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The people’s choice
The obituaries for the political career of the unfortunate Scott Lee Cohen list as the cause of death all the common viruses of Illinois politics, from dunderheaded party leaders and lazy reporters to voters happy to buy a pig in a poke if the pig squeals the right way.

Where in the world is the U.S. going?
Isn’t it interesting that so many people walking through life today seem not to see or be aware of the most spectacular scenery of events the world has ever produced? We live in a pivotal epoch of an overcrowded world of breakthrough technology...

Corporate welfare roulette
One thing that governors and mayors absolutely love to do is win a prize in the national game called “Corporate Welfare Roulette.

LETTERS
Why don’t we require these businesses to build on property within the city, or somewhere that can and will be annexed, so that we can collect the city’s share of the sales and property taxes in order to obtain water service? The city’s library is broke, laying off employees and closing branches.

“Green,” a lyric adapted from The Endless Pavement musical
well I do, well I do what did green look like? how did green feel? what did green taste like when green was real? was there a green sigh of wind in the pine boughs?.

Brady needs to learn a new language
One of the biggest doubts about state Sen. Bill Brady’s gubernatorial campaign — assuming he survives a potential recount of the Republican primary — is whether he can transform himself from a primary candidate into a serious general election candidate.

Low marks for state’s infrastructure
The state’s infrastructure earned failing grades in a report issued last week by the Illinois chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

CABBAGE PATCH KIDS
But what if there’s a bonus? The Springfield Civic Garden Club is calling on area third-graders to grow their own cabbages for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship. The program, sponsored by the Bonnie Plant Company in Union Springs, Ala., distributes free cabbages to students, who plant them at home and chart their size and maturity.

THE AIR UP THERE
This Saturday, taking the stairs at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield will be less of a convenience and more of a personal challenge. That’s because the Hilton is hosting the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air stair climb, sending locals of all fitness levels up the 60 flights of stairs to the top.

A tough time to be a kid
Kathy Ryg, president of Voices for Illinois Children, has heard dozens of stories like these. Last week, the advocacy group released its 2010 “Kids Count” report, which details the recession’s extensive and potentially longlasting effects on children and families.

Can We Do That? Yes, we can!
McNeese, the pastor of New Mission Church of God in Springfield and the executive assistant to the dean for diversity, multicultural and minority affairs at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, says there is too often a “closed-mindedness” that surrounds human sexuality.

Slow-pay state starves charities
Valerie Lies, the president and CEO of Donors Forum, says that the state’s inability to pay its bills is “wreaking havoc on the fiscal health of nonprofit organizations.” Foundations are struggling to raise funds and can’t fill the state’s gaps forcing nonprofits to limit or terminate programs.

REO Speedwagon rolls home
“When I look down the tour itinerary and see towns like Springfield and Champaign, the word that immediately comes to mind is ‘home,’ ” says REO Speedwagon’s lead singer Kevin Cronin, 59, with an audible lump in his throat. “I know that probably seems hackneyed but it’s absolutely, 100 percent, true.

Mad for ‘Mad Men’
“Mad Men,” set to start its fourth season on the AMC cable channel, chronicles the world of Don Draper – a mysterious creative director for the New York City advertising firm Sterling Cooper – during the birth of television advertisements and the era of political and social change.

Many moods of meatloaf
The spokesman for the prison explained that the meatloaf meets standard nutritional levels. [And said] “… it doesn’t taste like something your mother might have made. We don’t put any spices in it. It is rather bland. And they don’t get salt and pepper.”.

RealCuisine Recipe
This meatloaf master recipe provides a palette for both novice and experienced cooks for experimentation. The large amount of breadcrumbs is unusual, as is the buttermilk, but they make the meatloaf exceptionally light and moist.

The Wolfman returns, a fresh take on a classic
Benicio Del Toro is perfectly cast as Lawrence, the prodigal son of Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins), an eccentric member of the English gentry whose rolling estate and manor is haunted by dark deeds and dangerous secrets.

Movie times
PLEASE NOTE: Kerasotes listings are for Friday, Feb. 19 through Thursday, Feb. 25. Bracketed show times are Sat-Sun only matinees or Fri-Sat only late shows. All times are subject to change. For updates on Kerasotes films, call 1-800-FANDANGO. For reviews of other films, visit www.

Fabulous February finds
Better lick your wounds from last week’s Mardi Gras spectacular and spruce up for another superb weekend of live music in the capital city. The nightlife is jampacked with more stuff than you could shake a stick at, if that’s your idea of having fun..

PUB CRAWL
Abacabb, Moltov Solutions, Dr.Acula, Upon a Burning Body.

BAND SPOTLIGHT
Formed in 2006, The Seething Coast draws its peculiar name from a lyric in a song by indie-rock legends The Mountain Goats. With Jason Perry on guitar and vocals matched with Jay Vanselow doing the same, the quartet fills out with Aaron Stallone on drums and Matt Natale, formerly of the Timmys, on bass as a loaner from Go! Tsunami.

MUSIC
Performing on the Sangamon Auditorium stage is the Grammy-award winning singing group with special guest John Hammond presented in cooperation with the Friends of Brookens Library to celebrate Black History Month.

THE CALENDAR
Submit calendar listings at www.illinoistimes.com.

ENVIRONMENT
The Sierra Club also hosts a book reading Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. with award-winning journalist and cultural historian Jeff Biggers at City Nights on Dirksen Parkway..

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 of January, 2010 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon County, stating that TERRY B.

WORKSHOPS
Promote your class, workshop or fundraiser here. Up to 30 words $10 per week; additional words .35 per word, per week. Contact your display ad rep OR email your ad (and contact info) to cenlow@illinoistimes.com.

THE ADVICE GODDESS
I’m seriously considering breast augmentation. I had nice boobs 60 pounds ago. I really miss them. My boyfriend says not to get implants for him; he likes me as I am. I’m doing this for me. I’m tired of bras that don’t fit (straps too short, cups too close), and I really want a bikini-worthy bod.

FINDLOCALBIZ
Come see the wonderful collection of fine crafts and art on display at The Museum Store. Pottery, jewelry, prints, fiber, wood, glass and all manner of inspired creations. Gift challenged? Our fine shop assistants will help you select the perfect gift for any occasion.

NEWS QUIRKS
After stealing handcuffs, a Taser and other items from an unmarked police car in Ocoee, Fla., Shane Thomas Williams-Allen, 19, was apprehended when he “locked the handcuffs on himself and had to call the Clermont Police Department to respond to release him,” according to an arrest affidavit.