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Six days a week
What about the learning that is lost the rest of the year? Is the problem with the school calendar that it is unbalanced, or that it is too short? Illinoisans have never been keen on sending their kids to school. By the time the 1890 edition of School Laws and Common School Decisions of the State of Illinois.

Women’s equality: Are we there yet?
Each year, on Aug. 26, we celebrate Women’s Equality Day to pay tribute to those brave suffragists, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul and Ida B. Wells Barnett, who led the struggle for American women to win the most critical tool of democracy — the right to vote.

Taking us for a ride on health care
If you get a thrill from taking a whiteknuckle ride on a loop-the-loop, you don’t have to wait for next year’s state fair — just hop onto the right-wing express, which is plunging into ludicrous levels of loopiness in an effort to kill Barack Obama’s health care reform plan.

LETTERS
Reading the laughable rationalizations for their behavior given by Kevin Conway and Gregory Selinger, the respective maker and displayer of the noose in “Where do we go from here?” [by R.L. Nave, Aug. 20], reminded me of a classic old Steve Martin bit.

featherspoem # 9
hummingbirds we thought but why nesting so late in the season and on a hemlock bough over the dock where on rare sunny days we lie on our backs watch their comings and goings they fly like hummingbirds nest looks right but how can eggs or nestlings...

State Republicans energized for the good ol’ days
That’s been especially true in Illinois as the Republicans, uniformly blown out of p-wer by George Ryan’s scandals and George Bush’s leadership style, have tried repeatedly to usethe good ol’ days to convince voters that they should be returned to stewardship status.

STEPPING UP
IT’s cover five years ago [see “Seeing Stars,” Dec. 2, 2004, at illinoistimes.com], has once again caught the eye of Hollywood filmmakers. This time Cerar plays a behind-the-scenes role as the screenwriter of “STEPS,” a threeminute short film that features a young girl, abandoned as an infant, and her reflections about life.

High-speed opposition to Third Street rail corridor
For a city where neighborhoods are often pitted against each other in battles for resources – or against various development projects — an uncharacteristically broad and diverse chorus of opposition is growing over a plan to run up to 40 additional...

PLUTO-CRACY
blunders, but by golly, Illinoisans stand behind Pluto. This week marks the three-year anniversary of Pluto’s fall from grace — when the International Astronomical Union demoted the ninth-in-line from a planet to a dwarf planet (citing concerns that it was no longer big enough to knock obstacles from its path).

SIU cancer institute needs funds to “make it run”
It’s like building a car and not investing in gas to make it run, says Dr. K. Thomas Robbins of the brand-new, but still unopened home of the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University.

Fall Guide
Here’s our month-by-month guide to fall celebrations, festivals, performances and all kinds of events in Springfield and central Illinois — from now through December. While our popular weekly calendar is organized by event type, this listing is organized by date.

Watercolor quilting
“Frumpy” is artist Rod Buffington’s description of a sofa pillow clad in watery green and pink floral fabric and lying on the work table in his home studio on Springfield’s west side.

Fall on your bike
As Illinois foliage changes from green to red and orange to brown this season, the process will provide a perfect backdrop for cyclists to enjoy on their crisp autumn rides. The cool air and beautiful landscape work together to coax new and experienced riders out for a few months of riding before the winter sets in.

Tractor mania makes for fall fun
Have you noticed the popularity of antique tractors in central Illinois this summer? For a limited amount of time you can still see some of the great tractors on exhibit or travel to a tractor show over the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Tractors have been the backbone of the farming community since the transition from horses and mules.

Fall festival fun
One might get carried away at the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, which fills the air with colorful balloons, live entertainment, crafts, food vendors and more. Held Aug.

Fall classical fare
The celebrates its 10th year with Music Director Karen Lynne Deal. Saturday, Sept. 26, starting at 8 p.m., the ISO opens its Masterworks Series at UIS Sangamon Auditorium with relatively unknown American composer Frank Ezra Levy’s Summer Overture..

Autumn is showtime
Autumn is a busy time of year for local theater, and this year is no exception. We’ve gathered more than 30 productions to keep you entertained this season, from a man-eating plant, to singing nuns, to Shakespeare and more, you’re sure to find a few shows to enjoy in and around the Springfield area.

