At the center of it all
Untitled Document Greetings, Springfieldians. Welcome to another preview of the terribly exciting musical happenings in our prairie capital. Speaking of that moniker for our city, remember the Prairie Capital Convention Center? It’s that big brownish building of concrete and steel, covering blocks of real estate in the eastern part of downtown. I remember when the…
Server pet peeves
Untitled Document “I’m a restaurant’s best friend and worst enemy,” my daughter, Ashley, said recently. I knew exactly what she meant; I could say the same about myself. We’re both aware of the stress and amount of work involved in the restaurant business and so are empathetic toward staff in both the kitchen and the…
Back to square one
Untitled Document After plans to construct a county health-facilities building met several roadblocks, Springfield developer Mike Pittman, who initially entered a bid to develop the project, now says he no longer wants any part of it. Earlier this month, the Sangamon County Board voted to cut off negotiations with the original winning bidder, Springfield East…
Bush’s silly summit
Untitled Document “It’s important to set a tone and to lead,” explained George W. Bush when he ran for president. “That’s exactly what [I] do.” Well, actually, George, you have not led. In fact, you’ve been inert — almost comatose — on maybe the biggest issue of our time: global warming. The seriousness of climate…
The green part sure yam good
Untitled Document Savvy cooks with a mind for dollars and cents know how valuable it is to save, reuse, and recycle — but I’m not talking about paper and plastic. One kitchen philistine’s garbage is an old kitchen hound’s epicurean treasure trove. Nothing gets tossed, if at all possible, because it has a second and…
Turning up the heat
Untitled Document On Nov. 3, thousands of people across the country will dip an index finger in green ink, congregate in such historic places as the Lincoln Memorial or along Paul Revere’s route, and remind political leaders that their stand on global warming will affect the outcome of next fall’s election. Springfield environmentalists and social…
Server pet peeves
Untitled Document “I’m a restaurant’s best friend and worst enemy,” my daughter, Ashley, said recently. I knew exactly what she meant; I could say the same about myself. We’re both aware of the stress and amount of work involved in the restaurant business and so are empathetic toward staff in both the kitchen and the…
Catching up
Untitled Document Those of us who toil at the Illinois Statehouse often feel alone and isolated. State news isn’t important news to most people, who tend to focus much more on national and local politics than the goings-on at the Illinois Statehouse. I suppose it’s that way all over the country. Reporters will bust their…
“Time is running out”
Untitled Document For a man with an aversion to interviews, Robert Redford certainly has a great deal to say when he sits down for one. Looking trim and fit and exuding a degree of energy that one might not associate with a man of 71 years, the iconic actor and director recently conducted a whirlwind…
No regrets
Untitled Document Back in the spring of 1977, I called my pal John Sluzalis in Springfield. I was in Denver and wanted to know whether Sluzalis, a drummer, could play in a band that had just lost its drummer. Made up of other musicians Sluzalis knew well, the band had plenty of gigs booked out…
Letters to the Editor
Untitled Document We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address, and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to Letters, Illinois Times, P.O. Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705; fax 217-753-3958; e-mail editor@illinoistimes.com. INSPIRED TO TEACH CHILDREN Thank you very much for the article on Sherry Williams [Dusty Rhodes, “Getting them back on track,”…
Paper tiger
Untitled Document The state of the state is surprisingly weak, according to a comparative analysis of Illinois’ economy published by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. The 10-member bipartisan commission, which provides the Legislature with information on economic issues, found that despite high regional and nationwide total rankings for Illinois in gross domestic product,…
Literary sleuthing
Untitled Document Recently, during my family excavations, I unearthed a homemade booklet, “Books Read in 1900,” belonging to my grandmother. She’d have been 30. Inside the cardboard cover she’s quoted, “Wondrous indeed is the virtue of a good book.” She begins Jan. 1 with a virtuous book: Happiness: As Found in Forethought Minus Fearthought (1898)…
People’s Poetry
Untitled Document personalpoem #3 in england at teain her garden I gavean admired author a book I’d written withan inscription of thanksfor her many books I’d enjoyedseveral weeks laterbrowsing in ajumble sale I found my autographed bookI bought it back © Jacqueline Jackson 2007 What motivates us to keep moving forward through our lives, despite…
A new battle
Untitled Document When someone stole a month’s supply of medicine from 23-year-old AIDS activist Hydeia Broadbent and her insurance company refused to replace the drugs, she figured she’d pay for more out of her own pocket — until she learned that they’d cost her $1,600. “They really expect people to be able to afford this…
SOS open for business
Untitled Document When the Springfield Overflow Shelter opens tonight, both the clients and the helpers will notice changes. The shelter, previously located at Helping Hands, has moved to the Salvation Army, 530 N. Sixth St. For the homeless, the new location means access to hot showers and close proximity to breakfast at either the Washington…
Fresh air
Untitled Document Is it true that some ingredients in common air fresheners can cause health problems? Air fresheners are a $1.72 billion industry in the United States. An estimated 75 percent of homes use them regularly. According to a September 2007 report released by the Natural Resources Defense Council, most common household air fresheners contain…
