Fagan arraigned in Ostermeier case
The man charged with murdering Jade Ostermeier and her infant daughter Alexis more than a year ago made his first court appearance in the case today. Eric A. Fagan, who is facing a life sentence in the deaths of Ostermeier and her daughter, whose father is Fagan’s brother Marc, said only “yes” in response to…
African-American history museum opens with photo exhibit
The Springfield Illinois African-American History Foundation’s museum opens its first exhibition tonight, Feb. 23, capping 14 years of work. The exhibition will feature photographs by Eddie Winfred “Doc” Helms, a well-known Springfield African-American who was a photographer for Illinois secretaries of state for 58 years. In his spare time, Helms photographed local events, especially those…
Judge sides with Illinois Times on lawsuit
A Sangamon County judge has ordered a Springfield city government committee to hold open meetings following a lawsuit by an Illinois Times reporter. Bruce Rushton, a staff writer for Illinois Times, filed a lawsuit against the city’s Joint Labor Management Health Committee after a closed-door meeting on Jan. 10 in which the committee decided to…
Harping on
Concertgoers are in for a treat as critically-acclaimed harpist Bridget Kibbey plays with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. “Ecstatic & Exotic Music” showcases the exotic sounds of Spanish serenades and ethereal bliss. Guest conductor is music director candidate Rei Hotoda, assistant conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, who…
UIS stages a classic, True West
Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, the head of the UIS theatre department these last 10 years, is taking a sabbatical this semester, but he is staying home in Springfield. As head of an academic program, he does not normally have the time to act in productions. But his sabbatical has given him time to perform in what is…
Local lore
The Springfield and Central Illinois African-American History Museum hosts a Grand Opening Gala on Thursday, Feb. 23 at its new location on the second floor of the National Museum of Surveying, Inc. Featured is the photography exhibit “African-American Life and Contributions to Springfield in 1930s, 1940s and 1950s,” by Winfred “Doc” Helm, state photographer from…
Trains, buses and stores
Just imagine. A one-stop transportation facility in downtown Springfield filled with the buzzing of incoming and outgoing travelers looking for the quickest and most efficient methods to reach their destination. This type of proposed facility was unveiled by the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission on Feb. 8 to show what a “multi-modal” hub could look…
The Aspect: Beatle Band
Originally conceived as a way to bring several styles of popular music under one umbrella, Bill McKenzie’s concept group, The Aspect, continues the tradition by again taking on the Beatles as subject matter. The Lime Street Cafe venue adds to the ambiance with walls full of Beatle-related memorabilia as the Aspect members bring to life…
Smothered to succulence
I’ve cooked thousands of dishes for countless people in my life; some professionally, some as a home cook. Almost all were well received. When catering dinner parties or when my cooking class students sat down to eat, I learned to anticipate a silent moment, a pause when everyone was so enjoying the food that conversation…
Cooking up a Bike Kitchen
Neighborhoods in transition are often fertile grounds for new ideas. In the near future, the Enos Park neighborhood will become home to Springfield’s only community bike shop. Organized by local master mechanic and bike builder Robert LaBonte and a growing network of donors and volunteers, the Springfield Bike Kitchen will help assure that every cyclist…
Lack of focus ruins this War
I’ve always thought that a neat film could be made based on the old Mad magazine feature Spy vs. Spy. There was always a devilish dark edge to the strip that would make for a perfect high-tech, dark comedy. Glimpses of that can be seen in McG’s This Means War, a misguided, mishmash of a…
End-of-February fun
My, oh my, looks like we’re in for a jam-packed weekend of music goodies. Here we go with a whoop and a holler. First up is my quick report on recent adventures that took me through Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. Highlights include being heckled by an elderly fellow at a senior center…
Could redistricting lead to same-sex marriage?
