Schumer and Bryant Define “Pretty”
Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein’s I Feel Pretty couldn’t be more timely. Dealing with the issues of body shaming and low self-esteem, both perpetuated by the constant parading of unrealistic examples of physical perfection in the media, their film tackles this issue head on. Amy Schumer stars as Renee Bennett, a young, withdrawn woman who’s been dealing…
Hamm, Script Drive “Beirut”
I missed out on the whole Mad Men thing (Yes, I know, shame on me; its on the massive list of things I should watch), so I was unprepared for everything that is Jon Hamm. While I have seen him do a few comedic cameos and enjoyed his H & R Block commercials, I didn’t realize…
Alleged dealer also a former madam
A Salisbury woman accused of dealing synthetic marijuana has been in trouble before. Letha Dean, 71, pleaded guilty to prostitution-related charges in 2009, long before she was arrested last week and charged with peddling thousands of packets of synthetic marijuana, which is plant material that’s been sprayed with chemicals. The drug, said to have horrible…
Home & Garden Sweepstakes (CLOSED)
Enter to win thousands of dollars in merchandise and services from participating businesses!A different winner will be chosen for each category – enter to win one prize, or all seven.*Click on image to enter desired sweepstakes. Must be 18 or older to enter.
From pot to prison to politics
Accepted by the University of Illinois and waiting to hear from Harvard, Jason Spyres doesn’t figure on making pizzas for much longer. Photo by Bruce Rushton The last felon-turned-angel story I wrote did not end well. It concerned a meth cook returned to prison after nearly two years of freedom and gainful employment, on the…
A regime of austerity
Sometimes, it’s useful to state the obvious. Here’s a fact, for example, that we all know to be true: America’s economy is enormous. It’s worth saying that out loud and repeating it to ourselves and others, because today’s Powers That Be (economic, political and media) are wrongly forcing a regime of austerity on our nation.…
It’s not a winning message if you don’t use it
J.B. Pritzker appears to have chosen a solid message for the fall campaign. The overall theme at the successful Democratic gubernatorial candidate’s press conference the day after he won the primary race was “Bruce Rauner is a failed governor.” The message is also the primary subject of his online advertising push against Rauner. Not coincidentally,…
Letters to the Editor 4/12/18
FAKE MORELS Thanks to the several sharp-eyed readers who called in and told us those are “not morels” in the photo we used to illustrate Ashley Meyer’s food column last week on “Morel mushrooms.” Turns out that what our photo service offered when we did a search for morels is a photo of one of…
Why are Democrats losing ground?
A few nights ago in Springfield, after enjoying dinner at our favorite Old Capitol Plaza restaurant, I came across an illuminating discovery – an old friend. Next door to our restaurant is a bookstore well known by Springfield-area residents and visiting bibliophiles. After closing, management leaves two folding tables filled with books outside for purchase.…
A one-stop shop for summer opportunities
Local teenagers are invited to attend a Teen Job Fair and Resource Expo hosted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois in partnership with the Sangamon County Juvenile Justice Council and the City of Springfield. The fair is geared towards ages 16-19 and is designed to connect youth with summer opportunities such as…
Sample world cuisines
If you didn’t have the chance to travel the world during Christmas, you now have the opportunity to take an exciting journey through world cuisines during the Second Chance Christmas event on Saturday, April 14, from 3-6 p.m. During this event hosted by the Springfield and Central Illinois African-American History Museum, attendees will enjoy samplings…
A virtuoso performance
Honor the anniversary of the death of our nation’s 16th president by taking in a one-man play about his life and legacy on Sunday, April 15, at 3 p.m. Mister Lincoln: A One-Man Play, starring John O’Connor, recaps the life of Abraham Lincoln from his election to his assassination on April 15, 1865. The two-act…
Backbone to the future
I’m a man in my 60s. Looking back on my romantic life, I was always the guy women spent time with when their husband or boyfriend wasn’t paying attention to them or while they waited for the right guy (status, power, money) to show up. I’m good-looking, but I realize from reading you that I…
Home security essentials
As the temperature rises, so does crime. Make sure your home isn’t an easy target. Lock and light, day and night Lock your house, your car, and your garage all the time, says Sergeant Travis Dalby, head of Sangamon County’s crime prevention unit. “As the weather heats up, all kinds of crime increases. But you…
Backyard grapes for Illinois
Grape vines are a beautiful feature for your landscape that provide both aesthetic and edible benefits, says a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “Fresh-picked-from-the-vine grapes are delicious,” says Bruce J. Black. “The work you put into growing your grapes definitely pays off during harvest.” Grapes can be grown in Illinois if you choose a…
Make your yard home to feathered friends
Early spring is a wonderful time to attract birds to your yard. Natural seed sources from last fall have been picked over and used up. Many of the insects that overwinter are still inactive. And it’s courtship and nesting time, which creates a high demand for fuel and housing. To make your yard a neighborhood…
