| | | Display: News - Images - Sections What’s new at IllinoisTimesA more perfect unionYou know these words, but how often do you stop to think about them? “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general...  Go LionsThe district in July received scores of advanced placement tests taken by high school students last spring. It’s the first batch of test scores since Superintendent Jennifer Gill, chagrined by lackluster AP programs, last year vowed to improve participation in the academically rigorous classes and work to ensure that students would succeed. LETTERSMy last 15 years in state government was with the Department of Human Services homeless services unit, where I managed approximately 100 homeless shelter program contracts all over the state, excluding Chicago. Managing the contracts included site visits to review both program and fiscal operations. The DPI has its work cut out for itAnother story in the same publication is entitled “Windhorst vows to work for every resident of 118th House District,” and quotes directly from another Windhorst Facebook post. “As your state representative, I will work hard to ensure that every corner of the 118th is given the time and effort demanded by the position. State Fair revs up for 2018Fair manager Luke Sailer appeared at a press preview for the fair last week, touting this year’s eclectic Grandstand concert lineup (ranging from Boy George to Mastodon to Flo Rida, along with country singer Brett Eldredge from Paris, Illinois) and the “sports bar feel” of the new Rising Star stage. LINKING UPWe never quite understood why University of Springfield Illinois ended up where it did, on the outskirts of town where easy access to Wendy’s and Taco Bell on Toronto Road is about the best thing one can say about a sprawling campus that too often can be a world unto itself. HAPPY HOOKAHSMore than a decade after hookah lounges started springing up in college towns and big cities across the land, the capital city, at last, stands at the precipice. Sex in prisonThe inmate, identified as Jane Doe in her federal lawsuit filed last week, agreed to an interview, with her lawyer present, on the condition that she not be named. Candidates for Congress square offShe’s 47, he’s 48. Both grew up in central Illinois, married hometown sweethearts, and they each have two sons and one daughter. Serious family health issues have shaped both of their outlooks on health care, and life experiences have firmed their convictions regarding gun violence, education and economic opportunity. Zucchini and summer squashIf some zucchini randomly appeared on your porch this week, you weren’t being punked. August 8 th was “Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day,” a silly holiday that has been embraced by overzealous gardeners everywhere. As anyone who has grown zucchini knows, they can be incredibly prolific producers this time of year. Striking ceramics at SAAThe latest iteration of Springfield Art Association’s biennial “Shapes of Influence” exhibit stands as both an exceptional showcase for original ceramics work from across the country and an introduction to the show’s jurist – world-renowned ceramic artist Simon Levin, who settled in Springfield last November. BlacKkKlansman a fascinating, timely taleThis was significant and of concern to his captain for two reasons – Stallworth, at 24 years old, had only been on the force for three years and he was African-American. That the officer’s boss allowed him to go ahead with this idea is remarkable in itself. All’s fair in townThere’s plenty of live music on our north side fairgrounds, and no matter who or what, where or when, musicians should take pride in knowing that live performances are an integral part of fair time. BAND SPOTLIGHT | N.C.R.Around since 2012, this band has gone through a few personnel changes, but now “the artist formerly known as New City Road” is officially called N.C.R., and with the name change comes a slightly new direction. PUB CRAWLGroove Daddies, Tooter Troxell, Jack Flash, Hipbone Sam. THE CALENDARTheatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 632-5440.. FAIRS & FESTIVALS | National Farmers Market WeekCelebrate National Farmers Market Week at Springfield’s Old Capitol Farmers Market at Fourth and Adams streets on Saturday, Aug. 11. Special features and activities include yoga under the mural with Ashley Krustolovich at 9 a.m., a food recovery demo with Chef Denise Perry from 9-11 a. SCIENCE | A special star partyOn Monday, Aug. 13, from 8:30-11 p.m., join the University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy- Physics Program, Lincoln Memorial Garden and the Sangamon Astronomical Society for a special star party in honor of the Perseid Meteor Shower. Loading writers... Loading ads... Loading comments... All’s fair in town  Yes, folks, it’s that time of year when the Illinois State Fair comes a-callin’ and dominates the atmosphere of the local music scene like nothing else. There’s plenty of live music on our north side fairgrounds, and no matter who or what, where or when, musicians should take pride in knowing that live performances are an integral part of fair time. From the national touring acts at the Grandstand to the local bands getting to play the biggerthan-the-bars sound stages in the beer tents, down to several other spots throughout the grounds, including the Ethnic Village and Lincoln Stage, the music keeps the place humming, and musicians are there to make the humming happen. With so many different acts at varying times, it’s best you simply go to the Illinois State Fair website and take a good look at the schedule under the “entertainment” tab. When you click on “free stages,” this rather inclusive but not-quite-correct statement will appear after the beer tents and other venues: “A wide variety of shows, contests and talents are in store for you at this free stage.” So to get to the bottom of who is playing where and when, click on each specific venue. I see that the Don Smith Band plays the Twilight Ballroom on Friday, August 17, the Bobby Remack Band is there on Friday, August 12, and on Sunday, August 19 the Gus Pflugmacher Band plays at the Ethnic Village at 5 p.m. Don, Bobby and Gus have all played with their respective eponymous bands for many, many decades at the Illinois State Fair, and you should go see them and ask just how many years and maybe get the real lowdown with a story or two on fair history. Be sure to go get your fill of the fair. In other fairly-related news, the Curve Inn hosts another year of their South Side Fair, giving folks another option besides the Illinois State Fair, which is, of course, only fair. With Ric Major dialing in the sound system – a guy who likely has more years of running a sound stage board on the fairgrounds than almost anyone else in town – the Curve has a run of regular bands and serves lemon shake-ups (fortified with vodka!) and corn dogs to get the fair flavor going. This week’s highlights include a return of Jack Flash (Hipbone Sam’s Rolling Stones revue) and the Groove Daddies on Thursday, Mr. Opporknockity and Chris Camp’s Blues Ambassadors on Friday, plus The Loops and Big Daddy Jasper on Saturday, with Casper’s Kountry Kustoms on Sunday. Then, for a really unique and special show, on Wednesday, August 15 guitaristextraordinaire David Lumsden hosts a CD/ album release party in honor of his latest recorded work, Hues of Blues, with special guest appearances by a very colorful bunch including Reggie Britton, Greg Pasenko, Mary Jo Curry and Michael Rapier, Wayne Carter, Bill Evans and Steve “the Harp” Mehlberg. Another weird fair fact is that city bars can stay open until 3 a.m. if they so desire, and that means bands get to play into the wee hours as well, if they dare. I don’t know how you know until you show up what places are open late, but if your heart is willing and your body can take it, go for it! But please, be careful. It’s a jungle out there during the fair. Now party on, Springfield, because all’s fair in town for the next 10 days. Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com |
