Jim Hightower PHOTO BY LARRY D. MOORE This year’s freakish presidential election has now devolved into an ethnic brouhaha between two foreigners: A Mexican and a German. The “Mexican” is Gonzalo Curiel. He’s a federal judge who was actually born in Indiana, raised and educated as a Hoosier, and is presently presiding over a U.S. […]
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Posted inOpinion
A corporate coup d’etat
When I was a tyke, Momma warned me not to eat anything unless I knew where it came from. That advice is so sensible that even Congress acted on it in 2002, passing a straightforward law called Country of Origin Labeling. COOL requires meat marketers to tell us whether the meat they sell is a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Most excellent adventure
Meet Ben Viele and Alexander Rodriguez. They are co-hosts of Los Angeles’s Universal Broadcasting Network Internet radio show “Happy Hour with Ben and Alexander.” So what are they doing in central Illinois and why are they putting on a show at the Hoogland Center for the Arts? Well, Viele’s hometown is in central Illinois and […]
Posted inNews
Supreme Court decisions bolster same-sex marriage fight in Illinois
Two decisions handed down last week from the U.S. Supreme Court gave momentum to advocates of same-sex marriage in Illinois. But the broadness of the rulings means same-sex couples in Illinois won’t actually get any new rights immediately. And while an Illinois court considers a class-action lawsuit suing for same-sex marriage rights, proponents are pushing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Future stock
World Affairs Council of Central Illinois is holding its next program Wed., May 29, with special guest Dr. Daniel Twining. Dr. Twining serves as a consultant to the U.S. National Intelligence Council where he helped with a new report that identifies four “megatrends” that are certain to shape the future, six “game changers” that will determine […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Eastern points
This Engaged Citizenship Common Experience Speaker Series at the University of Illinois Springfield is one you won’t want to miss to learn more about countries bombarding the news lately, particularly North Korea and China. The key challenges and opportunities presented to the U.S. by the historic rise of Asia will be discussed by Robert M. […]
Posted inMusic
Fun with Greg Fundis
Most frequently in this column, the musicians I interview are either in Springfield or from another place. This week I was very fortunate to speak with drummer Greg Fundis, a hometown hero now residing in Chicago, working on a very successful and balanced career in the business of making music. Greg grew up in Springfield […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Marvelously mischievous
Springfield Theatre Centre presents its rendition of M*A*S*H at the Hoogland Center for the Arts Nov. 9-11 and 16-18. Produced by Jim Leach and directed by Kelly E. Bassett, the crazy comedy brings you your favorite silly surgeons Hawkeye and Duke serving in South Korea. In this production, the pair wages a campaign to get […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Slick show
Over 100 Springfield Figure Skating Club members perform three ice shows at the Nelson Center on two days, March 31 and April 1. The group will perform ice versions of “Annie,” “Chicago,” “The Greatest Star” from Funny Girl, and Phantom of the Opera. U.S. and International competitor Max Aaron is a guest skater. Spotlight on […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Nuclear reactions
On the 66th anniversary of the bombing of Nagaski, three days after the Hiroshima bombing anniversary, view the feature-length documentary, The Forgotten Bomb, presented free at Lincoln Library hosted by Pax Christi of Springfield. From Japan to throughout the U.S., filmmaker Bud Ryan explored the world of nuclear weapons and sought answers through interviews with […]
Posted inNews
Stamping out hate
No more nooses, says the Springfield-based Coalition to Promote Human Dignity and Diversity. No more swastikas, KKK marches or hate-inspired arson. It’s time to stamp out hate expressions in Springfield. That was the message at the coalition’s Nov. 15 public forum on hate activities and hate crimes at Union Baptist Church, 1405 East Monroe St. […]
