Secondhand Lions Tim McCanlies’ Secondhand Lions is a deftly handled, heartwarming story that gives its audience exactly what it wants–an affirmation of a sound moral code rendered in the best Capracorn tradition. Credit McCanlies’ fine cast for bringing this coming-of-age story set in rural Texas, circa 1962, to life. Michael Caine and Robert Duvall are […]
Arts & Culture
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Bards of the Sangamo 9-11-03
by Lee Gurga A few turns around the Windy City with a Chicago girl who doesn’t seem to have opened the sports section lately! Jivin’ Chicago Girl High steppers, high heels, high signs, high rises I’m just a Chicago girl, living in a Chicago world High rises, high heels, high steppers, high signs Sophisticated clothes, […]
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Mums the word
Tip of the week “Autumn Jewels” is the name of this year’s mum show, November 8 through 23 at the Washington Park Botanical Gardens. The conservatory is open noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Don’t miss this spectacular display of chrysanthemums. By now your petunias are leggy, […]
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Knoepfle 9-11-03
mr lincoln in his garden here now the sun westering abandons these pools of light they shimmer in the deep woods earlier there were miracles of butterflies resting in tall grass prairies sunning for their solar power regal fritillaries black swallowtails and those monarchs beyond simplicity of belief gearing for mexico and the fall flowers […]
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Movie Review
Dickie Roberts Former Child Star In his early 30s Dickie Roberts (David Spade) is at the end of his rope. Once the child all America loved, thanks to a wildly successful sitcom and a catch phrase on par with Gary Coleman’s “What you talkin’ about?”, Dickie has hit rock bottom. Now parking cars and appearing […]
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Turf time
Tip of the week Lawn mower blades should be sharpened at least two times a year, April 1 and September 1. A sharp blade will make a clean cut, decreasing stress on the plants. If you use your mower to mulch leaves, sharpen the blade again in late October. Some gardeners sharpen their blades after […]
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Movie Reviews
My Boss’s Daughter Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . That’s the sound of Ashton Kutcher’s 15 minutes of fame quickly (and mercifully) reaching an end. With two hit television series (including the MTV reality show Punk’d), a high-profile romance with 40-something Demi Moore, and the threat of more important […]
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Knoepfle 8-28-03
scott joplin he had these quarter notes look easy play hard new rags he did these in 1912 lots of glides afro american rag before anyone in the world had to think about this chrysanthemum gold flowering gold pebbled beaches of africa jewel box of twinkling notes controlled as a bird cage these songs without […]
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Knoepfle 8-21-03
afternoon for a fable the ants are busy making the most of sidewalk cracks and what of this grasshopper fiddling his time away well not to worry he can leap over shrubs and play out the best chaconnes and sarabands he has it all over the ants when it comes to talent © John Knoepfle […]
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Movie Reviews
Spellbound Documentary filmmaker Jeffrey Blitz follows 8 of the 249 finalists in the 1999 National Spelling Bee. Nominated for the Oscar for Best Documentary, the film lost out to Bowling for Columbine, which partly focused on students of another ilk. Though I was an admirer of Columbine’s power, Spellbound has so much more to offer. […]
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Backstage Pass
OK, I admit it: I saw Muni Opera’s The Wizard of Oz three times. It was just one of those special productions in which the audience and the actors each contribute to making an uncommon theatrical event. What did the audience bring? Well, the kids brought their imaginations, for one–and whoever says that kids these […]
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Watch your water
It’s that time of year again: 90-degree-plus temperatures, accompanied by the snap, crackle, and pop of grass under your feet. Strolling through Conservation World last Sunday at the Illinois State Fair, my family complained of thirst. How did the plants feel? A thirsty plant will wilt, and then lose its leaves. Most plants benefit from […]
