Special Issues

Untitled Document The kids are revved up and want to know what’s planned for the 14 long weeks before they have to be back in the classroom. Even with gas at the $3 mark and showing no sign of coming down, you can still have a great summer on a tiny budget. Sangamon County and […]

Untitled Document Unless otherwise noted, events are in Springfield and Sangamon County. Information for some events was incomplete at press time. Check upcoming editions of Illinois Times for details. MAY Through June 9 Emerging Artists Exhibition of fine art and craft created by youth and adult students of the Springfield Art Association, Springfield Art Association, 700 […]

Untitled Document We have a co-worker with boundless energy and a short attention span. You know the type — a little manic, a lot excitable, mostly fun. One of our resident wags came up with the affectionate nickname “Tigger” for this colleague. Because, of course, we’re all adults working in a pressure cooker of a […]

Untitled Document Whether you prefer the softly rippling waters of the lake on a summer’s evening or the pink-tinted sky above the lakeshore in the morning, it’s obvious why Rend Lake was recently named an Illinois wonder — and it boasts activities for everyone. Rend Lake — located in southern Illinois, close to the junction […]

Untitled Document One of the pleasures of summer vacations is a visit to the bookstore or library to pick out those special volumes you plan to take to the cottage or the beach. Pretending that I was about to embark, I did just that, and these are the ones that caught my eye. While perusing […]

Untitled Document Summer theaters are offering up the new, the old, and the tried-and-true, so there’s something for everyone on area stages this summer. Here are highlights: The Springfield Muni Opera has a big season that starts with the hit Broadway musical Miss Saigon (June 1-3, 6-10), followed by Peter Pan (June 22-24, June 27-July […]

Untitled Document Remember the day when some flights offered breakfast or lunch? At the least, a bag of pretzels and can of soda was standard fare on all flights. These days, even pretzels are a rarity. No-frills flights reflect the financial pressure that passenger airlines face everywhere. As Mark Hanna, executive director of the Abraham […]

Untitled Document This time of year, office flu is going around. If you’ve ever suffered this malady, you know how the disease progresses: You clock in, get some coffee, scan your e-mail, maybe return a phone call or two. Then you notice sunshine winking through your window. You see foliage swaying slightly, indicating a breeze. […]

Untitled Document Just a few hours from Springfield are hundreds of miles of floatable streams that offer an ideal natural playground for exploration, fishing, and relaxation. Many are crystal-clear, spring-fed, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, including towering limestone bluffs and undisturbed forests. I was first exposed to some of Missouri’s Ozark streams nearly 30 years […]