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On this month’s episode of Shelf Understanding (where you can really learn to understand yourshelf), we talk with John Stark and Deanne Jent from the Illinois Shakespeare Festival!  Now we all know that Danny is a theatre nerd, but this episode is really fun even if you aren’t! Then, we talk to John Sabine from … Continue reading 22 – The Illinois Shakespeare Festival→

This month on Shelf Understanding (where you can really learn to understand yourshelf), we take a closer look at Bloomington-Normal’s incredible special needs theatre scene. First, host Danny Rice and occasional host Rhonda Massie visit Jackie Gunderson, Barb Wells, and several of the performers from the Penguin Projects musical Madagascar Jr., a Musical Adventure and … Continue reading 21 – Special Needs Theatre→

On this month’s episode of Shelf Understanding (where you can really learn to understand yourshelf), our host Danny talks with two (out of four) microbreweries local to Bloomington-Normal: White Oak Brewing and Destihl. First, Bryan Ballard, co-founder of White Oak and co-host of the Craft Beer Digest podcast (link below), talks with Danny about the … Continue reading 20 – Local Breweries→

On this month’s episode of Shelf Understanding (where you can REALLY learn to understand yourshelf), Danny, Rhonda, and Unofficial Sound Engineer Rob go on a tour of a local gem: the small batch, family owned and operated RGW Candy Company.  We talk with Amy Wertheim while she makes a large batch of traditional toffee, teaches … Continue reading 19 – RGW Candy Company→

This month on Shelf Understanding (where you can really learn to understand yourshelf), occasional host Rhonda Massie and unofficial sound engineer Rob (and NOT host Danny…) go on a mission to Mars via Heartland Community College’s Challenger Learning Center!  These simulated space missions are available for a variety of age groups, and the Challenger Learning … Continue reading 18 – The Challenger Learning Center→

On this month’s episode of Shelf Understanding (where you can really learn to understand yourshelf), host Danny Rice discusses the New York Times bestselling book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet with author Jamie Ford!  Join us as we discuss details of the Seattle jazz scene, Japanese internment camps, and second chances, as well as Ford’s new … Continue reading 17 – Interview with author Jamie Ford→

This month on Shelf Understanding (where you can really learn to understand yourshelf), hosts Danny Rice and Marion Archer talk with Sharon ShareAlike, a nationally known drag queen, entrepreneur and emcee.  Join us as we talk about the upcoming local “Miss Gay Illinois USofA” drag pageant, Sharon’s businesses and their future, and how she and … Continue reading 16 – Sharon ShareAlike→

On this month’s episode of Shelf Understanding (where you can really learn to understand yourshelf), host Marion Archer (and even our Unofficial Sound Engineer Rob, for a bit!) sit down with Callum Fletcher and Andrew Reddington of Illinois Wesleyan University’s new eSports program! Collegiate sports have always been a staple of the college experience, so … Continue reading 15 – eSports→

On this month’s episode, host Marion Archer interviews local tattoo artist Ricky Sturdivant of 33 Tattoos and Art about the art of tattooing.  We’ll talk about the history of tattooing, how Ricky has used tattoos to help those stricken with cancer, and the future of tattoos, including the use of bioreactive ink!  Did you ever … Continue reading 14 – The Art of Tattooing→

On this month’s episode of Shelf Understanding (where you can really learn to understand yourshelf), co-hosts Danny Rice, Marion Archer, and Rhonda Massie interview Travis and Carrie Mack (also known as “The Current Situation”), who recently canoed the length of the Mississippi River.  Join us as Travis and Carrie answer the questions we all want … Continue reading 13 – Canoeing the Mississippi River (with The Current Situation)→

This month, co-hosts Danny Rice and Marion Archer (and even Unofficial Sound Engineer Rob, at one point!) talk with a few local business owners and experts about different types of, “Retro Gaming”.  Whether this means classic arcade games, tabletop and/or card games, or pinball, we wanted to better understand why these gaming styles are experiencing … Continue reading 12 – Retro Gaming→

This month’s episode of Shelf Understanding focuses on efforts by two local organizations who care for both exotic and native animals.  Host Danny Rice and this month’s co-host Marion Archer talk to Adrienne Bauer of Wildlife Prairie Park and Jay Tetzloff of the Miller Park Zoo.  We’ll learn about conservation efforts at both locations and … Continue reading 11 – Zoos and Wildlife Conservation→

On this month’s episode of Shelf Understanding (where you can really learn to understand yourshelf), host/librarian Danny Rice talks with cyber security guru Craig Yarbrough about the primary types of malware, how you can protect yourself from “Bad Guys”, and how emerging technologies will also lead to additional vulnerabilities.  But fear not!  Because we will … Continue reading 10 – Cyber Security→

This month on Shelf Understanding, librarian/host Danny Rice talks with Deborah Halperin and Karen Schmidt from the West Bloomington Revitalization Project about all of the wonderful things that the WBRP is doing in our community.  From the Tool Library, Book Bike, and Veggie Oasis to the Bed/Bench Blitz and Home Restoration Project, the WBRP is … Continue reading 09 – The West Bloomington Revitalization Project→

Do you think Comics and Graphic Novels are just for nerds?  Do you think they’re just for little kids?  Do you think people who enjoy books with illustrations are bad at reading?  Well, join host Danny Rice this month as we buck all of the stereotypes surrounding this genre of literature.  Danny talks with “nearly … Continue reading 08 – Comics & Graphic Novels→

Bloomington (IL) Public Library is bringing New York Times bestselling author Erik Larson to Bloomington on April 12, 2017, to discuss his book, The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, during a free author presentation at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. This month on Shelf Understanding, host … Continue reading 07 – Erik Larson Interview→

Often, technology advances faster than we can keep track.  Virtual Reality is one such example, so let’s get to the bottom of what makes this tech craze so appealing.  We’ll also look into some of its more meaningful uses, and try to defuse a virtual time bomb.  “Try” being the key word…

Everyone learns differently.  But did you know that your brain might learn differently simply based on your given situation?  Join host Danny Rice, librarian Rachel Park, and Heartland Community College professor Zach Petrea as we discuss a new way of learning, teaching, and thinking: Universal Design For Learning.               … Continue reading 05 – There Is No Average Person→

This month, Shelf Understanding host Danny Rice discusses Tiny Houses with contractor Mike Robinson, a member of a local makeshift task force that is working with the City of Bloomington to reshape zoning laws in an effort to provide space for tiny houses for those in need of housing. Robinson is part of a team … Continue reading 04 – Tiny Houses→

On this month’s edition of Shelf Understanding, our librarians are talking about puppetry with Samantha Anne Maggio who co-owns Suspended Belief Theater in Bloomington, IL, and with Michael Vetere, Associate Professor in the School of Theater and Dance at Illinois State University where he teaches creative drama and puppetry classes. We love them! We’re scared … Continue reading 03 – Puppetry→