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It’s time for an intervention
Congress is unable to do its job. It displays neither competence nor responsibility. It lurches – reeling from crisis to crisis, each one self-manufactured in an effort to postpone the reckoning from some earlier crisis. It shut the government down over a temporary budget.

Courting new fans
Is it entirely a coincidence that the Washington Park tennis courts, where the Springfield Park District offers lessons for young players, now are painted like a child’s bedroom? The courts were reopened in September after having been resurfaced, re-netted and painted blue and green, in the new approved U.

GOP unhinged by Obamacare: Laugh till it hurts
Welcome to your U.S. House of Representatives, presently led by a pack of tea party Republicans. They are so crazed by Obamacare that they repeatedly hammer themselves over the head with it, having voted 46 times (so far) to dismantle, defund, delay, deny and otherwise destroy this landmark health care bill – all to no avail.

LETTERS
The authors also meanly caricature the townspeople of Hillsboro. The Christians there are, to a man, ignorant, mean and bigoted. This is a libel on Dayton, Tenn., a town that H.L. Menken found to be full of charm and even beauty with no evidence of a poisonous spirit.

Rundown on Rauner
Bruce Rauner has closer ties to top Democrats in this state and nation than many Democrats do, is pro-choice and reluctant to say where he stands on gay marriage, so you wouldn’t think he’d have much chance at winning a Republican primary for governor.

WORKPLACE BULLIES
A former Sangamon County court assistant is pushing for action on workplace bullying in Springfi eld. Autumn Tibbs of Springfi eld says she was fi red from her job in 2012 for supporting a judge that her boss, Sangamon County Chief Judge Leslie Graves, didn’t like.

HARD TO REPLACE
A trio of heavyweights is leaving the State Journal-Register. Molly Beck, who had a knack for prying loose secrets from the Springfi eld school board, has been hired by the Wisconsin State Journal to cover education. It’s a step up for her.

Graffiti grows up
TVR stands for “Total Visual Renewal,” says Ryan Wilson, one of the founding members of the group. He goes by the nickname “Azone1” when painting graffiti. Talking from atop a 12-foot ladder with a can of spray paint in hand, Wilson tells of graffiti’s origins as youthful mischief and gang territory markings in cities across the globe.

Coal ash ruling could mean new restrictions
A federal judge has ordered the United States Environmental Protection Agency to pass regulations on disposal of coal ash, which could have far-reaching implications for Illinois’ rebounding coal industry and coal plant operators like Springfield City Water, Light and Power.

Non-billable hours
It is a bit of back to the future for Paprocki, an attorney himself who cofounded the Chicago Legal Clinic after passing the bar in 1981. He still volunteers as president of the nonprofit clinic in the Windy City that says it has helped more than 250,000 poor people who couldn’t afford to pay for legal help.

Pension wars
The appointment of budget director Bill McCarty came one day after Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin called on Houston to fill the seat held by former alderman Tom Selinger, whose term had expired. McMenamin also said that the pension board should be following state directions.

Project Censored
This year’s annual Project Censored list of the most underreported news stories includes the widening wealth gap, the trial of Pfc. Bradley Manning for leaking classified documents, and President Obama’s war on whistleblowers – all stories that actually received considerable news coverage.

Phillips, gripping tale of two captains
We all like to think that we would behave in heroic fashion when put in a stressful situation. Thankfully, very few of us will find ourselves in the sort of position Captain Richard Phillips did on the morning of April 8, 2009 when four Somali...

France meets Italy
But the comingling of France and Vietnamese cuisines is not the only instance where food traditions have entwined to produce wonderfully delectable dishes. Spain’s influence on Mexican food is perhaps most recognizable to Americans.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Kentucky Knife Fight
From a raucous beginning during an open mic night at the Stagger Inn Again in Edwardsville, Kentucky Knife Fight has grown through the years into a formidable, well-respected, award-winning group. Based in St.

PUB CRAWL
Dates, times and locations are subject to change, so we suggest calling before attending an event..

A true Fulks hero
What lies beneath the surface of a good sounding record that plays well is the incredible depth of a creative, artistic spirit. You should listen for yourself and do a career spanning look-see of Robbie Fulks.

THE CALENDAR
Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending events..

THEATER | Knights to remember
Springfield Theatre Center opens its new season with the hilarious Spamalot.

HOLIDAY | Look on the bright side
Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular will dazzle you with 2,013 glowing carved pumpkin faces lighting up Washington Park near the Carillon and Botanical Garden. Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 18-19, rain or shine, walk through the grounds and see the amazing display.

HOLIDAY | Walk this way
Join the walking dead as they stroll through Lincoln Park on Saturday night, Oct. 19, during Springfield Zombie Walk. Don your best undead attire and makeup because organizers have prizes for costumes. There’s also fun zombie games, such as a tomahawk throw, plus a roaring bonfire, game prizes and popcorn.

PRESENTATIONS | Inside info
The next edition proves to be as much fun as the last. A few of the 10 presenters and presentations include Dave Blanchette, “The 16th President’s Press Secretary;” Wes King, “Building Community One Garden at a Time;” Nabih Elhajj, “The Innovative Minds and Technology;” and Mike Jackson, “The Building Technology Heritage Library.