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No mere bump on a log
The Illinois Bicentennial looms. In the Illinois that exists, the Rauner administration looks forward to beer parties and pantomime shows. In the Illinois of my daydreams, historians scribble away at biographies of the state’s best (not necessarily most famous) citizens.

A mysterious blessing
Mr. Houck came early to the Sangamon Valley while it was still a wilderness without many inhabitants. He came before the land was surveyed so his fields stretched from the big sycamore tree to the east to the large cottonwood on the creek bank to the west.

The great scamazon
In September Amazon, the $136-billion-ayear, multi-tentacled monopolist, sparked a prairie fire of excitement among state and local economic development officials when it coyly announced its intention to build a second corporate headquarters in Someplace, North America.

LETTERS
I did a little research on the sizes of several police departments in Illinois and found that Springfield has more per capita than other cities of comparable size. My property tax continues to rise, mainly to support the police and fire retirements.

Will Rauner ever get to be in charge?
Keep in mind that Speaker Madigan drew the legislative district maps. Thumping him in what looks to be a big Democratic year after taking four net seats away from Madigan in 2016 will stretch the partisan possibilities of that map beyond what most would consider common sense.

A medieval state
The black hole had already demanded, and received, his blood once, the inmate told Dr. Pablo Stewart, a psychiatrist who visited Pontiac Correctional Center last fall to determine whether the state was abiding by a settlement agreement crafted to improve care for mentally ill inmates.

31st Night
Every New Year’s Eve since Dec. 31, 1987, the Springfield Area Arts Council has thrown a downtown party featuring a wide variety of entertainment.

Want to give back? Here’s how to do it
But how can someone know if a charity or an organization is a good investment? A rise in less-than-ethical organizations (and sob stories that go viral on social media) means that donors need to be extra careful that their dollars are actually going to help those in need.

Hometown shopping hero
We humans are social creatures, and nothing highlights our need for human interaction and goodwill like the holiday season. That’s why many shoppers prefer to patronize local stores, where a staffer might greet them by name, and help them select the perfect gift.

Love thy neighbor
“Moving is a big challenge,” says Ashley Burnett. “You feel all alone, like you’re living in a whole new world. It’s not just the not knowing anyone. It’s little things, too.

Make a hit with holiday hors d’oeuvres
If you’ve been invited to a party, talk to your host first before showing up with food. You don’t want to arrive with a dish of seven-layer dip and chips only to find out your host has meticulously planned and prepared a themed Tapas menu.

Remember December
James Armstrong Presents is a bimonthly gig, from 6 to 9 on Thursdays at the Alamo, featuring food and drink specials plus area talent. The upcoming show is an early Christmas present of Last Call featuring Jonny Clausing.

Chuck and Churchill
With his many larger-than-life roles, it’s a bit disconcerting to discover that Gary Oldman’s presence is far from domineering. Softspoken and standing a trim 5 feet 8 inches, his personality fills the room. He has no reason to shout and rend the scenery – his quiet confidence and his past achievements do that on their own.

Oldman shines in compelling Hour
One of the mistakes that can occur when looking at the past is that we tend to see things more positively than they actually were. The inclination to buy into the notion of “the good old days” speaks to the power and deceptive nature of nostalgia.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT | James Armstrong
Known the world over (well, practically) as the “Ambassador of the Blues,” Springfield is proud to claim James Armstrong as a resident. With a jazz guitarist for a father and a blues singer for a mother, James was practically born to play music and started his first band in seventh grade.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | A presidential Christmas
The exhibit, which opened Nov. 17 and runs though Dec. 31, showcases photos, videos and artifacts from the Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

THE CALENDAR
danceforhope3111.com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 522- 9106..

THEATER & COMEDY | A zany Christmas comedy
On Friday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m., take in a performance of Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold..

HOLIDAY | Homestyle holiday breakfast
This Christmas Day, enjoy a hot breakfast in a comfortable and cordial atmosphere. The 14 th annual Holiday Interfaith Breakfast, hosted by Temple B’rith Sholom, offers attendees a hearty meal in between the hustle and bustle of church services, gift exchanges and family gatherings.