Bourland tapped to oversee historic sites
Dave Bourland, exhibits manager at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, has been transferred to a new post as director of historic sites for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. He began his new duties on Dec. 16, according to Chris Wills, IHPA spokesman. The IHPA oversees 56 historic sites throughout the state, including the…
History books for Christmas
Here is a short shelf of books that explore in some way the history of mid-Illinois, as I promised in “Understanding our brave new world through the old one.” All are still in print or, if not, still fairly easy to track down in good used shops such as Springfield’s Prairie Archives. Among the anthologies aimed…
Understanding our brave new world through the old one
It’s gift-choosing time again, and who better than a professional wise man to ask what you ought to get those hard-to-shop-for friends? I have the perfect gift suggestion: a short shelf of the best books on Illinois history. I know. You’re saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Riots, murders, corruption, skulduggery – Illinois’ past…
Augustus Trumpus
All hail Augustus Trumpus! All hail the American Putin, whom none can criticize! All hail the Great All Knowing One, who reveals “realities” that are not there and finds “facts” that mere mortals cannot detect. Once again, The Amazing Donald has demonstrated his phantasmagoric power of perception, having a new outcome in November’s election that…
Don’t hold your breath
Top folks in the governor’s office said they didn’t quite understand last week why the Senate Democrats and House Speaker Michael Madigan’s spokesman were so upset with them about canceling last Thursday’s leaders meeting to discuss ending the long Statehouse impasse and finishing up an incomplete budget. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s chief of staff reached out…
Letters to the Editor 12/15/16
ACA REPEAL WILL HURT HOSPITALS With a month to go before President-elect Trump takes office, we’ve received a warning shot across the bow in Springfield. It came in the form of a press release from Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, and Chip Kahn, president and CEO of the Federation of…
Editor’s note 12/15/16
While Gov. Bruce Rauner was busy this week working on his 2018 campaign for reelection, the education advocacy group Advance Illinois was doing work that needs to be done. Releasing its biennial report on the sorry state of education in Illinois, the group showed that low-income students are falling further behind their wealthier peers. Just…
What one apology can do
On Saturday morning, Oct. 15, I decided to go to the Parkway 8 theater in Springfield to see the film The Birth of a Nation by Nate Parker. I didn’t know if I could handle being reminded of our centuries-long psychosocial torment, so I went by myself to avoid embarrassment if I couldn’t hold it…
Telemann, Hindemith, Beethoven
Escape the chilly outdoors and enjoy a heartwarming concert by the Illinois Symphony Chamber Orchestra on Friday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., at Springfield’s First Presbyterian Church. The concert will feature German composer George Philipp Telemann’s operatic take on the tale of Don Quixote, Hindemith’s “Concerto for Woodwinds and Harp,” and closes with Beethoven’s illustrious “Second…
Bluegrass band of brothers
Who says you can’t have it all? Enjoy a little bit of everything this Christmas by taking in a holiday concert highlighting a variety of genres by the DePue Brothers Band, also known as the “Musical Family of America” according to a 1989 presidential decree. The four DePue Brothers (Alex, Jason, Wallace and Zachary) are…
Remember, honor, teach
The public is encouraged to remember fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve, and teach children the value of freedom by participating in one of three Wreaths Across America ceremonies to be held in the Springfield area on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. through 12 p.m. Each program is part of the national Wreaths…
Present tense
Women are really cuckoo when it comes to gifts. If my lady didn’t get me a present on my birthday, I wouldn’t really care. But if I didn’t buy her something for hers or if I chose badly, brace yourself. Don’t get me wrong; I love my girlfriend. I just wish I understood how to…
Springfield’s art scene is riding high
The visual arts in Springfield blossomed throughout 2016, with established institutions and grassroots groups alike reporting a great range of positive motion in spite of potentially mitigating factors such as the ongoing state budget impasse. In an especially exciting development, the City of Springfield has stepped in with funding and support for an innovative residency…
It’s tradition!
