Between The Cracks: RDNT tonight at Black Sheep Cafe
Once again, Faingold at Large proudly presents Between the Cracks – the recurring feature designed to shine a light onto Springfield-area bands, and all in their own words, to boot. Join us, won’t you? There’s gold between them thar cracks! Today’s BTC flashlight shines on RDNT, who will be opening for Diarrhea Planet, Dino Bravo…
A tax plan with interest
The tax-reform proposal recently unveiled by Dave Camp, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has been praised by even Democratic-leaning commentators such as Jonathan Chait as “maybe the most impressive and ambitious domestic policy proposal crafted by a major Republican in a generation.” Camp proposed reducing tax rates without increasing government borrowing by…
Saving for an un-rainy day
More on the politics of water rate increases. (See also “Demanding answers.”) I addressed the issue in this paper back in 1988, when Springfield also was suffering through a protracted dry spell. In that piece, I noted that you can make more water available by providing more water, or you can do it by using…
Abraham Lincoln walks in the morning
meeting mr lincoln here in springfield that is to say the one in illinoisnot a massachusetts town on the eastern seaboard no the one in illinois where vachel lindsay imagined the president walked at midnight well he does as I can witness only a week ago as I remember yes early in april – I…
Costner saves 3 Days to Kill
Kevin Costner in 3 Days to Kill. McG’s 3 Days to Kill is the sort of film that’s hard to defend. Yet, I couldn’t help but be entertained by its odd pastiche of elements and dark sense of humor, both of which helped add a sly twist on what otherwise would have been a pedestrian…
Texas-like abortion bills introduced here
Photo FROM METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Two bills to impose tougher regulations on abortions were introduced last week in the Illinois General Assembly, prompting an outcry from abortion rights groups. Proponents say the bills are about protecting women, but opponents say the proposals are meant to make it harder for abortion clinics to operate. The bills…
Cooking with beer
It’s one of the oldest beverages in the world – almost certainly the oldest alcoholic beverage. There are references to it in some of the earliest writings discovered in ancient Sumeria and Mesopotamia. In its modern forms, beer has a range of flavors and complexities that can match and often even exceed wine. So why…
Dillard reaching for Rauner’s spot
Illinois state Sen. Kirk Dillard told Chicago radio station WLS-AM last week that Republican county chairmen ought to try and get Bill Brady and/or Dan Rutherford out of the governor’s race so he could have a clear shot at wealthy frontrunner Bruce Rauner. Dillard claims he is building strong momentum with recent endorsements, including the…
Wall sculpture
DISillusion is the name of the art exhibit by Springfield artist Adam G. Perschbacher on display at the Anne Lloyd Gallery in downtown Decatur starting March 1. An opening reception is planned for March 7 and includes hors d’oeuvres, beverages and live music. The 20-piece exhibit is the newest and most complex geometric abstractions from…
Letters to the Editor 2/27/14
ILLUSTRATION BY SHARON OKADA/MCT NURTURING FUTURE LINCOLNS In 1832, our own Mr. Lincoln called education “the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in.” Mr. Lincoln’s words have never been timelier. Quality of education, and the degree to which children are taught to love learning and to pursue it throughout their…
Editor’s Note 2/27/14
We don’t agree with the Illinois Policy Institute on much, but when it comes to municipal pensions, the institute is a messenger who shouldn’t be shot. Springfield has the worst pension mess of any large city in the state, according to a report issued by the institute this week. It’s both simple math and familiar…
Slightest provocation
Curses, foiled againA man walked into a bank in Antioch, Calif., and handed the teller a note. She couldn’t make it out because of the bad handwriting and showed it to the manager to help her decipher the message. By the time they figured out it was a hold-up note, the man had left through…
What’s making us sick?
In 1984, an engineer named Stanley Watras set off a radiation detector at the nuclear power plant he was helping to build in Pottstown, Pa. The power plant hadn’t started producing power yet, so plant officials were perplexed at how Watras could have become so radioactive. What they found revealed a potential danger in homes…
Cash helps Rauner climb
CARTOON BY CHRIS BRITT On the day Gov. Pat Quinn gave his annual State of the State address, which was preceded by all of its usual pomp and circumstance, Republican gubernatorial primary candidate Bruce Rauner stepped into the Illinois House of Representatives gallery to take one of the few open seats on the Republican side.…
Tasty tidbits
A popular wintertime expo takes place in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds this weekend, March 1-2. More than 70 Illinois companies will provide free food samples and sell their local products at the 16th annual Illinois Products Expo. There will also be nonfood items such as soy and herb candles and agricultural-based soaps…
Award-winning films highlight Jewish Film Festival
Actor Jules Sitruk plays Joseph Silberg in The Other Son. Opportunities are springing up all over town to view entertaining and engaging foreign and independent films on the big screen. Here’s one that focuses on Jewish and Israeli culture. Springfield Jewish Film Festival begins Sunday, March 2, and takes place every Sunday in March at…
Buy geraniums, help others
Spring may not be here yet but the season’s flowers are on the way.The Cachet Club of Springfield annual geranium sale begins March 1. Buyers can choose between red, white, salmon, pink and fuchsia geraniums at $2.25 each. Orders can be placed from March 1 through April 9 by contacting any Cachet member or by…
Think spring
Get in the spring mindset with this vegetable gardening workshop at the University of Illinois Extension office Saturday, March 1. Learn ways that you can enhance the crop you grow in your garden this year. Preregistration is required. Go online to web.extension.illinois.edu/lms. The U of I Extension is also offering Wicked Plants on March 5…
The what-abouts of Sen. Pat Roberts
In “The Wizard Of Oz,” Dorothy assessed the odd things she was experiencing and said to her little dog, “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Lately, Sen. Pat Roberts has gained a new understanding of what Dorothy meant. The Kansas Republican has been in the U.S. Senate for 18 years, was in…
After Sunset
An advantage of bringing together experienced members to form a new band is the immediate set list gained from finding a common ground through previously learned music. The combination of Rod Grant (lead vocals), Dave Coonrod (keyboards, vocals), Mike Prehoda (bass), Rod VanSandt (guitar, vocals) and Jeff Loftus (drums, vocals) coming from popular local bands…
KA-CHING!
City hall continues to be a veritable ATM for open-government attorneys as Sangamon County circuit court judge John “First Amendment” Schmidt last week ruled that the City of Springfield has again broken laws aimed at ensuring the public’s business is conducted in public. This time, Schmidt ruled in favor of Illinois Times writer Bruce “Just…
Coach has a past
Blake L. Turner, coach of the top-ranked Lanphier High School boy’s basketball team, has a criminal record stretching back to 1995 that includes at least 11 arrests on suspicion of battery, illegal gun possession, drug violations and other crimes. Turner’s most recent run-in with the law in Sangamon County occurred in 2007, when he was…
Music marches on
Rockin’ Johnny Burgin shakes, rattles and rolls the Walnut Street Winery on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. As we wrap up another February, March looks to be a fun-filled month of entertainment options. Anchored by Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day as party-pleasers, several other unrelated concerts and shows fill the calendar with assorted…
Demanding answers
Springfield’s power plant is the biggest user of water. This month, City Water, Light and Power announced it would ask the city council to approve updating the water demand analysis done for the department in 1991, the better to assess how best to meet the city’s future water needs. The proposed study will try to…
The grating outdoors
This great girl I’ve been dating just invited me on a camping trip. Frankly, there is nothing I would like to do less. I hate camping, and I won’t know anyone but her. The trip is three days with 20 of her friends, including her ex-boyfriend, so I worry about asking her to go without…
