Letters to the Editor 11/26/09
TERRORIST PRISONS Recently, Congressman Phil Hare announced that he supports the moving of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the Thomson Correctional Facility, on the basis that it will create thousands of jobs [See “Employee union blasts plans to sell Thomson prison”] While his logic is pretty simple, I don’t believe that just one terrorist prison is…
Senate ethics panel admonishes Burris
Though he didn’t do anything technically illegal, Illinois’ junior senator received an official slap on the wrist Nov. 20 by the Senate ethics committee for his role in the Rod Blagojevich fiasco. The United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics said in a publicly released “Letter of Qualified Admonition” that Burris had inappropriate contact with…
Downtown decked-out
Downtown Springfield Inc. Old Capitol Holiday Walk’s opening ceremony begins Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. Representative Raymond Poe lights a 25-foot balsam fir on the southeast corner of the Old State Capitol lawn where the ceremony takes place. Lincoln Magnet School Choir performs. After, shop at the charming stores and art galleries participating in this…
Tunes for food
Local internet sports-radio host Eric Pedigo emcees an evening of rockin’ music to raise funds for the Central Illinois Foodbank, whose shelves have bare spots from the growing community need in tight economic times. Join the cause to give to those less fortunate and hear progressive Midwest rock band The Station – Jeff Cunningham, Dave…
SAFETY NET
Surprising and scary — that’s the only way to describe the latest statistics to come out of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office. Madigan recently surveyed 4,200 Illinois schoolchildren in third through 12th grade to see if the youngsters are using cell phones and Internet technology. Last week her office released the results, which show…
Global grease
Oil remains one of the chief current issues of our time. This film presents an in-depth look at the uncomfortable reality of our addiction to, and conflict over, the slimy stuff, with commentary from international energy experts. Special guest, Wes King, environmental, political and local food activist, and UIS Political Science MA student, discusses the…
Me and food: A love / hate relationship
This past year has been a fairly grief-filled one for myself and my family. Heart attacks, cancer, loss, and a horrific incident that led to my 16-year-old cousin staying in the hospital for over five months and currently re-learning to walk and talk. Needless to say, I’ve needed comfort and that comfort has come in…
Spicy tomato orange bisque
This tangy soup, with its bright and lively flavors, is a perfect antidote to holiday overindulgence, but it’s great any time. It takes little more than half an hour from start to finish, and there’s only about 10 minutes of actual prep involved: opening a can of tomatoes, chopping a pepper and onion, and blending…
Quick potato bread
1 1/2 lb. baking (russet) potatoes 1/2 c. warm (not hot) water reserved from cooking the potatoes 1 tsp. honey or sugar 1 T. active dry yeast (NOT fast-acting) 2 T. extra virgin olive oil 1 T. kosher or sea salt 4 3/4 c. unbleached all-purpose flour Semolina or fine cornmeal Peel the potatoes and…
County seeks landmark status for Illiopolis water tower
After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941 and the U.S. entered World War II, munitions plants — including the Sangamon Ordnance Plant near Illiopolis — began popping up all over the United States. The central Illinois plant, located two-and-a-half miles southwest of Illiopolis, was built in 1942 and eventually became one of the…
Cheap and cheerful
Have a pine tree in the backyard? Use cuttings from an evergreen to make wreaths and swags. Stick holly cuttings into a foam ball. Add a length of ribbon and loop the flower arrangement over a door handle. Host an ornament-making party. Stock up on ornaments from a craft store and pull out glue, fabric…
Bob Waldmire’s farewell tour
Last month Bob Waldmire made public what he has known for some time – that he has colon cancer and he probably won’t live much longer. Last Sunday, Nov. 22, “Bob’s Last Art Show” was held at his family’s famous Cozy Dog Drive In. There Waldmire, seated in a wheelchair, greeted hundreds of friends, some…
NIL8
NIL8, very likely the longest-running, continuously together rock band in Springfield area history, continues to draw crowds, produce original music and entertain at a magnificent level after some 25 years on the local scene. With the brother team of Jeff Williams (guitar, vocals, songs) and Bruce Williams (bass) leading a long and illustrious parade of…
The biggest night out
’Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the pubs, plenty was stirring in every night club. We all know by now that Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest party-out, bar-going night of the year, right? According to experts such as MSNBC and Mike Parkes at the Brewhaus, the night before the turkey feast surpassed New…
