For the past six years, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has rarely missed an opportunity to make an enemy, many of whom have been regulars in Room 114 of the Capitol since the Illinois House’s special investigative committee met for the first time on December 16.

Two of the little ones were from the slums and we sent them to school. To get into school in India you have to have a birthday and they didn’t even know what day they were born on.

Candles and popcorn strings on the tree, and the rare fruit treat in your stocking — they were all part of Christmases past. And they’re so removed from our modern lives, which often feature electrically-lit, artificial Christmas trees and fruit every day of the year.

For the past 22 years the Springfield Area Arts Council has made First Night Springfield the official New Year’s Eve event of the city. This year, the SAAC is keeping the old favorites and adding new festivities to the roster.