Behind closed doors
Slowly but surely, the legislature is being replaced by five guys in a back room. It’s old news that the four legislative leaders and the governor have hijacked the budget process. For years now, the governor, the House speaker, the Senate president, and the two minority leaders have met behind closed doors to hammer out…
Now Playing 7-8-04
Everyone ready and waiting for an action-packed weekend? Are you prepared for rooftop excitement, auditorium magic, coffee shop jazz, and bar band bonanzas? Ready or not, here it comes. Virgil Rhodes, longtime area jazz saxophonist and flutist, has set us up with a wonderful night of high-dollar jazz at a mere pittance. Jazz by Footprints,…
Movie reviews
Stripped of myth, this Arthur seems more heroic King Arthur departs from tales of swords in stones, mad wizards, and crazy love. Instead, relying on recently discovered archaeological evidence, director Antoine Fuqua gives us “historical Arthur”: A beleaguered Roman commander is forced to engage hordes of advancing Saxons as the empire loosens its grip on…
Prairie Art Alliance thrives in new location
Since moving in January from its location on North Fifth Street to the Hoogland Center for the Arts, the Prairie Art Alliance has acquired more than a vastly improved venue for its gallery and activities — it has also taken on a new executive director. Patrick Shavloske began his new role on Feb. 26. Already…
Botany according to the Bard
William Shakespeare, the greatest writer in the English language, lived during the Elizabethan period (1533-1603), a relatively peaceful political time that gave birth to enormous developments in landscape design and an avid search for new and exotic plants, seeds, and bulbs. Although much about his life is unknown, Shakespeare certainly had a love and knowledge…
Party poopers
For the people inside the tent, it’s a special occasion — a time to celebrate a wedding, reconnect with cherished friends and favorite relatives, dance with all the bridesmaids, catch the garter, and toast the happy couple. For the people outside the tent and just across the little street called Canedy, though, it’s not such…
Knoepfle 7-8-04
sandalwood poem #9 when you go to jerusalem I will climb up your golden hair when the spell is broken you will see me as I am © John Knoepfle 1978, 2004
Grace about town 7-8-04
Note to editor and everybody else: You may think I’m suddenly only writing about My New Boyfriend (MNB), but I promise that this isn’t really true — except for this week. So if you’re one of those people who is annoyed by talk of love and all that mushy stuff (and I was right there…
letters 7-8-04
Letters policy We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity. Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois 62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com BENEATH HIS DIGNITY While your article on Robert Pulliam was interesting, I…
Rocket’s red glare
In case anybody was wondering how Jim McGill celebrated Independence Day, the answer is yes, bottle rockets were involved, although McGill had very little to celebrate. In May, McGill, also known as “Jim the Photographer,” was on the job, working for Ray Lytle’s Morning Disaster show on WQLZ (FM 92.7), when he sustained an injury…
quick takes 7-8-04
SOUR CLOUT In a close race, Central City Neighborhood Association last week changed its name to something with more flavor — Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association. As one of the most vocal and active such groups in Springfield, it only makes sense that they would chuck the blandly alliterative appellation for a more titillating title. Still,…
Haunted by high expectations, Wilco produces a minor Ghost
Wilco A Ghost Is Born (Nonesuch) Listen closely to A Ghost Is Born, and you’ll discern a faint whooshing noise, the teensiest hiss of concentrated air, silence made sibilant. No, it’s not the sound of 16,000 rock critics preparing to service their lord and master, Jeff Tweedy. It’s not some clever studio gimmick courtesy of…
The Spoilers
Ralph Nader was “snubbed.” He was “rejected,” “rebuked,” “spurned,” “bypassed,” “set adrift.” Plainly put, the legendary consumer advocate and perennial presidential candidate “blew it.” So read headlines across the country and around the globe after the Green Party formally disowned the man who did the most to raise its profile. At their national convention, held…
Dead end
Investigation into a death threat aimed at one of Springfield Police Department’s most outspoken officers wrapped up recently with no tangible results. Since March, SPD’s major case unit has been investigating a threat reportedly targeting Lt. Rickey Davis, who is vice president of the Black Guardians Association and a plaintiff in a race discrimination lawsuit…
