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Quell excessive partisanship
Yes, there are partisan divisions among voters. But most Americans want to see our challenges addressed pragmatically. They are not especially interested in ideologically driven legislative maneuvering, and have almost no patience for political leaders who zealously seek partisan advantage.

Editor’s note
This week’s edition carries updates on two old pork barrel projects that keep collecting coffin nails but never seem to get buried. On page 9 read about the federal government’s confusing attempt to revive the Taylorville Energy Center power plant, which can’t seem to decide whether it will use coal or natural gas.

Beware of the tomato tamperers
In fairness, much of their scientific tinkering has been beneficial. But during the past half-century, too much of their work devolved from tinkering into outright tampering with our food.

LETTERS
If the Mid-Illinois Medical District needs more parking spaces, let them build another parking garage. How many more historic houses and trees will they tear down? A new parking lot is going up between First and Second off of Calhoun.

Metro-East congressional race could spell trouble for Democrats
Plummer is significantly below 50 percent and 23 percent of voters are undecided, so he doesn’t have this one in the bag as of yet. Enyart was appointed to the ballot late last month, so he has barely had any time at all to make an impression on the 12th Congressional District’s voters.

Video gambling comes to Springfield
The nine aldermen seemed weary heading into debate on the video gambling proposal, following an hour-and-forty-minute hearing on a proposed tanning ban for minors that ended up being held in committee.

HERE: KITTIES, KITTIES
Walk into the reception area of the animal shelter on Taintor Road and there, atop a desk, lies Garfunkel, a tabby, snoozing next to a computer screen, sprawled half on top of the keyboard. Edmund, a black-and-white, is exploring office supplies and wastebaskets.

FASTER PHONES
AT&T customers in Springfield should have noticed an increase in the speed of their mobile data connections last week, as the company announced an upgrade to its capabilities in the capital city.

IEPA withdraws Tenaska Taylorville permit
IEPA previously issued a permit to Nebraska-based power company Tenaska allowing the company to operate its Taylorville Energy Center project as a natural gas plant. But a request from the U.S. EPA asking the state to include coal gasification and carbon sequestration privileges in the project prompted the state agency to withdraw the permit.

Water, water everywhere
The city of Springfield figures it needs 12 million gallons of water per day from a backup water source in case of severe drought. A gravel pit near Riverton already owned by the city would produce 3 million gallons, according to a city-funded study released last month.

Congress candidates clash on health care
As the Republican-controlled U.S. House continues its crusade to repeal the federal health care reforms passed in 2010, two candidates seeking to represent Springfield in the House take to the campaign trail with widey different views on the reform law.

‘Show me your papers’
Juan, a naturalized citizen from Mexico who asked that his real name not be published for fear of reprisals at work, said that some suspected they were being followed as they drove between their homes and restaurants that provided a bootstrap existence.

Springfield’s Ladies Aid supported Civil War soldiers
On July 4, 1837 – 175 years ago – the cornerstone for what we now call the Old State Capitol (OSC) was dedicated. In the decades that followed, the building was not only the center of governmental activities, it was a town center, where people gathered for social, civic and charitable activities.

The nation’s top pork is raised right here
Stan Schutte looks like a typical central Illinois farmer, with his buzz haircut and weather-beaten face. On hot days at Wednesday’s Old State Capitol Farmers Market, he’s probably wearing his battered straw hat. He sounds like an archetypal central Illinois farmer, too, with a bit of drawl and occasional grammar faux pas.

The Civil War’s effects on ordinary folks
First, there is Rafe, a slave planning to follow the stars to freedom, and Bess, the woman he leaves behind. Next is Levi, an Ohio farmer who, over the objections of his wife, Sarah, joins his friend, Will, a schoolteacher quietly in love with Elizabeth, to enlist in the Union Army.

Safety looks longingly at going back to the past
After a certain age, we all acquire a degree of skepticism as our first line of defense against being taken advantage of. Some end up questioning the validity of things more than others. While this may be to our advantage at times, it has its downside.

PUB CRAWL
Procession, Big Storm, Caterpillar Club, Kirk Donley.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Dream Team Ensemble
Dream Team Ensemble’s live music performance as described by Richard Gilman-Opalsky, UIS professor of political science and a creative music performer, is “an experimental tapestry of sound, a mostly-minimalist style in the post-John Cage tradition.

Saturday June 21
Find more details and gigs in our online calendar at www.illinoistimes.com.

Low end highs
Several excellent goings on are going on this week and here are few of them. First a moment of silence, then a big hoot and holler, for Raoul Brotherman’s birth date on July 18. It’s perfectly acceptable to celebrate now and later, as the Round Mound of Sound always participated with lengthy rejoicing by calling July his birth month.

THEATER | Capital humor
Tara McClellan McAndrew’s The Lighter Side of Springfield History.

THE CALENDAR
fiction and nonfiction meets fourth Wednesday of month in Carnegie Room South. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St. Friends Sweet Corn Book/Bake Sale.

THE CALENDAR
Sun, 3pm Sun, Local sub Carillonneur Jim Rogers plays free weekly concerts this summer. Washington Park Rees Memorial Carillon, Fayette Rd..

FESTIVAL | Pick of the crop
This year’s two-day fest with corn and a host of other morsels, entertainment and games and nightly music takes place July 20-21 in Chatham’s Community Park located on the south edge of town. The Illinois Central Blues Club hosts an Afternoon of Sweet Corn Blues on Saturday, July 21, from noon until 5 p.

THE CALENDAR
Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Dr. Vigil for Peace.

THEATER | Musical folktale
Enjoy outdoor theater as Once On This Island.