For 10 years Clinton Kelly told people what not to wear and gave his refreshingly honest fashion advice. For the last six years, he has moderated interviews and conducted craft corners on the daily talk show “The Chew” alongside restaurateurs and Iron Chef America stars Mario Batali and Michael Symon, Top Chef alum Carla Hall…
Ornamental style
When she thinks about the Christmases of her childhood, Kate Guerrero doesn’t really remember the ornaments that glittered at department stores or the ones that matched tinsel with aesthetic seamlessness. What she does remember is how, every year, her family would gather for a craft time around the holidays to make an ornament that symbolized…
A new car is a magical gift
There’s something almost magical about those ubiquitous holiday commercials featuring new cars parked in the driveway on Christmas morning. The enormous red bow on top, the recipient in utter disbelief and the gift giver looking impossibly self-satisfied – it’s the closest a tech-savvy, car-loving adult can get to feeling like a kid again. And this…
Look natural
You’re planning the perfect holiday dinner. Guests have been invited, the menu is prepared – with allergies and dietary preferences accounted for – and decorating is last on the list. There’s a lot of care and attention that goes into holiday decorations, but it’s easy to overlook one important space when setting up for the…
Parsons, scolded, walks again
Jeffrey Parsons, the embattled entrepreneur under criminal investigation for bamboozling folks from coast to coast, arrived at the federal courthouse last week in style. He came to Springfield, his former home, in a late-model Ford F150 pickup truck with plates from Texas, where he now lives. In a three-piece charcoal pinstripe suit, French cuff shirt…
Too much phosphorous in Lake Springfield
Lake Springfield exceeds pollution standards for phosphorous levels, and nitrogen is also an issue, according to a study by a consultant hired to measure pollution levels and propose solutions. It would cost an estimated $143.5 million to reduce levels of pollutants entering the lake to acceptable levels, the consultant found. Among other things, farming practices…
ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION
As if open-heart surgery isn’t enough to worry about, patients who have undergone the procedure in Springfield recently have received letters warning that they could be at risk of contracting an infection from a device used to heat and cool blood during operations. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, the devices could have…
Studio seeks funds
A crowd-sourcing campaign via kickstarter.com is underway to renovate and reopen Southtown Sound (formerly South Town Studio). The recording studio, located across the parking lot from the Black Sheep Café and behind Dumb Records near the corner of 11th Street and South Grand Avenue, has not been in use since its previous tenant, recording engineer…
Rousing Rogue One a worthy Star Wars entry
I have to admit, I was skeptical where Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was concerned. As a prequel to the original film released in 1977, now referred to as Chapter IV: A New Hope, this smacked of being nothing more than a pure cash grab. After all, viewers know going in how this is…
Mixes and matches
Take a good look at the Pub Crawl listings this week and the sheer amount of exceptional shows shall have you jumping for joy, bursting with pride and, hopefully, headed out the door to see some live music. Kick off your ever-advancing Advent season with a “Deck the Halls with The Deep Hollow” performance in…
Juke House
Five longtime, local musicians by the names of Brian Moore (lead vocals, sax), Tim Bahn (piano, vocals), Mark Sanders (drums), Mike Lang (bass) and Manley Mallard (guitar) got together after Brian and Mike had a late-night discussion about their love of jump blues and invited others to join in the fun. The term refers to…
silence poem #1
silence poem #1 people sing about silence writeabout silence there must be spacebetween words between soundsdifferent silences have differentmeanings some you know arecoming and you wait for – one thatwill be coming soon I first heard(or did not hear) was when I wasat my first messiah concert age 12at the end of the overture comes…
Keep holiday cooking simple
I have vivid memories of years ago answering a knock on my door the week before Christmas. We were experiencing snow showers and my wife’s friend was standing outside my kitchen door with a stressed-out countenance and icy wet hair. My wife was running a catering business at the time and her friend had commissioned…
