County sales tax would improve old Springfield school buildings
In November, Sangamon County voters will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed one percent increase in sales tax. In District 186 the proceeds would be used exclusively to make improvements to the aging school buildings in Springfield. If approved, the new tax would be countywide, so all the public school districts in the…
‘You can get a lot done in the morning.’
Jay Robert “J.B.” Pritzker, D-Chicago, lives by the mantra that the “the early bird catches the worm.” “I’m a guy who gets up pretty early in the morning, and my staff hates it because I’m texting and sending emails at 4:30 a.m., but you can get a lot done at the quiet dawn of the…
Federal judge may face inquiry
Authorities won’t say what, if any, steps are being taken to determine whether a federal judge deserves punishment for conversing about a pending case with a paralegal in the U.S. attorney’s office. U.S. District Court Judge Colin Bruce last month was removed from criminal cases after Illinois Times reported that the judge, while presiding over…
Vachel getting plenty of attention in 2018
On Friday, Sept. 7, the Springfield Art Association held an opening reception for Vachel Lindsay: Poet, Artist, Visionary, an exhibit featuring original works and memorabilia by the celebrated early 20th century Springfield denizen whose epic novel, The Golden Book of Springfield, celebrates its centennial this year. The show represents a collaboration between the SAA, the…
Just Judy, a politician we miss
Judy Barr Topinka had a distinguished career in politics, serving as Illinois representative, senator, state treasurer and comptroller. She was often called “colorful” so it is fitting that a new book about her is colorfully designed, from the front cover, filled with items representing her life, to each page bordered in red and filled with…
INVENTOR, MUSICIAN WITH A STORY
Vibraphonist- drummer-bagpiper-composer-inventor-writer-educator and Springfield native John Mark Piper will be appearing at Casey’s Pub, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd., on Friday, Sept. 14 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. for an informal mixer followed by a solo performance on the Piper Vibraphone, his own invention. In addition to his wide-ranging creative endeavors, Piper spends most of…
U OF I ENROLLMENT GROWS
Total enrollment increased to nearly 85,600 students across the University of Illinois System this fall, up 2.7 percent and rising to a record high for the sixth straight year, according to President Tim Killeen. Combined enrollment at the system’s universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield grew to 85,597 from 83,321 a year ago, based on…
Recycled Records reaches golden age
Queen Elizabeth has a throne. James T. Kirk had the captain’s chair. Mark Kessler presides from a cluttered desk that is equally iconic for locals with an appreciation for records, posters, neon beer signs, books and assorted other stuff – don’t dare call it junk – that graces the walls, display cases and shelves of…
Throw your money at Amazon
If you live in Indianapolis; Newark, New Jersey; Miami; Austin; Philly; Chicago; Atlanta; or 13 other lucky cities, congratulations, for you’re a finalist in the magnificent “Throw Your Money at Amazon” sweepstakes! Instead of robbing banks, Amazon has enticed city and state officials to rob their own citizens and then hand over the loot in…
What’s with all those AV’s?
The J.B. Pritzker campaign slapped a new label on Gov. Bruce Rauner the other day, calling him “Governor Veto” because he’s vetoed several bills that the Democratic candidate supports. Since the legislative session ended, Gov. Rauner has vetoed 75 bills. By my count, 44 passed with veto-proof majorities in both legislative chambers. The governor issued…
Letters to the Editor 9/13/18
TRAIN PROBLEMS Springfield has a problem that no mid-sized city with hopes of development should have: trains. There are three sets of tracks that run right through the middle of the city. At just about any moment, you can hear the whistle of a train as it goes through town. Some of these times are…
Editor’s note 9/13/18
Some of us are trying to build a constituency for historic preservation while working to assemble a coalition that will come together to save historic buildings. Too often preservationists don’t get together except to circle the rubble. This year’s gathering of the history-minded hopeful is a reception at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the…
What are political parties good for? Plenty, actually.
