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Senate opposes persecution of Baha’is in Iran
The Springfield Baha’i community is celebrating the recent approval by the U.S. Senate of a resolution condemning Iran’s continued state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i citizens. Senate Resolution 75 was introduced by Senators Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin of Illinois.

All for one – and ‘for’ for
These days, the editor’s desks of most newspaper and web news outlets are occupied by the very tender bottoms of bright boys and girls who are younger than some of my house plants.

Merry Christmas, right-wingers, the Red Pope and Jesus
Not war like in Afghanistan. No, no – this is the far-right’s God-awful “War on the War on Christmas.” In this season of Peace on Earth, a delusional faction of rightist has cooked up a hokey “cultural crisis” to foment hatred of ... well, of whom? Blasphemist-liberal-Democratatheist-humanists, they shout!.

LETTERS
DRIVING IT HOME I would like to make a comment about your article “Driving while black” (Patrick Yeagle, Dec. 19). I have never seen a city of Springfield police car parked at a U-turn on I-55 unless they have been on the lookout for a specific vehicle.

Tail wagging the dog
State’s attorneys have long complained about being subject to the law aimed at compelling government to operate in the open and release records upon request. The law says that “public bodies” must comply with the statute.

The 10 best films of 2013
The more things changed, the more they remained the same for American movies. Superhero fi lms and sequels still held sway at the box offi ce as the top fi ve grossing movies fell into one of these two categories, while more IMAX and other large screen venues were built than in any other year on record.

The 10 best scenes of 2013
Movies are about moments – big moments that erase our cynicism about cinema and remind us of its capacity to dazzle, quiet scenes that succeed in touching our hearts. This happens in a way only possible with a medium that seamlessly combines so many other art forms.

Photos and documents make Lincoln come alive
Schwartz and Cussans do a great job of telling the story of Lincoln’s life and the history of the Civil War. In a brief 96 pages, the authors provide a serious accounting of Lincoln’s whole life and political era, and then present the important issues connected to the Civil War.

Payne and Dern find modest nobility in Nebraska
Director Alexander Payne knows that it’s hard to find fulfillment in what Hollywood pejoratively refers to as the “flyover states” – that vast part of the country that stretches from east to west from Missouri to Utah and as far north as Montana and...

Hearty, not heavy
There’s just one problem. When cold winds howl through the pines, and sleet and snow abound, I want food that’s hearty and satisfying – dishes that will warm me right down to my toes. Here are three soups that are satisfyingly hearty and filling. But their rich mouth-feel comes primarily from puréed vegetables rather than butter or cream.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Wir Können
Direct from somewhere around here comes “three guys who play music, sometimes sad, sometimes not,” with a name in German that means, “We Can,” complete with Germanic-styled umlaut and everything.

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

New Year news
Welcome to good-old, brand-new 2014, folks. Glad you could make it. To quote a favorite songwriter of mine, Greg Brown of Iowa way, “who woulda thunk it?” But here we are and here we go with a new year of the same stuff concerning artists and...

THE CALENDAR
Headliner in 45 states, Canada, Japan, Greenland and Europe and opened for show biz legends. 217-482-5233. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233..

SPORTS | Jumping hijinks
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters bring their hijinks to Prairie Capital Convention Center on Thursday, Jan. 2. Last year, fans were able to vote on new rules to add to the Globetrotter game. It was such a success in 2013 that they are doing it again this year.

COMEDY | Uncontained zaniness
Jones visits Donnie B’s Comedy Club on Jan. 3 and 4 for two shows each night. Trained at the renowned Second City, Jones has appeared throughout the country, on numerous TV shows and radio, at comedy festivals and was one of eight finalists in The Great Canadian Laugh Off.

LESSONS | Staying active
Springfield Park District has an array of lessons and activities for the entire family this winter at different parks and facilities in Springfield. At Nelson Center in Lincoln Park, figure skaters can take private 45-minute lessons. Kids 3-12 can learn to play ice hockey in a beginner program for both boys and girls at the indoor rink.