Editor’s note
Like most politicians who take the job seriously, Tim Davlin could get testy and short when made to look hypocritical or just wrong. Once when we’d backed him into a corner editorially, he announced to a city council hearing that he doesn’t read Illinois Times, as though the little paper didn’t merit his attention.

Markable authors
On Oct. 12, on what would have been the subject’s 100th birthday, a marker was unveiled at Second and Jackson streets, noting the oncepresence nearby of the boyhood home of Robert S. Fitzgerald, the noted poet, teacher, and translator of the classics. (See “All is not well forever,” Nov.

In search of six votes for neighborhoods
In Rock Island, it’s not called the Department of Public Works, it’s Housing and Neighborhoods. Their Planning and Economic Development is known as Community and Economic Development. Their very first stated goal is to focus on preserving the city’s older neighborhoods.

The redistribution of America’s wealth to the few
Several of America’s top high-tech giants are now breaking with conventional thinking on the offshoring of their factories and jobs, asking a heretofore unthinkable question: “Who needs China?” “Let’s invest in new, state-of-the-art-factories,” they declare excitedly.

christmas story in two scenes
scene one: in new haven we attended the church on the block where we lived we were the only white family a black black santa delivered bags of candy to the children at the christmas party our three small daughters had saucer eyes the next day at the...

In search of six votes
On the expense side of the formula, neighborhood revitalization will greatly reduce time, energy, and resources being spent on the draining effect of blight. The revelation of over $2 million of uncollected fines and fees owed to the city is a tragic example of how the older neighborhoods are being overlooked.

Social services on the brink of collapse
The survey was conducted in October and November of this year by Illinois Partners for Human Service (IPHS). It found that almost half – 49 percent – of private human service providers have laid off staff.

SOLDIER FROM SANTA
As her 3-year-old sister, Breann, and 6-year-old brother, Lucas, hollered “Daddy! Daddy!” 8-year-old Destiny Ellis said, after great thought, that now she can ask Santa Claus for a Pillow Pet.

CLIMB FOR CHARITY
Climbing stairs isn’t often thought of as exciting or particularly challenging, but for John “Oz” Osborn, 37, of Rochester, it’s so much fun that he gave up BMX racing. He seems to have a knack for climbing stairs, as evidenced by his second place finish in the American Lung Association’s 2010 Fight for Air Climb in Springfield’s Hilton Hotel.

Why Macon County’s school tax passed
Sangamon County voters in November soundly defeated, with 55.6 percent of the vote, a 1 percent sales tax increase that by law could only pay for school construction projects. Their neighbors directly to the east in Macon County approved such a referendum with 51.

Late state payments decimate social services
Delayed state payments to schools and service providers threaten to overwhelm Illinois’ social safety net, say a pair of reports released in early December. The reports highlight the loss of thousands of jobs in education and social services, leading to vastly reduced services to children, the disabled, the elderly and the homeless.

The symphony’s singer of a century
“I couldn’t have guessed then that Polly was 97 years old,” recalls Deal. “I’d never met anyone that age. But with all her friends’ enthusiasm and her calm willingness – I thought if Polly has the courage to do this, why not? Later, when I heard her sing in her pure, lyrical voice, it was an incredible moment.

Hope for drug addicts
Her uneasiness is reflected in the short, quick steps she takes as she approaches the judge’s bench. This thin, frail woman of about 30 years is in court on drug charges, and her frazzled hair, wrinkled lips and gaunt features make her appear old.

What Lincoln read shaped the man, and history
The first book I ever owned was a child-sized version of the life of Abraham Lincoln – a gift from my book-loving father, who was convinced Lincoln read everything he ever got his hands on. His hope was that even as a kindergartener, I’d be inspired to follow Lincoln’s example.

Murder, intrigue, history, war & politics
contrasting images of Lincoln reading a borrowed and worn edition of Shakespeare in New Salem, and a finely bound edition in the White House tells a story of the man’s rise, aided by literature..

The American Dream, pre-cut and ready to assemble
Nearly 10 years ago Rosemary Thornton drove to Springfield from Alton to give a talk at Lincoln Library about Sears homes. As the library’s program director, I remember her coming early in the day so we could drive through various Springfield neighborhoods “hunting.

Lincoln and Darwin, born on the same day
Author James Lander teaches history at TASIS American School in England. His previ ous books include one on Roman stone fortifications. Still he manages, at times, to get into the heads and even the hearts of Lincoln the politician and Darwin the scientist, making the issues of race and humanitarian sensibility accessible and moving.

The enchanting story of Christmas in Illinois
Sleigh rides in Springfield. Christmas at Mormon founder Joseph Smith’s house in Nauvoo. Recipes from Collinsville’s “Queen of Cookies.” A Greenville Civil War soldier’s Christmas letter to his wife. The nation’s oldest Santa Claus parade in Peoria. Chicago carol singalongs with Studs Terkel.

The deadly adventures of a southern Illinois gangster
During the Prohibition Era of speakeasies, swanky gangsters and machine gun massacres, Illinois was home to some of the most powerful and respected figures in the underworld.

Uncovering the history buried by King Coal
Coal, to Jeff Biggers, is a symbol of lives lost, land destroyed and the worst of big business with too much political clout. But, to him, the black and dusty rock is also a symbol of his and so many Illinoisans’ heritage – one that in many ways has been all but erased.

This picture of Illinois politics isn’t pretty
This is no treatise prepared just for lectures in a political science classroom. The target is everyone who lives in Illinois, sends children to schools, strives to succeed, elects officials, pays taxes and hopes for a better day.

