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Something there is that doesn’t love a tree
Any proud native who wishes Springfield to make a good impression on visitors might wish that trees be planted not along Clear Lake Avenue but smack in the middle of it, because that would force visitors to drive into the city via some less ugly route.

Springfield needs a city planner
Discussions continue on city planning and the need for a city planner. It seems clear that a city needs to look to the future, have a vision of what it wants to be, and have a plan on how to get there. Without a plan, how do we know if we’ve arrived at our destination?.

The fury beneath the phenomena
The political cognoscenti have not understood the massive public rage from today’s “unAmerica” of glaring inequality and mass downward mobility that is the direct product of their wrenching the system with such power tools as: “free” trade...

LETTERS
THE TIF PUZZLE If you’re wondering who, if anybody, will make an argument against extending the downtown TIF, Sen. Andy Manar has been making a strong and convincing one since he got to the Senate. For a stunning twist of irony, Sen.

Madigan’s actions show no fear of Rauner
As you certainly know by now, Madigan lumped together a $40 billion appropriations plan with what the governor’s budget office says is a $7.5 billion hole in it. The budget office claims the bill would require a 5.

HISTORIC HOME
In 1898, Springfi eld hosted the nation’s fi rst orphanage for African-American children, which operated here until 1933. The orphanage’s second building, erected in 1904, still stands at 427 S. 12 th St., but it’s in major need of restoration.

Taking root
1, 2018, was extended to July 1, 2020, according to an announcement last week by Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, who says that Rauner has agreed to a deal.

MUSEUM TO REOPEN
After more than eight months closed to the public for reasons no one quite understands, the Illinois State Museum in Springfi eld is likely to reopen soon, along with most of its satellite facilities around the state.

Wins for gardeners and the poor
Backyard gardeners and fans of fresh food scored victories during this year’s legislative session as lawmakers passed a bill aimed at increasing the buying power of the poor at farmers markets while also passing a measure designed to ensure the free flow of seeds outside stores.

Regulating religious restrictions at Catholic hospitals
Angela Valavanis, an Evanston woman who had a history of complications during pregnancy, felt betrayed by her obstetrician gynecologist of 15 years when she was denied a tubal ligation after the doctor’s medical practice had been sold to a Roman Catholic hospital.

Summer movie preview 2016
This practice is never more apparent than during the summer movie season, the three months out of the year where the studios make most of their money.

Eight Indies to look for
Tilda Swinton stars as a Madonna-like rock singer whose life is thrown into turmoil when her ex-lover and record producer (Ralph Fiennes, in a scenestealing turn) shows up on her doorstep in A Bigger Splash…Director.

Colorful, nutritious, easy Swiss chard
Of all the plants in my vegetable garden, I have a special fondness for Swiss chard. Unlike asparagus, which makes an early spring appearance and then quietly goes to seed, or Brussels sprouts, whose tasty orbs do not come to maturity until the fall,...

Fairy tale Me Before You surprisingly effective
What’s also unexpected is the way in which Clarke and Claflin are able to find the humanity within the stock characters they’ve been saddled with. It isn’t easy playing someone as eternally gleeful as Lou, but Clarke brings a dose of subtle practicality and common sense that prevents the character from looking foolish.

SOHO and so much more
We are so sad to tell of the passing of Rusty Koehler, a bassist, musician, singer and allaround wonderful person. A lifelong, vibrant member of our community music scene, Rusty played with several bands including the legendary Starry Eye, Sleepwalker and, most recently, Off the Wall.

PUB CRAWL
Open Mic with Roger Whitsell and Bob Jemison.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Mark Mills & the Lifesavers
After years of playing music in cover bands (including the crazy-popular rockabilly group Meerkat Mobsters), Mark Mills decided to do it “his way” and proceeded to knock out a collection of classy, original songs fit for an Americana king.

THE CALENDAR
55th Annual International Carillon Festival.

FILM | Award-winning Jewish films
For the third year in a row, The Jewish Federation of Springfield, alongside a handful of community supporters, presents its annual film series. The series kicks off on Thursday, June 2, with a showing of The Green Prince.

SPORTS & FITNESS | A rockin’ race
The SOHO 10K run/walk was added to the SOHO Music Festival lineup in 2014 and is a healthy addition to the SOHO activities. The 6.2-mile point-to-point race will occur on Saturday, June 4, at 8 a.m., along the paved Sangamon Valley Trail, starting at Stuart Park and finishing at Centennial Park.

THEATER | 33 years of female friendship
THEATER | 33 years of female friendship.