Something about a man in uniform
You wouldn’t think it was possible for a soldier to shoot himself in the back while marching toward the front line, but Congressman Mark “Don’t Get Fooled Again” Kirk has managed to do it several times. By all accounts a capable intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve, Mr.

Responsible policy creates jobs
Mr. Schilling asserts that there are no new jobs in the 17th District. I suggest he visit the Rock Island Arsenal, where federal investment in the ASPI program has created and saved 670 private sector jobs. He should stop by Canton, where federal funds helped create 300 private sector jobs at a new bio-medical manufacturing and business park.

Airlines battle workplace democracy
If you ever want to spook a smug, stuffed-shirt corporate CEO — I mean spook him so bad that he jumps clear out of his Guccis and screams louder than Little Richard — sneak up behind him and shout “union!” They hate that.

LETTERS
Thank you for your very informative article [see “Preventing Alzheimer’s,” by Diane Ivey, May 20]. Ms. Ivey did an excellent job researching and talking with our doctors and researchers. I think many scientific articles tend to become boring if the reader doesn’t have a technical background in the topic, but Ms.

wordspoem # 3
at a scrabble party the other night we found that asshole isn’t in the official dictionary my quarrel with that scrabble authority has been it omits the two-letter solfege syllables except those popularized by sound of music no di ri fi si li but...

Watching the Blago trial from the jury box
Keep in mind while watching coverage of the Rod Blagojevich trial that reporters in the courtroom have a far keener understanding of what is going on than do the jurors. Their perceptions are not necessarily the same as the jurors’ views. So, their coverage may not match up to how the case will turn out.

WELCOME BACK VETERANS
The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight will be taking 95 central Illinois veterans on a one-day trip to Washington, D.C., on June 22, to visit the World War II Memorial, Arlington Cemetery and other memorials [see “Honor Flight gives WW II vets a trip, and a salute,” by Jackson Adams, June 16].

DOWNTOWN IMPERSONATORS
“History Comes Alive” will feature historical performers and singers on the street and new programs such as stroller tours that will be friendly for families with young children as well as late night activities for visitors.

New play details hardships of immigrants
To further reinforce the idea of viewers being transported back to the time of mass immigration, small tickets detailing a real person who went through Ellis Island will be handed out to every person who sees the play. At intermission, posters will be hung telling viewers what happened to their person.

Board expects vote on school construction plan
A comprehensive plan including all of the elements outlined in “Option B,” the $231 million plan to revamp all of the district’s high schools, may still be a long way off, but board president Bill Looby expects to call Phase One for a vote next week..

Big changes at the SJ-R
Sources who wished to remain anonymous say they were told in a staff meeting that layoffs may be imminent, rather than the furlough days previously announced. Walt Lafferty, who replaces Bowers as publisher, declined to comment on unnamed sources. Lafferty is former president and publisher at the Courier-Post.

Car guys go for the X Prize
In a garage-turned-workshop south of Divernon sits what could be the future of personal transportation. Surrounded by spare parts and power tools is a made-from-scratch car that looks like something a science fiction writer in the 1930s would have dreamed about.

Cat in the Hat takes the cake
Jakob Groeteke plays JoJo, a young boy who, with the aid of the mischievous Cat in the Hat, thinks “a think,” transporting him to a bright and cheery dust speck where his Whoville parents are unable to cope with his unbridled imagination.

Grilling from the garden
For omnivores, grilled vegetables can be the focal point of the meal, an accompaniment, or both. Diced, leftover grilled vegetables make a delectable filling for quesadillas, combined with melting cheeses such as Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or goat...

Team is Grade A Mayhem
While I am the first to decry how vacuous summer movies are, I have to admit that I had a blast at Joe Carnahan’s big screen adaptation of the ’80s TV hit “The A- Team.” While it has little in the way of socially redeeming values, it does accomplish its mission, which is to entertain and to take no prisoners while doing so.

The demise of child labor in Springfield
In the late 1800s reformers in Illinois became concerned about child labor in manufacturing, especially in the state’s larger cities. They had good reason to be. In some shops young children worked long hours at dangerous jobs that left them deformed or ill.

Mid-June gems of live music
The Sangamon County Fair kicks off this week with a truckload of live music both at the grandstand area and within the friendly confines of the beer tents. My favorite scheduled concert band is Cross Canadian Ragweed on June 18 because they rock hard and play for the sake of the music and I like that a lot.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT
With a name only a southern Illinois band mother could love, Kentucky Knife Fight arose from a raucous open mic night at the legendary Stagger Inn Again in Edwardsville to become one of the hardest rocking and most up and coming bands in the alt-country vein from the St.

MUSIC
The UIS performing arts season kicks off with a Creole dinner and performance by BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, one of the premier Cajun bands in music today. The Grammy-winning group blends country, blues and New Orleans jazz and a myriad of other influences into new pieces and contemporary Creole versions of traditional songs.

THE CALENDAR
Chatham town square, 101 W. Mulberry, Chatham, 483-4084..

MUSIC
Parrots of the Caribbean perform Jimmy Buffet’s biggest hits at the Hoogland Center for the Performing Arts. The band attempts to replicate both the musical stylings and the laid back style Jimmy Buffet has become famous for, with the group’s leader, David Albrecht, often mistaken for Buffet by longtime fans.

PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE UNDER ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME ACT STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF SANGAMON TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that on 26th day of May, 2010 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon County, stating that CHARLES E.

HISTORY
General Grierson Days in Jacksonville is a time for visitors to look back at one of the darkest periods in American history and see the largest mounted Civil War reenactment in the Midwest. Visitors can see the lives of soldiers as they drill, prepare meals, practice medicine and prepare for battle.

NEWS QUIRKS
Three Australian men who attacked a 27-year-old German exchange student in a Sydney alley found out they were next to the Ninja Senshi Ryu warrior school when four students and their teacher came to the victim’s rescue.

WORKSHOPS
$10 a week for 30 words. To place your ad, contact your display rep or e-mail your ad and contact information to [email protected].

FIND LOCAL BIZ
SACHI Flowers and Gifts specializes in gorgeous floral arrangements for any occasion. All arrangements are professionally hand made with fresh flowers and delivered in a beautiful vase. Many arrangements to choose from, or create your own custom design! Same day delivery available.

THE ADVICE GODDESS
I met a nice man (so I thought) who lives about 40 miles away. On our second date, we had drinks in my neighborhood. He drank too much, and asked to hang at my house so he wouldn’t drive under the influence. I didn’t like this because I’m used to guys using this ploy for sex, but he said if I didn’t let him in, I was making him drive drunk.