Taking for granted the world’s understanding of the American experience
I’ve lived in Europe for several years. I find it stimulating, and, despite the fear-borne insularity of America since 9/11, the inexorable march toward a global society continues, even when it crawls. American TV, film, music and business permeate Europe. Yet when I was talking to my Italian friend about a famous American, someone I…
People’s poetry 4-29-04
Our Song of Praise, when I was five In a church stuffy dry and hot. In a pink flouncy itchy dress I sat. Trying to be good. Playing with my blue pop beads. Pink pop beads. (they were snakes and two pop beads together was a baby snake.) And then the Sermon — I knew…
Quick takes 4-29-04
Hollywood insider Renatta Frazier’s trip last week to Los Angeles proved productive. Springfield’s most famous former police officer signed a management deal with The Brokaw Company — whose clients include Bill Cosby, Toni Braxton, Lou Rawls, and Tavis Smiley (not to mention an assortment of the paler novelties like Carrot Top, Tony Orlando, and Loretta…
Small town, big dreams
Bill Thomas may make his living on the cutting edge of computer technology, but he treasures small-town life. Most of the staff of his Atlanta, Ill.-based company, Teleologic Learning, live in other states. Thomas communicates with them by e-mail and phone. To see clients, he’s traveled to Tokyo; Washington, D.C.; and Monterey, Calif. Yet he’s…
Movie reviews
The mating call of lawyers in love Laws of Attraction proves a totally disarming and charming comedy, thanks in large part to genuine chemistry between its two stars, aging sex symbol Pierce Brosnan and classic beauty Julianne Moore. Playing the roles of two successful New York divorce lawyers, Brosnan and Moore provide the sparks necessary…
Don’t be cruel
A new animal welfare organization has formed in Springfield to investigate incidents of animal neglect or abuse and establish spay/neuter assistance programs. Illinois Humane, a non-profit group comprised of unpaid volunteers, plans to work with local police and the Animal Protective League to crack down on animal rights abusers. Local authorities each year receive up…
Aldermania: Bull’s eye
There’s an old saying about blind pigs. Kind of like the one about broken watches. Even a blind pig occasionally finds a nut. Even a broken watch is right twice a day. So it’s possible that even a loose cannon can hit a bull’s eye, right? At the April 20 City Council meeting, Ward 5…
Backstage pass 4-29-04
The new Center for the Arts is showcasing the talents of its tenants with a gala on Saturday, May 1. Titled “Beyond Our Dream,” the fundraiser and celebration features performances running simultaneously on all three floors of the building, including two hour-long concert performances of Les Misérables on the Mainstage at 8 and 10 p.m.…
Welcome home, 233rd
The soldiers of Springfield’s 233rd Military Police Company of the Illinois National Guard are finally home after a year in Iraq. I was embedded briefly with the 233rd while in Iraq last year. The embed was one of my most positive experiences in that screwed-up nation. I also spent a lot of time in Fallujah,…
Masters of their Domain
Think the Republicans got lost somewhere in cyberspace? Think again. The GOP’s underreported e-campaign may lack the media razzle-dazzle of the Howard Dean phenomenon, but it promises to leave no less a mark on the annals of political campaign history. It all comes down to differences in style and strategy. For Dean, the Internet was…
Upping the ante
Crime Stoppers says it will double the reward for tips leading to the arrest of people who carry guns illegally, a move applauded by community activists who are concerned about gun violence in Springfield. Since 2002, the program has paid $250 for information about illegal guns, but there were few takers, says Springfield police officer…
Tombstone blues
The city of Springfield calls it a freak accident, but the family of 8-year-old Andrew Richards says the several hundred-pound tombstone that broke the boy’s leg was an accident waiting to happen. On the morning of April 12, Lillie Riney took Andrew and two of her other grandkids to Oak Ridge Cemetery to stroll through…
Let’s do lunch
Does your typical noontime meal consist of a burger grabbed from a drive-thru window or a boring sandwich eaten at your desk? If so, it’s time to try one of the many great places around town. Here are three of my favorites: Bentoh’s is at the top of my list for lunch, for several reasons:…
letters 4-29-04
Letters policy We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity. Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois 62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com FREE FINANCIAL ADVICE Just read the story on Renatta Frazier [Dusty Rhodes,…
Mob appeal
The 1908 race riot is part of Springfield’s history and should not be ignored. That’s the view of Tim Farley, executive director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. The bureau recently published a brochure detailing the events of Aug. 14 and 15, 1908, when white rioters rampaged, forcing thousands of black residents to flee…
History Talk 4-29-04
Justin Taft, well-known Sangamon County farmer and former Clerk of the Supreme Court, recently published a semi-autobiographical look back at his 80-plus years in a book entitled As I Saw It — A Collection of Short Stories on Rochester and the Taft Family. Taft’s stories are of the homespun variety and recall the days before…
Grace about town 4-29-04
First I must bring up one thing that’s been bugging me for a long time. It’s this billboard I keep driving by. Initially I paid no attention. Then I started to notice it. It made no sense. Then I started thinking about it. Now that I finally get it, I’m amazed at what a stupid…
Knoepfle 4-29-04
when the residency ends it is only in the unfolding of the rose that you know the pulse of the rose and the giver when something goes dark behind your eyes © John Knoepfle 2004
Kioaka’s spirit
Kioaka’s eyes are moist, partly from the blustery winter wind and his advancing years but mostly because of the deep sadness he feels as he ponders what must be done. His people, the Mississippians, have lived here for more than 500 years. Before them, Woodland natives occupied this land. High on the bluff, the giant…
Just in time for Arbor Day
Arbor Day is Friday, April 30, and the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org) is offering you a deal. You can join the Foundation and for $10 receive either 10 flowering trees or 10 pine trees. Even though these “trees” are foot-tall sprouts, it’s still a pretty sweet offer. After you’ve read (or flipped through) Native Trees…
Earth Talk
Dear Earth Talk: Are there toothpastes on the market that don’t contain chemicals or artificial sweeteners? — Jeffrey Moss, Westport, Conn. Most conventional toothpastes use saccharin as a sweetener. Although it has not been proven that saccharin causes cancer in humans, many studies have linked it to cancer in laboratory animals, and some experts, including…
Now playing 4-29-04
Enter, my friends, into the wild and wonderful world of music in the capital city. It’s a place of diversity and digressions tied together by darkness and booze, smoky taverns, and bright beer lights. The rewards are great if you take seriously the challenge of finding your music and don’t mind the added attachments that…
