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Pug on a plane
Snoring atop a computer satchel placed on the middle seat, Peanut was oblivious, as was a passenger on the aisle who boarded with us in Seattle and instantly fell asleep, as if fresh from a Vegas all-nighter or a month spent crab fishing on the Bering Sea.

Is the Economic Development Corp. paying attention?
The Sangamon County Board has recently formed the Economic Development Corporation(EDC) to attract new businesses to the Springfield area. Several concerns have been raised about the makeup of this group (23 men, 3 women and 1 minority), and the price tag to have a seat on the commission at $25,000- $50,000 per business.

The South is rising again
Guess who’s mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, the state’s capital city? Chokwe Antar Lumumba – a black, 34-year-old lawyer who was raised in Jackson in a family and community of longtime Black Power activists.

LETTERS
HUNTER LAKE COSTS You need to know that CWLP’s resident and non-resident wholesale water customers are faced with more than $300 million in potential rate hikes, over and above current charges for normal operation and maintenance of the water system.

More on Gov. Rauner’s budget proposal
The biggest is Rauner’s proposal to shift some teacher and higher education pension costs down to the local and university/college levels. The pension cost shift idea has been around for years, but Rauner’s new proposal hugely accelerates the process..

BUSTED
A longtime local banking executive has been charged with stealing more than $100,000. Nancy S. Richards, who was vice president of commercial lending at First Bankers Trust Co.

Funds approved for economic development
“Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars is better than nothing,” said Brian McFadden, Sangamon County administrator. “It doesn’t come close to what the business community’s and county’s commitment has been. We need to have more conversations and plan accordingly.

SANSKRIT IN THE STATEHOUSE
The recitations from the Bhagavad-Gita are intended to urge senators and representatives to keep the welfare of others always in mind. The Greater Springfi eld Interfaith Association, a “community of individuals engaged in ministry from many different faith traditions,” is hosting a reception for Zed on Feb.

Trouble brews in Democratic Party weeks before the primary
The accusation, brought forth by Alaina Hampton and supported by inappropriate texts sent by the accused, Kevin Quinn, came in November 2017. This occurred while Madigan pushed for sexual harassment training in response to a #MeToo letter from Illinois women at the Statehouse.

LBJ meets MLK at the Hoogland
After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, Vice President Lyndon Johnson of Texas was thrust into the presidency with less than one year until the next national election. The tumultuous period between Kennedy’s death and Johnson’s 1964 electoral victory provides the timeframe for All the Way,.

Comfort in a pan
Casseroles mean comfort. Referring to both the type of recipe and the vessel it is cooked in, casseroles can do double duty as a side dish or main course when paired with a simple green salad. Most freeze well, and I usually prepare a pan to enjoy now and a pan to stow away in the freezer for a busy weeknight.

Aardman’s Early Man flat, unispired
What with computer animation dominating the genre over the past two decades, it’s a bit refreshing to see Aardman Animation still using the charmingly crude claymation that is their stock-in-trade.

So long February music
For early evening, most excellent Friday night music, don’t miss the Brian Pryor Quartet playing cool jazz as the artist of choice at Robbie’s for our lovely Uptown Friday Night. Thanks to all who keep this precious gig going.

PUB CRAWL
Micah Walk, Amy Benton, Tom Irwin and the Hayburners.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Mike Zabrin’s Funktastic
You fans of funk are in for a treat, as Mike Zabrin, a young, modern master of the bass guitar, brings his entourage known as Funktastic to town. Zabrin, still in his mid-twenties, has toured the country as a bassist for many top names in the Chicago blues biz and has been featured in Bass Player.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Top home trends
Hosted annually by the Springfield Area Home Builders Association, the 2018 Home Expo showcases the latest trends and designs in the home building and remodeling industry. The multi-day exposition takes place Feb.

THE CALENDAR
A Tribute to Benny Goodman: The Julian Bliss Septet.

FESTIVALS | Food and wine pairings
Celebrate the wines of winter on Friday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m., in the Crowne Plaza Springfield, during the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association’s annual Winter Wine Festival.

THEATER & COMEDY | A hilarious, yet heartbreaking tale
Hoogland Productions is proud to present the final three performances of A Little Night Music,.