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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Caleb Johnson

Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer

Caleb Johnson (they/them) is a lifestyle writer for the Northern Star, covering film and television. They are a senior majoring in anthropology, with minors in English and LGBTQ+ studies. They are also the editor-in-chief of Towers Magazine and an editor for Stonehouse Academic Journal.

Prior to their time at the Star, they were the editor-in-chief of the Mastodon Art and Literature Magazine and the entertainment editor at their previous student newspaper. Outside their time at the Star, they like to visit museums and art galleries. They are also interested in obsessing over pop culture, Pokémon, and Dungeons & Dragons. Their favorite Pokémon are Charizard and Eevee.

All content by Caleb Johnson
A graphic shows five-cheese queso. This quick and easy queso recipe comes together in five minutes. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

5-minute quick and easy queso

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
October 10, 2024
Zelda looks over Hyrule in the new game "Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom." This is the first "Legend of Zelda" game where Zelda is a playable protagonist. (Nintendo of America under Fair Use)

Zelda saves Link in ‘Echoes of Wisdom’

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
October 8, 2024
A hand holds a drawing for Inktober. Inktober is a yearly challenge to draw every day in October. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Get your pens ready, Inktober returns

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 27, 2024
A poster for the “At Play” exhibit hangs in DuSable. This exhibit will open Thursday at the Pick Museum of Anthropology. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

New exhibit highlights human play

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 24, 2024
Kathryn Hahn poses for photographers ahead of the UK Special Screening of Marvel Television's "Agatha All Along" on Sept. 10 in London. The first two episodes of Marvel's newest mini series released Wednesday. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Something Harkness this way comes

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 23, 2024
A terrarium sits on a table. On Tuesday, the Latino Resource Center provided supplies to make terrariums to celebrate Latino Heritage Month. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Destress, build a little home for your plant

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 22, 2024
A large reflective sheet lays on the ground, creating waves on the two nearby walls due to the crafted tarnish on a quarter of the sheet. The art gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

New exhibit plays with light, color

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 16, 2024
The front of the Spirit Halloween store glows on a gloomy night. A Friday the 13th so close to Halloween is perfect to get you into the ghoulish season. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Friday the 13th, a ghoulishly good time

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 12, 2024
Disney's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" cast Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri stand in the woods. Season 2, based off of the "Sea of Monsters" book, looks to be better than the book's film adaptation. (Disney/Matthias Clamer)

‘Percy Jackson’ series to return in 2025

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 8, 2024
Maggie Smith looks at the camera. The beloved British actress will always be remembered for her iconic role as Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" franchise. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Remembering Dame Maggie Smith

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 1, 2024
Posters with dorm move out instructions hang in Gilbert Hall. When moving out for the summer, it is important to be prepared and follow all of the requirements. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Plan properly for dorm move out

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
May 1, 2024
A poster for the Spring Dance Concert hangs in the Stevens Building. This will be the School of Theatre and Dance’s last show of the 2023-2024 production season. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Spring Dance Concert begins Thursday

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
April 23, 2024
A set of stairs sits above a dingey couch and desk in a room with poster-covered walls on the stage of the Black Box Theatre for NIU's production of "Booked and Blessed… OR BUST." The play will have its second week of showings from April 11 to April 13. (Caleb Johnson | Northern Star)

New plays opens as resounding success

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
April 7, 2024
The title "Pokemon Horizons the Series" sits across an array of Pokemon characters. The newest game in the "Pokemon" series, "Pokemon Legends: Z-A" was announced Feb. 27. (The Pokemon Company)

New Pokemon game announced

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
March 17, 2024
A McDonald's bag decorated with anime rests on a white surface. Weekly manga is a recently added tie-in McDonald's has with their new Savory Chili WcDonald's sauce. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

McDonalds launches new sauce, anime

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
March 6, 2024
Dakota Johnson adjusts her hair on the premiere of "Madame Web" in Mexico. "Madame Web" has not been receiving great reviews from critics, but the film has redeeming qualities. (Marco Ugarte | AP Photo)

‘Madame Web’ not that bad

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
February 26, 2024
A margarita sits on the counter at Rosita's in DeKalb. Rosita's, along with the restaurants below, are great places to get a drink in DeKalb. (Gabby Crabtree | Northern Star)

Margaritas, happy hours, great times

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
February 22, 2024
NIU English professor Dr. Lara Crowley stands in front of an outdoor background. Dr. Crowley is currently working on her second novel which is inspired by the late writer John Donne. (Courtesy of Lara Crowley)

NIU professor works on second book

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
February 19, 2024
Professor Hao Phan holds up a palm leaf manuscript. Palm leaf manuscripts were first created in the 5th century, BC. (Katie Follmer | Northern Star)

