Monday, June 30, 2008

Rock the Dock and New restaurant at Lake Springfield Marina

Sunsetters, the new restaurant at the Lake Springfield Marina.

Also info on the Rock the Dock fireworks show.

Above: a sample menu at Sunsetters...
Subject to change.

You can click on a photo for a larger view.

If you're still not sure where Sunsetters is, check the other side of the restrooms...

Boats are permitted on the lake during the fireworks show, but the Marina docks will be closed during the event. You'll need a light on your boat.
Sadly, PWC's / jetskis are not permitted out after dark.
More info regarding boating on Lake Springfield on the CWLP website.

Workers are busy getting the Marina area ready for the Rock the Dock fireworks event.

Since it will be dark for the show, be sure not to sit on any plants.
Because you never know what it might be.

Above: Probably poison ivy at Lake Springfield.

The viewing locations have expanded for the fireworks show.
Check out the new walking path near the marina.

For more information regarding Rock the Dock, visit:
WQLZ's Rock the Dock page
and the Lake Springfield Marina.

2010 Springfield, IL area Fireworks information

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/springfieldillinois/message/3914

Springfield area fireworks photos

Intellicast weather radar for the area.

Central Illinois weather reports from NOAA.

WICS TV 20 weather report

Results of Lake Springfield water quality tests here.

More Springfield photos linked below.

Fireworks at the Lincoln Museum
Fireworks at the Lincoln Library opening day

Photos from the Downtown Fireworks 2007

Springfield and the Simpsons
When the Rain comes down..downtown
Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Party Photos
Goodwill Store...now organized by clothing size!
Wood sculptures on Dirksen Parkway
APL Animal Protective League / Butterflies
Cross country bicyclist pedals to Springfield and beyond

Friends of Lincoln Library Book sale / TV 20 news
Lincoln Library ready for book sale
Wood docks at Lake Springfield Marina
Chasing Rainbows / Lake Springfield sunset
I-72 Recreation Drive interchange construction
East Lake Drive bicycle and walking path

Leo's Italian Pizzeria

Old Capitol Art Fair 2007 photos
Uncle Chuck's Greenhouse
Edwin Watts Southwind Park Update May 20, 2007
Fire at former Branch Facility on Recreation Drive...
Westbound I-72 traffic / construction zone
Another alternative energy car !
Name that Springfield location...part 2
Suttill's Gardens
Habitat for Humanity store

Name that farm equipment
Monical's Pizza near Meijers
Sugar Angel
Baskin Robbins 31 cent scoop night!
Future home of the Holy Land Diner ?
2003 Cingular High Dive Show at Illinois State Fair...
Humphrey's Market - the flowers are in !!!

Sushi Beautiful Sushi
The dog water fountains at Washington Park
Springfield Clinic Building Project tree removal
The Apple Barn is OPEN !!!!
Lincoln Library renovations
Cute puppies
Name that restaurant...part 15
Pizza Machine

Scenes from various local parks this weekend...
Greater Springfield Home and Builders Show
Super Home Expo Building and Remodeling show photo...
llinois Products Expo photos
As the deer...
Old Capitol Plaza
Wendy's Chicken Chainsaw Toddy

Smoker's lungs
Lincoln Land catcher signed by Seattle Mariners
The Cub's Ryan O'Malley and Ron Santo visit
Ryan O'Malley with the Chicago Cubs
Former Cardinal and Cubs pitcher Lee Smith
Chatham's cow chip throwing contest 2006
Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Dinner at Little Saigon
Springfield Dog Park
EMI Manufacturing Jacksonville Illinois
Illinois State Fair photos
Powerlight Fest photos
My first Illinois State Fair Parade (see photos!)
My trip to Decatur

Fireworks at the Lincoln Museum
Fireworks at the Lincoln Library opening day

Springfield, Illinois email list
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/springfieldillinois

Friday, June 27, 2008

Springfield area fireworks displays to celebrate Independence Day

Springfield, Illinois and other local fireworks displays
July 4, 2008

Independence Day

and surrounding days

Be sure to click on the links provided for additional information regarding these events. Some have much more going on in addition to the fireworks displays.

Don't forget your insect repellant and your camera!
Remember, West Nile Virus is out there!

If you have a point and shoot camera, try using both no flash and flash settings.
The flash setting speeds up your shutter speed so you'll get less blur.
(Be careful not to bug those around you with the flash though.)

