Everyone has heard Julie Garland croon the tune, “Meet me in St. Louis, Louis, Meet me at the fair, Don’t tell me the lights are shining any place but there….” For those who want to see a play at the Fabulous Fox Theatre or check out the St. Louis Zoo, the lights are truly shining. […]
Special Issues
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Life on the Mississippi
Don’t take the freeway. A drive into yesteryear is best taken on back roads, so skip Interstate 55 and spend an extra half-hour cruising Illinois 111 south to Alton, a great bet for a day trip 90 miles south of Springfield. At once historic and modern, Alton is a Mississippi River town both swift as […]
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Summerguide Big Events
Old Capitol Farmers Market8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 27 Lamb from Knob Hill Livestock Co. in Petersburg, Amish bakery goods from The Homestead Bakery in Arthur, pecans from Voss Pecans in Carlyle, handcrafted cheeses from Ludwig Farmstead Creamery in Fithian; nectarines and plums from Heffington’s Orchard in Barchtown; lettuce, greens, […]
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Release the beast
With such mild and beautiful weather so far this year, it’s a great time to go outside and get some exercise. And while you’re at it, why not play in the mud? Springfield and the surrounding area host a quickly growing number of athletic races each summer, including a popular cycling event and several foot […]
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Community gardens for a healthier city
In eras past, gardens were ubiquitous in America. During both world wars, gardens were wielded like a weapon, with millions of “Victory Gardens” planted in both private and public spaces across the U.S., relieving pressure on food supplies needed for war. Eventually, the ease and convenience of modern life rendered gardens unnecessary for many Americans, […]
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Green houses
Homeowners can’t escape to-do lists – weekend chores, long-term DIY projects, or even plans and designs for building a dream home from the ground up. A growing number of homeowners are adding “make my home greener” to those to-do lists, and they can pick from a variety of projects that fit any budget, goal and […]
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Feeding the soil builds sustainable lawns
Spraying chemical fertilizers and pesticides on lawns is like giving kids junk food, says landscape designer Cathy Bilow. They’ll be invigorated for a while, but eventually they’ll crash and burn. The chemicals kill organisms in the soil that feed plant roots, and as a result “our lawns are dead,” she told a recent class at […]
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Recycling opportunities grow
Abby Walden believes that before Springfield residents start to consider recycling their trash, they should first be aware of the goods they are purchasing. “Products that cannot be reused, you should think twice about buying them,” Walden said. “Instead of buying plastic water bottles, look into getting a reusable water bottle that you can fill […]
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Green lighting
Starting in July, the U.S. Department of Energy has new regulations to upgrade old, inefficient, mercury-laden fluorescent light bulbs. About 500 million of the lights, called T12, need to be replaced. The change will save $10 billion a year in energy costs nationwide. There are at least two kinds of lamps that are more energy […]
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Earth Day and garden event calendar
ONGOING Oversized Items DisposalCity homeowners can schedule a free home pickup of items such as mattresses, furniture or appliances. Call Allied Waste, 522-7797. Residents limited to one free pickup of up to three large items per 12-month period. Other options (fees involved): Sangamon Valley Landfill, 2565 Sandhill Rd., 528-9256. F & W Resources, 3327 Terminal […]
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Plant rhubarb for decades of desserts
Some of my favorite spring vegetables include lettuce, spinach, asparagus and rhubarb.One of my favorite spring desserts is a slice of warm rhubarb pie with ice cream. Rhubarb, Rheum rhabarbarum, is a cool-season perennial vegetable that was introduced to the United States at the end of the 18th century. Rhubarb was first cultivated in the […]
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Light your fire the eco-friendly way
What warms the hearth may not always be good for the environment – here’s a look at eco-friendly fireplace options. It may look pretty, but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average emissions of fine particles into the air from one of the 22 million fireplaces in the United States are far greater […]
