Feature | Thursday, June 3,2004

Grape expectations

So many, Illinois is to wine what Nevada is to tuna -- the connection doesn't seem natural. But as Illinois farmers, especially families who can't compete with corporate-owned agribusiness, see

News | Thursday, May 13,2004

Freedom’s fabric

By Job Conger

In a one-man shop at South Grand Avenue at Spring Street, a convivial 45-year-old immigrant turned outspoken American is contributing to the cause of freedom, one stitch at a time. Mario Ingo

News | Thursday, April 29,2004

Upping the ante

By Job Conger

Crime Stoppers says it will double the reward for tips leading to the arrest of people who carry guns illegally, a move applauded by community activists who are concerned about gun violence in Spring

Music | Thursday, April 15,2004

Guitar Society’s season ends with return of Javier Calderón

By Job Conger

When Springfield Classical Guitar Society founder Russel Brazzel calls Bolivian Javier Calderón "one of the deepest musicians to play Springfield," he's referring to the artist's success not only as

News | Thursday, April 8,2004

Lincoln Land lessons

By Job Conger

Eleven Ukrainian mayors recently came to Springfield to see the future, and for the most part, they decided it works. The delegation, in town March 15-28 as part of a program underwritten by the U.

Feature | Thursday, March 25,2004

The shape of things to come

By Job Conger

When she was 9, Teri Zucksworth entered a papier mché horse in an art competition at the Illinois State Fair. She still has the gold ribbon she won. That recognition fueled a lifelong passion for a

Feature | Thursday, March 11,2004

Developing picture

By Job Conger

When Ervin Hill moved to Springfield in the late 1960s to live in his new bride's hometown, his future as one of several local camera-repair technicians seemed secure. Today, the 62-year-old Ve

Music | Thursday, February 19,2004

A fast-fingered hotshot, but classy to the core

By Job Conger

When Johan Fostier performs Friday in Springfield, the young Belgian will be filling in for scheduled artist Dimitri Illarinov, a Russian who found himself waylaid by an immigration glitch this

News | Thursday, January 29,2004

Happy rails

By Job Conger

More people are riding the rails in Illinois and across the country, a sign that things are looking up for the government's money-losing passenger rail service. "We've had several months of record r

Music | Thursday, January 22,2004

Cool, sexy, guilty pleasures – who could ask for more?

By Job Conger

The Springfield Classical Guitar Society features Russel Brazzel in its second concert of the 2003-04 season. The evening, Brazzel says, promises to be "strictly Spanish,' featuring music never