City proposal could spur action on civil union benefits
The City of Springfield is one step closer to an agreement on health benefits for civil union partners of city employees and retirees. A committee composed of representatives from the city and labor unions previously decided to allow civil union partners of city employees and retirees to get city health insurance, but a judge’s ruling…
When will Obama evolve on the drug war?
Much is made of how President Obama’s position on same-sex marriage has “evolved” to an endorsement of legalization. One hopes his position on the atrocity called the “war on drugs” is evolving. It’s not really a war on drugs. It’s a war on people, most of whom have committed no violence or other aggression against…
Letters to the Editor 05/24/12
ROBBING STATE WORKERSI am a normal Illinois state government worker. I didn’t get my job because I knew someone. I got my job because I took a test, got an A, went to an interview and the person interviewing me saw something in me they didn’t see in the other applicants. I did give up…
RAISING CANES
Ronald Earley has invented a new type of cane and would like to see it manufactured in Springfield. Except there’s one problem. Everyone he’s talked to, which includes U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., seems to think his idea is too simple. “They tell me it’s a clever idea, but it’s so simple…
Summer theater has something for everyone
It’s that time of year again. Yes, ’tis the season for summer barbecues, local festivals and a boat on the lake. It also marks the start of a magnificent summer of local theater in central Illinois. Here are some highlighted theatrical venues and their summer schedule: Theatre in the Park at New Salem’s season begins…
Prairie Fruits Farm brings its cheeses to farmers market
I start anticipating them each year as winter melts into spring: Springfield’s farmers markets. It’s not just because of the local produce and products I can buy, although that’s a big part of it. It’s also about getting reacquainted with longtime vendors. And it always gladdens my heart to see new farmers and vendors who’ve…
Expecting a big-screen sit-com
The movies I hate most are those that play it safe, the ones that refuse to take any chances in their quest for laughs or tears. Boundary pushing is not for those who operate in this milquetoast territory and their hearts are too faint to instill any sort of dramatic edge. Nope, the middle of…
Nickeled and dimed
A few years ago, the executive director of the National School Boards Association said, “In a democracy, school boards are the closest thing to the ground.” “Like dandelions in a lawn,” I muttered to myself. In my too-many years as a public scold, I have learned to accept the many absurdities occasioned by government of…
A magical high school baseball season
One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach and a Magical Baseball Season, by Chris Ballard. Hyperion, 234 pages. Here in central Illinois we love our high school sports. Granted we also pay attention to the Cardinals, Bears, Cubs, Sox and other sports franchises, but nothing seems to get the juices flowing like…
Increase minimum wage?
A bill that would raise the minimum wage in Illinois is on its way to the full Senate after approval by the Senate Executive Committee. The legislation would increase Illinois’ minimum wage, currently $8.25, by 50 cents a year until it reaches $10.55. This would match the purchasing power of the minimum wage in 1968,…
Calling all volunteers
With summer rapidly approaching, Springfield residents will be planning various ways to spend their summer through activities like vacations and traveling. So, why not plan on spending a little time volunteering around Springfield? For all ages Individuals looking for volunteer opportunities this summer that will allow them to be outdoors should consider volunteering for Habitat…
Attila the Honey
I asked my boyfriend for his email password so I could look at a message he’d mentioned. He grabbed my laptop and said he’d log in and forward it to me. He is a good guy and has never given me reason to distrust him, but if you aren’t hiding anything, why would you care…
Travel back in time to Amish country
Open for the 2012 season, Rockome Gardens is an iconic place that brings back childhood memories for many. Today, under the management of the Rockome Gardens Preservation Inc., the popular tourist venue at Arcola was purchased in January by Steve Maher and his wife, Bev. Coming to the gardens for the past 35 years before…
Meet Me in St. Louis
Everyone has heard Julie Garland croon the tune, “Meet me in St. Louis, Louis, Meet me at the fair, Don’t tell me the lights are shining any place but there….” For those who want to see a play at the Fabulous Fox Theatre or check out the St. Louis Zoo, the lights are truly shining.…
A DREAMGIRL
If you watched Wednesday’s “American Idol” finale, you know what Jennifer Holliday is capable of doing. The famous actress and singer was scheduled to sing a duet with contestant Jessica Sanchez on the show, but Springfield will soon have a chance to see Holliday in person. Thirty years ago, Holliday was practically unknown when she…
Battleship
One of the advantages of having low expectations is that you increase the possibility of being pleasantly surprised. Case in point, Peter Berg’s Battleship, a movie that upon seeing the trailer, I dismissed as merely a Transformers knockoff. There are more than a few similarities between the two projects – both are based on Hasbro…
