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Manufacturing mediocrity
Oh, the Council thought well enough of most the central Illinois’ colleges of education, specifically those at Eastern, U of I’s Champaign campus, Southern’s two campuses and Quincy University. The programs at UIS and ISU, however, would get kicked off the volleyball team if they were students.

Editor’s note
We believe in speaking softy while carrying that big stick called the First Amendment. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention our ongoing battle with the city of Springfi eld over a committee that meets in secret and effectively decides what health benefi ts taxpayers should provide to city workers.

The right not to have to carry
For those who pushed relentlessly for concealed carry in Illinois, the fact that George Zimmerman was legally able to shoot a teenager who was banging his head on the pavement will be hailed, not only as a just outcome, but as a proof that concealed guns work.

The mean team piles on jobless Americans
“Come on, team, let’s get mean!” This is not the chant of rabid football fans, egging on their favorite team to crush the opponents. Rather, it’s the raucous war cry of far-out right-wing ideologues all across the country who’re pumping up Team GOP to pound the bejeezus out of America’s millions of unemployed workers.

LETTERS
ABOUT THAT TAXING WORK I completely support the main theme of James Krohe’s “Taxing work” article (July 11) urging the state of Illinois to consider moving away from the current flat rate tax toward a graduated income tax.

Quinn nixes lawmakers’ pay until pension crisis fixed
“Earlier today,” 1,217 registered Illinois voters were told the evening of July 10, “Governor Pat Quinn used his veto powers to suspend the salaries of state senators and representatives until they come up with what he thinks is an acceptable solution for the state’s pension crisis.

POOF! A PLAYGROUND!
www.sojournshelter.org.

State financial crisis? What crisis?
The projected revenue stream to repay the debt was more than 20 times the principal, and Wall Street went bananas. When the dust settled, Wells Fargo ended up buying the bonds and reselling them to investors who are getting an average interest rate of slightly less than 3.

FREE THE SJ-R
You gotta love those wacky folks at GateHouse Media, parent company of the State Journal-Register, where a dwindling number of journalists formed a union last fall. Now comes the hard part: negotiating a contract. The company, apparently, has diffi culty grasping the defi nition of “newsroom,” judging by stances reported by the United Media Guild.

Park district needs new director
Board members say they don’t want a repeat of the Stratton reign, which ended after the former executive director resigned under pressure when the board discovered that he had paid himself and other top officials more than $160,000 for accrued vacation without the board’s knowledge.

Building bigger, better hospitals
That silly joke popped up shortly after the towering construction crane began hoisting materials around the hospital in June 2012.

Smart, stylish, spectacular Rim sets high standard for summer fare
The war is now in its 12th year when the main action of the film occurs. The Jaegers are being put out to pasture as a supposedly more efficient plan to attack the Kaiju is being adapted by the world’s superpowers.

Living the Dream
Reggie Guyton, a performing arts major from Blackburn College in Carlinville, plays Jimmy “Thunder” Early. It’s his second Muni show, which makes Guyton a veteran compared to many of his counterparts who have never performed in Springfield or had leading roles of their own.

A tale of two parties
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was the summer of 1974. The Watergate hearings were in full swing. When I wasn’t working, studying or rehearsing, I was glued to the TV, watching the sad, sordid saga unfold.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Honey and the 45s
Calling Chicago home, this five-piece combo combines bits of rock, blues, funk, Americana and soul with voracious vocals, lyrical lyrics and groovy grooves to create a “sometimes playful, sometimes somber, but always rockin’ sound like nothing you’ve heard before.

PUB CRAWL
Withershins, Kickstart, Dibiase, Werepire Day, boon.

Dreaming in Colour dreams come true
Over 20 years ago Kevin Ellis and Chris Noonan dreamed of a jazz band that would sound awesome technically and reach the hearts of listeners. When the two musicians joined forces, they began a dream journey down the long and winding road that recently took an eventful turn.

ART | Pavement Picassos
Presenting a new celebration of the arts – Springfield Art Association’s Paint the Street Fest sponsored by Zara’s Collision Center and Horace Mann. On Saturday, July 20, groups, businesses and individuals will literally paint logos and pictures on 200 squares of Washington Street, between Fourth and Seventh in downtown.

THE CALENDAR
PondicherryLodge/Sherlock Holmes Society.

FESTIVAL | Sweet and corny
Scrumptious grilled or boiled ears of goodness await you at Chatham Sweet Corn Festival July 18-20 at Chatham Community Park. Chatham Jaycees are preparing all that yummy fun you’ve come to know.

PETS | Cool cats and dogs
Here’s a fun gift for the family and a cool way to help our pet friends. Venture out to the Animal Protective League (APL) Christmas in July Carnival Saturday, July 20, at its shelter. Activities for all ages will be featured including carnival games, scavenger hunt, present-wrapping contest, dog-kissing booth and photos with Santa (until 3 p.