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Narcissism and gullibility
Before the election of Donald Trump I warned voters of the perils of narcissism among political leaders. I concluded with the following sentence: “Sadly, gullible individuals are especially vulnerable to the extraordinary claims and charm of a charismatic narcissist.

Monumental folly Southern soldiers fall again
Not since Chancellorsville have so many rebel soldiers fallen in battle. Across the U.S., statues and other memorials to Confederate heroes from the Civil War are being driven from their pedestals, decried as symbols of a white supremacist creed that has come to be regarded as odious.

A hailstorm of special-interest legislation
Just days after last November’s election, jubilant members and top staffers of the notorious corporate front group called the American Legislative Exchange Council gathered for a celebratory lunch and planning session at the group’s D.C. headquarters.

LETTERS
Associated Press reporter Sarah Rankin’s published eyewitness account gave the truth about the clash of the alt-right and left in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday, Aug. 12. She states that the state police lined the sides of Emancipation Park before the two groups approached each other.

Can the governor bring himself to cut a deal?
For example, he recently told Amanda Vinicky on Public Television’s “Chicago Tonight” program that there was nothing on his list that he had to have. “Nothing,” he said when asked to clarify. “Absolutely nothing has to happen.

IT’S HAMMER TIME! NOT.
Grant Hammer, chief of staff at the Department of Agriculture as well as a member of the Springfi eld park board, says that talk of him running to replace State Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, R-Leland Grove, in the state legislature is exactly that. Talk.

BLACK SHEEP FEARS CLOSURE
venue that anchors a group of music-related businesses in Springfield’s Southtown neighborhood, was the subject of an extensive feature on noisey.vice.com, the “music channel” of prominent international media outlet Vice, which praised what it termed the Springfield scene’s “celebrated do-it-yourself climate.

Stay in the fight
Patience and persistence add up to inspiration. That is what describes John Barber, who has been fighting cancer for several years and a series of chemotherapy treatments for over 18 months, some that just didn’t work. He can teach us all a lesson – to work hard, to not give up and to face each day with strength and determination.

The art of fake news
For a few weeks earlier this summer, Chicagobased artist James Pepper Kelly became a temporary fixture at area coffee houses and bars, picking local denizens’ brains about their hopes, dreams, concerns and stories revolving around the city of Springfield.

Going for broke?
Chris Stone, a Springfield businessman who is the public face of the ownership group, acknowledges owing contractors $1.5 million for work at the business park, which was renovated last year in anticipation of state workers moving in. Stone blames tardy lease payments from the state for financial problems.

2017 Fall guide
Examining Barriers to Social Change: Challenges of Youth, Young Adults and Adults to Creating, Impacting and Enacting Reform.

2017 Fall Guide II
Doctor Is In: Ask a Dietitian, Holiday Hibernation.

Effingham is for foodies and car lovers
While most interstate exits feature the usual dreary assortment of fast-food spots and chain motels, Effingham, 100 miles southeast of Springfield, draws food fans and auto aficionados from around the globe. Some 50,000 to 60,000 people pass through Effingham daily, according to Tourism Director Jodi Thoele.

Morton, the pumpkin capital of the world
For a fun fall outing about an hour’s drive from Springfield, take a trip to Morton – the Pumpkin Capital of the World. Ackerman Family Farms, LLC, located at the eastern edge of Morton, is the perfect place to purchase pumpkins, fall décor and local products in a family-friendly setting.

Broom Orchard
Jeff and Lisa Broom are getting ready for another busy autumn in their Carlinville orchard and Farm Market. Customers will head into the orchard for you-pick apple days beginning Labor Day weekend, the orchard will celebrate its 35 th anniversary Apple Fest Sept.

Fall on stage
The Midwest is rife with simmering discontent and sweet poppy distractions all at the same time. Connections are missed and women have had it with the patriarchy. I’m talking about fall theater offerings, of course..

Autumn sounds
Does anything go together better than crisp fall weather and live music? The days of sticky, sweaty outdoor festivals are in the past, replaced by cardigans, multicolored leaves and bands hitting the road one last time before the onset of harsh winter weather can make touring by van or bus hazardous, climate change notwithstanding.

Drink up
Summer lingers, at least for now, which is a good thing in more ways than one, especially for booze hounds. Margaritas, gin fizzes and other cocktails of summer are easy to contemplate, and, properly made, even easier to drink.

Beyond Miracle Whip and snack packs
My mother, amazing cook though she was, did not pack a very good school lunch, at least from a kid perspective. She really didn’t do breakfast at all, and lunch was usually leftovers from dinner the night before. This was in the 80s, before the wonder of celebrity chefs and Food Network-obsessed gourmet kids.

Lapses in logic doom Good Time
The first scene is an effective hook that promises much more than is ultimately delivered. Nick Nikas (Benny Safdie) is being asked a series of simple questions to help a psychiatrist (Peter Verby) evaluate his mental capabilities.

Ending August blast
On Saturday, a mere 10 miles west of town at the Clayville Historic Site near Pleasant Plains, the Clayville Folk Music Festival presents their annual concert in conjunction with a Cruise-In Car Show and the second annual Clayville Art Fair.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Harpeth Rising
Jordana Greenberg (violin, lead vocals), Michelle Younger (banjo, vocals) and Maria Di Meglio (cello, vocals) bring classically trained musicianship to folk and new-grass styles of music, bridging a gap between the two often disparate traditions.

PUB CRAWL
Sleeping Dogzz, Saved by the Bell, Chris Sorenson Project.

SPORTS & FITNESS | Doggie divers
See dogs run, jump and swim during the DockDogs Dog Jumping Competition, hosted as a main attraction at the Federal Ammunition Hunting Exposition, Aug. 25-27, at the Springfield Scheels location.

THE CALENDAR
Learn about support and resources for family caregivers, including the fi ve steps that all family caregivers should take. Free. RSVP. AARP Springfi eld Offi ce, 300 W. Edwards St., 877- 926-8300. Springfield ICON.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Up, up and away
This fun festival features balloon glows at dusk, evening and morning hot air balloon flights, daily tethered hot air balloon rides, a kids’ zone featuring family friendly activities, concessions and drinks for purchase, plus live musical entertainment by Hat Trick (Friday night) and Hereoso (Saturday night).

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Cool blues, hot summer nights
Enjoy a weekend of blues, barbecue and beer during the longtime Springfield tradition of the Old Capitol Blues & BBQ festival.