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Sustainable agriculture
It’s farmers market time. I’ve washed and starched my reusable shopping bag and hope to be first in line to buy a fine lettuce that reliably voted for the Green Party until the day it was plucked from the soil and carefully strapped with a seat belt into the pickup for the trip to Springfield.

An agenda for the new mayor and city council
The new mayor and city council inherit a variety of challenges, actually serious problems, and will have to deal with most of them almost immediately. Effectively harnessing the energy and expertise of the many talented Springfield citizens is critical to the city’s success.

ISDS: A corporate cluster bomb
The Powers That Be are very unhappy with you and me. They’re also very unhappy with senators like Elizabeth Warren, activist groups like Public Citizen, unions like the Communications Workers of America and... well, with the majority of us Americans who oppose the establishment’s latest free-trade scam.

LETTERS
HISTORY COMES ALIVE IS DEAD The Lincoln funeral procession has come and gone, and from my vantage point as curator of historic Edwards Place, it was a smashing success. So many people coming to town, so many high-quality events being offered, so many rave reviews about the experience.

Rauner’s term limit tango
A working group tasked with writing ethics legislation hit a brick wall right off the bat when it came time to discuss Rauner’s term limits constitutional amendment. Two Democrats on the committee reportedly said there was plenty of time to deal with the amendment next year, since it couldn’t be placed onto the ballot until November of 2016.

Cops on drugs? No problem
Loren Pettit was the first officer in the history of the department to test positive for illegal drugs, according to city officials. He was ordered reinstated in January after several prominent people, including Ward 3 Ald. Doris Turner, testified on his behalf during a November arbitration hearing.

No time to talk
Media advisories for Rauner’s inauguration were mostly open to the press, but a handful of events were restricted access, only allowing one news outlet in. Out of the nearly 200 public events the governor has attended since then, nearly two thirds have been announced to the press with a note reading, “No additional media availability.

Southtown gets a Kickstart
Over the years there have been many attempts to revitalize Springfield’s long-dilapidated Southtown neighborhood, including having it designated by the city council “a housing and urban redevelopment area” back in 2006 under Mayor Tim Davlin. But it has taken a gaggle of idealistic youngsters to really start turning the neighborhood around.

Battling rape on campus
On college campuses across the nation, young women face the grim possibility of being raped or otherwise sexually assaulted. A 2009 survey commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that 19 percent of women enrolled in undergraduate studies in the U.

The spears of spring
Yes, I know that asparagus is available in groceries these days pretty much year round, but it’s still something best enjoyed in spring, just plucked as it shoots from the earth in nearby fields.

Sleek Machina hindered by rusty plot
Computer programmer Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) thinks he’s hit the jackpot when he’s chosen to visit and spend a week at the home of Nathan (Oscar Isaac), the reclusive CEO of the company where he works.

Music May-hem
First up this weekend is the stupendous downtown festival known as the Fat Ass 5K and Street Party. With a name that attracts national attention from folks of all ages (the kids love saying it), this fun-loving, partying animal of a good time raises hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for national and local charities.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Frank’s Discount Lounge Act
Remember those entertainment relics called “lounge singers” who could somewhat sleazily, but mostly cheesily, easily charm the pants off a mannequin? Bill Murray famously portrayed one in the 70s on Saturday Night Live and Lord only knows how many made an honest living doing it for real in days gone by.

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

THE CALENDAR
tours, kids’ crafts and games, vendors, reenactments, period music, entertainment, food and refreshments. $5, $3 ages 6-12, under 6 free. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 217-572- 4984..

SPORTS | Not your grandfather’s 5k
According to the press release, “The Fat Ass 5K and Street Party for Charity is not your grandfather’s 5K. Unless your grandfather is cool. Then it’s totally his 5K.” The 3.

CHILDREN’S CORNER | Dr. Zoo-little
Dolittle Day. The fun starts at 10 a.m. with Springfield Theatre Centre performances of selections from Dr. Dolittle, Jr.: The Musical..

NATURE | Let’s get growing!
The Springfield Civic Garden Club brings knowledge, expertise and May flowers to the livestock section of Illinois State Fairgrounds Sale Barn 26 this Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. until noon. This year’s sale has the theme of “Let’s Get Growing!” and will feature perennials such as hostas, daylilies and grasses, plus herbs, trees and houseplants.