Other views of Lee Sandlin
On January 9. Bob Goldsborough of the Chcago Tribune published a fine obituary of Lee Sandlin, the man I described in “A poet of Fact” as “arguably . . . Illinois’ best writer.” In only 800 words I was able only to assert my case in support of my judgment, not demonstrate it with excerpts…
New Beijings
In my 2012 column “New Beijings,” I speculated more than half seriously on a possible cure for the depopulation of the Illinois countryside. I proposed to add a few New Beijings to our New Berlins by building housing for the middle class of newly-emergent economies eager to qualify their kids for in-state tuition rates at…
“Taken 3” and Neeson Running on Empty
It’s hardly surprising that an air of weariness hangs over Taken as the third entry in any most any franchise starts to look ragged around the edges. However, what’s most surprising is just how bad this sequel is when compared with the two films that came before this. There’s nary an original thought in sight…
Guilty as charged
Calvin Christian Calvin Christian, Springfield’s most prolific traffic scofflaw, may soon be a pedestrian. Christian, who claims in a federal lawsuit against the city that officers have ticketed him in retaliation for him filing Freedom of Information Act requests for police disciplinary files, pleaded guilty to more than 50 traffic violations last Friday. Sangamon County…
A town by any other name . . .
You might recall that in a February 2014 column I argued with myself about whether “Springfieldian” or “Springfielder” is the more appropriate term for residents of the state capital. While rereading Andy Van Meter’s 1981 history of the State Journal-Register, Always My Friend, I was reminded that our illustrious civic ancestors wrestled with a version of…
Watch the Republicans and Democrats squabble over the special election bill
The General Assembly met on Jan. 8 in a special session to debate a bill considering special elections for executive branch officeholders. These are highlights from the debate on the floor of the House of Representatives. Republicans framed the issue as a Democratic political attempt to deny whoever incoming Governor Bruce Rauner appoints to the…
Art Beat: Faingold & Otwell Preview Upcoming Events
Scott Faingold reports on arts & culture for the Illinois Times. (Find his bloghere.) We’ll be turning to him for this podcast exploring the central Illinois art scene – everything from music, literature, visual art, film and more. With my focus also being on the arts world here in Springfield, and Illinois – we’ll tell listeners…
Waiting for wisdom
Faithful readers of this paper will recall that Jackson Street between 2nd and 8th streets has been talked about in recent months as a pedestrianized link between the statehouse complex and the Lincoln home, as a potential site of a flood mitigation project or both. The former in particular is not a new idea. Looking…
You’ve got bail
I am not attracted to “nice guys.” I’m in my early 30s and I don’t think I have low self-esteem. I don’t like to be mistreated, either. In fact, I want somebody loving and faithful but I find the guys I “should” be dating predictable and boring. (So cliche, I know.) I seem to end…
Inside the heart of a place
This rainbow trout, in a mural by artist Julie Huvey, is enjoying coffee and the scent of lilies at the Trout Lily Cafe. The painting graces the cover of Tuesday Mornings at the Trout Lily Café, by John Knoepfle. A benign rainbow trout sits comfortably – as best a trout can – before its coffee…
Aleksandr ‘The Great’ arrives from Kiev
Springfield Sentinels owner Jamie Sullivan (left) greets his new point-guard Aleksandr Skyrta (right) at Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport. Photo by Alan Kozeluh. Springfield has a new semi-pro basketball team, and the owners looked as far as Ukraine to fill its roster. The Springfield Sentinels are the latest addition to the Central Basketball Association (CBA), a…
Round she goes
Fresh Meat Program A fun skating event hosted by Springfield’s only female roller derby team, Midstate Mayhem. The “Fresh Meat” program is created especially for women ages 18 and up with all levels of skill and skating experience. The program teaches potential new members the ins and outs of skating, the game of roller derby…
A poet of fact
Lee Sandlin PHOTO BY FRANK BLAU PHOTOGRAPHY The man who arguably was Illinois’ best writer died not long ago, and hardly anyone south of the Loop noticed. Lee Sandlin, belle-lettrist and critic, was among the contributors to Chicago’s Reader who did best what the Reader became known for doing best – long-form journalism, essays of…
Low carb feast
PHOTO BY PETER GLATZ Well, it’s that time again. After all the holiday feasting, many folks (myself included) want to counter the effect of all those cookies, eggnog and other indulgences. Over the years I’ve become convinced that the most effective way to lose weight is with a low carbohydrate diet. That said, your body…
BEYOND THE SELFIE
Young women receive a lot of messages through popular culture about who they should be, and often the message amounts to “always be physically attractive.” The pressure and unrealistic expectations that message creates can damage self-esteem and even lead to tragedy. That’s why Springfield photographer Kari Bedford started Girls in Focus, a nonprofit organization teaching…
Selma: A reminder of sacrifice and struggle
