The Sentinel: Recreation

Top seven cities in the Midwest to move if you love to play tennis

Tennis is not just a sport; it’s a lifestyle that can improve both your physical and mental well-being. If you're moving to another state and love tennis, these top seven cities in the Midwest provide everything you need to enjoy the sport.

SNS - If you are a tennis enthusiast relocating to the Midwest, consider yourself fortunate. The Midwest consists of several of the country's most tennis-aware cities. Whether you are a newcomer to the sport or an experienced veteran, these top seven cities in the Midwest have excellent tennis facilities, dynamic tennis communities, and many avenues to improve your game.

Tennis is not just a sport; it’s a lifestyle that can improve both your physical and mental well-being. Regular play helps enhance cardiovascular health, build muscle strength, and improve flexibility. Beyond the physical benefits, tennis fosters social connections, offering a chance to meet new people and form lasting friendships. Whether you're hitting the courts alone or joining a community league, tennis is a great way to stay active and engaged.

If you want to win more tennis matches, focusing on outdoor play is a great way to improve your game. Outdoor courts, with their unique conditions, can help you develop better footwork, adjust to different playing surfaces, and build mental toughness, all of which contribute to more victories on the court.

Most people may think of cities in New York, Florida or California when they think of tennis hotspots. Still, there are thriving tennis communities with top-notch courts and competitive opportunities in the Midwest. While indoor facilities guarantee year-round playability, the local climate provides ideal conditions for outdoor tennis, particularly during the summer.

Minneapolis, Minnesota:
A Tennis City with Active Communities

Minneapolis has a great mix of indoor and outdoor tennis options. There are many parks in the city, and many of them have tennis courts so you can play tennis with your kid or have an active day with friends. With numerous local clubs providing lessons, leagues, and events, Minneapolis boasts a robust tennis community as well.

Despite the city's frigid winters, there are plenty of indoor tennis courts, such as the Baseline Tennis Center, which make it simple to play all year round. Local tennis players can easily find opportunities to connect, whether through casual games or more competitive leagues. Thanks to the vibrant tennis culture here, both recreational and competitive tennis players have many chances to get better and compete.

Chicago, Illinois:
A Tennis Lover’s Dream

Chicago boasts some of the finest tennis clubs in the Midwest, catering to recreational players and serious competitors alike. Leading the pack is Midtown Athletic Club, a luxury facility in the West Loop featuring indoor and outdoor courts, elite coaching, and USTA-sanctioned tournaments. Nearby, XS Tennis Village stands out with its 26-court complex in Washington Park, hosting major events like the Chicago Open while fostering youth development through its nonprofit arm.

The historic Chicago Tennis Club, one of the oldest in the city, offers a more intimate setting with red clay courts and a strong community vibe. For those seeking upscale amenities, East Bank Club in River North provides top-tier instruction and well-maintained courts alongside fitness and dining options. Meanwhile, McFetridge Sports Center serves as an affordable, year-round public option with reliable indoor play — making it a favorite among local leaguers.

For players looking for outdoor options, the Chicago Park District maintains more than 500 public tennis courts across the city, many free to use and set in scenic parks and neighborhoods. Popular sites like Lincoln Park, Grant Park and Jackson Park offer well-maintained courts that stay busy from spring through fall. The park district also offers lessons, leagues, and tournaments for all ages and skill levels, helping grow Chicago’s tennis community from the ground up.

Do you have an up and coming youth player in your family? When it comes to high school tennis, few programs match the sustained success of New Trier High School, whose boys and girls teams have claimed numerous state titles thanks to deep talent pools and elite coaching. Hinsdale Central is another perennial contender, particularly in boys tennis, with a reputation for producing nationally ranked juniors. Rounding out the top three is Stevenson High School, a consistent force in both singles and doubles, known for its disciplined players and strategic prowess. These programs not only dominate the state championships but also feed collegiate rosters, cementing Chicago’s reputation as a hotbed for junior tennis talent in the Midwest.

