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Open thread
Friday, Jul 25, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * I was listening to some of the late Chuck Mangione’s songs after work yesterday and this one sounded strangely familiar, but I couldn’t place it. About two minutes in I realized that one of the high school jazz bands I played in (Tooele, Utah under conductor C. Roy Ferrin) performed it… What’s going on?
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- hmmm - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 8:03 am:
And it feels so good
- Downstate - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 8:10 am:
Mangione produced some great hits.
I always put Mangione in the same category as Kenny G. Artists who were so talented, they let their instrument capture the audience.
After seeing Kenny G at a concert, recently, I looked up his bio, and was stunned to discover that he was an early investor in Starbucks. Makes me appreciate him all the more that he continues to tour despite probably not needing the money.
- tumblin dice - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 8:29 am:
I just got my electric bill. We are pretty reasonable with the AC, run the dishwasher overnight to avoid peak hours, and keep lights off unless needed. We normally pay $250 in peak summer months. Last month’s bill is $410. I realize that we experienced a heat wave, but this is crazy. I can afford it, but i know many cannot. The next attempt at an energy bill better be a serious effort that brings everybody to the table. The process last year was a joke. Nobody was let in on anything. No wonder it failed. People need to talk less and listen more. That’s why we have two ears and only one mouth.
- John Greenfield - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 8:34 am:
Some on the far left would argue that Luigi Mangione also produced a great hit. (Too soon?)
- Barton - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 8:46 am:
Good morning, all. Some family news that might be of note to the greater Springfield community:
Loren Barnes, my uncle, will be interred today at Camp Butler. He wasn’t overly political, but some Springfield townies knew him and Aunt Sherri before they moved to Wisconsin. If I may:
- He was a 33rd Mason and belonged to the lodge in Chatham and Ansar Shrine.
- He was very active at the American Legion post downtown and Sangamon Avenue, often driving fellow vets to medical appointments.
- He and Aunt Sherri were supporters of the local arts, including as ushers at Sangamon Auditorium and volunteer coordinators of First Night.
- A Glenwood H.S. graduate, Uncle Loren and Aunt Sherri were farmers in south county. Some of tge land they and the Barnes family farmed is now Piper Glen golf course and Iron Bridge Estates.
- When farming didn’t work out, Uncle Loren went to work at Schnepp & Barnes (now the Kidzeum) and then as building manager of the masonic temple downtown. His cell phone was the main line for the Hoogland Center for the Arts when it was undergoing the massive renovation in the mid-2000s.
- Personally, he and Aunt Sherri introduced me to the Citizens Club of Springfield (highly recommended to everyone here and living in the 217) and took me to my first Springfield Muni. Christmases and Thanksgiving at the Barnes homes in Chatham and Springfield are treasures for Mattheis and me. They were also instrumental to my getting situated in Springfield for a certain internship and later helping us find an apartment when Jen and I moved here permanently.
Sadly, Aunt Sherri, previously of the State Police Merit Board and one of the last employees to work out of the Armory before it was shut down, cannot be with us today in-person, but their children and grandchildren will be at the cemetery.
It’s hard to name a community organization Uncle Loren did not engage during his 70+ years living here. He could be a hard guy to know sometimes, but he’d do just about anything for you. Be good to each other today, and consider doing something today that makes Springfield a cool place to live.
- clec dcn - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 9:50 am:
I am getting tired of the rain. Mangione a good group had a great guitarist Grant Geissman unknown to public but fantastic jazz guitarist. Did well with Chuck.
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:37 am:
@John: No, just too stretched
- Responsa - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:56 am:
Spending that Warchest. Mr “underdog”s annoying commercials are regularly showing up on You tube videos.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:23 pm:
Guess we know that John is on the side of cold-blooded killers. I’ll remember that
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:40 pm:
Sorry for your loss, Barton. Sounds like you lost not just an uncle, but a role model and mentor.
- Leslie K - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 3:32 pm:
Barton, it sounds like your family and Springfield lost a good person who cared about his community. May his memory be a blessing.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 3:37 pm:
Barton, I just now saw your post. Big hugs.