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The twenty acre wood
Few of our readers know the words and music to “Woodman, Spare that Tree,” a mawkish ballad that was a hit in the 1830s. Instead they are singing the blues about the destruction of Griffin Woods.

Editor’s note
This summer has Gov. Pat Quinn pondering whether to sign into law legislation authorizing new casinos for Illinois, while the Springfield city council paves the way for legalized video gambling (p. 8). Although moral arguments are lost on legislators and aldermen, it is worth reminding the rest of us that gambling is a dispiriting way to raise revenue.

Millions of women benefit from Affordable Care Act
The Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act marks a critical victory for women’s health, and the health of all Americans. Because of this landmark decision, millions of women and families will continue to have access to affordable, quality health care – many of whom previously had inadequate coverage or no coverage at all.

Supreme Court vs. The People in Montana
“Two wrongs don’t make a right,” as my old Texas momma used to instruct my brothers and me. But apparently, five of the justices on our Supreme Court didn’t have mommas with such ethical sensibilities – or perhaps they’re just ignoring their mommas’ wisdom now in order to impose their extremist political agenda on you and me.

LETTERS
PRIVATIZATION PERIL I have been hearing and reading about the trash issue for many years, yet nothing ever gets done [see “Garbage in, garbage out, garbage everywhere,” by Bruce Rushton, July 5]. Currently in Normal the city provides waste pickup. You can put most anything at the curb and it’s gone.

Outsourcing local news
In establishing a centralized writing operation, GateHouse is ending a relationship with Journatic, a company with offices in St. Louis and Chicago that produces content for some of the biggest newspapers in the country, including the Chicago Tribune, Newsday.

Gambling could pay for road repairs
Springfield mayor Michael Houston introduced a proposal to allow video gambling in Springfield, incorporating a 2009 state law that legalizes video gambling terminals in bars, hotels, banquet halls and other facilities.

Suing the state
In the suit filed July 10 in Sangamon County Circuit Court, attorneys for five retired state workers say that a new state law calling for retirees to pay premiums violates the state constitution.

Panhandling defended
“Unless I can find substantial support to get into another home or an apartment, I may be living out in a tent again,” Norton said. “Because of this and some things in my past, it’s been very difficult for me to obtain fulltime or even part-time work. This is the same for all homeless people who truly do want to work.

Lawyers set to take over Great Western Depot
If nothing else, the venerable depot is a survivor, having been rebuilt following fires in 1857 and 1968. The latter blaze came just three years after the then-dilapidated depot was restored and opened as a museum. At one point, it was home to a beer distributorship, complete with a Pabst sign hanging from an exterior wall fronting Monroe Street.

Sex offender gets 60 days
Nika, 27, had sex with a student as many as 10 times. She was just 14 when a two-year illicit relationship began. He gave her jewelry and an anniversary card. After the girl last year told her parents about her teacherturned-lover, Nika sent her flowers at school.

Lithuanians in Springfield
The placing of a church cornerstone is an act of faith. For the founders of Springfield’s St. Vincent de Paul Lithuanian Catholic Church it was an act of survival. Exiled from their tiny homeland on the Baltic Sea, they came to America at the turn of the last century seeking peace, opportunity and religious freedom on the city’s north side.

Relations and Judiciary committees.
“The history of Illinois has been rich with the presence of Lithuanian-Americans and their contributions as citizens of the state have been monumental,” wrote Sen. Durbin. “Lithuanian- Americans sought to forge a place for themselves in the world despite language barriers, lack of formal education, and the hardships of the labor that was offered them.

Living pictures come to life again
“The ladies of Springfield gave a grand Tableaux last week for the benefit of the Soldiers Aid Society,” Mercy Conkling wrote to her son in 1862. “It was a brilliant affair. Mrs. Edwards told me it was decidedly the handsomest entertainment ever got up in this place.

Wrap it up
But lighter, even elegant, wraps have been around for centuries in Asia – especially Southeast Asia – that act as a vehicle for getting the food into your mouth: Lettuces, either soft-leaved or smaller crispier types that add flavor and a bit of crunch to every bite.

Art fun in the summertime
Since mounting its first group show on 11/11/11, upstart local art collective The Pharmacy has already become something of a Springfield institution. Along with providing work space for a variety of area visual artists, the 401 South Grand Ave.

Drift bouyed by new characters
Wisely, directors Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier lead with their strong suit, namely the character of Scrat, the saber-toothed squirrel whose obsessive pursuit of his beloved acorns has had inexplicable repercussions on the evolution of the Earth itself.

PUB CRAWL
Up In Arms EP Release Show w/ The Timmys, With You In Mind, Look Up, Kick Start.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Up in Arms
Formed nearly six months ago in the aftermath of the breakup of three Springfield rock bands, Up In Arms came together with the “common state of mind to bring the best music they can into the Midwest and relight the lost spark of Pop-Punk in the area,” and they’re on their way to accomplishing the mission.

Prairie State Heartache makes a break
The band, featuring Jonathan Cour, Granville (Ben) Helm, Andrew Shackelford and Justin Angel, went through stages and phases for a time, all the while focusing on work with producer Rick Beato, best known for his big-time success with Shinedown and Need to Breathe.

THE CALENDAR
line. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy..

THEATER | Showing resolve
Roxy Theatricals presents nine performances of the Legally Blonde – The Musical..

THE CALENDAR
Jul 20-22, Comedy about funny events and people from Springfield’s past, written by Tara McClellan McAndrew. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St..

ART | Visual virtuosos
The Pharmacy shines again. Go swiftly into the good July 14 night, and get absorbed in the third art exhibition in The Pharmacy’s warehouse on Pasfield Street. On display will be the work of Pharmacy artists, including many new members’ pieces, alongside the canvases of dazzling founder Andrew Woolbright.

THE CALENDAR
Lincoln Land Roller Derby Women’s League host Decatur Derby Dames in first home bout. $15-$10. Skateland South, 1500 Recreation Dr, 546-4543..

FILM | Civil liberties
UIUC Law Professor Steve Beckett speaks after the film. The film is a dramatic story of idealism, loyalty, crime and betrayal as the War on Terror made its impact on civil liberties and political dissent in post-9/11 America. The event is a collaboration with the award-winning documentary series POV.

PUBLICNOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF OLLIE ELIZABETH BARTNICK, Deceased Case No. 2012-P-287 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of OLLIE ELIZABETH BARTNICK. Letters of office were issued on May25,2012 to ROBERT E.

GARDENING | Fish and tips
The Land of Lincoln Water Gardening Society presents Parade of Ponds Saturday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a self-guided tour of eight Springfield-area ponds and gardens. Homeowners will be on site to answer questions about installation and maintenance of the ponds.