The Missing Links

Well, not exactly missing per se; these are some local people and places that ought to have websites, but don't.

Angela's Taste of Italy 1535 S. MacArthur (between South Grand and Laurel). Proprietor Angela Fileccia Lichtenberger has everything you need to stay friends with your stomach. Various salamis, prosciutto, pancetta, mozzarella, provolone, prima sale(one of my favorites), scamorza, ricotta and other deli delights, plus fresh salads, olives, pizzas, fresh breads. Don't forget to load up on pasta, polenta, arborio rice, saffron, anchovies, tuna, capers, italian sodas, tomatoes and sauce, olive oil, balsamic and red wine vinegars, fine chocolates, espresso...you get the idea. About the only source in town for real anise flavor. The only source in town for italian easter eggs! All this and more, without any yuppified sneering one can get at more elitist food shops. I would say "gourmet without the attitude" but there is attitude....just not like that....you'll see what I mean if you attempt to order an odd number of fresh mozzarella balls.

Mike Manning Mike was voted "Best Artist" in the Illinois Times 2003 Best of Springfield poll; he's probably Springfield's best known artist ever since the Illinois State police harassed him when he displayed a life-size cutout of then-Governor Jim Edgar (dressed in dominatrix drag and holding a whip) outside of his studio. "Harassed" is probably too mild a word for the conduct of the particular thugs-in-brown who paid Mike a visit at his studio, but hey....Brother Manning (I'm in the labor movement, so I call people "brother" and "sister" a lot; get used to it) served in combat in Vietnam, so he doesn't get intimidated all that easily. His paintings are hanging in just about every Springfield restaurant worth eating at. Other than that, a lot of his work is political; pro-union, anti-racist, social-justice themes. His work is featured over my living room couch, too---a picket line. Maybe when he's moved into his new space on 8th Street and his daughter is working with him, he'll start a website....he's sorely in need of one.

The Roman Cultural Society A social and philanthropic organization that's been around forever. Responsible for the fountains in front of City Hall, the Washington Park Botanical Gardens, and continues to be one of the heavy-hitters at the Ethnic Festival. Could stand to come out of the shadows a bit more.

Sun's Up Koffee Kafe A great little coffeehouse on North 1st street, close to Memorial Hospital. Sandwiches (hot or cold), salads, and the absolute best in coffeecakes and desserts. Proprietor Julie Kluge makes several different kinds of buttercakes....my favorite is the peanut-butter-chocolate version. She sells bulk coffee too, and is perpetually out of the italian roast. Sometimes, there's musical and/or poetic events at night. Lotsa things for sale besides food too...jewelry, incense, tapestries, CDs (of local musicians of all stripes), knick-knacks, you-name-it. There's a toybox, puzzles, crayons and coloring books for the little ones to stay busy with while mom or dad relaxes with a cup of java---and they all have my daughter's expressed seal-of-approval. I'm trying to talk Julie into having a soup-of-the-day for the cold weather; she might get more business from the construction crew that'll be working down the street (hint, hint). Stay tuned.