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Nickeled and dimed
“Like dandelions in a lawn,” I muttered to myself. In my too-many years as a public scold, I have learned to accept the many absurdities occasioned by government of the people, by the people, for the people.

When will Obama evolve on the drug war?
It’s not really a war on drugs. It’s a war on people, most of whom have committed no violence or other aggression against person or property. Those who do commit violence are encouraged to do so by the very “war on drugs” that Obama and other enlightened leaders so enthusiastically support.

Anheuser-Busch, drunk on greed
At issue was the “town” of Whiteclay, smack dab on the Nebraska-South Dakota border. I put “town” in quotes because only 10 people live there – but it is home to four beer stores.

LETTERS
ROBBING STATE WORKERS I am a normal Illinois state government worker. I didn’t get my job because I knew someone. I got my job because I took a test, got an A, went to an interview and the person interviewing me saw something in me they didn’t see in the other applicants.

When will Obama evolve on the drug war?
Certain drugs have been singled out for prohibition historically not because they are especially dangerous but because they were associated with minority communities. The story of the “drug war” is not of a humane effort to create a healthy, safe society.

Quinn may be softening on gambling expansion
An often tense and confrontational meeting over gaming expansion last week ended with Gov. Pat Quinn not explicitly saying “no” to adding slot machines at horse racing tracks. That might be the beginning of a reversal for Quinn, who has adamantly opposed allowing tracks to have more gambling options.

Tenaska drops clean coal plan for Taylorville
Tenaska originally proposed building a power plant southeast of Springfield that would turn Illinois coal into substitute natural gas (SNG) through a process called “coal gasification.” The gas produced would have been burned to create electricity, with some of the CO2 emissions injected into the ground.

RAISING CANES
Earley, a 75-year-old inventor and entrepreneur, has recently unveiled the Cane + Plus, which combines the Cradle Cane Handle and a Grip ’n Rise knob onto an aluminum adjustable cane. The Cradle Cane Handle is a snake-like handle that provides a cushioned hand support on top and an end piece that will rest across the end of a hand.

A DREAMGIRL.
If you watched Wednesday’s “American Idol” finale, you know what Jennifer Holliday is capable of doing. The famous actress and singer was scheduled to sing a duet with contestant Jessica Sanchez on the show, but Springfield will soon have a chance to see Holliday in person.

Leaving homes
She is 48 and began life with a cerebral hemorrhage, either before she was born or during delivery, says her mother, Sharon Pfeiffer. Kathy cannot walk and speaks only a few words. She is prone to pneumonia. A series of surgeries put her into a sitting position.

Increase minimum wage?
The legislation would increase Illinois’ minimum wage, currently $8.25, by 50 cents a year until it reaches $10.55. This would match the purchasing power of the minimum wage in 1968, when it was $1.60 an hour. Then, it would adjust with the cost of inflation each year.

City proposal could spur action on civil union benefits
A committee composed of representatives from the city and labor unions previously decided to allow civil union partners of city employees and retirees to get city health insurance, but a judge’s ruling that the committee violated the Open Meetings Act nullified the group’s decision.

Taking the fifth
A Jerome police officer under investigation by the state’s attorney and attorney general last week invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to testify in court. During that proceeding a motorist he arrested in March won back her driver’s license after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

SUMMER GUIDE
Through 2013, 9am-5pm, “Weapons and Medicine of the Civil War.” $12 adults, $6 kids. ($5 to visit display only), Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St. 782- 5764..

Old Capitol Farmers Market
Lamb from Knob Hill Livestock Co. in Petersburg, Amish bakery goods from The Homestead Bakery in Arthur, pecans from Voss Pecans in Carlyle, handcrafted cheeses from Ludwig Farmstead Creamery in Fithian; nectarines and plums from Heffington’s Orchard in Barchtown; lettuce, greens, tomatoes and peppers from Good Earth Farms in Lynnville.

Juneteenth Celebration
You’ll have a ball at this year’s Juneteenth Celebration held Saturday, June 17, and Sunday, June 18, at Comer Cox Park at Capitol Ave. and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Taste of Downtown / American Music Show
Consider just some of the items on the mouthwatering menu: jerk pork taco, antipasto plate, meatloaf cupcakes, blackened salmon slider, Caitie Girl’s horseshoe tribute, cannoli, turkey cranberry cream cheese pretzel slider, fried oyster po’ boys,...

Decatur Celebration
Ten stages, yes, “The Beat Goes On,” which is the theme of this year’s shindig. Headliners include: Platinum artist and Grammy Award winner, Billy Ocean (pictured above); Grammy-nominated group with one of the 100 best-selling albums of the 1990s, Spin Doctors; Double Platinum 1990s R&B group, Color Me Badd; Current Billboard.

Illinois State Fair
The fair kicks off Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. with the Twilight Parade. Stepping off at Ninth St. and N. Grand Ave., the parade travels down Ninth St. to Peoria Road, then north on Peoria Road to Eleventh St., through the ISF Main Gate to Main Street, on to the Grandstand.

Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival
A lights and siren parade kicks off the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival Friday at 3:30 p.m. It winds through downtown Lincoln featuring sponsors, pilots and other local groups, travels past both Scully and Latham Parks, ending at the Logan County Airport.

Old Capitol Blues & BBQs
Savory and sizzling barbecue tops the weekend menu while hard-driving, toe-tapping blues music rocks the stage at the Old Capitol Blues and BBQs the last full weekend of August, Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th. Located at Fifth and Washington streets in downtown Springfield, this will be a yummy and entertaining end-of-summer party.

Life on the Mississippi
At once historic and modern, Alton is a Mississippi River town both swift as the mighty river’s current and laid-back as a day checking trotlines.

Travel back in time to Amish country
Open for the 2012 season, Rockome Gardens is an iconic place that brings back childhood memories for many. Today, under the management of the Rockome Gardens Preservation Inc., the popular tourist venue at Arcola was purchased in January by Steve Maher and his wife, Bev.

Meet Me in St. Louis
Everyone has heard Julie Garland croon the tune, “Meet me in St. Louis, Louis, Meet me at the fair, Don’t tell me the lights are shining any place but there….” For those who want to see a play at the Fabulous Fox Theatre or check out the St. Louis Zoo, the lights are truly shining.

Summer theater has something for everyone
The Legacy Theatre is the revitalized former home of the Springfield Theater Guild, recently purchased by Scott Richardson. Little by little, this Springfield gem is coming to life with renovations and exciting events happening almost monthly. This summer, be sure to check out Legally Blonde: The Musical,.

Cory’s Must Sees
The Hoogland Center for the Arts has seen its fair share of hard times, yet thanks to the fundraising efforts of the community, the doors are wide open and bringing in a plethora of theatrical opportunities. Notably, on June 24 at 2 p.m., Chicago cabaret artist Laura Freeman will present Sentimental Journey – The Music of Doris Day.

Release the beast
Team Warrior Concepts, a mixed martial arts studio in Springfield, is hosting its first Beast Mode Challenge this year on Sept. 29. It’s a foot race with an obstacle course that includes mud pits, fire pits, ice pools, hill climbs, rope courses, cargo nets, slides and even a “mystery tent.

Calling all volunteers
Volunteer opportunities at HFH include working at construction sites, where volunteers can learn about the “home construction process.

A magical high school baseball season
Here in central Illinois we love our high school sports. Granted we also pay attention to the Cardinals, Bears, Cubs, Sox and other sports franchises, but nothing seems to get the juices flowing like high school football, basketball and baseball. Perhaps it is the community spirit that is raised by the hometown school’s accomplishments.

Expecting a big-screen sit-com
The movies I hate most are those that play it safe, the ones that refuse to take any chances in their quest for laughs or tears. Boundary pushing is not for those who operate in this milquetoast territory and their hearts are too faint to instill any sort of dramatic edge.

Prairie Fruits Farm brings its cheeses to farmers market
I start anticipating them each year as winter melts into spring: Springfield’s farmers markets. It’s not just because of the local produce and products I can buy, although that’s a big part of it. It’s also about getting reacquainted with longtime vendors.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Bobby Conn
Based out of Chicago, Bobby Conn considers music to be a vehicle for entertainment and puts on a wild and woolly show to prove it. Along with this valuable contribution to stage antics, he backs it up with really, really good music.

PUB CRAWL
Captain Geech and The Shrimp Shack Shooters.

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

Memorable Memorial Day weekend
Ah yes, here we are at the official kickoff of the summertime season. Once known as Decoration Day, we now have Memorial Day and it’s become a weekend. So as it sits, we are off to enjoy and indulge, taking in the extra fun with all the gusto we can muster.

RACING | Revved up
You’ll start seeing motorcycles in numbers the next two weekends. The Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association TT (Tourist Trophy) and Springfield Mile Motorcycle Races take place at the Illinois State Fairgrounds May 25-27. May 29-June 1 is the American Motorcycle Association Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships.

THE CALENDAR
Library, 326 S. Seventh St..

MUSIC | Harley raffle
The Illinois Central Blues Club is helping to put together Blues Hawgfest, a special concert held May 26 at Capital City Bar and Grill in benefit of The Rutledge Youth Foundation. The evening kicks off the 2012 RYF’s Harley Raffle.

THE CALENDAR
Free. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Free. 544-1751. Lanphier Ball Park, 1415 N Grand Ave E..

FESTIVAL | Country and bluegrass
Sunday, May 27 is Bluegrass Day with the music of Resonation Station and River Ramblers alternating two sets. May 28 is Country Day with Prairie Rose Band playing two hours, followed by Southern Cross. The featured entre is barbecue pork on the grill. Your admission price includes a winery wine glass.

THE CALENDAR
Citizens Club of Springfield Policy Breakfast.

PUBLICNOTICES
NOTICE UNDER ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME ACT STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF SANGAMON TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that on 11th day of May 2012, a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon...