Implants, tumors, and cash
Untitled Document Have you been chipped? In another cabal of corporate and governmental officials, there’s been a steady push during the past few years to authorize and market microchip devices to be implanted into humans. An outfit named VeriChip Corp. is the chief pusher, asserting that implanting one of its radiofrequency ID chips into your…
News of the blues
Untitled Document What is it about playing the blues that makes everyone feel so good? Who knows, and who cares? Just play the music, ’cause I got the blues bad and I want to feel good. In August, during the Old Capitol Blues & BBQs, the Illinois Central Blues Club held its first Blues Challenge…
People’s Poetry
Untitled Document musicpoem #5 speaking of joshua bell thewashington post persuaded himto busk at a local metro stopdespite his celebrity despite his skilldespite his sweetness just a fewrecognized him just a fewstopped to listen just a fewthrew coins in his fiddle casehe apparently did not soothe theharried commuter breast but waitbefore we say classical…
Bringing soccer to Springfield
Untitled Document The late 1960s and early ’70s were a time of significant change for Springfield, as its institutions of higher education — Sangamon State University, Lincoln Land Community College, and the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine — took shape. The universities helped make the capital city a more diverse and international community. It…
Pointless
Untitled Document The city of Springfield faces another lawsuit, this one challenging its methodology for promoting firefighters. Springfield firefighter Mark Dyment, who is on the current promotional list for battalion chiefs, filed suit in Sangamon County Circuit Court in August seeking “judicial review” of the Springfield Civil Service Commission’s refusal to award him “veterans preference…
On the edge
It’s early in the game when the scoreboard changes: Southern Minnesota Express, 2; Springfield Jr. Blues, 0. Hundreds of fans, decked out in yellow, blue, and white, rally behind their team. “Let’s go, Blues, let’s go, Blues,” they chant, stomping on the bleachers and ringing yellow keynote-emblazoned cowbells. The Jr. Blues speed across the ice,…
Minority report
Untitled Document Members of racial minorities, who make up 35 percent of Illinois’ population, accounted for just 20 percent of state employees in fiscal year 2006, according to an analysis of state hiring data conducted by the Illinois Association of Minorities in Government. “Even though minorities are highly represented in the public sector, many agencies,…
Compost bin demonstration
Untitled Document Three years ago, a friend of mine spent a fall day driving around Springfield, collecting bags of leaves. Sure, it sounds crazy — most homeowners can’t wait to get rid of the leaves that pile up on their yards — but my friend was able to turn these leaves into “black gold.” She…
A taste of Laos
Untitled Document It’s been quite a while since I’ve eaten at a new Springfield restaurant with really exciting food. Food I’ve never had before or that’s an especially outstanding version of something I have had. Food so good that I start mentally reviewing my upcoming schedule before the meal is over, trying to figure out…
Paper or plastic?
Untitled Document OK, once and for all, which is more environmentally friendly, paper or plastic, at the grocery checkout? The city of San Francisco recently banned plastic bags. Large supermarkets and pharmacies there must eliminate plastic shopping bags by early 2008 in favor of bags made either from paper or compostable and biodegradable cornstarch. The…
Summer’s last stew
Untitled Document The calendar says October, which, in theory, means that autumn is here. What Mother Nature does, as she makes the transition from sandals to boots, is another story. She’s a roller coaster of seasonal emotions — one day she’s having hot flashes, the next day she’s spewing icicles (I’ll never forget watching snow…
New patriots and the old politics of Ron Paul
Untitled Document “The founding fathers warned you!” proclaims the 16-by-8-foot sign that Garret Jordan has erected in his yard on Sixth Street, just south of Springfield Clinic’s construction site. The sign lists some of what Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and Madison warned against: Foreign entanglements. Enslaving taxation. Mainstream media. Open borders. Government secrecy. “The price of…
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. WHO’S ON TOP? I just finished reading Jim Hightower’s rant about Camel No. 9 [“Cancel Camel No. 9,” Sept. 20]. While…
Bend it like Blago
Untitled Document The newspaper headlines last week were just what Gov. Rod Blagojevich wanted: · “Illinois to offer free cancer tests for women.” · “More women get free cancer screenings — Uninsured now have access to program.” · “Governor expands cancer screenings.” And the story ledes were pretty good as well. For instance, here’s one…
Seven day itch
Untitled Document Ben Stiller’s shtick is wearing a bit thin. Although I appreciate his comedic timing, I’ve been hoping that he would give serious films another go, because he’s proved with his turn in Permanent Midnight that he has the chops to do so. I have a feeling that he can play the insecure, frazzled-but-lovable…
