........vote under if you voted today?   Republican Party 35% (39 votes) Democratic Party 0% (0 votes) Independent Party 11% (12 votes) Conservative Party 38% (42 votes) Libertarian Party 5% (6 votes) Constitution Party 10% (11 votes)                                                                                                                           Total Votes: 110 PollDaddy 11/11/2009

OK. I THINK I GET IT.  IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOR.IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY. IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER, YOU GET SHOT. IF YOU CROSS THE TURKEY BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN PRISON! BUT, IF YOU CROSS THE U..S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET: A DRIVERS LICENSE A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD  WELFARE FOOD STAMPS AND, FREE HEALTH CARE?  Oh well sure.  That makes perfect sense. 11/11/2009

by Bob Hamer Earlier this year as I was filling up at the gas station I noticed a faded bumper sticker- vintage Bush 43-on the car next to me: "Dissent is Patriotic." When I pointed to the bumper and asked the driver if she still believed that, she suggested I do something to myself which I am certain is physically impossible. I just laughed and said, "I'll take that as a no." At the time, our Marine son and his men were deployed to a remote Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan. As I reflected on my experience at the Shell station, I wondered if this woman had any idea the sacrifices so many had made so she could exercise her 1stAmendment rights during the previous administration or this one. I wondered if she knew about Belleau Wood, the Chosin Reservoir, Hue City, Fallujah, or the H... 11/10/2009

  News Release Capital Area Association of REALTORS® The Voice for Real EstateTM in the Capital Area      SPRINGFIELD (November 9, 2009)  The median single-family home sale price and unit home sales both increased in the Capital Area during the third quarter of 2009, according to the Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (CAAR) Multiple Information Service.   The median sale price of existing-home sales - including single-family and condominiums for the third quarter of 2009 was $111,000, reflecting an all-time high, according to CAAR.  Total home sales equaled 1,119 units during the third quarter of 2009, reflecting an 8.2 percent increase over the third quarter of 2008.     "For four straight months nearly every market indicator that we monitor has continued toward a path of improveme... 11/09/2009

The Hoogland Center for the Arts provides, a home for many different arts groups in Springfield, is in danger of not having the money to pay its mortgage in January.  The Hoogland is home to Springfield Theater Center, the Springfield Ballet Company, the Prairie Art Alliance and many others.  The Hoogland says it is just not receiving the same amount of donations as it did when it opened five years ago and it's in danger of not being able to pay its 27-thousand dollar mortgage.  It currently owes 3.3 million on its mortgage.  For more information on how to give, go to the Hoogland Center for the Arts.  v 10/25/2009

  By Anita Stienstra    This rock musical about a Transylvanian transvestite and a naive couple ensnared in his erotically evil web bore the cult classic movie. Some of the same interactive features scintillate this stage production. The Rocky Horror Show-themed costumes are encouraged. Though outside props are prohibited to protect the theater, prop bags will be available for $5. The show contains strong language, sexual content, adult themes and mild violence. Presented by The Hoogland Center for the Arts in association with ADHD Productions, Mac Warren directs. The Rocky Horror ShowFriday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24, 30-319pm (additional 5pm shows on Oct 24 and 31)Hoogland Center for the Arts420 S. Sixth Street523-2787$16-$15   10/25/2009

OK, some of these even make sense to me!At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down.  Finally, the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.)These are our rules! Please note.... these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!1. Men are NOT mind readers.1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl.. If it's up, put it down.  We need it up, you need it down.  You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.1. Sunday sports It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.1.. Crying is blackmail.1. Ask for what you want.  Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!1. Yes and No are perfec... 10/25/2009

Bob Hill and his new wife Betty were vacationing in Europe... as it happens, near Transylvania.  They were driving in a rental car along a rather deserted highway.   It was late and raining very hard.  Bob could barely see the road in front of the car.  Suddenly the car skids out of control! Bob attempts to control the car, but to no avail!  The car swerves and smashes into a tree. Moments later, Bob shakes his head to clear the fog. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding!  Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Bob knows he has to get her medical assistance. Bob carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road.  After a short while, he sees a light.  He heads towards the light, which is coming from a large, o... 10/24/2009

  GEOGRAPHY FACTS Alaska  More than half of the coastline of the entire United States is in Alaska ..   Amazon   The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% the world's oxygen supply.  The Amazon River pushes so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that, more than one hundred miles at sea off the mouth of the river, one can dip fresh water out of the ocean.  The volume of water in the Amazon river is greater than the next eight largest rivers in the world combined and three times the flow of all rivers in the United States ...  Antarctica   Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country. Ninety percent of the world's ice covers Antarctica . This ice also represents seventy  percent of all the fresh water in the world. As strange as it sounds, however, Antarcti... 10/24/2009

  News Release Capital Area Association of REALTORS® The Voice for Real EstateTM in the Capital Area     The median single-family home sale price and unit sales both increased in the Capital Area during September 2009, according to the Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (CAAR) Multiple Information Service.   Home sales in the Capital Area during the month of September amounted to 364 units, reflecting an increase of 14.1 percent over September of 2008.  Year-to-date home sales through September of 2009 revealed 2,770 unit sales, down 0.9 percent from year-to-date through September of 2008.   For the month of September 2009, the median home sale price (for all single-family homes and condominiums) was $109,000, reflecting an increase of 7.9 percent from the $101,000 September 2008 med... 10/23/2009

