Culture

Tourist town

Springfield and Illinois hope to increase tourism despite poor economy

Illinois Bureau of Tourism Deputy Director Jan Kostner refuses to dwell on the poor economy and its effect on tourism.In mid-February, as she delivered the annual State of the State of Tourism Address

Music

Urban music radio comes to Springfield online

It began with a childhood dream of becoming a radio personality. But when Angel Macon sent demos to countless area radio stations, none responded. Instead of idly waiting for that big break, Macon too

Food - Julianne Glatz

Hot soup to end winter

Recent signs of spring are more welcome than usual this year. This winter has been tough, not because of any single blizzard or cold snap, but because it just seemed relentless. Still, remembering the

Film - Chuck Koplinski

Alice, a wonder to behold, but cold

To be sure, there are moments when Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland truly soars. After the title heroine falls down the rabbit hole and becomes engrossed in a trippy world replete with odd creat

Film - Chuck Koplinski

The Crazies: an effective throwback to ’70s horror

Once a sub-genre of horror films, the zombie movie has now become so popular you can’t swing a severed limb over your head without hitting one at the multiplex. The genesis of the modern zombie

Music - Tom Irwin

March marches on

Here comes the middle of March with the most famous Ides of all, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and other assorted diversions, the best of all being a feeling of spring in the air. As an astute

Books

The Heartland needs more than hope

Hope from the Heartland, a new book by Jay Hoffman, the Democratic state representative from Collinsville, starts with the premise that climate change, the energy and economic crises can be solved sim