Lawmakers who opposed Illinois’ civil union law in 2010 now face a renewed battle – this time for their reelection. “We want lawmakers to understand that if they oppose civil rights for all people or deny civil rights based on sexual identity, they are going to have a fight ahead of them,” says Lowell Jaffe,…
n fifthstreet poem #14
n fifthstreet poem #14 ugly things can happen onn fifth street my second daughterin her teens was on the sidewalkin front of our house she noticeda pup start across the roadwaythen a truck coming along swerveddeliberately to run it over the kidsin the schoolyard didn’t noticebut megan has never forgotten 2012 Jacqueline Jackson
It’s official: Money now governs America
The rich are different from you and me, but the really, really, really rich are also different from the merely rich. For example, the rich can buy caviar and Champagne, but the Triple-R Rich can buy entire presidential campaigns. Take Sheldon Adelson, the moneybags who’s pumped $11 million so far into Newt Gingrich’s right-wing run.…
Looking for The Gaia next door
I’m an Occupy girl, age 45, into eco-shamanism and planetary consciousness stuff. I’ve mostly dated engineers with a playful side who initially seemed open to my interests but quickly became resentful of them. My boyfriend of two years is different – easygoing and willing to expand his horizons. He actually reads the articles I post…
Smothered cabbage
8-12 oz. smoky, thick-cut bacon, diced 2 lbs. coarsely chopped cabbage 1 c. chopped onion, NOT super-sweet 1 T. cane syrup, molasses, or dark brown sugar 1 c. water 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, or more or less to taste 1/2 tsp. cayenne, or more or less to taste Salt, if needed In a…
The second time around
A veteran prosecutor has lost his bid to keep his driver’s license after refusing to take a breath test after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in January. Michael Vujovich, an attorney with the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s office, told the state police sergeant who stopped him on Jan. 6 that he…
‘Things’ll be great when you’re downtown’
Who would have thought that Petula Clark would turn out to be an urban policy seer? Perhaps you saw the SJ-R report about the “Sustainable Design Assessment Team” brought in to advise on how to keep the downtown Springfield of the 2010s from sliding back into the downtown of the 1980s. One of the architect-members…
WHO WOULD JESUS SUE?
With the courthouse being closed, more than 60 local lawyers gathered in the atrium of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Springfield on President’s Day for a legal conference headed by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, himself a licensed attorney. Paprocki didn’t divulge any surefire strategies for winning divorce cases or any other kind…
Sons of anarchy
Friday, Feb. 24 is opening night of UIS Theatre’s faculty-showcase production of Sam Shepard’s True West. The story follows two estranged brothers who, once reunited, still mix like water and oil, particularly when older brother Lee’s swindling ways interfere with Austin’s screenplay pitch to a Hollywood producer. Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson and starring Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson…
Ghost Rider is mindless fun
Some films are made with nothing but noble purposes. Their directors hope to comment on the human condition in such a way that viewers may leave the theater with keen insights about themselves or others. Still others set out to shed light on a social injustice through their work or perhaps tell the story of…
Queen of minor key
Singer/songwriter Eilen Jewell is Boston-based, but don’t let that fool you. This country and blues-infused contemporary folk or alt-country singer, blessed with a hint of Billie Holiday, was born in Idaho, schooled in Santa Fe, lived in LA, and has performed all around the world. Her first album, Boundary Country, led to signing with Signature…
Democracy requires tough love
Any improvement in democracy in the U.S. since 1750 is largely the result of various kicks in the pants that “we the people” have delivered to our leaders. It began with George Washington and his cohorts who, as we’d say today, kicked some British butt to get us going. The tradition continued with workers, women…
Letters to the Editor 2/23/12
TAX CIGARETTES State officials are proposing a $2 billion cut to Illinois’ Medicaid program. We agree with Illinois Hospital Association president Maryjane Wurth that a cut of this magnitude will have a profound negative impact on health care services for the poor and disabled. The collateral damage to people in fragile health would be unimaginable.…
DRUMMING OUT DISEASE?
Can drumming help fight cancer? It may sound like a silly question, but research shows that making music relieves stress, improves self-esteem and enhances the immune system. And regardless of whether drumming can fight cancer, it’s still pretty fun. That’s why SIU School of Medicine in Springfield is offering “Drumming for Health,” a free four-week…
Vegetables braised in olive oil
1 c. extra-virgin olive oil 1 T. anchovy paste 1/2 tsp. crushed red chili flakes, or more or less to taste, optional 6 sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced lengthwise 6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1 lemon, ends trimmed, thinly sliced crosswise, seeds removed 2 medium or 3 small zucchini, cut diagonally into 1 1/2-inch thick…
Pro-choice group sues to end contributions limit
The pro-choice group Personal PAC has filed suit to kill off Illinois’ campaign contribution limits to certain political action committees. If the group succeeds, some candidates may start justifiably quivering. Currently in Illinois, contributions to state political action committees are capped at $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for corporations, groups and unions. Personal PAC’s lawsuit…
