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Wall Street arrogance meets Washington meekness on executive bonuses
Citigroup, once the world’s largest financial conglomerate, has fallen so far down that you can buy a share of its stock today for less than it costs to use one of its ATM machines. A few days ago, however, Citi caused investors’ hearts to go pitter-patter with joy when it loudly trumpeted that it had operated at a profit in January and February.

ecopoem #7
in switzerland in ’54 I heard children on the playground chanting this singsong rhyme: ce qui plait — l’escargot — ne plait pas a tout le monde! what’s pleasing to the snail does not please all the world! a truth worth chanting though now belatedly...

LETTERS
I personally stand by my claim that I brought them to the party. I want to make it very clear that I stand by my party, and by the current leadership. As a retiree, but one who has not lost once ounce of Republican verve, I have attended and supported endeavors through these lean years.

Why nobody supports Quinn’s tax hike plan
The biggest problem with passing Gov. Pat Quinn’s tax hike and budget proposals is not that almost every Statehouse interest group opposes them. The Illinois Federation of Teachers, for instance, sent out a statement before Gov.

“Visioning” the possibilities
A group of about 100 local residents will begin meeting this week to help make a decision about the future of district buildings, including Springfield High School. The residents received an invitation from Springfield schools superintendent Dr. Walter Milton.

Junior lobbyists revved up to decrease tailpipe emissions
Julien and Liam Mathie, 10- and 9-year-old brothers from the western Chicago suburb of La Grange Park, woke up at 5 a.m., put on suits and ties, and drove to Springfield with their parents last Wednesday to promote the Clean Cars Act.

High-tech healthcare
The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has long been the heart of healthcare in the central Illinois region, and now thanks to über-modern medicine, it’s circulating lifelines to hospitals in every corner of the state. Since 2001, SIU has synchronized its videoconference system with 149 clinics and hospitals.

The ABCs of school board candidates
They’ve been drumming up support, talking about issues facing the district, and imploring citizens to just go vote on Tuesday, April 7.

First novel wordplay reflects writer’s “crush on life”
Joanna Beth Tweedy will read from her novel in Springfield Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m. in the historic Brinkerhoff Home at 1500 North Fifth Street, as well as Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. in the Vachel Lindsay Home at 603 South Fifth Street. A book-signing will follow each reading.

Richard Dreyfuss performance highlights history symposium
The dramatic reading has been presented in recent months to audiences at the White House, Ford’s Theatre, The Library of Congress and at the George H.W. Bush and Clinton presidential libraries. The event in Jacksonville will come as part of the annual Illinois State Historical Society’s 2009 Illinois History Symposium, which begins.

Other symposium speakers include:
Dr. Wayne C. Temple, “dean of the Lincoln scholars” and author of nine books and dozens of articles about Lincoln, will speak on the topic, “The Tomb that Never Was: The Story of the Original Lincoln Tomb in Downtown Springfield.” Deputy Director of the Illinois State Archives, Dr.

In love with lentils
For most folks, the Incredibly Delicious bakery means world-class croissants, artisinal breads, beautiful pastries and cakes and lovely lunches served in a gorgeous historic mansion. As a friend recently said, “I certainly hope Springfield realizes what a treasure we have in him (master baker, chef, and owner Patrick Groth).

Movie times
Kerasotes listings are for Friday, Mar 27 through Thursday, Apr 2. All times are subject to change. Bracketed show times indicate Saturday and Sunday matinees. For updates on Kerasotes films, call 1-800-FANDANGO. Reviews of other films can be found at.

A 3-D monster mash, and a disaster flick with soul
There’s no question that digital 3-D is here to stay. After many fits and starts to perfect the process since its introduction in the 1950s, the nut has finally been cracked where making it seem like fire is landing in your lap is concerned. Dreamworks’ Monsters Vs.

Millikin’s Bluegrass Weekend
When I saw the famous and fantastic band Asleep at the Wheel scheduled to perform at the Kirkland Fine Arts Center of Millikin University in Decatur, that alone seemed to be enough for a column.

PUB CRAWL
Girard. 10pm-2am. The Zombots, Incontinental Havoc, DJ Kurt

BAND SPOTLIGHT
Don Smith and his various band incarnations get the braggin’ rights for longevity in central Illinois. The singing trumpet player began playing the area over 50 years ago and is still going strong, booking everything from a trio to an octet and beyond at bars, weddings, conventions, festivals and countless other functions.

THE CALENDAR
Submit calendar listings at www.illinoistimes.com.

DANCE
United States national pewter medalist, Ryan Bradley, performs as guest skater in the Springfield Figure Skating Club’s annual Spotlight on Ice this weekend at the Nelson Center in Lincoln Park.

BOOKS
World Affairs Council of Central Illinois welcomes as part of their speaker series, Dalia Mogahed, executive director and senior analyst for the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies and co-author of the book, Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think.

PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE UNDER ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME ACT STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF SANGAMON TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that on the 3rd day of March 2009 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon County, stating that MCRAMSEY ENTERPRISES, INC.

Real Estate Foreclosures
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY — SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS SUNTRUST MORTGAGE INC.

NEWSQUIRKS
After authorities investigating a store robbery in Chula Vista, Calif., identified Romeo Montillano, 40, as their suspect, they learned he was in Las Vegas, unaware he was wanted. They were able to arrest him, the San Diego Union- Tribune reported, because he returned to take an examination to become a police officer.

THEADVICEGODDESS
A woman wrote me on an online dating site. Her profile said she was 42. I’m 37, which isn’t a big age difference, so we went out. We had a blast and were planning to go out again when she e-mailed and confessed she’ll be 49 in August. She seemed really cool, had a great sense of humor, and looked older than 42, but was definitely still cute.