Johnson’s Charisma Can’t Rescue “Baywatch”
In a world in which there is so little to believe in, yet another absolute has been disproven. Up until seeing Baywatch, I though that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was capable of anything, but alas even he can’t save this ineffective and surprisingly crude comedy. That’s not to say that he phones it in; if…
Senate approves new school funding bill
The Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act was approved in the Illinois Senate on May 17 and awaits action in the House. A 35 to 18 vote victory came following a rally in which advocates asked for an equitable school funding formula. Sponsor of SB1, Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said the new distribution model…
Divorce court
A longstanding partnership that has sustained the Papers of Abraham Lincoln Project will end as the University of Illinois Springfield and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum can’t agree on which entity should control the effort to digitize every document ever read or written by the Great Emancipator. The ALPLM’s charitable foundation through which…
A downtown action park?
As I discuss at length in “Park-ing problems,” the Rauner-backed North Mansion Y-Block Development Group NFP has proposed to fill the vacant Y block with a block-square park whose main features would be a 12-story clocktower/observation deck and a “wonderwall,” similar to the video tower in Chicago’s Millennium Park. These features have been talked about…
Boston Concert
On Tuesday, May 23, American rock group Boston made a stop at Springfield’s Prairie Capital Convention Center as part of their 2017 Hyper Space tour. Click through to view photos from Tuesday night’s show with St. Louis rockers and opening act Nick Bifano and The Innocents. Created with flickr slideshow.
Park-ing problems
You know how it goes. A rich family buys an old place in a once-posh neighborhood and starts to fix it up. They’re worried that plans for multi-family apartments in the empty lot across the street will ruin property values, so they try to buy the lot themselves and expand their yard. That, pretty much,…
Stop blaming workers for this mess
Anti-immigrant eruptions are older than the U.S. itself, and they’ve flared up periodically throughout our history, targeting the Irish, French, Italians and Chinese, among others. Even Donald Trump’s project to wall off our border is not a new bit of nuttiness – around the time of the nation’s founding, John Jay, who later became the…
This is the wrong hill to die on
Democrats have been privately grumbling for a while now that Gov. Bruce Rauner isn’t truly interested in good faith negotiations on a balanced budget with economic reforms to end the two-and-a-half-year Statehouse stalemate. But Senate President John Cullerton spent days and days negotiating the details of a four-year property tax freeze with Rauner, only to…
Letters to the Editor 5/25/17
FOOD WEEK FAN I again wanted to extend my appreciation to Illinois Times, participating restaurants and sponsors for another great 217 Food Week. In addition, the sponsors who provided the prize package also deserve another round of applause. Todd HallSpringfield BICYCLE THEFTS While I am aware that six months have passed, four of my own…
Editors Note 5/25/17
It doesn’t help much for Illinois editorialists to get angry, bang the table and shout “Unacceptable” about the Statehouse budget impasse, or “Enough,” as they did a year ago. The neutral, blaming-everybody approach lets everybody – legislators and the governor – off the hook so they can escape responsibility as long as they appear to…
Casino bills taking billions from Illinois education
Having passed the Illinois Senate on May 17 and pending in the House, Senate Bill 7 would authorize a Chicago Casino Development Authority (CCDA) as a government unto itself via a “perpetual” license with all owned or “leased” property tax exempt. CCDA is legislatively designed to be a self-governing entity with extensive and abusive government…
A cemetery celebration
During the 19th century, cemeteries served as gathering places for the community, often hosting speeches, walks and picnics. On Saturday, May 27, Oak Ridge Cemetery will restore that 19th century tradition during the annual A Spirited Stroll event. From 1-4 p.m., enjoy live music provided by the Muni Band and Wildwood Strings Quartet; an ice…
Five Star Brass
Five Star Brass, the United States Army band ensemble, will kick off the Springfield Area Arts Council’s annual Artist on the Plaza summer entertainment series on Tuesday, May 30. The free, semiweekly outdoor performances are held Memorial Day through Labor Day, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-1 p.m., with the exception of July 4. Scheduled entertainment…
Run, ride, skip, skate in the streets
This summer, enjoy safe, outdoor recreation in one of Springfield’s most historic parks during Washington Park’s Bike and Hike Days. Bike and Hike Days run Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. During these designated times, roads within the 150-acre…
Wedding his appetite
I have this disturbing pattern. I’ve dated three different guys, each of whom said he didn’t want to get married, wasn’t ready, whatever. But then, the next girl they met … BAM! Walking down the aisle. Why am I marriage boot camp but never the one the guy marries? – Aisle Seat Although our mind’s…
2017 Summerlong Summerguide calendar
May Illinois Products Farmers MarketMay 25, Jun 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Jul 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 4-7pm. Every Thursday. Shopping, health and wellness information, special focuses and more in a street party atmosphere. SNAP cards accepted. Free. agr.state.il.us/nightmarket. Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave. The Three…
Sangamon County Fair
The Sangamon County Fair has made some exciting changes in time for the 2017 season, which runs June 13-18. General admission pricing has been reduced and a new concert ticket price has been introduced in order to allow fans to customize their fair experience by paying for only the events and facilities they’ll attend or…
Pawnee Prairie Days
This June, cruise 20 minutes south down I-55 and enjoy a small-town festival among the cornfields in picturesque Pawnee. This year’s Pawnee Prairie Days will be observed June 22-24. The three-day celebration features traditional festival fare, events and activities in a tight-knit community setting. A carnival, courtesy of Connor Amusements, will be offered all three…
Legacy of Giving Festival
The SOHO (Service Organization for Humanitarian Opportunity) Music Festival was a highlight among the central Illinois summer festival scene for 12 years. But earlier this year SOHO’s founder and director Eric Welch announced his plans to step back from the festival, effective immediately. After more than a decade of working year-round to organize, book and…
Wacky Wheelers Parades
The health benefits to riding a bike are numerous and include strengthening your hips, thighs and rear end. Because cycling is a low-impact activity, it is gentle on joints, making it an excellent activity for individuals of varied ages and activity levels. But most importantly, bike riding is fun and a great way to bring…
Amaranth Apple Festival
Although the name “Amaranth Apple Festival” (Downtown Springfield Inc.’s revision of 2016’s Bacon Throwdown) may sound like a celebration of the late summer and early autumn deciduous fruit, the midsummer festival, occurring July 14-15, actually celebrates Springfield’s signature restaurant dishes paired with live music, courtesy of the Bedrock 66 Live! Concert Series. The name of…
Powerlight Abraham Lincoln Super Cruise and Car Show Spectacular
The Powerlight Abraham Lincoln Super Cruise and Car Show Spectacular is one of the most anticipated car show weekends for automotive enthusiasts in central Illinois. Powerlight weekend presents opportunities to showcase your classic car, meet fellow car lovers, enjoy drive-in movies along historic Route 66, and take in unique air and ground displays. Celebrate the…
Zoo, Shakespeare and history
Holding my nose in the zoo building full of big cats and apes, sampling goodies from laden family reunion tables, anticipating the first July Fourth fireworks bursting over a small lake – that’s what Miller Park meant to me as a child growing up east of Bloomington-Normal. My family also trekked to the twin cities…
Tour historic Oakland Mansion
Historic houses happen to be one of my favorite things, so when I heard about the beautiful Oakland Mansion in St. Louis, I headed out with Annie Jansen and her sister, Joanie, to check it out. Charlie Brown, the president of the Affton Historical Society said Oakland House was built in 1853-1854 by Louis A.…
Shandy is dandy
We are lazy. Loathe to get out of our cars, we use the drive-thru – it is too much work to write “through” – when we want a hamburger. Cheese comes already grated. Remote controls are no longer enough. When we want to change the channel or the volume, or even order a pizza, we…