Indianapolis, Indiana:
A Hidden Tennis Gem

Tennis is just one of the many sports that are popular in Indianapolis. There are several tennis facilities in the city, such as the Indianapolis Tennis Center, which holds events and tournaments. Tennis courts can be found in many local public parks, and some clubs offer memberships for access to the best facilities. Tennis enthusiasts from all skill levels congregate in Indianapolis. The city is also well known for having a low cost of living, which makes it an attractive choice for people who want to relocate to a new state without going over budget.

St. Louis, Missouri:
A Thriving Tennis Hub

With a variety of tennis facilities and activities, St. Louis is an excellent city for tennis players. To foster a friendly atmosphere for tennis enthusiasts, the St. Louis Community Tennis Association offers programs that assist both novice and expert players.

To guarantee year-round play, St. Louis also has indoor tennis clubs and several excellent public tennis courts maintained by the city's parks department. With numerous tennis clubs and frequent tennis tournaments, the city offers a wide range of social and competitive opportunities. If you are planning on moving to another state, St. Louis should be at the top of your list.

Cleveland, Ohio:
Where Tennis Meets Urban Living

Cleveland is another Midwestern city with a surprising love for tennis. With more than 200 tennis courts spread across the city, tennis players can find a court to match their needs. Cleveland also offers numerous tennis leagues, tournaments, and social events to engage with the local community.

The city’s tennis culture is welcoming to all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. Whether you're looking for a casual game or want to compete, Cleveland is the place to be. The city is also undergoing significant revitalization, making it an even more attractive place to live for those looking to relocate and pursue their tennis passion.

Madison, Wisconsin:
A Smaller City with Big Tennis Appeal

Madison may be smaller than some of the other cities on this list, but it offers a fantastic tennis scene. The city has numerous public tennis courts, as well as private clubs that offer lessons and leagues. During the colder months, there are 32 indoor courts available for those who need their weekly tennis fix.

Madison’s tennis community is active and friendly, and the city frequently hosts local tournaments. With beautiful parks and outdoor courts, the city is perfect for tennis enthusiasts who love to play outdoors. Madison's smaller size makes it a great place to settle down, with a more relaxed pace of life compared to bigger cities. Its tennis culture makes it an ideal place for newcomers looking to find a welcoming and engaging tennis community.

Champaign-Urbana, IL:
#7 - The Hidden Gem

If you're looking for a fresh start and a place to improve your tennis game, these cities should be at the top of your list. However, just two and a half hours south of Chicago, three hours north of St. Louis, and an hour and a half west of Indianopolis sits the twin cities of Champaign-Urbana, home of the University of Illinois.

The C-U area boasts two six-court indoor tennis facilities with affordable fees and year-round programs, all set within a vibrant campus community of 130,000. What makes the twin cities an ideal place to relocate is the abundance of outdoor courts: within a ten-mile radius of campus, there are more than a hundred courts open to the public at no charge, including over 40 with lights that stay on until 11 p.m., making evening play easy and accessible. As home to the Big Ten’s Fighting Illini, the area also offers no shortage of opportunities to watch high-level college and professional tennis year-round.

Like Madison, the Champaign-Urbana tennis community is active with the ability to play seven days a week with seven or more different organized groups at one of the dozens of outdoor, well-kept parks.

Finding Your Tennis Home in the Midwest

If you're moving to another state and love tennis, these top seven cities in the Midwest provide everything you need to enjoy the sport. From world-class tennis facilities to active communities and regular events, these cities offer both casual and competitive players a place to thrive. Whether you prefer outdoor tennis during the warmer months or indoor play when it's cold, the Midwest provides year-round opportunities for tennis lovers.

Feel the Rush!

Wynk brings THC Seltzers to Midwest and South with strategic expansion

With its presence already established in Illinois, Wynk is becoming a familiar name in a fast-evolving space of cannabis culture.

URBANA - As cannabis culture continues to gain ground across the United States, one brand is carving out its niche with a low-key, socially friendly twist. Wynk, a hemp-derived THC-infused seltzer brand, is expanding its distribution footprint once again, this time into Wisconsin, Kentucky, Alabama, and Arkansas. The move signals the brand’s growing influence in the alternative beverage market, particularly in regions new to cannabis-derived drinkables.

