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The new model museum
Bruce Rauner the other day took action that, he explained in a press release, would “develop a sustainable fiscal model for the continued operation of the Illinois State Museum.

Why I’m supporting Dr. Ben Carson
In the recent Republican caucus in Iowa, Ted Cruz won a close race over Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Dr. Ben Carson and other candidates. These results were not predicted. It seems that the Cruz campaign had sent out an email just after the caucusing started indicating that Dr.

What really poisoned the water in Flint?
Welcome to Flint, Mich. This impoverished, mostly African-American city has indeed been run like a private corporation since Republican Gov. Rick Snyder appointed his “emergency manager” to seize control of Flint’s heavily indebted local government.

THIS WEEK
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LETTERS
The YWCA building, located in the north mansion block which the city now owns, belongs to the citizens of Springfield. The redevelopment process for that block should include a paid and neutral assessment of the building’s potential before the city begins demolition.

Continued chaos
Last week a reporter said to Gov. Bruce Rauner that Secretary of State Jesse White had suggested that Rauner bring in former governors, including George Ryan, to help break the long governmental impasse which has prevented the state from having a budget for over seven months.

Rauner halted HIV/AIDS drug program before it started
A state program which would have helped prevent HIV and AIDS was trashed last year before it started, another casualty of Illinois’ budget impasse. Now, the program’s proponents are trying to revive and tweak the program, which they say actually saves the state money in the long term.

UIS opens training center for DCFS
“One of the shortcomings of DCFS has been providing ongoing experiential training,” said Sheldon. “From my experience, 50 percent of cases involving a child who was allegedly abused get returned from administrative judges. This is due to investigators not asking the right questions.

Uh-Oh
James Oh, a restaurateur who once ran one of Barack Obama’s favorite eateries, has been indicted on five counts of filing false state sales and use tax returns, two counts of failure to file a state income tax return and one count of theft of government property.

Legal marijuana can still get you in trouble
Two years after Illinois legalized the use of medical marijuana, Springfield’s first dispensary, Health Central Illinois Alternatives (HCI) will opens its doors to licensed medical marijuana users on Feb. 15.

Illinois State Museum could reopen to public
Opened in 1877, the Illinois State Museum system includes the namesake Illinois State Museum in Springfield, a Research and Collections Center in Springfield, Dickson Mounds museum near Lewistown, and art galleries in Lockport, Chicago and Rend Lake. The museum system is under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Sounds good
Bill Dudleston, owner and founder of Springfield’s least-known famous place, recalls recently hosting two European customers, one from Poland, the other from Germany, on a single day.

Coens’ Caesar gently skewers Hollywood
The time is the early 1950s, and Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin, effective in a rare sympathetic role) has a job that he simply can’t live without, though it’s beginning to wear on him. He’s a fixer for Capital Pictures, meaning that it’s his job to rectify and keep from the press any lapses in judgment the studio’s actors and actresses might make.

Visit Clear Lake, Iowa, where ‘the music died’
Readers of a certain (ahem) age know the tragic saga of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, who perished in a plane crash in the midst of their 1959 Winter Dance Party tour.

The kitchen is closed
“She smuggled in non-pasteurized cheese from France,” recalls David Radwine, chef at the governor’s mansion who was close enough that Julianne got in touch and shared her prize, impossible to get in the United States, upon her return from a European trip years ago.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Old Smoke Band with Trina Madonia
Starting out in 2013 as a duo called The Armadillo Brothers, the two soon grew into the Americana fivesome of Adam Humphreys (guitar, vocals), Jeremy Myers (guitar, vocals), Heath Brandon (bass, vocals), Chris Lackey (keyboards) and Scott Neuweg (drums).

Americana attack
As we thaw through a snowy and cold week of February, live music keeps coming on hot and heavy to warm your bones and melt your mind. Always we see all kinds of music everywhere in town, but this week Americana leanings take the prize for pure quantity and quality.

THE CALENDAR
Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending events..

THEATER | A children’s reggae musical
http://sangamonauditorium.org.

LECTURES | Abraham Lincoln and the Todd women
The public is invited to commemorate the birth of Abraham Lincoln by attending the Eighth Annual Lincoln Lecture on Friday, Feb. 12, at 9 a.m. in the Trutter Center at Lincoln Land Community College. This year’s lecture, entitled “Abraham Lincoln and the Todd Women of Aristocracy Hill” will be presented by historian Erika Holst.

COMEDY | Hilarious hypnosis
Try something different for your next date night or group outing, such as an evening with professional stage hypnotist Jeff Harpring. Jeff’s unforgettable stage show is based on hilarity and involves audience participation. His set is fun for all ages.