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Diocesan diddlers
In 2004, she sued the Diocese of Springfield, alleging an awful thing. In the late 1960s, when she was 10 years old, she said that the Rev. Richard Niebrugge took her under his care as a foster child and began sexually abusing her. A decade later, she said in her lawsuit, she gave birth to his child.

Ending the Cuban blockade
As you sit down to a delicious meal, imagine you are an average Cuban worker, who earns $15 per month, making your monthly trip to the only “supermarket” in Havana where you are registered to shop. You enter a concrete block warehouse with tables scattered around the edges.

Populism is not about mobs
This is how America’s economic and political systems really shake out, with each of us located somewhere high or low on that spectrum. Right to left is political theory; top to bottom is the reality we actually experience in our lives every day.

LETTERS
First, as executive director of the ALPLM, I share Mr. Rushton’s concerns about our support foundation’s behavior. The lack of transparency is troubling, and I have made it clear that I am not pleased with their actions.

Rauner’s loss might be Tillman’s gain
The Illinois Policy Institute transferred ownership of the network to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity back in January. But they all share the same street address. “Same difference,” Madigan’s press secretary said in response to his boss’ question.

From vaccines to child abuse
Before becoming an expert witness in child abuse cases, Dr. David Ayoub argued that immunization amounts to genocide in the Third World. When it comes to population control via sterilization, he once compared the cost of vaccines to the cost of wars, which are messier and more expensive.

MUNI SEASON, A HOPEFUL THEME
Leach is president of the Muni board of managers. “But it’s not just the wishes of the characters in our four shows. It might be the wish to let your talent shine on stage, or to be a part of the team backstage that makes Muni magic, or maybe just a wish to spend a summer night in Springfield in the best way possible – at the Muni.

FREE PARKING
Until Dec. 22, shoppers who obtain permits labeled “Shopper” from one of 10 downtown retail businesses – and what a pity it is that there are not three times that amount – can park for free between Fourth and Seventh streets eastwest and Monroe to Washington streets running north-south.

A stronger voice for the environment
Protecting Illinois schoolchildren from exposure to lead in drinking water, reducing health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides and funding open space acquisition are some of the accomplishments of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC). Founded in 1975, IEC serves as the environmental community’s eyes, ears and voice in Springfield.

Pet portraits
“I got my gerbil, Rusty, from a gerbil breeder who shows gerbils. Show gerbils are in much better health and are friendlier, due to human interaction early in life. Rusty had a brother that just passed away about two weeks ago, so he’s feeling a bit blue, but the picture shoot really perked him up.

Holiday happenings for pets
APL will host its annual Tree of Lights open house on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 12-5:30 p.m. at its shelter, located at 1001 Taintor Road in Springfield. The public is invited to enjoy refreshments, tour APL facilities and meet adoptable cats and dogs. The official tree lighting will be held at 5:30 p.

Gift ideas for pets and people who love them
According to a survey conducted by Rover.com, 95 percent of pet owners said they have purchased a Christmas gift for their pet. Another 61 percent have bought birthday presents for their pets. While the average amount spent is $36, five percent of respondents said they had bought a pet gift that cost $100 or more.

More than a pretty face
Have you ever been enticed by the image of an adorable puppy or kitten, dog or cat, frolicking at your feet, looking up at you with winsome charm and snuggling up to you on a cold winter’s night? All this and more can be yours when you adopt a pet, if you do your homework first.

Finding a forever home
Forever Home Feline Ranch was founded in 2009 to provide every cat in need a forever home, be a sanctuary where cats will have a second chance to live a full life in a nocage, no-kill environment and to help end euthanasia as a method of controlling feline populations.

You CAN buy love
Why? These fees help to offset the costs that the organizations have already put into the animals. For an animal to be able to go up for adoption, it has to meet certain standards.

Edible gifts
Several years back, my family agreed to stop buying holiday gifts for the adults. Money was always tight for somebody and none of us are big shoppers, so we decided just to buy gifts for the kids. It was determined that homemade gifts would be an acceptable caveat and we’ve never looked back since.

Great performances save Book
Events are compressed because of time considerations, two or three people may be combined into one fictional character, and a bland ending may be shaped into something a bit more dramatic and palatable.

Hullabaloo for holidays
Last week I never made it past Friday, so let’s start there this week. James Armstrong, known as the Ambassador of the Blues (not to be confused with the Blues Ambassadors, but that’s another story), mostly travels, touring around the country and overseas, playing his blues that are like no other.

PUB CRAWL
Open Mic with Devin Williams.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Ultraviolet
In 2003 Suzie Stephens formed a musical enterprise that would give her the outlet necessary to best use her music inspirations and aspirations. Now 15 years into the project, Ultraviolet is still going strong as the band celebrates the occasion with another gig.

THE CALENDAR
45th Annual Winter Holiday Floral Show.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | A ho-ho-ho holiday parade
Enjoy holiday cheer on Saturday, Dec. 8, during the 47 th annual Springfield Jaycees Holiday Lights Parade. This festive downtown parade celebrates the start of the holiday season and is a time-honored tradition that began in 1949 and has been held annually since 1972.

HOLIDAY | Carols, cookies and cocoa
On Sunday, Dec. 9, individuals of all ages are invited to sing holiday carols accompanied by the carillon bells during the 37 th annual Caroling at the Carillon event at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon.

THEATER | Christmas time is here
Celebrate the holidays with everyone’s favorite blockhead on Wednesday, Dec. 12, during A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage.