Minority wrongs
I am among those dismayed by the outcome of the November elections – not because people I disagree with elected the next President of the United States, but because they didn’t. Voters were asked to choose from among four candidates, and the one who was awarded the most votes was Hillary Clinton, the pride of…
The Koch connection
Tug on any right-wing thread in America and you’ll most likely find that it’s tied to the multi-billionaire Koch boys, Charles and David. While the brothers are infamous for funneling hundreds of millions of campaign dollars to presidential, congressional and gubernatorial politicos willing to embrace their self-serving agenda, few know of their equally self-serving push…
Where’s the plan?
On election night, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan started making his usual post-election calls to his Democratic members asking for their support for his own reelection as Speaker. But at least a couple said they’d like to sit down with him before providing a firm answer either way. Reps. Will Guzzardi and Kelly Cassidy, both…
Letters to the Editor 11/24/16
CONVERSATION ON RACEDusty Rhodes’ interview with Kelly Wickham Hurst (“Speaking out of school,” Nov. 17) was very enlightening reading, and it shows why a conversation on race is needed in this country. Most people who regard themselves as white genuinely feel they are not racist because they associate that term with genuinely mean-spirited people.…
Editor’s note 11/24/16
AFSCME members have good reason to be bereaved, since it looks like they could soon be bereft of pay raises and affordable health insurance, along with the opportunity to collectively bargain for a new contract with the state. But the bereavement leave implemented by the Rauner administration applies only in the case of the death…
Watch for these Trump warning signs
With the surprising election of Donald Trump, the question on the mind of most people that I talk to is: What kind of president will he be? Will it be the quiet, measured individual we have seen in the last week who seems almost in awe of the responsibilities he will rapidly inherit? Or will…
An alternative to Black Friday shopping
On Black Friday, escape the stress and headaches generated by crowds and shopping and enjoy some family-friendly fun at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The ALPL’s Fun Frosty Friday event features free games and activities for children of all ages and their families. Kids can create a coded message for and visit with Santa, race…
All aboard the Polar Express
Don your holiday jammies and hop aboard the Polar Express for a screening of the 2004 film based off the 1985 book by Chris Van Allsburg plus an open-house style pre-show cocoa and crafting party. The open house runs for an hour-and-a-half before the evening events and an hour before the Saturday afternoon “sensory-friendly” showing…
Knight shift
My boyfriend of a year is a big sweetheart, but whenever we go out to eat, he always orders first. It really bothers me, and I feel disrespected and embarrassed that people are seeing this, despite how this probably makes me a bad feminist. How do I ask him nicely to let me order first…
Perishing Planet
About the article In 2015 Illinois Times and dozens of alternative weeklies and other newsmedia outlets participated in Letters to the Future, a project published ahead of the Paris climate talks that compiled letters from nationally acclaimed writers, scientists, intellectuals and other concerned citizens. As part of the project, the letters were dispatched to hundreds…
A call to action
1. Impose a price on carbon This could occur in several ways. The revenue-neutral carbon fee has a great backbone of advocacy support. It would charge fossil fuel producers at the first point of sale, and the revenue would be distributed among the public. Prices of goods and services dependent on fossil fuels would go…
How to host an epic holiday bash
Social calendars are packed during the holidays, and this year your party is going to be the event of the season. A clever theme is just the thing to help your party stand out. Christmas in July in DecemberCrank up the heat and break out your summer clothes. Seri Kertzner, founder and CEO of Little…
Serve a big meal for not much
The holiday season is nearly upon us again, and it’s one of my favorite times of the year. I love the way our home smells when pies are baking, turkey is roasting or fresh-baked cookies are cooling on the stovetop. I’m blessed that holidays mean getting together with extended family, too. Most of my family…
A not-so-disposable party
Holidays may be the perfect time for a little indulgence, but that doesn’t mean you have to create a bunch of waste. Here are tips for making your holiday party a little greener this season: 1. Send electronic cardsTake your holiday cards and party invites into the next level by going digital. Not only can…
Don’t ever change, pumpkin pie!
