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In the boring summer time
It’s summer, when spouses (usually women, but not always) show up in ERs seemingly catatonic because their mates have begun talking, again, about the Cub curse or the Cardinal way. Baseball itself is not inherently boring, even if it is mystifying to the nonfan.

Fear and loathing in health care
For example, the various iterations of the widely unpopular Republican American HealthCare Act (AHCA) were based on a GOP policy document released June 22, 2016. http:// abetterway.speaker.gov/_assets/pdf/ ABetterWay-HealthCare-PolicyPaper. pdf You can read online about the hazards of cutting back Medicaid.

A Deere in the spotlight
When I was a boy, I loved spending time with my Uncle Ernest and Aunt Eula on their small northeast Texas farm. They pulled a frugal living from their 50 acres, raising a little bit of everything.

LETTERS
MADIGAN’S TO BLAME I believe it is rather clear that there will not be any meaningful reforms passed by the House as long as Michael Madigan is speaker. He made sure the budget got to such a crisis state that even some Republicans felt compelled to vote for the budget, even though Speaker Madigan reneged on passing any reform measures.

SB1 work was just tossed out the window
The far-right group is on record opposing the whole idea of the “evidence-based” school funding formula contained in the Democrats’ SB1 and endorsed by the governor’s funding reform commission and by Republicans in both legislative chambers.

Six-plus years for UIS rapist
His son, a recent Glenwood High School graduate and musician, didn’t want him present during a piano recital, Yang told Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Leslie Graves. He talked about driving his 12-year-old daughter, a figure skater, to the ice rink each morning at 4 a.

GRAND CORNDOG MARSHALS
behind longtime fair vendors Vose’s Corndogs, Cullers Fries and Coleman’s Concessions would serve as Grand Marshals for this year’s Twilight Parade, to be held on Aug. 10 at 5:30 p.m. “The Illinois State Fair is what it is today because of the dedication of our loyal fair vendors,” said Gordon in a press release.

CAN’T ANYONE HERE DO MATH?
bill he claims is a bailout for Chicago schools, the man who vowed to shake up Springfi eld still isn’t showing us the numbers.

Impasse impact
The Chicago Foundation for Women recently released a report entitled “Damage done: the impact of the Illinois budget stalemate on women and children.” The report states that “lasting damage to the social service infrastructure will make serving people, especially women and children, much harder in the years to come.

Cleaning up
The vehicle looks more a cross between a Civil War ironclad and Star Wars fighter than a car. It is, in the world of racing, a stock car, at least technically, but looks nothing like a Ford or Chevy save for its size, which is that of a full-fledged sedan.

State fair beginnings
Barkers called out their wares and vaudeville actors entertained spectators while carriages pulled by horses rolled down the street. Then when it was dark enough, balloons attached to small lights were released into the sky. This was the nightly scene along Adams Street and the grounds of the Old State Capitol during the early years of the state fair.

Out of ideas for summer produce?
Way back in February I got the gardening bug, so I started several different varieties of tomatoes in plastic lettuce containers that I’d been hoarding for that purpose. In a warm east-facing window, seedlings with names like Black Krim, Brandywine, Sun Gold, San Marzano and Green Zebra popped up and lined the windowsill.

Modest approach topples Tower
We’re informed early on that there is a tower at the center of the universe that holds everything together. It is a prophesized that a child will have the power to bring it down, something that the Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey) is intent on doing.

More than fair
Yessiree, folks, it’s that time of year when the state fair comes to town, whether you like it or not. Along with the all the fair doings, here are a few other happenings in our fair city that might get lost in the shade of the bright lights of the Illinois State Fair.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | New City Road
Named after a country blacktop heading south out of town that could tell some tales if it could, this band is full of authentic local country musicians that could (and do) tell some tales of their own, but prefer to let their music do the talking.

PUB CRAWL
Find more details and gigs in our online calendar at www.illinoistimes.com.

THE CALENDAR
Interactive presentation designed to help families start the school year on the right foot. Free. blossomingchildren.com. Engrained Brewing Company, 1120 Lincolnshire Blvd., 546- 3054..

ART & ARCHITECTURE | Three exhibitions; one night
On Friday, Aug. 11, celebrate the opening of three new exhibitions at the DEMO Project, a modern art gallery directed by Springfield-based contemporary artists.

CHILDREN’S CORNER | Twinning with twine
It Enjoy a fun night out with your neonate Friday at page261, a boutique-style shop that offers a variety of creative “make-and-take” activities for children and adults. From 7-9 p.m., children ages 7-12 plus an adult will learn a variety of braiding techniques and create a stylish, colorful piece of wearable art.

BULLETIN BOARD | A successful start to school
Does your child struggle with attention, learning, behaviors or social skills? If so, don’t miss a free, interactive presentation offering tips and information on how to start the school year off on the right foot.