Page 1

Forgive me father, for I have Harley-ed
The Goldwing, purchased from my father, was a heavy slug of a bike, reportedly developed so that Honda, regardless of performance concerns, could lay claim to making a bigger motor than other Japanese manufacturers. I rode the snot out of it, as much as 1,000 miles a day during trips out West.

How politics have changed
A few things stand out. When I first arrived in Congress, Americans had faith in the institutions of government. President Lyndon Johnson had actually run on a platform that we could successfully wage a war on poverty – and had been elected.

Getting tough on sexual harassment
The proposal would do everything from limiting non-disclosure agreements that could prohibit disclosure of sexual harassment, to preventing unions from representing both an accuser and an alleged harasser in disciplinary proceedings, to protecting...

LETTERS
AGREES WITH GAS TAX INCREASE If I were running for office, supporting the proposed state gas tax increase likely would doom my chances. Nonetheless, a gas tax increase at this time makes great sense and definitely is justified.

Opting out of opioids
As of April 9, 1,000 patients have successfully registered in the program with an additional 529 people awaiting registration, Harmon said. “I think that 1,000 patients having access to an alternative to opioids today is terrific,” Harmon said. “I hope the number will grow, and I expect it will.

A QUESTION OF FUNDING
In 2016, Pew Research estimated that 3.2% of Illinois’ population was undocumented immigrants. Illinois elected offi cials, as well as other stakeholders, are already pushing a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of completing the 2020 Census.

STOP AND SMELL THE LILIES
Polar vortex and all, it’s been a long winter, no? Heck, it snowed less than a week ago, the same day Amazon delivered a bevy of banana-palm starts we ordered, either because we had blind faith or were cautiously optimistic. The starts are safely, we hope, in the ground.

Frontline under fire
With 15 directors in 16 years, court-ordered compliance, government reviews, stormy legislative hearings and several recent highly publicized deaths of children, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has become everyone’s punching bag.

Family fun day highlights a year of autism support events
On Saturday, April 27, central Illinois families are invited to enjoy several hours of sensoryfriendly activities during Autism Support of Central Illinois’ Family Fun Day and Walk.

This ain’t your grandma’s garden club
For 90 years the Springfield Civic Garden Club has been helping to beautify neighborhoods across the community. The club’s annual plant sale has earned a reputation as an affordable source for old-school garden favorites such as hostas, grasses, daylilies, iris, ferns, shasta daisies and more.

The SHS grad who helps families make babies
The Springfield High School (SHS) Hall of Fame honors graduates who have achieved national eminence. Pamela Cohen Hirsch, class of 1964, is the most recent honoree, inducted March 29 at a ceremony in the Springfield High School auditorium. After a highly successful business career, Hirsch founded the nonprofit Baby Quest Foundation in 2012.

A chef’s wedding
When I announced that I would be getting remarried on April Fool’s Day and cooking the food for my own wedding reception, many people thought I was joking. In truth, I was just carrying on a family tradition. We have a long family history of hosting elaborate gatherings with attendance sometimes exceeding 100.

Marshall's Hellboy for true fans only
While you have to admire the filmmaker’s adherence to the source material (with Mignola as one of the producers he may have little leeway) it’s an approach where you run the risk of alienating the uninitiated.

Hoppin’ music happenings
Easter weekend is finally here, coming in late due to some lunar versus equinox decisions made by the Catholic Church several hundred years ago, but who’s counting, anyway.

LIVE MUSIC
Blues with Hank Helton and the Character Assassins.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Koe Wetzel
When this fiery group gets to kickin’ out the jams, look out below as the songs come crashing down like fallin’ rain on a hard-baked highway, Texas country style.

THE CALENDAR
Justin Tuttle with Adam Tucker.

BULLETIN BOARD | Alchemist Review launch
The University of Illinois Springfield presents the 8th annual Student Technology, Arts and Research Symposium (STARS).

ART | Crepusculum
The SAA Collective is hosting another installment of Night Gallery. Gallery director Corrin McWhirter will lead the tour of “Crepusculum,” featuring works by Joe Ciaccio, Leslie Stalter and Mehr Tumulty.