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A few things worth discussing
Last week’s forums for aldermanic candidates sponsored by Inner City Older Neighborhoods were equally bemusing, informative and maddening. Ward 1 Ald. Chuck “MIA” Redpath was the only incumbent who didn’t show up. He may not have needed to, given that he got 75 percent of the vote in 2015 against Rev.

Oprah Winfrey and her mom’s strong finish
As usual, when Oprah shares a personal experience, her generous and insightful telling contains important lessons for us all in 2019. These lessons are about mustering the courage to admit the life of a loved one is nearing its end. They’re about bringing that knowledge into the open and acting on it, so the things that need to be said, will be said.

Dark money influences
Think Big Illinois, a brand new 501(c)(4) organization which doesn’t have to disclose its donors, will be supporting Gov. J.B. Pritzker, whose 2018 campaign slogans included “Think big.” The organization will be headed by Quentin Fulks, who served as Pritzker’s deputy campaign manager.

LETTERS
HELP FOR PETS I am writing in response to your Feb. 7 article, “Frigid response to pet law.” I am a humane investigator and was involved with drafting recent amendments. This was necessary to give police officers relief from some of the impediments they experienced with enforcement of the law, as it stood in 2018.

Punk rock pastor
Rev. Paul Hemenway is all about authenticity, and his career even before devoting his life to God and his ministry was about throwing out labels and being yourself.

Sewers, sidewalks and leaves
Ward 6 Alderwoman Kristin DiCenso is facing a challenge from a political newcomer who said her motivation to run for city council struck her while raking leaves. Candidate Elizabeth Jones, who operates Bright Beginnings Home Daycare, is challenging the incumbent in a race that has already provoked controversy.

Lincoln: boss or compromiser?
In an 1859 autobiographical statement sent to a Republican friend in Pennsylvania, the future president devoted exactly one sentence to his career as a state legislator, noting only that he’d been elected to the House four times and did not run for reelection when his last term ended in 1842.

THE ROAD TO PROHIBITION 100 YEARS AGO
On Jan. 16, 1919, the United States had ratified the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, making it illegal to make, transport or sell alcoholic beverages in America as of 1920. The following Sunday, celebrations were held in churches throughout Springfield.

Michelle O’s inspiring journey
Looking for a good book to read? One that is so well-written that the words make you believe you are there? A pageturner that is hard to put down? One that is both inspiring and reflective? Provides insights to politics and world events? And, one that makes you feel the author is telling part of your own story? If so, read Becoming.

Stop the car!
We were two hours from Disney World, but I only had one thing on my mind: sweet, luscious oranges. Originally we’d planned to fly, but I managed to talk my family into driving so we could load up the car with fresh citrus to bring home (not to mention I wasn’t terribly excited about flying with two little kids in tow).

Surprising Prodigy hits all the right notes
Talking at six months, figuring out complex math problems at five and being antisocial every step of the way, Sarah (Taylor Schilling) is convinced her son, Miles (Jackson Robert Scott), is a genius.

Songs for the heart
I know I said live music will play a role in some valentine’s dream dates, but I think karaoke could work for you happy couples as well. I see it being a fun activity to lighten up, and maybe even brighten up, a night out on the town.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Josh Morningstar
This Maryland native has done well in Nashville as a songwriter’s songwriter and burns up the road playing all over the U.S., especially in the Midwest. You may not know his name, but you likely know his song, “Must Be the Whiskey,” recently recorded by Cody Jinks on his Lifers.

LIVE MUSIC
Chris Butler and his Blues Ambassadors.

THE CALENDAR
Building Your Trans Ally Toolkit or Beyond Black Trans Death and Doom.

BULLETIN BOARD | Connecting job seekers and employers
The event is free for attendees and it is a great way to connect students, alumni and community job seekers with employers who are looking for candidates for jobs, internships and future connections. It will be held in the Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) on the UIS campus from 11:30 a.

HISTORY | Illinois State Museum Brown Bag Lectures
The Illinois State Museum hosts the weekly Brown Bag Lectures on the third Wednesday of each month. Bring your lunch and join them for a different speaker and topic at every lecture. This month, archaeologist and author Miranda Yancey-Bailey will give a presentation on Brooklyn, Illinois, a village two miles north of East St.