Chris Bradley & Jennifer Hood
Chris Bradley & Jennifer Hood In an unpredictable world, it’s so nice to hear a pair of studied and stellar music makers playing good songs well. Jen learned her singing lessons bluegrass song-style, at home from the family in Shelbyville, Ill., directly from her parents, both accomplished musicians. She cultivated her naturally gifted singing voice…
The intelligent lawmaker’s guide to economics
The other day I wrote about Rockford state senator Dave Syverson’s proposal to ensure that Illinois lawmakers know more about the economic effects of their decisions by requiring newly elected legislators, aldermen and county board members to take an eight-hour community college-level economics course every two years. This course would be prepared by business advocacy organizations.…
Seeing glass paperweights clearly
Readers interested in learning more about the Morton D. Barker paperweight collection I wrote about this week can do so at the Illinois State Museum’s web exhibit at http://exhibits.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/barker/ See also also the book The Morton D. Barker Paperweight Collection by Ellen Schaller Penwell and George N. Kulles, which was published for the Illinois State Museum by the…
Through a glass beautifully
A paperweight from the Illinois State Museum’s Morton D. Barker collection was made in the Baccarat glassworks in France, circa 1845-1855. PHOTO BY DOUG CAR/ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM In a climate in which open windows are as rare as an honest tax return, I don’t need paperweights on my desk. I have one anyway. It’s a…
alps poem #1
alps poem #1 I was torn before at the news a hundred fifty lives lost in the alps especially those students and teachers returning from a happy exchange in spain I hoped no one saw it coming till the last second but with this morning’s news I am haunted haunted that one man chose to…
Thank you for your service
Curses, foiled againA burglar used the homeowner’s devices to log on to porn, YouTube and his Facebook account, but authorities in Monroe County, Fla., quickly identified him because he forgot to log off Facebook. Sheriff’s official Becky Herrin said the 16-year-old suspect also ate a Pop Tart and drank a soda. (Miami Herald) Burglary suspect…
PATIENCE, PLEASE
As race organizers prepare for the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon on April 4, the city of Springfield is asking motorists to be patient if their Saturday drive is delayed by throngs of runners. About 2,000 people are expected to run the 13.1-mile race through Springfield this weekend, meaning several roads will be filled with people…
Something old, something new
The race for alderman in Ward 1 features a political newcomer and a veteran of Springfield politics. Charles “Chuck” Redpath, who served on the city council from 1987 until 2007, has been gearing up for the race since 2013, when he established a campaign committee and started raising money. He formerly represented Ward 4 in…
Ham or lamb?
I couldn’t find statistics, but apparently ham is the centerpiece of most American Easter dinners; lamb is also traditional, though less so. My family has always been firmly in lamb’s camp. My grandmother’s roast leg of lamb was legendary, not least because of its gravy. The correlation between lamb and Easter is obvious: lamb and…
Wane of terror
I’ve been seeing this guy long-distance. I haven’t really been feeling it and kind of let it drop off, thinking he’d get the hint. He keeps texting and calling. I keep telling him I’m just really busy. The truth is, I’ve met somebody else. Do I have to tell him? – Dreading It Even milk…
Images of Illinois
Adult Amateur – People 1st Place & Best In Show – “The Blacksmith” by RT McDonald Click Here to view all the Images of Illinois 2015 winners From Chicago’s tallest towers to Lincoln’s log cabins, across the sweeping plains, through rivers, streets, rails and woods, the submissions for the Prairie Art Alliance’s fourth annual Images…
Hard silly, offensive but effective
Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart in Get Hard. PHOTO COURTESY WARNER BROS. PICTURES’ With their comedic styles like night and day, there was no guarantee that any sort of chemistry would result from the pairing of Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart on screen, but after seeing them together in Get Hard, in retrospect it seems…
Hugh Moore: Poet, painter, personality
Hugh Moore When Hugh Moore passed away after an extended battle with cancer on March 10 at age 67, the Springfield area arts scene lost an indelible presence. Moore was a prolific poet and painter, and in his role as president of Springfield Poets and Writers, as well as on the board that puts together…
After the Supreme Court affirms marriage equality
It’s here. Forget for a moment any quibbles you may have had with the strategy that got us here. Forget all the other important priorities that were already forgotten along the way. Forget your private doubts about whether marriage equality was the right fight at the right time for the right reasons. Forget all that…
An artistic approach to genetics
BIO-fied Opening Reception On Thursday, April 2, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., stop by the University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery for the opening reception for BIO-fied, a group mixed-media art exhibition that explores various social, cultural and economic perspectives on genetic engineering. The exhibit, featuring mainly local artists, includes work by Laura Anderson, Denise Blakeman,…
Political newcomers face off in Ward 10
