Another day, another circus
What a lot of blathering went on at a recent House tourism committee hearing called to chew fat about the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and its nonprofit foundation, which is threatening to sell Abe’s stuff unless the state writes a check. The Nov. 13 shindig gave lawmakers a chance to question big shots…
The AgriCULTURE attitude
Thanksgiving, America’s most food-focused holiday, traces its roots back to the abundant feast that Pilgrims and Native Americans enjoyed together in the fall of 1621. Not even half of the 100 or so Mayflower Pilgrims and crew who’d arrived at Plymouth Rock the previous December survived their first grim year in the New World. Still,…
Letters to the Editor
CAPITAL TOWNSHIP SHOULD GO TO CITY, NOT COUNTYCapital Township Supervisor Tom Cavanagh called it a “no-brainer” that the township should merge with Sangamon County after a large majority voted yes on the township’s advisory referendum on that question in the November election. The real “no-brainer” from the election, though, is that voters are hungry for…
Editor’s Note 11/29/18
It’s that most wonderful time of the year, but not for everybody. Expectations of joy and merriment only make things worse for those grieving loved ones who have died in the past year. On last Sunday afternoon as the rain poured outside, the speaker quipped “at least the weather understands how we feel.” This was…
What does it mean to be patriotic?
Patriotism has been on a lot of people’s minds lately. French President Emanuel Macron recently criticized President Trump and other world leaders for their “us versus them” view of patriotism. “By putting our own interests first,” he said, “with no regard for others, we erase the very thing that a nation holds dearest, and the…
A classic holiday tradition
On Saturday, Dec. 1 from 12-4 p.m., families are invited to attend a gingerbread house decorating session at the Springfield Art Association. This is a great opportunity to partake in a classic holiday tradition by decorating a prebuilt gingerbread house with icing and candy without making a mess in your own home. The cost is…
Bah, humbug!
Warm your heart this holiday season by taking in the Springfield Theatre Centre’s musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most-loved story. With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, A Christmas Carol: The Musical is the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a prosperous curmudgeon who values personal wealth above the happiness and comfort of others.…
Holidays at the Henson Robinson Zoo
Enjoy the splendor of hundreds of colorful twinkling holiday lights as you leisurely stroll the pathways of the Springfield Park District’s Henson Robinson Zoo during the Winterland Holiday Zoo Lights event. See the enchanting displays come to life in festive reindeer and candy cane shapes with 3D glasses, which will be available for purchase nightly.…
The Pharmacy gallery heads downtown
“Everyone I talk to is so excited about us moving into this new space,” said Janet Sgro, president of the nonprofit The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space. The Pharmacy’s new location is at 623 E. Adams, on the same block currently playing home to downtown Springfield mainstays Recycled Records and The Cardologist. The move comes…
Celebrate the holidays German-style
The sizzle of sausages perking up your ears, the aroma of roasted nuts tickling your nostrils, the strudel melting in your mouth and the hot-spiced wine warming your insides can transport your senses to the holidays in Germany. But you can experience the joys of Christkindlmarkt right here in Illinois. Belleville, Carlinville, Chicago and Naperville…
Holiday events calendar
Christmas Card LaneNov 29-Dec 30. An outdoor exhibit/competition comprised of larger-than-life “cards” created by local artists and groups based on the theme “Holiday Season Around the World.” Hosted by the Decatur Area Arts Council. decaturarts.org. Downtown Decatur. Holidays at the White HouseNov 29-Jan 6, 9am-5pm Mon-Sun. Featuring cards, documents and photos from Lyndon Johnson, Richard…
Familiar faces in mayoral race
It’s been a dozen years since Springfield has seen a two-horse mayoral race. In 2007, incumbent Tim Davlin shellacked Bruce Strom, who got less than 40 percent of the vote, both in the primary and the general election. In 2011, seven mayoral candidates crowded the primary ballot; in 2015, there were five. And now, we…
Drink PERRIER
We’re doomed. Well, maybe not doomed, but nonetheless in a heap of trouble, thanks to a heap of coal ash from the city’s power plant that’s built up next to Lake Springfield. That’s the takeaway from a report released this week by the Sierra Club, Prairie Rivers Network and other usual environmentalist suspects who have…
CRACKED
You gotta love Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin, a man who knows his seasons. Take winter, for instance. In August, when sunshine was cheap and the city council, alarmed that an out-of-town outfit had underbid local contractors by more than $80,000, delayed a vote on a $364,000 crack-sealing contract for Chatham Road. At the time,…
Creed II: Focuses on wrong fight
The most surprising thing about Creed II is that it actually did surprise me … once. An out-of-the-blue appearance from a character long forgotten actually caused me to gasp. This in and of itself is a shock because if the films in the Rocky series are anything, they’re as predictable as the sun rising in…
Hello to December music
Thursday is shaping up to be a full night this week, which is not always the case but always welcome. The Curve Inn hosts a roots music night (replacing the Americana night) with Kate Laine, The Deep Hollow and Wayward Motel being your source of roots music for the evening. Expect a night of all-original…
Reed Brothers
Up from the Lone Star State, San Antonio brothers Kyle and Keegan bring a mashup of Americana, blues and Southern rock styles into a mixture that is all Reed Brothers, all the time. They hit Tallula (located on Route 123 between Ashland and Petersburg) after a stop in Kansas City, Missouri, at the esteemed Knuckleheads…
Black garlic
In my last Illinois Times column I reviewed the recently published The Noma Guide to Fermentation. During the past month I have been working my way through several of its recipes. However, I’ve discovered that fermentation is more than merely following a recipe. It’s also about being a good shepherd, providing optimal conditions for microbial…
Political garb poem #7
political garb poem #7 let’s give a cheer for ruth b g!what’s a rib, e’en two or three?we’ll wave our pink caps!raise some hollers!don our lacy ginsberg collars! ©2018 Jacqueline Jackson
Teetotally awesome
I’m a recovering addict, five years sober. My ex-boyfriend was a “normie” (12-step slang for someone who hasn’t had addiction issues), and there were definitely things he just didn’t get. Do I need to date another recovering addict to feel understood? I’ve done that before, and I really don’t like it. It’s like living in…
