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Getting a lot right
Me and parking lots, we go back a long way. I’ve written at least seven columns over the years damning as unwise the undevelopment of downtown Springfield to make spaces for cars. The first one, “Bombed-out Springfield,” appeared in our paper in November of 1976, back when Illinois Times.

Cuba, the country that time left alone
Cuba is an intriguing country, having a hate-love relationship with the USA. After the revolution in 1959, Cuba nationalized the land holdings of large multinational corporations. Until 1990, it was an ally of Russia. Our country imposed an embargo upon trading with Cuba.

CEOs favor wage increases for workers
What is scaring the pants off these powerful peers of the corporate plutocracy? Inequality. Yes, amazingly, these actual occupiers of Wall Street say they share Occupy Wall Street’s critical analysis of America’s widening chasm between the rich and the rest of us.

LETTERS
First, you had news that Linda Saterfield, the longestserving administrator of a state child care program in the nation and a 37-year public servant, was retiring, a few days after she was “reassigned,” a few days after she committed the crime of...

A grim outlook
As you probably know, the General Assembly and the governor have not yet agreed on a full state budget. But because of various federal judicial orders, a signed education funding bill and several ongoing statutory “continuing appropriations” (debt service, pension payments, legislative salaries, etc.

Early prisoner release saved Illinois $11 million since 2013
During the state’s 2015 fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2,303 inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes received credit for a total of 314,634 days off of their prison sentences through the Supplemental Sentence Credit program. An IDOC spokeswoman says that amounts to more than $5 million in savings versus continuing to house the inmates.

HOME AT LAST
It’s been a long road for the Access 4 Christian Producers, but they’ve fi nally reached home. As the name suggests, A4CP is a group of Christian producers who make television shows on Springfi eld’s public access channel.

Win for the defense
In reversing the 2012 conviction of Mark Willett, the Fourth District Appellate Court found that Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Pete Cavanagh allowed prosecutors to use an incorrect definition of the word “knowingly” when presenting the case to jurors.

Balancing school books
“Oh.” Holton’s class is one of several Advanced Placement (AP) classes offered in District 186 high schools. The classes, which offer students a chance to earn college credit in calculus, physics, biology, government, history and other topics while still in high school, are optional for both students and the district itself.

Wide Spectrum
In this show is a six-foot-tall cabinet carved out of wooden cigar boxes during the winter of 1910-1911 by itinerant Charles Bosquet, who created this piece in exchange for lodging that winter. Bosquet was moving through Will County and had stopped at Julian Sprimont’s farmhouse to request room and board.

Midweek meals
“I know you’re not an elitist,” my husband, Peter, said. “But do you ever worry that you come across that way to readers?” Peter’s question arose from a conversation he’d had with one of his dental patients. This working mother of young children said she read my columns every week and enjoyed them.

America delusional in its intent
Eventually, we all come to realize that people aren’t always as they seem; it just takes some longer than others to learn this lesson. Take Tracy (Lola Kirke), for example. She’s just come to New York City to attend Barnard College and she doesn’t know a soul.

CuisineScene
Nathan’s all beef hot dogs and the fi nest chili. Come experience Route 66’s oldest chili parlor since 1909. L & D. The Chili Parlor.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Alter Ego
Band members Dave Boedecker (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Keith Dunlap (guitars, lead cowbell, vocals), Tony Grissom (drums, vocals) and Tony (A.J.

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

Music labors
As we roll into the end-of-summertime weekend anchored by Labor Day on Monday, this seems like a good spot to reflect on an eventful summer of great music and incredible events. Sorry, though, we just don’t have time to look back, as the upcoming and incoming takes over from the done-did doings.

NATURE | Stumped by leaves?
Has a leaf-collection project stumped your family this season? If so, don’t miss out on the two Leaf Identification Hikes hosted by Lincoln Memorial Gardens the first two Sundays in September from 1:30-3p.m.

THE CALENDAR
festival features live music, speakers and more. Free. Douglas Park, 400 N. Macarthur Blvd. South Jacksonville Celebration.

FESTIVALS | Three evenings of culture, learning
Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt once referred to the Chautauqua, the adult education movement made popular in the 19 th and 20 th centuries, as, “The most American thing in America.” Chautauqua festivals included musical shows, storytellers, communal suppers and evenings with reenactors representing famous Americans.

LECTURES | Reflecting on racial climate
The Fall 2015 ECCE Speaker Series begins Tuesday at 6 p.m. with a panel discussion examining the historical, social and political lineage nurturing the racial climate that resulted in the June 17 Charleston shooting and the rise of racially charged aggression on college campuses and in the workplace.