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Clio in the cornfields
Most towns of any size have history that is worth reading about, but surprisingly few have a good history in which they might read it. By “a good history” I mean a single-volume history for the intelligent and curious reader that is comprehensive and up to date.

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Memories of JFK, who made public life matter
We were angry, confused, sad and scared, very scared. We watched as the assassin was gunned down on live TV and were sickened. In those blithe days we didn’t expect people to be gunned down in the streets. We didn’t expect presidents to be gunned down anywhere.

Can Wall Street buy redemption?
Goldman Sachs churns out enormous profits from its high-rolling, casino investment schemes, while also churning out fat paychecks for its top executives. They literally sack up the gold, even as their speculative gambles have wreaked havoc on our real economy.

LETTERS
I read with great interest your recent article about the Sangamon River (“Paddling the Sangamon River water trail,” Jeanne Townsend Handy, Nov. 7). I grew up along the Sangamon and Illinois rivers because my dad was an avid outdoorsman. He is 87 now and loves to go for rides through Carpenter Park and Riverside Park.

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The passage of the Illinois gay marriage bill
“The strategic goal of this project is to drive a wedge between gays and blacks – two key Democratic constituencies.

Goodwill takes a loss
“Which isn’t as bad as what I thought it would be, with everything going on,” Durbin said. “Yes, we had a shortfall at the end of the year. … We’re coming out of a situation that we thought was very critical, but we’re strong and things are improving daily.

LOVIN’ LINCOLN
it’s nice to give something back to him once in a while, even if it does further our own purposes. Gov. Pat Quinn announced last week that the inside of Lincoln’s tomb will get a makeover starting Dec. 1, to the tune of $633,000.

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A decade later, still trying to clear his name
Foster, now 56, worked as an office assistant for the Illinois Department of Human Services for nine years. He was a mentor for Lincoln’s Challenge Academy, a member of the executive board for AFSCME Local 2600, and Health and Safety chairman for the union.

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Who you gonna call?
I asked the officer if he was declining to take a report. He said that he was, but I should talk with someone else. So it was that I ended up across a desk from a lieutenant, who said that he had never had a case like this during his 16-year career as a police officer.

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What makes The Whip Guy TM crack?
Lifelong Springfield resident Chris Camp is one of only four professional whip crackers in the United States.

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Illinois, the political battleground of 1948
Given our state’s convoluted, complex, and at times outright Byzantine political history, tagging any election as the “most surprising” sets up great expectations in a reader’s mind. Robert E. Hartley, the former editor of the late, lamented Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers, Inc.

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Top reasons to buy local, eat local, go local
Lower taxes More efficient land use and more central locations mean local businesses put less demand on our roads, sewers, and safety services. They also generate more tax revenue per sales dollar. The bottom line: a greater percentage of local independent businesses will help keep your taxes lower.

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Too many cooks in the kitchen
Keep it simple A chef of 35 years, and currently on syndicated TV shows “The Chef’s Kitchen” and “Rock Star Kitchen,” Clark is used to group cooking. With four sisters and five children, cooking is a family affair when they all gather for a holiday meal.

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Pass the gluten-free /Paleo/ vegan/diabetic-friendly stuffing
But along with your special bread stuffing and your fabulous apple pie, you’re concerned with making appropriate dishes for your aunt with diabetes, your cousin who cannot tolerate gluten, your best friend who follows a vegan diet or her Paleo-diet spouse.

Warming way to start the day
I am not a lover of hot weather. Others may mourn the passing of summer, but I’m always happy to welcome autumn’s crisp cool temperatures. There’s one exception, though: the frigid mornings in late fall when the last glorious leaves have fallen from the trees, skies are overcast and chill winds blow.

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Slave an unflinching look at America’s shame
Perhaps it was inevitable that an outsider would be the one who would make the film that would portray America’s Peculiar Institution for the truly horrific practice that it was. We are too far removed to properly understand the practice of slavery as it existed in the United States.

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The ides of November are upon us
Springfield, say howdy to the Fabulous Hoedads, a band performing this Saturday at the Capital City Bar and Grill from 6 to 10 p.m. The newly formed quartet hails from Decatur and includes some of the best all around musicians in central Illinois that you likely already know.

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BAND SPOTLIGHT | Smile Empty Soul
Here comes a Southern California alternative rock trio in support of a new record headlining a traveling rock show at Catch.

PUB CRAWL
The Timmys w/ Haddonfields, The Rackatees, Guy Morgan.

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THE CALENDAR
Twice Giving Gifts Christmas Open House.

HISTORY | For the people
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is presenting a weeklong celebration including special displays, videos, readings, films and more. It all kicks off Nov. 17 and you can view the actual Gettysburg Address all week.

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MUSIC | Holiday exhilaration
Get your Christmas on a little early this year. Friday, Nov. 15, the gift of yuletide music in November comes to town with the sensational music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. For only one performance at The Legacy Theatre, enjoy the exhilarating music and breathtaking lighting, laser and snow effects from St.

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SCIENCE | Going batty
Rob Mies, TV personality, conservation biologist, bat expert, author and executive director of Organization for Bat Conservation, will speak about traveling the world to discover the truly unique and sometimes strange life-forms that inhabit our planet.

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