Flatland
The founding triumvirate of Flatland — Jerry Reno, Bill Dunlap and Gordy Cotter — began playing music together in grade school, shall we say, many years ago. The group, based in west central Illinois around White Hall in the Jacksonville area, formed as Flatland Band in 1980 and continues going strong nearly 30 years later.…
A world of indie film comes to Springfield
Named one of the 25 festivals worth the fee in 2008 by Moviemaker Magazine, the eighth annual Route 66 International Film Festival gathering will surely be cited for that same honor again this year. The roster of films on tap this year is one of the most eclectic put together yet and features some of…
Who gets the last word?
Poet and critic Helen Vendler has observed that an epitaph is a form of lyric that must, among other traits, “assert a final judgment.” Ah, but whose? Composing the words to adorn one’s gravestone is one of those end-of-life chores that most people put off until it’s too late, like telling the kids about that…
Celebrating the travels of Henry Miles
For those of you lucky enough to have heard Henry Miles play the saxophone, enough said. For those of you unfortunate few who haven’t, please make the effort soon. Henry recently was diagnosed with a terminal illness and musicians, friends and fans have organized a couple benefits for the brilliant musician over the next few…
Steve an unmitigated disaster
It’s hard to describe just how astoundingly bad the new “comedy” All About Steve is. It really is something you have to see to believe. No, scratch that. Do not see this under any circumstance! A root canal would be a joyous experience in comparison. Having sat on the shelf for 18 months, the only…
Hot topic
In an era when United States military expenditures are almost as great as all the military expenditures of all other countries combined, Retired Ambassador W. Robert Pearson makes the case for greater United States investment in diplomacy. Sponsored by the University of Illinois at Springfield Speaker Series and World Affairs Council of Central Illinois. Crisis…
Outdoor gallery
Forty-two artists from 10 states and Israel show and sell their original artwork this weekend including clay items by popular artist Celeste Theodore from Florida, pewter by Missouri pewter artists Kandis and Randy Lovcik, one-of-a kind pine needle baskets by Oklahoma artist Elizabeth Smathers and documentary-style images of the Dana-Thomas House and the Old State…
Polenta
2 c. water or stock c. grated Parmesan, optional tsp. salt 2T. butter c. polenta (cornmeal) Heat the water or stock in a heavy pot to a simmer. Add the salt. Slowly whisk in the polenta, stirring constantly for about five minutes. Cook another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the butter and cheese, if…
The Governor blames everybody but himself
As expected, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s new book paints himself as the hero of Illinois politics and blames everyone but himself for his troubles. He also tries to settle an old score. Blagojevich’s longtime enemies, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Attorney General Lisa Madigan, are both attacked. “I believe the two Madigans are not the…
No time to cook? I hear you.
“I know you’re not an elitist,” my husband, Peter, said to me. “But do you ever worry that you come across that way to readers?” Peter’s question arose from a conversation he’d had with one of his dental patients. This working mother of young children said she read my columns every week and really enjoyed…
HEADMASTER’S VISIT
It wasn’t too hot or too cold, but President Barack Obama’s latest trip to Springfield still made a few people squirm. On Tuesday morning the president delivered a televised address to classrooms in the capital city (and across the rest of America), challenging them to set and achieve educational goals. After national media voiced fears…
Chicken braised with balsamic vinegar and mushrooms
One of the easiest ways to have no-fuss midweek meals is making extras for the freezer, something that works especially well with soups and stews that can handle microwave nuking. Here’s a favorite — a sort of cross between Italian Chicken Cacciatore and French Coq au Vin. The tomatoes and balsamic vinegar give it a…
Film commission gets cameras rolling in Illinois
When the folks from Hollywood come calling and want to get cameras rolling in the state, their first stop is the Springfield and Central Illinois Film Commission. Started in 2006, the committee has a dual purpose — to help promote film production in central Illinois and bring in outside productions to be shot in the…
insectappreciation poem #5
insectappreciation poem #5 here at the cottage we don’t use thebathtub the primitive septic systemcouldn’t take it anyway there’s thelake but the faucet drips and little drips add up so we keep the plug in after a few days there’s a coupleinches stop reading if you don’tlike grossness spiders and bugsfall in drown pale daddy-long-legssplayed…
Extract details potent laughs
