Vanessa Ferguson

Dr. Brian Mullgardt is the author of the book “Wear Some Armor In Your Hair: Urban Renewal and the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Lincoln Park.” He spoke to Community Voices about his research of the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the ensuing police riot. He also shared what he learned about the Lincoln Park area residents and their role in the protests during the convention. Dr. Mullgardt will speak more about his book on Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. at Books on the Square in Springfield.

The Illinois State Fair opens Aug. 8 and runs through Aug. 18. Craig McFarland from the Beyond the Mouse podcast sat down with Rebecca Clark the Illinois State Fair manager to discuss the upcoming events including Fairytales on Ice and the Jonas Brothers concert.

Melanie Reynolds is a nurse practitioner, and she organizes the Central Illinois Nurse Honor Guard. She spoke to Community Voices about the service the Nurse Honor Guard provides to nurses who have passed and what life is like for nurses as they care for their patients.

Faith in Place is an interfaith environmental nonprofit that works with faith communities to enact more sustainable and healthy practices. Central Illinois Outreach Coordinator Aiden Meyer spoke to Community Voices about his experience with Faith in Place and the ways in which he assists his Green Teams.For more information about Faith in Place visit: https://www.faithinplace.org/

Jane McBride is the president of Illinois Humane. She spoke to Community Voices about the five Carolina dogs who are still looking for homes since fall of 2023. She also explained the primitive history of this unique dog breed and how they form strong bonds with humans after three or four weeks.For more information visit: https://www.facebook/illinoishumane/

"Echoes of Change: Central Illinois Journalism and Social Justice in the 1980s" was a forum hosted by the Sangamon Experience at the University of Illinois Springfield and co-sponsored by NPR Illinois. The conversation explored the impact of local journalism during a transformative era. Mary Bohlen, journalist and UIS associate professor emerita of communication, moderated the conversation. Panelists included Fletcher Farrar, editor of the Illinois Times; Ann Anderson Mustard, former WCIA-TV reporter who covered the Illinois State Capitol; Larry Golden, professor emeritus of political studies and legal studies and founding director of the Illinois Innocence Project at UIS; and Frank McNeil, former Springfield alderman and plaintiff in the 1987 lawsuit that changed the city’s commission form of government.

What an incredible conversation with new Disney Legend Joe Rohde! We talk about his approach to design, exploring other cultures, the origins of Harrison Hightower III and much more.

Stella Cole is releasing a new album containing jazz standards and more! She spoke to Community Voices about her social media following, performing in jazz clubs and touring with Postmodern Jukebox.

Jake Friefeld, director of the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies, alongside Kate McKenzie, director of development at NPR Illinois, spoke with Community Voices about the upcoming Mary and James Beaumont Endowed Lincoln Legacy Series. This event will include talks from NPR Morning Edition’s Steve Inskeep, and Sarah Anderson, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California Santa Barbara Bren School. It will take place on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Illinois Springfield Student Union Ballroom.To register visit: https://web.cvent/event/ba2aa356-f660-48f1-a601-b7aa0c5e1a36/summary

Ashley Brown originated the role of Mary Poppins on Broadway, and she will perform in Springfield, Ill. on Sept. 14 as the headliner for the Hoogland Center for the Arts Gala. Brown spoke to the Beyond the Mouse podcast about her upcoming performance. For more information visit hcfta.org