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Why are Democrats losing ground?
A few nights ago in Springfield, after enjoying dinner at our favorite Old Capitol Plaza restaurant, I came across an illuminating discovery – an old friend. Next door to our restaurant is a bookstore well known by Springfield-area residents and visiting bibliophiles.

From pot to prison to politics
It concerned a meth cook returned to prison after nearly two years of freedom and gainful employment, on the grounds that he hadn’t been eligible for early release. A parole officer had written a letter praising him as a model for others. After the story ran, he got out and shot a Mattoon bartender in the head before dying in a shootout with police.

A regime of austerity
It’s worth saying that out loud and repeating it to ourselves and others, because today’s Powers That Be (economic, political and media) are wrongly forcing a regime of austerity on our nation. They’re insisting that we hoi polloi must downsize our middleclass dreams, claiming that America no longer has the wherewithal to do big things.

LETTERS
FAKE MORELS Thanks to the several sharp-eyed readers who called in and told us those are “not morels” in the photo we used to illustrate Ashley Meyer’s food column last week on “Morel mushrooms.

It’s not a winning message if you don’t use it
The overall theme at the successful Democratic gubernatorial candidate’s press conference the day after he won the primary race was “Bruce Rauner is a failed governor.” The message is also the primary subject of his online advertising push against Rauner.

NEW HEALTH CARE CHOICE
The school district and the county are partnering with Troxell and Memorial Health Partners to offer a new service called Memorial Choice Health Services which will be available to its combined workforce of about 4,300 employees as well as family members who elect coverage through their employer’s health plan.

County ponies up
The money for the Land of Lincoln Economic Development Corporation will be provided in quarterly payments, according to the contract approved by the board on Tuesday. The Springfield city council in February approved $250,000 for the corporation, an entity composed of business and civic leaders, but the money has not been released.

CLEANUP TIME
Gov. Bruce Rauner loves Springfi eld so much that he wants to give us a “free” park next to the governor’s mansion on unwanted, vacant land that the city bought from the state for $1.5 million in 2014.

Home security essentials
all the time, says Sergeant Travis Dalby, head of Sangamon County’s crime prevention unit. “As the weather heats up, all kinds of crime increases. But you don’t have to overcomplicate your home security. There are some very affordable, easy things you can do to secure your residence.

Backyard grapes for Illinois
Grapes can be grown in Illinois if you choose a variety that is hardy enough to survive the cold winter temperatures. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Hardiness Zone Map, Illinois spans zones 5a through 6b. In addition to selecting for cold hardiness, select varieties for flavor, sugar content, use, maturity and disease resistance.

Make your yard home to feathered friends
Early spring is a wonderful time to attract birds to your yard. Natural seed sources from last fall have been picked over and used up. Many of the insects that overwinter are still inactive. And it’s courtship and nesting time, which creates a high demand for fuel and housing.

Plant a tree with Rotary
New trees are taking root at Lincoln Memorial Garden, Rotary Park and Centennial Park, thanks to a collaborative project among the five Springfield Rotary clubs. Rotarians purchased and helped plant 175 trees at Lincoln Memorial Garden last December, and in April 22 trees are being planted at Rotary Park and 30 trees at Centennial Park.

Exploring solar systems
Michelle Knox, president of Springfieldbased renewable energy and efficiency company WindSolarUSA, has reason to feel triumphant. A unanimous decision handed down April 3 by the Illinois Commerce Commission found in favor of a coalition of 12 Illinois solar businesses, including Knox’s.

Interior design trends for 2018
With each new year comes a fresh set of interior design trends. And those topping the list for 2018 are sure to inspire homeowners making updates big and small. Angie’s List recently attended the shows at Design and Construction Week for a firsthand look at what’s up and coming in home improvement.

Start your vegetable garden early with cool-season crops
After a long winter, gardeners are always eager to get outside again. “Get a head start on your vegetable garden by planting cool-season crops,” says Gemini Bhalsod, a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “Cool spring weather favors vegetables like leafy greens, root vegetables and members of the onion and cabbage family.

Plant lilies for a summer garden of elegant blooms
Lilies add long-lasting color and fragrance to flower gardens and summer bouquets. These stately flowers provide vertical interest and blend nicely with other perennials. And best of all, with very little care, you’ll be enjoying them for years to come.

How to lighten, brighten your home this spring
5. Bring the outdoors in. Now is a wonderful time to bring in some outdoor elements inside the home. Whether it is greenery such as orchids and trees or branches and river stones, consider incorporating a bit of the outdoors to help to invigorate your home in an interesting way.

Spring Home and Garden Calendar
Herb Plant Sale and Plastic Pot Recycling.

Restoring the Dana-Thomas House
The glorious Dana-Thomas House – built in 1904 by Frank Lloyd Wright for Susan Lawrence Dana, owned by the Thomas Publishing company for over 30 years, purchased by the state in 1981, and restored painstakingly in the 1980s – will be open for special behind-the-scenes restoration tours on third Saturdays, April through July.

Vegetable-forward cuisine
Last month I was in St. Louis on an unseasonably warm Friday afternoon. I was sitting in the covered patio of Vicia, a new restaurant in the Central West End. Several of the window panels had been removed, allowing the warm sunlight and fresh air to intermingle with the smoke wafting from the large woodburning oven.

Anderson creates wondrous Isle
Anyone who’s ever owned a dog has probably thought at one time or another, “I wonder what he’s thinking? What would he say if he could talk?” As for our beagle, Gracie, I’m quite sure she would talk about her excitement when she knocks over the...

Micky moves and more
On Friday, April 13 (coincidence?), Micky Shomidie performs one last time in Springfield before moving to Florida to relocate for health and career reasons. He joins Off the Wall at 9 p.m. sharp at the Curve Inn for a few songs in a “so long and see ya later” show.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Six Rows Back
Started in 2016 as a group of friends who enjoy playing music together, the story of Six Rows Back remains the same, just with more songs on the set list. When Caprice Ciota-Hardin (guitar, vocals), Courtney Grimes (guitar, vocals), Patty Kniss (drums) and Aaron Mazrim (bass) play, they play for pleasure and the crowd gets it.

PUB CRAWL
Frank Parker’s Jambalaya Jazz Jam.

THE CALENDAR
Cotton, Violins and Shots in the Night Book Talk and Signing.

BULLETIN BOARD | A one-stop shop for summer opportunities
Local teenagers are invited to attend a Teen Job Fair and Resource Expo hosted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois in partnership with the Sangamon County Juvenile Justice Council and the City of Springfield.

FOOD | Sample world cuisines
If you didn’t have the chance to travel the world during Christmas, you now have the opportunity to take an exciting journey through world cuisines during the Second Chance Christmas event on Saturday, April 14, from 3-6 p.m.

THEATER & COMEDY | A virtuoso performance
Honor the anniversary of the death of our nation’s 16th president by taking in a one-man play about his life and legacy on Sunday, April 15, at 3 p.m. Mister Lincoln: A One-Man Play,.