Plant a tree with Rotary
New trees are taking root at Lincoln Memorial Garden, Rotary Park and Centennial Park, thanks to a collaborative project among the five Springfield Rotary clubs. Rotarians purchased and helped plant 175 trees at Lincoln Memorial Garden last December, and in April 22 trees are being planted at Rotary Park and 30 trees at Centennial Park.…
Exploring solar systems
“Basically, David beat Goliath.” Michelle Knox, president of Springfield-based renewable energy and efficiency company WindSolarUSA, has reason to feel triumphant. A unanimous decision handed down April 3 by the Illinois Commerce Commission found in favor of a coalition of 12 Illinois solar businesses, including Knox’s. The ICC decision heads off what could have been a…
Interior design trends for 2018
With each new year comes a fresh set of interior design trends. And those topping the list for 2018 are sure to inspire homeowners making updates big and small. Angie’s List recently attended the shows at Design and Construction Week for a firsthand look at what’s up and coming in home improvement. Here’s a look…
Start your vegetable garden early with cool-season crops
After a long winter, gardeners are always eager to get outside again. “Get a head start on your vegetable garden by planting cool-season crops,” says Gemini Bhalsod, a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “Cool spring weather favors vegetables like leafy greens, root vegetables and members of the onion and cabbage family.” Most cool-season vegetables,…
Plant lilies for a summer garden of elegant blooms
Lilies add long-lasting color and fragrance to flower gardens and summer bouquets. These stately flowers provide vertical interest and blend nicely with other perennials. And best of all, with very little care, you’ll be enjoying them for years to come. Plant different types of lilies to extend your enjoyment from early summer into fall. The…
How to lighten, brighten your home this spring
Spring can be a time of transition in more ways than one. Yes, the days are longer and brighter, but your home can be transformed as well.If you are looking for some ways to brighten and lighten your home this spring, here are some of our top Design Recipes tips. DO 1. Use lots of…
Restoring the Dana-Thomas House
The glorious Dana-Thomas House – built in 1904 by Frank Lloyd Wright for Susan Lawrence Dana, owned by the Thomas Publishing company for over 30 years, purchased by the state in 1981, and restored painstakingly in the 1980s – will be open for special behind-the-scenes restoration tours on third Saturdays, April through July. The tour…
County ponies up
The Sangamon County Board this week approved a contract with a fledgling economic development corporation that includes $500,000 in public money for the group tasked with attracting new businesses. The money for the Land of Lincoln Economic Development Corporation will be provided in quarterly payments, according to the contract approved by the board on Tuesday.…
NEW HEALTH CARE CHOICE
Beginning June 1, employees of Springfield Public School District 186 and Sangamon County government, as well as their families, will be able to access a new supplemental health service. The school district and the county are partnering with Troxell and Memorial Health Partners to offer a new service called Memorial Choice Health Services which will…
CLEANUP TIME
Gov. Bruce Rauner loves Springfield so much that he wants to give us a “free” park next to the governor’s mansion on unwanted, vacant land that the city bought from the state for $1.5 million in 2014. Shrewd, as Burgess Meredith told Sylvester Stallone in the classic movie Rocky, when the fighter agreed to have…
Anderson creates wondrous Isle
Anyone who’s ever owned a dog has probably thought at one time or another, “I wonder what he’s thinking? What would he say if he could talk?” As for our beagle, Gracie, I’m quite sure she would talk about her excitement when she knocks over the trash can to find whatever culinary treats we’ve discarded…
Micky moves and more
If you’ve been out and about lately, you’ve surely noticed plenty of stuff going on all over. From last shows to debuts, celebrations of anniversaries and birthdays, and just plain-old gigs, there’s entertainment in the air. On Friday, April 13 (coincidence?), Micky Shomidie performs one last time in Springfield before moving to Florida to relocate…
Six Rows Back
Started in 2016 as a group of friends who enjoy playing music together, the story of Six Rows Back remains the same, just with more songs on the set list. When Caprice Ciota-Hardin (guitar, vocals), Courtney Grimes (guitar, vocals), Patty Kniss (drums) and Aaron Mazrim (bass) play, they play for pleasure and the crowd gets…
Spring Home and Garden Calendar
Upscale Collectible SaleApr 13-14, 5pm-8pm Fri, 8am-12:30pm Sat. Featuring bargains on new and gently used items, plus a book and record nook, kids’ corner and bake sale. All proceeds support Animal Protective League’s homeless dogs and cats. $5 per person. apl-shelter.org. 544-7387. The old HH Gregg building, 2501 Wabash Ave. Trivia NightApr 13, 7pm Fri.…
Vegetable-forward cuisine
Last month I was in St. Louis on an unseasonably warm Friday afternoon. I was sitting in the covered patio of Vicia, a new restaurant in the Central West End. Several of the window panels had been removed, allowing the warm sunlight and fresh air to intermingle with the smoke wafting from the large wood-burning…
old age poem # 4
old age poem # 4? . . .well, whichever . . . getting oldis a steeplearning curveI’m used to tellingeveryone elsewhat to donow everyone elseis tellingmewhat to do ©2018 Jacqueline Jackson
