Page 1

Slower than a speeding bullet
Illinoisans often feel like a space traveler who, having intercepted the TV signals that escaped from Earth a generation ago, sees the past when it was still the present. On July 20, authorities announced a further step in the development of Illinois’ slightly faster passenger rail corridor.

Our Illinois road trip to Springfield
“Can we take an Illinois road trip?” Jackson often asked us. After seeing the kids’ presentations for parents at the end of their Illinois unit, we answered, “Yes!” My husband, Mark, and I wanted to indulge our son’s buoyant curiosity and enthusiasm – as well as our own interest, which Jackson had sparked.

Truth and irony in agriculture fiascos
The story told by this black Agriculture Department official would have ended there, unnoticed by the rest of us. But it was caught up by a malicious political wind that swept it all the way to Washington.

LETTERS
Thanks for the wonderful article on the wonderful work that Wade Kammin is accomplishing [see “Sit, stay, go,” July 29]. Being a puppy raiser is a task much like raising a child. You’re “on call” 24/7 for the entire time the puppy is with you. Wade is to be commended for taking this task to heart.

financepoem #3
I have made such an investment in life it’s a pity someday to have to close the ledger I’m banking that it will keep on paying dividends after my checkbook is canceled.

Polls don’t look good for Pat
Quinn was put in an extremely awkward position by his budget director, who indicated to an out-of-state reporter that the state’s income taxes would be increased to 5 percent from its current 3 percent come January.

BIG BONANZA A BIG DEAL
Springfield resident Blair Dial has made a monster pizza that just might win him a monster prize. Dial is a one of three finalists in the Papa John’s Pizza Challenge, a contest to create the best pizza, and his “Big Bonanza” pizza is on sale right now at Papa John’s shops nationwide.

Longwall mining damages land near Hillsboro
Peggy Klaus stands next to what was once a road that formed the path between farms outside of Litchfield. The retired Carlinville schoolteacher remembers the day in 1990 that the road was closed, the damage done to it making it unusable. She remembers drivers having to turn around to deal with the sudden loss of a thoroughfare.

BEER WITH YOUR DINNER?
The restaurant is hosting a special fivecourse dinner, with a tasty brew chosen specially to accompany each dish. The dinner starts with crispy prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and white cheddar cheese fondue paired with Lefthand Polstar Pilsner.

Selling sustainability
“When you build a business, the question is: ‘How do I make this business survive?’ And the survival of a business is differentiation,” says Bob Kobylarz, one of the forces behind SGBN and the vice president of sustainability at Springfield-based manufacturer Bunn-O- Matic.

Shakeup in juvenile justice
Kurt Friedenauer announced his resignation as IDJJ director on July 14, having served in that position since the department’s creation in 2006.

Painting by the numbers
The picket line, made up of a handful of members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, protested the hotel developers’ use of a non-union company to paint the hotel interior. The picket has now disbanded, but the group’s efforts are ongoing – IUPAT is now developing a handbill, or informational flier, to pass out in the community.

This is the village it takes
On a quiet street in Rantoul sits a small neighborhood of 15 nondescript duplex houses, part of a larger subdivision built decades ago to house the families of pilots and workers at the now-closed Chanute Air Force Base.

The joy of helping others
Hope Meadows has received numerous awards for its innovative approach to adoption and volunteerism, including the AARP Inspire Award, the Illinois Governor’s Home Town Award and the Adoption Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Medicine meets literature
Take, for example, the three top winning entries in visual art, poetry and prose. Each excels. “Palette of a Poster Child” by Michael R. Pranzatelli, M.D., is a painting that graces the cover of the 44-page saddle-stitched chapbook.

Watchdogs flee Springfield
George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich, Pat Quinn and potentially Bill Brady. The Statehouse press corps has watched them all, but with each new governor fewer and fewer eyes make up the group of journalists in the Capitol who observe, investigate and report on Illinois government and the General Assembly.

Movie times
AMC listings are for Friday, Aug 6 through Sunday, Aug 8. Bracketed show times are 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-FANDAN- GO. For reviews of other films, visit www.

Charlie too much of a weeper
Charlie’s (Efron) future is so bright that he seems to have an aura about him. (Then again that may just be the way Steers lights his beefcake star.) Set to go to Stanford, fate throws him a cruel curveball when his younger brother Sam (Charlie Tahan) is tragically killed.

A long but satisfying Dinner
Carell is Barry, an overgrown innocent who makes dioramas populated with dead mice and has a wardrobe culled from the $5 clothes rack at Wal-Mart. He’s quite happy, in an oblivious way, and doesn’t realize he’s being played for a fool by his new “friend” Tim (Paul Rudd).

Memories of a Tamale Queen
It began with a call from a longtime friend, Sangamo Club general manager David Radwine. The Sangamo Club was hosting the 1995 Hope School Celebrity Chef Benefit. Rick Bayless, chef/owner of Chicago’s Frontera Grill and Topolobampo was the celebrity chef, but the SC was responsible for the first course: did I have any ideas?.

RealCuisine Recipe
Roast the poblano over an open flame of a gas burner or grill by holding it by its stem with tongs or laying it on a rack. Turn until the skin is completely blackened. Put the chile in a paper bag and close the top. Steam for about 5 minutes. Wipe off the blackened skin with a paper towel, remove seeds and stem and coarsely chop.

Zydeco a-go-go
Few types of American folk music are as full of zest and zing as the Louisiana-based sounds of Zydeco.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT
What do you get when you take a fired-up blues band of veteran rockers, add a tastefully sweet horn section of exceptionally talented players, then top it off with a vibrant, soulful front man entertainer? A really good band called Reggie Britton and the Sofa Kings, that’s what.

FESTIVAL
The Decatur Celebration Rocks the Big One.

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

HISTORY
Observe the funeral customs from the early 1900s, including several from Mr. Joergen- Dahl’s home country of Denmark. Also included in the ceremony will be several funeral items from the now-closed Museum of Funeral Costumes. Space is limited..

POETRY
Not only is Dan Guillory a former university English professor with eight books to his credit, including The Lincoln Poems,.

MUSIC
Southern crooner Taylor Hicks entertains with a large X-factor of soul and humility wrapped up in hints of sweet blues and classic rock sounds. This brought all ages aboard to propel him to a first place finish on American Idol.

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 8th day of July, 2010 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon County, stating that SOMER J.

NATURE
Want to hang out with a huge spectacle of a tiny bird that fascinates so many? Join in the Hummingbird Festival where Illinois Audubon Society members will teach you how to welcome these creatures into your backyard.

NEWS QUIRKS
Dallas police said Dwayne Lamont Moten, 20, hired a friend, Jacob Wheeler, 20, to shoot him, intending to blame the crime on his wife’s boyfriend so he could gain custody of his 3-yearold son.

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
I love to dress up and go socialize with people. My boyfriend, however, can only smile friendly and chitchat for about 20 minutes before he seats himself in some corner and starts reading the host’s books.

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