Cover Story
A league of their own
Baseball has always been America’s favorite pastime. Many Illinois Times readers have heard of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ty Cobb, as they were household names in the 1920s and 1930s. The names James “Cool Papa” Bell, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, Oscar Charleston and Satchel Paige were also household names, but in totally different households.…
LaKeisha Purchase chosen to fill Ward 5 aldermanic vacancy
From a City of Springfield press release: Mayor Jim Langfelder has announced LaKeisha Purchase as his selection to fill the Ward 5 aldermanic vacancy. “LaKeisha not only calls Ward 5 home, but she has been active in neighborhood-building efforts and in the Enos Park Neighborhood Association,” said Mayor Jim Langfelder. “LaKeisha also raised the level…
A close call with COVID in close quarters
The week of Governor’s Day and Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair is always packed with political events. And this year was no exception. It’s impossible to attend them all, so one has to pick and choose and go with the flow. After Governor’s Day at the fairgrounds ended on Wednesday, Aug. 17, I…
Why we failed in Afghanistan
Before describing many causes that allowed the triumph of the Taliban in Afghanistan, let’s state what our country did right. We brought justice to Osama bin Laden by eliminating him and we defeated al-Qaida for their heinous attack of 9/11. We have protected our land from further al-Qaida attacks. Most important, our military forces fought…
Is there room in Illinois for state-sponsored mercy?
Should government temper its justice with mercy? I’ve been pondering that question for at least three decades, ever since I was a young reporter and heard a Texas prosecutor stand before a jury and say, “These aren’t halls of mercy; these are halls of justice!” Justice is rendered when people receive their due, according to…
Letters to the editor 09-02-21
UNFAIR TO LANDLORDS The vast majority of landlords are small, individual owners who have a few rentals (“What to do about rent,” Aug. 19). Many of these are working people who used real estate investing to add to their portfolio for retirement. They have mortgages, property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities that continue to be…
quackery poem #1
this vaccing biz has me unsure it’s not a proven cure for covid I’ll try some different ways – the feed store sells that horse pill kills their gut bugs guess I’ll buy some gargut gargle, that’s for cows with udder trouble – there must be cures for goats and sheep – I may need…
Micah Walk Song Premiere
Micah Walk to release new single “Shades of Blue” produced by Sadler Vaden. Micah Walk is proud to announce the release of the second single from his forthcoming album Among the Stars, produced by Sadler Vaden of Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit. The song “Shades of Blue” is set for digital release on September…
Marvel back on track, social questions drive Worth and Something for the adventurous
Strong casting, energy saves Shang -Chi Having stumbled out of the gate with a lackluster, unnecessary movie (Black Widow), Marvel Films rights the ship of their fourth phase with the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The origin of the titular martial arts master follows the expected beats of the standard…
Springfield businesses struggle to find enough staff to stay open
Leann Fox would seem to have most everything a small business owner would want: loyal customers, an established location and a recognized brand. But one thing the owner of Leann’s Parkway Café doesn’t have enough of is employees. “We’ve had to temporarily close because we just haven’t been able to hire enough people. I’m eager…
How did these women get this way?
James Traveler is the pen name of U. William Huck. He was born in Bremerhaven, Germany, in 1949, and immigrated to the United States in 1955. He attended public schools in New York and college at Syracuse and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He received his doctorate in zoology…
Alternative wines
There are over 10,000 varieties of grapes used in the production of wine, and yet just a handful of varieties make up the bulk of wine sales in the United States. Cabernet sauvignon sales overtook chardonnay as the nation’s bestseller in 2020, followed by pinot grigio, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. While many of us…
Out of this world
There’s something strange growing at the University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery. Fittingly, the gallery is attached to the Health and Sciences Building, because the current exhibit looks as though some wild experiments made their way into the art space. Only, these plants dance and sing. They are robotic. In fact, one resembles some…
Labor Day music making
Here we are, traveling on into September 2021, putting the warmer season slowly behind us as autumn approaches, readying ourselves for the fall festivals to replace the summertime fairs. Our constant of live music continues to tie all the cool events together, making for a good time to be had by all. There’s no doubt…
School staff vaccine mandate
“We are facing a time of great decision here. We want our kids back in school, but we want them to be safe – that is the highest priority,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield. On Aug. 26, Durbin gathered reporters to talk about COVID-19 and schools, during which he “wholeheartedly” endorsed the governor’s call…
Editor’s note 09-02-21
Having ended the war in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden is now trying to explain to a skeptical world his plans for building a peace. Biden pledged not to retreat to the kind of America First isolationism of his predecessor, but instead to continue to speak out for the basic rights of the Afghan people, especially…
City approves one-year homeless shelter strategy
The Springfield City Council passed a one-year plan to convert the former Salvation Army facility at 221 N. 11th Street, now the site of a tent city, into an overflow homeless shelter. The compromise came after talk last month of a two-year plan for the same facility. The council passed the $477,000 plan at its…
Share your story about life in Sangamon County
In celebration of the 200th year of Sangamon County, the Sangamon Experience at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) and Sangamon Bicentennial Commission are capturing hometown stories of local people. They want to know your favorite thing about your hometown, how you describe life in your hometown, the most fun thing to do and anything…
Free back-to-school haircuts for educators
Teachers, tutors and day care workers: Willow and Birch has a treat for you. Throughout August and September Willow and Birch is offering a free haircut and style to any teacher. A school ID is all you need to claim your discount. Call or text 217-726-7050 to schedule an appointment for a shampoo, scalp massage,…
