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While U.S. fiddles, China gains
The recent congressional budget squabble demonstrated our dysfunction, and the squabbling flared up again once the Congressional Budget Office reported that instead of the $38.5 billion of spending cuts that both sides were claiming as a “victory,” the actual decline in real spending probably would total about $352 million.

Celebrating success
Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s modern pharaoh, and his two sons were “detained” in mid-April for questioning about corruption and abuse of power by Egyptian prosecutors. No one knows how much the longtime Egyptian strongman and his family have skimmed from the Egyptian economy during his rule.

A morally untenable corporate system
It’s good to know that some corporate chieftains do feel the pain of their underlings – those hard-hit workers who keep being forced to do more for less reward. Take the example of Gannett, the media giant that owns 23 television stations and 82 newspapers, including USA Today.

LETTERS
I’ve wanted to go green for many years now, either wind energy or geothermal, but due to the cost of a system I have not been able to afford it until now. I own some land in the country and I planned to build a home this year. My plan was to possibly put a geothermal heating and cooling system in, which would cost $15,000-$20,000.

While U.S. fiddles, China gains
This is what Indiana governor Mitch Daniels tried to warn conservatives about in a recent speech. If you want to accomplish anything wise (i.e., difficult) in this country, you need a large coalition of support; your base plus some independents is not enough.

Bill to protect sales tax havens backfires
Some big Chicago-area retailers have found a way to avoid paying high local sales taxes on their wholesale purchases. They’ve essentially set up their own “tax havens” in downstate counties which have no local sales taxes. The havens are mostly just one-person offices with a fax machine.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION
There are few issues of such immediate importance as teaching young women about sexual assault prevention. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network estimates that a sexual assault occurs every 12 minutes – usually against women.

Group aims to bring CeaseFire to Springfield
When a young man from a high-risk neighborhood gets shot and survives, he has the potential to become a hero. But what kind of hero he chooses to become can mean either peaceful progress or continuing violence for his community, says James Hodges, pastor at King’s House Church of the Living God, located at 430 N.

GOT DRUGS
Start your spring cleaning this weekend by clearing out that medicine cabinet. Bring all expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs to Prevention First at 2800 Montvale Drive Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Let the Springfield Police Department and the U.

State grant helps vets find quality dental care
The Persian Gulf War veteran has suffered from a tooth infection during the last year and has needed up to three teeth pulled for months. He says that last month alone he paid $300 out-of-pocket for dental work, money that came out of benefits from the U.

My night on patrol with the Springfield police
It’s dark while I’m seated in the front passenger side of a Springfield Police Department squad car. I feel my voice box drop into my stomach to stay for a while as a handcuffed male suspect arrested for alleged criminal trespassing at Mac’s Lounge climbs into the back seat.

Springfield urged to watch for human trafficking
Victims of human trafficking, the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry worldwide, are often manipulated or coerced into sexual exploitation or involuntary servitude. They range in age, are both male and female, and include both U.S. citizens and foreigners transported to the country under force or fraudulent circumstances.

Besieged owner claims big foreclosure ‘political’
Jeff Polen of Taylorville, owner of JSP Investments and a handful of similarlynamed companies in Springfield, faces foreclosure on 153 mortgages held by State Bank of Lincoln on houses and other properties he owns in Springfield, Riverton, Illiopolis, Auburn and Pawnee.

Hope comes full circle
Throughout its history, the Hope Institute has remained in the vanguard of care for children with disabilities. Now Winson is joining forces with new chief executive officer, Dr.

Brigitte’s story of Hope
Today Brigitte is thriving in one of Hope’s community homes. She’s mastering self-help routines like bathing, doing laundry and cleaning up after meals. She’s even learning important job skills at Hope’s vocational workshop..

Hope comes full circle
While Hope’s mission to provide resources for children with disabilities has remained constant, the Institute’s founders could scarcely have predicted the sheer magnitude of expansion their little organization would experience over the coming half-century.