Springfield’s Boys of Summer
With championship aspirations, the Springfield Sliders begin their 2017 season on the road against the Lafayette Aviators on May 30. The Sliders are a collegiate summer league baseball team from the Prospect League, an organization of 10 teams showcasing college players from all over the country. The Sliders, who play their home games at Lanphier…
Arsenic and old musicals
Popular musicals abound around central Illinois this summer. Whether you’re into dancing paper boys or have a soft spot for recalcitrant beasts, pack your bug spray and your rosé. New Salem’s Theatre in the ParkAladdin Jr. June 2-4, 9-10. Based on the Disney film of the same name, for children. State Fair June 23-25, 29-30,…
Sounds of summer
There are too many exciting concerts scheduled to hit central Illinois stages in the coming months to fit in this humble space. From big festivals to tiny venues and from classic rock to boot-scootin’ country to snotty punk stalwarts and hip-hop heroes (not to mention at least one apparently immortal jazz crooner) here’s an overview…
Cop pleads guilty, keeps job
A Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy is serving a six-month suspension after pleading guilty to misdemeanor drug possession last month. Deputy John Bartello was placed on paid administrative leave in June of last year, pending investigation for illegal possession of steroids. The drugs in question were sent to his home from Thailand, where federal Drug Enforcement…
Health care in crisis
Despite attempts at an overall cheery tone, the views presented during “Obamacare after Obama: The future of U.S. health care at a crossroads,” a conference held at the Memorial Center for Learning and Innovation last Friday, could not help but paint a disturbing picture of the potential short and long-term future of health care in…
Developer proposes downtown Springfield casino
A Springfield-based developer wants to reconfigure the downtown area by developing a casino. Chris Stone, owner of EMS Midwest, Inc., recently proposed plans to members of the city council and Mayor James Langfelder to have a casino near the Old State Capitol. EMS Midwest, Inc., is a business governmental consulting agency with commercial properties in…
TASTE OF INCLUSION
A new cafe in Springfield’s west side aims to develop life skills for children with developmental disabilities. On May 23, the Hope Learning Academy (HLA), community leaders and volunteers cut the ribbon on the Hope Inclusion Café and Play, located at 3252 Ginger Creek Drive. The HLA is a special education program that strives to…
Now hear this
As we enter the final week of Better Hearing and Speech Month, the Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation, a Springfield-based nonprofit, is participating in the “Million Ear Challenge,” the goal of which is to inform two million people about hearing loss by May 31. Once the goal is reached, the foundation will celebrate by making what…
Two young leads nearly save Everything
Stella Meghie’s Everything, Everything is the sort of movie that’s easy to scoff at. A tale of young love replete with improbable events and inexplicable actions, the film is one of extremes, mercurial in the way it changes tone and ridiculous in the situations it presents. Cutting to the chase, it’s perfect for the teen…
Memorable Memorial Day and more
Well, here we are, set to explore, exploit and explain another wonderful Memorial Day weekend full of fun and music. Let’s keep enough reverence to the reason for the celebration and respect the festivities while participating, but let the good times roll indeed. Always considered the beginning of the summer season – the solstice be…
Creole Stomp
You won’t find a better band replicating the sounds of Cajun and Zydeco through original songs and traditional tunes, but these dashing and daring musicians of high caliber cheerfully toss in a taste of contemporary blues and swamp rock to keep the party rolling. Led by acclaimed Creole-related, French-speaking-and-singing fiddler and accordionist Dennis Stroughmatt and…
Kitsune
I recognized the look. I see it every time I walk in the back door of a new restaurant. “I’m Peter, and I’m here to stage.” (A stage is an unpaid, short-term internship when a cook works in another chef’s kitchen to learn and be exposed to new techniques and cuisines.) From someone expecting a…
family story # 23
family story # 23 my granddaughter cressidaage eight having exhausted various play activities saidI guess I’ll put on my lab coatand go do an experiment ©2017 Jacqueline Jackson
