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Springfield neighborhoods need stimulus
The inner city of Springfield has long been neglected and is in desperate need of attention. While several groups and organizations have fought long and hard to help, and have delivered great projects, much more could and should be done to transform the east and near north sides of the city.

For local banks, Springfield is a good place to be
But I know a few bankers, and they hardly seem like the arrogant, clueless guys we see on TV testifying before Congress.

Fight over leadership threatens GOP civil war
Every two years, the Illinois Republican Party tears itself apart over a piece of legislation that supposedly would allow rank and file party members to have more say in party affairs. This year may be worse than usual, however. Senate Bill 600, sponsored by Sen.

Students with HIV, report to the principal’s office
Twenty years ago, when the Illinois General Assembly approved a law requiring that school principals be notified whenever a student tests positive for the human immune deficiency virus, it was widely believed that children could catch HIV during a game of tag.

Uninsured to get free healthcare
At a recent healthcare forum, Dr. Janet Albers, chairman of the Sangamon County Medical Society’s community health committee, told the audience that even though the United States spent $2.1 trillion on healthcare in 2006, citizens’ overall health is not where it should be.

Raise the colors
summer, while William Ferguson was working as a junior counselor at the Urban League’s Freedom School, a child fell and broke his arm. Ferguson used two sticks and a bandana to fashion a makeshift cast, to keep the child’s arm immobile until paramedics arrived.

The Outlaws can’t stop playing football
Some guys hunt, some guys golf. Brent Bordenkircher plays football. He’s not just talking about throwing the pigskin around the backyard or calling up some buddies for a ragtag round of flag football in the park. He’s talking about competitive semi-professional eight-man football, right here in Springfield.

Adults invade Facebook
I had seven e-mails from an older gentleman who is the president of a highly respected nonprofit asking me to become his friend on Facebook. It was so unnerving I joined Facebook just to make the e-mails stop. Facebook is no longer hip since CEOs, everybody’s mother and geezers started signing on.

Movie times
Kerasotes listings are for Friday Mar 6 through Thursday Mar 12. 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 www.illinoistimes.

Shopaholic overextends itself; Fired Up is no fun
Scarred by her mother’s thrifty ways, Rebecca Bloomwood (Fisher) is a girl from the sticks eager to take the Big Apple by storm and feels the first step in doing so is to reinvent herself as a fashion diva. Draped in Prada, Versace and Gucci, she feels as though her choice of attire defines her.

Chicken soup comforts body and soul
My husband, Peter, is a dentist. For years I’ve made chicken soup that he gives to his patients undergoing oral surgery. The soup is as basic as can be: just flavorful chicken broth with a little well-cooked rice. Peter began giving it to his patients as a response to questions about what they could and should eat when restricted to a liquid diet.

Blues club birthday bash
Rejoice all you fans of the blues and join in a celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the Illinois Central Blues Club.

PUB CRAWL
Submit calendar listings at www.illinoistimes.com.

BAND SPOTLIGHT
There’s nothing wrong with what The Right Now is doing. The Chicago-based group, featuring vocalist Stefanie Berecz and songwriter/guitarist Brendan O’Connell, plus Chris Corsale, a former member of 56 Hope Road, combines an original soul music...

MUSIC
Desirée Ruhstrat, violin, David Cunliffe, cello, and Marta Aznavoorian, piano, comprise the Lincoln Trio. Formed in 2003, the Chicago-based ensemble takes its name from their home state of Illinois, the land of Lincoln.

THE CALENDAR
for the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln follows the lives of a slave, a former civil rights activist, a 14-year-old drummer boy and the last man to shake Lincoln’s hand before he left for Washington, and more. $16, $15 seniors and children 12 and under.

ART
The Sangamon Watercolor Society was founded in 1986 to promote the art and appreciation of watercolor painting, and to present opportunities for continuing education and the exhibition of artwork, while also helping watercolor enthusiasts connect.

MUSIC
Years ago a boy grew up in Springfield, attended Springfield High School and the First Presbyterian Church, and developed a passion to play guitar. With the influence of a local guitar teacher, who still teaches out of her home, Aerosmith tunes turned to Bach melodies, and a classical guitarist was born.

Real Estate Foreclosures
Attorney I.D. No. 02125994 JTO, Ltd. File No. 08-33075/ig IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIR- CUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., TRUSTEE SUCCESSOR TO ARGENT MORTGAGE COM- PANY, L.L.C., Plaintiff, vs.

NEWSQUIRKS
Japan has discovered there’s more gold in sewage than in some of the world’s best mines. Reuters reported that the Suwa sewage treatment facility in Nagano prefecture recorded finding 1,890 grams of gold per ton of ash from incinerated sludge.

THEADVICEGODDESS
I’m a single father and grad student in my mid- 20s. Lately, I’ve been feeling very lonely, and even jealous of married friends who are happily enjoying family life while I’m missing out. My son’s mother split four years ago, but I’ve been reluctant to date because she lied and cheated so much, and I’m afraid of ending up with another like her.