Page 1

Driving the east side mad
Road crews, I see, will be spending the summer making the intersection of Dirksen Parkway and Clear Lake Avenue safe for the out of sorts. It’s been years since I’ve driven through it on a regular basis, but apparently at rush hours that spot is more congested than a legislative calendar in May.

White America’s responsibility for race unity
The Emancipation Proclamation ended the slavery of African people in America, and marked the beginning of their freedom, citizenship and the rights and privileges that are guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Nothing merry about Old King Coal
But what if the stalker is the coal industry, dressed in an academic outfit in order to get into fourth-grade classrooms and brainwash the kids? Unbeknownst to most Americans, gradeschoolers are being targeted by the American Coal Foundation with a propaganda package stealthily titled, “The United States of Energy.

LETTERS
Many families are already struggling financially. Families need the money they have for necessities such as food, rent, car payments, gasoline and clothing. Making gambling more accessible and acceptable will increase gambling addiction and harm children.

White America’s responsibility for race unity
No real change will come about without close associations, dialogue and friendship. In order to grow and create meaningful change, we must establish more and frequent opportunities to discuss the value of racial unity, and get beyond event-driven activity like Dr.

Madigan wins workers’ comp battle
In all the years I’ve covered Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, he has never allowed his chamber’s Republican minority leader to best him. A minority leader might score a win here and there, but those victories are always short-lived. The wins are almost akin to a challenge to Madigan’s manhood itself, and they are never allowed to stand.

Officials slow to sign rail minority hiring agreement
Representatives of Faith Coalition for the Common Good are scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood in Chicago, Thursday, June 9, to discuss a Springfield agreement that would fill nearly one-third of rail jobs with minorities, women and low-income workers.

ROOKIE AT WRIGLEY
The young hurler is an avid Cubs fan and wanted to go to a game for his birthday. The soon-to-be freshman at Pleasant Plains High School got the next best thing when he and his family watched the Cubs match up with the Cincinnati Reds on a field trip with Scott VonDeBur’s sister, who attends an academy in Aurora.

ALMOST THERE
The Historic Preservation Fund at the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln was established in May 2008 with leftover funds from the Old Capitol Community Tribute, the 40th anniversary celebration of the rebuilding of the Old State Capitol.

The gamble on harness racing and slots at the state fairgrounds
The owners of a major standardbred breeding farm in central Illinois were planning to put a “For Sale” sign on their racehorses at the end of the summer. That was before the General Assembly passed a bill May 31 to expand harness racing and add slot machines at the state fairgrounds.

State taps charity funds to pay its bills
Over the last two years, the state of Illinois in order to pay its basic bills has seized more than $1.6 million from at least 15 different “charity” funds, to which Illinoisans voluntarily donate for causes like feeding the hungry and helping the homeless.

North side children’s library moves ahead with $20,000 grant
A committee made up of church members at Third Presbyterian Church and local residents will open the Northside Community Children’s Library at the church in the fall, hoping to fill the void left by north and west branches after both libraries have shut their doors.

HIV: Too many positives
African Americans have reason to be concerned about the AIDS virus. While black Americans currently make up 14 percent of the nation’s population, they represent 65 percent of the newly reported AIDS cases.

HIV: Too many positives
HIV and STD infections among African Americans. “It’s just not something that is talked about much at home, or even on campus,” added Williams, who will be a senior majoring in social work at UIS in the fall. “Since SISTA, I’ve had the opportunity to pass the information on to others so that they can be more informed.

HIV: Too many positives
The NIA curriculum uses interactive exercises and activities, as well as movie and music video clips, to educate participants about HIV/AIDS and its effects on the black community.

HIV: Too many positives
For Rose, the most beneficial segments involved communicating effectively with his partner and identifying risky situations. “We don’t often think about situations until they happen, which often results in poor choices. They really stressed that our safety, as well as that of our partners, is very important.

HIV: Too many positives
Getting African Americans tested for HIV has been one of the biggest obstacles. And lack of testing is directly related to access to health care. While many African- American neighborhoods have numerous liquor stores in walking distance, health care facilities are not as easily accessible.

HIV: Too many positives
In addition, homophobia in the black community has created a cloud of secrecy that has greatly contributed to the high rates of infection. Due to the stigma, many black men have sex with other men but do not see themselves as gay and are therefore not open to hearing messages of prevention or risk reduction for gay men.

Come and get it!
“Come and Get It! The Way We Ate 1830–2008” will be on display at the McLean County Museum of History (www.mchistory.org) until Jan. 28, 2012. The museum is in the historic McLean County Courthouse at the center of Bloomington’s town square. The private, not-for-profit museum acquired the courthouse in 1987 and utilizes the entire building.

X-Men prequel good and awkward
Vaughn wastes little time as he rapidly gives us a thumbnail sketch of Charles Xavier’s and Erik Lensherr’s background.

June music abounds
First off, let us congratulate Robert Beam, area resident and winner of the Peoria Guitar Center “King of the Blues Contest” held June 2. Known locally for his work with the blues group, Bluesmattic, Beam beat out 20 other contestants during three rounds of competitions for the honor.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT
This St. Louis-area-based duo sports a music pedigree of incredible caliber, from stints as members of the last touring configuration of the Byrds with original drummer Michael Clarke, on to stellar careers ranging from local legends to international stars.

Coward’s Plea
Blues Saturday w/ Dave, Blake, Ruth & Art/ The Sofa Kings.

THE CALENDAR
488-2685. sangcofair.com. Sangamon County Fairgrounds, northwest edge of town, New Berlin..

HISTORY
Highlights of the Civil War Medical Encampment include a Friday night campfire singalong at 7 p.m. on the south lawn, led by musicians Chris Vallillo and Steve Staley. Bring a chair. Saturday’s events kick off with a flag ceremony at 9 a.m.

THE CALENDAR
Springfield/Central Illinois Film Commission Meeting.

THEATER
Directed by Steve Kaplan, a cast of local actors brings the first Muni production to the shores of Springfield for eight nights in The Muni’s open-air theater. The bluegrass and country-scored musical follows Huckleberry Finn and Jim on their adventure rafting down the mighty Mississippi.

THE CALENDAR
Northside Children’s Library Book Fair.

ENVIRONMENT | Saltwater sensation
Join the Henson Robinson Zoo as they unite with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums across the country in a global celebration of the world’s oceans. Unofficially celebrated every June 9, World Oceans Day hopes to remind and impress upon people how important oceans are to human life on earth.

THE CALENDAR
Luncheon Optimist Club of Springfield Jun 13, 11:45am, Diamond’s Buffet, 2441 S. MacArthur Blvd...

ART | Creative quarters
Prairie Art Alliance allows you to take a peek inside five of its artists’ studios and their private gardens.

PUBLICNOTICES
Call 753-2226 ext. 134 or email [email protected] to place a notice. DEADLINE THURSDAY 4PM

NEWSQUIRKS
Curses, foiled again After Eric Ford, 26, reported the theft of $2,300 worth of audio...

AMY ALKON
I’m an African-American gay woman in my mid-20s. I initially had relationships with men, but I’m just not attracted to or compelled by them. Women make me feel alive, exhilarated, connected, and challenged, and sex is the bomb. So, I know I truly love women…but most lesbians, including my current girlfriend, are crazy.