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Home and away
Coming home has long occupied the minds of American writers, partly because so many of them had to leave where they were from to become who they were, and partly because we are a rootless people to whom the idea of home looms large.

Springfield leaders are in pension denial
Despite their efforts, Springfield taxpayers shouldn’t expect to contribute less anytime soon. Springfield households are on the hook for nearly $7,000 in cityworker pension debt, double the amount compared to a decade ago..

Employment Policies Institute flimflam
But now, a century after Baum’s fictional Oz, a real-life incarnation of the phony wizard has been discovered, hiding behind not one, but two curtains. He’s recently been booming out his nonsense in full-page newspaper ads that are hyperbolic screeds against economists who favor raising the minimum wage to something workers can actually live on.

LETTERS
PUBLIC REMARKS CUT OFF The Open Meetings Act mandates that the City Council allow the public to address it, subject to reasonable rules. Reasonable City Council rules provide that any member of the public who properly registers may address the Council for up to five minutes.

On rumors and Rutherford
The House Democrats back then were quietly spreading rumors about Rutherford’s private life, hoping that the conservative, rural district would refuse to support someone who they said seemed to be gay. It was a classic “barber shop” play. Go where people hang out, like barber shops and taverns and start spreading a rumor.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
We’re not going to jinx ourselves by saying that winter is over, but we’re hoping the last of the snow has already melted for this season. The warmer weather has us eager to start our gardens, and the prospect of fresh, delicious produce chock full of nutrients and self-suffi ciency is pretty exciting.

What is Madigan planning for the income tax?
Conservative groups like the Illinois Policy Institute say the income tax increase of 2010 should be allowed to expire, while the officially nonpartisan but more liberal Center for Tax and Budget Accountability wants Illinois to switch from a flat percentage income tax to a graduated tax.

The soda sin tax
State Sen. Mattie Hunter, D-Chicago, is sponsoring a bill she introduced in February that would impose a penny-per-ounce sugary drink tax. The tax would apply to every ounce of “sugar-sweetened beverages,” such as soda, energy drinks and sweetened teas.

GPS tracking a privacy concern
State Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, proposed the Freedom from Location Surveillance Act in January, which reiterates the Supreme Court decision as Illinois law. It also proposes that police must have a warrant before tracking individuals via any electronic devices, such as a cell phone or iPad.

Gambling expansion proposal downsized
Rep. Robert Rita, D-Blue Island, announced last week he would file two amendments to an existing bill in the Illinois General Assembly, presenting two distinct options for an expansion of the state’s gambling scene.

Let the sunshine in
Mayor Mike Houston calls the shots at Springfield city council meetings. And hizzoner wasn’t much interested in following rules or listening to anyone when nine people signed up to speak about Hunter Lake, the city’s proposed alternate water source, at the March 4 council meeting.

Experience Pilsen, Chicago’s lively Latino neighborhood
The authentic Mexican cuisine, colorful outdoor murals, turn-of-the-century architecture and thriving art scene make Pilsen one of Chicago’s most festive neighborhoods. Although it can seem a world away, Pilsen is just three miles southwest of Chicago’s Loop.

A rousing Rise of an Empire
With that much money having been pulled in, it’s surprising that Warner Brothers waited so long to capitalize on the film’s success. Yet, fans would have to wait seven years for the inevitable sequel to hit the big screen and for my money it was worth it.

Flour power
For years I’ve been asked why I always specify unbleached all-purpose white flour in my recipes. And for years, my answer has been the same, “Yes, you can substitute bleached for unbleached flour. But why would you want to?” Today my answer is the same, with a minor exception.

PUB CRAWL
Souls, Loses The Mighty Kharybdis, John Wayne Knockout Punch, Flashlights.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Stoney LaRue
An integral member of the “Red Dirt” music movement that shot out of southeastern Oklahoma several years ago to set the rock-country-roots world on fire, Stoney LaRue is well known for his fiery and energetic live shows.

Springtime is a-coming
Whether the weather acts like it or not, spring is officially here. At this point, even calling the season “spring,” however the weather, is a relief, if not an actual respite. Fortunately, there’s plenty of good music to get us through whatever is to come.

THE CALENDAR
and 8, Sangamon Hall South room 009. Viewer discretion advised. $2. 786-4942. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200..

THEATER | Fantastic fun
Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that you also love, the laughs and music take to the stage. If you’re not familiar with this green ogre and his love, Fiona, princess turned ogre, the fairytale is set in a faraway kingdom and includes a smart and funny sidekick donkey, too.

MUSIC | Bach’s birthday
In honor of Bach’s birthday (Bach was born March 31, 1685), four local talented musicians will perform a baroque concert at Blessed Sacrament Church on the evening of Friday, March 21. Oboist Krista Steller is a member of the Sangamon Woodwind Consort and Jacksonville Symphony and teaches private oboe lessons.

POLITICS | Women and voting
Celebrating Women’s History Month, the American Association of University Women and University of Illinois at Springfield History Department present a roundtable of historians, elected officials and political scientists to discuss women’s right to vote and the challenges facing or faced by female candidates.