The Illinois budget is broken
The day after Veterans Day, we were reminded of another long-running war of attrition, in which clueless elected officials have been squandering resources in ways that threaten our security over the long term. No, not the fighting in Helmand Province, but in the General Assembly. On Nov. 12 the Pew Center on the States, a…
Employee union blasts plans to sell Thomson prison
When it was built eight years ago, the Thomson Correctional Center in northwest Illinois held the promise of new jobs and safer streets, but the state-owned prison sits largely empty even today, the vacant victim of underfunding. Governor Pat Quinn has announced a plan to sell the $145 million prison to the federal government, saying…
Hynes hasn’t beat up Quinn yet
The original hope by Dan Hynes’ Democratic gubernatorial campaign was that they could outspend and beat up Pat Quinn on TV by Thanksgiving to the point where the governor was vulnerable in the Feb. 2 primary. Early benchmark polling for Gov. Quinn had him leading Hynes 54-26, with other polls showing similar results. Hynes’ name…
Holiday hand bells
If you’re ready to ring in the holiday season as early as possible after Thanksgiving, don’t miss the Bells in Motion concert Saturday. Sixteen ringers, under the direction of Mike Lamb, play your favorite holiday selections, including traditional, jazzy and modern arrangements. The hour and fifteen minute show features the blissful sounds of seven octaves…
LINCOLN’S FACEBOOK
You see his face on the penny, the $5 bill, Mount Rushmore and pretty much everywhere in Springfield, but have you ever really studied it? Brothers Phillip and Peter Kunhardt certainly have, and the result of that research is their new book, Lincoln, Life-Size, in which photographs of the 16th president are enlarged to life-size…
Blind Side uses old playbook to jerk tears
Without question, Michael Oher’s story is remarkable. The young man was the son of a crack addict and homeless as he entered high school. Fate showed him a kind hand as he was accepted into Memphis’ Briarcrest Christian School. There he came to the attention of an athletic booster named Leigh Anne Tuohy, who took…
How to prevent breast cancer
One simple test could end up saving thousands of women’s lives. Yet, for those without health insurance, the test comes too late. According to the American Cancer Society, this year alone an estimated 40,170 women will lose their lives to breast cancer. Meanwhile, it is estimated that 4,000 breast cancer deaths could be prevented just…
Community Wish List for 11/25/2009
Springfield YMCA701 South 4th St., 544-9846 The Springfield YMCA was established in 1874 and has continuously served the Springfield area for 135 years. It began as an organization serving boys and young men, but over the years has broadened its services and target population to meet the changing needs of the community. The Springfield YMCA…
Soup and bread
Ah, the weekend after Thanksgiving! I enjoy Thanksgiving and preparing Thanksgiving dinner, really, I do, but there’s something special about the weekend afterwards. The cooking marathon is over, and I can relax with my husband, Peter, and whichever of my kids and family are around. Many folks like to hit the stores, taking pleasure in…
The worthiness of banker charity
“Repent,” the preacher cried out, startling those who heard him. This was no street evangelist ranting at the passing crowd, but the archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Church of England. His sharp admonition was pointed directly at a particular set of sinners who undoubtedly had never given any thought to the morality of their…
Leaden pace leaves New Moon lifeless
What is one to make of the Twilight phenomenon? As I write this, it has been reported that the second film in the series, New Moon, has taken in more than $140 million during its first three days of release, the third biggest opening in film history. This, for an adolescent love story that recasts…
A runner’s tale
This dispatch comes from our editor-in-chief and fearless leader, Fletcher Bud Farrar: I’ve been a casual runner for years, but early this year when it dawned on me that I was going to turn 60 in the spring, I decided to step it up a notch. During the winter months I went on several long…
Give these animals a home for the holidays
Holidays aren’t just a hard time for people in need; they’re also a hard time for animals in need. In the spirit of the season, animal shelters are urging potential Forever Home-owners to consider a new pet. The APL is offering a special deal on black cats. Sadly, black is the least desirable color for…
Never too late to get in shape
Here’s a post from Tia Schoen in our advertising department: I got lucky 30 years ago (I’m really dating myself here!) when a wonderful woman hired me to run her health clubs. I had no experience and had never exercised a day in my life. I took to it like a duck to water. Over…
It’s time to Get FIT!
Welcome to the Illinois Times Get FIT blog! Getting healthy is not only in vogue, it is vital to the well-being of our nation. If we don’t want to keep paying billions to remedy health problems we could prevent, then each of us must make a commitment to our personal and public health. Here we…
musicpoem #11
my father sat on my sister’s first fiddleleft on the couch she was seven he wasso mad he grabbed it by the neck smashedit to the floor where it finished dyingwith a doleful twang the good thing wasthey got her another better one we hadno more violin violence till much later when sister #2 in…
All is not well forever
All but a few members of the Springfield High School Hall of Fame are not in the least bit famous in Springfield. In the English-speaking bookish community, however, one of those anointed is celebrated. Robert Stuart Fitzgerald’s reworking into English verse of the Aeneid, The Odyssey and The Iliad are not only admired but loved.…
Five Flavors Ratatouille of Winter Vegetables
Kennedy will be demonstrating this unique take on ratatouille at the Holiday Farmer’s Market. He says, “This recipe has been very popular over the years for me. I love this dish because it uses unusual ingredients, such as rutabagas and turnips. People try it and love it.” His recipe calls for fresh sage to be…
Fresh and yummy
Buy a Thanksgiving turkey and the trimmings — sweet potatoes, pumpkins, noodles and more. Add a couple bottles of wine to the purchase and sample some cheese or jelly. Listen to the music of Tom Irwin from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and watch Julianne Glatz demonstrate how to cut up a chicken [see Realcuisine…
Kicked up classic
See the classic Nutcracker dance as you’ve never seen it before as Dance Creations Dance Studio In Motion performs a jazzed up version infusing styles ranging from contemporary, hip hop, tap and more. Pictured are Allyson Staton, Morgan Antonacci, Kate Perko, Brendan Antonacci, and Hannah Prince. Janet Cripe directs. The proceeds benefit American Red Cross,…
X PRIZE team passes the test
Illuminati Motor Works continues to power past checkpoints in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, a $10 million competition that seeks to produce a new generation of fast, inexpensive, super “green” cars. Last month the X PRIZE announced that 43 teams — representing 18 states and 10 countries — passed the design judging phase by…
IEPA fails to regulate factory farms, environmental group says
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency fails to properly regulate livestock farms, according a group petitioning to revoke the agency’s enforcement authority. Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water, a statewide group concerned with the impact of large industrialized farms, says the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is ignoring its duty to oversee confined animal feeding operations…
Counter-protest turns into demonstration of support
On a cold October night in 1998, a 21-year-old gay college student in Laramie, Wyo., was beaten, tied to a fence post and left to die. Now, more than a decade later, Matthew Shepard’s murder continues to be a source of conflict. The Springfield Theatre Centre last weekend performed its second run of The Laramie…
Is it time to grill the bird?