Jenna’s story of Hope
When Jenna was born, her parents were naturally overjoyed. Stacey and Steve marveled at their child’s tiny toes, her beautiful eyes and her precious little smile. Like all parents, they beamed with pride as their child took her first steps and spoke her first words.

James’s story of Hope
So began Loni and Jim’s five-year battle to get help for James, who they soon adopted. Doctors said Down Syndrome and autism could not coexist. Without a formal diagnosis, Loni had no access to autism supports and services..

Hope comes full circle
“We were able to move Judy back into the home where she spent the last 18 years. And I mean, you could see the relief on my sister’s face and in her motions.

Gorging on spring greens
With fresh produce available year round today, it’s almost impossible to realize how much the first edible spring greens were eagerly awaited, and how enthusiastically they were consumed. But it’s not surprising.

Refreshingly romantic Water for Elephants
On the verge of going down the drain, August takes a chance and buys an elephant, an attraction he’s convinced will turn their fortunes around. He’s right, but it comes at a cost as he puts Jacob in charge of training the beast, assigns Marlena to develop an act around it and unexpected sparks fly between them.

A bomb, a brunch and a barbershop chorus
The bomb in question refers to the infamous pipe bomb tossed by an unknown agitator that set off what is known to history as the Haymarket Square affair, riot, occurrence or massacre depending on who’s side you’re on. It happened May 4, 1886 in Chicago, like it or not becoming part of our state legacy with international repercussions.

Open Jam with Hipbone Sam
Dog of Panic, Jodyboss, Jessica Jolly, The England Chambers Band, Ashley Riley - Tent Fest.

ENVIRONMENT | Earth Day party
In its 19th year of celebrating and educating citizens of every age, this free fair put on by CWLP and the city of Springfield is a must visit on May 7, as is the new Southwind Park and Erin’s Pavilion, Springfield’s only Platinum LEED-certified building.

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

ART | Sun studio
Lincoln Memorial Garden in spring is a canvas of stunning visual wonder in itself, but on April 30, numerous artists will set up shop along its paths and paint materpieces. Families can watch the work in progress and also build fairy houses using natural materials from 10 a.

THE CALENDAR
Gallery Opening “Mark Goodmanson - Monotypes”.

THEATER | Word play
Famous film and TV actor Anthony Zerbe, of The Omega Man, Papillon, The Matrix.

THE CALENDAR
Vietnam Veterans Vigil and Memorial Service.

CIRCUS | Clowning around
The circus comes to town. The same producers who put on the Ice Capades will set up in Lincoln Park’s Nelson Center in the ice arena. That’s right, this is one of the few times the ice is removed, and the rink will fill with clowns, motorcycles, acrobats, a boxing kangaroo, elephants and more.

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 8TH day of April, 2011 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon County, stating that HAI V.

CHASE BANK, NA; WEST KOKE MILL...
CHASE BANK, NA; WEST KOKE MILL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION; STATEOF ILLINOIS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS;DEFEN- DANTS NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN YOU, KIM SUAN POON AKA KIM POON AKA KIM S.

NEWS QUIRKS
Dorothy McGurk, 43, was receiving $850 a month in alimony by claiming she was disabled and couldn’t work. Then ex-husband Brian McGurk discovered a blog showing the New York City woman belly dancing, as well as other Internet postings in which she wrote about dancing vigorously for several hours every day.

lein amount - $ $5,000.00 1999 BUICK...
lein amount - $ $5,000.00 1999 BUICK CENTURY LIMITED vin # 2G4WY52M4X1469859 TIFFANY L HARPER lein amount - $ $5,000.00 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA vin # 2FALP71W1VX122255 GARY L TAYLOR lein amount - $ $5,000.00 1995 MERCURY COUGAR XR7 vin # 1MELM62W7SH654261 JOHN W BECKER & JOHN BECKER ADVANTAGE AUTO SALES lein amount - $ $1,200.

AMY ALKON
I’m in a relationship that feels like it could last, but I’m afraid of ending up like my parents: constantly bickering over minutiae, snarling at each other from other rooms, and slamming doors. The thing is, my boyfriend and I are already starting to fight over the stupidest stuff! —Worried.