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Illinois’ Imelda
First, the public confession. “My name is Milorad Blagojevich, and I’m a shopaholic.” Next comes the recovery, and the book recounting how he hit bottom – a landing cushioned by piles of $200 neckties but painful nonetheless – and then the announcement that he’s been named host of the daytime talk show on Lifetime.

A vision for Illinois: reviving manufacturing
I am the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 19th District. I first ran for Congress in 2004. A part of my platform at that time looked 20 years into the future toward the construction of commuter rail lines linking the communities of Mt. Vernon, Vandalia, Salem and Centralia to the Bi-State Metro system that serves the greater St.

Reassembling America’s democracy
Don’t know how to go online? Nearly all public libraries not only have computers, but also librarians and volunteers who’ll assist you in finding the info you want and teach you how to use the machines. Or find a youngster (maybe your grandchildren or someone at church) who’ll help you.

LETTERS
This is an excellent article [“Gaining on drunk drivers,” by Jolonda Young, July 8]. However, there is a key piece that is missing – alcohol prevention education. Tougher laws, stricter enforcement, etc. are all deterrents to keep drunk drivers off our roads but without proper education and awareness the impact may not be at its fullest.

sciencepoem # 11
wit heart of cow and valve of boar looks like we goin to ee-volve more go buy our spare parts at the store o awesome ee-vo-lution!.

Pay raises show Quinn doesn’t get it
My mother does follow Illinois politics quite a bit, however, and she appears to be just as incensed about the immorality of handing out selective pay raises during one of the worst fiscal crises in history as she is about the abject political stupidity of Quinn’s decision.

POINTING THE WAY
While the building the pub is in now has a new owner who’s planning to open a restaurant and inn, Thomas says that can only help his business by bringing in additional customers. An art event scheduled for this weekend in the structure, The Virgil Hickox House, might do the same [see page 22].

Birth records opened, but not enough
Michelle Edmunds knows the problems that adoptees can face gaining access to their birth certificates. She was born in Illinois and currently lives in Toronto and wanted to retrieve her birth certificate after her mother died.

NEED A HAIRCUT?
Here’s a riddle: What is red and always in high demand? The answer could be a lot of things, but the most important answer is blood. The American Red Cross estimates that only 3 out of every 100 Americans give blood, yet more than 38,000 pints of blood are used to save lives every day.

Many want micro loans
That’s the idea behind a micro loan program administered by the Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce with the Quantum Growth Partnership, The Springfield Project, The Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Ventures for Equity and the Illinois Small Business Development Center.

Opening the books
Americans for Prosperity, a conservative anti-tax advocacy group, last week sent school board members a letter requesting that they consider developing an online check register, a database that would provide more detail than what the already public budget offers.

The Green Party’s long shot
If you knew where to look you might have seen him – bearded, bespectacled and biking through Springfield.

Gulf tragedy gets personal
It’s personal for me – the Gulf oil spill. Certainly not to the same degree as for the folks whose lives and livelihoods have been thrown into chaos and uncertainty. But I’ve gotten to know some of them during visits to southwestern Louisiana over the last few years.

RealCuisine Recipe
Shrimp and corn soup is as commonly found as gumbo on Cajun restaurant menus. Most – in fact, all – recipes I’ve seen for this classic use canned creamed corn, and usually canned corn as well. I developed this recipe using only fresh (or fresh-frozen) corn.

Predators reboot a pleasant, gory surprise
Exposition be damned, Antal drops us straight into the action with his opening shot of military mercenary Royce (Adrien Brody) plunging towards the earth. Gathering himself, he opens his parachute, lands safely and discovers seven others who’ve had similar experiences.

Movie times July 16-18
AMC listings are for Friday, July 16 through Sunday, July 18. Bracketed show times are Saturday/Sunday 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.

A family farm’s market
Just a short 15-minute drive northwest of Springfield is a unique roadside market that offers freshly picked sweet corn, a variety of garden-fresh produce and Illinois agriculture products. Seaney Farms, at 10544 State Highway 97, Tallula, is owned and operated by Roy and Beth Seaney.

Supe’s on
I met Michael Granda, known to the world as “Supe du Jour,” in 1990 while playing around 2:30 a.m. at Bruce’s Tavern.

BAND SPOTLIGHT
Nary a band around can compete with the flexibility and diversity of the Dan Rivero Trio set list. For more than 15 years, Rivero as drummer, booker and organizer (and namesake as well) has steered his group through every kind of gig scenario one could imagine.

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

THEATER
Theatre in the Park and Over the Moon Productions debut The Light in the Piazza,.

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

ART
View art throughout the rooms of the historic grand old Springfield home, The Virgil Hickox House, located above Norb Andy’s. Fine art by Felicia Olin (pictured is Inner Sanctuary,.

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 22nd day of June, 2010 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon...

NEWS QUIRKS
Chicago police reported that a 28-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition after fireworks with the explosive strength of a quarter-stick of dynamite blew up in his face. News Affairs Officer Amina Greer said the man had put the fireworks in a tube in the ground.

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
After my boyfriend and I returned from a teaching stint abroad, he broke up with me. I was devastated but eventually started seeing somebody else. He got really jealous and flew out a few times to see me until I said yes to getting back together. We’ve had a phone relationship since January, with visits whenever possible.