Power foursomes
Platinum-selling Vancouver four-man rock band Theory of a Deadman and Las Vegas quartet Adelitas Way open for rock giants Creed, Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand. Creed’s original lineup of Scott Stapp (vocals), Mark Tremonti (guitar), Brian Marshall (bass) and Scott Phillips (drums) take the stage in what promises to be a…
The campaign against Mike Madigan
The Illinois Republican Party has relentlessly bashed House Speaker Michael Madigan almost every day via press release during the past few months. Not many of those statements have been covered by the media, but the GOP is obviously hoping to make Madigan an issue in this election by blaming him for just about every problem…
Honey vanilla caramel sauce
Honey vanilla caramel drizzled over ice cream is decadently delicious. But in my opinion, its intense sweetness is even more delectable over a dish of plain Greek-style yogurt, with or without fruit. 1 c. sugar 2/3 c. honey 1 1/2 c. heavy cream 1 T. pure vanilla extract 1/4 c. (4 T. or 1/2 stick)…
Hope, an honest look at love and intimacy
A bit of movie magic occurs in David Frankel’s Hope Springs, a surprisingly daring Hollywood production that deals with the thorny issue of how to rekindle sexual intimacy in a marriage long after passion has been dulled by the day-to-day trials of living and the deadly curse of familiarity. Promoted as a light comedy –…
Honey sherry vinaigrette
Honey and sherry is as equally felicitous a combination as honey and mustard, one found often in Spanish cooking. Sherry vinegar is such an important ingredient in my pantry that I always have a bottle in reserve, so I never run out. It’s available locally at Incredibly Delicious, and can be easily found and ordered…
The people’s choice! Only, not really.
If you thought right-wing politicos couldn’t get any goofier, take a peek at Texas on “Cruz Control.” Ted Cruz is America’s latest tea party darling, having just pulled off a political contortion in Texas that few would have thought humanly possible: He got to the right of Gov. Rick Perry! The “Oops” governor is himself…
Honey nut bars
The hazelnuts, almonds and pine nuts in these cookies testify to their Italian origin. But other kinds or combinations of lightly toasted nuts are equally good. Just be sure to use 1 1/2 c., no matter what nuts you choose. For the bottom layer: 1/2 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 c. light brown…
Transcendent talent
The Imagine Foundation in Jacksonville lives up to its motto, “Reaching out through the arts,” as it presents a night of other-worldly fun Aug. 17. Catered to adults 18 years and older, the soiree is called Dark Gypsy Jubilee. Besides an art exhibition, the “art experience,” as Executive Director Clare Lynd-Porter calls it, includes vendors,…
More fair fun
I really like using the word “fair” when writing about the State Fair, but I’ve already done it a fair amount of times over the years, so to continue to do so now just wouldn’t be fair to you, and of that I’m fairly certain. Fair enough? I’ve always liked the laid back atmosphere of…
familystory poem #14
this family legend is so pat thatit must be apocryphal but mygreat uncle george back around1890 when he graced the pulpitof the first methodist church inbeloit wisconsin is purported tohave been preaching with suchvigor that he expelled his falseteeth into the lap of a front-rowparishioner whereupon he saidwith dignity will mrs stenshawplease pass the plate…
SPARC IS HOT
We’re a huge fan of Sparc, the organization dedicated to helping the developmentally disabled in Springfield with housing, employment and recreational activities. But not the kind of fan Sparc needs right now. Like the rest of us, Sparc is facing big electricity bills this summer, but Sparc, which has 13 group homes, has a dozen…
Secrets uncovered by 1950s drought
It’s hard to think of anything good about droughts, but they have turned up some interesting finds. On Aug. 6, the Illinois State Museum announced a new acquisition that resulted from the current dry spell – a local family gave the museum some bones they found on the Sangamon River. The bones, which were visible…
From sea to shining sea
