| | | Display: News - Images - Sections What’s new at IllinoisTimesWhile U.S. fiddles, China gainsThe recent congressional budget squabble demonstrated our dysfunction, and the squabbling flared up again once the Congressional Budget Office reported that instead of the $38.5 billion of spending cuts that both sides were claiming as a “victory,” the actual decline in real spending probably would total about $352 million.  Celebrating successHosni Mubarak, Egypt’s modern pharaoh, and his two sons were “detained” in mid-April for questioning about corruption and abuse of power by Egyptian prosecutors. No one knows how much the longtime Egyptian strongman and his family have skimmed from the Egyptian economy during his rule. A morally untenable corporate systemIt’s good to know that some corporate chieftains do feel the pain of their underlings – those hard-hit workers who keep being forced to do more for less reward. Take the example of Gannett, the media giant that owns 23 television stations and 82 newspapers, including USA Today. LETTERSI’ve wanted to go green for many years now, either wind energy or geothermal, but due to the cost of a system I have not been able to afford it until now. I own some land in the country and I planned to build a home this year. My plan was to possibly put a geothermal heating and cooling system in, which would cost $15,000-$20,000. While U.S. fiddles, China gainsThis is what Indiana governor Mitch Daniels tried to warn conservatives about in a recent speech. If you want to accomplish anything wise (i.e., difficult) in this country, you need a large coalition of support; your base plus some independents is not enough. Bill to protect sales tax havens backfiresSome big Chicago-area retailers have found a way to avoid paying high local sales taxes on their wholesale purchases. They’ve essentially set up their own “tax havens” in downstate counties which have no local sales taxes. The havens are mostly just one-person offices with a fax machine. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTIONThere are few issues of such immediate importance as teaching young women about sexual assault prevention. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network estimates that a sexual assault occurs every 12 minutes – usually against women. Group aims to bring CeaseFire to SpringfieldWhen a young man from a high-risk neighborhood gets shot and survives, he has the potential to become a hero. But what kind of hero he chooses to become can mean either peaceful progress or continuing violence for his community, says James Hodges, pastor at King’s House Church of the Living God, located at 430 N. GOT DRUGSStart your spring cleaning this weekend by clearing out that medicine cabinet. Bring all expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs to Prevention First at 2800 Montvale Drive Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Let the Springfield Police Department and the U. State grant helps vets find quality dental careThe Persian Gulf War veteran has suffered from a tooth infection during the last year and has needed up to three teeth pulled for months. He says that last month alone he paid $300 out-of-pocket for dental work, money that came out of benefits from the U. My night on patrol with the Springfield policeIt’s dark while I’m seated in the front passenger side of a Springfield Police Department squad car. I feel my voice box drop into my stomach to stay for a while as a handcuffed male suspect arrested for alleged criminal trespassing at Mac’s Lounge climbs into the back seat. Springfield urged to watch for human traffickingVictims of human trafficking, the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry worldwide, are often manipulated or coerced into sexual exploitation or involuntary servitude. They range in age, are both male and female, and include both U.S. citizens and foreigners transported to the country under force or fraudulent circumstances. Besieged owner claims big foreclosure ‘political’Jeff Polen of Taylorville, owner of JSP Investments and a handful of similarlynamed companies in Springfield, faces foreclosure on 153 mortgages held by State Bank of Lincoln on houses and other properties he owns in Springfield, Riverton, Illiopolis, Auburn and Pawnee. Hope comes full circleThroughout its history, the Hope Institute has remained in the vanguard of care for children with disabilities. Now Winson is joining forces with new chief executive officer, Dr. Brigitte’s story of HopeToday Brigitte is thriving in one of Hope’s community homes. She’s mastering self-help routines like bathing, doing laundry and cleaning up after meals. She’s even learning important job skills at Hope’s vocational workshop.. Hope comes full circleWhile Hope’s mission to provide resources for children with disabilities has remained constant, the Institute’s founders could scarcely have predicted the sheer magnitude of expansion their little organization would experience over the coming half-century. Jenna’s story of HopeWhen Jenna was born, her parents were naturally overjoyed. Stacey and Steve marveled at their child’s tiny toes, her beautiful eyes and her precious little smile. Like all parents, they beamed with pride as their child took her first steps and spoke her first words. Hope comes full circle“We were able to move Judy back into the home where she spent the last 18 years. And I mean, you could see the relief on my sister’s face and in her motions. James’s story of HopeSo began Loni and Jim’s five-year battle to get help for James, who they soon adopted. Doctors said Down Syndrome and autism could not coexist. Without a formal diagnosis, Loni had no access to autism supports and services.. Gorging on spring greensWith fresh produce available year round today, it’s almost impossible to realize how much the first edible spring greens were eagerly awaited, and how enthusiastically they were consumed. But it’s not surprising. Refreshingly romantic Water for ElephantsOn the verge of going down the drain, August takes a chance and buys an elephant, an attraction he’s convinced will turn their fortunes