Yes, I know – who feels like celebrating the state of Illinois? The commonwealth will be 200 years old in 2018, and no one in state government seems prepared to party. As our Erika Holst recently reminded us [see “Tardy party, Aug. 11], commemoration plans have been perfunctory.

Written as fascism was taking hold of Germany and Italy, the novel served as a warning that democracy is secure only to the degree that the people we elect respect the safeguards in the Constitution.

Take his recent highly publicized address outlining specific economic policies he would push to benefit hard-hit working families.

Now that you’ve improved your understanding of issues that matter to you, get to know the people you are about to hire to make the big decisions.

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced early last year that he wants the state to reduce its prison population by 25 percent over 10 years. He has since signed numerous pieces of legislation during the past year or so to help achieve that goal, including recently, when he signed the marijuana decriminalization bill into law.

Our limits change as we age, and when it comes to driving, minding those limits can mean the difference between life and death. The AARP Driver Safety Class is aimed at drivers over age 50, and it’s coming to Springfi eld on Aug. 30 and 31.

“We need to approach our criminal justice system with more compassion,” Rauner said. “I want those who did something wrong to face punishment, but we must make sure that the punishment fits the crime. We need to explore new avenues so that we’re balancing punishment with rehabilitation and not needlessly tearing families and lives apart.

When ZZ Top last came to Springfield, the band was three-fourths through a year that saw them play a crushing 111 gigs. Sunday was the fifth concert in a scheduled 56-show tour that won’t end until November. After nearly a month off, the band sounded fresh this time around, albeit with a few caveats.

Aug 25, Sep 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 4-7pm. Every Thursday. Shopping, health and wellness information, special focuses and more in a street party atmosphere. SNAP cards accepted. Free. illinoisproductmarket.com. Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Aug 27, Sep 3, 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 8am-12:30pm Wed and Sat. Aug 31, Sep 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26. Shop local produce, meats, cheeses, more. Entertainment on Saturdays includes chef demonstrations, live performances, activities. Free admission.

Sep 3. World’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series. springfi eldmile.org. 632-0277. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661..

Sep 17, 11am-12pm. Beers from Munich, diverse German food menu, kids’ games and activities, The Wendell Brothers, Oktoberfest games, more. chathamjaycees.net. 414-9637. Chatham Town Square, 101 W. Mulberry, Chatham..

Sep 15-18, 7pm Thu-Fri; 11am, 3pm, 7pm Sat; 1pm, 5pm Sun. Hosts Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse share the heroic stories of Rapunzel, Snow White, Princess Tiana and Cinderella. $17-45. springfi eldpc3.com. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Oct 1, 1pm. International Tournament of Chivalry. Full-contact medieval steel combat features top fi ghters from around the world, including Russia and Ukraine. $10 standard, $25 family. springfi eldpc3.com. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Oct 7-8, 14-15, 21-23, 28-29, 31, 7-11pm Fri-Sat, 7-11pm Mon. Haunted outdoor event with scenes, scares and special effects set in an abandoned graveyard and a creepy, winding trail in woods. $10 adults, $8 ages 8 and under. terrorontheweb.com. Menard County Fairgrounds, 18450 Fairgrounds, Petersburg.

Oct 8-9, 10am-4pm. Prairie party for the entire family. Fairy garden, crafts, activities, entertainment, food and more. $5 adults, $3 ages 6-12. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111..

Oct 30, 7pm. Admission. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787..

Oct 30, 2pm. Hilarious, family-friendly show features Johnny Peers and his one-of-a-kind dogs. $10-$20 adults. $5 school-age kids. kirklandfi nearts.com. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318..

Oct 31, 7-8:15pm. Extraordinary concert featuring electronic lighting effects, dramatic dance. Evocative, spooky classics performed via Brombaugh Opus 35 pipe organ. Free. lincolnschurch.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311..

Nov 19-27, 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun, 4-8pm Thanksgiving. More than 200 decorated trees and wreaths, hand-crafted Gingerbread Village, Candy Cane Express Train, Little Elves’ Workshop craft area, Snapshots with Santa, entertainment, silent auctions, more.

Dec 2, 8pm. Christmas show by former top-10 fi nalist on “America’s Got Talent,” Joseph Hall. $25-30. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006..

Nov 30, 7:30pm. New Cirque show, Broadway musical and family Christmas spectacular with more than 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 artists from all over the world. Tickets. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160..

You can snap a photo under a 19-foot, hot dog-holding Paul Bunyan statue, spend a quart of quarters on vintage arcade games, admire an octagon-shaped library, learn about old grain elevators, pick up some kitsch and treat the gang to apple pie or chocolate sundaes topped with a dose of nostalgia.

One of the loveliest places I’ve been in some time is Ryan’s Round Barn. Located six miles from Kewanee on Route 78, the barn is about two hours north of Springfield, near the entrance to Johnson’s Sauk Trail State Recreation Area. It’s a surprise in the midst of an Illinois state park.

Dirty Dancing – the Classic Story on Stage.

As the echoes of summer fade, autumn brings its own tune. There’s plenty of excellent live music in Springfield this time of year, from thrilling a cappella to the soulful oldies. Here’s the skinny on shows at some of Springfield’s biggest and most unique venues.

The deeper you go in the season, the more warmth you will need, and so hot beverages likely will enter the equation by Thanksgiving. Hot cider, fortified with a bit of booze, is almost always an appropriate choice, but do not fear a full-on mulled wine for those evenings where crisp tilts to downright cold.

Several club members have participated in tournaments throughout Illinois and Missouri this summer, winning a total of six medals. Club president Terrell Ford took gold at the Practice Perfect Epee Tournament in Milstadt and tied for third at the It’s a Pirate’s Life for Me Tournament in Wentzville, Missouri.

It seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in our family. My daughter has loved olives since she was a baby. The only time I ever had to simply abandon my shopping cart and remove my wailing child from the grocery store was over olives at the olive bar.

The premise is deceptively simple, leaving the audience vulnerable to the surprises Alvarez has in store. Working with his cinematographer Pedro Luque, the director creates a house suffused in darkness and shadow, a residential trap for the three ne’er-do-wells into which they wander unwittingly, becoming the prey.

Headliners (at 10 p.m.) include Chicago’s renowned, dynastic blues master Ronnie Baker Brooks on Friday and the world famous Fabulous Thunderbirds on Saturday, leaving no doubt that Alamo owner Barry Friedman is serious about bringing big-name blues to the streets of Springfield.

Dates, times and locations are subject to change, so we suggest calling before attending an event..

Sep 3, 12-5pm Sat. 100+ varieties of craft beer and cider, fresh oysters, offerings from several food vendors, live bands, more. $20 advance, $25 day of. sobfestival.com. The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St., 523-4466..

The Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company is on a mission to “make America laugh again.” Help them achieve their goal by attending one or both of their two-hour performances Aug. 26-27, at 8 p.m., in the Club Room of the Hoogland Center for the Arts.

The Springfield Celts Rugby Football Clubs are gearing up for their fall seasons, and you could be part of the action. The Springfield Celts Rugby Football Club was initially established as a men’s team in 1975. The organization expanded to include a high school boys’ rugby team in 2010 and a women’s team in 2015.