Summerguide signals the beginning of a world of possibilities. Spend any time with this week’s 68-page IT and you’ll know there’s a lot going on out there, waiting for you to join it. Summers always go too fast, so plan now or you won’t get to half of the events and excursions you’d like to experience before the kids go back to school.

Distressed by Illinois gambling, former U.S. Senator Paul Simon sponsored the Congressional bipartisan 1999 U.S. National Gambling Impact Study Commission. As a follow-up to the commission, the multi-volume 2008-2013 U.S. International Gaming® Report has catalogued billions of Illinois dollars legally given away to Big Gambling’s political insiders.

At least, those were the headlines recently trumpeted across the country. “Jobs Spring Back,” exclaimed a typical headline or report that companies added a better than expected 165,000 private-sector jobs in April.

WOUNDED WARRIOR MEMORIAL I am on a quest to contact one editor in each capital city from all 50 states by Memorial Day to share my brother’s last request. For so many people, this is just another holiday – a day off work. For me, it has become a painful reminder of the high cost of war at a price I was not prepared to pay.

A former county prosecutor, Leader Cross has long considered a bid for the office. But as recently as a few weeks ago, Cross’ people were denying that he would do it. Now, however, they are saying it’s a possibility. The calls from top Republicans and some major GOP fundraisers have apparently helped focus his mind.

Having successfully pushed for a ban on tanning for teens under age 18 within Springfi eld, Ward 5 Alderman Sam Cahnman continued his push into the Illinois Statehouse. On Monday, the Illinois Senate voted 34-12 to pass Cahnman’s legislation, House Bill 188.

What do you do with that old computer that can’t handle the newest games or that old scanner you’ve used a total of four times in the past decade? In past years, most people probably would have simply chucked them into the trash can. But in 2012, most electronics were banned from landfi lls in Illinois.

“Those people are crazy,” Homeier said. The dispute started in 2005, when Bi- Petro bundled the wells on the Cooks’ land together with other wells in the same area into one production unit. Known as “pooling” or “communitization,” the practice generally results in all landowners within the unit sharing a portion of the oil proceeds.

The Illinois Department of Public Health would be responsible for developing and maintaining a registry of users and caregivers, distributing educational materials about the risk associated with abuse of marijuana and other drugs, and developing rules for the consumption of marijuana food products.

A quick glance at the crowd that gathered downtown last Saturday on Capitol Avenue between Fourth and Sixth streets confirmed that there is no such thing as gay culture. There were people of all races enjoying all kinds of music and entertainment, from belly dancing to bands playing mainstream pop to karaoke.

Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-1723. downtownspringfi eld.org..

Fresh cheese, bread, meat, spices, herbs and locally grown produce can all be part of your summer menu thanks to this year’s Old Capitol Farmers Market. Presented by St. John’s Hospital and Downtown Springfield, Inc., the market opened for the season May 15.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, making this year’s Juneteenth festivities extra special. The 20th annual celebration will take place beginning June 15 and continue on June 16 at Comer Cox Park at Capitol Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr.

Consider just some of the items on the mouthwatering menu: jerk pork taco, antipasto plate, meatloaf cupcakes, blackened salmon slider, cannoli, turkey cranberry cream cheese pretzel slider, fried oyster po’ boys, gyros, fruit fizzy, apple pecan chicken salad sandwiches, New England crab roll and grilled marlin burger.

The entertainment stage features an awesome lineup of headliners, including Vertical Horizon (double Platinum early 2000s rock band), Blind Melon (quadruple Platinum 1990s alternative rock band), Naughty by Nature (Grammyaward-winning Platinum...

The 10-day fair begins Aug. 8 and runs through Aug. 18. Fairgrounds will be open 7 a.m. to midnight and buildings are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Preview night is Aug. 8; it’s free and you will learn everything the fair has to offer. Adults, ages 13 to 59, pay $7; children 5 to age 12 pay $3; and children age 5 and under are free.

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, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24. Located at Fifth and Washington streets in downtown Springfield, this will be a yummy and entertaining end-of-summer party.

The town of Lincoln puts on a grand threeday festival each summer. Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival kicks off Friday, Aug. 23, with a lights-and-siren parade at 3:30 p.m., snaking from downtown to the Logan County airport.

In a town that often has a reputation of crime, poverty and, yes, sometimes the smell, Decatur aims to break down that image and remind itself and central Illinois of its eclectic culture, rich history and lively arts scene. And it looks beautiful doing it.

The largest city on the Illinois River, Peoria, about the same size population-wise as Springfield, was the first European settlement in the Land of Lincoln, and its rich historical and cultural history mix well with modern times.

Sunshine, flowers and, of course, furry creatures make kids and adults alike light up. This year winter’s grip was a tight one, increasing our longing to shed the coats and head outside. In early April, I hopped on the Amtrak to Chicago, to check out the Lincoln Park Zoo.

The gallons of sweat, aching muscles and months of training have led to this: race day. You’re at the starting line with dozens, hundreds or even thousands of other people, your mind amped up and your body full of energy like an outstretched spring ready to snap into action.

No matter what your taste in theater might be, whether it’s light musical comedy, modern musical bombast, prize-winning drama, kidfriendly shows or Pythonesque parody, at least one of the regional theaters has you covered. Here is a rundown of some of the shows on offer this summer.

Mystery writers often set their stories in their hometowns. For Michael Connelly it is Los Angeles, for Sara Paretsky, Chicago. The late Stuart Kaminsky, who taught at Northwestern University, often set his mysteries in Chicago and its northern suburbs.

Serving grilled protein as a salad component has become commonplace lately. More often than not, though, it’s an afterthought or at best an add-on as in: “Caesar Salad…..Add a grilled chicken breast for $1 extra.” But in Southeast Asia – especially Vietnam and Laos – they’ve been combining grilled and salad ingredients for hundreds of years.

Living the good life in Spain, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his partner Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) have retired from a life of crime, having scored big time with a heist in Rio de Janeiro.

Yes, friends and neighbors, the official beginning of the summer season is upon us as we celebrate Memorial Day with a weekend of fun and excitement. Please remember to remember your lost loved ones as Grandma used to do on “Decoration Day,” the old school holiday name for the last Sunday in May.

Take an Irishman, drop him in Milwaukee and let him go wild in a Celtic-influenced rock band, and that’s Whiskey of the Damned.

Old Black & Blue Eyes w/ Josh Catalano & the Dirty Thoughts.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS Alamo Open Mic Night.

Springfield Art Association opens a new exhibit featuring the interesting and intricate work of Jean Poklop. An opening reception is Saturday, May 25.

Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association has a full weekend of racing planned for Memorial Day weekend. On Friday, May 24, American Motorcycle Association amateur TT will start at 5 p.m. A pro class was added to the event and grandstand tickets are only $10.

Sustainable Springfield, Inc. invites the public to its free program at Lincoln Library titled “The Making of a Bike Friendly town.” Ed Barsotti, executive director of the League of Illinois Bicyclists (LIB) will discuss the national trend of communities recognizing and using cycling as an alternative method of transportation.

World Affairs Council of Central Illinois is holding its next program Wed., May 29, with special guest Dr. Daniel Twining. Dr. Twining serves as a consultant to the U.S.