Page 1

It’s not the heat, it’s the corn
It is natural to assume that hotter weather hereabouts must be a result of a hotter planet, a side effect of humans treating the atmosphere like a midnight dumper treats a county roadside. There have been heat waves in the past, however, when atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases were much lower.

Marching toward the new economy
I just read Gar Alperovitz’s article, “The New-Economy Movement,” which explained how the American Sustainable Business Council and the New Economy Network are demonstrating that companies can earn solid profits without exploiting workers or destroying the planet.

Who killed the bluebird of happiness?
What killed off the bluebirds is the same greed of moneyed elites that caused the crash. Since the recession ended in July 2009, CEO pay is back in the stratosphere, corporate profits are up by nearly half, corporations are sitting on a record $2...

LETTERS
The person sitting next to you in church, the man in line at the grocery store, or one of your co-workers; any one of these could be involved with a gambling problem [see “Gambling on the fairgrounds,” by Rachel Wells, July 14]. Imagine your grandmother committing a crime to support her gambling addiction.

Marching toward the new economy
Given the options that Congress is considering regarding the debt ceiling, most American households soon will suffer a decline in their standard of living. Our leaders in Congress, many of whom are millionaires, might irresponsibly push the U.S.

How Stand for Children snuck into the Statehouse
Edelman openly bragged about how his group had outfoxed the teachers unions and the Illinois media, and had taken advantage of an opening with House Speaker Michael Madigan to pass his sweeping education reform proposal, which is now state law.

TRAIL TIME
After more than a year of work and anticipation, the first leg of the Sangamon Valley Trail is almost ready to open. The 5.5-mile section connects Springfield’s Centennial Park with Stuart Park at a cost of $3.7 million in federal, state and county funds.

The flushing factor
Poor water quality plagues two Springfield streams, and part of the problem is the Springfield Metro Sanitary District, according to a recent study measuring fecal coliform bacteria, present in both human and animal waste, in Spring and Sugar creeks. The district occasionally sends untreated wastewater into the two streams at eight different points.

St. Patrick Catholic School welcomes new principal
In her new role, she says she plans to focus on literacy and math, adding programs like Saxon Math and Shirley English to the curriculum. The school will also add additional online academic assessments, for students to check their progress in the course throughout the year.

All in the family
Michelle Merz Greer, Stratton’s fiancée as of earlier this month, submitted to the district an application for a receptionist position dated April 13. She began work for the district on May 3, serving as a part-time receptionist in the district’s administrative office.

I killed my mom
By all accounts, Terry Payton is a quiet, shy 16-year-old with a brilliant mind and a penchant for Pokémon. Family, friends and neighbors in the Edgar County community of Paris say Terry is meek, eager to help and never says an ill word against anyone.

I killed my mom
Sandy Chapman, another neighbor who lives in the apartment building adjacent to the Paytons, reports hearing Kathie yelling at Terry numerous times in the two years that Chapman has lived there. Chapman says she and Kathie used to work and party together several years before they became neighbors.

I killed my mom
In a series of text messages between Terry and Jakob Shumaker, Terry asks for help to make the body of his mother “disappear.

I killed my mom
Meanwhile, a minor closer to Springfield has also been charged with murder in an unrelated case. An 11-year-old boy in Chandlerville, 30 miles northeast of Springfield, has been accused of murdering his mother, Brenda Schaad, 39. The minor, whose name has not been officially released, is charged with one count of first-degree murder.

Home-grown tomato time!
I commonly get asked, “What is the best tomato to grow?” The answer will be different for everyone. This time of year we have a great opportunity to taste test garden fresh tomatoes. This can be done by visiting a farmers market or having a garden taste testing party with your friends, asking everyone to bring a different kind of tomato.

For edible Americana, look for Roadfood
By the time you read this, I’ll be back in Brooklyn. I just can’t stay away from my new grandson! As is often the case, I’m driving. Occasionally I fly, but more often than not, I take the car. Sometimes it’s because I’m taking stuff out to my son in Boston or daughter in New York.

For edible Americana, look for Roadfood
Throughout the years, whether in print, online, in the tours they conduct or on the radio, the Sterns have stayed true to their passion for and philosophy about regional American food. They write, “…Roadfood is based on the proposition that America’s truly great meals are sleeves-up fare, no reservations required.

Bosses not horrible, but far from satisfactory
Unfortunately, they each have to contend with supervisors who are, on a good day, maniacal, and, on a bad one, homicidal. Nick (Jason Bateman) has been putting in 14-hour days in the hopes of scoring a prime promotion. Unfortunately, he works for a master manipulator (Kevin Spacey) who’s just stringing him along.

Gospel Fest, Springfield-style
After nearly a decade of consistent performance, the Springfield Gospel Fest is a standard on the local music summer festival scene. The all-day event held at Comer Cox Park Saturday, July 23, features nearly 20 local and regional music groups, numerous vendors, participation by city services and hosts the Back to School Bash.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Brooke Thomas and the Blue Suns
Only a few years ago Brooke Thomas sang plenty, but without performing in a traveling band. Now in 2011, after fronting the Blue Suns for about a year, she is releasing a CD, Live from the Capital City,.

PUB CRAWL
Zack Fedor -DeHeeve’s 60th Anniversary Party.

PUB CRAWL
Find more details and gigs in our online calendar at www.illinoistimes.com.

THE CALENDAR
performs July 23, tractor pull, demolition derby, livestock competition, food and carnival. $3 per car. Macoupin County Fairgrounds, 21368 Rte. 4, Carlinville..

THE ARTS | Next to godliness
Peter Sellars, renowned opera, theater and film director whose opera Hercules.

THEATER | Opposites attract
The classic Neil Simon romantic comedy finds a pair of newly married lovers, who embody Oscar and Felix-like traits, trying to live with each other’s idiosyncrasies. Six performances are slated at the Hoogland Center for the Arts for this Gordon Productions play sponsored by Staab Funeral Home and 970AM WMAY.

THE CALENDAR
LIVE FROM JERUSALEM: An Evening with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

THE CALENDAR
Jul 23, 10:30am, Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge. Bring binoculars, cameras, sack lunch. Carpool at K-mart parking lot at 9 a.m. Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, 19031 E CR 2110 N. Havana..

THEATER | Big and beautiful
Set in the 1960s, the funny and upbeat musical Hairspray.

THE CALENDAR
through Oct 20 (except during State Fair), fresh local food and entertainment. Commodity Pavilion. 785-4873. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave..

THE CALENDAR
Apostolic Church Youth Department presents local and state-wide singing groups. Vendors, school supply giveaway. Free. 523-1325. Comer Cox Park, Capitol Ave and Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Springfield..

PUBLICNOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEV- ENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF DONALD LEE KREN, Deceased No. 2011 P 00369 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of Donald Lee Kren of 1632 Loveland, Springfield, Illinois who died on May 13, 2011.

NEWSQUIRKS
Police believe Jamie Minor, 26, tried to break into the Austin, Texas, restaurant where she worked by crawling through an exhaust duct leading to the office. She apparently became trapped when the duct tapered into an opening she couldn’t fit through, and she couldn’t back up.

PUBLICNOTICES
CAPITOL STORAGE LLC IS ADVERTIS- ING THE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS , ETC. STORED IN THE FOLLOWING UNITS AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS. Location: 2225 J. David Jones Parkway Unit # 470 E - Kim Daugherty - PO Box 8631, Springfield, IL 62791 Unit # 254 C - Cheryl Goza-Smith - 710 N.