By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
05.11.24
We have become a society of neologisms. But you likely know that. Even if you don’t know what the word means. Webster explains this is a noun used to describe “a new word, usage, or expression.” A few examples include beatnik, cyberspace, and workaholic.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
05.03.24
I trust you’ll recall the source of this verbal gaffe. It came from our esteemed former president, George W. Bush. It was his attempt to define when someone undervalues or underestimates something. It was a malaprop we all understood.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
04.24.24
It comes as no surprise to me that the so-called “progressive” mind embraces the idea of a woman’s choice to end a pregnancy. Nor does it surprise me that those of the libertarian mindset are willing to jump on the bandwagon for “choice" as well. It’s their “keep government out of our bedroom” mentality.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
04.19.24
“Plastics, Benjamin.” Most people in the Boomer generation, who are movie goers, could tell you exactly the source of that classic line.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
04.10.24
I saw a Facebook post recently re-shared by a friend I admire. You will need to read it all the way through to get the gist of it. Since it was a public post, here’s some of it:
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
04.06.24
The Beatles once sang, “Here Comes the Sun.” Coming up Monday, April 8th, many Illinoisans will be saying, “There goes the sun” if we’re allowed clear enough skies to witness another total solar eclipse. An Illinois government website explains that this “total solar eclipse will be visible over 128 miles of Illinois the afternoon of April 8th, 2024.”
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
03.29.24
Churches throughout Illinois are preparing for this upcoming Easter Sunday. Also known in Christendom as Resurrection Day. It is most certainly the most important of Christian celebrations on the calendar. I mean, what could possibly be more significant and impressive than a man crucified in front of witnesses come back to life a few days later?
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
03.18.24
Hard to believe is was four years ago when the dreaded COVID-19 virus scare virtually shut down America. You recall those days, right? Limited groups were allowed in stores. Schools were doing remote learning. Restaurants had restricted space or even outdoor-only seating. Family events were cancelled, including big weddings and farewell funeral gatherings.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
03.16.24
I often wonder why I torture myself. Each weekday afternoon, I try to stay somewhat literate in what is happening in our world by watching the evening network news. Most every day, I regret it.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
03.01.24
No doubt Elmo had good intentions. The Muppets have filled our homes with plenty of good laughs and good times over the years. The Muppet movies are worth investing the 90 minutes of time to watch the illustrious Kermit the Frog and friends seek a life of fame and fortune.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
03.01.24
The seemingly never ending efforts to keep Donald Trump from regaining a return to his temporary residence at the White House got personal in Illiinois this week. The Chicago Tribune alerted us that Cook County Judge Judge Tracie Porter has ruled that the former president should have his name struck from the March 19 Illinois Republican primary ballot.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
02.29.24
It’s here. Leap Day. A good thing if you need a day to catch up on things. Not as good if it means you have to work an extra day for your paycheck. Why the need for this extra day? So that our calendars can play catch up! For the Earth to orbit the sun, our planet actually takes 365.242190 days. You multiply that excess travel time and it yields up an extra day every four years. Or so we’re told.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
02.17.24
Movie buffs will recognize the title of this article as also being the title of a movie from 1993 starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. The two aging retirees were next-door neighbors. Living in Wabasha, Minnesota, the two feuded constantly. While living alone, they seem to find joy in ice fishing, trading insults, and playing practical jokes on each other.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
02.13.24
It was 1995 and I was hosting an afternoon talk show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A buzz had formed around an announcement that the Pittsburgh mayor had planned to conduct a feasibility study of proposed riverboat gambling on the city's three rivers. This study would generate estimates of how many outsiders would travel to Pittsburgh to gamble.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
02.07.24
Jesus forgave the sinner. He didn’t accommodate the sin. We read about this in John, Chapter 8 — often referred to as the “Woman caught in the act of adultery.” (John 8:2-11) Any of us who have read or heard this story about the adulterous woman should be asking why the Pharisees were not so hot on the idea of dealing with the sin of the adulterous man. And we should clearly see that Jesus is a God of mercy and forgiveness. Does He then excuse adultery? Hardly.
