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Fury like Armageddon
The foundations of Springfield institutions will crack and sway. Structures long thought impregnable will topple; a long-familiar landscape with be altered beyond recognition.

The GOP’s genetic link to big oil
If scientists were to compare the DNA of Republican congress-critters and of oil corporations, I’ll bet they’d find that they match perfectly. After all, the two species have identical political instincts and seem to have a natural affinity for each other – so I’m pretty sure they sprang from the same genetic pool.

tappitbrotherspoem #1
some NPR listeners loath click ‘n’ clack but I love ’em they’re such smart guys MIT PhDs and from a fair city I once lived in and the cars they know so much about get into such ridiculous brouhahas we had one once worthy of the program we were...

LETTERS
Recently, U.S. Rep John Boehner, House minority leader, said that he thought we should raise the retirement age to 70 in order to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This raising of the retirement age (when you would be eligible for full Social Security benefits) is essentially a 19 percent benefit cut.

Blago’s eye for ties could tie him down
Speaker Madigan confided to me one day back then that whenever Blagojevich would compliment Madigan on his choice of ties, he would always complain that, as governor, he couldn’t afford such fashion gems. Madigan has a lucrative law practice which brings in a pretty penny.

INCLUSIVE ARGUMENT
Third party and independent political candidates for statewide office have it tough in Illinois. They have to gather 25,000 signatures just to get on the ballot – five times more than their established party counterparts – and their signature petitions are usually challenged by the established parties to knock them off the ballot.

Springfield minorities stopped more often
The data come from the Illinois Traffic Stop Statistics Study, which directs police agencies to collect information about the race of stopped drivers, as well as information on searches, reasons for each stop and more.

SCHOOL’S OUT, LUNCH IN
The program is a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which reimburses the district for every free summer meal served. It is designed to ensure that children, some of whom might not have access to nutritious meals outside of school, receive a balanced meal even when school isn’t in session.

New laws to fight Medicaid fraud in Illinois
These efforts are in line with President Barack Obama’s directive to expand and increase efforts to recapture funds that have been wrongfully paid out. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services says it is committed to maintaining faith in the Medicaid program by dealing with the fraud.

Third-party profile: Lex Green, Libertarian for governor
Green is running for governor of Illinois on the Libertarian ticket, a fiscally conservative but socially liberal platform that emphasizes minimal government with personal freedom and responsibility. He lacks the name recognition of his main-party opponents -- Democratic nominee Governor Pat Quinn and Republican nominee Sen.

Urban sprawl no more
The catchphrase in city planning is no longer “urban sprawl” – a term that automatically turns too many people off from discussing environmentally friendly development. Instead, the conversation now focuses on “smart growth,” says Dr. Deanna Glosser..

Gaining on drunk drivers
The evening was like many others, with Pryor watching Timothy kiss his six-month-old daughter goodbye before heading out for a night of “fun.” Timothy and his friends purchased some alcohol for a party they were having at a friend’s house. Later that night, the boys drove to a home in Loami, where the “party” continued into the wee hours.

Tepid story clouds over Eclipse
As the film opens, clairvoyant vampire Alice (Ashley Greene) is in a tizzy. She senses a breed of fierce newborn vampires are being made by Riley (Xavier Samuel), a new bloodsucker who’s forming an army for Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard). She’s out for revenge as Edward (Robert Pattinson) killed her mate.

Movie times July 9-11
AMC listings are for Friday, July 9 through Sunday, July 11. Bracketed show times are Saturday/Sunday only matinees or Friday/Saturday only late shows. Weekday movie times were not available at press time. All times are subject to change. For updates on AMC films, call 1-800-FANDANGO.

On the trail of gooey goodness
In late 1942 or early 1943, Johnny Hoffman of St. Louis Pastries Bakery… made what eventually turned out to be Gooey Butter Cake. … it was a mistake! He subsequently called Herman Danzer, my dad, and told him he thought he may have something and asked to come to my dad’s shop[Danzer’s Bakery] … to see if they could duplicate it.

Taste of Downtown
Visitors and residents hungry for good music and good food in Springfield are sure to find some of both this weekend at the 11th annual Taste of Downtown. The popular event is presented this year in conjunction with the Sangamon Valley Roots Revival/Miller Lite Live American Music Show on Saturday, July 10.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT
You can count his 24 recording releases, four Grammy nods or countless performances since starting guitar at age five, but it all adds up to a great career of fantastic music for Australian bluesman Michael Charles. Twenty years ago Buddy Guy invited the Aussie to the U.

More than a Taste
Add last week’s big Capital City Celebration with music on the street corners and fireworks in the rain to the upcoming Taste of Downtown with music in the streets and food in tents (with no rain please) and we’re getting to be a regular happening place.

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

FESTIVAL
National wordsmiths Kucha Brownlee, Baba Tony Brown, Brian “Fox” Ellis (pictured) and Barry Cloyd wow audiences with their vivid renditions of African and American folklore, American Indian stories, frolicking fables, powerful proverbs, visions of the human experience, prairie tales and much more.

FOOD
Fried oysters, poor boys, shrimp jambalaya, pulled pork horseshoes, Thai chicken wrap, ribeye sandwich, blackened salmon sandwich, baby back ribs, gyros and vegetarian sushi. Mouth watering yet? Enjoy food, gourmet desserts and specialty drinks served by your favorite local restaurant at Taste of Downtown.

AUTHORS
Who sold pieces of Lincoln’s home and yard -- for less than a dollar? Hear answers to these and other questions on July 13 as local historian and award-winning author Tara McClellan McAndrew talks about Springfield history and signs her new book Stories of Springfield: Life in Lincoln’s Town.

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 10th day of June, 2010 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon County, stating that BRYCE A.

FILM
Here’s a chance to see the wildly popular and visually captivating sci-fi film Avatar.

NEWS QUIRKS
When Thomas Peno, 50, appeared at a courthouse in Vernon, Conn., to answer a larceny charge, he broke into several cars in front of the building, according to police, who arrested him after he tried to sell a GPS unit stolen from one of the vehicles to a man who turned out to be the vehicle’s owner.

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.

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

THE ADVICE GODDESS
I’m thinking of postponing my wedding. My fiance seems incapable of being apart from me. We dated long distance, so I didn’t realize the extent of his clinginess until we moved in together. If I want some “me time,” he gets offended. If I don’t stand or sit next to him or cuddle with him, he claims I don’t like him.