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Springfield, reimagined
The Springfield city council has before it a draft of a new comprehensive city plan, City of Springfield Comprehensive Plan, “Forging a New Legacy,” intended to guide development in the capital city until 2037 or until a growing Chatham annexes it, whichever comes first.

Under the camouflage in the tax cut bill
One of the easiest ways to do this is to have different parts of the bill become operational at different times. This is done in the hope that members of the public don’t connect the interaction of two seemingly separate events to one piece of legislation.

Breakfast and beer
Mass marketers of breakfast cereals have been in a downward sales spiral for about a decade, so they’re getting back to their roots (sort of). Few folks know that some of the oldest and biggest brands of today’s artificially flavored, neon-colored, empty-calorie cereals started out as health foods, often springing from religious or utopian movements.

LETTERS
MENTALLY ILL INMATES I just wanted to make sure you and your readers know that this administration and the Illinois Department of Corrections have taken considerable steps to enhance the delivery of care for offenders who are on the mental health caseload (“A medieval state,” Bruce Rushton, Illinois Times,.

It’s the economy, stupid
Consumer behavior and state action, neither of which we can control,” city budget director Bill McCarty told the city council during a September budget briefing. The budget deficit could rise as high as $11.5 million, McCarty and Mayor Jim Langfelder warn as the city council prepares to consider cuts and tax increases to balance next year’s budget.

KING EXHIBIT OPENS
The Springfi eld & Central Illinois African American History Museum (1440 Monument Ave. in Springfi eld) will host the opening of a new exhibit honoring the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on Thursday, Jan. 4, beginning at 5:30 p.

BICENTENNIAL MINUTES
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, in conjunction with the Mid- West Family Broadcasting Group and the Illinois State Museum, is producing daily radio spots called “bicentennial minutes” which will be broadcast throughout 2018 to help celebrate Illinois’ 200th birthday.

Smoke ’em if you got ’em
The arbitrator’s ruling came after the union went to bat for Vincent Romanotto, an electrical inspector who tested positive for marijuana in 2014. Romanotto blamed that positive test on cannabis-infused brownies, which he said that he had unwittingly consumed at a Christmas party.

A reporter’s novel brings alive characters and the Klan
Mark Twain’s often quoted observation, “write what you know” is often debated by writers. Some are critical, some supportive. But St. Louis author William Stage is a true believer in Twain’s adage. For two decades Stage worked for the weekly St. Louis newspaper, Riverfront Times.

Movies 2017: A very good year
While I wouldn’t call 2017 a great year at the movies (that distinction goes to 1939 or 1968), it was a very, very, very good year, one of surprises, diversity and a sense of steadiness, as there seemed to be something worthwhile to see most of the time.

The 10 best film scenes of 2017
Movies are about moments – big moments that erase our cynicism about cinema and remind us of its capacity to dazzle as well as touch us. This happens in a way only possible with a medium that seamlessly combines so many other art forms.

Film series fights winter doldrums
For more than 25 years, the Molly Schlich Independent and International Film Series – presented each winter by the Springfield Art Association – has brought acclaimed and lesser-seen movies to Springfield. From January through early March, each Sunday (matinee) and Tuesday (evening showings) one of the screens at AMC’s Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Blvd.

Del Toro’s Water an instant classic
Elisa (a luminous Sally Hawkins) lives a modest, quiet life. Unable to speak, she lives in a run-down apartment above a classic movie theater, has a devoted out-ofwork artist neighbor named Giles (Richard Jenkins), and works at a nearby government facility where all sorts of mysterious goingson occur.

Pimp your veggies!
Every morning as the clock approaches 7 a.m. the folks in my CrossFit gym cluster in little groups to socialize for a few minutes before the workout begins. I hang out with the Fasters.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Dylan Scott
This Louisiana native headed for Nashville with a dream in mind, and he’s chasing it, reaching it, and becoming a major force in the country music business.

New year music
On Thursday night, singer and guitarist Casey Cantrall hosts the Jukebox Open Jam at 411 Bar and Grill. Casey is joined by J.J. Bradley on keyboards, Trey Tholan on bass and Dan Lograsso on drums, plus various other local musicians.

THE CALENDAR
Illinois Specialty Crop and Organics Conference.

FILM & TELEVISION | Silver screen surprises
Beginning Jan. 8 and continuing on the first Monday of each month through May 2018 is the new Mystery Movie Monday series at The Legacy Theatre. The series will feature films spanning a variety of decades from a wide mix of genres, ranging from comedy, drama, suspense, musical, western, romance or documentary.

FILM & TELEVISION | Introducing independent films
Film fans, rejoice, for the Springfield Art Association has added an additional event to the annual Molly Schlich Film Series, the SAA Film Series Preview Party. Held on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m., in the Springfield Art Association, the preview party provides an advance opportunity for guests to purchase or pick up season passes.

CHILDREN’S CORNER | Celebrate our state
Celebrate the 200 th birthday of Illinois with themed crafts and activities that teach children about the prairie state and its state symbols, such as plants, animals and food. Super Saturday events are hosted by the Illinois State Museum on the first Saturday of each month.

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS In the matter of the Petition of SARAH RENEE TEVIS For change of name to SARAH RENEE STUCKI Case No.

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