Writing about diners and diner food lately (see “Off the menu” and “Breakfast of a champion”) has left me hungry to know what other contributions to the nation’s waistline can be traced to this part of the world. Popular history has it that downstate Illinois was a culinary alchemist’s lair, but was it?.

The most dangerous place in the world on Aug. 15, 1950, was the Pusan Perimeter. On that day, Second Lieutenant Bob Evans arrived in-country, part of the under-strength, poorly equipped and illprepared 2nd Infantry Division, shipped directly from Ft. Lewis, Washington.

And those odds at least quadruple if you have to hire a talking head to attest to your honor; how intriguing, then, that a spokeswoman for the Bush campaign was recently trotted out to tell us that, “Jeb’s record, both in office as Florida’s governor and in the private sector as a successful businessman, is one of integrity.

When families are in turmoil, students bring those troubles to classrooms. Though teachers will always do their best to make sure students learn despite the problems at home, the state budget impasse is clearly hurting families and is, therefore, impacting education.

So, why bother? A big reason is that the Democrats want the public to see what they’ve been seeing with their own eyes for months. The governor walks in, exchanges pleasantries, then repeats the same basic talking points that he’s been making since April.

The Illinois General Assembly passed a bill on Tuesday to reopen the Illinois State Museum, but it’s too late to prevent some of the damage caused by its closing. The museum system, with its main campus and its Research and Collection Center located in Springfi eld, closed to the public on Oct.

Call it the scoffl aw express. Starting Jan. 1, Sangamon County will start mailing out offers that many speeders and other minor traffi c violators can’t refuse.

That was the message of Sustainable Springfield last week as the progress-minded group shared its vision for building a more attractive city, one small piece at a time. Featuring panelists from other local groups, the nonprofit Sustainable Springfield called on residents to take up “tactical urbanism” during a Nov.

The city council next week is expected to approve the purchase of two homes, each for slightly more than $59,000, with the money coming from motor vehicle fuel tax revenue. The properties at 1517 S. 10 ½ St. and 1015 E. Laurel St. are needed to build underpasses at Ash and Laurel streets that will eliminate streetgrade crossings.

The Illinois General Assembly approved the medical marijuana pilot program in 2013, and the first licensed dispensaries opened on Nov. 9. Out of concern that Illinois’ program would be abused by recreational drug users, lawmakers put strong restrictions on who qualifies.

In 1976, when Carl Jensen, a professor at California’s Sonoma State University, started looking into news media self-censorship, nobody had ever dreamed of the Internet.

• Seeds of doubt: USDA ignores popular critiques of new pesticide-resistant genetically modifi ed crops.

Potlucks are a popular choice for the season because they allow everyone to contribute to the meal. This lessens the workload for everyone since each guest is only worried about one or two dishes rather than an entire meal. And who couldn’t use less stress during the holidays?.

The blog on which this book is based sprang from a suggestion by Melinda McDonald, herself a local writer about Springfield, to Sandy Baksys, a writer and historian, then working with the Illinois State Historical Society on a marker to commemorate Springfield’s Lithuanians.

This is what Prudhomme made at Chicago’s Fancy Food Festival. While it doesn’t contain traditional Cajun ingredients except his spice blend(s), it’s a perfect example of those spices adding an extra dimension to an already delicious soup. Prudhomme’s recipe used only shitake mushrooms; I prefer an exotic mushroom mixture.

award winning wine list, a large craft beer variety, and a hand crafted specialty cocktail list. Open for dinner, lunch, and Sunday brunch. B, L & D. OD. $$$ Augie’s Front Burner.

I should be running the breathtaking stunts over and over in my mind after seeing a James Bond movie, not mulling questions of this kind. The very fact that none of the action set pieces come immediately to mind less than 24 hours after seeing Spectre.

Dates, times and locations are subject to change, so we suggest calling before attending an event..

With Kevin Wasmer (vocals, guitar) and Sam Ganci (drums) as the core of the band’s hardhitting, melodic sound for several years, the recently recharged Enamel added Nick Beal (bass) and Tyler Landess (lead guitar, vocals) for a first show on Halloween after only five weeks of heavy-duty rehearsals.

Ah, November comes and I feel the sadness and sorrow in my bones, even with these wonderful, extra sunny days. That normal slowing down of fall combined with the time change just knocked me for a loop.

Fri, 10am-6pm Sat 9am-12pm Sun,. All handmade items by local artisans. jubileefarm.info. 217-787-6927. St. Joseph Parish, 1345 N. Sixth St..

On Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5:30-7:30pm, join local authors Barb Olson, John Knoepfle and Sandy Baksys as they sign and read short bits from their new books – The Aloe of Evening.

Throughout his career in Washington, Raymond LaHood has purported that partisan pettiness is hindering our nation’s ability to successfully face its challenges, which range from a crumbling infrastructure to terrorism to economic growth.

This Saturday, relax and enjoy a solo concert by classical guitar virtuoso William Yelverton. His acclaims and accolades are large in scope, including being named a Prize Winner in the Guitar Foundation of America International Competition. His recent recording, Harpsichord Music on Guitar,.