around. He’s right, but it comes at a cost as he puts Jacob in charge of training the beast, assigns Marlena to develop an act around it and unexpected sparks fly between them. A bomb, a brunch and a barbershop chorusThe bomb in question refers to the infamous pipe bomb tossed by an unknown agitator that set off what is known to history as the Haymarket Square affair, riot, occurrence or massacre depending on who’s side you’re on. It happened May 4, 1886 in Chicago, like it or not becoming part of our state legacy with international repercussions. ENVIRONMENT | Earth Day partyIn its 19th year of celebrating and educating citizens of every age, this free fair put on by CWLP and the city of Springfield is a must visit on May 7, as is the new Southwind Park and Erin’s Pavilion, Springfield’s only Platinum LEED-certified building. THE CALENDARDates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending the event.. ART | Sun studioLincoln Memorial Garden in spring is a canvas of stunning visual wonder in itself, but on April 30, numerous artists will set up shop along its paths and paint materpieces. Families can watch the work in progress and also build fairy houses using natural materials from 10 a. THEATER | Word playFamous film and TV actor Anthony Zerbe, of The Omega Man, Papillon, The Matrix. CIRCUS | Clowning aroundThe circus comes to town. The same producers who put on the Ice Capades will set up in Lincoln Park’s Nelson Center in the ice arena. That’s right, this is one of the few times the ice is removed, and the rink will fill with clowns, motorcycles, acrobats, a boxing kangaroo, elephants and more. PUBLIC NOTICESNOTICE UNDER ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME ACT STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF SANGAMON TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that on 8TH day of April, 2011 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon County, stating that HAI V. CHASE BANK, NA; WEST KOKE MILL...CHASE BANK, NA; WEST KOKE MILL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION; STATEOF ILLINOIS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS;DEFEN- DANTS NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN YOU, KIM SUAN POON AKA KIM POON AKA KIM S. NEWS QUIRKSDorothy McGurk, 43, was receiving $850 a month in alimony by claiming she was disabled and couldn’t work. Then ex-husband Brian McGurk discovered a blog showing the New York City woman belly dancing, as well as other Internet postings in which she wrote about dancing vigorously for several hours every day. lein amount - $ $5,000.00 1999 BUICK...lein amount - $ $5,000.00 1999 BUICK CENTURY LIMITED vin # 2G4WY52M4X1469859 TIFFANY L HARPER lein amount - $ $5,000.00 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA vin # 2FALP71W1VX122255 GARY L TAYLOR lein amount - $ $5,000.00 1995 MERCURY COUGAR XR7 vin # 1MELM62W7SH654261 JOHN W BECKER & JOHN BECKER ADVANTAGE AUTO SALES lein amount - $ $1,200. AMY ALKONI’m in a relationship that feels like it could last, but I’m afraid of ending up like my parents: constantly bickering over minutiae, snarling at each other from other rooms, and slamming doors. The thing is, my boyfriend and I are already starting to fight over the stupidest stuff! —Worried. Loading writers... Loading ads... Loading comments... Refreshingly romantic Water for Elephants 
Refreshingly romantic Water for Elephants FILM | Chuck Koplinski The success of Sara Gruen’s novel, Water for Elephants, speaks to a need people have to believe in something basic and necessary in these dire times. It was no coincidence that during the Great Depression people flocked to the movies to escape their woes and tales of star-crossed lovers defying the odds to ultimately be together. The Depression setting was just the ticket for some viewers. While Gruen’s book may be a well-written piece of prose, its unabashed sense of romance is what keeps readers turning pages and ultimately passing it on to friends. Director Francis Lawrence wisely embraces this notion in the big-screen adaptation of Elephants and it pays off handsomely. The filmmaker and his cast generate a sense of charm and wonder that contributes to the movie’s success. This Depression-era tale of Jacob (Robert Pattinson), a young veterinarian who inadvertently joins a circus after a tragedy alters his life, sweeps the audience away on a wave of nostalgia and wish fulfillment as it immerses us in the world of this traveling show. As expected, the traveling menagerie Jacob stumbles into sports a colorful cast of characters, chief among them its owner, August (Christoph Waltz), and his wife, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), the show’s star attrac tion. On the verge of going down the drain, August takes a chance and buys an elephant, an attraction he’s convinced will turn their fortunes around. He’s right, but it comes at a cost as he puts Jacob in charge of training the beast, assigns Marlena to develop an act around it and unexpected sparks fly between them. Shot in warm, honey-tinged tones, the film revels in the air of nostalgia it creates visually and narratively. There’s a sense of wonder to this whole affair both in the way it respects the circus world and its performers and in its belief that salvation lies through falling in love. The film wouldn’t work if the cast didn’t buy into its aesthetic and thankfully they do. Pattinson is quite good here as he’s beginning to understand the power of stillness on screen as well as that of his own persona. Witherspoon delivers her usual fine turn, projecting equal measures of strength and vulnerability, while Waltz successfully walks a tightrope as he underscores the reason behind August’s drive but never offers excuses for his sadism. These three prevent these characters from being stereotypes and help Water for Elephants be the best movie love story since The Notebook. Contact Chuck Koplinski at ckoplinski@usd116.org. Look for movie times • trailers • more reviews at www.illinoistimes.com You’ll find info about movies showing in Springfield, Jacksonville, Taylorville, and other nearby towns. |
