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Editor’s note
Pity those neighborhoods where the lawns are always neat and everybody has trash service, where the trees are all tiny so limbs and leaves aren’t a problem, where crime is confi ned to drugs in the basement or embezzling at the offi ce, where the...

Rodney Davis warns of disaster
Usually, when I read Mad- Hatteresque pronouncements from members of the Republican caucus of the U.S. House, I am reminded of the works of Lewis Carroll. Reading the remarks by 13th District congressman Rodney Davis during his recent campaign announcement tour, I thought instead of James Fenimore Cooper.

‘Trading Places,’ the Illinois General Assembly edition
State legislators are too isolated in their districts. Isolation prevents elected officials from hearing views from a variety of different Illinoisans. I have a solution for this breakdown in communication. My idea will encourage elected officials to understand the impact of the legislation they propose.

Voice of morality says oppose ‘cult of money’
The bluebirds of happiness are chirping away in our nation’s treetops these days, for America is now in the fifth year of economic recovery. Let’s all sing “Happy Days Are Here Again,” for stock prices are reaching record highs, corporate profits are soaring, and even the unemployment numbers are on the mend.

LETTERS
MOVE THAT TRAIN Read “Engineered to succeed” by Patrick Yeagle (Sept. 26). The only problem, no funding. Hanson has cashed their check. You see Hanson knows these studies are a way for politicians to act like something is happening while nothing actually changes and politicians are always willing to pay for smoke and mirrors.

Why Quinn is appealing
A bipartisan chorus seemed to rise as one last week to urge Gov. Pat Quinn not to appeal a ruling by a Cook County judge. The judge ruled that the governor had violated the state Constitution when he vetoed lawmaker salaries last summer.

Employers bullish on economy
More than 30 businesses – some of them recruiting workers for other companies – attended the Job and Career Fair held Sept. 25 at the Crowne Plaza hotel by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, offering jobs ranging from entry-level work to management positions.

CANCER KILLERS
A new treatment for kidney cancer may someday come from research being done right now in Springfi eld. Dr.

HAIL OCTOBER: IT’S SAUSAGE TIME
Just in time for the World Series and a government shutdown comes National Sausage Month, a cherished time of year in capital cities across the land where legislators, like so many sausage makers, create things billed as pure and good for you, no matter how distasteful the process.

‘Green’ moves beyond recycling
That was one message of the 10 th Annual Green Symposium, a conference held in Springfield last week to promote sustainable business practices.

Disorderly conduct
Langan on Sept. 20 cut a deal with prosecutors who dismissed five felony charges in exchange for guilty pleas to a pair of misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges. Langan also agreed that he would never work again as a police officer or security guard..

Fictional familiar territory
Chicago attorney Scott Turow strives to be an intellectual cut above his fellow courtroom fiction writers. His nine best-selling fiction novels have a literary quality that is lacking in many novels of this genre. The level of writing is not surprising given Turow’s continued practice of law as well as his public advocacy on important legal issues.

Urban pioneers
Construction trucks surround her and a swarm of burly men work inside and out to restore this two-story Victorian home in the north-end Enos Park neighborhood. The crew is helping themselves as much as the house.

Howard fires on all cylinders with impressive Rush
English driver James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) not only had movie star looks and a brashness to go with them, but was also a consummate driver who never backed away from taking a chance behind the wheel, trusting his instinct and bravado to get him to the winner’s circle.

Sally paints by music
Say, “Sally Weisenburg” to a local music friend, fiend or fan and I can nearly guarantee an excited reaction commenting on her great voice, terrific piano playing and smoking hot band.

Jujobee café
Historians rightly regard the French colonization of Southeast Asia during the 19 th and 20 th centuries negatively, an institution that oppressed the native peoples under its control. But French colonization had some positive consequences.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Groundhog Day
When bassist Brian Phillips (from Wonder Why) and lead guitarist Danny “The Kid” Schroeder (from the Outnumbered) were forming a new band, Phillips mentioned the process was just like band beginnings so many times before. Kid then referenced the film Groundhog Day, and the new band had a name.

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

THE CALENDAR
from fi lm and TV. Proceeds to St. Jude’s. Not suggested for age 9 or under. $8. 438- 6235. Haunted R Theater, 110 S. Fifth Street, Auburn, 217-899-9978..

SPORTS – Rolling on the river
Abe’s River Race, an American Canoe Association sanctioned six-mile canoe and kayak race put on by Lincoln Heritage Water Trail Association, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, on the Sangamon River in Menard County.

ART – Vistas and visions
An interesting installation called New Springfield,.

SCIENCE – The sky’s the limit
Springfield nonprofit Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society is hosting a Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at the Illinois Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Oct. 5-6. “Meteorites” is the theme of this year’s show and features guest Steve Arnold from the Science Channel’s show “Meteorite Man.