Saw this video on the Bonnie Hunt Show and some of you may like too.............   http://www.bonniehunt.com/videos/player/rightrail/index.html?mediaKey=6f71d1d0-b612-4bf4-a698-7273eaa3ad29&isShareURL=true 10/20/2009

By Anita Stienstra     Experience the glowing artistry of 2,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack-o-lanterns featuring the carving talents of area residents, artists and District 186 students. The hollow pumpkin lanterns decorate the carillon and botanical garden areas Friday and Saturday night, hosted by the Springfield Park District, Rees Carillon Society and Rees Memorial Carillon. Food vendors will be available. Free bus service offered from Sacred Heart Griffin.Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-176-10pmRees Memorial CarillonWashington Park753-6219$3-$5 10/19/2009

  Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place.   Looking up to heaven he said, 'Lord take pity on me.   If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!' Miraculously, a parking place appeared.Paddy looked up again and said, 'Never mind, I found one.'   Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and asks the first man he meets, 'Do you want to go to heaven?' The man said, 'I do, Father.'The priest said, 'Then stand over there against the wall.'Then the priest asked the second man, 'Do you want to go to heaven?''Certainly, Father,' the man replied. 'Then stand over there against the wall,' said the priest.Then Father Murphy walked up to O'Toole and as... 10/19/2009

Some increditble clips of the Dude Perfect popularity   Summer Camp Edition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4giMyqv0qc   Worlds Longest Basketball Shot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W77uk1ejcpY   Ranch Edition Amazing Basketball Shots http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJBmQsIJjx8     10/17/2009

 By DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP                In Philadelphia, they've got the blues. In Cincinnati, they've got - well - the reds. Cincinnati is the top market for red cars in the U.S., while Philly buyers prefer blue, according to sales data released Tuesday by Ford Motor Co. Sometimes, color preferences are logical. Buyers in hot cities, like Phoenix and Dallas, like white cars, while buyers in colder cities, like Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Detroit, are partial to red, according to Ford's internal data. No-nonsense New Yorkers like black and gray. Sometimes, the preferences are a puzzle. Boston is the top market for both brown and green cars, for example, while San Franciscans like silver. In Florida, they like gold. Silver remained the most popular color in the U.S. this year for the ninth ye... 10/16/2009

"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of "liberalism," they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened."? He went on to say: "I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform." Norman Mattoon Thomas (November 20, 1884 - Decemb... He went on to say: "I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform." Norman Mattoon Thomas (November 20, 1884 - December 19, 1968) Was a leading American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America. Biography of N.M.Thomas; http://en.wikipe... 10/15/2009

By Anita Stienstra     Welcome autumn this weekend at Lincoln Memorial Garden's Indian Summer Festival. The ambience starts as you tuck your car between two trees in the woods. Then stroll out of the forest into the clearing where musicians, food, craft vendors and activities galore immerse you in the sights, sounds and smells of harvest time. The kids can make Abe and Mary clothespin dolls, Lincoln log cabins, plant acorns and visit Mr. Lincoln the hammer maker and so much more. Entertainment starts at 11 a.m. each day.Indian Summer Festival Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11 10am-4pm Lincoln Memorial Garden 2301 East Lake Shore Dr. 529-1111 $3, $10 family 10/10/2009

 Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed U.S. home loans fell for the second consecutive week, pushing borrowing costs to near record lows. The average U.S. 30-year rate dropped to 4.87 percent from 4.94 percent last week. The 15-year rate was 4.33 percent, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac of McLean, Virginia, said today in a statement. Falling rates helped boost home-loan applications last week to the highest level since May. The Mortgage Bankers Association's index of applications to purchase a home or refinance rose 16 percent. Rates around 5 percent, slumping home prices and a government tax credit for first-time homebuyers are bolstering demand for housing. "We're not expecting the housing market to come roaring back to anything close to what it was during the boom," said Scott Brown, chief eco... 10/09/2009

By Jim Hightower     In Through the Looking Glass, Humpty Dumpty declared, "When I use a word, it means what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less." Mr. Dumpty would have loved living in our era of corporate-speak, when even a plain word of obvious meaning can be dumped down the semantical rabbit hole to be swirled and twirled by marketing meisters. Then - sproing! - out it pops, looking like the same word, but now burdened with a convoluted connotation that is the very opposite of what the word appears to mean. This corporatization of language is presently being applied to the common term, "local" - as in: right here, in the immediate vicinity, this neck of the woods, hereabouts. In the past few years, "local" has become an important commercial term, as small businesses have prou... 10/01/2009

House is in move in condition. A new roof was done in 2006 and an inground watering system was installed in 2007. Hardwood flooring in the kitchen and dining area. Master Bedroom has a large walk-in closet and the three car garage has a folding staircase to the attic with ample storage. There is a large deck with a concrete slab adjacent to the wood deck. 220 is wired for a hot tub. There is a wet bar in the basement recreation room with Shrock cabinets. In addition to the finished area in the basement , ther is approximately 1,00 square feet unfinished. Great for storage or expansion. To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/illinois-buy-single-family-home-11648347.html 09/25/2009