If you take a dim view of our political parties, you’re in sterling company. So did George Washington. In his famous Farewell Address, he warned us against “the baneful effects of the spirit of [political] party.” A political party, he wrote, “agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one…
Three decades of fine art
On Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16, join the Springfield Art Association for the 30th annual Edwards Place Fine Art Fair. Both days of this family-friendly celebration (dogs are welcome, too!) feature more than 60 national and regional artists as well as artist demos, a used art book and art supply sale, live musical…
German games, beer and food
Celebrate all things German on Saturday, September 15 during the Jacksonville Rotary Club Oktoberfest. This fabulous festival, originally began in October but is now moved to September in order to take advance of the mild, late-summer weather, offers a jam-packed schedule of events, including live music from the Heidelberg German Band and Captain Geech and…
Swarm feelings
I’ve been flirting with two guys all year. I feel a connection and chemistry with both, but neither’s asked me out yet. This weekend, I’m attending a going-away party of a grad student we all know, and I’m nervous that they’ll both show up and ask me out. (There’s also a third guy who seems…
Fall to do list
Labor Day unofficially marks the end of summer, but there’s still plenty of time to cross projects off your summer to-do list. According to HomeAdvisor data, homeowners commonly start these projects around the beginning of September: Roofing repairsHiring a pro to address roof-related problems like loose shingles, leaks, damaged flashing and bad ventilation will ensure…
When bugs invade your home
With the end of summer approaching, homeowners may start noticing some unwanted house guests. There are a number of pests that will be looking to invade homes during the cooler months, according to University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Andrew Holsinger. The most common are multicolored Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs and brown marmorated stink bugs. The south and…
Homegrown salads
When people think of fall, growing salad greens rarely comes to mind. However, fall is as terrific time for gardeners to begin planting lettuce, arugula, endive, or other leafy greens for salads. Not only are these plants quick and easy to grow, they also add a significant source of nutrients to your diet. “Most leafy…
Plan now for spring bees
Get your gardens buzzing next spring by planting bee-friendly bulbs and spring bloomers in the garden this fall. “Bumble bee queens, honey bees, and solitary bees start emerging from their winter homes ready to feast on the landscape as early as March,” says University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Kelly Allsup. “Feed them from your garden by planting a mix of…
Tree planting 101
Fall is coming, and that means it’s a great time to bring home a new tree. But before they do, homeowners should repeat the mantra “right plant, right place,” according to Kari Houle, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “If you have space for a tree that can only be 30 feet tall, don’t chose a…
Choosing a retaining wall
Retaining walls were first created to perform the simple and necessary task of holding back earth. And with good reason: Erosion is a natural process, but when it means soil being washed off your property – or worse, accumulating against the side of your home – serious problems can result. Of course, we also use…
Flushing your water heater
Much like changing your car’s oil, a water heater needs regular maintenance for top performance. A water heater flush clears out sediment and minerals such as calcium and lime, which could impede your heater’s performance. Whether you have a gas or electric heater, sediment buildup represents a serious problem. Experts recommend that you drain and…
Protect yourself from home repair scams
Home improvement, repair and renovation projects represent significant investments. And with that kind of money at stake and decisions often made under pressure, home repairs make an inviting target for scam artists who plan to take the money and run. Protect yourself from fraud by looking out for these common schemes: “Hey, I was doing a…
Midcentury modern decorating
When you think of midcentury modern, what comes to mind? Architecture? Furniture? Midcentury modern is often used to describe a period in design centered around the middle of the 20th century. Clean, hard lines, brass finishes and solid hardwoods dominated, as did classic furniture pieces that are making a comeback. The beauty of midcentury modern…
Inexpensive artwork options
Artwork doesn’t have to be expensive to look expensive. Designers use a number of tricks to create interesting and original artwork without breaking the bank. Here are seven tips for adding artwork to your decor on a budget. * Mix and match. Whether using frames and prints of different shapes and sizes or placing two…
Starting a community garden
There is a good amount of planning involved in creating a successful community garden. To help people and organizations build and maintain productive community gardens, the University of Illinois Extension has created the community garden webinar series. This series takes users through a variety of modules discussing the different steps that can be taken to…
Nun falls short of Blumhouse standard
As far as the Blumhouse Productions Conjuring series is concerned, the five movies that make up this franchise have been like money in the bank. A surprise hit in 2013, The Conjuring focused on real-life paranormal detectives Ed and Lorraine Warren dealing with a particularly nasty haunting. On a modest $20 million budget, it brought…
Dry September music
Look out below and above, and in between, too, as we recover from the deluge of last weekend and prepare for more good live music inside and out during mid-September. Hopefully and expectedly events will be a bit more on the dry side of things. Our weekly adventures begin at 6 on Thursday night with…
Laura Rain and the Caesars
Currently traveling all around the Midwest, West Coast and Canada from their music-soaked hometown of Detroit, Michigan, this soul-infused, funky blues band is making sounds while making the rounds. With the imminent Laura on sublime vocals, backed by husband and collaborator George Friend on guitar, plus Jeff Powe (drums/bass), Jonathan Staten (drums) and Jim Alfredson…
funeral poem #1
funeral poem #1 like most of the nation – even muchof the world – I was glued to the tubewatching (rather, participating in)the final message mccain orchestratedfor our country’s survival: cooperationcompromise respect putting democracyabove self why can we not learn thislesson so basic to our lives? thank youjohn for your words your exampleand using your…
Kitchen confidential
It is 7:30 on a Saturday evening and I’m at Vele, an upscale restaurant in downtown Springfield. It’s a busy night and the dining room is nearly full. I, however, am not among the diners. I’m working in the kitchen, trying to keep up with all the orders coming in. I’ve been on my feet…
Sticking to your remodeling budget
It’s one of the unwritten rules of remodeling that a project will always cost more and take longer than expected. But just because this is the norm, you don’t have to take it as a given. With the right combination of planning, discipline and smart shopping, your renovation can end on budget and ahead of…
