Program info & archives
Story Subject Category: Champaign County
Get Flash to see this video.
The mission of 40 north/88 west is to nurture artists in Champaign County by fostering collaboration, and keeping them informed about opportunities and events. Producer Virginia Steffen introduces some of the artists who are part of 40 north and the work they are creating in central Illinois.
Segment duration: 06:45
Story links:
- 40 north/88 west
- David Raila
- Adriana Smith
- Georgia Morgan
- Deborah Fell
- Kim Allison
- Hyon Joo Kim
- Christine Main
- Burcu Okay
- Athan Chilton
Producer: Virginia Steffen
Chief Camera - Segment: Julius Bolton, David Noreen, Henry Radcliff, Virginia Steffen
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Champaign • Champaign County • Urbana
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Get Flash to see this video.
By producer Alison Davis Wood
There is something about the idea of defying gravity that is really addicting to people. Why do people always want to attempt flying through the air? Probably the safest way to explore this desire is by learning to fly model aircraft. At least then when you are learning to fly you don’t have to leave the ground.
Champaign-Urbana has a large number of model aviation enthusiasts because the twin cities are home to two of the largest manufacturers of model planes. These companies even have professional flying teams which travel around the world testing and racing company products. The members of the local club are just as serious about their hobby. Their model aircraft airport is immaculate and I’m sure it is one of the best in the country.
My first time seeing model planes fly up close was when I was taping this story. Videographer Julius Bolton and I attended the CCRCC’s “Giant Scale Fly-In.” The planes were awesome in their size and resemblance to actual aircraft. In our quest to get the best shot, we asked club members if we could get out on the runway to get closer to the planes. Normally they would have said absolutely not, but today professional flyer Frank Noll was on hand. They said he was such a skilled pilot, they felt confident that we would not be struck by his six-foot plane.
So Julius and I headed out to the prairie grass on the far side of the runway. I think Frank liked the challenge of having human obstacles and he wanted to get us the best shot. Before I knew it his incredible plane was hovering just feet away from us. It was amazing and a bit frightening, as we had just heard stories how the propellers on model aircraft can cut off fingers. We wanted to get home with all our digits and limbs intact! But we didn’t need to worry. Frank had complete control of the plane and he swooped it by us several more times before taking it in for a perfect landing.
Remember you can learn to fly a model plane at the club’s free instruction nights. These happen every Thursday in good weather.
If you want to experience model aviation for yourself then don’t miss Great Planes Model Manufacturing’s E-fest, Feb. 9 and 10, 2008, on campus at the University of Illinois. For more information visit http://www.gpe-fest.com Saturday is THE day to be at E-Fest because they have open flying all day with pylon races, ultimate combat and a unique “blackout” where pilots trim their planes with lights and fly in the dark.
Segment duration: 07:09
Story links:
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
Chief Camera - Segment: Julius Bolton
This segment is filed in these categories: Hobbies • Champaign County
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Get Flash to see this video.
First Lego League by Eleanore Stasheff
When I heard about a team of six middle school girls who designed a robot out of Legos that was going to an international competition in the Netherlands, the first thing I thought was “Wow, I can barely build a house out of legos.” I decided that their story had be told – people had to know about a group of kids from Champaign, Ill., who could make a nationally award-winning robot. It sounded like the kind of fairy-tale story that happens in movies and after-school specials, but that you would never think about happening in your own backyard.
It was a Saturday afternoon in late April when I first met the team, well three of them. I arrived at the unassuming Next Generation Middle School and filmed B-roll footage with Bridget Mueller-Brennan, Elinor and Yasmin Nadir, and the two coaches Joe Muskin and Jim Brennan. As I filmed them working on improving their robot I was stunned to see how smart and creative these girls were. They were not only building a robot in front of me, but they were programming it and making it perform simple tasks. They had problems getting the robot to move correctly and spent most of the two hours I was there adjusting the programming and discussing what the problems were and how they could be fixed. They were children, but talked like college students as they munched on popcorn and sifted through boxes of complex Legos that I don’t think they sold when I was kid.