Tenaska drops clean coal plan for Taylorville
A proposed state-of-the-art “clean coal” power plant in Taylorville has been sidelined, but the project could still continue as a natural gas power plant. Nebraska-based Tenaska, Inc. says its proposed Taylorville Energy Center is necessary to prevent power shortages as old coal plants go offline, but opponents question whether it’s really needed and why taxpayers…
barnpoem #1
I suppose I should write a eulogy but Ished not a single tear when the round barnwent down two weeks ago nor when thetwo standing silos were pulverized a weeklater it was inevitable once our group tosave it splintered and the bad guys boughtthe property without telling us gave thebarn a silly name not befitting…
Country and bluegrass
Memorial weekend sees the return of the annual Wine and Music Festival at Hill Prairie Winery in Oakford. Sunday, May 27 is Bluegrass Day with the music of Resonation Station and River Ramblers alternating two sets. May 28 is Country Day with Prairie Rose Band playing two hours, followed by Southern Cross. The featured entre…
Life on the Mississippi
Don’t take the freeway. A drive into yesteryear is best taken on back roads, so skip Interstate 55 and spend an extra half-hour cruising Illinois 111 south to Alton, a great bet for a day trip 90 miles south of Springfield. At once historic and modern, Alton is a Mississippi River town both swift as…
Summerguide Big Events
Old Capitol Farmers Market8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 27 Lamb from Knob Hill Livestock Co. in Petersburg, Amish bakery goods from The Homestead Bakery in Arthur, pecans from Voss Pecans in Carlyle, handcrafted cheeses from Ludwig Farmstead Creamery in Fithian; nectarines and plums from Heffington’s Orchard in Barchtown; lettuce, greens,…
Anheuser-Busch, drunk on greed
Big brewers like Anheuser-Busch frequently admonish us imbibers of their grain products to “drink responsibly.” Well, I say back to them: Lobby responsibly. In particular, I point to a disgusting binge of besotted lobbying by Anheuser-Busch (now owned by the Belgian beer conglomerate InBev) and other beer barons this year in the Nebraska legislature. At…
Bobby Conn
Based out of Chicago, Bobby Conn considers music to be a vehicle for entertainment and puts on a wild and woolly show to prove it. Along with this valuable contribution to stage antics, he backs it up with really, really good music. Accompanied by his wife, the lovely and talented Monica BouBou, and an incredibly…
Taking the fifth
A Jerome police officer under investigation by the state’s attorney and attorney general last week invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to testify in court. During that proceeding a motorist he arrested in March won back her driver’s license after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. After being sworn and providing his…
Harley raffle
The Illinois Central Blues Club is helping to put together Blues Hawgfest, a special concert held May 26 at Capital City Bar and Grill in benefit of The Rutledge Youth Foundation. The evening kicks off the 2012 RYF’s Harley Raffle. The lineup of bands includes: Lady Carole and Her Knights (pictured), The Mojo Cats, Tombstone…
Release the beast
With such mild and beautiful weather so far this year, it’s a great time to go outside and get some exercise. And while you’re at it, why not play in the mud? Springfield and the surrounding area host a quickly growing number of athletic races each summer, including a popular cycling event and several foot…
Leaving homes
Judging by a slight smile that stays even as her eyes close and the snoring begins, Kathy likes the feel of sunlight on her face as she stis with her mother in a park near Jacksonville Developmental Center. She is 48 and began life with a cerebral hemorrhage, either before she was born or during…
Masters of art
The Illinois State Museum houses a new exhibition through Jan. 6, 2013, titled Luminous Ground: Artists with Histories. These 11 Illinois artists have histories because they are 78 to more than 90 years old. Each was selected as exemplars of older individuals who have remained vital and productive. They have a lifelong body of the…
Memorable Memorial Day weekend
Ah yes, here we are at the official kickoff of the summertime season. Once known as Decoration Day, we now have Memorial Day and it’s become a weekend. So as it sits, we are off to enjoy and indulge, taking in the extra fun with all the gusto we can muster. First let me make…
Quinn may be softening on gambling expansion
An often tense and confrontational meeting over gaming expansion last week ended with Gov. Pat Quinn not explicitly saying “no” to adding slot machines at horse racing tracks. That might be the beginning of a reversal for Quinn, who has adamantly opposed allowing tracks to have more gambling options. Quinn has opposed allowing slots at…
Revved up
You’ll start seeing motorcycles in numbers the next two weekends. The Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association TT (Tourist Trophy) and Springfield Mile Motorcycle Races take place at the Illinois State Fairgrounds May 25-27. May 29-June 1 is the American Motorcycle Association Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships. These wildly popular races charge in with the Amateur TT…
