Vol. 32, No. 21
The better gift
When we meet again, they'll disapprove - but it'll all be OK
By Doug Bybee
Father Christmas
Wrapped and carried, like a long-ago hobo's treasures
By Rodd Whelpley
Lend a hand
Springfield area nonprofits share their holiday wish lists
Christmas Eve 1830
Believe in miracles - if you don't dig too deeply
By Jeanette M. Handling
The issues
City candidates line up as Davlin announces
By R. L. Nave
Baby Doc
How the Christmas child on Halstead received his name
By Dr. Craig Dougan, as told to Jacqueline Jackson
Nincompoops, old cows, and Christmas past
A trip to the auction yields boxes of cherished memories
By Alice Sue Armstrong
Less than clear
Slovers dispute testimony by witness, want fingerprint checked
By Dusty Rhodes
Beyond despair
Springfield can't swallow unique St. Louis-style pizza pie
The King and I
This Christmas, a 2-year-old rules Siam from a shabby Chicago apartment
By Carol Manley
A reason to celebrate
Six years ago, Christmas was about putting on a brave front
By Roberta Codemo
Goodbye, Ms. Yeager
Hello Jagermeister
Sgt. Jones
New police union head wins long fight for promotion
The jig is up
We'll remember November, when our hopes were dashed - and rekindled
By Hal Crowther
Where was Watson?
GOP Legislative leader was in Italy just before the election
By Rich Miller
Can the governor, like Bush, change his tune?
Report predicts financial disaster, but Blagojevich remains in denial
By Fletcher Farrar
The spirit of giving
Corporate America could learn from these children
By Jim Hightower
Banning hunger
The USDA solves a major problem by editing
A sporting chance
Let's fix what ails University of Illinois football and basketball
Letters to the Editor
In and around Springfield
Smoking in the kitchen
An inexpensive way to get just-grilled flavors in your home
By Julianne Glatz
Enlightened chocolate chips
These cookies have half the butter, but are twice as delicious
By Kim ODonnel
It's tree-repair time again
Youve been here before; this time, blame winter
By Jennifer Fishburn
No room at the inn
Beloved Holy Land Diner serves its last meal at its downtown location on Saturday
Giving green this year
Where to find environmentally friendly, socially responsible gifts
The enduring power of hope
Will Smith shines in true-life rags-to-rich tale
By Chuck Koplinski
Neo-noir
The purists say it cant be color, but you be the judge
By Marc Sigoloff
People's Poetry
Jacqueline Jackson Presents
Stories of sadness and strength
Joanna Newsoms sophomore effort shows off her narrative powers
By Marissa Monson
With friends like these...
Swan Lake takes music to new heights of idiocy
By René Spencer Saller
The current Situation of Andon T. Davis
His new band rocks the capital city this Saturday
By Tom Irwin
The continuing chronicles of Marina V
Our Russian-born songbird takes flight
Keep all rooms comfortable
A programmable thermostat helps keep heat in balance
By James Dulley
Webb Wilder
@ Boondocks
Fri., March 29, 7 p.m.
My curriculum not the reason kids can’t read
By Lucy Calkins
Home alone
By George Pawlaczyk
PILLSBURIED: Art, artifacts and curiosities from the former Pillsbury site
By Karen Ackerman Witter
Springfield man charged with operating six "houses of prostitution"
By Dean Olsen