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Climate change after a year
Almost a year ago, 178 nations agreed to the Paris Climate Accord which recently was ratified as the first world climate agreement designed to eliminate fossil fuel energy, preferably by 2033. How are we doing one year later?.

People, not Pontiacs!
Ever know a kid who never quite grew up because her parents wouldn’t let her? The Y block in downtown Springfield is a lot like that. I described the partial clearing of that parcel in 1978. (See “A shooting,” Dec. 30, 2015.

Why we should reach across borders
Unfortunately, thanks to Donnie Trump’s xenophobic demagoguery in this presidential election, America finds itself in a destructive border war – not with Mexico, but with itself.

THIS WEEK
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LETTERS
PRESIDENT TRUMP Whoever said life was smooth? Jefferson said we need a revolution every 12 years to clean out the rot, adjust and start again. Well, Trump has given us that opportunity.

THE MODERN WORLD
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‘Weaponized misogyny’ used against Rep. Bourne
As I write this before the election, the mailer hadn’t been widely sent, perhaps because of the cost of both the postage and the paper. But its distribution wasn’t confined to Bourne’s downstate district. The first to report receiving it last Wednesday was an official at the Sangamon County Farm Bureau, which is north of Bourne’s district.

WHO VOTED?
The results are in. Whether you’re dismayed or elated, the voters have spoken. Republican president-elect Donald Trump took 50.83 percent of the vote in Sangamon County, leaving Democrat Hillary Clinton with 41.55 percent. Libertarian Gary Johnson got 4.57 percent in Sangamon County, and Green nominee Jill Stein took just 1.

End of the road for Illiana?
Controversial from the start, the Illiana proposal has long been a priority for the Illinois Department of Transportation. Gov. Bruce Rauner says Illinois won’t spend more money on the project, but opponents say IDOT has continued to pursue it anyway..

FRESH FOOD FOR KIDS
check out a food pantry scheduled to set up shop at the Springfi eld YMCA at 701 S. Fourth St. Don’t look for cans of tomato sauce, ramen noodles and powdered milk. Set up in collaboration with the Central Illinois Foodbank, the pantry aims to provide those in need with fresh fruits and vegetables as well as dairy products.

Nuclear bailout bill could subsidize coal
Power giant Exelon wants Illinois lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 1585, a proposal designating nuclear power as a “low-carbon resource.” The measure is aimed at keeping two of Exelon’s unprofitable nuclear plants at Clinton and the Quad Cities from closing.

Lessons from Finland’s schools
When I was offered the opportunity to participate in an education study tour of the Finland school system, sponsored by the National Education Association Foundation, I welcomed the opportunity to see what is known as the No. 1 education system in the world.

Lawyers behaving badly
The ads apparently work. The Bloomingtonbased firm boasts that it has handled more than 50,000 cases. But bigger isn’t necessarily better, judging by a series of harsh rebukes aimed at the firm and its lawyers by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Mary Gorman..

Hungarian goulash, good for cold weather
My father was of Austro-Hungarian descent so when I was a kid growing up in the 50s and 60s, we enjoyed goulash the way folks around here enjoy chili. Goulash is a beef stew seasoned with caraway seeds and paprika.

Dr. Strange a worthy addition to the Marvel canon
Having already earned their bona fides in rendering earthbound heroics and taken the first step towards intergalactic adventure, Marvel Studios now introduces another aspect of their shared universe by dipping its toe into the realm of the supernatural.

Electoral zoo tunes
Now that the most bizarre election cycle in my memory is behind us, here we are to let the beat go on. Nothing transcends the ups and downs of history like good old music through natural healing properties of sound waves done right.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Kitchens
This father and daughter singing and music-making team covers more ground in gigs played, recordings made and joy displayed than about any other combo in town. Al has been a stalwart in the area country scene for decades, and Kathy has done her share of fronting bands and doing shows since she was a preteen.

PUB CRAWL
Starter Jackets, The Complaint Line, Dangerbird.

Studying for 77 years
Seventy-seven years ago on a cold winter night in February, seven African-American women met in a home on Williams Street to form a study group that would continue to this day.

THE CALENDAR
Nov 18-19, 4-8pm Fri, 9-3pm Sat. Featuring Christmas decorations, ornaments, small themed trees, santas, snowmen, angels and more. Free. 217-626-1738. Country Place Condo Clubhouse, 1/2-mile east of Toronto Road and 1/2-mile north of North Cotton Hill Road.

ART & ARCHITECTURE | Contemporary visual artists
This Friday, visit DEMO Project for the opening receptions of “Sequel Sequence” by Mark Reamy and “Tie Them Up” by Angela Lopez. “Sequel Sequence” is a stunning installation that explores Vermont-based artist Mark Reamy’s fascination with the ways in which the present can influence and shape the past.

HISTORY | Women in the Civil War
The Old State Capitol State Historic Site is offering families a new way to experience history this November with Civil War Saturdays. This week’s program will be presented by the Springfield Ladies Soldiers’ Aid Society, who will perform living history demonstrations of the work accomplished by women during the Civil War.