A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Collingwood Estates Homeowner's Association     President: Brad Sullivan     Contact:  Troy Scott, 3312 Collingwood Dr, Springfield, IL 62711-9695, (h) 217.726.5824 Country Club Manor Association     Contact:  Edward LaBelle, 1300 Southern Hills, Springfield, IL 62704, (h) 217.546.3956 Country Place Condominium Association     President:  Manker Harris     Contact:  Keith Farmer, 230 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703, (h) 217.529.4398 Deerwood Lake Homeowner's Association     President:  Dennis Tackett, 5412 Deerwood Lake Drive, Springfield, IL 62703, (h) 217.529.5023 Downtown Springfield Neighborhood Association (DSI)     President:  Cindy Davis      Contact:  Victoria Clemmons, 3 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL 627... 12/21/2008

Developmentally disabled seek shift away from institutional care BY AMANDA ROBERT   Developmentally disabled want to live in smaller, community-based settings.PHOTO BY JAY JANNER/MCT At first Catherine Dennis seems like any other mother. Every day the Auburn native wakes up, gets her son ready and heads to Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services in Springfield, where she works as a resident nurse. The somewhat considerable difference for Dennis is that her son, Justin, a 30-year-old who has autism, goes with her. Justin waits at Bethesda, an agency that supports people with developmental disabilities, until a bus from Sparc, another local social services agency, picks him up. In the early afternoon Sparc returns him to Bethesda. He hangs out there until his mom gets off. Even though this a... 12/20/2008

Critic says it could bring "a wagon train of dirty bombs" through Illinois BY R. L. NAVE   The current nuclear fuel system, represented by the top row of symbols here, sends spent nuclear fuel to a "geologic repository." Under the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership plan, the spent fuel would be reprocessed and recycled.Chart courtesy Department of Energy Illinois could become more radioactive than a Rod Blagojevich Senate appointee under a little-talked-about Bush administration energy initiative to create the next generation of nuclear power plants. Already home to more nuclear facilities than any other state in the nation, Illinois is one of 11 states in the running to host a national spent fuel reprocessing center proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy's Global Nuclear Energy Partn... 12/20/2008

Former Springfield officer Lea Joy likes being ‘wanted' LAW  BY DUSTY RHODES   Retired SPD Lt. Lea Joy now works with Southern View Police Chief Kurt Taraba (center) and Sgt. Ricky Cathers (right).PHOTO BY DUSTY RHODES As chief of police in the village of Southern View, Kurt Taraba sometimes has to get creative to track down a wanted person. Take, for example, a certain 60-year-old black female who had a reputation for causing trouble in the city of Springfield. Taraba bumped into her at the Dollar General store and again at the Ice Deli but couldn't collar her. Finally, he had a buddy in another agency place a call to her cell phone warning her that Taraba was on her trail. A few days later, the wanted woman showed up at the Southern View city hall and voluntarily turned herself in. An... 12/20/2008

  Illustration by Chris Ware/mct  Confucius says, "Men's natures are alike; it is their habits that separate them." Similarly, David Banner says, "Stuntin' is a habit; get like me." In either case - be it ordering the same lunch of Moo Shoo chicken everyday or dialing past the first seven songs on Banner's Mississippi: The Album just to hear "Cadillac on 22's" - human beings are creatures of habit. Nowhere might that truism be more pronounced than here in Illinois when it comes to politics. In the week - is that all? - since the bazillionth public official from the Land of Lincoln, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was nabbed by G-men and charged with political corruption, the national media have bandied about as to what is Illinois' place in history for producing lawbreaking lawmakers. Are we tops... 12/20/2008

BY PATRICIA ERFORD  Today we hear that 1.55 million jobs in the U.S. were lost during the last six months, and 3,000 jobs were lost within Sangamon County during the last five years. People have been hit hard and income is shrinking or gone. We need a haven that provides us with support - for entertainment, research, job searching and helping students of all ages to gain their degrees. Libraries encourage literacy programs and are one of the only places that provides a computer with Internet access, thus fighting to bridge the digital divide. So why is it that during every Springfield city budget crisis, or whenever discretionary tax revenues decrease, we are hearing a call to reduce public library services? Why does this make any sense, given that during hard times our public library g... 12/20/2008

BY DUSTY RHODES   Tom Shafer with some of the 400 scripts he has written for The Shooting Sport, the show he has produced and starred in for 14 years. Famous episodes include "I Smell Cellini," "Buy a Used Alderman," and "The Dumpster," which was part of a series documenting his run-in's with then-Gov. George Ryan. Most requested: the "Wall of Shame," filmed at the city council chambers portrait gallery, where Shafer recited a list of dumb questions asked by each alderman. Besides council meetings, Shafer also attends most committee meetings and some school board meetings, but he has stopped attending Sangamon County Board sessions. "I realized they were never going to do anything but buy gravel and paint and discuss the height of Mrs. Minerva's garage. I'll never go back to one of thos... 12/15/2008

