Fall Guide
While the pandemic continues to affect the activities offered around town, there are still many options for fall fun. Art fairs and gallery shows are still happening, as are a variety of Halloween events. Schools aren’t offering field trips these days, but we have suggestions for field trips (and day trips) that will be enjoyable…
Art around town
With the coronavirus at the forefront of our minds and lives, art lovers of Springfield are still keen to experience what art offerings are available and to support the artists who make them happen. “Due to COVID, we are implementing protocols to keep everyone as safe as possible,” says Art Spectacular coordinator Connie Heskett, a…
Convictions thrown
Judges have tossed convictions in two cases overseen by U.S. District Court Judge Colin Bruce, a former prosecutor whose coziness with former colleagues in the U.S. attorney’s office earned him an admonishment last year from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. In one case, the appeals court on Aug. 10 erased the conviction of Earl…
A look at Halloween’s merry spirits
The Merry Spirits of Halloween is the first documentary produced by Redroom Creative Media, an independent documentary film company that focuses on the legends and folklore attached to historical Illinois events. Directed and co-written by Chatham resident Joseph Tury, the Illinois-based project is a fun look at the celebration of Halloween through different viewpoints and…
Statehouse statues slated to go
Statues of Illinois figures who profited from slavery will be removed from the Statehouse lawn. The decision was made when the Office of the Architect of the Capitol board voted unanimously for statues of Stephen Douglas and Pierre Menard to be removed and put in storage. Andrea Aggertt, Capitol architect, said discussions with contractors are…
Event calendar
Donuts and Dogs 5K Fun Run Sep. 1-30. Register online for this virtual 5K and get a chance to win prizes in several categories. All participants will receive a T-shirt. Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, 217-544-7387. apl-shelter.org. Okinawa – Brutal Combat on the Doorstep of Japan Thu., Sept. 3, 7 p.m. Mark DePue brings…
Portable feasts
What do you get when you put a Salade Niçoise between two pieces of crusty bread? You get a portable feast known as a Pan Bagnat. Pan Bagnat means “bathed bread” and, like the Salade Niçoise, it is a popular regional dish found around Nice in the French Riviera. Traditionally it was a carry-along meal…
Record the record
Hello all you music friends and fans, to another column on mostly live music in the time of a global pandemic. Live performances on a medium-to-large scale continue to be on hold due to the precautions necessary to keep our citizenry safe. Smaller shows, online streams and recorded tunes seem to be our best bet…
LoneHollow
A Nashville, Tennessee, duo composed of guitarist and singer-songwriter Damon Atkins, joined by singer and songwriter Rylie Bourne makes up the sounds of LoneHollow. Both songwriters are influenced by Americana and Appalachian sounds, Rylie from her time going to bluegrass festivals with her family in Illinois and Damon from hanging out making music with friends…
Springfield Park District
The Springfield Park District is hosting a new day camp for children ages 5-12. The camp will provide a safe place for children to complete their remote school work, but also allow them to participate in fun recreational activities. The attendance options include full weeks, full days and half days and the fees are adjusted…
Big guy, big personality, big flaws
James R. Thompson, the biggest (six feet six) and longest (14 years in office) governor Illinois ever had, died on Aug. 14, 2020, in Chicago at 84. His rise as a politician coincided with that of this newspaper, and to those of us working at Illinois Times in those days he was a familiar, if…
Remote is the right decision for District 186
Thank you for your comprehensive and balanced Aug. 20 cover story, “Schools shapeshift,” by Rachel Otwell. On Friday, March 13, I left my school in Springfield District 186 for the last time. I didn’t know it then, but it became increasingly evident as time went by we would not be returning for the remainder of…
Editor’s note 8/27/20
Did anybody wince with me when Joe Biden, asked what he would do if scientists advised him to shut down the economy over coronavirus concerns, quickly replied, “I would shut it down”? Might he at least have prefaced, “I hope it doesn’t come to that,” to offer some assurance that he won’t act rashly? It…
Remembering Jim Thompson
The late Jim Thompson was just 40 years old when he was first elected governor of Illinois in 1976. Rod Blagojevich was called a youthful politician, but he was 45 on the day he was elected governor. Jim Edgar was 44 in November of 1990. After serving 14 years as governor, longer than anyone else…
good trouble poem #1
the words for the weekly space in this publication are being written after the days of the DNC they’ll be printed with RNC in session I have modified my distrust of modern technology by seeing how it was able to convey humanity here is just one striking example – a ploy, sure, but a good…
Letters to the editor 8/27/20
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to letters@illinoistimes.com. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS Thank you, Rachel Otwell, for shedding light upon the transmogrification of the organization that our Springfield Education Association (SEA) members work within and love in your recent cover story (“Schools…
Much to do in Monticello
Here’s a trivia question for you: What do fu dogs, vintage trains and gas-fired glass have in common? If you have been to the Monticello area, you know the answer. The three are highlights of a day trip 65 miles east of Springfield on I-72. “Monticello is an easy drive and has a little something…
Road to recovery leads to becoming a rabbi
Arthur Stern’s first full-time position as a rabbi is at Temple Israel in Springfield. For Stern, it’s a major shift in his profession. And for the faith center, it symbolizes a shift in philosophy. Stern draws from a storied past when it comes to his approach to religion. About 30 years ago, at the age…
Field trips for the whole family
School may be virtual for many kids in Illinois this fall, but that doesn’t mean they have to miss out on the excitement and fun of field trips. Perhaps now more than ever, parents are seeking new excuses to get the kids out of the house, while at the same time, finding creative ways to…
COUNCIL NIXES REDEVELOPMENT
The Springfield City Council Tuesday said no to a plan from out-of-towners who have proposed rescuing three historic downtown buildings. So far, the city has spent nearly $1 million in tax increment financing funds – public money – in a stalled attempt to spur residential and commercial development in the buildings on the corner of…
What to do for date night
If you are in any sort of romantic relationship, chances are that you’ve heard about the importance of date night. Time spent alone with your significant other is a wonderful way to reconnect, have uninterrupted conversations and serves as a great reminder why you fell in love in the first place. When my husband and…
AREA CODE PLEASE
Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur and Jacksonville are among the communities covered by the 217 area code. But there’s a new one coming to town. Starting early next year, those seeking new numbers might instead be given the area code 447. That’s a notable change, considering 217 was an original area code, first entering circulation in 1947.…
