Give us more artchitecture
Now comes an art show to complement Springfield’s rediscovery of design in its built environment. Architecture as Art, showing through Feb. 18 in the gallery of the Springfield Art Association, exhibits the art of local architects on two levels: first in the displays presented to clients, which are worth hanging on walls, and second in…
Give and get
On days she had to see the doctor, 11-year-old Kim Rogers would sneak out of bed at 5 a.m. to jump rope in the garage, trying to force her body to soak up the insulin it couldn’t produce and hide the sugar in her blood. She would go into the garage so that no one…
Cutting corners
A Springfield Police detective who is the subject of an Illinois State Police investigation has a record of failing to submit necessary court paperwork on time, according to a document obtained by Illinois Times. Detective Jim Graham, who on Jan. 17 was placed on paid administrative leave, has neglected to file “returns” on search warrants…
The new gay cinema
Many films with gay characters and themes, from the sanctimonious Philadelphia to the incendiary Cruising, have played in local theaters, but few have caused the sensation of Brokeback Mountain. Early on it was tagged “the gay-cowboy movie,” and that seemingly negative label has turned into a marketing goldmine. Now everyone is talking about this good…
Letters to the editor
We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address, and daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length, and clarity. Send letters to Letters, Illinois Times, P.O. Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705; fax 217-753-3958; e-mail editor@illinoistimes.com. WE NEED MORE LIKE HIM Rob Williams is one of the most professional police officers to…
Learn from cows
Do you fear that the American people have become as fat, lazy, and submissive as a bunch of cud-chewing cows? Well, if you think that we’ve totally lost our rebellious spark, let me tell you a heartening cow story. Few creatures in the animal kingdom are perceived as so doltish and docile as your average…
Growing underground
To roll down MacArthur Boulevard toward the lively interchange of Wabash and Stanford avenues is to forget that Wabash Curve ever existed. The four-lane intersection offers a gateway for drivers from the east to the commercial district on the west and presents a shortcut to Interstate 55. Chances are, even the neighbors living near the…
Eis on the prize
Here’s a prediction: The 2006 Democratic nominee for governor of Illinois will be a liberal white dude from the North Side of Chicago. Another: It’ll probably be the incumbent, Gov. Rod Blagojevich. It wasn’t until Dec. 17 did Edwin Eisendrath, a proven fundraiser albeit relative unknown, enter the race, insanely late to do any real…
American life in poetry
Here is a poem by Minnesota’s David Bengtson about the simple pleasure of walking through deep snow to the mailbox to see what’s arrived. But, of course, the pleasure is not only in picking up the mail with its surprises, but in the complete experience — being fully alive to the clean cold air and…
The guitar is the star
Various Artists Imaginational Anthem: A Guitar Anthology (Near Mint) O glorious guitar, the sound of wood made radiant, the sound of metal made vegetal, a vibrating synthesis of opposing elements housed in a vaguely female-shaped form! Unlike the elitist piano, which costs a bundle to buy and maintain and can’t be lugged around at a…
Hate will keep us together
My dictionary says that “hate” means “loathe, despise or have a strong dislike for something.” So when a Web site called Ihateyourband.com comes along, you might figure that it would be a place where you could say all kinds of nasty things about the musical groups you aren’t too fond of. Not so, according to…
Ms. Sunshine
Business is booming at the state attorney general’s fledgling open-records division, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. Terry Mutchler, the state’s first-ever public-access counselor, says she’s been so swamped with inquiries and complaints from the media, the public and government officials that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, her boss, plans to hire another attorney…
Beatable?
Democratic gubernatorial challenger Edwin Eisendrath has been using some startling poll results to recruit his top staff, and the numbers appear encouraging. But the big question — how much money he will spend — has not been answered. Eisendrath commissioned a benchmark poll in November. His pollster is Dave Fako, founder of Fako & Associates.…
Jacqueline Jackson
aroundthecosmospoem #4 do you know that every minute of every day somewhere on this globe mozart is playing I sometimes grieve the music lost by his not doubling his thirty-five years better to banish regret be grateful he started young give a magic flute to the small grandkids laugh while they duet pa-pa-pa-pa-pa and argue…