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation into THR & Associates, the Springfield-based firm that has bounced thousands of checks across the nation at buying events set up to buy gold, silver and other valuables. James Willing, a Michigan state trooper who has launched an investigation of his own, confirmed the federal probe,…
Bus-age wonders
While I was coming of age in central Illinois in the 1960s, the motor vehicle that figured daily in my life was not a car – I didn’t have one – but the bus. I rode buses to school, I rode buses to visit friends away at college, I rode buses to and from an…
State Fair honey ice cream
Throughout my childhood, it was an unshakeable rule: After we’d passed through the Illinois State Fair’s main archway, our first stop had to be the Illinois State Beekeepers Association’s honey ice cream stand in the Illinois Building. Even the delights of Happy Hollow (then the carnival rides area), next door to the Illinois Building, had…
Letters to the Editor 08/16/12
CHICK-BASHINGYou have shown your liberal bias by publishing Chris Britt’s newest cartoon bashing Chick-fil-A. The company doesn’t preach hate, or intolerance in any fashion. The media asked a leading question to the CEO about his personal beliefs, knowing the answer ahead of time. I truly believe this is only an issue to distract people from…
Life is what you fake of it
I’m in love. This person makes me feel like a shaken-up Coke bottle ready to explode with happiness! But, not even my therapist understands. She wants to hand me pills for the problem. Being in love isn’t the problem; it’s the fact that I’m in love with someone who doesn’t exist. I’m 19, and I’ve…
Keeping track
Quick: What are the duties of the Sangamon County auditor? If you said “keeping track of money,” you’d be right: The auditor serves as the county’s bookkeeper and monitors financial transactions. “It has been characterized as the least glamorous office in Sangamon County government,” says incumbent Paul Palazzolo, who oversees a fulltime staff of two.…
One last spin
For Amy Bliefnick, the Illinois State Fair is like a party with 815,000 of her closest friends. Bliefnick has been manager of the fair for eight years, making her the longest-serving manager in the fair’s history, as well as the first female to hold that position. An amiable, energetic woman with an air of confidence,…
Don Smith Band
The Illinois State Fair has many long-running traditions and in the music department none is more incredible than the run of the Don Smith Band. This year marks 32 straight years of performances on the grounds, far outlasting any other musical act in longevity. The Lincoln native has played the trumpet professionally for nearly six…
Both Obama and Romney are reckless on Iran
You will strain your eyes looking for a significant difference between President Obama’s and Mitt Romney’s positions on Iran and the prospects of an Israeli attack on the Islamic republic. Both say “all options are on the table.” All. That includes a full-scale military attack with even nuclear weapons. This isn’t alarmism. Iran’s facilities are…
THE POWER OF THE PRESS
OK, we admit it. We lied. Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries has not bought out Walgreens, or Family Video for that matter. Goodwill president and CEO Sharon Durbin does not have a penthouse office at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was not donated to the charity for a tax deduction. Donald Trump didn’t pay for…
Honey mustard glazed salmon
Honey and mustard are a common combination, and this simple marinade and glazing liquid makes it obvious why the combination is so popular. It’s equally good with other kinds of oily fish such as tuna. It’s also wonderful for grilling pork chops or chicken. 1/2 c. olive oil 1/4 c. honey 1/4 c. Dijon mustard…
Literary drama
Reserve your tickets now by phone for a performance of Prairie Voices and Lincoln and Shakespeare at Theatre in the Park indoor theater at Lincoln’s New Salem Sate Historic. Kevin Purcell directs and stars, along side local acting sensation Aasne Vigesaa, in Prairie Voices, a performance of poems and songs that celebrate the beauty of…
My visit with a centenarian
Marie Aldridge, neatly dressed and mentally alert, is 103 years old, born May 10, 1909. She has some trouble hearing and seeing. She lives in a Decatur nursing home. She really can’t give a secret to living so long. “It’s all up to God,’’ she says as she sits on her bed. “When he gets…
