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Stopped by a train
In the early 1850s, the brand new Alton Sangamon Railroad needed a north-south track corridor through the capital city. The City of Springfield also needed a railroad, so the city council granted the AS a right-ofway for its tracks along Third Street.

The reality of economic recovery
We know that this is so because we’re being told so by top economists, Wall Street bankers and others in the know. To put the icing on this happy economic cupcake, President Obama even interrupted his Martha’s Vineyard vacation late last month to announce that he was reappointing Ben Bernanke to a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

countyfairpoem #1
behind as I sit on the foot-weary’s bench at wisconsin’s walworth county fair is SPIN-OUT before me the WHEEL OF FIRE beyond is ORBITER then ZIP- PER where my grandkid’s terrified screams are making them stop the fun ride to let her off though I...

LETTERS
The past couple of months have been enlightening. First we have politically connected city workers putting up nooses around the work area of black men.

Hynes has a decent plan, and a problem
Instead, Hynes stood in front of a blue curtain, a single flag and a campaign poster and calmly laid out a plan to cut the state’s budget, raise taxes on annual personal income above the first $200,000, tag certain “luxury” purchases with a new service tax, hike cigarette taxes by a dollar a pack and expand gaming.

RESTORATION CONVERSATION
Tom Clay, the executive director of the Illinois Audubon Society, and Vern LaGesse, an ecological restorationist and president of Friends of the Sangamon Valley, announced in June their plans to breathe new life into the Adams Wildlife Sanctuary [see “Restoring Adams Wildlife Sanctuary,” by Amanda Robert, June 11].

FUTURISTIC FASHIONISTA
You can do the darnedest things with technology — meet your future husband after a few late-night chats and photo exchanges, consult a doctor who’s five counties away about a developing skin irritation and announce every minute of your day to family and friends (“Cap city just ate a chilicheese horseshoe.

Business owners wary of proposed service tax
As Illinois faces the record budget deficit, the General Assembly continues to mull a bill to tax services — 39 of them, in fact, for everything from chartered flights to dating services. A study released in August by the state’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability estimated such a tax could yield between $3.

Springfield Celts looking for new young ruggers
“The Celts used to be bigger in Springfield, and then we had a waning period and the interest came down,” says Brian Foreman, a member of the Springfield Celts since 1998. “People still say, ‘Springfield has a rugby team?’ “Yeah, they’ve been around since 1975.

Back to help Burris
In a corner office on the top floor of the Illinois Building, overlooking the Old State Capitol, photos of famous people hang proudly on the wall. Jimmie Voss smiles widely in each photo, standing next to folks like former Gov. Jim Edgar, former Chicago Bull Scotty Pippen and the late U.

More than able
Jennings, who was born with cerebral palsy, wasn’t surprised that most employers considered his wheelchair instead of his skills. He’s since moved to Springfield, hearing several other times that his disability would impede his success in the workplace.

Bunn leads the way to green business
Recognizing that our business operation impacts the total environment, “Respect Earth” reflects BUNN’s continuing focus on preserving the earth for future generations throughout our supply chain. We are driven to continually identify ways to incorporate this respect for our natural resources into our daily business practices and products.

Easy meals to get you through the week
Eating home-cooked, healthy meals that require minimal preparation and cleanup during the week doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take some planning and advance preparation. Slow cookers (a.k.a crockpots) have long been a wonderful mainstay for coming home at day’s end and having dinner ready, but they’re far from the only possibility.

RealCuisine Recipe
Fried rice is one of those dishes that occur in cuisines worldwide that evolved as a way to utilize extras when food was such a precious commodity that nothing went to waste. When making fried rice, it’s actually necessary to use rice that’s been previously cooked and cooled; otherwise the finished product will be mushy.

9: A distinctive vision, but a familiar story
However, while the pictures are engaging, if not pretty, the story has a slapped-together, borrowed feel to it that prevents the film from succeeding completely. Acker’s script borrows from history as well as pop culture while straining to achieve a Lord of the Rings.

Movie times
Kerasotes listings are for Friday, Sept. 18 through Thursday, Sept. 24. Bracketed show times are Saturday and Sunday only matinees or Friday and Saturday only late shows. All times are subject to change. For updates on Kerasotes films, call 1-800-FANDANGO.

September selections
Tonight, Thurs., Sept. 17, fear not gentle readers, that sound you hear emanating from the Brewhaus is merely the winsome wailing of our only masked, instrumental, psycho-surf rock band, Go Tsunami. Dare yourself to experience the experience and go forth into the night knowing you go where Go Tsunami goes.

PUB CRAWL
8:30pm-12am Frank Trompeter Quartet with guest Trina Madonia.

BAND SPOTLIGHT
As The Station, a Springfield-based national touring funk/rock/jam band, celebrates 10 years of being together as a functioning unit in 2009, the nucleus of Dave Littrell (vocals, guitar, sax) and Dave Carter (drums, percussion) with Kevin Lemen (guitar) announces the addition of Springfield bassist, Jeff Cunningham, to the lineup.

THE CALENDAR
Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Contest and Crafts Festival.

FILM
This weekend see an array of short films produced by independent filmmakers from around the world. View everything from animation to documentary. If you cannot make the entire two-day fest, drop in on a block of films beginning Saturday at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:15 p.

ART
This is more than a premier fine art fair where over 85 artists present and sell their works on the grounds of the Art Association. Take a tour of Edwards Place Historic Home, where Lincoln entertained and now the oldest Springfield home on its original foundation.

FILM
UIS Theatre and ECCE Speaker Series bring this interesting and moving documentary film to Springfield Wednesday night. In Hank Rogerson’s revelatory trip into and around this prison production, we embark on a year-long journey with the Shakespeare Behind Bars theatre troupe.

ART
Artist, author, Johnsonian Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University and critic for The Nation,.

FESTIVAL
There’s so much more happening, too: antique car and tractor show, historical displays, flea market, children’s games, handmade crafts, storytellers, trap shooting, working crafts, tours, food, music, and on Sunday, a parade at 2:30 pm.

PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE UNDER ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME ACT STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF SANGAMON TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that on 27th day or August, 2009 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon County, stating that MICHAEL A.

NEWS QUIRKS
When Jarrell Paul Arnold, 34, walked into a credit union in Anchorage, Alaska, and inquired about his account balance, the teller asked for his name, account number and photo identification. After complying, he showed the teller a note that read, “I have a gun.

THE ADVICE GODDESS
This man I “met” on a dating Web site had issues with my refusing to give him my number. Initially, we had nice rapport via e-mail, despite his failing to pay attention (asking if I’d been married when I’d already mentioned my divorce lawyer). He apologized and gave me his number, hoping to talk and meet.

LOCAL BIZ DIRECTORY
stop shop for custom printing, vinyl banners, signs, specialty items plus design services. Competitive pricing, outstanding customer service. 1905 S. 10th Street. (217) 522-8921..