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The politics of pretty An election is just another beauty pageant
My favorite Miss America was Vonda Kay Van Dyke (1965), forever famous as the first Queen of Atlantic City to use ventriloquism in the talent portion of the contest. She later wrote a series of Christian-themed teen advice books in which young women learned about how “that inner sparkle that only Christ can give” would make them more beautiful.

Police don’t have to shoot so much
For example, on Sept. 4 a man in South Carolina was standing outside his car when asked by a state police officer to produce his license. When he reached into his car to get it, the officer pulled his weapon and ordered him to get out of the car. As the man complied he was shot.

Populist victory in a conservative town
With Bernie Sanders bringing new, highly energized voters into play, young people who had previously evinced zero interest in the old Democratic-Republican duopoly were rallying behind Bernie’s grassroots populism.

LETTERS
This is in regards to Scott Faingold’s article titled “Humane Society takes larger role in Illinois ag” (Sept. 21). We live in Hancock County, in the small town of LaHarpe. There are several different roads leading out of town and about half of them go close to hog confinements.

We need a capital bill, but don’t hold your breath
It was Sen. Bill Brady’s first leaders’ meeting since his chamber officially confirmed him as the Senate Republican Leader, and he was the one who called for the sit-down. Leader Brady ran for governor three times, winning the 2010 primary. Numerous associates say he wants to make the most of this new role and be as relevant as he possibly can.

St. Louis blues Racism persists in the Gateway City
Louis area has been torn by demonstrations that have devolved into broken windows and worse. Three years ago, the death of Michael Brown, a suspected robber, sparked rioting in Ferguson, just outside St. Louis. The latest conflagration came after the Sept.

Woman who stole from elderly goes to prison “This is an elder abuse ATM”
Coliene Moore, 69, was hit with a restitution order exceeding $636,000 when Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge John Belz sentenced her last month to four years for stealing from her elderly aunt. Ruth Lanier, now deceased, was 85 when Moore stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from her during a threemonth period that ended in February of 2012.

District 186 dreams big Community and students weigh in on improvements
Last spring, student representatives from all three high schools were asked for their input on a plan to improve facilities throughout District 186. “They gave some very specific and good, detailed suggestions,” said Superintendent Jennifer Gill, “but at first they had trouble dreaming the dream.

Jazzed up and down Trying to rejuvenate a long-running jazz festival
Once upon a time, before hip-hop, rap, hot country and even rock in all its formats, jazz ruled as the cool and popular music of the day. Considered a justifiably fitting style for an expanding and thriving nation in the 1920s, the era even acquired the nickname of “The Jazz Age.

Letters from Vietnam
Now Ken Burns and Lynn Novick have brought “The Vietnam War” to light with their 10-part documentary on PBS. The series has many of us thinking about that war again. In the midst of downsizing this summer, I came across the letters and moved them once again.

Circle entertains despite length
Wasting little time, the film opens with an elaborate car chase in which the rookie from the first film, Eggsy (Taron Egerton), finds himself doing battle with a bitter old colleague (Edward Holcroft) who’s working for Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore),...

Weeknight curry in a hurry
My wife was an educated and accomplished cook and made everything from scratch. She sourced out organic, free-range, hormone and pesticide-free ingredients from local farmers. Though we tried every diet and lost a lot of weight, we eventually regained it all back plus a little more.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Spicy Pickles
Based out of Denver, Colorado, these guys get around while spreading the great sounds of swing music and traditional jazz. Bandleader Joe Smith has a couple more groups in Denver (the Joe Smith Orchestra and The Red Hot Rhythm Rocket), but it’s the Pickles that really hit the road.

A run on September
If you’re hankering to get in all the last blasts of the season, you better start on Thursday and work your way through the outdoor music venues. The Curve Inn hosts Take 10, featuring some of our most talented homegrown musicians. And in case you’re wondering, the 10 in Take 10 stands for the ten, count ‘em, ten, members of the band.

THE CALENDAR
Presentation by Dese’Rae L. Stage, an artist and activist who challenges preconceived notions about those with lived experience of suicidal thoughts and actions using the combined powers of photography and storytelling. An ECCE Speaker Series presentation.

ART & ARCHITECTURE | Public art in private spaces
Founded in Oak Park, Illinois, by artist Sabrina Ott and author John Paulett, the Terrain Biennial is an international exhibition of site-specific artwork created for front yards, balconies, porches and windows.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | A celebration of cultures
On Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., Lincoln Land Community College will host its 14 th annual Multicultural Fest. The annual event showcases a variety of cultures via ethnic food, entertainment and cultural exhibitions. From 11 a.m. through 1 p.

HISTORY | Two days of Illinois history
Enjoy two days of panels and presentations about the political, cultural and social history of Illinois during the 19 th annual Conference on Illinois History, hosted by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation Oct. 5-6.