The University of Illinois Springfield UNI 101 class worked with the Community Voices team in the fall of 2021 to put together podcasts examining Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail" from an ethos, logos and pathos perspective. Each podcast is posted on our Community Voices page.

The University of Illinois Springfield UNI 101 class worked with the Community Voices team in the fall of 2021 to put together podcasts examining Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail" from an ethos, logos and pathos perspective. Each podcast is posted on our Community Voices page.

This year Downtown Springfield will offer two favorite holiday events. The Festival of Trees is moving downtown as the "Memorial Holiday Fest," which will coincide with the Downtown Holiday Walks. Downtown Springfield Inc. (DSI) Executive Director Kayla Graven and Executive Director of the Springfield Memorial Foundation Melissa Hansen-Schmadeke spoke with Community Voices about the events downtown, as well as the opportunities for shopping, caroling and wagon rides.

John Yates is the owner of Arcadia: America's Playable Arcade Museum in McLean, Ill. Yates learned how to be an entrepreneur at a young age, selling paper airplanes in fourth grade. In 2009, he remodeled a building and filled it with playable vintage arcade games. Many of the games still only require a quarter to play. Yates spoke with Community Voices about how he got his start in collecting vintage arcade games, and why creating a family-friendly space is important to him.

Aiyana Smash and Coleman Cummings portray the characters Mimi and Roger in the "Rent 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour," coming to the UIS Performing Arts Center on Nov. 18. They spoke to Community Voices about their careers and how the pandemic has affected their performances.

Jennifer Hobbs is an Army veteran and the author of "Calmed: Growth After Trauma." She has written a memoir about the trauma she and her husband experienced while deployed in Iraq. Hobbs hopes that her book and her wellness program will help veterans and their families in recovering from trauma.

Penny Powell is the executive director of Fifth Street Renaissance. She spoke with Community Voices about the history of the organization and the numerous services it provides to those experiencing homelessness in Springfield. The organization provides housing for these individuals as well as resources to create stability for those living in difficult situations.

Liz Carter and Maggie Adkins are two of four sisters, and they own the First and Third Boutique and Wine Bar in Petersburg, Ill. They spoke with Community Voices about their sisters-only trips which inspired their business. They also described their collection of wines and their weekly entertainment that make the location a social spot on the Petersburg square.

LifeLine Pilots is an organization whose mission is to provide free air transportation through volunteer pilots for passengers with medical and humanitarian needs. Executive Director Lindsey Kerr and pilot Andy Facer spoke with Community Voices about the organization and its history. They also shared their memories of helping others and how to volunteer for the organization.

The Best Kept Secret Live Jam is an opportunity for instrumentalists and vocalists to meet for an impromptu musical jam session. The music is completely free flowing and unrehearsed. Event organizers Besserat Betsy Habtes and Ezra Casey spoke to Community Voices about the upcoming thanksgiving-edition jam session at 3 p.m. on Nov. 20, at Abundant Faith Christian Center.