IT Picks
MUSIC | Lincoln trio Desirée Ruhstrat, violin, David Cunliffe, cello, and Marta Aznavoorian, piano, comprise the Lincoln Trio. Formed in 2003, the Chicago-based ensemble takes its name from their home state of Illinois, the land of Lincoln. But this trio’s accomplishments range throughout the United States and Europe, with members performing at the White House…
The sweetest thing
It’s common knowledge that between grubbings of arugula, President Barack Obama likes to indulge a pretty wicked sweet tooth. Similarly, the president himself has acknowledged that our fair city occupies a sweet spot in his heart. So to express the capital city’s gratitude to Obama for celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s big 2-0-0 with us in February,…
Students with HIV, report to the principal’s office
Twenty years ago, when the Illinois General Assembly approved a law requiring that school principals be notified whenever a student tests positive for the human immune deficiency virus, it was widely believed that children could catch HIV during a game of tag. Much better information about HIV exists today. With infection rates among people under…
People’s Poetry
to mark a march day thirteen years ago my ancient cat died in the night curled beside me as she always did I knew it in my sleep I buried her limp body in the back yard clean earth her only shroud just two weeks before my daughter my niece myself held each other in…
Illinois gets ready for carbon limits
Notice that nobody talks about acid rain anymore? That’s because in 1990 Congress implemented a “cap-and-trade” program for emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide (SO2), two of the primary contributors of acid rain. Today, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the acid rain program is ahead of schedule in terms of capping emissions,…
The Outlaws can’t stop playing football
Some guys hunt, some guys golf. Brent Bordenkircher plays football. He’s not just talking about throwing the pigskin around the backyard or calling up some buddies for a ragtag round of flag football in the park. He’s talking about competitive semi-professional eight-man football, right here in Springfield. The Capital City Outlaws, founded in 1991 as…
Raise the colors
Last summer, while William Ferguson was working as a junior counselor at the Urban League’s Freedom School, a child fell and broke his arm. Ferguson used two sticks and a bandana to fashion a makeshift cast, to keep the child’s arm immobile until paramedics arrived. It was one of many skills he never dreamed he…
Letters to the editor
God made cannabis A sane argument to cage sick humans for using the relatively safe, God-given plant cannabis doesn’t exist [See “Medical marijuana,” by R. L. Nave, Feb. 26]. Another reason to stop persecuting sick citizens who use cannabis that doesn’t get mentioned is because it is biblically correct since God indicates He created all…
Springfield neighborhoods need stimulus
As we anticipate the financial resources that are certain to come to Illinois and, we hope, to the capital city, let us not forget where some of our greatest needs are: in the heart of our city. If the intention of the stimulus package is to spur growth, employment opportunities and economic development, we ought…
For local banks, Springfield is a good place to be
As America looks around for someone to blame for the current economic mess, bankers are the easiest target in sight. “No one wants to hug a banker,” reads a recent Newsweek headline, and no wonder. Bankers made the loans that went bad, causing the house of cards to tumble. Then they accepted government bailout money…
Blues club birthday bash
Rejoice all you fans of the blues and join in a celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the Illinois Central Blues Club. Our arts community is truly blessed to have a privately formed group that sticks together through thick and thin, good and bad, loud and quiet, hot and cold, and whatever other varying situations,…
Afghanistan policy: Escalate first, think later
Excuse me for being impolitic, but why the —— is America “surging” so unquestioningly into Afghanistan? Not for nothing is that country called “the burial ground of empires,” “a guerilla’s paradise” and “the theme park of problems.” Yet, President Obama insists that America must act now to “stabilize” Afghanistan and its dizzyingly disparate, ethnically fractious,…
Adults invade Facebook
I had seven e-mails from an older gentleman who is the president of a highly respected nonprofit asking me to become his friend on Facebook. It was so unnerving I joined Facebook just to make the e-mails stop. Facebook is no longer hip since CEOs, everybody’s mother and geezers started signing on. Adults have invaded…
Chicken soup comforts body and soul
What is it that makes chicken soup the most comforting of comfort foods? Does it really have any disease-fighting qualities that aren’t psychological? My husband, Peter, is a dentist. For years I’ve made chicken soup that he gives to his patients undergoing oral surgery. The soup is as basic as can be: just flavorful chicken…
Uninsured to get free healthcare
At a recent healthcare forum, Dr. Janet Albers, chairman of the Sangamon County Medical Society’s community health committee, told the audience that even though the United States spent $2.1 trillion on healthcare in 2006, citizens’ overall health is not where it should be. The reason? Because, she says, 47 million people in the U.S. are…
Shopaholic overextends itself; Fired Up is no fun
I’m convinced that Isla Fisher will be a major star one day. Beautiful, talented and altogether charming, the actress made an impression in Wedding Crashers, The Lookout and Definitely, Maybe. The only thing that prevented her from stealing those films was a lack of screen time. Unfortunately, her newest movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic, isn’t…
Fight over leadership threatens GOP civil war
Every two years, the Illinois Republican Party tears itself apart over a piece of legislation that supposedly would allow rank and file party members to have more say in party affairs. This year may be worse than usual, however. Senate Bill 600, sponsored by Sen. Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora), would stop the practice of allowing Republican…
