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Watch for these Trump warning signs
Will it be the quiet, measured individual we have seen in the last week who seems almost in awe of the responsibilities he will rapidly inherit? Or will he be the bombastic, angry individual who preached a message of intolerance for minority groups, disrespect for constitutional limits and a strong inclination toward authoritarian rule?.

Minority wrongs
I am among those dismayed by the outcome of the November elections – not because people I disagree with elected the next President of the United States, but because they didn’t. Voters were asked to choose from among four candidates, and the one who was awarded the most votes was Hillary Clinton, the pride of Park Ridge.

The Koch connection
While the brothers are infamous for funneling hundreds of millions of campaign dollars to presidential, congressional and gubernatorial politicos willing to embrace their self-serving agenda, few know of their equally self-serving push to bend whole state governments their way.

THIS WEEK
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LETTERS
Dusty Rhodes’ interview with Kelly Wickham Hurst (“Speaking out of school,” Nov. 17) was very enlightening reading, and it shows why a conversation on race is needed in this country. Most people who regard themselves as white genuinely feel they are not racist because they associate that term with genuinely mean-spirited people.

Where’s the plan?
On election night, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan started making his usual post-election calls to his Democratic members asking for their support for his own reelection as Speaker. But at least a couple said they’d like to sit down with him before providing a firm answer either way.

THIS MODERN WORLD
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Neighborhood group under scrutiny
Since 2010, Enos Park Development has acquired dozens of properties using public money approved by the city council. Some homes have been demolished, some have been fixed up and some are awaiting new owners who will renovate them.

HOSPICE CHANGES
St. John’s Hospital is evaluating the future of its hospice unit as part of an overhaul of skilled nursing care at the hospital, which is decreasing the number of beds for folks whose needs can be met outside hospitals.

KIDZEUM’S BIG NOSE
“I break my own heart when I try to make predictions for when we’ll be able to open,” said Kidzeum board president Rachael Thomson. With $300,000 in funds still needed to reach their goal, she is able to say with some confi dence that the health and science-focused childrens’ museum will open before the end of 2017.

Fighting for a little girl
The battle for Sidney has been long and deadly. Her father Steven was gunned down from behind when he went to pick her up for a court-ordered visit two days before Thanksgiving in 2008 in the midst of a contentious divorce from Jennifer.

PERISHING PLANET
weeklies and other newsmedia outlets participated in Letters to the Future, a project published ahead of the Paris climate talks that compiled letters from nationally acclaimed writers, scientists, intellectuals and other concerned citizens.

A call to action
This could occur in several ways. The revenue-neutral carbon fee has a great backbone of advocacy support. It would charge fossil fuel producers at the fi rst point of sale, and the revenue would be distributed among the public.

How to host an epic holiday bash
Crank up the heat and break out your summer clothes. Seri Kertzner, founder and CEO of Little Miss Party Planner, New York City, recommends decorating with a nautical style, but using holiday colors.

Serve a big meal for not much
The holiday season is nearly upon us again, and it’s one of my favorite times of the year. I love the way our home smells when pies are baking, turkey is roasting or fresh-baked cookies are cooling on the stovetop. I’m blessed that holidays mean getting together with extended family, too.

A not-so-disposable party
While paper plates and plastic cups make cleanup easier, they’re not great for the environment. Go the classy – and eco-friendly – route with reusable dishes, glasses, utensils and napkins. You can save money by shopping at a local thrift store or even renting a set.

Don’t ever change, pumpkin pie!
Although most family holidays have an ingrained tradition, Thanksgiving takes the pie (pumpkin, of course) for being the one least likely to change. Even as families grow and the holiday hosting duties switch, what remains are the traditions, and none more so than those found on the table.

Tepid pace dooms Allied
The time is 1942; the place is French Morocco; in particular, the city of Casablanca, where spy Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) has arrived to complete an assassination with a partner he’s never met.

Making edible gifts
Lately I really just want to hit the pause button on life, on the world – hole up in my house for several days straight, and make yummy food. Decadent food, holiday food. Unfortunately, no such button exists so I carve out my little episodes of baking bliss where I can.

PUB CRAWL
Big Bad Blues Machine featuring Hurricane Ruth LaMaster.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Big Bad Blues Machine featuring Hurricane Ruth LaMaster
This marks the second annual reunion show with Hurricane Ruth and the Big Bad Blues Machine, but this one is special. Last January the BBBM lost “our brother in music” Tom Poludniak, a Springfield native and an extraordinary family man, creative person, soulful Hammond B3 player and visual artist.

Thanks for Thanksgiving
The Thanksgiving holiday has arrived, and that means an exceptionally busy live music time. From the highly anticipated and attended Thanksgiving Eve occasion to a weekend off with family, friends and everybody else, these few days have become one of the annual highlights of our live music community.

THE CALENDAR
Dec 2-3, 5-9pm Fri, 8am-2pm Sat. Beloved characters from Christmas stories fi ll the streets of Hillsboro. Christmas parade, tree lighting, live entertainment, hot food and drinks, more. Hosted by Imagine Hillsboro. Free. imaginehillsboro.org. 217-313- 9962.

CHILDREN’S CORNER | An alternative to Black Friday shopping
On Black Friday, escape the stress and headaches generated by crowds and shopping and enjoy some family-friendly fun at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The ALPL’s Fun Frosty Friday event features free games and activities for children of all ages and their families.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | All aboard the Polar Express
Don your holiday jammies and hop aboard the Polar Express for a screening of the 2004 film based off the 1985 book by Chris Van Allsburg plus an open-house style pre-show cocoa and crafting party.