Boyle Delivers Worthy “Trainspotting” Sequel
If ever there was a movie that captured the Zeitgiest of the time in which it was made, it was Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting. An indie sensation when it was released in 1996, the film was not simply a shot of much needed adrenaline for the British film industry, but a spot on portrayal of the…
Powerful forces
That man Trump, who relishes catastrophe, has done his part to unleash it on the planet by trashing the Obama Clean Power Plan to decarbonize the electricity generation industry. This is a matter of moment for Springfield, of course, since the capital city runs its office shredders and beer fridges on juice supplied from its…
Activism is the only hope of restoring America’s democratic principles
Homelessness, we’re told by pious politicos, is impossible to cure, and so more and more cities are resorting to criminalizing people struggling to live on the streets. But wait, say proponents of a new way of thinking: Yes, some street people are addicts or mentally ill, but the vast majority are out there because they…
Our dishonest debates
I suppose it’s too much to expect that we get an honest debate about the need for more state revenues in the already active gubernatorial race. Candidates will be candidates and voters will be voters, after all. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign blasted out an email last week telling supporters that newly announced billionaire Democratic candidate…
Letters to the Editor 4/13/17
GOOD GOVERNINGOur current governor still has no clue what governing is. It is not about issuing ultimatums; it is about working with the legislature, no matter what party or length of time in office. The people of Illinois (including his own party members) understand that his stance on the budget is wrong, misguided or,…
Editor’s Note 4/13/17
Every Good Friday for the past 30 years or so a small group of Christians and other compassionate activists follow someone carrying a big wooden cross around downtown, stopping occasionally to sing and pray. This is the Way of the Cross walk for peace and justice which begins, again this year, in front of the…
Holy Week 1865
Holy Week is a reflective time for people of many faiths, and Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are marked by tens of millions around the world. However, Holy Week in 1865 was a defining period in American history. On Palm Sunday, April 9, Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to…
Identify flowers, trees and shrubs
Bask in nature this Saturday by enjoying a seasonal wildflower hike at Lincoln Memorial Garden. The guided walks, led by garden volunteers, are an enjoyable way for visitors to explore the Lincoln Memorial Garden grounds while learning how to identify the garden’s wildflower blooms, flowering trees and shrubs. In addition to Saturday, April 15, Wildflower…
Keeping seniors safe
Wandering is a possible symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias experienced by many senior citizens. Learn about the triggers behind and how to help prevent senior wandering on Tuesday, April 18, during a seminar hosted by Home Instead Senior Care and Mill Creek Memory Care Facility in Springfield. The free program will highlight reasons…
Knowledge is power
The University of Illinois Springfield is encouraging community members to take charge of their health on Wednesday, April 19, by attending a health and wellness fair at the University of Illinois Springfield’s Recreation and Athletic Center, sponsored by UIS Health Services and Campus Recreation. All festival events and activities are completely free, including food samples…
Greed between the lines
I love my boyfriend; however, I feel bad that he never buys me presents. He did when we were dating, and he buys himself extravagant stuff. But he got me nothing for my birthday and only some trinkets for Christmas because I made a stink. When I’ve brought up the gifts issue, he’s implied that…
Spring Home and Garden Calendar
Introduction to BonsaiApr 19, 6-9pm. Introduction to the basic styles and principles of bonsai. Gain hands-on experience styling and potting your own bonsai. Registration. $25. web.extension.illinois.edu. University of Illinois Extension, 700 S. Airport Dr., 782-4617. Springfield Jaycees Annual Lawnmower ClinicApr 22, 9am-1pm. Inspection to check filters, change spark plugs, sharpen blades and change oil as…
Plan, plant, prune, repeat
On March 7, 1929, visionary Harriet Knudson, known as Mrs. T. J. Knudson, hosted a meeting of Springfield residents at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel to establish a club dedicated to creating beauty and conserving the city’s wildlife and natural resources. By the end of the month, a new garden club with the motto “A More…
Decoding the secret language of flowers
Do you give flowers to your loved one on holidays and birthdays? Flowers are a great way to communicate your love and affection, and some can convey a specific message, according to a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension. “Flowers can represent everything from friendship to true love,” says Rhonda Ferree. “For example, chrysanthemums…
The mystery of rhubarb
As the season warms up, many gardeners begin looking forward to their first rhubarb harvests. Although it was first cultivated in central Asia more than 2,000 years ago for its medicinal properties, rhubarb is best known today as an ingredient in our early-summer pies. Rhubarb forms thick red, pink or green stalks – or petioles…
Intergenerational gardening
Like many life skills, gardening is often learned directly from family members. Grandparents might recruit the grandkids to help water transplants or drop in seeds, setting the stage for a lifetime love of gardening.“Gardening is classified as a life skill because it not only allows you to grow food for yourself and family, but it…
Are you bogged down by clutter?