Photo courtesy Wynk/PR Newswire

With its presence already established in states like Georgia, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, Florida, and Connecticut, Wynk is becoming a familiar name in a fast-evolving space. The brand’s core appeal lies in its approachability: low-dose THC, zero calories or sugar, and a flavor-forward lineup that includes Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and Tangerine.

Since the 2018 Farm Bill expanded the legality of hemp-derived products under certain THC thresholds, the market for these beverages has grown rapidly.

This latest regional rollout comes on the heels of key distribution partnerships. Wynk has aligned with Sarene in Kentucky, C&M Sales in Arkansas, United - Johnson Brothers in Alabama, and Beechwood Sales & Service in Wisconsin. These relationships are helping bring the product to grocery chains, liquor stores, and independent retailers alike.

In Kentucky, for example, Wynk is now stocked at well-known outlets like Total Wine and Liquor Barn, while Alabama consumers can find the brand at Piggly Wiggly. Arkansas residents are seeing the product pop up in cities such as Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and Harrison. And in Wisconsin, Wynk becomes the first THC beverage in the Sheehan Family of Brands portfolio.

Part of Wynk’s appeal is rooted in science. Thanks to nano-emulsification technology, which breaks THC into particles that are absorbed faster by the body, consumers can feel the effects in as little as 10 minutes—offering a more predictable and palatable experience than traditional edibles. That consistency, coupled with social flexibility and the absence of alcohol, has helped drive demand.

Since the 2018 Farm Bill expanded the legality of hemp-derived products under certain THC thresholds, the market for these beverages has grown rapidly. Many brands have entered the space, but few have captured the blend of taste, control, and accessibility that Wynk seems to prioritize. Available locally at Binny’s Beverage Depot for $23.99 per 12-pack (with store card), the product represents a new frontier in casual, cannabis-adjacent consumption.

As more consumers seek alternatives to alcohol for social occasions or wellness reasons, Wynk’s growth reflects a broader shift in behavior—especially in communities where traditional cannabis use has been slower to gain mainstream traction. With this latest expansion, Wynk is placing a firm foothold in new territories and giving consumers more choices in how they unwind.

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Your guide to playing outdoor tennis in the Midwest this winter

The simplest approach to winterizing your gear for playing outdoors in cooler temperatures is changing to a different string and playing with lower string tension.

Photo: Chino Rocha/Unsplash

Urbana - This winter, climatologists predicted an El Niño weather pattern for the Midwest. Usually means above-average temperatures and dryer, below-normal precipitation. The weather the last four days in Champaign-Urbana has turned cooler, wetter, and even windier than anticipated. Fortunately, daytime highs are supposed to return to the 50s and low 60s by this weekend, which is good news for many tennis players in Champaign-Urbana.

According to weather experts, winter shouldn't look this in Champaign-Urbana this season.

Photo: Jonas Vandermeiren/Unsplash

Reserving indoor court time at Atkins Tennis Center or the park district's Dodds Tennis Center after work or a day of classes can be nearly impossible some evenings and on the weekends. A milder winter season means tennis players can play outdoors and avoid the hassle of scheduling indoor court time and the associated costs.

Playing tennis when the temperatures dip below the 50º mark is not nearly as bad as you might think. Once you start focusing on hitting the ball and winning points, and your body temperature rises from the exercise it loves, you will forget about being cold.

Here are a few tips for playing cold-weather tennis:

1. Level up to playing outdoors by layering up.

A long-sleeve dry-fit top, a t-shirt, and medium weight sweatshirt will probably keep the upper part of your body sufficiently warm when the air temperature is in the mid to upper 40s while playing. You can add or remove layers as suit your personal comfort needs. Shorts, coupled with either running pants or traditional sweatpants, should keep you warm enough for singles play. Add another layer by wearing Dry-Fit leggings under sweats or joggers.

Don't forget to wear a hat. We lose 50% of our body heat from our head and neck region. Neck gaitors can be pretty effective in keeping your body feeling warm on a chilly day, too.

2. Adjust your grip

When the temperature dips below the mid-40s (and for some of us below the mid-50s), you'll probably want to wear gloves. If you plan to play outdoors regularly in cooler temperatures, consider buying a second or third racquet and set it up - more on that later - exclusively for outdoor use. Depending on the gloves' thickness, consider removing the overgrip and/or grip so you can feel edge of the bevels on your racquet's handle. This will also keep you from having to grip the racquet tighter in order to maintain control of it.

