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A solution to the demise of cursive
The crux of Root’s argument was that the legislature should quit trying to be a super school board, handing down curricular commandments without regard to whether they are feasible, affordable or even desirable.

Reading aloud
Unless we are blessed with snow, December hereabouts can be a grim month, which might have been one of the reasons that Vachel Lindsay decided to shuffle off this mortal coil on the fifth of that month back in 1931.

Donald Trump’s strange bromances
Duterte, a self-styled “toughie” who boasts of personally killing many people and who likes to compare himself to Satan, has been on a murderous rampage since his election last year. In the name of eliminating drugs, he has unleashed a massive military assault across the country, not merely targeting dealers but also anyone using drugs.

LETTERS
In a time when libraries are faltering with fewer people actually coming and sitting in a reading room to do research, it is sad to see the ALPL dig their hole deeper. The rationale of its administrators makes some sense if there were no other options, but in this day and age it makes no sense.

Local 150 and Dan Proft
The union local’s president, Jim Sweeney, told me he had about a dozen members in Durkin’s district passing nominating petitions for Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub a couple of weekends ago. Straub is running against Durkin as a Republican. Sweeney said he expected to double that number the following weekend.

A miracle cure
Goldsberry, who has a history of drug offenses and a problem with methamphetamine, has been arrested at least seven times since 2005 on felony charges, including four times since January.

Planning and doing
Peppered with quotes from Myron H. West, a planner who helped author the city’s first plan in the 1920s, the plan that soon will be up for a council vote is as much an endorsement of the past as it is a blueprint for the future. Long on visions (“The Springfield of 2037 will be a more attractive community,” the draft plan says.

Innocence Project receives grant for DNA testing
It was recently announced that the Illinois Innocence Project (IIP) will receive a $641,000 federal grant, part of a United States Department of Justice Bloodsworth grant.

The beers of WINTER
Usually, we do this in October, when oompah’ers are oompah’ing in oompah bands in the beer tents of Munich while drinkers pay homage to malted beverages without which the world would be much poorer.

The after-turkey sandwich worth waiting for
Sitting around the Thanksgiving table each year, watching my family tuck into their turkey and dressing, I’m usually content to just sip Champagne and nibble on some veggies.

Colorful stories from Rochester history
If you live in Rochester, you should pick up this book. If you live in Springfield or another town nearby, you, too, should pick up this book. What a delightful trip through history with short vignettes of people and events, settlements and businesses, and yes, “cotton, violins, and shots in the night.

Even Washington can’t save Israel
Roman J. Israel (Washington) has a mind like a steel trap and a talent for writing detailed, ironclad briefs at the drop of a hat. He has an arrangement with his longtime law partner that has been successful for years – he writes the motions and researches the cases while his cohort, the face of their tiny firm, presents them in court.

Giving thanks for much
There are many things to be thankful for in this world, and I hope you take the time to address those pertaining to you and yours. I’m thankful to be able to write this column weekly and share my opinions on our live music scene. I sure hope you’re thankful that I do.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Brat Pack
Hailing from the great city of Champaign, home of the University of Illinois, this group of fun-loving music makers really do “almost totally 80s music” as their promo states, and has been hard at it for some 18 years and counting.

PUB CRAWL
Find more details and gigs in our online calendar at www.illinoistimes.com.

THE CALENDAR
Featuring visits with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, History Comes Alive programs, shopping and more. Sat and Wed evenings from Nov 25-Dec 23. downtownspringfi eld.org. Downtown Springfi eld..

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | Artistically decorated arbors
Gather your loved ones and take in some holiday splendor during Memorial Medical Center’s 28 th annual Festival of Trees. This year’s theme is “Skates, Sleds and Snow” and the featured colors are blue, white and brown.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | A one-horse open sleigh
Make reservations now for a charming, horse-drawn carriage ride through picturesque Washington Park, decked for the holiday season. The carriage rides are hosted by Red Gate Farm LLC in conjunction with the Springfield Park District. Each carriage ride lasts for 30 minutes and seats 4-6 people.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | Chip Davis Christmas
Join the multi-platinum American Gramophone recording artists known as Mannheim Steamroller on Monday, Nov. 27 to celebrate the start of the holiday season, the 30-year anniversary of the first Mannheim Steamroller Christmas album, and the 40-year anniversary of Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis’ first Fresh Aire.