Cover Story
Edible gifts
Several years back, my family agreed to stop buying holiday gifts for the adults. Money was always tight for somebody and none of us are big shoppers, so we decided just to buy gifts for the kids. It was determined that homemade gifts would be an acceptable caveat and we’ve never looked back since. Everyone…
From vaccines to child abuse
A recent story in New Yorker magazine paints a Springfield radiologist as a physician who’s moved from the fringe of vaccine controversies to the outer limit of child abuse experts. Before becoming an expert witness in child abuse cases, Dr. David Ayoub argued that immunization amounts to genocide in the Third World. When it comes…
Diocesan diddlers
I wonder about Virginia Galloway. In 2004, she sued the Diocese of Springfield, alleging an awful thing. In the late 1960s, when she was 10 years old, she said that the Rev. Richard Niebrugge took her under his care as a foster child and began sexually abusing her. A decade later, she said in her…
Populism is not about mobs
I’ve observed that the true political spectrum in our society does not range from right to left, but from top to bottom. This is how America’s economic and political systems really shake out, with each of us located somewhere high or low on that spectrum. Right to left is political theory; top to bottom is…
Rauner’s loss might be Tillman’s gain
“Is that the guy from the Policy Institute?” House Speaker Michael Madigan asked his press secretary after an Illinois News Network reporter recently tried to ask Madigan a question at the Statehouse. The Illinois Policy Institute transferred ownership of the network to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity back in January. But they…
Letters to the Editor 12/6/18
ALPLM: NOT JUST OLD HAT I read Bruce Rushton’s latest article about the ALPLM and its foundation (“Another day, another circus,” Nov. 29) with interest, as always, and wanted to clarify a few items. First, as executive director of the ALPLM, I share Mr. Rushton’s concerns about our support foundation’s behavior. The lack of transparency…
Editor’s note 12/6/18
A hundred years hence Illinoisans may look back to figure what was the theme of the bicentennial observance, what was the spirit. What was accomplished? The state came late to the planning, unenthused, but managed to name an official beer. Springfield was more successful, led by the indefatigable bicentennial chair Pam VanAlstine through so many…
Ending the Cuban blockade
As you sit down to a delicious meal, imagine you are an average Cuban worker, who earns $15 per month, making your monthly trip to the only “supermarket” in Havana where you are registered to shop. You enter a concrete block warehouse with tables scattered around the edges. Behind some tables are stacks of various…
A ho-ho-ho holiday parade
Enjoy holiday cheer on Saturday, Dec. 8, during the 47th annual Springfield Jaycees Holiday Lights Parade. This festive downtown parade celebrates the start of the holiday season and is a time-honored tradition that began in 1949 and has been held annually since 1972. The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Horace Mann parking…
Carols, cookies and cocoa
On Sunday, Dec. 9, individuals of all ages are invited to sing holiday carols accompanied by the carillon bells during the 37th annual Caroling at the Carillon event at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon. Seasonal interludes will be provided by the Trinity Wind Ensemble while guests enjoy a roaring bonfire (weather permitting) plus complimentary cookies…
Christmas time is here
Celebrate the holidays with everyone’s favorite blockhead on Wednesday, Dec. 12, during A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage at Sangamon Auditorium. This brand new touring production is based on the timeless story by Charles M. Schultz and features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi performed by a three-piece ensemble plus a concert of holiday…
For whom the sleigh bells toll
I get very lonely around the holidays. My family is just my parents, and they’re far away. I don’t have a boyfriend right now. I have many friends and good people in my life but instead of hanging out with them, I find myself isolating. So … it seems my treatment for loneliness is loneliness…
Pet portraits
Pet portraits – Photos by Terry Farmer
Gift ideas for pets and people who love them
If you get a kick out of giving your pet a gift, you’re in good company. According to a survey conducted by Rover.com, 95 percent of pet owners said they have purchased a Christmas gift for their pet. Another 61 percent have bought birthday presents for their pets. While the average amount spent is $36,…
More than a pretty face
Have you ever been enticed by the image of an adorable puppy or kitten, dog or cat, frolicking at your feet,looking up at you with winsome charm and snuggling up to you on a cold winter’s night? All this and more can be yours when you adopt a pet, if you do your homework first.…
Finding a forever home
Forever Home Feline Ranch was founded in 2009 to provide every cat in need a forever home, be a sanctuary where cats will have a second chance to live a full life in a no-cage, no-kill environment and to help end euthanasia as a method of controlling feline populations. Half of the cats at FHFR…
Holiday happenings for pets
APL to host Tree of Lights open house The Animal Protective League (APL) invites the public to honor a loved one, animal or human, with a memorial light on APL’s annual Tree of Lights. For each $5 donation to APL, a small white light will be placed on the tree in the memorial garden on…
From vaccines to child abuse
A recent story in New Yorker magazine paints a Springfield radiologist as a physician who’s moved from the fringe of vaccine controversies to the outer limit of child abuse experts.Before becoming an expert witness in child abuse cases, Dr. David Ayoub argued that immunization amounts to genocide in the Third World. When it comes to…
A stronger voice for the environment
Protecting Illinois schoolchildren from exposure to lead in drinking water, reducing health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides and funding open space acquisition are some of the accomplishments of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC). Founded in 1975, IEC serves as the environmental community’s eyes, ears and voice in Springfield. For years IEC rented space in…
Great performances save Book
Whenever a film is based on a true story, certain liberties are taken for a variety of reasons. Events are compressed because of time considerations, two or three people may be combined into one fictional character, and a bland ending may be shaped into something a bit more dramatic and palatable. Whether they be “incredible,”…
Hullabaloo for holidays
Welcome to the first full weekend of December, one jam-packed with live music functions from beginning to end and even rolling into next week. What a brouhaha it is! Last week I never made it past Friday, so let’s start there this week. James Armstrong, known as the Ambassador of the Blues (not to be…
Ultraviolet
In 2003 Suzie Stephens formed a musical enterprise that would give her the outlet necessary to best use her music inspirations and aspirations. Now 15 years into the project, Ultraviolet is still going strong as the band celebrates the occasion with another gig. Suzie learned to enjoy and appreciate a wide variety of music as…
FREE PARKING
The city is allowing free downtown parking for shoppers during the holidays. Until Dec. 22, shoppers who obtain permits labeled “Shopper” from one of 10 downtown retail businesses – and what a pity it is that there are not three times that amount – can park for free between Fourth and Seventh streets east-west and…
tis the season poem #6
tis the season poem #6 advent and hanukkah are now herea story: a student lived at my housea while back I found him rummaging inthe attic among his stuff stored therewhat are you looking for? my menorahI told my mom I’d use it I can’t find itwe both searched gave up returnedto the kitchen I…
MUNI SEASON, A HOPEFUL THEME
“Wishes really do come true,” says Jim Leach, in a press release, “and the 2019 Springfield Muni Opera season proves it.” Leach is president of the Muni board of managers. “But it’s not just the wishes of the characters in our four shows. It might be the wish to let your talent shine on stage,…
