Local community members share their outlooks on the news, events and personal challenges in 90 second essays.

On today's Perspective, Katie Andraski lets her mind wander while she walks.

Litesa Wallace remembers Rev. Jackson, from icon to collaborator.

On today's Perspective, Francisco Solares-Larrave, PhD, admits he doesn't know everything.

On today's Perspective, Beth Schewe says there's joy in trying something new.

Paula Garrett says the Year of the Fire Horse is right on time. Happy New Year!

Lonny Cain shares his memories of the joy he felt when his parents danced.

Nia Springer-Norris says you can experience the arts anywhere.

Anissa Kuhar remembers American history through presidential museums.

Arnold Rosen takes a stab at dissecting romance.

Frances Jaeger meditates on crossing a bridge in Berlin.

Are you a big believer in "survival of the fittest?" Taylor Atkins says "good luck with that."

It has been a few years since DeKalb was squawking about backyard chickens. Jennifer Corbin wonders why we haven't heard a peep since.

Connie Seraphine salutes our eight-armed friends.

Joseph Flynn shares the wisdom of Slim Charles.

Wester Wuori contends with the loss of his buddy.

Rosie Klepper discovers blue cheese is not poison.

Mary Gardner has a question about the evolution of the fireside chat.

Anissa Kuhar encourages you to find your peace in difficult times.

Katie Andraski tries tech — and it's helping.

Dr. Arnold Rosen agrees with his state senator: It's time to do something about the high cost of health care. But what to do is another matter.

Marnie O. Mamminga says her annual trip to celebrate her Cubbies transcends all politics. Go, Cubs, go!

Paula Garrett remembers one of the greats who epitomized the Memphis sound.

Taylor Atkins says his students get it. Their parents? Not so much.

Tom McBride's dreams take him back to grade school. Let the diagramming of sentences begin!

Lou Ness has a message for abusers and enablers.

Anissa Kuhar says you should think about yourself like toothpaste.

Connie Seraphine challenges herself — and you — to see winter in some life-giving ways.

Rosie Klepper faces down the pains of aging with a hot new ally.

Scott Summers found redemption in a surprising way during a visit to Japan

Tom McBride has thoughts on civic democracy

Katie Andraski appreciates the people who clear the snow.

Lonny Cain knows a lot of stuff — but where did he learn it?

Suzanne Degges-White is getting a little tired of all this beautiful snow.

Inspired by the remarkable Hubbard Street Dance Company, Paula Garrett looks at a life full of dance.

Lou Ness LOVES snow. She really really loves snow!

Anissa Kuhar has tips for socializing during the holiday season.

Julie Bassett shares a story of a community, a campus, and a calling.

Frances Jaeger asks "how many mustards are too many?" It's a rhetorical question, of course, when the world has so much to offer.

Andrew Nelson says the Democratic Party needs to prove that it can right the wrongs of a rigged system.

Susan Goldberg's thoughts on gratitude lead her to her father.

Rosie Klepper would rather see America hotly divided over cranberry sauce than you-know-what at the Thanksgiving dinner table this year.

G.K. and Wester Wuori share what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Connie Seraphine looks back at the long road that led to voting rights for women.

Deborah Booth says immigration raids could normalize the appearance of armed agents in our streets — and that could affect future elections.

It's a fitting end for some of Marnie O. Mamminga's family friends.

Dan Kenney says an ancient monster is afoot in the U.S. government leadership.

Anissa Kuhar says curiosity may be the key to identifying the real problems.

Suzanne Degges-White says we need to cool our nation's temperature before it destroys us.