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Will Illinois ignite a biotech boom?
In early May, nearly 20,000 biotechnology industry leaders from around the globe will gather in Chicago to discuss the future of the life sciences sector. The issues addressed at this year’s BIO International Convention could have lasting effects on the Illinois economy.

Cloudy thinking from the Sunshine State
Illinois was demographically if not geographically a Southern state in its early years, and has long suffered from innovations in the civil realm imported from the land of molasses and mosquitoes. These include Black Codes and courthouse politics, but we would have had to add to that list if a proposed school reform bill in Florida became law.

King Coal says, ‘Live free or die!’
By gollies, one group in our country has what it takes! One group has done more than just strut around at teabag rallies, barking loudly about nullification, secession, militias and other big-talk threats to stop federal intrusion into our lives and businesses.

LETTERS
Second, I hope they also perform a green rebuild so that everything in the new hospital wing will be recycled. Finally I hope that the new wing will generate its own energy and be super efficient in its energy usage. If they use windows, please use windows that generate electricity.

friend’s story poem #6
my friend annette says she’s still unearthing forgotten treasure in her backyard her boys many years ago buried the contents of her jewelry box as focus for their pirate maps she keeps hoping she’ll find something that matches or her precious small gold baby ring I say make those strapping sons come back start sifting.

The ‘Fair Map’ is going nowhere
Take a look at the day after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, when several state senators flocked to a secure computer room to check on their district boundaries just ahead of a critical mapmaking deadline. The rest of us were still in shock, but those senators were taking care of business.

BLUE GENES
What’s really in your favorite fruits and veggies? Join Jeffrey M. Smith, executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, for his keynote address on the health risks of genetically modified foods as part of this weekend’s Earth Day festivities, Saturday, April 24, at 12:45 p.

TV ENTERTAINMENT
Springfield’s public access TV channel has had a rough go of it the past few months. After Comcast in December decided to stop providing a studio for producers to create shows and an access point to get them on air, the city of Springfield stepped up as an access point – but the producers still lack a studio.

Auditor: State pays too much for expired office leases
The audit, from the office of Illinois Auditor General William Holland, shows CMS made unnecessary emergency expenditures and accounting mistakes in several areas, and the department continues to pay too much for expired state office leases.

Immigration reform coming
Shelly Heideman, executive director of Faith Coalition for the Common Good, says current immigration law causes unnecessary suffering and splits families apart.

Telecom law revamp needed
Illinois telecommunication laws need a rewrite, technology providers say. Outdated legislation means the state is losing jobs and business growth, members of the telecom community told the House’s Bipartisan Job Creation Task Force at an April 14 meeting.

10 things you can do in Springfield to save the planet!
You don’t have to be Captain Planet, Al Gore or Rachel Carson to help the environment. Saving energy, preserving natural resources and reducing waste are easier than you think! Small changes in your lifestyle can have positive results for the planet, your pocketbook and your soul.

Conserve water with rain barrels
One way to reduce outdoor water usage and conserve water is to collect rainwater. A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater. A typical 1/2 inch rainfall will fill a 55 gallon barrel. It is estimated that a 55 gallon rain barrel can save about 1,300 gallons of water during the summer.

Plant anywhere you have space and sun
Vegetable gardening can provide the grower many benefits including exercise, a break from the stress of everyday life, decrease in the weekly food bill, nutritious produce that tastes better and is fresher than grocery store produce, and a sense of pride when you feed your family fresh vegetables from your own garden.

Beautification is contagious
This is the sixth year for Springfield in Bloom, the community-wide beautification program that challenges homeowners, businesses, neighborhood associations and nonprofit organizations across central Illinois to bring beautiful new color and life to their street-side yards.

Earth Day and garden event calendar
City homeowners can schedule a free home pickup of items such as mattresses, furniture or appliances. Call Allied Waste, 522-7797. Residents limited to one free pickup per 12-month period. Other options (fees involved): Sangamon Valley Landfill, 2565 Sandhill Rd.

Making every day Earth Day
I’m somewhat ambivalent about Earth Day. It’s not that celebrating the earth is a bad idea. But one day a year – or even one week – hardly seems adequate. After all, humans are completely, totally, absolutely dependent on Gaia – Mother Earth.

Kick-Ass is only half right
If ever there was a genre ripe for parody, it’s the superhero film. Matthew Vaughn’s take on Mark Millar’s post-modern comic book “Kick-Ass,” strives to be the feature that takes the first step towards deconstructing this type of movie. Problem is, the director is far too in love with heroes in spandex to properly skewer them.

Movie times
PLEASE NOTE: Kerasotes listings are for Friday, Apr 23 through Thursday, Apr 29. 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.

April assortment
Hopefully everyone who needs to know knows BB King waltzes his octogenarian, guitar-slinging self into the UIS Sangamon Auditorium on Friday night, April 23. His most excellent, Chicago-based drummer, Tony Coleman makes a stop at Daddy-O’s Music Shack (1405 Stevenson Drive #7) for a drum workshop from 3:30 to 5 p.

BAND SPOTLIGHT
For a couple of decades now, saxophonist Frank Trompeter has continually leveled a creative blast upon the local landscape.

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

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

ENVIRONMENT
Rain or shine, the city of Springfield celebrates Earth and Arbor Day on April 24 with a downtown Earth Awareness Fair. Information on eco-friendly choices such as recycling, alternative transportation, energy efficiency, native plants/ habitat and water conservation will be available through exhibits, speakers, games and activities.

HEALTH
Tai Chi involves simple movements with controlled breathing and thought. Therein comes a peace of the entire self. John Starman has been teaching Tai Chi to Springfieldians for decades, invoking joy and a stress buster like no other. Watch John and others demonstrate this ancient art form of healing.

WORKSHOPS
Promote your class, workshop, or fundraiser here! Just $10 per week for up to 30 words; any additional words are just $0.35 per word. To place your ad, contact your display rep or e-mail your ad and contact information to [email protected].

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 31st day of March, 2010 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon...

NEWS QUIRKS
Albert Bailey, 27, and a 16-year-old accomplice phoned a bank in Fairfield, Conn., and said they’d be by in 10 minutes to pick up $100,000 in large bills. Their call warned no dye packs and threatened “a blood bath” if the money wasn’t ready.

FIND LOCAL BIZ
All items are inspected upon arrival at our store and frozen at proper temperatures to guarantee that you receive only the best product. Robert's Seafood Market, 1615 West Jefferson Street. 217-546-3089. Order online/ship fish anywhere at www.robertsseafoodmarket.

THE ADVICE GODDESS
I’ve been seeing this guy for more than two years. Although we spend lots of time together, we don’t have a committed relationship. We’ve been off and on throughout this entire two-year “complexship,” as I call it. Normally, we’re fine until I start asking about us being more to each other.