David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. and Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King in Selma. In life, and with releasing films, timing is everything and Ava DuVernay’s Selma could not have opened at a more opportune moment. Obviously set to coincide with the 86th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth, the producers of…
Editor’s note 1/8/15
We commend to you this week two pieces of writing about writing. On p. 14 our Jackie Jackson happily describes poet John Knoepfle’s new book of essays. “If you ever loved the Trout Lily Café, as so many of us did,” she writes, “this is the booklet where you can revisit what a remarkable and…
HEALTH IN FOCUS
When the people tasked with keeping us healthy ask how they can help, the answer can make a lot of difference. That’s the hope of the 2015 Community Needs Assessment, undertaken by the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Health System in Springfield. More than 780 people – mostly women…
Icy Illinois
Super Saturdays at the Museum This Saturday, Jan. 10, join the Illinois State Museum for another fun “Super Saturday” themed event. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., children ages 3-8 and their families will enjoy learning about the animals that inhabited Illinois during the Ice Age as well as why they ultimately disappeared. Attendees will…
Very, very January
Blues Expressions perform at the Alamo on Mon., Jan. 12 and again on Thurs., Jan. 15 before they attend the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Jan. 21-25, representing the Illinois Central Blues Club in the band category. Hip, hip hooray, it’s now January and that means we’ve made it to another year. Let’s wish, believe…
Proposed hog farm near Petersburg making enemies
A proposed hog farm near Petersburg is drawing criticism from landowners and public officials who claim the facility would harm property values and tourism. Opponents say the project is being rushed through without adequate public input. Grigsby Family Farms, based in Tallula, Illinois, wants to build a 9,300-hog facility about six miles from Petersburg. Opponents…
Illinois’ broken tax system
CARTOON BY CHRIS BRITT Governor-elect Bruce Rauner said all the right things while not saying much during a December speech in Springfield filled with generalities and rah-rah talk. We need a tax code overhaul and long-term structural change to eliminate budget deficits. Forget about politics, I’m going to do what’s right and get the state’s…
newyears poem #11
newyears poem #11 you may have stacks of moldering dishes piles ofdisheveled clutter a hamper of odorous garments a carfull of indescribable litter snow to shovel letters to tendbills demanding their duebut when someone reachesout to you in friendship or in need you turn your backon all the gottas oughtas hafftas and take that…
Gut-busting burlesque
Randy Dandies Comedy Burlesque Show The Randy Dandies are a burlesque sketch comedy troupe based out of St. Louis. They have been dazzling live audiences with their zany, interactive stage shows for the past five years. Each Randy Dandies show combines aspects of pop culture, comedy and burlesque for an unforgettable, side-splitting night of fun.…
Can we all get along?
Curses, foiled againAfter police linked Ralik Hansen, 28, to a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in New York City, he eluded them for seven months until a FedEx delivery driver knocked on the door of his Brooklyn home. Thinking it was the police, Hansen hid under the couch, FBI investigators said, but his gun…
Where can Springfield look for money?
The proposed 2016 operating fund (corporate fund) for the City of Springfield is $118.1 million. The Springfield Police Department ($45.8 million) and the Springfield Fire Department ($37.1 million) account for 70 percent of the fund. Any organization, private or public, attempting to balance a budget under tight fiscal restraints has to look closely at where…
Sleeping Dogzz
Sleeping Dogzz Longevity and loyalty aren’t words often associated with bands. Most groups come from members of other groups that disbanded and reformed then changed names and began again. That’s why it’s so nice to present Sleeping Dogzz celebrating 19 years together with three of the four original members still in the band and a…
Letters to the Editor 1/8/15
BEZOS THE BUSINESSMAN Jim Hightower describes where the fault lies as he describes the plight of Amazon workers. (“Think of the Amazon workers,” Dec. 25.) Does he honestly believe that Jeff Bezos pays these people so little and works them so hard because he is an evil man? No, it’s all about competition. If Bezos…
Populist proposals won in 2014
There’s no denying that Democrats took a drubbing at the polls in 2014. Running cautious campaigns and shying away from Obamacare, Wall Street regulation, the anti-fracking movement, immigration reform and Obama himself – was not a winning strategy. While voters were tossing Democrats aside in this past election, bigger majorities of the same electorate leapt…
There’s a gaping hole in Illinois government
There’s little doubt that the late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka would’ve continued her straight-talking ways during a Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner administration. Topinka was “good copy” for reporters. When she criticized a budget or a fiscal position, we listened. Other Statehouse denizens respected her fiscal smarts as well. If she attacked a proposal, legislators and everyone…