Tired of the same old bird for the holidays? Give your turkey an extreme makeover by taking the cooking – and the party – outside. “A turkey smoke-roasted on the grill tastes better, thanks to the smoke flavor,” says Steve Raichlen, author of The Barbecue Bible and How to Grill and host of the PBS…
Yuletide exposition
Walk into a Christmas wonderland of trees, wreaths and centerpieces decorated in their holiday best by local designers and school students. Eat up the sights of the gingerbread village and take a spin on the Candy Cane Express train. Purchase gifts for your family and friends at the Holiday Market and youngsters can create their…
Real recovery is easy to spell: J-O-B-S
The recession is over! The economy is growing! The Dow Jones is above 10,000! Bankers are pocketing profits and fat bonuses! Happy days are here again! Unless, of course, you’re just a regular working stiff struggling with falling income and rising unemployment — and sensing that your family’s grip on middle-class life is steadily slipping…
Kaleb’s best friend
The small crowd that gathers in the parking lot of the Douglas County courthouse defies the November nip of the air and the wild winds that swirl around them. No one notices that the late afternoon sun is sinking slowly from sight or that cars are disappearing quickly from Tuscola’s idyllic streets. Reporters, cameramen and…
Second service dog case pending
The landmark ruling in the case of Kaleb Drew and Chewey could decide how other Illinois communities resolve issues surrounding students with disabilities and their service animals. The state’s second case involving a student with autism and his request to bring a service dog to school surfaced last spring in Columbia, Ill., 15 miles southeast…
Music for Big Kids
Fresh from receiving the most votes as Best New Local Band in our recent Best of Springfield issue, Music for Big Kids continues on a roll with the release of their first CD, Hold and Hold On. Produced, recorded and mixed by Kevin Wasmer in his locally owned and operated studio, Wasmer Waves, the album…
Letters to the Editor 11/19/2009
HOMELESSNESS HAPPENSI was homeless because I lost my job and, ultimately, my apartment because I couldn’t pay my rent. I spent the past seven months living with my parents off and on, sleeping in my car, and staying with friends while looking for work. It’s been tough. I have a great deal of empathy towards…
Community Wish List for 11/19/2009
Sparc232 Bruns Ln., 792-2100 Sparc’s many programs for developmentally disabled adults do just what their mission entails: improve the quality of their lives. These programs include residential support, supported living, developmental training, respite, supported employment, family support and the Epilepsy Support Center. Wish List: Educational games for adults with developmental disabilities Please check out the…
Quinn will do whatever it takes to win
If you ever wondered whether Gov. Pat Quinn would do whatever it takes to win re-election, all you need to do is look at his latest TV ad. The spot is perhaps the most misleading TV advertisement of the season so far, but it packs quite a wallop. Quinn cannily “accuses” his Democratic primary opponent,…
The end never looked so good
No one destroys the world like director Roland Emmerich, and 2012 may very well be his masterpiece. Having wiped out humanity in Independence Day, Godzilla and The Day After Tomorrow, the director pulls out all the stops with this apocalyptic vision of death from the heavens, as solar eruptions set in motion a series of…
BACK ON BROADWAY
After sitting empty for eight years, the former On Broadway bar needed some serious cleaning, says Melody Hawn, the Springfield native who is reopening the bar with a new name and a well-versed partner. She and Al Travis, a Springfield transplant from Chicago, opened the new Broadway Nites bar at 210 Broadway St. on Oct.…
BRRRAVING THE COLD
Bing Crosby says it best: “Baby, it’s cold outside.” As winter seeps into Springfield, there are too many families out there who could use a little warmth and a little cheer. That’s just what Eastside Pride, with the help of the Springfield Housing Authority and Coca-Cola, is trying to do this month with its fourth…
Musical chairs if you dare
While going over highlights for the upcoming week, I saw this crazy quilt of music happenings that just seemed to conversely fit together. Somehow I was drawn like a moth to the flame to present these diverse shows as one planned event, and then see what happens to the emotional stability of anyone who actually…
First-season phenoms
Even the most-“seasoned” TV watchers can’t catch it all, making gift-giving all the easier for you. This year, get them hooked on something new with an award-winning first season of one of TV’s top shows. You get credit for finding their new favorite – and they’re in charge of catching up. Six Feet Under: The…