A fictional wartime journey from Carbondale to Cambodia and back
The third book in Mike Shepherd’s historical fiction trilogy of Mick Scott’s adventures as a soldier and a spy has an Illinois flavor, like the others, though it ranges to distant Cambodia, Vietnam and even New York City.

Get your kicks... on Springfield Stories and Route 66
When people think of Springfield history their minds usually turn to its favorite son. Thousands of books have been written about Abraham Lincoln, but there is much capital city lore to be brought to light outside Lincoln’s shadow. Two new books reveal stories and images of our city’s past that readers, especially Springfield natives, will enjoy.

Holiday Calendar
Through Dec 31, 9am-4pm Wed-Sun, Tours given about every 20 minutes. Last tour starts with video around 3:45 p.m. and ends just prior to 5 p.m. Suggested donation $5, $3 children, $13 families. 782-6776. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence..

Holiday Calendar
Elvis Himselvis Dec 18, 3-7pm, Hear Elvis sing on the Neuhoff Media Holiday stage in the food court. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave. 787-0110.

Cinematic holiday gifts
With the film industry heading towards instant downloads and video streaming via the Internet and other delivery modes, the release of large DVD sets is becoming more and more rare. That’s a shame because much of the fun for cinephiles when purchasing such collections comes from discovering the many extra features they contain.

Humphrey Bogart: The Essential Collection
Invisible Stripes. Key Largo, The Roaring Twenties, Across the Pacific.

Everybody on your feet
Video-gaming couch potatoes are so yesteryear. In 2010, gamers must get on their feet to conquer feats in seventh-generation gaming systems. Two new consoles debuted this year with action-packed adventures for all ages to enjoy. Gift-givers, compare specs below to decide which gaming system will help loved-ones make all the right moves.

Back in black
That white Xbox 360 coupled with the new black Kinect sensor may look a bit odd on the media console.

New Kinect for Xbox 360 Titles
The Wii Bundle retails for $199.99 and comes with the console and two games: Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort..

Christmas morn
Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Well, at least in America. Christmas gift-giving customs vary around the world, and many of them aren’t on either Christmas Eve or Day. That has the benefit of separating the spiritual and religious aspects, at least to a degree, from what has become a commercial and consumer free-for-all.

RealCuisine Recipe
Butter a 9-by-13-inch or similarly sized baking dish. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. If using the diced ham or sausage, sauté just until lightly browned. If using fresh sausage, sauté until it’s completely cooked through, chopping it into small pieces.

Read Chuck Koplinski’s review of Tron Legacy and find Movie Times at www.illinoistimes.com
Read Chuck Koplinski’s review of Tron Legacy and find Movie Times at www.illinoistimes.com.

You Know, it’s not As Good as it Gets
Two characters at personal crossroads collide and the prospect of their being able to help one another is slim. Star Olympic softball player Lisa (Reese Witherspoon) has just been cut from the 2012 team while George (Paul Rudd) had been told he’s about to be indicted on federal charges of fraud.

Merry music musings
On Friday Tony Turasky plays holiday host with Chillfest at the Illinois Building on the state fairgrounds. For those of you out of the loop it’s the edifice just inside the main gate guarded by a giant Abe Lincoln wielding an axe and inside is an underused theater space that makes for a mighty fine concert venue.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Ramblin Blues Band
For over a year and half now The Ramblin Blues Band has traveled around the local music scene roaming through venues all over central Illinois.

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

PUB CRAWL
Live music and more within 40 miles of Springfield. Dates, times and locations are subject to change, so we suggest calling before attending an event.

THEATER | Broadcast play
Enjoy your favorite holiday classic as you never have before. In this stage production, you’ll witness a live 1940s radio broadcast that includes actors reading scripts in front of old-fashioned microphones, ’40s-era costumes, period commercials and sound effects sounding out via the cast and sound guy, Karl Bockemeier.

THE CALENDAR
Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending the event..

HISTORY | Decked out Wright
Dec. 17 and 19 are two of the best nights during the holidays to visit the 12,600-square-foot Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site, which will be closed Jan. 1 for several months for major rehab work.

THE CALENDAR
Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending the event.

THE CALENDAR
Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending the event.

MUSIC | Instrumental ensemble
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestra Karen Lynne Deal is joined by Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony, Sangamon Valley Community Orchestra, The Four Sopranos, Springfield Youth Performance Group and St. Andrew’s Pipes and Drums for this year’s Holiday Pops concert.

PUBLICNOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEV- ENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF MADALYN MAXWELL, Deceased. CASE NO.: 2010-P-659 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of MADA- LYN MAXWELL. Letters Testamentary were issued on November 23, 2010 to Jay Stevenson of Springfield, Illinois.

PUBLICNOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT SANGAMON COUNTY - SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS Marine Bank, Springfield, PLAINTIFF Vs. Peter J. Summers a/k/a Pete Summers a/k/a Pete J. Summers Jr.; et. al.

AMY ALKON
My husband surfs the Internet for porn and pictures of women when he’s bored. I want to accept this, but I can’t help but feel insecure and betrayed. He doesn’t watch porn when I’m home, but if I were gone more often, I think he’d be hopping online. I don’t snoop; I just see clues.

PUBLICNOTICES
If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

NEWSQUIRKS
Police had little trouble identifying the masked woman who robbed a drugstore in Manchester, N.H. A witness reported seeing the suspect flee the store and get into a car with vanity plates that read “B-USHER.” Police arrested Bonnie Usher, 43, who was at her home with stolen money.