Yes, some Downstaters were cheered to learn that the City of Chicago, their ancient nemesis, lost some 200,000 residents during the Oughts. But while the City of Chicago is losing people, the Chicago metropolitan area is not. Metropolitan Chicago has grown into a key node in a massive urban agglomeration that stretches from Milwaukee to Detroit.

No matter what you think about Tim Davlin’s effectiveness as our mayor, no one should question the success of his efforts to clean and green Springfield. But we have to wonder how many people (including the three candidates for mayor) realize the size and scope of the success of the Springfield Green organization.

However, in a recent sting, blogger Ian Murphy recorded a revealing phone call he made to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Murphy pretended to be David Koch, the farright-wing billionaire who pumped more than a million dollars into Walker’s election last year.

The reason is simple: In order to end the invasions and bring our people home, Washington, D.C., will have to admit that the invasions were a stupid waste of time and resources.

“IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHOSE SIGNS THESE ARE YOU CAN’T HAVE TRAVELED VERY FAR” . . . but did you know anyone who ever USED burma shave?.

We call on you, candidates for mayor, to tell the Springfield Green committee to move forward with planning and ordering for the coming season. Once the dust settles in your administration we can sit down and talk about how best to staff and manage the program in future years.

On election day, 2006, national exit polling showed voters 65 and older split their ballots 49-49 between the two parties. In Illinois, however, senior citizens went with Democrat Rod Blagojevich over Republican Judy Baar Topinka by 10 points, 50-40..

Former death row inmate Randy Steidl, who was convicted of a double murder in 1987 and exonerated in 2004, became a vocal opponent of the death penalty after his release, and he says he will continue to push for repeal of the death penalty elsewhere.

The event will be Monday, March 28, in partnership with the University of Illinois Springfield at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine on 801 Rutledge St. A reception begins at 6 p.m. in the Pearson Museum on the second floor, followed by a presentation in the south auditorium at 7 p.

The Springfield Park Board will have a new set of players after the election on April 5, when four candidates, plus a write-in, will run for three seats on the park board.

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, United African Organization, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Muslim Bar Association of Chicago gathered for the event.

The University of Illinois Springfield’s campus police department is investigating allegations of harassment involving the school’s outgoing athletic director, a controversial coach and a former player’s parent, who is also well known to the U of I system for his activism.

In our contemporary world of instant change and constant flux, generational pastimes are a lost presence, seemingly passed by for the latest and greatest new thing, barely becoming rooted before being cast aside for another practice.

As educators and performers, Tom and Beth bring a particular charm and noticeable experience to the teaching realm, not the least of which is a huge respect for what the arts can do for students, and for people in general, beyond the simple act of artistry, delving into the psyche and persona for improvement on many levels.

The official grand opening of the National Museum of Surveying, 521 E. Washington, at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 19, marks the end of a birthing long in labor. Admission on the special day is free to all comers. Otherwise adult individuals pay $5 a person, families $10 and there are discounts for students, active duty military, seniors and kids.

Northerners have eaten it for years, too. But American Southerners eat more, and, moreover, celebrate and claim it as their own. It’s one of the iconic foods that defines the region, right up there with fried chicken, biscuits, grits, collard greens and red-eye gravy.

The village where Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) lives is on edge due to a recent spate of werewolf attacks. Her sister is the first victim and soon suspicious glances are being cast on every citizen as it’s determined the monster’s in their midst.

After experiencing the wild and wooly St. Patrick’s Day Marching Band Parade I must admit to ambivalent feelings.

With a set list filled with songs that your average rocker already knows and loves, The Backliners easily achieve the self-proclaimed aspiration of being “all about having a good time” and “getting the crowd out on the dance floor.

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

Find more details and gigs in our online calendar at www.illinoistimes.com.

Willie Nelson performs for central Illinois fans as his Country Throwdown tour moves through Springfield stopping at the Prairie Capital Convention Center. If Nelson could be called the anything of country music – the most appropriate might be – the titan of country music.

Equality in Washington, D.C. Free. Reservations required, 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St..

2pm Sun, Over 100 Springfield Figure Skating members perform musical ice versions of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Little Shop Of Horrors’ and more. Special guest Jeremy Abbott. $10 adult, $5 child under 12. 793-9114. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N.

John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party is a tribute concert from the Winter Dance Party Tour that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper were performing in before their fateful airplane crash. Endorsed by all three estates, the show includes: John Mueller as Buddy Holly, Ray Anthony as Ritchie Valens, Jay P.

by non-professional artists. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-7386..

Mar 23, 30, 9-10am, Weather permitting, help clear trash. Garbage bags and long handled pickers provided. Bring gloves. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, Springfield..

Seven family-friendly performances are slated at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for Charlayne Woodard’s play, Flight..

Mar 21, 11am, A Better Chance Director, domestic violence advocate and former Fortune 500 executive, Dede Bartlett, “Tips to Navigate Any Workplace.” Illinois College Sibert Theatre, McGaw Fine Arts Center, Jacksonville..

More events, more details in our online calendar at illinoistimes.com..

NOTICE UNDER ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME ACT STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF SANGAMON TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that on 14th day of March, 2011 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon...

If the property is located in a common interest community, purchasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

PETITION REQUESTS THE TERMINATION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN WITH POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION, YOU MAY LOSE ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS TO THE CHILD. UNLESS YOU appear at the hearing and show cause to the contrary, AN ORDER OR JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE PETITION.

Robert Michelson, 21, called 911 wanting to know how much trouble he could get into for growing one marijuana plant. When the dispatcher told him he could be arrested, Michelson said thank you and hung up. The dispatcher promptly notified police, who went to Michelson’s house in Farmington, Conn.

I have an online dating issue. When a man and I are going to have our first phone chat, I set up a specific day and time so we don’t have to play phone tag. This allows me to schedule around it and be prepared and at my computer viewing his profile when we talk.