job seekers into traps. The Identity Theft Resource Center reported job scams increased by 118% in 2023. The data revealed job scams were primarily carried out through websites, typically…
True crime tales from Southern Illinois
When one thinks of organized crime, the activities of past criminals in the big cities of New York and Chicago spring to mind first – names of infamous criminals such as Al Capone, Bugsy Segal, Lucky Luciano, John Dillinger and Meyer Lansky, for example. But southern Illinois also had its fair share of crime and…
Critical thinking jiujitsu
In my son’s jiujitsu practice, coaches help competitors remain calm under pressure. In fact, emotional outbursts in a match result in disqualification. Once your emotions take over, you’ve lost the ability for rational problem-solving and decision-making. This is advice I’m leaning heavily into these days (takes deep breath). It seems like any conversation is just…
Mayor’s civility pledge at Council meeting doesn’t quell anger about fallout from retired police officer’s DUI accident
Mayor Misty Buscher introduces a civility pledge and honors retiring Memorial CEO Ed Curtis with a proclamation for his retirement. Several variance requests were approved for a new restaurant. Route History Inc. requested a zoning change for a museum on Jackson Street. But the focus of the meeting was on police accountability for the car-motorcycle…
Poem by Gillian
Everyone sleeps but I am risen with the sun, and the grass wets with cold and freshness above my knees, softly then under the trees through the fence. Down now, to be seen is to be caught. Scramble up a cliffside scraping, stinging, and brambles hold me down. The trees at the top are quiet…
The power of business networking
The phrase “networking event” sounds like a cringey waste of time, doesn’t it? Even as a verified extravert, the thought of talking to strangers and making meaningless conversation gives me a visceral reaction – pounding heart and sweaty palms as I imagine all of the awkward silences. At first, networking can seem intimidating, or at…
Spring into suspense
If you aren’t ready for the sunshine of spring just yet, there are plenty of local thrills and chills to keep you immersed in winter’s shadow. From interactive murder mysteries to classic psychological dramas, Springfield has something to pique the interest of every suspense enthusiast. The Dinner Detective Murder-mystery dinner series March 29, April 5,…
Prepare your resume to be read by AI
We can all relate to the experience of being the job seeker, but can you relate to those on the other side of the equation? Those on the search committee may have more than 100 cover letters and resumes to review and evaluate with the goal of identifying three candidates to interview to fill only…
Interview fatigue
Job seekers often find themselves caught in a whirlwind of interviews, and while interviews are a crucial part of the job search process, they can also lead to interview fatigue. But don’t worry! There are effective and energizing strategies to combat the burnout and keep the process smooth and efficient. What Is interview fatigue? Interview…
Reading while Black
Feb. 23 was the first really mild Sunday afternoon in weeks. As is my routine, after completing a workout at the YMCA in downtown Springfield on such a glorious day, I made my way on foot to the nearby Amtrak station with a good book in hand to read before heading home. While at the…
Family-friendly day trips
Now that the weather is warmer, you and your kids may be jonesing for some windows-down, get-out-of-town, road trip-vibes adventures. Springfield offers tons of stay-at-home options, but if you are wanting to leave town and stretch out a little bit, check out the following excursions. Each day trip listed below is close enough that you…
Tips for acing your interview
Interviewing can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be if you’re prepared. Taking time to prepare will set you up for success and turn the interview into an exciting challenge – the opportunity to show how well your skills and abilities match the position you desire. The following are some tips that may seem…
Spring into brunch
For those looking to get the most out of their weekend, brunch is undoubtedly the best place to start. Whether you’re looking for a casual bite before heading off to the farmers market or a full-on mimosa soiree, Springfield has a variety of brunch options from which to choose. Here are a few of our…
Letters to the editor 03-20-25
WASTED MONEY In the article, it says the city of Springfield received a matching grant of $25,000 to pay for planting 130 new trees (“Springfield Urban Forestry Commission member resign,” Feb. 27). So I think we can understand why they aren’t getting more money from taxpayers that are already strapped. That is about $190 a…
A quiet, but important, election day
Sangamon County voters are heading to the polls April 1 to decide on a range of local issues, including school board races, township government positions and a referendum on consolidating the county recorder’s office and clerk’s office. While not every municipal position is contested, some, like the races for the school board, offer voters the…
Music marches on
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire, we have a good bunch of live music coming at you this week in the Springfield area. It’s all there for you to take, as long as you actually go do it. Let’s see what’s in store as we head into the latter part of March in 2025. Thursdays…
Spring guide calendar
MARCH A Call to Think: On Common Ground Thu., March 27, 5-7:15pm. Part of the Chancellor’s Thinkers Series. Join UIS Chancellor Janet L. Gooch and UIS alums Ryan Melchin and Matt Van Vossen for a conversation, Q&A and reception. Discover how Melchin and Van Vossen navigated diverse leadership roles on campus, including leading the College…
Overcome the perception of being overqualified
You’ve found the perfect job. It checks all your boxes and aligns with your career goals. You’re confident you’re the ideal candidate… maybe too confident. You’re worried you might be perceived as “overqualified.” This tricky situation can be a real hurdle, but it’s not insurmountable. Before we dive into solutions, let’s understand why employers might be hesitant about hiring…
Korean fried chicken
My wife is not a picky eater but she’s very choosy about chicken wings. She used to love the wings served at Cafe Brio, and she was crushed when the downtown Springfield restaurant closed in 2016. Since then, whenever she orders wings, she’ll invariably say: “They’re just not as good as Brio’s!” We spent the…