  There's more than one way to make it to the White House, as local artist Janet Seitz Carlson recently proved. Carlson, the marketing and communications director at the Hoogland Center for the Arts and a member of the Prairie Art Alliance, was one of 369 artists from across the country chosen to hand-decorate ornaments that now adorn the official White House Christmas tree. "This was an exciting thing," Carlson says. "How often do you get the opportunity to do something that lands in a national landmark?" Nominated by U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, Ill., Carlson represents Illinois' 19th district. She applied nearly 400 pieces of glass to the ornament, creating stovepipe hats to symbolize Abraham Lincoln and other such Prairie State imagery as the monarch, violet, oak leaf, ca... 12/15/2008

Taylorville Treasurer Terry France says residents came to the city for help during the rains this September because their basements were flooding, and they didn't know why. France says it's because the city's sewer system needs fixing. Badly. To raise the money, the city council approved a referendum that, if approved by voters, will raise the sales tax in Taylorville by .75%, from 6.25 to 7. France says this type of increase is the most fair because it would be applied to more than just Taylorville residents. "People in our own surrounding communities, not just in the corproate limits of Taylorville, will also be helping to fund that, people driving on our streets, people shopping in Taylorville. So it's more fair to our citizens." She explains that a sales tax increase wouldn't be app... 12/08/2008

into Sound Bag The EnE Group has slapped the SI name on a bag that blasts portable music. The Sharper Image SoundBag features flat-speaker technology that can play an MP3 player anywhere. by Rachel Cericola Still stumped on what to get loved ones for Christmas? Stuff those stockings with a SoundBag. The SoundBag is a portable bag that packs in flat-speaker technology. Hook up your iPod or other MP3 player, and you can torture with your taste in music-all while on the go. Since it's flat, it doesn't take up much space, meaning you can still carry plenty of gum, magazines or whatever business props you may need. It even has a spot for your portable, right on the shoulder strap. The speaker also detaches and can be used as a stand-alone unit for other audio sources. Overall, it's hard to i... 12/08/2008

The retailer could be offering the 4GB model after Christmas. Web rumors say that Walmart will have a 4GB iPhone for $99. by Rachel Cericola There are probably a few of you out there that long for an iPhone. However, probably many of you don't long to pay that $200 iPhone price. Soon, you may not have to. Mac Rumors (via Engadget) says that Walmart wants to do that voodoo that they do so well-and cut the price. However, this isn't going to be pennies off. The rumor is that the retailer will have 4GB iPhones for only $99. The price might not be a total shocker. Apple no longer sells the 4GB model. Think of it has half of the 8GB model's price. It could be overstock. However, it could also be Apple's attempt to reach a larger audience. Now there's two gotchas. First of all, that price com... 12/07/2008

Star Bright  Harrison KetchumPHOTO BY JOE COPLEY Star BrightHe's stolen hearts at Springfield's Dance Creations Dance Studio, he's stolen the spotlight, appearing on the IT cover with the rest of his dancing sibs [see "Happy feats," Jan. 17], and now he's stolen the stage at the New York Broadway Dance Center's The PULSE on Tour. On Nov. 15 and 16, the jazz-and-hip-hop dance convention stopped in Chicago and its faculty - including world-famous choreographer Mia Michaels, a judge on Fox's hit TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" - handpicked the Springfield High School senior and just three other dancers from nearly 2,000 hopefuls as its latest PULSE Advanced Protégés. Ketchum now gets the chance to travel with The PULSE faculty and assist with other choreography and dance workshops acr... 12/07/2008

 Move over, Mario. Outta the way, Donkey Kong. The newest video game star is you. It's time to rock BY JEFF SCHNAUFER   Hit the road: "Guitar Hero: On Tour" for the Nintendo DS makes it easy to jam on the go. By Jeff Schnaufer Whether you're a guitar shredder, tambourine tapper or karaoke crooner, the music video game has made rock ‘n' roll stars out of anyone intrepid enough to pick up a peripheral instrument. And there's no better time than this holiday season to get in the game, er, join the band. "You can now pick up this little plastic instrument and with little practice, be able to play all these songs that would take a long time to learn with a real instrument," says Chris Roper, editor-in-chief of the Playstation Team for IGN.com. Music-themed games like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock ... 12/07/2008

  2008 Old Capitol Holiday WalksPresented by St. John's HospitalDecember 3, 4 (5-9 pm)December 10, 17, 18 (5-8 pm)Free and open to the public. Old Capitol Holiday Raffle Game$500, $300, and $200 Gift Certificate RaffleRaffle cards available at The Blue Door, Cold Stone Creamery, Del's Popcorn Shop, Food Mart, House of Gifts, Jewelry Service Center, Jimi Art, Moxie Massage, Pease's Candies, Petals & Accents, Porgy's Home Accents & Gifts, Recycled Records, Sachi Flowers, Shoetopia, Springfield Novelties & Gifts, Studio on Sixth, Tinsley Dry Goods, Widow at Windsor Antiques, Midwest Family Broadcasting Radio Station on Fifth Street. Raffle Instructions:  To enter, shoppers must visit all participating stores and have their card validated between December 3 - 18, 2008.  No purchase necessar... 11/26/2008