Palm-leaf books and authorship analysis

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
February 4, 2024
A phone with “Avatar: The Last Airbender” pulled up in it sits on a wood table. The newest version of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” releases in February. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Stunning visuals: Last Airbender reborn

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
January 30, 2024
Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell) stands on top of a rock and looks out across a forest. Scobell and the rest of the cast for the Disney+ original "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" have been portraying their characters to the age and maturity levels depicted in the Percy Jackson book series. (Disney | David Bukach)

Nostalgia carries Percy Jackson show

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
January 16, 2024
Pokémon Oshawott lies next to Piplup on an ice sheet. The new “Indigo Disk” DLC for "Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet" will release Dec. 14. (Courtesy of YouTube)

The ‘Indigo Disk’ DLC, what we know

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
December 5, 2023
Two gay men sit next to each other at a table. "The Christmas Setup" is one of many holiday films that center queer main characters/relationships. (Courtesy of YouTube)

Have a gay ol’ time, holiday films

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
December 4, 2023
A purple and black poster displays the words "Fall Dance Concert." NIU's annual Fall Dance Concert opens Nov. 30. (Courtesy of Andy Dolan)

SOTD to host annual Fall Dance Concert

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
November 28, 2023
Cheesy mashed potatoes rest in a pot. Lifestyle Writer Caleb Johnson shares two homemade recipes that can be made during the holiday break. (Caleb Johnson | Northern Star)

Food for the holiday, mashed potatoes recipe

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
November 22, 2023
The outside of CrackerJax is decorated with Halloween decor. Lauren Woods, the owner of the store, has been in DeKalb for 39 years. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

Lauren Woods, DeKalb staple for 39 years

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
October 31, 2023
The outside front entrance of CrackerJax in downtown DeKalb located at 118 N. Third Street. Cracker Jax is DeKalb’s hidden treasure and thrift store. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star).

Hidden treasures, vintage, resale stores

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
October 30, 2023
The Chicago Skyline sits behind text that says "NIU Arts Golden Hour Showcase." NIU music students will be heading to Chicago as part of the series showcase. (Courtesy of the College of Visual and Performing Arts)

NIU music students to perform in Chicago

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
October 10, 2023
A digital mockup shows plans for the updated pickleball courts at Hopkins Park. The park is undergoing various renovations and updates, including new pickleball courts, playground and plans to update the pool. (Courtesy of the DeKalb Park District)

Updates to Hopkins Park in progress

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 18, 2023
A gas station pump sits at its station. Illinois gas prices have lowered approximately 6 cents compared to last week. (Northern Star File Photo)

Illinois gas prices lower than last week

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 13, 2023
The logo for the animation series "Disenchantment" stands out against a black background. From the creators of "Futurama," the show's final season recently released on Netflix. (Wikimedia Commons)

Become enchanted with ‘Disenchantment’

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 13, 2023
A piece of artwork which shows pieces of hair sewn into a white shirt. This piece is on display in NIU's Altgeld Hall as part of the "The Remaining, Mourn..." exhibition. (Caleb Johnson | Northern Star)

Art Museum opens grief, loss exhibit

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 11, 2023

Business Spotlight: Barb City Laundry

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 8, 2023
Xolo Maridueña starring as Jamie Reyes in DC's new superhero movie "Blue Beetle." The film is out in theaters and based on the DC comics. (YouTube)

‘Blue Beetle,’ movie of incredible power

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 6, 2023
The season four poster of the Netflix series "Stranger Things." The show has become a worldwide phenomenon and its fifth season is on the way. (Netflix)

Diverse offerings, Netflix shows to binge

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
September 4, 2023
A screen still from the movie "Red, White & Royal Blue." The movie is based on the novel by Casey McQuinston and can be watched on Amazon Prime. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Sparks fly in smash summer rom-com

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
August 29, 2023
Three handwritten cards with recipes on them sit in a yellow and blue box. The Culinary Historians of Northern Illinois will be joining the DeKalb County History Center for one of the many new programs and exhibits at the History Center. (Courtesy of the DeKalb County History Center)

History Center to start new programs

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
April 19, 2023
The East Lagoon's pathway after a light dusting of snow. The National Weather Service predicts light snow on March 4.

Storm moves south, expect light snow

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
March 2, 2023
A fire pit located next to the East Lagoon is used by many students for events and pure enjoyment. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

What’s Up With: Those NSLS emails?

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
February 16, 2023
In celebration of Black Heritage Month, NIU and the Center of Black Studies will be hosting 11 events.

NIU to host events for Black Heritage Month

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
February 1, 2023
The south side of the Holmes Student Center on a foggy day. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Braven: The class experience explained

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
January 19, 2023
Senior Lifestyle Writer Caleb Johnson is watching a diverse lineup of media over their holiday break. (Getty Images)

What I’m watching over the holiday break

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer
December 2, 2022
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