The I & M Canal, a ride into history
The Illinois and Michigan canal, known by its initials, is a totally handdug canal, worked primarily by Irish immigrants who came to the U. S. “promised land” to escape the Potato Famine. The I

Get on the scales
One of the worst things to tell a gardener is that their tree is heavily infested with a destructive insect. The U of I Extension office has received numerous calls about magnolia trees. A caller usually describes the problem as “sticky stuff all over the magnolia leaves and the leaves are turning black.

Harvest the fruits of the Apple Barn
Every vendor at every farmers’ market says the same thing: business drops off after Labor Day. Maybe it’s because parents are preoccupied with getting their kids back in school. Maybe it’s because even those without schoolaged children participate in organizations or activities that are starting up for the year.

RealCuisine Recipe
Fresh-from-the-oven, warm apple strudel is one of fall’s greatest pleasures. Phyllo dough is fun and forgiving; a gift to anyone with pastry phobia. Keep it covered until you use it, don’t worry about minor tears, and don’t hesitate to throw out any leaves that crumble or are badly torn (there’s more than you’ll need in the package) and it’ll be fine.

Basterds a polarizing affair
Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) is the leader of the title group, a small band of renegades who have been given carte blanche to kill as many Nazis as possible and collect their scalps along the way. Their purpose is to inflict as much mayhem as possible, building a reputation that will instill fear in Hitler’s rank and file.

Movie times
Kerasotes listings are for Friday, August 28 through Thursday, September 3. Bracketed show times are Friday, Saturday and Sunday only matinees or Friday/Saturday only late shows. All times are subject to change. For updates on Kerasotes films, call 1-800-FANDANGO.

I got the Blues & BBQs Blues
The blues style of music originated as a form of deep therapy that allowed people to selfproclaim problems through lyric, rhythm and melody in the hopes of dispelling those troubles.

PUB CRAWL
Jazz

BAND SPOTLIGHT
You don’t talk about blues bands in central Illinois without first mentioning Black Magic Johnson. The sizzling quartet, fronted by drummer Reggie Britton who sings lead vocals and plays harmonica, has been hanging around town in some form or other for about six years.

FESTIVAL
The Old Capitol Blues

THE CALENDAR
11th Prairieland Chautauqua: Pioneers of Science and Invention.

FESTIVAL
The weekend celebration in Lincoln colors the skies with 35 hot air balloons at the Logan County Airport, while more than 70 artists paint the Art Fair downtown in Latham Park. A couple of the attractions’ highlights include the balloon evening glow at dusk.

THEATER
Over the Moon Productions presents its inaugural production, a menagerie of scenes with singing, dancing and stage combat from five Shakespeare comedies and three sonnets. Kevin Purcell, OMP brainchild and Royal Shakespeare Company of New York City alum, takes the stage with two OTM Acting Ensemble members, Leigh Steiner and Aasne Vigesaa.

PHOTOGRAPHY
For the next week and a half, view 40 or 50 photos of Washington Park as far back as 1902 in an indoor park-like setting with classical music playing. The folks at the conservatory have done up this exhibit nicely for your viewing pleasure. The display chronicles the changes that have taken place in the park since its creation.

LOCAL BIZ DIRECTORY
straight from Chiapas, a lunch buffet that’s the best bargain in town, and, mmmm, amazing margaritas. Check the website for upcoming salsa dancing nights. 2nd and Jefferson (217) 541-6292. www.mayabuffet.com.

NEWS QUIRKS
Alaska State Troopers said Stacey J. Captain, 18, was driving a Dodger Dakota that burst into flames, but he was nowhere to be found when they responded. While a witness was giving her statement to troopers, she noticed someone, later identified as Captain, stealing her Chevy Blazer.

THE ADVICE GODDESS
You were too conventional when you said that a man who is in a relationship but stares at other women is rude. I want a woman who is sexually loyal, but who stares as hard as she wants at men she finds appealing, and I will do the same (with women). It’s a way to have fun together, to have life be an uninhibited overflowing of joy.