Between points and on changeovers, keep your hands warm by sticking your hands in your pockets. Tennis tends to be just as much a social activity as competitive. Warm up those fingers while chatting up you opponent or doubles partner.

Another hack, this one borrowed from the NFL players who play in extremely-cold temperatures, is to rub hands and exposed skin with vaseline or a product called Warm Skin.

"The idea [is] that it closes the pores a little bit and gives you a little bit more protection from the elements," is what Dr. Samuel Taylor, sports medicine surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery and associate team physician for the New York Giants, told AccuWeather reporter Ashley Williams.

3. String it up right

Ambient temperatures affects the rubber in balls, racquet stiffness, and the way strings feel when hitting the ball. As the temperature drops, the rubber on the tennis balls and plastic strings become stiffer, resulting in a boardy feel on impact. Playing with old balls and polyester strings with tensions in 50s or higher in 40º temperatures might feel more like baseball or cricket.

For a competitive outdoor match, start with a can of new balls for a better bounce. Extra heavy duty balls are an absolute must below 50º or so, regardless of the court surface, if your rely on kick serves to start your points.

Depending on the frame and its composition, your racquet feedback - the way the ball feels and the shock transmitted on impact with the ball - may feel almost foriegn. The loss in flexibility may translate to a loss of power and pace with some strokes. Players who need more power from their sticks can add more mass in the form of lead tape, starting conservatively at first, to increase the depth and penetration on their shots.

Illustration by Charly Gutmann/Pixabay

The simplest approach to winterizing your gear is changing to a different string and lower tensions.

Depending your style and level of play, you will want to have your stringer drop your string tension. Soft strings like natural gut, synthetic gut, and multifilament string don't require a huge drop in tension, maybe three to six pounds. Gut and multis strings are not as sensitive to temperature as their poly cousins.

Because of their inherit stiffness, drop polyester and co-poly string tensions by 10% as a starting point to maintain a somewhat familiar level of performance as a starting point for outdoor play when the thermometer dips below 60º or so, and go another 5% for every 10º below that. Individual mileage will vary depending on the string you are using. Ultimately, you will have to find a tension that works well with your style of play when playing in colder temperatures.

One caveat: Poly strings go "dead" - lose their elasticity - faster in colder temperatures, which sucks because most recreational players use poly for durability. Playing with stiffer balls and a firmer string bed can possibly lead to injury. Plan to string more often, maybe after every 10-15 hours of play to avoid wrist, elbow, or shoulder issues.

Otherwise, until temperatures migrate back toward the mid-60s, skip using polys for a few months so you can enjoy the game outdoor. For a softer, more responsive string bed, switch to a multifilament string like Tru Pro Triump, Wilson Sensation, or Technifiber's TGV. There are dozens of low-cost multis on the market that won't hurt your wallet or your arm.

4. Stay hydrated

A common misconception is you don't need to drink much water when it is cold out. That is further from the truth. Because cooler air is dryer, you won't notice the sweat as much and may not think you need to drink water. In reality, thanks to faster evaporation, additional layers of clothing, and increased water loss from breathing, you still need to plenty of fluids and electrolytes.

Playing tennis in colder temperatures can help improve your overall game by giving you the opportunity to improve your game by playing tougher shots like drop shots and low-bouncing balls that skid across the court when it is colder. Winter tennis is a great way to improve footwork and anticipation skills for the next warm-weather season.

Image by Lars/Pixabay

Chapped lips, lower endurance when playing long points, and mental fatigue are sure signs you need a sip or two of water during changeovers.

Better yet, take one out of the NFL playbook and bring a thermos of warm chicken broth or hot chocolate for hydration and warming up the body.

Veteran tip: If you are playing when the air temperature is at or below freezing, bring a wide-mouthed bottle to the court with you and set it upside down so ice will form at the bottom of the bottle and allow you to flip it over and drink. The insulated water bottles and jugs you used all summer will work well, too.

5. Change up your style of play

A lot of tennis players don't like cold-weather tennis because it is more physically challenging. Toward the end of October in central Illinois, the sun is lower on the south horizon, and there is always a light to steady breeze out of the northwest, making it more challenging to serve and track the ball during rallies.

