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Animal wrongs
She came into this world in a zoo in Jackson, Mississippi. You wouldn’t think that life could get worse, but hers did when she was rejected by her mother. She was sent to Springfield and adopted by an older female gibbon here who then died, so it’s off to another zoo, this time in Santa Barbara.

A speech everyone should read
I’ve been reading presidential farewell speeches for many years. Most of them give good advice. This speech, however, was exceptional. It can be read with benefit by Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals – because it says a lot of things that we need to hear about our system and our country.

Hallelujah, Trump rushes to aid the needy
Public opinion surveys consistently reveal that the great majority of us say that people on the lower rungs of the economic ladder – the poor and the failing middle class – are the ones Congress should focus on. But, then, regular people don’t run Congress – or Donald Trump’s White House.

LETTERS
The state wouldn’t be borrowing money to pay off debt they got themselves in; they would pay the tax too. Maybe we could fix roads that require my extra expense for vehicle maintenance.

The dire consequences of continued inaction
The credit ratings agency took no position on the Senate plan itself, but claimed “if lawmakers were to begin asserting governing control over state finances, that could help alleviate some of the pressure currently bearing down on Illinois’ credit quality.

Bill would create immigrant “safe zones”
Under the bill, these locations would not grant access to state and local law enforcement agencies that work with the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other joint efforts with federal, state or local law enforcement agencies without a warrant.

IC FRENCH FILMS
Festival is underway at Illinois College in Jacksonville, featuring screenings of French fi lms. The festival began Feb. 7 and will conclude March 2, with each showing beginning at 7 p.m. in the Kirby Learning Center, Room 6. Upcoming selections include School of Babel (Feb.

PRAIRIES HEART MILESTONE
The Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. John’s Hospital recently celebrated a milestone achievement in minimally invasive heart surgeries. According to the hospital, over 500 TAVR (trans-catheter aortic valve replacement) surgeries have been performed. At a press conference Feb.

Higher ed rally pressures legislators to end impasse
The Illinois Coalition to Invest in Higher Education, made up of several organizations representing state colleges and universities, held the Statehouse Rally to Save Higher Education at the first floor rotunda at the Capitol.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day Civil War-style
On Feb. 11 the IHPA hosted Civil War Saturday at the Old State Capitol. The theme for the event was Victorian Valentines as members of the Soldiers Aid Society provided information how Valentine’s Day was celebrated during the Civil War period. The program featured demonstrations by society members dressed in period attire.

Reaching high
Talk turns to imperialism. One student argues that the United States wasn’t acting as an imperialistic force in Southeast Asia. After all, he points out, we were invited by South Vietnam, and we lost a ton of money – it’s not like we plundered the place for gold and ivory.

Tumeric adds punch to midwinter meals
Turmeric is a spice rack regular in my kitchen. I use the deep orange powder when cooking Indian or Southeast Asian cuisine, and usually throw a pinch in when I’m making deviled eggs for more vividly colored yolks. It was never a spice that I gave much consideration though: often it is used as part of a spice blend in spicy, complex curry dishes.

Wicked Chapter 2 a ballet of violence
No, we’re not here for story, we’re here for action, and stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski stages, choreographs and executes the movie’s many scenes of mayhem with a degree of grace and beauty that makes them a wonder to behold.

Kids and creeping things
On Jan. 14 the downtown YMCA hosted an event called the “Cookies & Canvas Monster Mash Up,” during which kids between the ages of six and 12 were encouraged to draw depictions of monsters (or other creatures – aliens were a popular choice).

PUB CRAWL
Open Mic w/ Roger Wilco and the Starship Troopers.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Ty Brando
Originally from the Taylorville area, Ty took off for Nashville about 10 years ago with dreams of becoming a songwriter in Music City, U.S.A. By that time, he’d been a writer and performer since his youth and was well prepared for his time in Tennessee.

Music makers converge
First off, let’s celebrate the successful showing of Back Pack Jones at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis a couple of weeks ago. They didn’t win big time by official standards but they were in the thick of it, playing right alongside the ultimate winners and, by all reports, doing what they do best, the very best they could do it.

THE CALENDAR
African-American Food and Vendor Day.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Hot home trends
Don’t miss the 2017 Springfield Area Home Builders Association Home Exposition, which features more than 120 vendors showcasing the latest trends in home building and remodeling. The annual show is an opportunity to gain inspiration and talk to vendors with the necessary expertise and resources to bring your dreams to fruition.

CHILDREN’S CORNER | Junie’s tips, tricks and trip-ups
On Friday, Feb. 17, enjoy a musical adventure based off the popular book series by the late children’s author Barbara Parks. The Junie B. Jones.

AUDITIONS | All-star audition advice
If you’ve ever expressed curiosity and a desire to take to the stage, attend The Muni’s Audition Workshops on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. This event will be split into two workshops – one for children between 8 and 13 years of age at 10 a.