Another year has passed.

Another year without a new gambling bill in Illinois.

The truly amazing part is that the Illinois House and Senate ? made up of the people who represent us, the people ? actually got together in 2011 and agreed on a gambling bill.

And then one person out of 13 million Illinois residents decided he didn't like it.

Governor Pat Quinn killed the bill because it included slot machines at race tracks that would have saved the horse racing industry.

It's hard to decide which part of this story carries the greatest irony.

While the state is in financial crisis, millions in revenue go across the borders every day as Quinn worries about a bill that expands gambling too much.

And while he worries about expanded gambling, he expands by adding online lottery gambling.

He worries about expanded gambling with slot machines at race tracks, but he's willing to add five new Illinois casinos tomorrow if a bill meets his approval.

He's worried about casino oversight and protecting the public from corruption and crime, yet Arlington Park isn't a new gaming operation.

There's been wagering at the racetrack for 85 years, or 85 years longer than any of the new casinos in the bill.

If anything, the new casinos are the ones that need greater oversight, not Arlington Park.

Furthermore, the fear of what "element'' slots will bring to neighborhood racetracks is the same "element" cities and villages always fear when there's talk of adding off-track betting.

Perhaps, those who voice such concerns have never been to an OTB, or visited the slots rooms at race tracks in other states.

If they ever walked into one, they would see that the patrons are not the guys from "Goodfellas."

It's more like the guys from "Sunshine Boys."

I believe Quinn when he says he's trying to look out for the people of Illinois. I think he believes he is, but in this case he's not doing that.

Illinois is desperate for revenue, and the longer he waits, the more he's costing the people of Illinois.

People who want to gamble will find a way to do it, and right now those without access are doing it in Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri.

Quinn is listening to people who are trying to steer him away from slots at tracks as if that's going to make expanded gambling more palatable to those who don't want expanded gambling.

This is, of course, nonsense.

You can't sort of expand gambling. You either do or you don't.

Quinn already has done it with the lottery and wants to do it with five new casinos. To borrow from Winston Churchill, we've already established that. Now we are haggling about the price.

Why expand gambling and at the same time further degrade a horse racing industry that has been around much longer than casinos, let alone five startup casinos, and perhaps put horse racing in Illinois out of business entirely?

It just doesn't make any sense. It's not logical. It's downright baffling.

Then again, this is still Illinois.

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 1, 2012 - A well-known Iowa family-owned pizza restaurant chain is being recognized for its commitment to good food, community involvement and support for international needs. Pizza Ranch, headquartered in Orange City, is the winner of Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month award.

The company started with one restaurant in Hull three decades ago and has grown to 66 locations in Iowa and 100 more in eight other Midwest states.

"It started in an area where there is a spirit of entrepreneurialism and had the resources to get a company like this started," said Matt Schuiteman, president of the Sioux County Farm Bureau. "Pizza Ranch makes a positive impact in every community they're in."

In small-town Iowa, where many Pizza Ranch restaurants are located, the business brings jobs and supports local schools with fundraising opportunities.

"Pizza Ranch provides many opportunities for jobs and has an economic impact on our community that's very special," said Orange City Mayor Les Douma. "It raises the bar for all commercial entities."

In addition to its local community focus, Pizza Ranch is also working to support educational efforts in Ethiopia. Owner Adrie Groeneweg is switching coffee brands and working with farmers in Ethiopia to help keep a portion of coffee bean sales in the African country to support schools there.

Renew Rural Iowa (RRI) is an IFBF initiative supporting new and existing businesses through education, mentoring and financial resources. For more information, go to www.renewruraliowa.com.

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Top Outdoor-related gifts to make Mom a happy camper

Springfield, MO ---(May 1, 2012)---It's almost Mother's Day and time to thank Mom.  Show your appreciation for all the home-cooked meals, love and advice no matter what your budget is.  Make her day an extra special memory even better than flowers that she is sure to love.  Celebrate Mom with one of these great gift ideas.

Bass Pro Shops® Collectible Sterling Silver Charm Pendant
Mom will love this keepsake for years to come.  This Bass Pro Shops Collectible Sterling Silver Pendant is the perfect attachment to a charm bracelet, necklace, zipper pull and more. Featuring the familiar Bass Pro Shops logo, this charm comes with a jump ring for easy attachment to anything you want to embellish. It's the perfect zipper pull for your fishing vest or jacket, and you'll want a second one to attach to your favorite fishing hat! Item number 38-615-300-01 $14.99USD. Available at www.basspro.com

NEW Natural Reflections® Umbrella 13'' Waterproof Boots for Ladies - Paris
Shoes are a woman's best friend.  Look great and stay dry with our chic umbrella boot designs! Featuring a print of Parisian landmarks, these fun, fashionable rain boots have waterproof rubber uppers, adjustable straps with gussets for easy on/off, removable EVA insoles for extra cushioning, and durable rubber outsoles. Color: Paris. Imported.   Product Color: Paris.  Item number 38-747-078-45.  $39.99USD.  Also available at www.basspro.com