The cooler ambient air drops the air pressure inside balls and makes the rubber under the fuzz harder, making the ball bounce lower than usual. Strong players capable of grinding from the baseline for seemingly hours and use heavy topspin to push opponents back tend not to enjoy chasing low balls and skidders inside the service line.

Net play coupled with drop shots, slices, and flat serves are the key to playing winning cold-weather tennis.

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Lifeguard shortage affecting summer pool staffing

When local officials make decisions about where to close pools or cut back hours, they do so knowing that swimming has a fraught history of racial inequities.

by Michelle Andrews
Kaiser Health News

KHN - Two summers ago, a teenager who had jumped off the diving board started struggling in the deep end, her arms flailing. It took only a few seconds for lifeguard Makenna John to notice the girl’s distress. She grabbed her rescue tube, jumped in, and helped the girl to safety.

This summer is Makenna’s third lifeguarding at the public pool in Roxana, Illinois, a village in the St. Louis area. Although dramatic rescues are relatively rare, she estimates that up to a quarter of the roughly 50 people she keeps a watchful eye on during a shift can’t swim. Then there are the daredevils and children whose parents think they’re better swimmers than they are.

Photo: Sergio Souza/Pexels

“It’s stressful because you’re responsible for ensuring the safety of all the people at the pool,” said Makenna, 17.

Lifeguarding may look like a cushy job. What’s not to like about lounging in a chair by the pool all day? But the job carries a load of responsibility.

Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of those deaths occur in swimming pools. For kids 5-14, drowning is the second-most common type of unintentional injury death, behind motor vehicle deaths.

As schools let out and warm summer days draw people to pools and beaches around the country, many cities and towns are scrambling to hire enough lifeguards to safely oversee swimmers. If they can’t meet their targets, they may cut back pool hours or opt not to open some pools at all. While a shuttered pool on a hot summer day is a letdown for many residents, it can be a particularly big blow for low-income families who don’t have a lot of affordable summer fun options.

Up to 90% of Des Moines kids qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch, said Ben Page, director of Des Moines Parks and Recreation in Iowa. “People can’t afford to go to the movies for air conditioning,” he said.

When local officials make decisions about where to close pools or cut back hours, they do so knowing that swimming has a fraught history of racial inequities.

Racial disparities play a significant role in drowning deaths. Overall, the drowning death rate for Black people in the U.S. is 1.5 times that of white people. The difference is starkest for swimming pool deaths, in which Black children ages 10 to 14 drown at a rate 7.6 times that of their white peers, according to the CDC.

Research conducted in 2017 by the USA Swimming Foundation found that two-thirds of Black children have minimal swimming ability or can’t swim at all. Forty-five percent of Hispanic children are nonswimmers, as are 40% of white kids. (Hispanic people can be of any race or combination of races.) The same study found that 79% of kids in families with incomes less than $50,000 are unable to swim.

When Cullen Jones, the first Black American to hold a world record in swimming, was 5, he nearly drowned at a water park near his home in Irvington, New Jersey. At the time, he didn’t know how to swim, and lifeguards saved his life.

“Most people expect that if you have a near drowning, you were doing something you weren’t supposed to be doing, you were horseplaying or someone pushed you,” said Cullen, a four-time Olympic medalist.

Now 39, Jones travels the country as an ambassador for the USA Swimming Foundation, talking to kids about the importance of learning to swim.

It’s not hard to see the thread connecting lack of swimming ability and higher drowning rates among Blacks with the expansion of swimming pools in the United States. As cities embarked on a municipal pool building boom in the 1920s and ’30s, Black Americans were generally excluded from them, either explicitly because they were white-only pools, or by threats and violence, according to an exhibit at Philadelphia’s Fairmount Water Works titled “Pool: A Social History of Segregation.”

When desegregation was mandated after World War II, many towns closed or relocated their pools to secluded white neighborhoods rather than allow Black people to use them.

Funds also weren’t provided to support pools in majority-Black communities, said Kevin Dawson, an associate professor of history at the University of California-Merced, who has written on the topic. “They might not fill them all the time or not have lifeguards, so people couldn’t use them.”