Although most family holidays have an ingrained tradition, Thanksgiving takes the pie (pumpkin, of course) for being the one least likely to change. Even as families grow and the holiday hosting duties switch, what remains are the traditions, and none more so than those found on the table. Whether it’s Mom’s apple pie, Grandma’s mashed…
Neighborhood group under scrutiny
With the redevelopment arm of the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association behind on property taxes, at least two city officials say the city of Springfield should consider taking over ownership of land from the cash-strapped group. Since 2010, Enos Park Development has acquired dozens of properties using public money approved by the city council. Some…
Fighting for a little girl
A legal fight for custody of a little girl whose father was murdered eight years ago will continue next week in the courtroom of Cass County Circuit Court Judge Robert Hardwick.Sidney Watkins, 9, likely will spend Thanksgiving with paternal relatives thanks to a recent court order transferring custody, at least on a temporary basis, from…
HOSPICE CHANGES
St. John’s Hospital is evaluating the future of its hospice unit as part of an overhaul of skilled nursing care at the hospital, which is decreasing the number of beds for folks whose needs can be met outside hospitals. “We are actually in the process of reducing our skilled nursing facility beds, and hospice is…
KIDZEUM’S BIG NOSE
“I break my own heart when I try to make predictions for when we’ll be able to open,” said Kidzeum board president Rachael Thomson. With $300,000 in funds still needed to reach their goal, she is able to say with some confidence that the health and science-focused childrens’ museum will open before the end of…
Tepid pace dooms Allied
Robert Zemeckis’ Allied is a film that is concerned about appearances, both in terms of its characters as well as the production itself. Artifice is what drives the film in terms of locale, its two gorgeous leads, and what binds its two protagonists together – although both of them begin as spies, you’re not quite…
Thanks for Thanksgiving
The Thanksgiving holiday has arrived, and that means an exceptionally busy live music time. From the highly anticipated and attended Thanksgiving Eve occasion to a weekend off with family, friends and everybody else, these few days have become one of the annual highlights of our live music community. Everything starts on Wednesday night, now popularly…
Big Bad Blues Machine featuring Hurricane Ruth LaMaster
This marks the second annual reunion show with Hurricane Ruth and the Big Bad Blues Machine, but this one is special. Last January the BBBM lost “our brother in music” Tom Poludniak, a Springfield native and an extraordinary family man, creative person, soulful Hammond B3 player and visual artist. Donations will be accepted in Tom’s…
Making edible gifts
Lately I really just want to hit the pause button on life, on the world – hole up in my house for several days straight, and make yummy food. Decadent food, holiday food. Unfortunately, no such button exists so I carve out my little episodes of baking bliss where I can. These are some of…
it’s all ok poem #1
it’s ok to grab others’ busts bumsif you’re rich enough it’s ok tolie also repeat lies over and overtill half the country believes youthat half incensed by faux newsfoxes vixens if you’re rich enoughit’s ok to stab anyone not whiteenough if you’re rich enough oreven whites if they’re poor or uglypunts or males cuny enough…
Rural clout
Rural America, even as it laments its economic weakness, retains vastly disproportionate electoral strength. Rural voters were able to nudge Donald J. Trump to power despite Hillary Clinton’s large margins in cities like New York. In a House of Representatives that structurally disadvantages Democrats because of their tight urban clustering, rural voters helped Republicans hold…
“People, not Pontiacs,” uncut
For readers with a taste for the archival. Here is the full version of my column abut the Y block in downtown Springfield, an abridged version of which we ran on Nov. 10, The original that follows appeared in my Prejudices series in the IT of Oct. 8, 1981. Honestly, I didn’t know whether to cheer…
Enos Park group late on taxes
The redevelopment arm of the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association has fallen behind on property taxes and owes more than $35,000 for delinquent taxes, penalties, fees and interest on more than 70 parcels. Taxes on the 73 parcels, which represent the bulk of properties that the organization plans to sell for development, were sold on…
Shake up at Lincoln papers project
Daniel Stowell, director of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln project based at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, has been placed on unpaid leave and is facing termination. Stowell confirmed that he was placed on unpaid leave on Wednesday and told that he will be terminated. He declined to provide further details without consulting…
As the crow is bent
Some say that names are destiny. Surely jurist Learned Hand was doomed at his christening to take up the law, just as John Wisdom took up philosophy or Brandon Belt picked up a baseball bat. I am indebted to New Scientist magazine for what I know about “nominative determinism,” a spoof discipline that purports to…
Takeaways from the election
Buckle up, friends. It’s going to be a hairy ride. Start with Day One for President Trump (gotta get used to saying that). He will need to be up-and-at-’em no later than 12:01 a.m., for during his campaign he promised to get oodles of big stuff done on his very first day in office, such as…
Out of date and out of touch
There’s been a lot of spin from the Illinois House Democrats about how last Tuesday’s losses were not that big of a deal. Don’t believe it. During the national Republican electoral wave two years ago, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn lost by four points to Republican Bruce Rauner and Quinn won no counties at all outside…
Letters to the Editor 11/17/16
