ISF Grandstand
A sampling of the many musical performances at the Illinois State Fair.
Twenty-eight years for murder
There were 20 people and five boxes of tissues in the courtroom of Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge John Madonia Friday for the sentencing of Emmaline Osborne, who got 28 years for the 2016 murder of her girlfriend Amanda Kern. By the end of the three-hour proceeding, a sixth box of tissues was brought in…
Illinois State Fair – Opening night
Some moments from the opening night of the Illinois State Fair. Click here to see more photos.
Predictable “Dog Days” a Bland Comfort
If you haven’t gotten your fill of the Hallmark Channel – and really, could anyone ever sate their craving for the banal – “Dog Days” is for you. Sweet, predictable and just so, so cute, this sit-com writ large will appeal to those seeking nothing more than a pleasant excuse to get out of the…
Go Lions
It is too soon – far too soon – to declare victory. But the numbers are in, and Springfield public schools are making progress when it comes to academic excellence for the best and brightest students. The district in July received scores of advanced placement tests taken by high school students last spring. It’s the…
The DPI has its work cut out for it
Last month, Rep. Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago) was interviewed by Chicago Public Radio about his new role as interim executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Mitchell was asked at one point about what the state party planned to do to counter Dan Proft’s newspaper empire. Proft, a conservative activist and radio talk show host,…
Letters to the Editor 8/9/18
SHELTER SENSEI read the letter from Sam Cahnman entitled “Homeless solutions” in the Aug. 2 issue of Illinois Times. I have several comments. My last 15 years in state government was with the Department of Human Services homeless services unit, where I managed approximately 100 homeless shelter program contracts all over the state, excluding Chicago. Managing…
Editor’s note 8/9/18
Now, before the silly season starts, is the time to get acquainted with political candidates and their stands on the issues of their campaigns. In this week’s cover story on the 13th District congressional race between incumbent Rodney Davis and challenger Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, writer David Blanchette asked each candidate to outline their campaign without…
A more perfect union
You know these words, but how often do you stop to think about them? “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…” They…
National Farmers Market Week
Celebrate National Farmers Market Week at Springfield’s Old Capitol Farmers Market at Fourth and Adams streets on Saturday, Aug. 11. Special features and activities include yoga under the mural with Ashley Krustolovich at 9 a.m., a food recovery demo with Chef Denise Perry from 9-11 a.m., live music by Tim Garman at 10 a.m., and…
A special star party
On Monday, Aug. 13, from 8:30-11 p.m., join the University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy-Physics Program, Lincoln Memorial Garden and the Sangamon Astronomical Society for a special star party in honor of the Perseid Meteor Shower. The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs annually in August when the earth passes through a debris steam crossing its orbit from…
Power tulle
Why are there lots of bridal magazines but no magazines for grooms? What does that imply? — A Male Consider men’s general lack of interest in wedding planning. Of course, if men did the organizing, there’d probably be a paintball duel to the altar, strippers serving nachos, and a minister who ends the ceremony with:…
Candidates for Congress square off
She’s 47, he’s 48. Both grew up in central Illinois, married hometown sweethearts, and they each have two sons and one daughter. Serious family health issues have shaped both of their outlooks on health care, and life experiences have firmed their convictions regarding gun violence, education and economic opportunity. Meet Betsy Dirksen Londrigan and incumbent…
Striking ceramics at SAA
The latest iteration of Springfield Art Association’s biennial “Shapes of Influence” exhibit stands as both an exceptional showcase for original ceramics work from across the country and an introduction to the show’s jurist – world-renowned ceramic artist Simon Levin, who settled in Springfield last November. Currently on display at the M. G. Nelson Gallery on…
State Fair revs up for 2018
There is a fresh coat of paint on the firehouse, roads have been repaved, flowers are in bloom and the 2018 Illinois State Fair is set to open on Thursday, Aug. 9. Fair manager Luke Sailer appeared at a press preview for the fair last week, touting this year’s eclectic Grandstand concert lineup (ranging from…
Sex in prison
A former Logan Correctional Center inmate has sued three prison employees, saying that she was sexually assaulted by a prison counselor, then suffered retaliation when her claims came to light. The inmate, identified as Jane Doe in her federal lawsuit filed last week, agreed to an interview, with her lawyer present, on the condition that…
LINKING UP
We never quite understood why University of Springfield Illinois ended up where it did, on the outskirts of town where easy access to Wendy’s and Taco Bell on Toronto Road is about the best thing one can say about a sprawling campus that too often can be a world unto itself. On Saturday, however, city…
HAPPY HOOKAHS
More than a decade after hookah lounges started springing up in college towns and big cities across the land, the capital city, at last, stands at the precipice. The Springfield City Council has before it a proposal to grant a liquor license to The Field Bar and Grill and Hookah Lounge (not that that’s a…
BlacKkKlansman a fascinating, timely tale
In the fall of 1978, eager to make a name for himself, Colorado Springs police office Ron Stallworth approached his superiors with the idea of infiltrating the local Ku Klux Klan chapter in order to more closely monitor their plans and activities. This was significant and of concern to his captain for two reasons –…
All’s fair in town
Yes, folks, it’s that time of year when the Illinois State Fair comes a-callin’ and dominates the atmosphere of the local music scene like nothing else. There’s plenty of live music on our north side fairgrounds, and no matter who or what, where or when, musicians should take pride in knowing that live performances are…
Zucchini and summer squash
If some zucchini randomly appeared on your porch this week, you weren’t being punked. August 8th was “Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day,” a silly holiday that has been embraced by overzealous gardeners everywhere. As anyone who has grown zucchini knows, they can be incredibly prolific producers this time of year. Zucchini is…
vermontpoem 2018 #2
vermontpoem 2018 #2 due to the hill behind, the sun doesn’tstrike our neighbors’ dock till noonthey sit in their deck chairs andevery hour as the sun advancesthey move back a plank when they getto the last plank before the shorethey know it’s time to make supper ©2018 Jacqueline Jackson