Having delivered a rallying cry for the working man with his cult classic Office Space, director Mike Judge looks at the workplace from the other side of the table with Extract. Jason Bateman stars as Joel, a beleaguered businessman who is about to cash in by selling his extract company to General Mills. However, a…
MADE FOR WALKING
ShoeTopia — Springfield’s own unique French boutique — has followed the crowd, right out of its downtown storefront at 413 E. Adams St. and into new digs on the west side. The shoe store, which also sells purses, glass jewelry, notecards and other girly gadgets and once made IT’s list of reasons to shop downtown…
Letters to the Editor 9/10/09
RALLIES ARE REALThe opinion article by Jim Hightower — “Fake rallies on the rise” (Sept. 3) — was rife with inaccuracies. Hightower seems unable to comprehend that the current administration did not receive a mandate to raise taxes, increase the deficit and encourage unemployment. Citizens are attending the rallies because they want to voice their…
Band-aid won’t help cancer of racism
Answer: Diagnosis determines treatment.* I’m old enough to remember how much I, like millions of other Johnny Carson fans, looked forward to the visits by Karnack the Magnificent to The Tonight Show. Karnack would always have the answers before he knew the questions. Wouldn’t it be great if we all had that skill? What I…
Sneak peek
Party with friends this Wednesday night and get a taste of the main feast, the Route 66 International Film Festival. Capital City Bar and Grill hosts this free preview party where you can sample five short films (5-8 minutes in length) by independent filmmakers from all over the world. Movie trivia, raffles and film festival…
Creativity rules at the new gallery downtown
After a 24-year dream of opening his own gallery, Norman Calmese is now the owner of Springfield’s newest treasure of the art world. He is also a musician, playwright, artist and teacher. Minor’e Gallery, which opened in March, sits quaintly downtown at 516 E. Monroe, next to Café Brio. The art hub is equipped with…
Holding Wall Street bankers accountable
Don’t you wish that someone in authority, someone with an ounce of chutzpah, someone with his or her head screwed on right, would direct a few obvious, pointed, even rude questions to the Wall Street honchos who have ripped off America? Questions like: Who, exactly, in your bank directed the rip-off? Who made these stupid…
Chuck goes to the movies
Pre-fest offerings Three films will be shown during Friday’s pre-fest party and it would be hard to imagine a more eclectic trio. Skatin’ 66 follows the adventures of the rolling rapper Robbie Love, an enthusiastic singer whose big heart overshadows his musical talents. In an effort to promote his upcoming album, Love decides to skate…
Order in the court
When Thomas and Darlene Noreuil moved into Woodland Acres Mobile Home Park, at 3500 N. Dirksen Pkwy., in May 2004 they had recently retired from their jobs with the Illinois Secretary of State and Horace Mann and hoped to settle into a slower-paced lifestyle. “We were looking for a place to live as senior citizens,”…
Fitness clinic
If you plan to walk Astro in Washington Park this Saturday a free program at 1 p.m. near the tennis courts guarantees to be fun and informative. Laketown Animal Hospital and Pfizer Animal Health will provide tips on diet and exercise for dogs and dog training information, while Memorial Heart and Vascular Institute and Walgreens…
East side residents fear a “steel barrier” at 10th Street
High-speed rail is coming to Springfield, but it’s on a collision course with residents no matter what track it takes. “The city wants to present a unified front on this,” said Springfield NAACP president Archie Lawrence. “But it is by no means unified.” Lawrence opposes the city’s plan to send 40 to 60 extra trains…
2009 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
WED, SEPT 16 Taste of the Festival7-9pmFREE Open to the publicCapital City Bar and Grill3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy For those not familiar with film fests, this evening event will include a preview of 5-6 of the festival’s shortest entries, movie trivia with IT’s movie critic Chuck Koplinksi. FRI, SEPT 18 Pre-festival Party w/ filmmakers6pm -…
A small town seen through Springfield eyes
A Springfield native, from a long line of Springfield natives, Sarah Hathaway Thomas takes a spate of years away from her hometown when she marries an educational materials promoter/farmer living on the edge of a northern Indiana town, population 200. She becomes not only Carsten’s wife but also his business partner in both enterprises. While…
New law prohibits involuntary sterilization
Sterilization is a sensitive issue for people with disabilities, says Marsha Koelliker, public policy director for Equip for Equality, a statewide protection and advocacy organization. Adults with disabilities have historically been sterilized against their will in Illinois and in the rest of the country, Koelliker explains, because their guardians believed that children could inherit their…