I THOUGHT I KNEW YOU I’m sorry. I thought I knew you. I thought that another senior would understand how many of your peers are at dire risk when our conservative Congress cuts Social Security. I thought a veteran would care about the lives of our troops thrown into needless wars by warmongers who never…
Pause amid a bloody war
As in most wars, the men of the Civil War found it excruciatingly difficult to be away from loved ones at holiday time. Thanksgiving was no exception. The holiday itself has its roots in the Civil War. The first official proclamation declaring Thanksgiving as a national day of remembrance was issued by Abraham Lincoln in…
Just in time for Thanksgiving
Since many farmers have found creative ways to extend growing seasons into the colder months, it is easier than ever to enjoy fresh, locally grown food during the holidays. On Saturday, Nov. 19, join the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Slow Food Springfield, Illinois Wine and the University of Illinois Extension for a holiday farmers market at…
Girls on ice
Ice skating enthusiasts and American Girl fans unite! The Springfield Figure Skating Club is excited to host their annual fall skating even and tea party on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 12-2 p.m. The event is geared towards all ages and the $15 ticket price includes a host of goodies such as ice skating and skate…
Mothership of fools
This will sound crazy, but … should I tell my girlfriend, the love of my life, that I was abducted by aliens? It happened a long time ago, and I have no proof – just my own recollection. Yes, it could’ve been a dream, but even so, it changed how I see things and opened…
Speaking out of school
Kelly Wickham Hurst spent about 20 years with Springfield School District 186. As guidance dean, she frequently took to her blog and social media to share stories of black students being treated unfairly, and her efforts to advocate on their behalf. Under her social media handle – MochaMomma (an homage to both her love of…
Three cheers to a happy holiday
No dinner party or celebration is complete without a seasonal beverage. A unique mixed drink allows hosts to put their personal stamp on the affair without having to stock a full bar, which also helps control cost and mess. It also eliminates the need for a host to spend the night playing bartender. Whether…
Decorate yourself
It’s the holiday get-together that everyone remembers and loves to participate in – the Ugly Christmas Sweater party. “The holiday season can be very stressful and at these parties adults can be funny and silly,” says Brandy Shay, co-author of Ugly Christmas Sweater Party: Christmas Crafts, Recipes, Activities (Lark Crafts, 2016). “Plus, people are very…
Set electronic boundaries at holiday celebrations
Just about everyone has had that moment when they gave up trying to communicate with someone engrossed in a smartphone, tablet or other electronic device. There’s not much gratification in talking to the top of a bowed head, especially when that person hasn’t heard a word you’ve said. Such encounters are frustrating at any time…
In Illinois, public access is broken
After Edgar County corrections officers were convicted in 2012 of having sex with inmates, two residents of the downstate county set out to use the state’s open records law to look for more wrongdoing in the sheriff’s office. Four years later, Kirk Allen and John Kraft are still waiting to obtain public records — audio…
Time for a change
Florida and Washington state each employ one full-time person to ride herd on laws ensuring public access to government records. In Illinois, taxpayers are supporting a 17-employee bureau within the attorney general’s office that’s little more than a tissue tiger when it comes to ensuring that government business is conducted in the open. Gadflies and…
Letter from Beardstown
No one seems to know what to make of this election. Stunned by Donald Trump’s victory, mainstream media has pointed to the Rust Belt, saying that out-of-work or underemployed white folks are to blame for this. Hillary Clinton blames FBI director James Comey – if he hadn’t written that letter to Congress at the 11th…
Beasts a worthy addition to Potter canon
Since the Harry Potter film franchise came to an end, there’s been a gaping hole in Warner Brothers Studios’ ledger sheet. Bringing their stable of DC Comics superheroes to the screen was supposed to fill this void but they’ve continued to underperform in one way or another. However, shareholders will be delighted with the prequel…
Remember November
Ooh la la is as good of an opening as any as we venture into the mid-November music time. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for the week before Thanksgiving and Black Friday happenings. Wake up to Thursday night with a “James Armstrong Presents” show at The Alamo featuring the friendly and famous…
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
On the trail of making marvelous music since 1988, Robert “Big Sandy” Williams brings the boys back to town one more time for a go around the stage. The 2016 tour takes the fellers across the U.S. and back again from Los Angeles to Brooklyn, Maine to New Mexico, Nashville to Springfield, and plenty of…
continuity poem #1
continuity poem #1 in my daughter’s dining room I sitat a table where I sat my first nine years facing me the matched cupboard my brother tipped over not once but twice during those years broke all mom’s crystal behind me a marbletopped chest from my grandparents’ farm maybe via the rich relatives to my…
Making Thanksgiving dreams come true
Many of us dream of hosting a Rockwell-esque Thanksgiving. Happy children playing board games as they patiently await dinner, contented guests allowing the host to calmly finish up the meal, glass of wine in hand. In reality though, putting on the Thanksgiving meal can be an incredibly stressful experience. Having multiple dishes ready at the…
Editor’s note 11/17/16
Who in Illinois has time to worry about Donald Trump when we have Gov. Bruce Rauner? Now that the inconclusive state election is over, everybody is back in Springfield still stymied by Rauner’s insistence on his non-budget “Turnaround agenda,” which keeps changing. At the same time, the governor continues trying to force a strike by…
