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“We speak to you, not about you”
I established my Springfield salon, Gulden’s Nail Spa, in 2012. I was born and raised in Adana, Turkey, and moved to the United States at the age of 21. It has always been my dream to own my own business so, I earned a bachelor’s degree in business at Robert Morris University.

Agency problems
As I write this the weather is, as my grandmother used to say, sultry. Central Illinois is not on the Gulf coast, but Gulf air is in central Illinois much of the year. The damp heat typical of summer hereabouts is another of the South’s curses on Illinois.

Partisan use of preemption is surging
The elites are master thieves, often plucking pieces of our power without us realizing it, until we try to use it and – phhttt – it’s gone. And yet another democracy-stealing tool has recently been fabricated and quietly distributed to profiteering corporations and right-wing ideologues throughout the country: PREEMPTION.

LETTERS
RACE DISCRIMINATION Publications aimed at senior citizens are constantly reminding us about the importance of getting in and staying in shape through programs of regular exercise. And there is no better way to stay fit than to always be looking forward to one’s next competition.

Inside the Rauner staff shakeup
In the end, Mike “Z” Zolnierowicz had only one choice. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s top political lieutenant, the man everyone calls “Z” who was most responsible for winning the 2014 Republican primary and the governor’s former state chief of staff, simply had to resign late in the afternoon on Friday, July 14.

Going fishing on Governor
That, he thought, would be the end of his battle with the city, which had cited him in November for building a tilapia tank alongside the sidewalk in front of his home on Governor Street, plus a greenhouse overhead to grow plants that would be fertilized with fish poo (“A fish tale,” Dec.

SHA EMPLOYEES PROTEST
A group of Springfi eld Housing Authority employees demonstrated outside an SHA board meeting July 24. The protest was intended to urge the board to reach a decision in union contract negotiations.

LIBRARY BARRIERS FALL
Beginning July 1 Lincoln Library has eliminated overdue fi nes on juvenile and young adult materials. This decision was made to encourage young readers and learners to use the library more. “We are working hard to remove and eliminate barriers around library use,” said Lincoln Library Access Services Manager Jessica Paulsen in a recent press release.

Sobering statistics
It all adds up to a dismal financial picture for the city of Springfield, which is seeing tax revenue decline, with no end or solution in sight. During the first quarter of the city’s fiscal year that ended in May, the city took in between $300,000 and $400,000 less than the year before, according to city budget director William McCarty.

Closing the summer gap
“If you don’t want to come to Camp Compass, that’s too bad for you because we have a lot of fun here,” said Donovan, a fifth-grader attending the free six-week summer program serving low-income students from kindergarten to fifth grade Monday...

Beyond hot dogs and s’mores
To be clear, I love a good dog as much as the next guy, especially if it’s been locally produced. My favorites are the uncured beef wieners from Stan Shutte at Triple S Farms, and the oldfashioned hot dogs from Dutch Valley Meats in Arthur.

Dazzling Valerian overstays its welcome
It’s really no surprise these two features have so much in common – the search for an all-powerful McGuffin, a bickering pair in hot pursuit, a vision of the future on steroids. Besson has cited Jean-Claude Mezieres’ comic as an influence throughout his career.

What’s up with Downhome
This weekend’s big event is the Downhome Music, Beer and Art Festival, held downtown on Seventh between Washington and Adams. The stated reason of the happening is to support local, original bands by using the gate receipts to pay the musicians, not local charities, like some other festivals do.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Joshua Reilly
A Springfield-area native and now Clearwater, Florida, resident, this talented and engaging guitarist, singer and songwriter in the Americana vein released his first full-length album on July 5.

PUB CRAWL
Casey Cantrall’s Live Jukebox Jam.

THE CALENDAR
Powerlight Super Cruise and Movie Night.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Two days, three stages, 22 bands
Local music lovers rejoice, for Springfield’s yearly showcase of original music, art and craft beer has returned.

LECTURES & MEETINGS | A clergyman remembers the Lincolns
Enjoy dinner and a show on Friday, July 28, when the Elkhart Historical Society hosts a dinner lecture by Rev. Dr. Malcom Shotwell titled “Our neighbors, the Lincolns: A clergyman remembers.” During the presentation, which is set in 1874, Shotwell will portray Rev.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Talented quilters
On July 28-29, Jacksonville High School will be the site of the annual celebration for central Illinois quilters, the River Country Quilt Show. The show is a popular destination for local quilt enthusiasts and will feature more than 250 displays of quilted items such as modern quilts, antique quilts and bed tuning.