Unplugging for good
Recycle your electronics—computers and all the extras, televisions, cell phones, VCRs, game players, answering machines, calculators, copiers, fax machines, cables, telephones, pagers, typewriters and more. Where: Habitat ReStore, 1514 W. Jefferson, Springfield, Illinois When: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. -6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Why: The Electronic Waste Recycling Act, Public Act 097-0287, prevents…
Come on down
If you can, catch Springfield resident Larry Lovekamp this Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. as a contestant on the Price is Right (WCIA, Channel 3). It’s always fun to track local folks who try for big money, prizes or fame on national television. So cheer for one of our own Springpatch-team members, feel closer…
Who are we adopting?
Tammy Herstad feels like a failure. A mother of three adopted sons and one biological daughter in the Chicago suburb of Bartlett, Herstad spends much of her time worrying about her adopted son, Adam. The 9-year-old has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and other emotional disturbances that manifest in violent, destructive behavior at the slightest…
Springfield goes to Washington
As lawmakers in Washington, D.C., debate a far-reaching transportation funding measure that could mean jobs for Springfield, government and religious leaders here are making their voices heard in the nation’s capital. The U.S. House will likely vote on a five-year transportation bill this month, which could increase the number of transportation-related jobs for minorities and…
Roasted pork with maple-mustard glaze
3 to 4 lbs. boneless pork loin, or tied boneless pork butt 2 c. buttermilk One large white onion, thinly sliced or diced 3/4 c. plus 1/2 c. pure maple syrup, divided 2 T. kosher or sea salt One bunch fresh sage leaves or rosemary, thyme, or marjoram Freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon bacon fat or…
Song and story
The Illinois Central Blues Club and Illinois State Museum host a free program, History of the Blues, at the museum on Sunday, Feb. 19, in recognition of Black History Month. Blues aficionado Fernando Jones and his band, My Band, will play and talk about the history of the genre. Jones, a Columbia College music professor…
What’s in your iPhone?
Early last year, during an intimate chat and chew dinner with some Silicon Valley high-tech barons, President Barack Obama posed a question to Steve Jobs, baron of the Apple empire: “What would it take to make iPhones in the United States?” Good question! To rebuild our middle class, we need to put more people to…
Maple syrup time
Drip, drip, drip . . . It was late February. After a long, cold winter, it was first day that hinted spring was on the way. Drip, drip, drip . . . It had been below freezing overnight, but by noon the sun was warm. I took my then-4-year-old daughter, Ashley, outside to enjoy the…
Mayor falls short on promise to hire minority firefighters
Like Captain Ahab, will the Springfield Fire Department ruthlessly pursue its colorless foe? When the top brass of the Springfield Fire Department filed in and took their seats before the alderman to present their budget last week, something struck me about their presence. Within seconds, I realized my senses and sensibilities were awash in whiteness.…
Abe’s babes
Springfield Theatre Center presents the presentational-style play, Heritage, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts for two weekends in February. Written by P.J. Barry, this play explores the women in Abraham Lincoln’s life — his maternal grandmother, Lucy Hanks, and his wife, Mary Todd. See how these women were influential in shaping the life and…
Bill aims to stop copper and scrap metal thieves
Legislation to make it harder for thieves to receive payment for stolen copper and scrap metal passed through the Illinois House Judiciary Committee Feb. 8. House Bill 3825, which was originally filed in October 2011 before being amended, is a bill designed to make it harder for thieves of copper and scrap metals to sell…
Doings around town and elsewhere
Continuing my travels this week, I’m writing in Flagstaff, Ariz. and then heading to Pagosa Springs, Colo. Adventures abound from powerful poetry readings at the Mineshaft Tavern in Madrid, N.M. to stellar music happening at the Low Spirits in Albuquerque as creative folks gathered last weekend to pay tribute to the work of Kell Robertson.…
advicepoem
in 1924 my grandfather writeshis freshman son aboutthat son’s new possession:“Regarding your car, cut it out.You are better off without it.What you need is to developquiet strength and poise ofmind and character. The cartends to develop just theopposite qualities. Walk andthink and grow great. I do notwant you to use a car inMadison. Sell it…