Phil Chiles and Ralph Hanauer Former Gov. Jim Edgar has come out in favor of one of the candidates for Ward 10 alderman. Edgar, in a press release put out Monday, gave his endorsement to Phil Chiles, former president of the Illinois Association of Realtors “He performed capably and effectively when we worked together in…
Familiar names battle in Ward 8
Ernie Slottag and Kris Theilen Kris Theilen is a self-described “computer guy.” The Ward 8 alderman is seeking a third term on the Springfield City Council, and he’s using his computer skills to bolster his campaign. From a list of about 11,500 people registered to vote in his ward, he eliminated those people who have…
Editor’s note 4/2/15
IT went all in to preview the upcoming Springfield municipal election. Last week’s cover story by Bruce Rushton offered depth and context on the race for mayor between Paul Palazzolo and Jim Langfelder, both fine candidates. In previous weeks we’ve covered the contested races for alderman in wards 2 and 7 (see www.illinoistimes.com). This week’s…
Cahnman faces challenger in Ward 5
Andrew Proctor and Sam Cahnman Ward 5 Ald. Sam Cahnman is seeking a third term on the Springfield City Council, but to get there, he must take on a well-funded and well-connected opponent. Andrew Proctor of Springfield is challenging the sitting alderman in the April 7 election, saying he’ll fight to improve neighborhoods in Ward…
TUITION DROP
At a time when college tuition on average is increasing at around twice the rate of inflation, it’s hard to imagine any school actually decreasing the cost of attendance. But Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln did just that earlier this month. In a letter sent to alumni on March 2, the school made a gambit…
The Cubs’ golden age
Before the Ivy: The Cubs’ Golden Age in Pre-Wrigley Chicago, by Laurent Pernot. University of Illinois Press, 198 pages. In the interest of journalistic disclosure, I confess that I am not a Chicago Cubs fan. Indeed those who know me understand that if there were a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for baseball…
Experience counts
The two candidates for alderman in Ward 9 aren’t starting from scratch when it comes to experience in municipal government. Jim Donelan, who is associate director of the Township Officials of Illinois Risk Management Association, worked as executive assistant to former Mayor Tim Davlin for five years. As the mayor’s top aide, Donelan was intimately…
Deputy and alderman want to be city clerk
Rianne Hawkins and Frank Lesko Current deputy city clerk Rianne Hawkins, 35, was appointed by outgoing city clerk Cecilia Tumulty and confirmed by the city council in May of 2011. Since that time, Hawkins has worked closely with Tumulty on various initiatives. “When I set foot into the deputy clerk’s job I realized very quickly…
Dissecting Schock’s downfall
Congressman Aaron Schock’s resignation is not only a blow to national Republicans, for whom Schock raised millions, but also to Illinois Republicans. Just eight weeks ago, Schock was widely believed to be next in line to chair the National Republican Congressional Committee. But his rapid fall from grace ruined his career and deprived the NRCC…
Letters to the Editor 4/2/15
HOW TO MAKE AMENDS Chris Britt’s cartoon in the Mar. 26 Illinois Times showed ex-Congressman Aaron Schock on his way to join some of Illinois’ infamous in the big house. Recently he has been apologizing for his misdeeds, perhaps in hopes of avoiding a similar fate? However, a far better way to make amends would be to put his money where…
Government by sucker punch
Once again, the American people are being victimized by a hush-hush blanket of official secrecy, rhetorical dodges and outright lies. This time it’s not about wholesale spying on us by our own government, but a wholesale assault on our jobs, environment, health and even our people’s sovereignty. The assaulters are a cabal of global corporations…
A classic children’s tale
Charlotte’s Web This weekend enjoy a performance of Charlotte’s Web by Jacksonville’s Playhouse on the Square. The play, based on the classic children’s tale by E.B. White, will be performed April 2, 3 and 4, at 7:30 p.m., at the Playhouse on the Square theater, located at 68 E. Central Park Plaza in Jacksonville. A…
Differences aplenty
A Zamboni weighs more than 5,000 pounds and, in the case of the race for Springfield Park Board president, that was enough to break a camel’s back. Park board member Robin Schmidt says that discussion of the district’s need for a new Zamboni last year convinced her to challenge incumbent Leslie Sgro for the board…
Three for Ward 4
Dave Varner, John Fulgenzi and Scott McFarland Stacks of mailers and campaign literature sit next to a rolled-up map of Springfield’s wards on a table in the dining room of Fulgenzi’s Pizza and Pasta. Owner, operator and candidate John Fulgenzi, 67, spends a few minutes on the phone ordering food and supplies for his restaurant…
Take a seat
Need some chairs? A saw? A brake job? If you work for the state of Illinois and are assigned to the state fairgrounds in Springfield, you can get all this, and more, for free. That’s what state employees said when a pair of colleagues were caught removing state-owned chairs from the multipurpose arena at the…
Straight shooters
Frank Edwards and Misty Buscher The job of Springfield city treasurer isn’t exactly glamorous. It’s basically a glorified accounting position, with no real authority over public policy and the added stress of being in the public eye. So why would anyone want this job? “I just want to keep it stable, to protect the people’s…
