2006 Best of Springfield
BEST BARBECUE Hickory River Smokehouse 2343 N. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-528-2271 The second link in what could become a chain of flavorful franchises around the state, Hickory River, born in Urbana, bills itself as a member of the “authentic Texas” denomination of the barbecue religion. Knowing a thing or two about Texas barbecue, we’d have to…
A modest proposal
It has to be tough for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama — who’s been asked repeatedly whether he’s considering a run for president or would accept an invitation to be a vice presidential candidate someday — to keep coming up with clever ways to skate around the question. Obama’s standard response: I’m flattered, but I love…
Vinyl Static
SINGLES ONLY The flashy Scissor Sisters released their debut in a blaze of glitter and poppy piano parts, but who knew the fabulously retro New York quintet could strike gold twice? The first single, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’,” from the group’s sophomore effort, Ta-Dah, channels Elton John’s piano-based pop, the pomp of Queen, and…
Ultimatum
In the past two years, a U.S. soldier has died in Iraq on Sept. 21, a day that has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Peace. Organizers of the nationwide Declaration of Peace coalition, which include antiwar activists here in Springfield, hope that this Sept. 21 is different. The coalition…
Hollywood is murder
Murder is more fascinating when it is dressed up as a true Hollywood story, and two new theatrical releases dramatize a pair of legendary stories. Hollywoodland delves into the mystery of Superman star George Reeves’ reported suicide that many believe was actually a murder, and The Black Dahlia is a fictionalized account of the infamous…
People’s Poetry
insectpoem #3 some of these bricks are old crumbly a whole surface slab flakes off at my brisk trowel revealing a colony of sow beetles living out their lowly lives inside the pock holes and crevasses they’ve probably till now never seen light what do they live on moisture, brick dust? but who am I…
Poppies up, Bush down
Here’s some big news on the agricultural front: This year’s crop has reached the highest level ever, with an increase of 49 percent over last year’s production! Unfortunately, we’re talking not about American corn but about the opium crop in Afghanistan. You remember Afghanistan, don’t you? That’s where Osama bin Laden was supposed to be…
Fall’s garden challenges
The gardening season is winding down, but there’s still a lot to do. “Early fall is a great time for lawn renovation,” says Ron Wolford, a horticulture education with the University of Illinois Extension. “There is less competition with weeds, and grass germinates quickly because of warm soil temperatures and cool fall weather.” To renovate…
Water, water everywhere
Dear Gene: A few years ago the pressure-regulator valve on our main water line failed and some water pipes in our home burst, causing considerable damage. We have a new valve, but I worry that it will fail as well. How will I know if it fails, and is there anything else I can do…
2006 Best of Springfield
BEST LINCOLN ATTRACTION Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum 212 S. Sixth St., 217-558-8844 Best Lincoln attraction? Hello? The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum has helped make Springfield a destination city. Attendance figures — more than 600,000 visitors in the first year — are testimony to its outsized popularity, and there are signs that private-sector support is increasing…
This, that, and some other things
Sam Crain must be the most prolific recording artist in central Illinois. The talented guitarist just released Solo Jazz Guitar, which counts as CD No. 17 in his catalog. (Find out more at www.samcrain.com). As the title indicates, this is Crain alone, presenting 14 cuts ranging from jazz standards to distinct originals, all stamped with…
2006 Best of Springfield
BEST ARTS ORGANIZATION Springfield Art Association 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631 The Springfield Art Association, which traces its start to the Amateur Art Study Club, founded in 1909, is more popular than ever. The reasons are clear. “We have something for everybody,” says executive director Angie Dunfee. “We have Edwards Place, which is great if…
Faze the board
The Phoenix Center — a nonprofit organization that provides testing, counseling, and housing for people with HIV and AIDS — has been sued for defamation by its former executive director. Jack Bishop, who had led Phoenix Center for five years, resigned in June after the board of directors raised questions about financial mismanagement. In a…