All around me in this small, three-room school that was next door to a Cardinal Fitness gym were pictures that were drawn by 10- or 12-year-olds that were better than pictures I could draw now. Signs in multiple languages hung on the walls, or sat on desktops. I could feel an aura of creativity and an encouragement of learning that I wished every school had, and I must confess I was rather envious that Next Generation wasn’t around when I was in school. I was incredibly impressed with the knowledge and imagination that the three girls presented as I filmed them, and the encouragement and excitement of the coaches as I talked with them.
I would have liked to interview all of the girls, but time constraints prohibited me from interviewing them on more than one day, so only two of the girls were interviewed. I’m just so impressed with those girls, and with the coaches and the school for having a program like this that encourages learning science and computer skills in a fun and competitive way, and I only hope the Prairie Fire segment about them adequately shows how amazing they are, and how amazing it is that they went so far in their first year.
I want to thank Aramael Pena-Alcantara and the Pena-Alcantara Family for providing all the great pictures and footage from the First Lego League contest in the Netherlands, and Amy Mueller for being a vital communications link with the team, and for sending out the press release that let me know about this remarkable group of girls.
Segment duration: 05:21
Producer: Eleanore Stasheff
This segment is filed in these categories: Hobbies • Science/Nature • Champaign • Champaign County
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Get Flash to see this video.
Orpheum Science Museum by Elif Basar
In college I read somewhere that the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum was looking for volunteers, and they were holding a volunteer orientation. I had never heard of this place, and I was not even aware that a children’s museum even existed in Champaign. I had done previous volunteer work with children and science, so I thought this would be a fun opportunity. I went to check out this tiny museum, which I had passed by several times in the past, and hardly noticed. I was pleased when I walked inside. Who knew at the time that what looked like an abandoned area of downtown held such a colorful and promising place? The answer is, not many people. Apparently, I was not the only one who was unaware of it.
I volunteered for some of their special events’ weekends, which drew in a modest number of people. I had such a wonderful time explaining different scientific concepts to children, and seeing them engaged and actually interested in what I was saying. Children were really enjoying themselves, not even noticing that they were learning at the same time. I have always felt that places like these are very important for our community to have. Many of the surrounding communities have had established children’s museums for some time, and it is only in the last decade that Champaign has joined them. I wanted more people to be aware of this place, and its importance, so that is can continuously grow and improve as planned. Already this has started, as I observed by the crowd it drew in this January at the event Prairie Fire filmed. Children were all over the place, participating in hands on experiments and demonstrations. Trying to film them in action was a bit of a challenge, since they would run as soon as they noticed the camera. Virginia Steffen still managed to sneak up on them, and get some great shots before they noticed.
We had a wonderful time that Saturday shooting this. I really hope more people take notice of this neat little place, and will help to support it.
Segment duration: 08:13
Story links:
Producer: Elif Basar
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Science/Nature • Champaign • Champaign County
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Get Flash to see this video.
The Whip Guy by Alison Davis Wood
I first saw Chris Camp performing at the Illinois State Fair. Being the mother of three boys, I had little choice but to watch his act. My oldest son ran right over when he heard the whip crack. But I found that Chris is right, whips are really fun to watch especially when you see them being cracked by a professional. I knew I had to do a story on man that had dedicated himself to whip cracking.
It is fun to imagine Chris as kid spending hours in his backyard using his Star Wars action figures as targets. I am amazed he was able to get his friends to help him practice during those early days. I am even more amazed that I volunteered to hold a few targets during our shoot at Washington Park. I had to close my eyes when he cracked a flower out of my mouth. Afterward I couldn’t believe I did it. I guess I just had complete trust in his abilities.
Chris is performing May 5 at the Champaign Public Library. Visit the library’s Web site for more information. Seeing him perform is something you shouldn’t miss. Also check out his Web site to get his complete schedule.
