PHOTO COURTESY AMY ALKON Amy Alkon I have a bad temper and I’m trying to change. Now when I’m mad, I leave the room to compose myself. Recently my boyfriend said something that really upset me. Taking a break allowed me to calmly explain that he’d hurt my feelings. He apologized, and I could tell […]
springfield
Posted inFood & Drink
Spirited holiday desserts
Meyers rum. Desserts that include infusions of alcohol have been traditional for centuries. Perhaps because historically, celebrations were rare occasions for bountiful food, especially sweets and strong drinks. These days, for better or worse, celebratory occasions aren’t the only times many of us have the opportunity to overindulge. Regardless, the holidays (including but not limited […]
Posted inOpinion
The state must step up
PHOTO BY ALAN SOLOMON/TNS Here’s what the Chicago Police Department told the media after Laquan McDonald was killed by a police officer 13 months ago: A drug-addled black kid lunged at a cop with a knife and was then shot in the chest. Six months later and a week after Chicago’s mayoral election, the city […]
Posted inArts & Culture
remembering poem # 23
remembering poem # 23 my daughter demiknew how to takesmall pleasures small treatswhen we drove to wisconsin she alwaysstopped midway fora bag of popcornwhen we swam at lola and kevin’s pool we stopped on the way homefor ice cream conesand licked themwhile we sat on aledge swinging ourfeet like little kids ©2015 Jacqueline Jackson
Posted inArts & Culture
A 26-year tradition
Memorial Medical Center’s Festival of Trees is celebrating its 26th season as a central Illinois holiday highlight. The goal of the festival is twofold: to bring holiday cheer to all ages and to raise money for community programs and outreach. Since 1989, Memorial’s Festival of Trees has raised more than $3.9 million dollars for community […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Sweeping beauty
PHOTO COURTESY AMY ALKON Amy Alkon My new boyfriend is messy. He drops his socks, underwear and clothing on the floor by the bed. He’s not lazy or entitled, just a spacehead. It’s no big deal for me to pick this stuff up, as I feel like I’m showing him love by caretaking. However, he […]
Posted inMusic
Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters
Winners of the Rock Band award in our “Best of Springfield” poll for 2015, this band has steadily won a “Best of” category in music for the last several years. Considered the go-to popular band in central Illinois, there’s no doubt that bandmates J Bird Geech (drums, vocals), Peter Geech (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Majeeda […]
Posted inOpinion
Rough week for Madigan
PHOTO BY ALAN SOLOMON/TNS “He seems so done with it all,” said one top Republican earlier last week about House Republican Leader Jim Durkin. “He hates this,” said a close Durkin pal not long afterward. The overtime session’s constant battles with the House Democrats and super-strict marching orders from Gov. Bruce Rauner were wearing Durkin […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Terrific triskelion
On Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5:30-7:30pm, join local authors Barb Olson, John Knoepfle and Sandy Baksys as they sign and read short bits from their new books – The Aloe of Evening (poems) by Knoepfle, On the Rez (short stories) by Olson and A Century of Lithuanians in Springfield (history) by Baksys. Held at the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A classical concerto
This Saturday, relax and enjoy a solo concert by classical guitar virtuoso William Yelverton. His acclaims and accolades are large in scope, including being named a Prize Winner in the Guitar Foundation of America International Competition. His recent recording, Harpsichord Music on Guitar, has earned rave reviews by Guitar Review and Soundboard Magazine. Yelverton is […]
Posted inMusic
Music matters most
Mary and the Immaculate Rejections play a CD release show at Black Sheep Cafe on Sat., Nov. 14. Ah, November comes and I feel the sadness and sorrow in my bones, even with these wonderful, extra sunny days. That normal slowing down of fall combined with the time change just knocked me for a loop. […]
Posted inMusic
Enamel
With Kevin Wasmer (vocals, guitar) and Sam Ganci (drums) as the core of the band’s hard-hitting, melodic sound for several years, the recently recharged Enamel added Nick Beal (bass) and Tyler Landess (lead guitar, vocals) for a first show on Halloween after only five weeks of heavy-duty rehearsals. Nick and Sam are longtime members of […]
