Powerful perspectives
You may have seen her paintings around town of the queen and king of hearts, diamonds, spades or clubs. Local artist Felicia Olin’s recent acrylics and mixed media pieces, including the work above titled, Love and Poetry #4, are on exhibit and for sale through August at the Robert Morris Gallery. Using materials or ideas…
Letters to the Editor 7/9/09
DON’T SEGREGATE DISABLED I was troubled by the article by Amanda Robert “New nonprofit plans fitness center for the disabled.” This concept flies in the face of the integration people with disabilities have fought for for generations, and perpetuates a stereotype we have battled all our lives. Going back to well before the Americans with…
July is for celebration of agitation
Are you an agitator? You know, one of those people who won’t leave well enough alone, who’s always questioning authority and trying to stir things up. If so, the Powers That Be detest you — you … you … “agitator!” They spit the term out as a pejorative to brand anyone who dares to challenge…
Argentina offers more than amor
It’s comforting to know that Illinois has some serious competition in the wacky governor sweepstakes. I feel like the folks my husband, Peter, and I met in last January in Louisiana. Whenever anyone realized we were from Illinois, they’d say something like “We really have to thank you. For years we’ve been embarrassed by Louisiana’s…
Making the case for ‘local first’
What can a 16-inch pancake do for Springfield? Plenty, said a recently formed Springfield nonprofit group last week, explaining that the unique products sold by independent businesses inject color, character and money into the local economy at a time when it needs it badly. During a July 1 press conference at Charlie Parker’s Diner (home…
Shades of gray
Mark Jennings spent more than 20 years serving his country in the U.S. Army Airborne. When he retired around 2002, “Sarge,” as he was known, enjoyed gardening, cooking out and bicycling, and was known for serving coffee to anyone who wanted to stop by in the morning. Ted Forystek, who was Jennings’ neighbor in the…
People’s Poetry
politicopoem #7 what, no wailin’for the bailin’of ex-gov palin? the battle’s o’er?there ain’t no more?she’s gone home sore? she’s on the rocks?don’t bet your soxain’t she the fox! © Jacqueline Jackson 2009
Say cheese – no – say milk
Remember those photographs of celebrities wearing milk moustaches? Here is your chance to snag your best milk mustache smile in a photograph while sampling local dairy milk from Deans Foods and Prairie Farms. As part of a national campaign and tour, you can also get a free health assessment from a local registered dietitian, a…
Boys and Girls Clubs shut down, other groups step up
Even though Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois announced this week that state funding cuts would temporarily shutter its central unit, leaders hope community support and federal dollars can get their organization back on track. Jill Shurtz, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, says that beginning July 13, the 100 kids who once spent their…
The Remedy
Are you “Certified Remedy Rocked” yet? Be sure to get your official recognition from the band at The Remedy show this weekend. The fun-rocking, six-piece group, including Steve Simac (bass), Joey Cavatorta (guitar), Harlin Swofford (drums), Dan Gordon (rhythm guitar and vocals), Don Stimac (vocals), and Lynn Saputo (vocals), live and work in the Springfield…
State Fair history needs a home
What do you do with 156 years of photos, programs, ribbons, exhibits and other memorabilia collected from the annual Illinois State Fair? Ask Pam Gray and she’ll quickly respond, “Build a museum.” While the answer seems simple, raising the $5 million needed for the building is anything but. Yet Gray, who helped found the Illinois…
Quinn learns to play the blame game
As with any state legislative overtime session and possible government shutdown, “Job One” right now is making sure somebody else gets the blame. Last week, Gov. Pat Quinn dramatically vetoed an appropriations bill and then held a press conference to lay full blame for the overtime deadlock at the General Assembly’s feet. The bill, he…
Home sweet hospital
People who don’t like hospitals typically cite their cold, institutional feel as the reason. Officials at St. John’s Hospital clearly had this fact in mind when designing its new $8 million outpatient surgery department to be located on the hospital’s second floor. Construction of the 16,020-square-foot center, in the space formerly occupied by the hospital’s…
Public Enemies guilty of robbery
On paper, Michael Mann’s Public Enemies looks like a sure-fire winner. The director has successfully navigated the arena of the crime film before, with great success (Thief,Miami Vice). And with two of our best young film actors cast as antagonists, Johnny Depp as the legendary bank robber John Dillinger and Christian Bale as G-Man Melvin…
Hail the Great American Taxi
Back in March of 2005, Vince Herman and Chris Staehly needed a band to play for a Rainforest Action Group benefit concert in Boulder, Colo. The two musicians put together Great American Taxi and have been riding in the cab with the meter running ever since. Herman, best known for his work as frontman for…
No strings attached
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra has renewed its commitment to Maestra Karen Lynne Deal, announcing a new multi-year contract with the conductor at the ISO board of directors’ annual meeting in late June. The renewal comes despite concerns raised by ISO musicians who voted 72-2 against Deal earlier this year in a formal no-confidence vote. The…
Not so fast
Despite Springfield’s freedom from many of the rush-hour nightmares that plague other cities, traffic-paralyzing trains barreling through town at all the wrong times remain among the irritating facts of life here. One idea that’s been kicked around for decades is to consolidate the city’s Third Street and 19th Street rail traffic onto the 10th Street…
GRILLED PROVOLONE
Both these recipes demonstrate Argentina’s connection with Italian cuisine. Italian-style cheeses such as provolone are made throughout the country. Chimichurri is a riff on the classic Italian salsa verde. It’s wonderful, not only on grilled beef, but on other grilled meats and poultry as well. It also makes a tasty salad dressingAged Provolone, either in…
