DSI is not just another nonprofit that puts on street festivals and holds fundraisers. It is the only entity working exclusively on initiatives to lift up the central business district.

It was sometime just after the new millennium, I think, that Illinois political leaders first started to resemble the first guy through the broken store window crying “Justice!” while looting a TV set.

I’ve noticed several CEOs, political pundits and so-called economic experts saying they’re confused as to why Americans are so down. Consumers should be out buying stuff, they say, for the economy is humming again.

THE ARTIST’S SIDE I am writing to state my point of view that was not included in your article by Bruce Rushton (“Mural interruptus,” Sept. 4). I cannot put into words my frustration in the piece and how little of the real story was included.

Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon, was endorsed by the IEA last month. The Illinois AFL-CIO assigns the Metro East legislator a rating of just 36 percent so far this session. The Illinois Federation of Teachers, which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, endorsed Kay’s Democratic opponent Cullen L.

Michael Higgins, owner of Maldaner’s Restaurant, 222 S. Sixth St. in downtown Springfi eld, received city approval this week to convert two parking spaces in front of his restaurant into a “parklette” – essentially a space for outdoor dining. Scheduled for construction Sept.

In 1998, Kendall was convicted of burglary and sent to prison for five years, a byproduct, his relatives say, of a problem with crack cocaine that he ultimately overcame. Besides drunken driving convictions, he has since had two misdemeanor convictions for damaging property and a misdemeanor conviction for resisting police.

For three years, Erika Holst has been squirming into tight spaces that probably haven’t seen daylight in more than 100 years. Holst is the curator of collections at the Springfield Art Association, and she believes she has solved a mystery at Edwards Place, the 1830s mansion that the art association calls home.

State regulators have released new regulations for a highly controversial oil and gas extraction technique. Environmental groups in the area that will be affected say the new protections aren’t enough, while energy companies say the new rules are too burdensome.

Former Ward 8 Ald. Irv Smith has sued his partner in the project, developer Dan Mulcahy, claiming that Mulcahy has inappropriately written checks and applied for a credit card in the name of the company the two formed earlier this year to renovate the former First United Methodist Church at the intersection of Fifth Street and Capitol Avenue.

Since its first group exhibit in November of 2011, the independent artist collective known as The Pharmacy has been a force to be reckoned with in the Springfield arts scene, providing affordable studio and gallery space for painters, sculptors and other artists as well as multiple well-attended exhibitions annually.

The story of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde needs little introduction: Dr. Jekyll, a scientist and honorable man, seeks a way to quarantine man’s violent nature, but his experiments instead unleash the savagery hidden in his own heart.

A traditional plot summary would be useless here. Nothing, yet everything happens to Mason (Ellar Coltrane), a young boy we meet when he’s 5 years old, lying on the ground, staring curiously at the sky.

And speaking of making this world a better place to be, let’s send out congratulations and appreciations to Debbie Yates. She does year number two of Gma’s Memories.

Of course, my childhood’s late summer/early fall biggest tradition was beginning school. But there were culinary traditions, too. The seasonal tomato flood reached its peak, and canning tomatoes either whole as the primary ingredient in Nana’s prize-winning chili sauce reached fever pitch.

Hailing from the hill country of Southern Illinois near Carbondale, they claim to be “one of the Midwest’s friendliest and most talented musical trios” and who would argue with that? The three-piece combo uses banjo, accordion and upright bass, plus...

Leaving Ashland - Party on the Lake Benefit.

German music, food, beers. Dress in Lederhosen or Dirndles to win Mr. or Mrs. Oktoberfest. Family friendly, kid’s games till 5. Traditional Oktoberfest games 5-7, Leaving Ashland 7-11. 217-414-9637. Chatham VFW, 501 W. Mulberry Street, Chatham, 217-483-4613..

The public is invited to a dedication of a new free library in Springfield on Sunday, Sept. 14. It is just north of McClernand Elementary School on Fifth Street at the home of Jacqueline D. Jackson, author and University of Illinois Springfield professor emerita of Creative Writing.

Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation’s Hump- Fest takes place Wednesday, Sept. 17. Activities will include live camel rides, kids’ carnival activities, a fashion show and live music by 2nd Chance Band. HumpFest 2014 is family friendly between the hours of 4:30-6:30 and will take place rain or shine.

Springfield Ballet Company presents a merging of ballet, modern jazz and other dance styles with classic rock from 1975-76 during Rockballet, Sept. 13-14, at Sangamon Auditorium UIS. Featuring live music by the eight-piece band Downstate, two productions showcase talent from the company and special guests.

Two days of fine art, bell music and fun for kids takes place at Art Spectacular at Washington Park, Sept. 13-14. Founded by Rees Carillon Society Trustee Barb Walker, Art Spectacular is a professionally juried fine art and craft show featuring collectorand museum-quality works.