As cities and towns today make decisions about which pools to open, many are doing so with a clear intention that they be accessible to poor or minority kids as well as those in less diverse or wealthier neighborhoods.

In Baltimore, where the public pools are free to all, city officials carefully selected which 12 of its 23 pools would open this year.

“We picked our pools so that it will be equitable and there would be locations on bus lines so that everyone will have access,” said Nikki Cobbs, chief of aquatics at the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks.

Recreational experts who’ve canvassed jurisdictions say they expect fewer closed pools this year than last.

“Things are a little bit better than they were,” said Kevin Roth, vice president for research, evaluation, and technology at the National Recreation and Park Association, an advocacy organization for people working in the parks and recreation field. “The open times may still be compressed, but there were communities that didn’t open half their pools last year, and we’re not hearing that this year.”

Still, lifeguard staffing shortages continue to put pressure on pool availability. In recent years, it’s become increasingly hard to fill seasonal lifeguard positions with teenagers, the backbone of the workforce.

That’s largely because employment patterns have changed.

Until 2000, about half of teenagers worked at least part of the summer, on average, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. But by 2010, in the aftermath of the Great Recession, the employment rate for teens had dropped to about 30%. Many local parks and recreation staffers are well aware of this new reality.

“The opportunities for young people have increased, and many travel and do internships; they do sports and camp. We’re competing with a lot of things,” said April Chappell, aquatics director for the Cincinnati Recreation Commission.

“There’s been a bit of a cultural shift,” Roth said.

The tight labor market has also given teens better-paying employment options — such as fast-food, retail, or office jobs — that don’t require them to carve out time to get certified in swimming, CPR, and rescue operations by the Red Cross or another group.

Many cities and towns are now taking steps to compete, including boosting lifeguards’ hourly rates, promising bonuses, and offering to pay for lifeguard certification classes. Some are reaching out to retirees and nontraditional workers to fill their ranks.

Des Moines has hired 151 lifeguards to date, far more than the 125 minimum needed to staff its five pools, said Ian Knutsen, who supervises the city’s aquatics program.

Before recruitment got underway, they surveyed former lifeguards about what would make them want to sign up for a stint this year.

“Money was the biggest deciding factor,” Page said.

Des Moines lifeguards start at $15 an hour, compared with $13 last year. That makes the city jobs competitive with other local employers. Lifeguards get an additional $5 per hour for working on holidays. Those who stay through July can get a $200 bonus, which grows by $25 each year they come back, capping at $300.

Cincinnati raised lifeguard wages to $16 an hour, from $11.53 last year, and offered $500 bonuses to returning lifeguards. Despite that, lifeguard shortages persist and mean the city may be able to open only 13 of its 23 pools, said Chappell.

Kids often want to lifeguard at their neighborhood pool, Chappell said. But in some neighborhoods, there may not be enough kids who are swimmers to fill the spots. The city has programs to help increase those numbers.

Last winter, Cincinnati funded a lifeguard academy for people 14-24. The program pays for swimming lessons if they need them and pays for their lifeguard training, as well. About 150 applied, and over 60 became lifeguards, Chappell said.

It’s not only the number of lifeguards that determines pool availability. In Phoenix, lifeguard recruitment has been going great, said Adam Waltz, a spokesperson for the city’s parks and recreation division. Still, the city plans to open only 18 of its 29 pools for the summer, with some on staggered schedules. The sticking point: pool managers.

“In order to open 29 pools, you need to have 29 pool managers, and we couldn’t get that this year,” he said. “We can’t have a first-summer lifeguard calling the shots during a water emergency.”

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

City of Urbana application window open for government rescue plan dollars

URBANA -- Applications for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds available through the City of Urbana are accepted now through November 16. Urbana has $12.97 million to distribute to help those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic that started in March 2020.

"The city is seeking applications for organizations that will provide services meeting the funding goals. Rather than households or businesses seeking individual assistance, applicants should be organizations who will use the funds to facilitate one of the funding goals," according to the City of Urbana website.

