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SAM I am
They were among hundreds of educators from around the nation who flocked to the 13 th Annual National SAMs Conference to listen to motivational speakers, consultants and book authors talk about leadership and management.

He walked again. This time the victim was America.
It’s not for lack of trying. Here are the last 15 seconds of Democrats’ 21- plus hours pressing for the president’s impeachment from the well of the U.S. Senate. “And so I ask you. I implore you,” Democratic House Manager Adam Schiff pleaded in his peroration.

Sandoval shakedowns come to light
That’s from the July 31, 2018 federal surveillance of now-former state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) complaining, according to media reports, to one of the founders of the redlight camera company SafeSpeed.

LETTERS
LINCOLN’S CLOCK? Bruce Rushton is muddying the waters more than clearing them (“Tick Tock: ALPM issues go beyond hat,” Jan. 23).

Lawmakers hear calls for ethics reform
That’s what Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, asked last week during a hearing of the legislature’s Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform. The question came one day after Gov. J.B. Pritzker called for an end to corruption in his state of the state address.

MAKE EDUCATION GREAT AGAIN
Sacred Heart-Griffin High School has banned students from engaging in political displays at school events following an episode at the recent city basketball tournament, when Griffin students in the stands unfurled a Re-Elect Trump banner during a game against Lanphier High School.

On target
Ben Thompson grew up on a farm near Buffalo, 15 miles east of Springfield, and graduated from Tri-City High School in 2001. He was a farm boy who knew how to use a gun and a bow and enjoyed all kinds of sports. A talented multisport athlete, he participated in soccer, basketball and track.

Winter is for baking
I’ve always felt that a frigid February afternoon with no engagements on the calendar is one of life’s greatest joys. I truly love winter, even moreso after the frenetic pace of the holidays has subsided. I’m finally able to set right the deluge of disorganized chaos that flowed from lazy summer days right into Thanksgiving and on into Christmas.

“New power” is taking over the world
This fascinating book explains the shift from old power to new power and how this is impacting politics, business and everyday life. Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms describe “new power” as open, participatory, bottom-up and peer-driven. With new power, there is a belief in the wisdom of the crowd, transparency and a more open decision-making process.

Rhythm Section woefully out of tune
Based on the novel by Mark Burnell, Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively) is a woman who’s been adrift since her family was killed in a plane crash.

Fun-filled February
Thursday gives us a couple of stellar Springfield acts that surely set the tone for the weekend with their proven longevity and profound musicianship in our music scene. Frank Parker, with his ubiquitous trumpet in hand, hosts his Jambalaya Jam downtown at Buzz Bomb on this, the first Thursday of the month.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Pleiades
A fairly new band in length of existence (they just got together a few months ago), this quartet comes complete with the attitude and ambition of a group that’s been around for awhile.

LIVE MUSIC
Kevin Ellis and Groove Orbit.

THE CALENDAR
Master of Ceremony Justin Carter from WICS-TV, music provided by Debbie Ross, accompanied by Mark Gifford. Lunch served at 11am. Donations for luncheon welcome. Free. Jacksonville Community Park, Jacksonville, 1201 S. Main, 217-370- 0948..

CHILDREN’S CORNER | Museum Play Date
What do the Ugly Duckling, Little Red Riding Hood and Anansi the Spider have in common? They are all characters in folktales. Folklorist Mike Anderson will host a special Museum Play Date where you will hear stories from around the world mixed with songs and activities.

ART | Springfield Art Association
One-nighters have returned to the Springfield Art Association (SAA). One-nighters are a series of one-night art classes that provide a fun, carefree introduction to a particular medium and offer more experienced attendees opportunities to develop their skills with the medium.