Partial disclosure
Jack grew up in Springfield, graduated from high school, joined the Marines, and became a military police officer. After being honorably discharged, he enrolled in college, got a degree in criminal justice, and found a job with the state. In 2001, when he saw a chance to join the Springfield Fire Department, Jack applied, partly…
An awakening
Life has long been a juggling act for Springfield resident Brenda B. At times she has worked as many as three jobs to support her four kids, while squeezing in college-level courses when she could. But Brenda never had the time nor money to take the classes that most interested her. Then she enrolled in…
Fleecing America’s soldiers
It’s been said that you don’t know what hell is until you’ve had an insurance salesman in your living room, prattling on eternally about term-life annuities. But I’ve recently learned about a deeper level of hell reserved for insurance-company hucksters who — get this — are ripping off America’s young soldiers. Companies such as American…
movie review
The paddle isn’t the only thing missing Jerry, Dan, and Tom are friends who reunite at the funeral of their adventurous comrade Billy. Each is searching for a purpose in his life, as well as an excuse to get away. They find that excuse with the discovery of a map Billy left behind. The map…
He got his start with living-room art
One of the longest-lasting galleries in Springfield evolved not from dreams of framed immortality but from the desire to put down roots in a relatively small Illinois community. Art Concepts is a greater leap from owner Marc Zoschke’s past than the distance down Interstate 55 from Chicago suggests. After graduating from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with…
Waiting for justice
The U.S. Constitution guarantees a criminal defendant the right to a speedy trial. In Illinois, the law defines “speedy” as 120 days from the day the defendant is charged. For almost a year, Byron Williams waited — and asked — for his day in court. Standing in Williams’ way: his lawyer, a public defender who…
Knoepfle 8-19-04
sandalwood poem #15 it is an indirect suggestion the burgundy sun slipping under this level prairie and all this earth old valleys pensive tides of its women motions of wounds nations enduring servants of the grain this one only planet swung out in space whirling in clouds this soft and blue lovely light our luminous…
Getting on board
Bowing to pressure from a coalition of local community groups, the Springfield Mass Transit District on Monday agreed to seek funding for a study to explore the possibility of extending bus service into the evening. The five-member SMTD board unanimously approved the motion at the end of its monthly meeting, which — like its meeting…
sound patrol 8-19-04
The Naysayer Kitten Time (Red Panda Records) As anyone who has ever sobbed into soft, forgiving feline fur can tell you, there’s nothing like a cat when it comes to free therapy. Take it from Anna Padgett, the Naysayer’s singer, songwriter, and only permanent member: “Kitten time, kitten time/How do you know when it’s kitten…
A fair full of Grace
There are two kinds of people in this town: those who like the Illinois State Fair and those who don’t. I have always loved the fair: The food. The rides. The Butter Cow. The Society Horse Show in the Coliseum, always a great opportunity to sit and enjoy some fine organ music while watching fancy…
Dark clouds ahead
Global warming is likely to cause hotter summer days and more smog for many cities in the eastern half of the U.S., medical experts said in a study released last week. The finding raises concerns that the nation’s battle against smog could become increasingly difficult; more than 100 million Americans already live in counties with…
Friendly competition
Tucked away on the east side of the Illinois State Fairgrounds you will find the Hobbies, Arts, and Crafts building. During the fair, some of Illinois’ finest baked goods, textiles, hobby collections, fruits, vegetables, and agricultural crops are on display. These items are exhibited by residents from all over Illinois. Of course, near and dear…
letters 8-19-04
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 STRANGER THAN FICTION After reading about Alan Keyes in John Wilson’s article…
Deal with it
Word from on high is that the U.S. Senate’s Republicans are planning to contribute lots of money to candidate Alan Keyes. It’s not that the national pooh-bahs actually believe Keyes can win, mind you. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a sane person to predict that. Then again, what sane person could have predicted a month…
now playing 8-19-04
Hey wandering souls, searching for enlightenment by the seat of your pants, have I got some deals for you. There is music galore at the Illinois State Fair, enough to keep a persistent music lover busy as a state cop on Taintor Road, but take a look at the talent in town, blissfully unaware of…
Butt-growin’ time in Springfield again
The Illinois State Fair offers carnival rides, farm animals, and lots of entertainment, but one of the event’s biggest attractions is the food — lots and lots of food. The fairgrounds are a food-lover’s dream, with vendors selling everything from traditional corndogs and lemonade shake-ups to unique offerings such as fresh mango juice, cheese curds…
quick takes 8-19-04
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD Cool weather wasn’t the only thing different about this year’s Illinois State Fair. Did anybody notice that for the first time ever, the annual Twilight Parade included a float officially sponsored by a gay and lesbian group? Dubbed the Diversity Express, the blue locomotive festooned with rainbow balloons and flashing…
