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SUMMERGUIDE 2013
Summerguide

Decatur changes its image and its attitude

Rooted in history, growing in confidence, downtown leads a community renewal effort

By Margaret Eby

Decatur’s historic downtown is launching a new era. A new look, a hip attitude, fresh paved roads, restored storefronts and a refreshed self-image have made downtown Decatur the place to be any

Summerguide

A river runs through it

Peoria has something for everyone

By Bruce Rushton

Paris, New Orleans, London – many fine cities around the world are built on rivers. And that’s also true in Illinois, where Peoria offers a great opportunity for a weekend getaway or day t

Summerguide

Summer theatrical fare covers all the bases

By Scott Faingold

No matter what your taste in theater might be, whether it’s light musical comedy, modern musical bombast, prize-winning drama, kid-friendly shows or Pythonesque parody, at least one of the regio

Summerguide

Zoos and flowers in St. Louis and Chicago

By Cindy Ladage

Sunshine, flowers and, of course, furry creatures make kids and adults alike light up. This year winter’s grip was a tight one, increasing our longing to shed the coats and head outside. In earl

Summerguide

Summer Picks

By Anita Stienstra

Juneteenth CelebrationSaturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, making this year’s Juneteenth festivities

Summerguide

Loco-motion

Springfield’s race schedule is crazy!

By Patrick Yeagle

The gallons of sweat, aching muscles and months of training have led to this: race day. You’re at the starting line with dozens, hundreds or even thousands of other people, your mind amped up an

Harris Murder Trial

The curtain closer

Prosecution's case likely done

By Bruce Rushton

A murder trial has something in common with a fireworks show. In both cases, eye-catching flares – or witnesses – grab attention early on. Then a certain rhythm sets in.

News

Fracking bill draws harsh criticism in Statehouse

Protestors claim deceit over controversial drilling process

By Patrick Yeagle

In the formerly quiet towns of western North Dakota, there are new strangers arriving every day. New housing is being erected at a breakneck pace, and newfound wealth is flowing quickly into the rolli

Books

Innocence, the mystery

Northwestern students face Chicago corruption

By Stuart Shiffman

The Innocence Game, by Michael Harvey.Knopf. 256 pages.Mystery writers often set their stories in their hometowns. For Michael Connelly it is Los Angeles, for Sara Paretsky, Chicago. The late Stuart K

News

Oil wells not so well

Edinburg couple soured on oil production at their farm

By Patrick Yeagle

Paula Cook has had it with oil. She and her husband, Jim Cook, live on the 65-acre farm Paula’s ancestors owned 100 years ago. Located outside Edinburg, about 20 miles east of Springfield, the f

Food

Grilled salads, Vietnamese-style

By Julianne Glatz

Serving grilled protein as a salad component has become commonplace lately. More often than not, though, it’s an afterthought or at best an add-on as in: “Caesar Salad…..Add a grill

Film - Chuck Koplinski

Darkness a worthy addition to Trek canon

By Chuck Koplinski

Viewers are likely to be sharply divided after seeing J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness, his second entry in the venerable science-fiction series. Is it shamelessly derivative or an inspired

News

Medical marijuana closer to legalization

By Jacqueline Jackson

As Illinois waits for Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision on the medical marijuana bill, many citizens are wondering how they will be affected if he signs it into law. The Illinois Senate last week approv

Guest Opinion

Giveaways to Big Gambling make Illinois budget crisis worse

By John Kindt

If, during the last 23 years, Illinois had taxed Big Gambling at rates comparable to other states, then Illinois would have had an additional $35 billion to $56 billion in tax revenues – and no

Film - Chuck Koplinski

Furious 6 throws Fast into reverse

By Chuck Koplinski

I was just as surprised as anyone when Fast 5 not only revived the Fast and Furious franchise but also proved to be one of the best action films of the last decade. You’re excused for having mis

News

Pridefest, a celebration of tolerance and progress

By Bruce Rushton

Other cities – Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, to name but a few – have parades. Big parades. Parades featuring outlandish costumes and leather and tattooed women on motorcycles aka Dykes

Music - Tom Irwin

Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

By Tom Irwin

Yes, friends and neighbors, the official beginning of the summer season is upon us as we celebrate Memorial Day with a weekend of fun and excitement. Please remember to remember your lost loved ones a

IT Hot Picks
Future stock
By Anita Stienstra
We-cycling
By Anita Stienstra
Historic race
By Anita Stienstra
Unique perceptive
By Anita Stienstra
Band Spotlight

Whiskey of the Damned

By Tom Irwin

Take an Irishman, drop him in Milwaukee and let him go wild in a Celtic-influenced rock band, and that’s Whiskey of the Damned. With Eoin McCarthy (guitar, vocal), Blaine McQuinn (fiddle, bagpip

Advice Goddess

The audacity of grope

By Amy Alkon

My friend’s girlfriend hits on me all the time. (We’re all lesbians.) She always offers to get me a drink before she gets her girlfriend one, and she’s taken to giving me quick shoul

Illinois - James Krohe Jr

Happier endings

The last conversation most cancer patients have should be the first

By James Krohe Jr.

You’re in your doctor’s office. You’ve just been told that you have cancer – one of the bad ones, like those that attack the pancreas or the liver or the lungs or the ovaries &

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor 05/23/13

By Letters to the Editor

WOUNDED WARRIOR MEMORIALI am on a quest to contact one editor in each capital city from all 50 states by Memorial Day to share my brother’s last request. For so many people, this is just another

National - Jim Hightower

America’s worsening jobs crisis

By Jim Hightower

At last, some excellent economic news for folks long-mired in the stagnant labor market! At least, those were the headlines recently trumpeted across the country. “Jobs Spring Back,” excla

Politics - Rich Miller

Cross may be GOP candidate for attorney general

By Rich Miller

One of the worst-kept secrets over the past few weeks is that House Republican Leader Tom Cross has been considering a run for Illinois attorney general.Cross has reportedly been asked by Comptroller