Capital plan invalidated, now hinges on state Supreme Court
Billions of dollars worth of badly needed state construction projects on roads, bridges, schools and transit were abruptly halted last week when a state appellate court tossed out Illinois’ entire capital construction program and all its funding sources. The state is appealing to the Illinois Supreme Court, but if the appellate court ruling is upheld,…
Bánh Xeo
Although these crpes look as if they contain eggs, the yellow color comes from turmeric. They are wonderful for brunch or dinner. Both the batter and the filling can be made a day or more ahead; assembling and cooking them takes just minutes. For the crpes: 1 c. rice flour 1 c. coconut milk c.…
Discount-price cultural life
Back in March of 2009, Barnes & Noble signed a new five-year lease on its store in the strip mall at Wabash and Veterans where it has been doing business since it opened in 1993. The decision was a modest surprise, since word was out that the store might move to the long-vacant and larger…
Sizzling steps
Tango Buenos Aires sizzles on the Sangamon Auditorium stage Jan. 28. The Argentinean dance company was created in Buenos Aires by renowned composer and tango director Osvaldo Requena. Its reputation has grown throughout the world as one of the most authentic and uncompromising representatives of the tango. Emilio Kauderer is its present music director. Tango…
Vietnamese dipping sauce
3 bird chiles OR one Serrano or Jalapeno chile, or more or less to taste 1 tsp. minced garlic 3 T. light brown sugar 2 T. lime juice 4 T. fish sauce ½ c. warm water 1 T. grated carrot, optional Thinly slice the chiles, using rubber gloves in order to avoid skin contact with…
demi poem #4
so this isn’t a poemyou may be weary of grief but saturday was damaris’s birthday her sisters and her nephews in the west built a big bonfireburned the clothesshe died in burneda slice of the specialcake we always makefor family birthdaysreminisced by the fireabout times they’d hadwith demi her uniqueways they then tookthe ashes along…
Durbin commemorates Bloody Sunday in Lithuania
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s grandmother moved her and her children to St. Louis from her hometown of Jurbarkas, Lithuania, to make a better life for her family in 1911. “I know from one piece of evidence that they were looking for more freedom,” he told Illinois Times in a phone interview Jan. 18. The only…
Do the dude
Need to relax on Saturday, Jan. 29? Head out in costume and share some space with other dudes and Lebowski lovers. They will view the 1998 film staring Jeff Bridges, try their brains at trivia, bowl and listen to the Joe Frew band (while bowling), sing some karaoke and more. You can buy your way…
Vietnamese, French-style, a multicultural delight
Comingling of two cultures can occur in any number of ways, some positive, others negative. It may be through immigration, trade or proximity. Sometimes the mechanism is invasion and conquest. But even when the cause produces cruelty and repression, the comingling of cultures’ cuisines can create a silver lining in an otherwise horrendous cloud, producing…
The Timmys
Around since 1997, the Timmys still play fast and furious fun songs in punkster fashion. Led by that fine figure of a man, Robbie Kording, on vocals, the rest of the band (as of this moment) is Brandon Carnes (bass), Tyler Orton (guitar), Wes Selinger (drums) and Ian Kelley (guitar). After a relatively quiet spell…
Stand for Children shows up with big bucks
An out-of-state education reform group raised a whopping $2.8 million in the days leading up to historic state caps on campaign contributions. All of the money raised by Stand for Children’s Illinois PAC came in five- or six-figure contributions from some very major Chicago-area business types. Members of the famed billionaire Pritzker family kicked in…
An interview with The King’s director
How can a British-made film about an English monarch that the majority of Americans know little about, be doing so well at the box office? “I think people need to see something uplifting right now,” says Tom Hooper, director of the surprise hit The King’s Speech, who was interviewed by Illinois Times Jan 18, prior…
More important than repealing the death penalty
I just finished reading the feature article on capital punishment by Bill Clutter [see “From death row to hero,” Jan. 28]. As good as the article is, Bill ignores the real challenge that is more important than repealing the death penalty. Repealing the death penalty would not have stopped Randy Steidl from sitting in prison…
The King’s Speech is a voice of triumph
A poll I read some years back showed that the number one fear of most people was having to speak in front of a crowd. This is a completely justified response. Now imagine having to do so though you suffer with a nearly debilitating stammer and that your words would be broadcast to thousands via…
