I should explain. I learned almost everything I know except how to burn dinner from books. The people and places I read about were not discussed by the people around me, nor did I seek out the company of people who might have discussed them. As a result I “heard” their names with my mind’s ear, as it were.

On Dec 14, 2012, the nation was stunned and sickened by a senseless tragedy that took the lives of 26 innocent people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. This horrific act has again brought the issue of school safety to the forefront across the country.

It’s about a fellow named Jamie. He lives in New York City, and he has recently had a very rough go with a large financial institution. The giant in this case is JPMorgan Chase, Wall Street’s biggest bank, and it went after poor Jamie Dimon hard. In the end, the bank took more than half his income.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY On behalf of ourselves and the religious community we serve, the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Springfield, we wish to publicly add our voices in support of the legislation in favor of marriage equality that is to be considered by the Illinois General Assembly.

Madigan also leads Quinn and former White House chief of staff Bill Daley in a threeway contest, according to the poll, but Quinn leads Daley in a one-on-one race. And a large plurality of Democrats disapprove of the governor’s job performance. The We Ask America poll has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.

For people who are morbidly obese, weight loss can seem impossible. It’s easy to prescribe diet and exercise, but it’s not always as simple as that. Eating healthy is often out of reach for people with small incomes, and exercise isn’t so easy for people with arthritis or other mobility problems.

It is the sort of thing risk-averse politicians on the make often do, and Schock has learned that being bold isn’t always being smart.

The only certain things are that the hat was made in Springfield and would have fit Lincoln. Nonetheless, the museum display contains no hint that the hat has anything but an ironclad provenance, and museum officials have insisted that the hat is genuine.

In an unassuming beige garage on the edge of town, two muscular, tattooed young men circle around and around, punching, kicking and grappling with one another with all the intensity of a dogfight. A lightning-fast back kick misses its mark, blocked instinctively by the other fighter.

After a long and full life, Caryl Moy died Oct. 29, 2010. Now, through a gift from her husband and sons, this exceptional woman’s name will be long remembered through research performed at both the University of Illinois Springfield and the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

As a child, I occasionally shared a classmate’s Twinkie or Ding Dong, mildly enjoying them. But my mom’s and grandmother’s made-from-scratch baked goods were far superior. Oreos (which I loved) and gingersnaps (which I loathed) were the only purchased baked sweets at home.

Though it is difficult to get a solid number, it is estimated that over 10 million Americans are currently being treated for depression through the use of prescription drugs. Counseling and exercise play a large part in treatment as well, however, prescription drugs have the most profound and direct effect on patient behavior.

As you may have noticed, the famed party called Mardi Gras is a moveable feast. Basically it’s a big shindig called Carnival ending on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The coming of Easter is a Christian holiday timed to moon phases and therefore the whole ordeal changes annually.

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

Son of the legendary accordion player and Zydeco master Rockin’ Dopsie, Sr., Dwayne “Dopsie” Rubin comes into his heritage honestly and avidly.

Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending events..

The University of Illinois Springfield is holding more than a dozen events in February to celebrate Black History Month. Highlights this week are a Celebration of Gospel on Sunday, Feb. 10, from 6-9 p.m., in Brookens Auditorium showcasing the history of gospel music and its artists and musicians.

Begin your Valentine celebrations a little early by attending Love Letters.

Postville Courthouse in Lincoln and Mt. Pulaski Courthouse in Mt. Pulaski are celebrating Lincoln’s birthday a few days early on Saturday, Feb. 9, with refreshments, speakers and tours. Mt. Pulaski will have a children’s area and Abraham Lincoln Scavenger Hunt from 1 to 3:30 p.

WUIS Bedrock 66 Series rolls in another winning musical act at the Hoogland Center for the Arts on Feb. 9. Paul Collins Beat features Paul Collins, who got his start in The Nerves whose claim to fame includes touring with The Ramones and having their song “Hanging on the Telephone” become a Blondie hit.