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The mysteries of space and time
I wouldn’t want to be quoted on it, but I think it was Michael Burlingame, in his comprehensive biography of the 16th president, who revealed that Abraham Lincoln started thinking about a new career in Washington because he could never find a parking place downtown.

The 1 percent that used to be
The Biltmore rests within an 8,000-acre estate. This house, designed to resemble a French chateau and serve as George Vanderbilt’s home, contains 250 rooms, including 34 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms. Since 1895, it has been an object of ridicule and awe, a shrine to greed, and a beacon of hope for strivers after the American Dream.

Giving gifts that matter
It wasn’t that long ago that the act of “gift giving” didn’t require a maddening trip to Walmart or a desperate online search for this season’s must-have toy. Rather, a gift implied something from within, a little piece of yourself, no matter how small, showing you care.

LETTERS
Thank you for highlighting the arts in Springfield [see “Upbeat arts in a down economy,” Dec. 22, by Scott Faingold]. However, one story you seem to have missed is the purchasing and renovation of The Legacy Theatre at 101 E Lawrence. Granted, I am biased because of my involvement with the theater, but it’s unfortunate that you missed the boat here.

The 1 percent that used to be
The family runs a massive tourist operation at the Biltmore to earn money to maintain the estate, restore various rooms to their original states and, presumably, to rebuild the family fortune. According to the Biltmore’s guidebook, this operation provides jobs for 1,800 employees.

Are Nehemiah Homes public or private?
Aretha Thompson of Springfield said she and her two children were blessed to move into a house in the Nehemiah Homes neighborhood in March 2010. The subsidized housing development was a welcome change from the uncertainties of living at Sojourn Shelter, a Springfield shelter for victims of domestic violence.

WHERE TO TAKE ELECTRONICS
Beginning this month, it is illegal to dump unwanted electronic items in Illinois landfills. The ban list developed by the General Assembly includes 17 things, ranging from televisions to computers, that can’t be dumped.

GETTING RID OF GOVERNMENT
It turns out that we can do without a mosquito abatement district or tuberculosis sanitarium district, both of which are authorized by the state General Assembly, but neither of which exist in Sangamon County or, for that matter, Champaign, McLean...

Too close for comfort
In a lawsuit filed Dec. 27 in Sangamon County Circuit Court, Carolyn Williams says that Narmont advised her to declare bankruptcy in 2003 to avoid paying monies pursuant to a court-ordered settlement in the estate of her late husband, John W. Harmon. Narmont also told Williams that she should sell 41 acres in Auburn, according to the lawsuit.

The business of fitness
There are plenty of would-be customers out there. Check out any buffet line, and if you don’t believe your eyes, consider a report published last summer by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health, which found that Illinoisans were the 15th least physically active folks in the nation.

The business of fitness
“When I run into clients at the grocery store, they hide what’s in their carts,” says Jill Thiel, coowner of Fitness Together, who can recall more than one instance in which someone has placed themselves between her and whatever forbidden carbs might be lurking amid yoghurt and tofu.

The business of fitness
But the market is big year-round, as evidenced by what happened when the YMCA opened its new facility last fall. One month after opening day, the Y had sold about 2,100 memberships, which translates into 5,000 or so people, says Don Darnell, YMCA executive director.

Here’s how I did it
I was a stocky kid off and on throughout my childhood. Just before my senior year of high school, I was able to lose a large amount of weight, and that weight loss changed my life. I was thrilled with the way people reacted to the “new” me. I stayed thin in college, and early in my career and marriage.

The U.S. is getting larger
The country is growing larger, and that has nothing to do with the population. Individuals are heavier than ever before. About one third of Americans are considered obese. No state in the U.S. has an obesity level of less than 20 percent.

You are what you…DRINK
People have long been told by doctors and health experts that the foods they eat have a direct correlation to personal health. But the beverages individuals choose to drink could be equally as influential. Choosing the right beverages can fit with any nutritional plan.

The average person swallows 400 calories from liquids each day.
While high-fat, high-calorie whole milk items may wreak havoc on waistlines and contribute to cholesterol levels, low-fat milk is the ideal way to receive essential vitamins and calcium.

Reduce stress with relaxation tools
Stress has become a daily part of people’s lives. Despite its detriments to health and well-being, stress seems to be something most people can’t shake. Increasing the number of relaxation tools around the house may prove effective at reducing stress..

Cultivate your own bounty of vegetables
“Insects and disease can be a serious problem when growing vegetables,” says Reinie Drygala, products manager for PureSpray Green, a leading name in innovative garden products. “If uncontrolled, they will destroy your prized collection of vegetables and flowers.

The rest of the story, 2011
It’s time again to wrap up some of the things I wrote about during 2011. Though I usually do it chronologically, this time around I have to start with the overwhelming reader response to my Oct.

Stars shine in My Week with Marilyn
Marilyn Monroe’s personal troubles have been well documented. Plagued by self-doubt, constantly in search of love, in hindsight the actress’s tragic early death was seemingly inevitable, what with the lack of support she received as well as the toxic environment she found herself in.

Elvis by the numbers
This is common talk among the Elvisizing crowd, including our local prince of a tribute artist, Elvis Himselvis. Commonly called Rick Dunham, the actor and singer hosts an Elvis tribute concert this Sat., Jan. 7, as a benefit for the Mary Bryant Home at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Cabin Fever
In 2005 this hardworking, easy-playing quintet of Zach Johnson (vocals, harmonica), Mike Eck (vocals, guitar), Danny Sronce (vocals, guitar), Geoff Ryan (electric bass) and Justin Schmidt (percussion, banjo) joined together to play true blues, country- and folk-based music in the Americana genre.

PUB CRAWL
Open Mic w/ Sam Draper and Kortney Leatherwood.

SPORTS | Slam dunk
The world-famous and wonderfully funny Harlem Globetrotters take to the court Jan. 6 at Prairie Capital Convention Center. Don’t miss this one-night-only performance.

THE CALENDAR
MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS Elvis 77th Birthday Tribute Concert.

MUSIC The King
If you love the King, as in Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, you can celebrate his 77th birthday at the Hoogland Center of the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 7 with a tribute concert. Internationally-known performer Elvis Himselvis, also known as Rick Dunham of central Illinois, and his band take the stage.

THE CALENDAR
Thursday for anyone affected by depression or bipolar disorder, including friends and family. Room B149. Free. Memorial Medical Center, 701 N. First St, 414-7368. Free Teleconference on Childhood Lupus.

SCIENCE Native American end times
A little known treasure in Springfield is the Illinois State Museum Paul Mickey Science Series. These free lectures are held monthly with the next one taking place Jan. 11. Dr. Jonathan Reyman, curator of anthropology at the museum, presents The End of Time: Maya, Aztec, Pawnee and Pueblo Views of the End of the World.

PUBLICNOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SEV- ENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF: DOROTHY Z. SHEEDY, Deceased, No.: 2011-P-660 CLAIM NOTICE AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS NOTICE IS GIVEN of the death of Dorothy Z. Sheedy. Letters of office were issued on December 29, 2011, to John G.