RESALE FOR RELIEF
Do you like resale shopping but don’t like having to put on pants? Now you can surf for second-hand deals in your undies and help make a difference in Springfield at the same time. M.E.R.C.Y. Communities, which provides housing and supporting services for homeless women and their at-risk children in the Springfield area, has launched…
Smart walk
Steve Combs just upgraded his cell phone. Combs, who is president of the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association in Springfield, admits he’s still a bit perplexed by the shiny new device that replaced his old flip phone. But Combs is excited to learn the new technology for one reason: his neighborhood will soon feature walking…
Quinn outlines priorities for pension reform
Gov. Pat Quinn outlined a plan last week to reform the state’s troubled pension systems. In doing so, Quinn appeared to outright reject some pension ideas offered up by House Republican Leader Tom Cross and Senate President John Cullerton. The governor said pension reform negotiations, which have dragged on for well over a year, are…
INMATE INTERVENTION
More than half of all prison inmates in Illinois will go back to prison within a year of being released. That’s a sobering thought, but here’s some good news: 92 percent of parolees served by Springfield-based mission Tower of Refuge stay out of prison after release. ToR starts working with prisoners between one and two…
Josh Catalano and The Dirty Thoughts
How many bands can one guy have? For Josh Catalano, the answer may be in the infinite stars above. From the long gone days of Mugshot and currently of the Damwell Betters and Lazer Dudes, the prolific songwriter and unabashed front man continues a songwriting spree that spans several albums of original material with CD…
Healthy exchange
As Illinois and other states rush to implement federal health insurance reforms, consumer advocates say lawmakers shouldn’t allow insurers to make all the decisions. Illinois must create a board to oversee the state’s federally-mandated public health insurance exchange by late June if the state wants to access hundreds of millions in federal funds, says Jim…
There goes the neighborhood
Buildings are like people. Even when they get too old and decrepit to work, their examples can still teach. Something like 100 buildings from the Lincoln era are thought to still stand in Springfield. Most of them, unfortunately, are houses that, being quite small and much amended by their many owners and in the wrong…
Colombian distinction
The time recently changed on this performance to 7 p.m., but day or night the show will still amaze you as the Ballet Folklorico de Antioquia takes to the stage at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS Sunday, Feb. 19. On their first U.S. tour, these Colombian dancers share the richness and color of Colombian culture through dance…
Maple walnut pie
Pastry for a single crust pie 3 eggs PLUS 1 beaten egg 1 1/2 c. pure maple syrup 1/2 tsp. kosher or sea salt 4 T. melted unsalted butter 2 tsp. cider vinegar 1 c. walnuts Preheat oven to 425°. Roll out pie dough into a roughly 11-inch circle and fit into a 9-inch pie…
Actors overcome lapses in Safe House logic
In Daniel Espinosa’s Safe House there is a lesson to be learned: Be careful what you wish for. That’s something wet-behind-the-ears agent Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) learns the hard way as he grouses about his bottom-rung detail of maintaining a rarely-used CIA safe house in Cape Town, South Africa. This is the sort of assignment…
Dim and her
I’m having a whirlwind romance with a man I met online on Thanksgiving. I moved across the country to live with him on Dec. 20, and we’re now building a life together. The problem is I have a high IQ (137), and he’s very unintelligent and illogical. It’s hard to have a good conversation unless…
Crack up
The Less is More Independent Theatre performs the screwball caper Den of Thieves at The Legacy Theatre for three shows, Feb. 16-18. Organized crime becomes disorganized as the mob handles a misfit foursome who tried to crack a nightclub safe but botched the job. Written by Adly Guirgis, the play was called “smart and packed…
Letter to the Editor 02/16/12
WAR ON WEEDI’m writing about the thoughtful cover story by Bruce Rushton: “The war on weed,” Feb. 9. I thought that true conservatives oppose nanny-state policies. Obviously, I was wrong. What could be more pro-nanny-state than marijuana prohibition? Beyond the fact that marijuana prohibition is counterproductive and a complete waste of money, what about the…
