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How to gut renewable energy
For the third consecutive legislative session, myopic legislators have introduced illogical, almost surreal rationalizations for why they should repeal one state law that has successfully protected Illinois for 23 years, and sabotage a second that promotes zero-carbon, sustainable and less-polluting energy.

Making room for the Huangs
In 2002, the government of the People’s Republic of China banned a book of oral history interviews with the sorts of people that the West does not hear about, and that the Chinese authorities do not wish it to. The compiler was one Liao Yiwu, a dissident writer who had been marginalized himself by the party.

Wall Street grins as Washington fiddles
Abacus is an infamous investment package created by the financial alchemists at Goldman Sachs. It fell into infamy because it is the convoluted scheme that has recently caused mighty Goldman to get its tail caught in a crack. According to fraud cops at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Abacus is a scam.

environmentpoem # 11
I was astonished that in the earthweek issue of this publication one of the tips was headlined put it all on the line then breathed nary a word about hanging wash outside the only energy used is yours of course those who live in la-de-dah...

LETTERS
There used to be terrific TV public service announcements against littering donated by the Advertising Council which the stations should find and begin showing. They may cause at least a pang of guilt among the pigs who want to keep the inside of their cars clean at the expense of the environment.

Brady’s many unhappy returns
The Republican gubernatorial nominee released his returns four years ago when he ran for governor the first time. The returns showed he earned well into six figures and had lots of successful businesses. Nobody paid much attention at the time because Brady was an unknown state senator with little chance of winning the GOP nomination.

State shuffling agency offices
The leases are negotiated by the state’s Central Management Services agency, which spent almost $41.3 million for real property rental in Fiscal Year 2010. Many of the new leases replace expired “holdover” leases that had been identified as unnecessarily expensive by legislators and Illinois Auditor General William Holland.

A SWEET DEAL
Yanow is an active member of the MacArthur Boulevard Business Association and belongs to the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. He and his employees have supported a variety of charitable fundraising efforts, including the Animal Protective League and United Cerebral Palsy.

HAIRCUTS TO HELP KIDS
Get your hair cut for a cause on Wednesday, May 19, at University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts. From 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m., the school will be hosting a cut-a-thon to raise money for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, with haircuts and manicures for $5 and facials and half-hour massages for $10.

Election board owed $585,000 in unpaid fines
Many of the 477 delinquent fines are several years old, totaling $585,623.75. The fines were issued to political action committees (PACs) and candidate committees for late registration, submitting late reports on campaign donations or violating board orders.

Media expert: Print’s not dead
Maynard, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, delivered that message of hope to the Illinois Press Association convention in Springfield last week, discounting speculation that print media are on the way out. Maynard spent 25 years with Copley Press, former parent company of the State Journal-Register,.

Building a sustainable school
The 308-acre campus has experienced a 100 percent reduction in natural gas use and a 30 percent reduction in electricity use in two of its recently renovated buildings.

Dancing without the stars
“Tee, ay—n-g-o! Tee, ay—n-g-o!” barks Pat Lyttaker as she leads a multigenerational crowd through the basic steps of the tango. “Good job, baby dolls! Good job!” A professional dance instructor for three decades, Lyttaker peppers her lessons with pet names and reassuring pats on backs.

Hero of Hotel Rwanda campaigns for truth about genocide
But Rusesabagina has been spreading the message that Rwanda’s gains have come at the price of freedom, and that unless the international community somehow curbs Kagame’s increasingly repressive ways and brings out the full story of the genocide, Rwanda’s success could come undone.

Plan ahead to plant the right tree
Selecting a tree is one of the most important landscape decisions a homeowner will make. Trees should be considered as an investment for the future, since most people move before a tree that they planted reaches mature height. Keep in mind, a properly placed and cared for tree will most likely outlive the person who planted it.

Chicago political conventions, stories from Lincoln to Clinton
“I was sitting at a table with a writer and professor named Craig Sautter,” recalls Burke. “We were talking about all the great political conventions that had taken place in Chicago. But all anybody ever seemed to talk about was the fear in the streets in 1968 when the police and Vietnam War protesters struggled before a worldwide television audience.

Illinois and the Panic of 1819
Financial problems are nothing new to the Prairie State. Sadly, neither are inept responses by governmental officials. After the Panic of 1819 one of our own townsmen, an esteemed founding father, was one of several leaders investigated for wrongdoing in relation to state-sponsored recovery efforts.

Good but cheap Chicago eats
Our favorite was a miniscule Lithuanian, Tulpe. Filled (and filling) dumpling-esque dishes dominated. Some were round, some cylindrical, stuffed with meat, cheese or potato; all were topped with bacon, fried onions and sour cream.

A recurring Nightmare
One of the things that made many of the classic horror films in the 1970s effective is they were done cheaply and sported a gritty esthetic. The fact that the images were grainy and that their low budgets inadvertently gave them a semi-documentary feel made them seem more frightening.

Furry a bit mangy
To be sure, how much you enjoy this film is dependent on how funny you think someone being thrashed around in a Porta-Potty is. Personally, I’ve outgrown this gag but I’m sure those under 10 years old will squeal with delight at the sight.

Movie times
PLEASE NOTE: Kerasotes listings are for Friday, May 7 through Thursday, May 13. 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.

May’s amalgam of offerings
First up here’s a heads up to Marina V fans. Most likely due to her very astute Web presence MV-heads are aware she is in a competition for a chance to play the Lilith Fair on stage with founding female Sarah McLachlan. For complete voting instructions go to www.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT
This rock quintet dominated the band scene in Springfield around the turn of the century with energetic live shows, exciting original songs and an incredible base of friends and fans. Originally an acoustic guitar/vocal duo with Doug Gholson and Troy Roark, after scoring a local radio hit with Lisa’s Shirt.

FESTIVAL
The race is full, but the party needs you. This annual run and walk, to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and other charities, has gotten so popular that this year’s race roster is at capacity. But that doesn’t mean you can’t check out the action and join the street party and pig roast.

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

CHILDREN
Do you know what Cinco de Mayo is really about? Learn about the Mexican heritage of many Illinois residents through activities, music and more at this museum’s children’s program. Recommended for children 4-8 years of age, registration is not required.

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 9th day of April, 2010 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon...

DONATIONS
Forty-nine million Americans are at risk of hunger according to the USDA. Mark your calendar for May 8, because helping those in need just got easier. All you have to do is place non-perishable food items in a bag, set it by your mailbox and your letter carrier will collect the bag.

NEWS QUIRKS
Robby Rose pleaded guilty to felony cheating in a fishing tournament in Rockwall County, Texas, after he was caught stuffing a one-pound lead weight into a bass to try to win top prize: a bass boat. Tournament officials became suspicious when they placed the fish in a holding tank before weighing it, and it sank to the bottom.

FIND LOCAL BIZ
Plus, a list of all local wedding reception venues and how to reach them. This beautiful publication is on newsstands now. You’ll love IT..

THE ADVICE GODDESS
This girl I met on a dating site attends another college, three hours away, so we’ve only talked on the phone. I’ve experienced the online/in-person divergence before, so I’m worried. I’ve seen photos, but they’re blurry face shots or half-body shots. My friends and family say I’m being shallow, that I should focus on how good a person she is.

WORKSHOPS
$10 a week for 30 words. To place your ad, contact your display rep or e-mail your ad and contact information to nbulli@illinoistimes.com.