Higher ed bargains
On my recent visit to the main campus of the University of Illinois, in Urbana-Champaign, the presence of Chinese, Korean and Indian students was marked. The university’s recruiting of the Asian student raises questions that after 150 years have never been resolved, and seldom even engaged. Which public is served by a great public university? …
Parking over time
Allow me to return briefly to the topic of metered street parking that I took up in September in “Parking smartly.” A lot of people say to me, “We should have free parking, like Decatur.” A significant fraction of local opinion (usually from small towns) don’t think anyone should have to pay for parking, and resent…
Former Springfield alderman eyes legislature
Former Springfield alderman Frank Edwards wants to be a state legislator. Edwards confirms that he’s in the running to replace Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, R-Leland Grove, in the House of Representatives. Jimenez shocked many political observers last month by announcing that she won’t run for reelection next year in the 99th House District that includes…
Populist victory in a conservative town
Since the 1990s, Colorado Springs has been shaped by an inordinate number of right-wing institutions. Yet the Springs also is home to a hardy band of progressives. With Bernie Sanders bringing new, highly energized voters into play, young people who had previously evinced zero interest in the old Democratic-Republican duopoly were rallying behind Bernie’s grassroots…
No Headline
There’s a sense of anticipation in Mike White’s Brad’s Status, one that unfortunately is never realized. The writer/director’s previous films – among them The Good Girl, School of Rock, Year of the Dog and Beatriz at Dinner – all showed a sense of inventiveness, humor or a willingness to deviate from the norm. As such,…
More, please
I am among those many Americans who believe that this country needs more immigrants, not less. (See this column and this column and this column.) I recommend to you therefore a stimulating essay on immigration policies being discussed in Washington as they pertain to Illinois, written by Sara McElmurry, assistant director of immigration at the…
The politics of pretty
My favorite Miss America was Vonda Kay Van Dyke (1965), forever famous as the first Queen of Atlantic City to use ventriloquism in the talent portion of the contest. She later wrote a series of Christian-themed teen advice books in which young women learned about how “that inner sparkle that only Christ can give” would…
We need a capital bill, but don’t hold your breath
The four leaders met last week, but didn’t appear to accomplish much of anything. It was Sen. Bill Brady’s first leaders’ meeting since his chamber officially confirmed him as the Senate Republican Leader, and he was the one who called for the sit-down. Leader Brady ran for governor three times, winning the 2010 primary. Numerous…
Letters to the editor 9/28/17
A SICKENING STINK This is in regards to Scott Faingold’s article titled “Humane Society takes larger role in Illinois ag” (Sept. 21). We live in Hancock County, in the small town of LaHarpe. There are several different roads leading out of town and about half of them go close to hog confinements. There are more…
Editor’s Note 9/28/17
Unfolding events in Washington and Springfield remind us of the need to vote to make our voices heard. If we don’t vote we are delivered an outcome we had no hand in creating. If we vote we still may not like the outcome, but we feel less to blame. So if you haven’t yet voted…
Police don’t have to shoot so much
For the last year I have been disheartened by the steady stream of police shootings that have been witnessed where there seems to be minimal provocation. For example, on Sept. 4 a man in South Carolina was standing outside his car when asked by a state police officer to produce his license. When he reached…
Public art in private spaces
Founded in Oak Park, Illinois, by artist Sabrina Ott and author John Paulett, the Terrain Biennial is an international exhibition of site-specific artwork created for front yards, balconies, porches and windows. The goal of the Terrain Biennial is to repurpose private space into public space, fostering creative dialogue between neighbors, artists and viewers. From Oct.…
A celebration of cultures
On Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., Lincoln Land Community College will host its 14th annual Multicultural Fest. The annual event showcases a variety of cultures via ethnic food, entertainment and cultural exhibitions. From 11 a.m. through 1 p.m., attendees can enjoy complimentary food samples from local restaurants such as Clay’s Popeye’s…
Two days of Illinois history
Enjoy two days of panels and presentations about the political, cultural and social history of Illinois during the 19th annual Conference on Illinois History, hosted by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation Oct. 5-6. The Conference on Illinois History is open to anyone with an interest in Illinois history, and CPDU credits will be made…
James and the Giant Leech
I’ve been dating this girl for just over a month, and she never offers to pay for anything. I was okay with this in the beginning as I saw it as a courtship thing. I guess I wonder whether this points to problems down the road with her not being a real partner, pulling her…
Jazzed up and down
Once upon a time, before hip-hop, rap, hot country and even rock in all its formats, jazz ruled as the cool and popular music of the day. Considered a justifiably fitting style for an expanding and thriving nation in the 1920s, the era even acquired the nickname of “The Jazz Age.” In the years following…
Letters from Vietnam
“By the time we got off the train in Mattoon, we had agreed to write. I would keep him abreast of the antiwar movement at home and he would tell me what Vietnam was really like.” Twenty-nine years ago in these pages, I shared letters from Tom, a soldier reluctantly serving in Vietnam. The 1988…
Woman who stole from elderly goes to prison
With documented losses well into the six figures, Illinois State Police continue to investigate a theft case that already has resulted in a prison sentence. Coliene Moore, 69, was hit with a restitution order exceeding $636,000 when Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge John Belz sentenced her last month to four years for stealing from her…
District 186 dreams big
Last spring, student representatives from all three high schools were asked for their input on a plan to improve facilities throughout District 186. “They gave some very specific and good, detailed suggestions,” said Superintendent Jennifer Gill, “but at first they had trouble dreaming the dream.” After the students were shown photos of other schools which…
St. Louis blues
Even as pro football battles the White House on whether flag salutes should be mandatory, we have St. Louis. For the second time since 2014, the St. Louis area has been torn by demonstrations that have devolved into broken windows and worse. Three years ago, the death of Michael Brown, a suspected robber, sparked rioting…
Circle entertains despite length
There’s a lot to like about Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Matthew Vaughn’s follow-up to his surprise hit from three years ago. There’s almost as much not to like as well. Actually, there’s a lot of a lot of stuff in this movie, as Vaughn seems intent on stuffing 10 pounds of visual mayhem and plot…
A run on September
Here we are, heading right into October with September barely left behind. I see lots of good local bands out as we wind down the outdoor festivals and begin to think about the seasonal end to our music and beer garden time. If you’re hankering to get in all the last blasts of the season,…
Spicy Pickles
Based out of Denver, Colorado, these guys get around while spreading the great sounds of swing music and traditional jazz. Bandleader Joe Smith has a couple more groups in Denver (the Joe Smith Orchestra and The Red Hot Rhythm Rocket), but it’s the Pickles that really hit the road. Right now the octet has a…
Weeknight curry in a hurry
The premature death of my wife due to complications of obesity was a loud wake-up call for me. At the time of her death I, too, was obese, weighing 236 pounds and having to buy my clothes at a “Big and Tall” store. We didn’t eat “junk food” or drink soda. My wife was an…
overseas visit #1
overseas visit #1 it is a cathedral the museum ofnatural history in london youtraverse the length of the ornatenave to where, at the apse, risetier on tier of white marble stepsleading to the white marble deitysitting bemused his meditativeeyes on a blue whale’s immensebones hanging the length of theclerestory I climb those steps sitat the…