To be successful in life, you need things like motivation, focus, planning and perseverance. All well and good. But, if you’re like many Americans, first you have to get organized. You need to find your stuff. And to do that, you must deal with clutter. For this 30-day challenge, we’re going to show you how…
The do’s and don’ts of selling a home
When it comes time to prepare a home for sale, there are a number of quick and affordable fixes that can help seal the deal, while some so-called improvements may sink a sale.When it’s time to put your home on the market, there are some definite do’s and don’ts. DO:• Give your home a fresh…
Spring has sprung
Spring is an ideal time to make sure everything is in working order. From checking your home’s vital equipment such as water heaters and furnaces to replacing windows, there are some items that should top your spring checklist. 1. Check attics and your home’s exterior for openings and cracks. The spring is when nature comes…
The Radon Lounge keeps concerts on the down-low
One of Springfield’s most consistently exciting and innovative music venues doesn’t even publish its physical address. For the past five years, the Radon Lounge has been hosting an impressive variety of local and touring bands, averaging one show per month. However, like a post-millennial speakeasy, anyone wanting to attend a concert at Radon is obliged…
Contest fosters love of nature
A wildlife photo contest in Girard goes all out on teaching students to embrace nature photography. In its fifth year, the Robert L. McKemie Award for Photographic Excellence in Outdoor and Wildlife Photography, held at North Mac High School, has developed into an anticipated attraction. The top prize is a $200 scholarship, while second- and…
Recording studio revamp
“It’s a great day,” said B.J. Pearce, studio manger of Southtown Sound. “We really have a lot going on for us right now.” The newly renovated recording studio located in the building directly behind Dumb Records near the corner of 11th Street and South Grand Avenue had its grand opening on Sunday, March 26, concurrent…
A presidential chat
Nine months into his tenure as director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Alan Lowe looks and sounds like a man at ease. Since arriving in Springfield, Lowe has overseen a shakeup at the Papers of Abraham Lincoln Project and watched the governor issue an executive order that will make the ALPLM, now…
Democrats push for minimum wage increase
Two bills were introduced to increase Illinois’ minimum wage to $15 per hour. Rep. Mary Flowers-D, Chicago, sponsor of an immediate $15 per hour minimum wage increase, said people should have a livable wage. “When I looked at all the people that were against this bill I was really appalled, because none of them could…
Preserving internet privacy in Illinois
A bill to preserve internet privacy has been introduced in the General Assembly. Known as the Right to Know Act, the legislation would require that internet service providers who retrieve personal data of individual customers through the internet must inform those customers that the service providers are collecting their information. Violators would be subject to…
Waging war on gender wage gap
A bill introduced by Rep. Anna Moller, D-Elgin, would require that employees cannot be paid less than what their coworkers make due to their gender. The measure may be beneficial for Illinois financially in the long run. According to an April 2016 study by the McKinsey Global Institute, Illinois can add $60 billion to its…
DEFENDERS OF THE INNOCENT
The 10th annual Illinois Innocence Project Defenders of the Innocent gala will be held Saturday, April 29, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Featured speakers will be Yusef Salaam, Salaam’s mother, Sharonne, and Charles Palmer. Salaam was one of the “Central Park Five,” five teenagers from New York…
BULLSEYE
For the second year in a row, shooters from the Illinois Army National Guard have taken top honors in the All-Army Small Arms Championship held at Fort Benning, Georgia. The annual event is held to develop shooting skills as well as determine the best marksmen in military units that range from National Guard outfits to…
Style a safe retread
Zach Braff’s Going in Style is a pleasant-enough movie. It has a breezy, light-hearted air to it and three veteran performers – all Oscar winners – who don’t break much of a sweat, but also don’t phone it in as they try to elevate the film’s pedestrian script, while its story of working class people…
Feast or Easter
Last week was so full I spent the whole dang column discussing Friday night shows. This week is not quite so busy, but it’s still a “Good” Friday, and there’s no stopping the action. Blues opens up the week when those brilliantly bluesy MojoCats take on the Thursday early evening slot at the Curve Inn.…
Baaad Boyz
When music works, it works, and when these bad boys play, they are truly Baaad Boyz. Bandmates Tony Young (vocals), Marcus Taylor (drums), Charles Foxx (bass), Jerry Cole (keyboards) and John Virgin (guitar) are known for getting funky on old-school stuff by Rick James, Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Prince, but that ain’t…
n fifth st poem #23
I could write of ugly things thisweek lord knows there’s plentyfrom the gunman still loose inmy wisconsin township (don’tworry no school till he’s caught,kids) to the dismemberment anddeath of the EPA (don’t worrywe’ll be hazmatized and inner-tubed when things get really grim)instead I’ll write about my yardplucking tender dandelion greensthose tangy little barbs also wildchives…
Easter on a spit
At the south end of the land that is now Panther Creek Country Club sits the historic 1860 Spaulding Orchard farmhouse, my home for the last 35 years. What was once one of Illinois’ largest apple orchards and asparagus farms is now stately houses and rolling fairways. All that remains of Spaulding Orchard is a…