The goals include:

Public Health and Safety

Improve accessibility of public recreation space and youth programming
Increase support for community violence interventions

Adequate and Affordable Housing

Reduce housing costs for those that need it most

Human Rights and Social Services

Increase availability and affordability of mental health services
Increase availability and affordability of food

Economic Recovery and Development

Increase job training and placement opportunities
Provide relief and support for local businesses

Sustainable Infrastructure

Invest in infrastructure to increase community health, safety, and future resilience

In the city's distribution plan, individuals or families that need help paying rent or businesses desiring assistance covering their expenses do not qualify for the program. Instead, funding from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, a component of the ARPA passed in March 2021, will be given to organizations with programs that assist with individual housing or provide small business assistance. There is no minimum or maximum funding amount, and the money can be utilized to cover expenses necessary to meet the city's stated goals.

Participating organizations can use the money for "facility investments, personnel, direct assistance to community members, internal capacity building, and administrative costs."

To apply for funding go to https://ccrpc.gitlab.io/urbana-arpa/apply/.

Tips for buying the right boat to fish this year

Photo: NewsUSA

(NewsUSA) -- After being couped up inside during the winter months, veteran fishermen and novices are eager to get out and enjoy the challenge and contemplation that comes with pond and lake fishing. In about three months, as the approach of warmer weather draws more COVID-19-weary people outside, the allure of being in nature and out on the water is inspiring a boom in the fishing boat business.

While it is fun to find a good spot along the shoreline, there are a few inconvenient barriers to bringing home a big catch from your favorite lake or pond. To really go where the fish are in a pond or lake setting, a small fishing boat is essential, and the right boat can get you on your way to a wonderful, "one with nature," experience.

Many current boat styles used for lake and pond fishing have certain disadvantages. Motors can get caught in vegetation, and deeper draft boats can't navigate shallow coves.

The Twin Troller, however, is an innovative small water fishing craft distinct from other boats on the market because it's designed specifically to address the criteria for successful pond and lake fishing. Here's how:

- Maneuverability. The Twin Troller carries two electric motors that are recessed within the boat's hull, eliminating the risk of a motor getting damaged on rocks or tangled in branches, weeds or other debris in shallow water. The in-hull propulsion allows quiet operation, shallow draft, and a 360-degree turning radius. In addition, foot pedal controls allow for a completely hands-free navigation experience, with no paddling required.

- Safety. The Twin Troller is lightweight and easy to handle. The flat-bottom design and strong sides offer maximum stability, without the tipping risk associated with jon boats, canoes, or kayaks, and anglers of all ages and flexibility levels can step in and out easily.

- Comfort. Nothing spoils a day of fishing faster than a stiff back or sore bottom from sitting on an uncomfortable boat bench. The Twin Troller features an elevated and padded seat so you focus on fishing.

"Freedom Electric Marine is dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind experience for small water fishing enthusiasts through our high-performance Twin Troller boats," says founder Frank Jones.

Angier, N.C.-based Freedom Electric Marine was founded in 2007 by Jones, an avid fisherman who saw a niche in the market for a small electric motorcraft and assembled a team to help create one. The Twin Troller is manufactured in Madison, Indiana and ships to all 50 states.

For more information about optimizing your small water fishing experience, visit freedomelectricmarine.com.

Queens Of The Road: Women motorcyclists inspire new updated riding wear design

(NAPSI) — The number of female motorcycle riders are on the rise. In growing numbers, millennial women riders all across the country are driving a demand for better riding gear. These motorcycling enthusiasts are leaving their days as passengers in the dust, ushering in a new era of biker style.

According to a recent national survey by the Motorcycle Industry Council in 2018, women represent almost 20 percent of motorcycle owners, a marked increase from the 8 percent reported just 10 years ago.

With this demographic change, protective riding gear and accessories—and especially helmets, jackets and riding boots—are getting a second look by major brands. More and more, as motorcycle-savvy brands pick up on the trend, they’re creating riding gear designed for the anatomy and unique fit needs of the female rider.

Wolverine Worldwide, the manufacturer of Harley-Davidson© footwear and performance riding boots and shoes, has seen an impressive sales surge in women-specific riding boots in recent years.