Letters to the Editor 01/27/11
THE REAL CAP CITYSpringfield are you serious? Everyone knows the capital of Illinois is Chicago. Cornfields, hogs and the state fair aside, Springfield has nothing. Perhaps your fair city has considered the ramifications of the proposed city-state of Chicago? Proposed by me, of course. Chicago and the suburbs lives in a completely different world from…
Billy’s bright blues
On Dec. 31, 2010, we lost a much-appreciated and well-respected singer and musician with the passing of Billy Waldmire. I didn’t know him very well, but after spending some time last Sunday with his family at the Cardinal Hill home of Bill and Arlene Waldmire near Rochester, I walked away wishing I had known him…
Springfield blogger cleared of electronic harassment charges
The pen is mighty, says Scott Humphrey of Springfield, but he’ll be more cautious when he uses it from now on. The 58-year-old construction worker and blogger learned that lesson after his recent acquittal on charges of making threats on the Internet. Humphrey’s case is among the first local tests of a 2008 Illinois law…
‘Put Illinois to Work’ doesn’t always work
Judy Smith, president of Avenue Thrift Shop, signed up last year for Put Illinois to Work. She trained workers so they could advance to another job but says by the end of the program she would consider the experience with PIW trainees “a headache,” and the source of more problems than she has had in…
GOP gives back to its corporate sponsors
Early this month, when John Boehner was sworn in as the new speaker of the House of Representatives, he tipped his hat to the teabag activists across the country who had fueled the Republican takeover of the chamber last fall. He almost choked up as he promised to “give the government back to the American…
WINTER WAVES
The beach sounds like a pretty appealing place to be during the cold, blustery winter, but a photo taken more than a decade ago by Springfield resident Thomas Ala shows a winter beach scene as beautiful as any tropical getaway. Ala’s photo, titled “Winter Waves at Bluefin Bay,” recently took “Special Honor” in the landscape…
A new reality for the east side
Springfield’s east side could see a dramatic revitalization over the next three years, according to representatives of businesses, churches, nonprofits and government bodies who met to discuss redevelopment plans last week. The East Springfield Summit featured a consortium of familiar names in Springfield – the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, The Springfield Project, Mayor Frank…
Fabulous fortes
City Nights Theatre at Capital City Bar and Grill hosts the third PechaKucha Night in Springfield. Be wowed by the talent and creativity of 9 locals as they take to the stage and comment on 20 wall-filling frames of slides for a total six-minute and 40-second presentation each. Among the talent is Springfield Art Association’s…
Lemongrass sausage
1½ lb. ground pork 1 T. minced garlic 1/3c. minced shallot 1/3c. minced lemongrass 1 T. light brown sugar 2 eggs 1/4c. fish sauce 1 tsp. pepper 1 c. fine fresh breadcrumbs Mix all ingredients. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. Form into square patties about an inch thick, and grill…
Not ready for the big time
As the University of Illinois Springfield in October 2008 made another move toward full membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, then-Chancellor Richard Ringeisen said the eventual achievement could only mean good things for the school’s future. He said he was excited because joining the Great Lakes Valley Conference, an academically high-achieving NCAA Division II…
START A BUSINESS
With all of the talk about job creation, the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Lincoln Land Community College will give budding entrepreneurs a chance to put actions to their dreams. The ISBDC will offer three free workshops on “Starting Your Business in Illinois” during the month of February. Participants must register ahead of time…
Bánh Mi
Bánh Mi have long been popular in Vietnam. Lately they’re taking America by storm: “Are Bánh Mi poised to become New York’s #1 sandwich?” asked New York Magazine recently. After winning challenges in every city for the entire contest, L.A.’s Bánh Mi truck, Nom Nom, was narrowly defeated as winner of the Food Network’s Great…
Dust to dust
Slow Food Springfield, Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation and the University of Illinois Extension show the documentary, Dirt! The Movie, followed by a panel discussion with USDA-NRCS district conservationist Hal Pyle; environmental scientist and consultant for State Farm, Paul Lee; and Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, extension specialist, small farm and sustainable agriculture. Narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis,…
