Anyone who knows me knows that I’m addicted to public radio news … and when I’m not listening to that I’m typically shuffling CDs in my car. I’ve never been inclined to dial up radio on my computer — but something crossed my desk earlier this week that made me think I just […]
Sharon Whalen
Posted inArts & Culture
Ed Martin’s new studio
It was a nice surprise to get an email from my old friend Ed Martin letting me know that he and several other local artisans have recently opened a new studio/gallery (cleverly called Ed Martin Fine Art ) at 1515 South Fifth Street in Springfield. Ed has been selling his beautiful jewelry and glass work […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Who is going to win the $1000???
This holiday season we each have a special opportunity to do some extra good – by buying all our holiday gifts at local stores, restaurants and such. Our local independent merchants have had one heckuva hard year – a successful Christmas season could make all the difference for them. That’s why the Capital Area Independent […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Someone’s going to win $1000!
Hopefully by now you’ve heard about the Capital Area Independent Business Alliance and our holiday campaign KEEP YOUR MONEY HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. The campaign runs from November 1 through December 15 and the message is oh so simple: Don’t shop in St. Louis, or Chicago. Don’t make that trip to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Eat, drink, shop, think LOCAL FIRST
You always have a choice where you spend your money. If you aren’t already a believer in the cause of LOCAL FIRST, I urge you to consider what this town is going to look like in 10 years. Will there be anything on Veteran’s Parkway that isn’t regional / national? Will there be anything (other […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Dane’s Discount … another casualty among the independents
While I have to admit I’ve only visited a few times, it is a sad thing to see that Dane’s Discount (the local incarnation of a ‘Big Lots’ on steroids store on Stevenson Drive) is closing its doors. Several years (and thousands of concrete benches and lions) into it’s tenure in Springfield’s retail scene, Dane’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Interurban celebration
Celebrate the future of biking in Springfield at the re-opening of the Interurban bike trail this Sunday, October 25, 1:00 PM at MacArthur Tunnel. For those of us involved with the MacArthur Boulevard Business Association there is little better news we could hope for than a completion of this project – and the successful reopening […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Taste the local flavors …next Tuesday
My friend Karen Conn is hosting the Local Flavors luncheon at the Inn at 835 (835 South Second Street) next Tuesday the 20th … If you don’t know about this culinary event – it was organized by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, a non profit group that bring lower growers together with restaurant and catering firms […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Let them eat bread
It’s the Irish in me – but wheat or rye, multigrain or oat, bread would be my food of choice if I had to choose just one thing to sustain me for life. For that reason (as well as the fact that I like seeing small businesses come to town) here’s a hearty welcome to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
That General Tso sure gets around
In recent months the strip center at Montvale Plaza (across from west side Schnuck’s) has had so many businesses coming and going it was hard to keep track. Last month Sunny China House opened in the space next door to Little Caesar’s (which was either the space that used to be the Spaghetti Shop (that […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Everything is coming up ‘pink’
I put out the word that I wanted to hear about events with a ‘pink’ theme (supporting breast cancer awareness and research) — here are two more. This Thursday October 8th The Lincoln Land Community College Loggers volleyball team is hosting its fourth annual “pink” game. The game starts at 6 p.m. The Loggers (24-6) […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Bras for the cause
There are many events planned to celebrate breast cancer awareness month. Please send me your announcements to capcitybizbuzz@illinoistimes.com and I’ll feature each of them. Here’s the first and it’s a fun one: Kim Dixon at The Wardrobe (830 South Grand Avenue West) has invited a group of local folks to add some bling and zing […]