Capital City Celebration

Close proximity Fireworks presented by Central States Fireworks, Inc., approximately at 9:30
Music to the Fireworks will be simulcast on ABE 93.7

More info at: springfieldjaycees.org/capitol.htm

Springfield Municipal Band Schedule For 2008

www.springfield.il.us/commissions/Band/

Knight’s Action Park will light-up the sky during the 3-D Fireworks Spectacular. Guests can receive their special free “3-D Fireworks Glasses” by purchasing an Extra Value Meal or Happy Meal at any participating Springfield-area McDonald’s. With these glasses, Knight’s Action Park’s illuminating fireworks display will appear as never before, literally filling the view of onlookers.
www.knightsactionpark.com/3-4-0-events.html

Rock the Dock
Friday, July 4, 2008
Lake Springfield Marina
Interstate 55 & Chatham Exit
Gates open at 6pm
Fireworks Show at Dusk

Ticket info, etc. at:
www.wqlz.com/rockthedock

Photos of Rock the Dock Marina area

Chatham Fireworks Show
I haven't found info regarding this show yet, so here is last year's info:
This years show will be held at dusk at Community Park.
In case of rain, the show will be held July 5th.
www.chathamil.net

Sparks in the Park - Rochester, IL
Due to rain the fireworks have been rescheduled.
According to the SJR ...

"The fireworks are now slated for July 18 following the Movie in the Park showing of “Shrek the Third,” which will begin at dusk in Rochester Community Park."

Rochester Sparks in the Park, 6-10 p.m. June 27, 2008 5-10 p.m.
June 28 and 5-11 p.m. June 29, Rochester.
Parade down Main Street 4:30 p.m. June 28 with talent show following.
Chocolate chip cookie-baking contest, 3 p.m.
June 29 with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. 498-7192,

(link) www.rochesteril.org

Pawnee
I haven't found info regarding this show yet, so here is last year's info:
The annual fireworks display is scheduled for dusk at Pawnee High School. Bleacher seating is provided, and concessions will be open.

Samuel Jones Park and Williamsville High School football field, Williamsville. Noon to 4 p.m.: activities in Samuel Jones Park. Evening events at Williamsville High School football field include dinner at 5:30 p.m.; various entertainment at 7 p.m.; a concert performance by Chapter 6 at 8:45 p.m.; and a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. 566-3307.
(link)

Pleasant Plains

Chicken dinner, 6-8 p.m., Firehouse on Buckeye Street, Pleasant Plains. Volunteer firemen and Community Club of Pleasant Plains serve chicken, hot dogs and sides. $7. Fireworks at the high school begin at dark. Locations, details: 341-4668. Source: SJ-R

Intellicast weather radar for the area.

Central Illinois weather reports from NOAA.

WICS TV 20 weather report

Fireworks ban no reason for short fuse

Rather than spending Independence Day grumbling about the bottle rockets they can’t shoot onto the neighbor’s roof, we suggest those who like fireworks attend one of the many large-scale displays that will happen around Springfield in the week to come. July 4 is a time to be part of the community, not isolated from it in a backyard bunker with a handful of M-80s.

Editorial: Published Wednesday, June 27, 2007
www.sj-r.com/sections/opinion/stories/117556.asp

Fireworks display information for Sangamon County (Outside all incorporated city, town and village limits)

www.co.sangamon.il.us/offices/ctyclerk/Fireworks/default.asp

Local events guide from the SJ-R

Events guide from the Illinois Times

How to photograph fireworks

Tips From Smithsonian Photographers

photos.si.edu/firew/firew.html

July 4th fireworks tips!
www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/994267307.html

Can't go to a fireworks display?

There are plenty of televised fireworks displays that evening.
If you have access to HD (High Definition) television, look for the program of your choice in high def. Televised fireworks are far better in HD than NTSC. You could also record some of these shows and watch them later.

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

010 WAND

Fri, Jul 4, 8:00p - 9:00p

Fireworks explode over New York; Natasha Bedingfield, Kenny Chesney, Katharine McPhee, Gavin DeGraw and Jordin Sparks are scheduled to perform; Natalie Morales and Tiki Barber host.

2008 | 60 mins

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular

003 WCIA

Fri, Jul 4, 9:00p - 10:00p

Keith Lockhart directs the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, as an aerial pyrotechnic display reflects in the Charles River; Rascal Flatts performs; Craig Ferguson hosts.