For the holidays, plan some jollydays From the Festival of Trees to First Night, here's what to do for a special season BY JOLONDA YOUNG    With the holiday season upon us, the Springfield community hosts a variety of celebrations that will have even Ebeneezer Scrooge joyfully singing, " 'Tis the season." For many, the "official" holiday season begins with Memorial Medical Center Foundation's annual Festival of Trees. The nine-day celebration, taking place Nov. 22 through Nov. 30 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Orr Building, features more than 100 trees and wreaths, each decorated with its own theme. The young, as well as the young at heart, can enjoy the giant teddy bear display, as well as the festival's Gingerbread Village, which has more than 50 lavishly decorated gingerbread hous... 11/26/2008

Holiday calendar The holiday season is in full swing. We hope this compilation of Springfield area events and activities will help you find some fun and your place in the life of the city. - Patrice Worthy, calendar editor BY PATRICE WORTHY   Memorial's Festival of Trees Nov 27, 4-8pm, Nov 28-30, 10am-8pm, Illinois State Fairgrounds Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed The American Red Cross Meals on Wheels program has an ongoing need for volunteer drivers during the holiday season. The American Red Cross, 1045 Outer Park Dr. For more info, call 787-7602, ext. 237Holiday Hall Exhibition and Sale Through Dec 13, Springfield Art Association's juried 4th Annual Holiday Hall exhibition and sale. Springfield Art Association, 700 North 4th St. For more info, call 523-2631 or go to www.springfiel... 11/26/2008

Mortgage Rates Brought to you by Participating Affiliate Members Note:  For current rates call the lender.  To determine whether points apply to a loan, or for more information, please click on the lender's name.  Rates, points and programs are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed.  Points include both discounts and origination fees, which is normally 1% of the loan amount, but may vary.  This is not an advertisement for credit as defined in regulation Z.           Lender Fixed             30        20     15      10        7        5        3       1       FHA      AV      97%    RD  Current as of 5.5 5.625 5.375 5.5 6.5 6.375 6 N/A 6.5 6.25 5.875 5.625 11/26/2008 11:35:36More Info 5.5 5.5 5.375 5.375 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.625 11/26/2008 11:06:41More Info 5.75 5.75 5.5 5... 11/26/2008

  Capital Area Association of REALTORS®  The Voice for Real EstateTM in the Capital Area  Local Home Sales Provide October Surprise!  SPRINGFIELD (November 24, 2008). Unit home sales increased while the median single-family home sale price decreased slightly in the Capital Area during October 2008, according to figures from the Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (CAAR) Multiple Information Service.   For the month of October 2008, the median home sale price (for all single-family homes and condominiums) was $102,900, revealing a decrease of 1.1 percent from the $104,000 October 2007 price.  The year-to-date median home sale price through October of 2008 yielded $105,000 which was identical to the same period in 2007.   The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold fo... 11/24/2008

  Springfield Art Association's Holiday Hall Exhibition and Sale When:  through December 13th.Where: Springfield Art Association Gallery of Art at 700 North 4th StreetThe Springfield Art Association's Holiday Hall Exhibition and Sale in the Gallery of Art at 700 North 4th Street is on through December 13, 2008. The one of a kind and affordable fine art and craft work of more than 50 Illinois artists await you and everyone on your holiday shopping list in the SAA's Gallery of Art! The show is restocked weekly so please feel free to visit the Gallery of Art often. Admission and parking is always free at the SAA! Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday: 10 am to 5 pm and Saturdays: 10 am to 3 pm.  Riverton Library Holiday Bazaar! When: Saturday, December 6th  10am-3pmWhere: Riverton Public L... 11/22/2008

    Posted: Wednesday, 19 November 2008 2:18PMYou Have A Chance to Win Tickets to Glenn Beck "Christmas Sweater" Simulcast! A live simulcast of Glenn Beck's  production of a "Christmas Sweater" in Charleston, South Carolina will be available for you to view at the Showplace 12 Theaters on Wednesday, December 17th at 7pm and you could win tickets to see the simulcast.  Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 6th from 8am-10am.  NewsRadio WTAX will be at Mariah's Restaurant at 3317 Robbins Road. Come out and get breakfast and enjoy a cappuccino for $1.24.  Every 15 minutes, Morning Newswatch's Bob Murray will be giving away tickets to the Glenn Beck simulcast, plus a signed copy of his book, "The Christmas Sweater".  Don't miss your opportunity to see this event.  Tickets are $20 for th... 11/20/2008