Downtown Springfield
Springfield was born downtown, before there was a downtown, at the corner of Jefferson and Klein, where the first “permanent” structure was built. With the infusion of visitors taking in the new Abraham Presidential Library and Museum, the heart of the city is pumping with new vigor. Just ask Victoria Clemons, executive director of Downtown…
Snobbish about food
My kids tell me I’m a food snob, and it’s an accusation to which I cheerfully plead guilty. But my snobbishness isn’t about exotic ingredients or fancy preparations — either when I’m cooking at home or dining out. Sure, I enjoy those things; I love Michael Higgins’ carefully crafted dishes containing seasonal local ingredients at…
Earth Talk
Dear “Earth Talk”: Can you explain the “zero waste” movement in Europe, Australia and elsewhere that goes beyond recycling to reduce waste? How can we make it happen here in the United States? — Neil Weiss, Methuen, Mass. In essence, “zero waste” is a design principle writ large, whereby products are conceived, produced, packaged, distributed,…
People’s poetry
Contrary to the glamorized accounts we often read about the lives of single women, Amy Fleury, a native of Kansas, presents us with a realistic, affirmative picture. Her poem playfully presents her life as serendipitous, yet she doesn’t shy away from acknowledging loneliness. At Twenty-Eight It seems I get by on more luck than sense,…
Cheap riches
It was the summer of 1988, and it was stinking hot in Philadelphia. My pal El and I were brand-spanking-new college graduates and had no idea what we wanted to be when we grew up. Although we both were working in the food biz — she as a waitress, I as a gourmet-shop cashier —…
CAP CITY
KA-CHING! The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation hit the jackpot this week with a $1 million contribution from the emir of Qatar, who visited the museum a year ago and enjoyed a dinner hosted by the foundation. The tab came to nearly $25,000, money well spent, as it turns out. What was on the menu?…
To be or not to be
The best thing about the X-Men movies is that although the action gets young viewers into the theater, the moral issues they tackle keep older fans engaged, giving the films a degree of gravitas that separates them from other action epics. X-Men: The Last Stand continues this trend. Its characters struggle to define themselves — a…
Painting vinyl siding
Dear Gene: Is it possible to paint vinyl siding? Will the paint eventually wash off? — A.L. Vinyl siding can be successfully painted if some basic rules are followed. An important point to remember is that vinyl siding should not be painted a darker color than the original color. This is because dark colors cause…
Don’t make gardening a pain
As the gardening season gets into full swing, we can be assured of a few things: Flowers will bloom, weeds will grow, and our bodies will ache. However inevitable some aches may be, though, others may be prevented. Gardening can be viewed as a workout activity, and it’s a good idea to consult your doctor…