Segment duration: 06:44
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Champaign • Champaign County
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Get Flash to see this video.
Allerton Park is truly an oasis on the prairie. When you walk through the shaded canopy on a hot summer day, it is incredible to think that Robert Allerton built the entire park out of nothing. The place was the vision of one man and we are lucky that he chose to let us all enjoy it. Eleanore Stasheff’s story does a wonderful job of explaining the history of the park and lets people in on the behind the scenes stories of its creation. My favorite is that the Sun Singer Statue was to originally sit on the patio. But when it arrived from the sculptor, it was quite a bit larger than expected. If placed on the patio, guests would gaze out the parlor windows to be greeted by the Sun Singer’s private parts! I hope this story looking back at the history of the park helps people appreciate this wonderful gift to central Illinois and that all will help to keep the park around for future generation.
Segment duration: 05:41
Story links:
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Historical Landmarks • Horticulture • Illinois Culture/History • Parks/Outdoor Recreation • University of Illinois • Champaign County • University of Illinois
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Get Flash to see this video.
What if we could hop on electric train that could take us home even if we lived in rural Champaign County? Or we could ride that train into town to do grocery shopping? ... Is this a glimpse of the future?… No, it is a look back to the days of the Illinois traction system. This electric train system connected central Illinois with the Midwest. We were lucky to have Illinois Traction Historian Dale Jenkins to tell us the history of the transportation system that was also responsible for bringing electricity to many rural communities. Ian Mitchell produced this story because he had tales of the inter-urban as he was growing up in Tolono. His grandmother is featured in the segment. ... written by Alison Davis Wood
Segment duration: 07:28
Story links:
Producer: Ian Mitchell
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • History • Illinois Culture/History • Railroads • Champaign County
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Get Flash to see this video.
Many towns around central Illinois are trying or have tried to save their major downtown theater. Champaign is succeeding. The Virginia has been serving the community for 80 years. Thankfully local people thought enough of this historic landmark to keep it open. It remains a place to catch local theater, national acts and film festivals. This story produced by longtime Champaign-Urbana theater person Chris Stasheff examines the history of this beautiful building, but also reveals how much is left to be done.
Segment duration: 04:56
Story links:
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Cinema/Theaters/Film • Historical Landmarks • Illinois Culture/History • Champaign • Champaign County
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Get Flash to see this video.
University of Illinois entomologist May Berenbaum tells Prairie Fire she was pleased to have a luscious entomologist named after her in a 1996 “The X-Files” episode, especially since the character was a great stereotype buster. “Entomologists are usually portrayed as having horn-rimmed glasses and wearing inappropriate clothes like pith helmets,” said Prairie Fire host Alison Davis, who profiles Berenbaum. Davis explores the activities of the real life Berenbaum and the history of her Insect Fear Film Festival, which Berenbaum has been using for 15 years to expose the mythology in insect films.
Davis said Berenbaum actually likes a lot of the films that aren’t scientifically accurate. “In fact, the worse the movie, the more entertaining she finds it. But she does like to point out where the movie differs from scientific fact,” Davis said. Berenbaum, a member of the national Academy of Sciences and head of the UI entomology department, began the festival as a fun way to educate people about insects.
Segment duration: 11:10
Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Cinema/Theaters/Film • Illinois Culture/History • Livestock/Animals/Zoology • University of Illinois • Champaign • Champaign County • University of Illinois • Urbana
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Get Flash to see this video.
The Florida A & M “Marching 100” Band has performed at the Champs Elysee in Paris, at both of President Bill Clinton’s inaugurations and at this year’s Super Bowl XXXIX’s pre-game show Feb. 6 in Jacksonville. But last fall, they wowed U of I football fans with a performance at Memorial Stadium. And the Marching Illini took the field with them at one point for a dueling rendition of “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better.”
Segment duration: 05:10
Producer: Lillie Buck
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Music • University of Illinois • Champaign • Champaign County • University of Illinois • Urbana
back to the main Prairie Fire page
Comments: