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How can we love America yet hate politics?
Recently, I was sharing stories with current political candidate about campaigning and musing about how nasty some people can be to those seeking office. Frustration with all things political is spilling over to create a hostile atmosphere toward candidates in general.

Wall Street’s mutant greed gene marches on
For weeks, this financial behemoth has been running a nationwide PR blitz, portraying itself as a loveable bunch of publicspirited bankers — hoping that you and I have no memory of its two taxpayer bailouts, constant fee-gouging, illegal foreclosures on homeowners, firing of 36,000 employees, etc.

LETTERS
PENSION CULPRITS The Teachers Retirement System is the major burden on the state’s pension systems. The State Employees Retirement System is not the burden. However, they are always drug into the rhetorical territory of “evil” and “unsustainable” pensions.

How can we love America yet hate politics?
Sadly, retreat by many voters into cynicism and disinterest fuels the most extreme elements on both sides of the electorate, creating an environment where pragmatic solutions get ignored, compromise becomes impossible and problems compound. Insisting on rigid either/or scenarios is a recipe for disaster.

Labor gives Democrats a slap on the wrist
Organized labor’s umbrella organization met in Springfield last week to make endorsements in state legislative and other races. Labor leaders turned a strong thumbs down to some suburban House Democratic members who’ve supported pension changes and voted to cut health insurance coverage for state retirees.

Quinn still plans to close Tamms supermax
In February, Quinn announced plans to shutter the prison, which holds about 200 inmates in solitary confinement at an estimated cost of $61,522 per inmate each year. The average annual cost per inmate for incarceration at all state prisons is about $20,000.

A PRESSING ISSUE
Lafferty did not respond to an email asking about the fate of what was once the newspaper’s heartbeat. The newspaper has announced that it wants to lease all but the first floor of the South Ninth Street building. Presumably, the press, which takes up the better part of the basement, is getting in the way of valuable office space.

MEATY MESSAGE
“All animals suffer pain and experience pleasure in the same way and are deserving of the same consideration and respect,” Letten said. “The most powerful action we can take to prevent egregious animal abuse is to adopt a compassionate vegetarian diet.

Scholarships mean more than money
The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln and the Frontiers International Springfield Club teamed up to give each student an award of between $500 and $5,000.

Help wanted
Buchanan spent four hours at the job fair, most of it waiting around. It was time well spent. After two jobless years, Buchanan got an offer to work as a cashier and sorter, which involves getting donated goods ready for sale. She’ll earn $9.25 an hour.

Hollywood, Illinois
Springfield may not be the first place people think about when imagining locations to shoot movies or TV shows. But thanks to the efforts of one local group, this city and the central Illinois region have earned a reputation as a great place to film and find professional talent.

Jerome’s well runs dry
Mayor Harry Stirmell last week told the board of trustees that the village for the past two years has spent more than it has taken in, but cash reserves now stand at less than $40,000 and will soon be exhausted under a modified budget approved last Thursday at a special board meeting.

Springfield’s poor record on minority hiring
A dozen years ago, then Mayor Karen Hasara announced a goal of hiring minorities until 15 percent of police and firefighters were people of color by 2005. The city didn’t come close.

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When Lincoln’s friend was killed just as war began
The Civil War was only five weeks old when Col. Elmer Ellsworth, 24, was killed tearing down a Confederate flag in Virginia. As the first prominent Union casualty, he became an instant hero: newspapers around the country mourned his martyrdom and composers penned songs in his honor.

The kindness of strangers
Minutes – which seemed like hours – after the van stopped, I unhitched my seatbelt, and got out. The van had spun 180 degrees around, and now faced the road I’d turned from. The front and its engine were totally smashed. The driver’s side window had crumbled, and I was covered with its bits.

Bernie, a morality tale
In 1996, the citizens of Carthage, Texas, refused to believe that Bernie Tiede (Jack Black) had murdered Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine). While they agreed that if anyone had it coming, it was Nugent, picturing her much younger, constant companion blowing her away with a shotgun was unthinkable.

Support your local artist
If you dare say there’s nothing going on in Springfield these days, you just might be silly and wrong. Mid-June is one of the busiest times of the year for an intense and expansive variety of music, and a good bunch comes from your friends and neighbors.

PUB CRAWL
Captain Geech & The Shrimp Shack Shooters - Pre-Chicken Fry Party.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Biscuit Miller and the Mix
Raised on Chicago’s South Side by his grandmother, young Dave Miller received his lifelong nickname of Biscuit from spending too much time in the kitchen. It wasn’t long before he discovered the bass guitar at a friend’s house, and at age 11, a love for music drove him from the kitchen to the stage.

THE CALENDAR
Bands, bed races, free entertainment. Downtown Clinton, Lincoln square, Clinton, 935-3872. July 4th Celebration.

THEATER | Fun farewell
Theatre in the Park at Kelso Hollow in Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site presents the comedic musical Bye, Bye Birdie..

THE CALENDAR
50s, 60s and 70s. Dances every last Friday of each month. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road. P.O.L.K. of A. Dance.

ART | In motion
The Illinois State Museum focuses on art and movement in a free family event, Art on the Move, Saturday, June 23. Motion-inspired activities and crafts are highlighted. Children can make blurred action photographs, and then create a oneof-a-kind frame with artist Rhiannon Gurley.

THE CALENDAR
Jaycee Park Area Neighborhood Cleanup & BBQ.

NATURE | Bug out
Friday evening, grab your night walking clothes, bug spray, flashlight and camera (if you are a night photographer) and head out to Adams Wildlife Sanctuary for an interesting program titled, Insects After Dark.

MUSIC | Brass ring
This is your third and second-to-the-last chance to hear the performances of the local handbell ensemble under the direction of retiring director Michael Lamb who founded and led the group for 15 years. June 24 at 4 p.m. at St.

PUBLICNOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN RE THE ESTATE OF: FELICE SCAVETTA, a/k/a FELICIA SCAVET- TA No. 2012-P-288 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of Felice Scavetta.