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Diverse faith groups talk about race
It has long been said that 10 a.m. Sunday morning, when many worship services begin, is the most segregated hour of the week.

Squabbling over the inheritance
That nice Mr. Madigan, I’m sure, just wants to help. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency have not been getting along. Friends of both have offered their advice, but this is a marriage that just isn’t working, and House Speaker Madigan has introduced a bill that would effect a divorce.

Wall street rewards Ben and Tim for stiffing you
Not only has the Wall Street bailout restored the banksters who wrecked (and are still wrecking) our economy to full prosperity but it’s also paying off very handsomely for the bank overseers who orchestrated the bailout. Perhaps you’ve been wondering: How are good ol’ Ben and Little Timmy doing these days?.

LETTERS
GAS FROM THE PAST What a difference in gasoline prices from when I started helping my dad at age 14 at the gasoline station he ran. Gasoline was 25.9 cents a gallon except during frequent gasoline “wars” when the price went down to 19.9 cents a gallon.

Legislative session rundown
Never before has a political party nominated a gubernatorial candidate who’s had more impact on a legislative session than Rauner did this year. The gazillionaire’s unlimited supply of money and his constant threats to “Shake up Springfield” clearly put legislators of both parties on edge all spring – going back to even before he won the primary.

Monster truck
They say that you should never buy a car online. Then again, there is Uncle Sam’s Used Car Sales, aka the U.S. Department of Defense, where the Sangamon County sheriff’s office recently acquired something called a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP for short.

Mine your own business
More than two years after announcing plans to go public, Foresight Energy, the firm in question, on Monday announced that it will sell 17.5 million shares at a per-share price of between $19 and $21, giving investors a chance to own a piece of the state’s largest coal mining company.

Cops in court
Sharon Waldron was fired after a surveillance camera captured her removing potted plants from a Sherman park near her home. She was on duty at the time she loaded plants into her patrol vehicle, first on May 4, 2012, and again three days later.

THE FUTURE OF POWER
Summer heat will last longer and bring hotter average temperatures. Wildfire season will start earlier and end later, while prolonged drought in some areas will further raise the risk of fires. Other areas will see an increase in rain, bringing with it the risk of increased flooding.

Travel to simpler times
The horse’s hooves clip-clop along the pavement, pulling the black buggy in the early morning mist. The aroma of cinnamon rolls and berry pie wafts from the bakery, tempting all who pass by. Hand-sewn quilts wave gently in the breeze as the vendor sets up shop.

Dragon 2 soars above other summer fare
Five years has passed since the end of the last film and much has changed in the kingdom of Berk. Instead of fearing and hunting dragons, the citizens there have embraced them as allies and pets, thanks in large part to the work of Hiccup (voice by Jay Baruchel) who’s swayed their opinions with his own fire-breather Toothless.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Big Guy and the Mob
What could be more fitting for a Father’s Day weekend show than a band formed by a father and stepson? Mark Bott (lead vocals) and Danny “the Kid” Schroeder (lead guitar), seasoned musicians a generation apart, initially created Big Guy and the Mob to connect with other players and perform at benefits.

PUB CRAWL
Acoustic Showcase w/ Tenika Beard, Andy Krisak, Dustin Strother, CJ Stucki.

Dad’s big weekend
We have so much going on this week I don’t even have time or space to… The SOHO washout last Saturday sure disappointed hundreds of folks, including musicians, fans, charities and organizers.

THEATER | Favorite things
Springfield Municipal Opera will open its 2014 season with the musical The Sound of Music.

THE CALENDAR
SPOKEN WORD Springfield Poets and Writers Open Mic.

FILM | Survivor stories
The documentary Bravo! Common Men, Uncommon Valor.

ART | All scream for bison
Springfield Art Association will host a free family gathering, celebrating their mascot -- a buffalo sculpture, created by John Kearny and purchased by the SAA in 1976. Kids’ activities, square dancers, crafts and free ice cream will be provided on the SAA lawn.