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Promised lands
During four Junes since 1994 I’ve moved to and from Illinois and the West Coast. On that first trip, orange and yellow U-Haul and Penske rental trucks settled on the big roads by the hundreds, like migrating ducks lighting on an interstate drainage pond.

Improving federal freedom of information
The FOIA Improvement Act of 2014 will make it easier for everyday Americans to use the law to request and receive documents, such as the Veterans Affairs records, in three key ways.

The militarization of ‘Officer Friendly’
Only, this is not the U.S. military getting ready to head into battle in a foreign land. It’s our local police departments patrolling our cities, towns and college campuses.

LETTERS
GREENS OVER GOLD Illinois Times reported that the Springfield Park District has met with a golf management firm about potentially privatizing the management of its four public golf courses (Cap City, “Fore!” June 26). This is one golf situation that calls for slow play.

They can do what they like; we just don’t like it
It occurred to me when I was in Chicago the other day that the media furor about billionaire mogul Donald Trump’s insistence that he be allowed to hang 20-foot-high letters spelling out his name on his new skyscraper is pretty much the same sort of mindset behind Gov.

Houston looks back and forward
He boasted of accomplishments that include reducing city employment by 97 workers, slashing 76 employees at City Water, Light and Power and another 21 from the public works department, since taking office in 2011. The savings total $10 million a year, he said.

Foundation to play role in governance controversy
Square in the mix is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, the institution’s nonprofit fundraising arm. From finances to exhibits to questions about governance, the foundation is a big-money player that boasts a payroll exceeding $900,000 and has on its board such VIPs as Julie Cellini, former Gov.

Summer movie preview 2014
One look at the weekly box office totals for the first half of 2014 confirms that business is good in the American film industry. Too bad the massive haul the Hollywood studios rake in doesn’t necessarily mean there are quality films to be seen.

Triple our money by shopping local
Start talking about taxes. It never fails. Next to hopping on a table at Obed & Isaacs or Floyd’s Thirst Parlor at happy hour and loudly declaring the superiority of the Cubs over the Cardinals (or vice versa), if you want to quickly gather a...

2014 Local Springfield Members
3orchards III Tomassos A B Lauer Jewelers A+ DUI Services, LLC AAA Automotive Service Abe’s Old Hat Antiques Abe’s Takeout, LLC Ace Bike Shop Ace Hardware Ace Sign Co. Affordable Local Apps Affordable Shred AGT Business Solutions Alice Campbell Staffi ng All-American T-shirt Co.

Earth an echo of other better films
When does a film, obviously inspired by another, segue from being a homage to a blatant rip-off? If a story has a similar plot but some narrative changes, is it considered a variation on a theme or is it really the work of someone with little imagination? I think it’s going to rain.

Easy peasy pie for the Fourth of July
But I knew that many folks think it’s intimidating. That was brought home to me at one of the classes. Two regulars were friends who always came together. But for Demystifying Pie, only one had signed up. “Is – OK, or is she just out of town?” I asked. “No, she’s fine,” said her friend.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Albert Castiglia
When your break in the blues world comes from being discovered by an iconic character such as the great harmonica man Junior Wells (with Buddy Guy for years), things are just going your way.

PUB CRAWL
Jim McCarty of the Yardbirds, Illinois Nationals, The Good Companion.

In-between Independence Days
As Mr. Howie Baird, our delightfully cantankerous civics and history teacher at Pleasant Plains High liked to remind his students, the resolution declaring independence from the crown of England actually passed the Continental Congress, after a good deal of debate, on July 2.

THE CALENDAR
Jul 12, 12-9pm. Car show, kids Jr. Olympic games and pedal tractor pull, country band, large prize drawings. Latham Firehouse, 271 N. Macon St, Latham. Menard County Fair.

HOLIDAY | Downtown delight
Capital City Celebration, July 3-5 in downtown Springfield, offers food, drink, free music, activities and fireworks! Capitol Ave. between Fourth and Fifth streets will have a stage with Lick Creek performing at 8 p.m. on July 3, with food and drinks available at 7 p.

HISTORY | Old-fashioned fun
Based on a well attended 1842 Fourth of July gathering hosted by the Broadwell family, Clayville Historic Site is re-creating the historic event and inviting you. The daylong soirée features old-fashioned fun with music, horseshoes, softball and bocce ball.

FOOD | Fresh food
Those living on the east side of Springfield will be privy to fresh produce that will be available each Monday through Sept. 29 in the parking lot of the Sangamon County Department of Public Heath, 2833 South Grand Ave. East. The East Side Farmers Market opens at 8:30 a.