"From 2016 to 2018 we saw women’s riding boot sales jump by 40 percent," said Jenna Ludeman, Wolverine’s marketing manager for the Harley-Davidson© product line. "It’s clear to us that women are getting out to ride on their own and their adventures require riding footwear that provides performance, protection and a comfortable fit designed just for them."

Recent materials innovations and the advances in performance technologies have created this next generation of performance riding footwear. Today’s riding styles incorporate materials that help to keep feet cooler in direct sunlight, dryer in rain and snow and, in some cases, better protected from impact.

For those looking for a style that transitions well from the open road to the city streets, women riders now have options including riding sneakers like the new Harley-Davidson© women’s Mackey, a waterproof riding sneaker featuring XRD® Impact Protection, a lightweight and flexible open-cell foam material that provides extreme impact protection.

For women riders looking for a more traditional riding style, the Harley-Davidson Brinser engineer boot is also rich with modern performance features. Waterproof full-grain leather helps in the wet conditions and a cooling mesh lining and TFL COOL SYSTEM® technology act to reflect the sun’s rays and ultimately keep the inside of the boot up to 54° cooler than traditional leather.

"Today’s female riders are connecting with the sense of adventure and community that motorcycling naturally brings," said Ludeman. "And we’re interested in connecting the rider to a better riding product for a better riding experience."

1st annual Santa HO HO HO 5k Fun Run/Walk a success

ST. JOSEPH - On the way home from a marathon/half marathon race in Indianapolis, Max Painter and members of his running group lamented how the event was the last race they would run in 2018.

During the discussion fellow runner Brenda Hixon suggested the possibility of taking another road trip. Maybe to Chicago or running in Indy again at either city's Santa Hustle. The group of avid runner decided they would indeed run one more race before the end of the year.

However, the next morning Painter, a veteran who started running while serving in the Army, woke up with a better idea.

"Why don't we just do that here?"

Painter presented the idea to the group and it was a hit.

Combining efforts Hixon and Painter created the 1st Annual St. Joe Santa HO HO HO 5k Fun Run.

Runners start their run during the Ho Ho Ho 5k on Saturday. Over 300 runners took part in what may become an annual event in St. Joseph. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

As they planned the event, they expected, at best, a modest turn out of maybe 50 to 100 Santa-ly cladded runners making their way through the streets of St. Joseph. To their surprise and delight, registrations started rolling in and the field of runners and walkers quickly rose over 200.

"It exploded into this," Painter said while scanning the finish line as runners and walkers crossed the finish line to receive their medals from Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges and other finish line volunteers. "We love it."

And by this, Painter meant the 325 participants and nearly that number of spectators, family members and well-wishers along the 5k course on Saturday.

Gregory Poe give two thumbs up as he crosses the finish line. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

The near freezing temperatures did not keep runners away.

"It wasn't too cold out there once you got running," said Dwayne Schlabach, who started running to stay in shape.

For Peyton Wendell the race one more opportunity to put on his holiday best, a royal blue two-pieces Christmas suit.

"My aunt bought it for me last year. I wore to school a few times and I thought this would a great time to wear it one last time," he said. "It (the run) was really fun. There were a whole bunch of people out there cheering for you."

Rhonda Littlefield, who crossed the finish line capturing her finish with her smartphone, enjoyed the race.

"I wanted to support the community and do something fun," she said echoing the sentiments of other runners as the sun peeked from behind the clouds through the crisp December air. "I didn't fall down and hurt an ankle so it's a great day. It was a lot of fun!"

Coming off a recent injury that limited his running, Gregory Poe was happy to be able to run and spend quality time with his two sons, Nick and Eric.

"I haven't been able to run for a while," he said. "I really enjoyed it and had a great time."

Hidden behind sunglasses and her Santa beard, Sara Meyer said she also enjoyed the atmosphere and holiday cheer along the course.

Sara Meyer poses for a photo with The Grinch after running in the Ho Ho Ho 5K. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

"I'm use to competing in more competitive races," she said before heading over to have her picture taken with someone dressed in Grinch costume. "It was something fun to do today and a great day for it."

Former St. Joseph-Ogden high school running star Chelsea Blaase was the first competitor and female runner to cross the finish line. Brandon Mattsey was the first male runner in and Kendrick Johnson was the first runner in the youth division to finish the inaugural race.