Letters to the Editor
We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address, and daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length, and clarity. Send letters to Letters, Illinois Times, P.O. Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705; fax 217-753-3958; e-mail editor@illinoistimes.com. FOCUS ON BUSH, NOT BLAGOJEVICH I was intrigued by Rich Miller’s analysis, as usual, of the…
Cookies for life
Of all the recipes from my hundreds of cookbooks and scrap-paper mishmash, there’s only one that predates my cooking career and has remained a part of my life. It was 1993. After six months working as a reporter in South Africa, I was living with my mother, struggling with midtwenties angst about what next to…
For the sake of the mulch
Monday: I have a red truck. I’m vehicle-ignorant: color is the limit of my vehicular knowledge. I had gearhead buddies when I was a teenager; they dreamed of the 1957 Chevy. I didn’t share their passion. I dreamed of the 1957 cheerleaders. I know a cylinder’s purpose; it’s just that I’ve never met one personally.…
Fly high, fly right
Many critics will gladly point out that Tony Bill’s Flyboys is an old-fashioned film that’s far too romantic for our cynical world, riddled with far too many clichés. They’d be right. And yet I couldn’t help but be taken by this rousing adventure set in the World War I. It’s a simple story: Thirty-eight young…
Illinois Times presents
THE FRANCHISE You know the drill: Every year you give us your best, and we tell you why. This year’s “Best of Springfield” has new categories, but — surprise, surprise — you’ll spot many familiar faces in the winners’ column. When you have a good thing going on, why change? VOTER TURNOUT We received and…
Lowdown
OK, by a show of hands, how many of you out there have ever given $1,500 to the college fund of a friend’s 7-year-old and then didn’t tell your spouse about it? Yeah, I didn’t think so. In case you haven’t heard yet, I’ll give you a brief wrap-up of the latest scandal that has…
Make way for the M word
Joe Thebeau, the mastermind of Finn’s Motel, describes himself as a “40-year-old married-with-children rock guy” — an unglamorous profile for an indie-rock aspirant, maybe, but a refreshingly honest one. Let the bloggers slobber over this week’s wunderkind; when you’re trying to pay a mortgage, feed a couple of kids, and keep the lawn mowed, you…
Gooey, messy, and gorgeous
OK, I’ll admit that the place won’t win any awards for décor. The glass storefront window doesn’t let in enough natural light to brighten up the narrow, deep space, and the dark paneling that’s been there since the place opened 29 years ago doesn’t help, either. The chairs and the booths and tables with their…
Mind in the gutter
Dear Gene: I recently had my rain-gutter covers removed because they did not keep out small debris. These covers had two rows of slots that got plugged up with fine stuff from my trees. Is there some type of gutter cover that will work better? I prefer screen-type gutter covers to keep out the fine…
When to save your seeds
Until the end of World War II, most gardeners saved their own vegetable and flower seeds because high-quality seeds were not always readily available. Today, affordable high-quality seeds are available at garden shops and in seed catalogs everywhere, and most gardeners prefer to buy fresh seeds each year from a reliable company. However, a few…
Culinary coming of age
Ruby is my special pal who lives in Oak Park, Ill. She lives with her kid brother, August, and her parents, Miguel and Nancy, who have been in my life for the past 17 years. Rubes is more like a de facto niece; I remember her big eyes in the bassinet. Now 10 years old,…
Gas attack
Dear “Earth Talk”: I’m going to be remodeling and was wondering: Are there floorings or wall coverings available that won’t aggravate my child’s respiratory problems? — Mary, Lake Zurich, Ill. For those with chemical sensitivities, the home is sometimes anything but a refuge. Volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde can “off-gas” from carpets, wallpaper, and…
People’s Poetry
sorrowpoem #1 when your heart is sore and it is hard to swallow try standing at night beneath a linden tree in full bloom you need enough breeze to envelop your body with the tree’s perfume shut your eyes be very still take deep breaths it will help for the moment maybe longer © Jacqueline…
