Page 1

Talk to me
It is a rare human being who does not enjoy being read to. The soothing tones of the mother at the bedside, reading us to sleep, the soothing tones of the politician, reading from a teleprompter, reading us to sleep – our appetite for the spoken word is instinctual.

It’s tough to give Americans what they want
The Gulf oil spill has laid bare a series of shortcomings in the government’s ability both to prevent and to respond to such a crisis, and the result is spiraling public frustration. But it might not hurt for members of the public to save a little of that frustration for themselves.

Enter, real populists
Rather, I mean the millions of ordinary Americans in every state who’re battling the real power that’s running roughshod over us: out-of-control corporations.

The psychiatrist’s song
if you’re not hitting on all cylinders — come see the psychiarolla! come see the psy-chi-a-ro-ol-la!.

LETTERS
I am writing about an issue that has gone unaddressed for too long — that of the perpetually chained or penned, so-called “outside” or “backyard” dog. There is no sadder sight than these outcast, forlorn, forgotten animals, relegated to the status of lawn ornaments and virtually ignored by the family.

The unlikely co-conspirator
The late Chris Kelly’s alleged misdeeds as one of Blagojevich’s top fundraisers didn’t stir all that much surprise. He was a high-pressure fundraiser who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. The conviction of wheeler, dealer Tony Rezko also wasn’t that far from expectations.

PIZZA FOR LIFE
Blair Dial submitted “The Big Bonanza,” a pizza topped with barbecue sauce, bacon, beef, ham, jalapenos, onions and tomatoes, for the Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge, a contest put on by Papa John’s that would put his pizza on the menu and potentially win him $10,000 and free pizza for life.

CRUISING FOR CARE
Not many people are cut out for the stress of being a dedicated family caregiver. They help the helpless and protect the vulnerable day after day, and they often must deal with bodily fluids, debilitating health conditions and difficult circumstances. They just need a break sometimes.

Putting Illinois to work
No one can help you if you don’t help yourself, says Springfield resident Theodore Steen when he explains his recent success in Put Illinois to Work, a subsidized jobs program through which 225 workers have been placed with 37 Sangamon County employers.

Marijuana fines going fine
The city ordinance came into effect Feb. 3, 2009, and gave people who were in possession of less than 2.5 grams of marijuana a $300 fine instead of charging them with a Class C misdemeanor and a maximum $1,500 fine.

Building a new MacArthur
“The physical conditions [of MacArthur Boulevard] are so in your face … that the street has been losing customers for years, not just because there’s been so much growth to the west but because it’s just not an attractive place to go,” LaMotte says. “You’ve got to get in and get out.

Change in the wind
As a cool summer breeze blows over the vast farmland outside Hopedale, about 50 miles north of Springfield, the whisper of rustling corn leaves almost drowns out the soft, intermittent whooshing sound of three gargantuan fan blades slowly slicing through the air.

The professor of barbeque
What picture pops into your head when you hear the words “barbeque expert”? Is it a big beefy guy, tongs in hand, maybe a bit red-faced from hovering over the coals and the beer can in his other hand; his ball cap and t-shirt or apron inscribed with the logo of his favorite barbeque competition, festival or sauce?.

RealCuisine Recipe
Raichlen’s recipes come with provenance: stories of where they come from and how they got there. As often as not, those stories are as interesting and compelling as the recipes themselves. Here’s what he has to say about a Bangkok grill mistress, Saisuwan, and her specialty:.

A horse opera with a Hex
Josh Brolin, who’s very good, is Hex, a bounty hunter who’s on the trail of his former commanding officer Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich), the man responsible for the death of his wife and son and who intends to disrupt the nation’s centennial celebration with a massive cannon that can wipe out whole towns in the blink of an eye.

Movie times July 2-4
AMC and Route 66 Drive Inn listings are for Friday, July 2, through Sunday, July 4. Bracketed show times are Saturday and Sunday-only matinees or Saturday-only late shows. All times are subject to change. Weekday times were not available at press time. For updates on AMC films, call 1-800-FANDANGO.

What to do about Japanese beetles
Adult beetles change to a new plant host about every three days. They prefer to feed on foliage previously damaged by other Japanese beetles. It is essential to control early damage to plants. Hand-removal of beetles is effective on smaller plants such as roses, basil and raspberries.

July heats up the music scene
As you experienced live music goers know, July means a plate chock full of performances coming out of our ears, to improperly mix metaphors or simulate similes or otherwise antagonize proper grammar and English usage. Where is Ezra Pound when you need him? Fighting in the captain’s tower with T.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT
After friends submitted one of his songs to a local radio station contest and listeners liked what they heard, PJ Summers, the music minister of Koke Mill Christian Church, felt the calling and added acoustic Christian rocker to his God-given and driven work.

THE CALENDAR
Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending the event..

HISTORY
Meet Elijah Iles and Robert Irwin at this history celebration that includes strawberry everything: shortcake, sundaes, daiquiris and strawberries and cream. Families can play lawn games, listen to music and storytelling and witness the grand reopening ceremony of The Ann and Farrell Gay Museum of Springfield History.

HOLIDAY
The Statehouse rocks during this two-day celebration with three stages nearby featuring performances by local bands, the WIBI Fourth of July Children’s Choir and the Springfield Municipal Band. Stages are at Fifth and Capitol, Second and Monroe, and Second and Capitol.

ART AND SPORTS
The Play Ball exhibition, curated by Rod Buffington and Mike Badger, commemorates great moments in baseball history, stadium landmarks and baseball heroes and teams. On display is a diverse range of media including paintings, wood carvings, quilts and more.

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 7th day of June, 2010 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon...

NEWS QUIRKS
A man who robbed a bank in Anchorage, Alaska, escaped on a bicycle but was stopped minutes later when he crashed into a police car responding to the bank alarm. The bicyclist, identified as Christopher Todd Mayer, 45, slid across the vehicle but lost his backpack, according to police Lt.

WORKSHOPS
$10 a week for 30 words. To place your ad, contact your display rep or e-mail your ad and contact information to nbulli@illinoistimes.com.

THE ADVICE GODDESS
There are times when your date can’t help but break away to text or take a call, like if he’s got the other half of the missile launch codes and Luxemburg just attacked Staten Island.

FIND LOCAL BIZ
Promote your local biz in print and online Call Nan for details - 753-1724.