Dane’s Discount … another casualty among the independents
While I have to admit I’ve only visited a few times, it is a sad thing to see that Dane’s Discount (the local incarnation of a ‘Big Lots’ on steroids store on Stevenson Drive) is closing its doors. Several years (and thousands of concrete benches and lions) into it’s tenure in Springfield’s retail scene, Dane’s…
Interurban celebration
Celebrate the future of biking in Springfield at the re-opening of the Interurban bike trail this Sunday, October 25, 1:00 PM at MacArthur Tunnel. For those of us involved with the MacArthur Boulevard Business Association there is little better news we could hope for than a completion of this project – and the successful reopening…
In memoriam: Gourmet magazine, 1941-2009
I’ve heard it said that an alcoholic always remembers her first drink. I don’t remember mine. But I can recall with crystal clarity my first Gourmet magazine. It was in a Kroger grocery store in Champaign, I stopped dead by the periodical rack, my eyes drawn to a beautiful magazine cover: a brass knocker festooned…
Retreating from Couples your best bet
I always hate when comedians go soft but it seems to be the nature of the beast. Richard Pryor made Superman III, Eddie Murphy became Dr. Dolittle, and Steve Martin found himself as Father of the Bride. Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau continue to go to comedic seed as well in Couples Retreat, a milquetoast…
A ton of lanterns
Experience the glowing artistry of 2,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack-o-lanterns featuring the carving talents of area residents, artists and District 186 students. The hollow pumpkin lanterns decorate the carillon and botanical garden areas Friday and Saturday night, hosted by the Springfield Park District, Rees Carillon Society and Rees Memorial Carillon. Food vendors will be available. Free…
The great tradition of central Illinois oratory
The political speech in all its forms — from the stump harangue to the platform oration — figures significantly in central Illinois literature. Lincoln and Douglas are only our most famous Ciceros. William Jennings Bryan came to the attention of the nation because of his famous polemic against the gold standard delivered in Chicago at…
Glowing characters
Electroluminescent crayon-like creatures light up the stage in a blackout setting. Described as children’s ballet or opera, this theater experience crosses dance, song and light show with a sort-of-full-body puppetry. The story begins with Professor Henslow, a famous scientist with magic powers who brings to life his newest creation and dinosaur friend, Darwin.The tale tells…
Caseworker who neglected her children investigates child neglect for state
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services continues to employ at least one caseworker found to have neglected her own foster children. Administrative rules calling for a review of the employee’s license to handle cases have apparently not been enforced. In September 2008, Linda C. Jones of Springfield, an 11-year DCFS child welfare specialist…
SHOUTING FIRE
If this week’s feature story [see “Blogger busted,” pg. 11] doesn’t satisfy your hunger for First Amendment rights, be sure to snag a seat for next week’s Liberty Brew & View movie. In Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech, Oscar nominated filmmaker Liz Garbus teams up with her father, First Amendment attorney…
Goofing up health care reform
America’s shouting match over health care reform has turned completely goofy — and I’m not talking about confused seniors at teabag rallies getting red-faced with anger after being told by the right-wing scare machine that “government is trying to taker over Medicare.” No, I’m talking about our United States senators. Take Max Baucus. Please! He’s…
Single-handed cooking
“Some people say the kitchen is where they clear their heads; for me, it’s where I face my demons.” J.J. Goode I’m not a big believer in precognition, but if I’d been looking. I might have seen warning signs. I was reading a novel about a jockey who’d become a private detective after losing his…
Angels n’ Outlaws
For a band that formed just 15 months ago, Angels n’ Outlaws are making a mark soon and sudden on the central Illinois scene. Band members Perry Prior (lead vocals and guitar), Dan Cartwright (vocals and lead guitar), Justin Tansky (guitar), Rob Coleman (drums) and Todd Ambuehl (bass) attribute the success to a good chemistry…
BIKING THE TRAIL
Wanted: Experienced Mountain Bikers. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site near Petersburg wants you to help open Central Illinois’ newest mountain bike trail — billed by the organization as scenic and physically demanding. The 3.8-mile trail was constructed this summer and features steep climbs and descents along a very technical course through the woods. Less…
When the railroad first came to Springfield
In the 1830s, when people traveled by foot, horse, stagecoach or boat, Illinois developed a railroad. It was ahead of its time. Like others around the state, central Illinoisans wanted faster transportation to relieve their isolation and farmers wanted to get products to top markets in the south, according to Paul Angle’s Here I Have…
Letters to the Editor 10/15/09
POOR ARE DESPERATE I am a volunteer at Senior Services of Central Illinois. I would like to draw attention to the plight of nonprofit agencies in our state. All nonprofit agencies funded by the state are struggling to survive because they have not received financing from the Capitol building. This is devastating to low-income voters.…
Something to Stu over if Jim Ryan runs for governor
You may have read the news by now that former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan is seriously considering another run for governor. Ryan commissioned a poll which shows him leading the GOP pack and running neck and neck with Democratic Comptroller Dan Hynes and trailing Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn by five points. That ain’t bad…
IDOT: 10th Street option would delay high-speed rail six years
The Illinois Department of Transportation will consider putting the proposed high-speed rail system on 10th Street, according to its application for federal stimulus money to build the system. But IDOT is calling on the City of Springfield and Sangamon County to complete an environmental study on the 10th Street option, and the application indicates such…
Tale telling
This weekend’s coming up stories and tales. Saturday at the Old State Capitol, storytellers include Anne Shimojima of Morton, who delights youth and adult audiences of all sizes with her graceful and spirited tellings of folktales from her Asian heritage and around the world; Linda Gorham, who inspires audiences by using movement, humor and sometimes…
Family party
The Springfield YMCA offers free, fun activities and entertainment to the community Friday evening. Don’t miss the carnival games, DJ, prizes, face painting, giveaways, family swim, hotdogs, nachos, popcorn and more. Concessions are available for a small fee. St. John’s Children’s Hospital sponsors this family festival. YMCA Fall Family Festival Friday, Oct. 165:30-8:30pm YMCA701 S.…
Should pig opponents have to pay?
A contested hog farm in Rochester is once again the topic of debate as the group formed to stop the farm’s construction fights to avoid paying almost $300,000 in damages. Last month, the Illinois 4th District Appellate Court ruled that Rochester farmer Robert Young was entitled to damages caused by an injunction that delayed the…
When smart people make dumb movies
I know that Jamie Foxx is a talented performer and I have an inkling that Gerard Butler can really act if he gets the proper script. That being said, I couldn’t help but wonder if these two, as well as director F. Gary Gray (Friday, The Italian Job), had checked their brains at the door…
Blogger busted
On April 2, Scott Humphrey was visiting his next-door neighbor Sandy when she looked out her kitchen window and noticed that an unfamiliar man and woman were standing on his front porch. Humphrey stepped outside and called across the yard to them, and the man replied that they had been looking for him. When Humphrey…
Caramel smoked bacon
This Serious Barbeque recipe is seriously decadent and seriously delicious. Lang recommends using non-stick Silpats (silicone baking mats) to line the pans; but once they’ve been used for smoking, they’re no good for other baking, so I substituted parchment paper. c. firmly packed light brown sugar c. water 1 T. whole coriander seeds, coarsely crushed…
