Belleville News Democrat: Wally Spiers http://www.bnd.com/wally/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Belleville News Democrat en-us Copyright 2012 Belleville News Democrat Wally Spiers 60 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:19:57 CST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys support@Belleville.com Valentine's Day: The holiday that's completely out of control http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/12/2055154/valentines-day-always-is-good.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/12/2055154/valentines-day-always-is-good.html Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:42 CST One of the things I truly love about Valentine's Day, the holiday of love, is how marketing people have spun the day completely out of control. Corn, soybeans, mink and honey? Illinois remains an agriculture powerhouse http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2054001/illinois-remains-an-agriculture.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2054001/illinois-remains-an-agriculture.html Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:50 CST The 2011 Illinois Agricultural Statistics Annual Bulletin dropped on my desk the other day, and there were few surprises. Illinois was No. 2 in the nation in corn and soybean production in 2010, trailing Iowa once again. How much junk mail do you get? Belleville woman counted up a year's worth http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/07/2048048/junk-mail-is-plenty-irritating.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/07/2048048/junk-mail-is-plenty-irritating.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:10 CST Personally I enjoy getting junk mail, even if it is solicitations for charity that I never answer. Rare bird: Be on the lookout for this white snowy owl http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/05/2045787/keep-your-eyes-open-for-this-rare.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/05/2045787/keep-your-eyes-open-for-this-rare.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:07 CST Nature enthusiasts in Randolph and Monroe counties are all aflutter about a rare, fluffy flying visitor. 'Lots of love to share': Matching up older pets with seniors http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/03/2043256/promotion-aims-to-match-up-senior.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/03/2043256/promotion-aims-to-match-up-senior.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:11 CST The Metro East Humane Society wants to match up a few lonely senior citizens with some needy older pets. Lewis and Clark exhibit tells explorers' story from different point of view http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/29/2036504/its-just-like-meriwether-and-william.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/29/2036504/its-just-like-meriwether-and-william.html Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:20 CST "Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country," a traveling exhibit is visiting the Lovejoy Library at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville through March 2. Class ring returned more than 55 years after Fairview Heights man lost it http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/28/2035425/red-bud-graduate-gets-class-ring.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/28/2035425/red-bud-graduate-gets-class-ring.html Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:55 CST Orville Dumstorff was terribly upset when he lost his Red Bud High School class ring back in 1956, but terrifically happy Friday to get it back in a ceremony at the school. Welcome Home the Heroes: Local parade is grassroots effort to honor Iraq vets http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/27/2034147/parade-saturday-will-welcome-home.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/27/2034147/parade-saturday-will-welcome-home.html Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:59 CST People often get together and say things like, "There ought to be ..." but most of the time nothing much comes of it. 'The grieving process never goes away': Daughter's memory inspires mom to help families fight cancer http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/24/2028950/foundation-has-raised-more-than.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/24/2028950/foundation-has-raised-more-than.html Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:32 CST The 8th annual Dinner and Auction for Allison's Friends of Hope Foundation will be a gala affair with food, fantastic auction items and lots of cancer information available. 'I will paint a new image of fatherhood every day': For artist, every day is a day with dad http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/22/2026585/for-artist-every-day-is-a-day.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/22/2026585/for-artist-every-day-is-a-day.html Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:22 CST Artist Cbabi Bayoc thinks he may have found his defining project with "365 Days With Dad."