Deep Woods 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
Mom can experience the rustic charm of the wilderness everyday with the Deep Woods 16-piece Dinnerware Set! This authentic set is made of stoneware and fired at high temperatures for durability. Each piece features an embossed nature design and is finished with a reactive glaze for a striking effect. This set includes four 10.5'' dinner plates, four 8'' salad plates, four 6'' cereal bowls (28 oz.), and four 14 oz. mugs. All pieces are dishwasher and microwave safe. Imported. Item number 38-955-166-7.  $49.99USD.  Available at www.basspro.com

Natural Reflections® Moc Slippers for Ladies - Black
Our Moc Slippers are styled just for ladies, with a leather upper featuring fleece-like lining for extra warmth and comfort. Easy when in a hurry and easy to slip out of too! Soft and flexible outdoor non-skid sole Mom will use everyday. Color: Black. Imported. $24.99USD.  Available at www.basspro.com

Big Cedar Lodge - Romance Package
Mom and Dad deserve a relaxing getaway.  Located just 10 miles south of Branson, Missouri on Table Rock Lake and tucked into the wooded hillsides of the Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar resides. This popular vacation paradise - complete with Jack Nicklaus signature golf course and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park- offers cozy accommodations, delicious dining options and first class service.  Guests find all amenities typical of a luxury resort, yet this wilderness lodge is anything but typical. Accommodations at Big Cedar range from a choice room in one of three tastefully appointed lodges to a cozy cottage or a rustic log cabin. You'll find that lodging includes a fireplace and a Jacuzzi tub or a lovely view of Table Rock Lake. Besides our Top of the Rock nine-hole golf course, we also off a full service marina on Table Rock Lake, horseback riding, bass fishing and trout fishing, and trails suited for walking, biking and hiking. Scenic vistas, refreshing mountain air and Ozark hospitality included - at no extra charge!  Call 1-800-BCLODGE (1-800-225-6343) for more information or to book this package.

About Bass Pro Shops®: Bass Pro Shops® operates 58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 110 million people annually.  Bass Pro Shops® also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation, American Rod & Gun® wholesale division sells to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide.  Outdoor World® Incentives also sells Bass Pro Shops® gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America.  The Bass Pro Shops® restaurant division with 26 locations.  The company's Tracker Marine Group® (www.trackerboats.com) manufactures and sells Tracker®, Nitro®, SunTracker®, Tahoe®, Grizzly® and Mako® boats through Bass Pro Shops® retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide.  The Resort Group (www.bigcedar.com) includes Big Cedar Lodge® and other resort properties including restaurants and golf courses. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops® store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com.  To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO.  Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. ?John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute, is calling on members of the Charlottesville City Council to vote yes on a resolution which would declare marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority in the city. In a letter to the City Council, Whitehead points out that while overwhelming evidence points to the fact that the government's so-called war on drugs ranks as the longest-running, most expensive and least effective effort by the American government?as well as being racially and economically discriminatory?federal, state and local governments continue to operate under misguided policies that pose a great danger to American citizens while exhausting police resources. A far wiser approach, advises Whitehead, would be to de-prioritize marijuana arrests and prosecutions and redirect limited government resources toward addressing more pressing problems such as urban homelessness, poverty, hard-core drug dealing and gang activity.

The Rutherford Institute's letter to the Charlottesville City Council is available at www.rutherford.org.

"In adopting the resolution to de-emphasize primary arrests for marijuana, the City Council has an opportunity to set an example for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country about what it means to be a community that prioritizes people over policy," said Whitehead. "Doing so would also show that Charlottesville is progressive enough to act on Americans' changing attitudes towards marijuana possession, recognizing that the nation's drug war is a failure and that a new direction is sorely needed."

Charlottesville resident and activist Jordan McNeish proposed a resolution to the Charlottesville City Council that, if adopted, would de-emphasize marijuana as a cause for primary arrest in the city, freeing up valuable police resources which could then be directed to more pertinent problems, such as investigating and prosecuting violent crime and property crime. In calling on the City Council to adopt the resolution, constitutional attorney John Whitehead cited a number of studies and statistics indicating that the federal government's so-called "war on drugs" has caused the prison population to balloon to over 2 million people, wasted valuable state resources, and has created a burden for minority and lower-income communities, while doing little to resolve the issue of drug addiction. Moreover, for those who fear that de-emphasizing marijuana prosecutions might lead to an increase in drug use, Whitehead pointed to studies showing the contrary to be the case?that decriminalization actually results in reduced drug usage.

"The challenge is how to adequately address these problems in a compassionate and just manner without becoming overly legalistic and impersonal, thereby sacrificing the values and atmosphere which have endeared our community to so many," said Whitehead.

Putting the discussion in a more personal context, Whitehead recounted the case of 53-year-old Albemarle County resident Philip Cobbs who cares for his blind, deaf 90-year-old mother and who was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession after a joint task force comprised of state and local law enforcement officials, aided by military helicopter surveillance and acting without a search warrant, raided his property as part of a routine sweep of the countryside and allegedly found two marijuana stalks growing among weeds on his 39-acre property. "If we continue along our present course, it will only be a matter of time before someone is fatally injured, whether it be a member of our community or a law enforcement official," warned Whitehead. "Clearly, something must be done."

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