2008 | TVG | 60 mins

3,2,1 Fireworks

220 WILLDT3

Wed, Jul 2, 6:00p - 6:30p

Touring preparations for Washington, D.C., July Fourth celebration.

2008 | 30 mins

Chicago's Summer Blast - Fireworks and the Taste

009 WGNSAT

Thu, Jul 3, 9:00p - 10:00p

2008 | TVPG | 60 mins

Nova

Fireworks!

Tue, Jul 1, 7:00p - 8:00p

Creating sequences and colors of fireworks requires scientific knowledge and artistry.

| TVG | 60 mins

How It's Made

Fiberglass Boats; Clothes Dryers

031 DSC

Thu, Jul 3, 7:00p - 7:30p

Fiberglass boats; clothes dryers; gum; fireworks.

Burt Wolf: Taste of Freedom

Independence Day

219 WSECDT3

Sat, Jul 5, 7:30a - 8:00a

Independence Day; Boston; fireworks.

How It's Made: Remix

4th of July

464 SCIENCE

Fri, Jul 4, 8:00p - 8:30p

Hot dogs; barbecue briquettes; mustard; fireworks.

2008 | TVG | 30 mins

July 4th Live!

062 TRAV

Fri, Jul 4, 8:00p - 8:30p

Host Kirsten Gum helps celebrate Independence Day with the fireworks spectacle from the National Mall.

2008 | TVG | 30 mins

Our local PBS channels are airing "A Capitol Fourth".

A Capitol Fourth

008 WSEC July 4, 1008
7:00p - 8:30p
WSEC and others.

The Independence Day concert at the U.S. Capitol features performers Huey Lewis and the News, Taylor Hicks, Hayley Westenra and Vittorio Grigolo.

2008 | TVG | 90 mins

www.pbs.org/tvschedules/index.html?station=WSEC&zipcode=62703

Also on tv...

National Treasure

On Demand (also on other channels for free)

$2.99 | Available until Wed, Jul 2

National Treasure (2004): Since he was a boy, Benjamin Franklin Gates has wanted to find the Templar Treasure. Now he must steal the Declaration of Independence or let it fall into dangerous hands. (CC) Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight.

PG | 131 mins

Parental Guide

FIND IT: Movies & Events > Show All Titles > National Treasure

TV listings source: tvplanner.comcast.net

Related links...

Independence Day (United States)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

Fourth of July is Independence Day

Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag.

www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence_Day.shtml

Who has the best fireworks on the 4th?

Published July 3, 2007

By Colleen Mastony Tribune staff reporter

Who has the best show? The answer is elusive. Measuring a fireworks display is a tricky endeavor. The number, size and quality of the shells must be considered, along with the length of the show, music synchronization and enormity of the crowd. And - to the disappointment of some - size doesn't always matter. Chicago Tribune

Fireworks at the Lincoln Museum

Fireworks at the Lincoln Library opening day

More event listings at the SJR.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Kicks Entertainment

Kick's Entertainment

Yep, this is the place that used to house the Furrows store.

Now it is a combination buffet, banquet hall, party place with jumbo screen television, indoor games including go carts, bumper cars, video games and more.

Here are some photos from our time there this week.

Look carefully at the drivers in this go cart photo.
Is anyone on the phone?

Oh look! He's STILL on the phone!
(and in fourth place)

You can click on a photo for a larger view.

The bowling alley for kids...and older folks too.
No gutter balls here!
We suspect it is magnetized because if you roll the ball really slow, it will go right down the middle. One boy bounced the ball three times off the bumpers before knocking some pins down.
The bowling was $3 a game. How does that compare to the price of a "grown-up" bowling game?

The "check balance here" machine was a favorite photo op for our group.
It is for checking the monetary balance on your spending cards, but we chose a different interpretation.

The shooting practice game at the back of the building.
Warning: DO NOT HIT THE MOONSHINE TARGET.

I warned you about that.

BTW, if you use a camera flash on this game it triggers every target on the game.
No tickets are issued on this game, but it is (uhm) interesting to watch all the targets do their thing.

Here's a sample of the food at Kicks Entertainment.

Note: I dug out an old camera (9 years old is old in digital years) and used a Nikon Coolpix 950 to take some of these photos. Can you tell?
The food pics and the go cart pics were taken with the ancient camera.