Page 1

Pope Francis speaks up for the planet
What a wonder! At a time when so many of the leaders and people of our world are sleepwalking through the most exciting, promising and treacherous time in the history of our world, there arrives a shaft of bright sunlight through the clouds. It is the pope’s encyclical, his proclamation on global warming.

Cowboy Joe
These days, a man who stands at the edge of Springfield and gazes at the wide open spaces to the west and imagines herds grazing contentedly is a shopping center developer. A century and a half ago, he was a cattle man looking for grass.

‘The Donald Show’
He announced his candidacy from – where else? – Trump Tower, the luxury skyscraper on tony Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The celebrity billionaire, who has splashed the Trump brand on casinos, hotels, resorts, condos, neckties and even steaks, now wants to put it on the Republican Party.

Message from Madigan to Mayor Emanuel
House Speaker Michael Madigan likes to send “messages.” He doesn’t often explain what those messages are, but last week’s surprising defeat of a bill to give the Chicago Public Schools a 40-day extension on its $634 million pension payment due June 30th was most surely a message to somebody.

LETTERS
PARK POLICE REPLY Please allow me to set the record straight regarding your park district police article [see “Law enFARCEment,” June 11, at illinoistimes.com]. In this article, information provided by former Captain Jonathan Davis was not factual. It was misleading and, most importantly, appeared to be intentionally damaging to my reputation.

ALPLM hire has connections
It was, according to a 2014 report, a critical position for an unaccredited, cash-strapped, short-staffed institution that was caught in a power struggle between the executive director, who had no experience running museums before she was hired in...

MORE FUN FOR FAMILIES
A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign department of family studies has found sibling harmony can be taught. Another benefi t was discovered: parents’ stress levels decreased. “Many parents, especially mothers, use how their kids are getting along as a barometer for how well they’re doing as a parent.

BIG TIME BASEBALL
One of the most underappreciated activities in this city is watching the Springfi eld Sliders play at Robin Roberts Field with a beer, a few good friends and the sun setting at your back. Whether or not the Sliders win is beside the point. It’s about the experience.

Pain on the way
In his proposed 2016 budget, Rauner is seeking to save $600 million by slicing in half the share of income taxes the state distributes annually to local governments.

Unique ways to shop locally
Shopping locally is a great way to benefit your community and, in many instances, your bottom line. When consumers shop locally, they help stimulate their local economies, creating jobs for their neighbors by helping local businesses grow and thrive.

Popular items that can be purchased locally
If you desire fresher fruits and vegetables, then shopping locally is the way to go. According to Local Harvest, most produce in the United States is picked four to seven days before it reaches the supermarket shelves, and it might have traveled thousands of miles before landing on those shelves.

Fourth of July fried chicken
The delectable smell of frying chicken got me out of bed early every Fourth of July. Well, that and the M-80 firecracker (made to simulate artillery fire) my mild-mannered grandmother threw outside first thing in the morning. The Fourth was a big deal.

CuisineScene
SWEETS & TREATS Baskin Robbins Ice Cream.

Earl a showcase for young performers
Greg (Thomas Mann) is a high school senior who’s managed to skate through life without making any true friends, only acquaintances. Actually, that’s not true; while he refers to Earl (RJ Cyler) as his “co-worker,” this quietly intense young man is the best friend Greg has, though he’s loathe to admit it.

Independence Day in music
Thursday kicks off with a hard-rocking show at Boondocks. Usually known as Springfield’s home for modern country music, this event brings together two alternativemetal bands. Red Letter Merchant, based out of Springfield with members from the central Illinois area, links a raw, rock sound with pop instincts to an intense, live show.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | 10 Years
Formed in Knoxville, Tenn., some ten years ago, 10 Years is a hard-working, hard-rocking, hard-playing band out to conquer the world on their own terms. Hitting the road to promote Birth and Burial,.

PUB CRAWL
James Armstrong Presents: Dave Lumsden and Friends, Open Jam.

THE CALENDAR
Church, 2700 Lindbergh Blvd. It’s Not Your Same Old Patriotic Music!.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | A sweet celebration
On July 4, gather with friends, family and neighbors of all ages at the home of one of Springfield’s founding families for a strawberry party.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | Fireworks, food, festivities on the Fourth
The Springfield Jaycees are proud to host their annual Capital City Celebration in beautiful downtown Springfield. Friday’s festivities start at 7 p.m., and feature craft vendors, beer, Pepsi products, plus food for purchase and live music by F5 from 8 p.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | Patriotic pets and family fun
Jacksonville’s Nichols Park is the setting for a full day of all-American family fun this Fourth of July. Activities include an all-day flea market, kids’ fishing tournament, Premier Bank charity walks and fun runs, concessions, cake and pie contests, cardboard boat races, bingo, swimming, live entertainment and more.