Page 1

Avoiding the wrong lesson about Fukushima
The reactor disaster in Fukushima is so fresh in our memories that it may seem incomprehensible to think that the history of that tragic (and still unfolding) event in Japan could ever be rewritten and distorted. But history tells us that the nuclear power industry is very adept at revising the facts about every major reactor disaster.

Stuck in Carlinville with the Springfield blues again
A lot of Downstaters hear that word and think of a driver trapped during an afternoon rush in August on Chicago’s westbound Ike, which – and I know what I’m talking about here – is enough like hell that even an old sinner will repent by the time he gets to Austin Avenue.

‘Governor Supercuts’ for president?
His candidacy was actually launched at a Prayer-A-Palooza in Houston the week before he formally announced.

LETTERS
SCHOOLS THAT WORK Congratulations to Iles School for achieving the prestigious International Baccalaureate status. I am a proud supporter of Iles School because my daughter received the best education of her K-12 District 186 career there.

Avoiding the wrong lesson about Fukushima
We’ve been down this road before … and it is truly the road to financial ruin. Ratepayers were saddled with an estimated $200 to $300 billion in cost overruns from completed nuclear plants from the 1960s through the 1980s; nearly $50 billion for abandoned plants.

Would ‘unveto’ fix regional supts. mess?
By law, Illinois was on the hook for two-thirds of those salaries. Thompson originally proposed paying all of the state’s share, then decided that locals should pick up the tab and not the state. The General Assembly negotiated a deal with the governor to pay 80 percent of the required funding.

ELIZABETH ECKERT
Eckert will perform in Springfield at Samuel Music Co., a full-service retail music company. The company will hold a free block party at its Effingham and Springfield stores. All proceeds from party food sold will go toward area school music programs..

Doubling raffle limit worries anti-gambling groups
A recent change to raffle regulations means local charities can sell chances for up to $2 million in prizes as a way to finance their causes. But some say the maximum prize value increase – up from $1 million – is a major expansion in gambling, the regulations for which tend to bend for those who profit.

Arsenic, lots of it, found around CWLP ash ponds
Groundwater surrounding City Water, Light and Power’s coal ash ponds, located across the street from Lake Springfield, contains as much as nine times the amount of arsenic considered safe in drinking water, according to environmental testing performed in spring of 2010.

Doctors charged with bilking Medicaid and Blue Cross
“He is an actual MD, but in all honesty seems to be a pill dispenser,” wrote a patient who goes by the name Joolz on phentermine.com, a website devoted to users of an appetite suppressant. “The nurses do a few tests on you…EKG, heart ultrasound and blood work.

Keeping tabs on sex offenders
More than 260 registered sex offenders tracked by Carpenter have been naughty in the past. It’s her job to make sure that they remain nice, or, at least, where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there.

Parents need to have their voices heard at school
The Faith Coalition for the Common Good (FCCG), a nonprofit organization made up of faith-based and community organizations, has started a grassroots discussion in an effort to bridge the achievement gap between minority and white students at Springfield District 186 schools.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
A guide to the fall guide After the long, hot summer we’ve endured, we suspect everyone is ready for our annual Fall Guide and the chance to get outside in what many would say is by far the best season here in central Illinois.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Smoke on the Mountain Aug 26-28, Sep 02-04, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Be witness to the stories and toe-tapping hymns from less-than-devout Sanders Family invited to perform in church circa 1938. $18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
2011 Baby Day Aug 28, 12-4pm, New and expecting parents and childcare providers invited to expo sponsored by SIU HealthCare and ABC NewsChannel 20. $2. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Springfield Short Track Motorcycle Races Sep 02-03, 5-10:30pm Fri, 7pm Sat, Amateur and pro AMA races in multi-purpose arena. Admission. Enter gate 11. 753- 8866. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Traditional Music Festival Sep 10-11, 10am-5pm, More than 100 musicians are expected to participate. $4-$2, $10 family. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Rockballet: LIVE Sep 10, 8pm and Sep 11, 2pm, Springfield Ballet Company presents a multimedia celebration of dance and rock music featuring the best of Rockballet and live music provided by the newly-formed, multi-talented band, Downstate. $16-$26. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. 206- 6160, 800-207-6960.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Leaf Identification Hikes Sep 18, 25 and Oct 02, 2pm, Here’s help for students with their leaf collections. $4. 529- 1111. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Drive.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Celebrate Fall Sep 24, 10am-3pm, Exhibits, walk the trails, visit the llamas and more. jubileefarm.info. 787- 6927. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Road.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers Oct 01, 8pm, WUIS Bedrock Series brings Seattle singersongwriter to center. $19. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Oct 11, 12-1pm, Michelle Suarez demonstrates traditions from Indian and South American cultures. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 786-2241..

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Dave Rudolf’s Family Halloween Spooktacular Oct 14, 6:30pm, Ghoulishly delightful, but not too scary interactive musical show with sound effects, props and more. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2241.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Prairie Grapevine Concert: Pete Sander Oct 18, 7pm, Springfield singer/songwriter performs. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-454-0178.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
My Fair Lady Nov 06, 7pm, Big League Productions Inc. presents sparkling new production of musical based on Shaw’s play. UIS Broadway Series. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.

2011 FALL CALENDAR
Advent Brown Bag Concert Series Nov 30, 12:15-12:45pm, Agnes Wan, piano. Bring your lunch or purchase one at door for $5. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh Street, 528-4311.

Take a walk on the spooky side of life
No one currently working in the Lincoln- Herndon Law Office smokes a pipe. So, what could possibly explain the aroma of pipe tobacco that employees at the historic site claim to notice from time to time? Is the aroma embedded in the walls and woodwork? Or is it the ghost of Abraham Lincoln’s long deceased law partner, lighting up in the spirit world?

Take a walk on the spooky side of life
Springfield Walks tour guides are engaging storytellers focusing on the unusual and sometimes quirky side of Springfield history. It has been a winning combination since 2004, when Moffett led the first Lincoln’s Ghost Walk..

Fun at central Illinois fall festivals
As the hot summer days are slowly replaced by brisk winds and bursts of colorful leaves, the Springfield area has a wide array of festivals that will allow you to enjoy the beautiful season of autumn.

Fun at central Illinois fall festivals
An antique tractor parade, musical entertainment, craft and toy show, antique cars, horse-drawn machinery, and rug weaving and blacksmithing demonstrations are found at Carlinville’s annual Fall Festival..

Fall is for meandering on the Spoon River Drive
In the dead of winter we hope for summer, in the summer heat and humidity we long for snow, but fall is perfect and everyone just wishes it would linger. To fully experience the beauty of fall, load up and meander along the Spoon River Drive. Check out the food, festivals and cultural icons and, of course, the bargains! You will find antiques, flea market items and unforgettable food.

Fall is for meandering on the Spoon River Drive
“Lewistown was the home of Edgar Lee Masters through his younger years and the atmosphere of Lewistown undoubtedly had an inspirational effect upon Masters that led to the Spoon River Anthology being written by Masters. Lewistown has a rich history associated with railroading in Fulton County.

Autumn is showtime
Fall is a great time of year, and there’s always an interesting list of theater productions in the area. Take a look at what’s happening here this fall.

Autumn is showtime
Finally, congratulations to local actor and Rochester High School graduate Michael Presney, who has just been hired as an understudy for the Carl Perkins role in the national tour of the musical Million Dollar Quartet..

Skydivers know how to have a great fall
When Brian and Tracey Meade’s air conditioner went out, club members showed up with two window units. The club is the Mid-America Sport Parachute Club, based out of the Taylorville airport. “It’s like a family,” Tracey said. “Everybody helps everybody.”

Skydivers know how to have a great fall
Now that her kids are grown, “I decided it was time to do something for myself,” she said, as she prepared for her first jump. Her husband, John, was with her. He made his first jump here in 2007. “The worst part was getting out the door,” she said afterwards.

A fall full of music
Rock, pop, Christian and jazz are among the musical offerings in central Illinois this fall. There’s something for everybody, so plan ahead, then get out and enjoy the music.

A fall full of music
Champaign plays host to the epic, expansive sound of rockers Explosions in the Sky for the Pygmalion Music Festival from Sept. 21 to 25. Nearly 90 bands will play at venues all around Champaign during the festival, and concertgoers can buy an all-shows pass or pick up tickets for individual shows.

Fall classical fare
As autumn sets in, Springfield audiences can rest assured the rich repertoire of local and regional musicians will temper the cooling weather. From Labor Day pops concerts (think baseball) to Christmas choruses, musicians in central Illinois offer their talents as the soundtracks to our seasonal experiences.

Fall classical fare
Springfield Classical Guitar Society The upcoming season of the Springfield Classical Guitar Society will be one that fulfills one of the organization’s primary missions – to promote young, rising stars in the classical guitar world. While most of the group’s concerts will take place next year, the society will open its season this fall on Oct.

Big old tractors come to Rantoul
While many are gearing up for the Decatur Farm Progress Show Aug. 30-Sept. 1, lovers of old iron are bent on heading to the former Chanute Air Force Base to see machines built 50 years ago work the soil. This year’s Half Century of Progress show takes place Aug. 25-28 at the National Aviation Center in Rantoul.

The trials and tribulations of judging barbeque
It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. Not long after I began writing this column in 2006, I realized that the job came with a few perks. There were invitations to food writers’ dinners in some of Chicago’s best restaurants. Cookbooks began arriving in my mailbox.

The trials and tribulations of judging barbeque
The rules for Springfield’s Blues and BBQs competition are based on those of the Kansas City Barbeque Society. It’s “dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque” as well as being a “clearinghouse of barbeque information,” and the world’s largest such organization, with more than 14,000 members.

Conan delivers bloody fun
Vicious, violent and vividly realized, director Marcus Nispel’s Conan the Barbarian is the film fans of Robert E. Howard’s pulp hero have been waiting for. Far better than John Milius’ sullen, and sometimes plodding take on the tale from 1982, this version is brutal, bloody and relentless, an attitude that mirrors its title character. The film contains an engaging adventure as well as a dynamic newcomer who may have some asking “Arnold who?” after seeing him in action.

Growing jazz in Greater Springfield
Jazz music, considered an original American art form by most scholars of the arts, has a strong and vibrant history within our music scene. More than a few capital city natives made good in the genre as bandleaders and musicians beyond our borders. Many more remained in town as educators and performers, making alternate livings while still making merry music. Tales abound of the glory days in the 60s when live music was a constant in most nightclubs and the greats of American jazz played in town at the St. Nick, the Lake Club and others venues of note.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Blues Expressions
Four years ago Adrian Muex knew he wanted to start a blues band. His previous live music experience entailed mostly church performances as a choir director and gospel singer influenced and inspired by his father, Alfred Muex, and other members of his musical family, so deciding on a band name and blues style was a new experience.

PUB CRAWL
Prairie State Heartache w/ Pretty Little Empire, Josh Catalano & the Dirty Thoughts.

PUB CRAWL
Elizabeth Eckert, ZZ Trip, Micah Walk - Free Block Party.

FESTIVAL | Cooking up perfection
This two-day music and food fest in downtown Springfield is much anticipated. Highlighting a six-band lineup on the Media Stage is Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-a-whirl Band featuring Lou Ann Barton on Aug. 27 at 9 p.m. presented by Downtown Springfield, Inc.

THE CALENDAR
Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival.

THEATER | Gospel music
Gordon Productions brings another fine musical comedy to the Hoogland Center for the Arts for six performances. Set in a North Carolina church in 1938, the Sanders Family Singers will have you clapping, singing, laughing and cheering with their stories and traditional and bluegrass gospel music.

THE CALENDAR
Books & Authors Springfield Comic Book Convention Aug 28, 10am-4pm, Comic books, new and old, toys and related collectibles. Free and open to public. 309-657-1599. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St.

FESTIVAL | Fired up
The town of Lincoln gets fired up with color the weekend of Aug. 26-28. Join the art of hot air ballooning with launches, glows, demos and tethered balloon rides, all at the Logan County Airport. There’s also a carnival, beer and wine garden, entertainment and food court.

THE CALENDAR
Dog Days of Summer Aug 27, 3-8pm, Wine tasting, specialty beers, food, silent auction, live music by Soul Purpose band (4-7 p.m.) to benefit Homeward Bound Pet Shelter. Long Creek Vineyards, Decatur, 7185 E. Firehouse Rd, Decatur, 875-1910 or 876- 1266.

THE CALENDAR
Dance Aug 26, 8-11pm, Kevin Turner plays. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546- 9515.

THE CALENDAR
Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206- 6600..

NATURE | Star struck
Lincoln Memorial Garden welcomes Dr. John Martin from the University of Illinois at Springfield’s Astronomy and Physics program who will talk about the amazing objects that can be seen overhead at night. Then Sangamon Astronomical Society members will share views of the night sky through their telescopes.

THE CALENDAR
Volunteer Training Aug 28, 3-5:30pm, Help at three events or more a semester and attend a mandatory training session. 206-8288. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207- 6960.

PUBLIC NOTICES
Call 753-2226 ext. 134 or email legals@illinoistimes.com to place a notice. DEADLINE THURSDAY 4PM

PUBLIC NOTICES
DANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701 ( c ) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLO- SURE LAW. (H) Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/15-1507.

NEWS QUIRKS
Curses, foiled again While police were driving burglary suspect Kylen English, 20, to the Montgomery County, Ohio, jail, he began banging his head against the car’s rear passenger window when crossing a bridge. “The officer starts to pull over,” Dayton police Lt. Kim Hill recounted, “and once he pulled over, the suspect had the window broken. He then went head-first out the window and head-first over the bridge.” The cruiser was roughly midway across the bridge, but the river flows beneath only a third of the span. English fell 30 feet onto a dry, rocky area and was pronounced dead. (Dayton Daily News) When a gunman demanded money from Fred and Julie Kemp in Boynton Beach, Fla., Fred Kemp, 63, pushed the gun away, provoking the robber to pistol whip him in the head. “I reacted from there,” the 5- foot-7, 150-pound former wrestler said. “I footsweeped him down,” then maneuvered him into a “sleeper hold” until he began to lose consciousness and dropped the weapon. Kemp held the robber down until police arrived and arrested Richard Nowling, 41. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

THE ADVICE GODDESS
A co-worker seems interested in me. This is flattering since he’s 48 and I’m 57. He’s asked me out on dates a few times — rather last minute, unfortunately, and I had conflicting plans. He also invited me to join his volleyball club that plays in the park during lunch breaks.