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What are political parties good for? Plenty, actually.
In his famous Farewell Address, he warned us against “the baneful effects of the spirit of [political] party.” A political party, he wrote, “agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.

Recycled Records reaches golden age
Queen Elizabeth has a throne. James T. Kirk had the captain’s chair. Mark Kessler presides from a cluttered desk that is equally iconic for locals with an appreciation for records, posters, neon beer signs, books and assorted other stuff – don’t dare call it junk – that graces the walls, display cases and shelves of Recycled Records.

Throw your money at Amazon
Shhhh, it’s a secret. Nearly all of the 20 official accomplices to this grand larceny are pulling it off in the dark, not even telling city council members (much less taxpayers) how many billions they’re throwing at Bezos.

LETTERS
TRAIN PROBLEMS Springfield has a problem that no mid-sized city with hopes of development should have: trains. There are three sets of tracks that run right through the middle of the city. At just about any moment, you can hear the whistle of a train as it goes through town.

What’s with all those AV’s?
It’s rare for the General Assembly to accept an amendatory veto, mainly because House Speaker Michael Madigan will often kill them in his Rules Committee dungeon. If there aren’t enough votes to override, the vetoes are allowed to die.

U OF I ENROLLMENT GROWS
Combined enrollment at the system’s universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfi eld grew to 85,597 from 83,321 a year ago, based on enrollment as of Monday, Sept. 10, the 10th day of classes. Ten-day fi gures are the traditional benchmark for enrollment among U.

INVENTOR, MUSICIAN WITH A STORY
Vibraphonist- drummer-bagpipercomposer-inventor-writer educator and Springfi eld native John Mark Piper will be appearing at Casey’s Pub, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd., on Friday, Sept. 14 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. for an informal mixer followed by a solo performance on the Piper Vibraphone, his own invention.

County sales tax would improve old Springfield school buildings
In November, Sangamon County voters will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed one percent increase in sales tax. In District 186 the proceeds would be used exclusively to make improvements to the aging school buildings in Springfield. If approved, the new tax would be countywide, so all the public school districts in the county would benefit.

Federal judge may face inquiry
Bruce was removed from criminal cases by James Shadid, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

Vachel getting plenty of attention in 2018
Whether or not Lindsay would have found the Springfield of the actual 2018 up to his lofty hopes, he would certainly have been gratified to see how much civic attention his life and work has been receiving here this year, including an elaborate show...

‘You can get a lot done in the morning.’
Jay Robert “J.B.” Pritzker, D-Chicago, lives by the mantra that the “the early bird catches the worm.” “I’m a guy who gets up pretty early in the morning, and my staff hates it because I’m texting and sending emails at 4:30 a.m.

Sticking to your remodeling budget
It’s one of the unwritten rules of remodeling that a project will always cost more and take longer than expected. But just because this is the norm, you don’t have to take it as a given. With the right combination of planning, discipline and smart shopping, your renovation can end on budget and ahead of schedule.

Fall to do list
Labor Day unofficially marks the end of summer, but there’s still plenty of time to cross projects off your summer to-do list. According to HomeAdvisor data, homeowners commonly start these projects around the beginning of September:.

When bugs invade your home
With the end of summer approaching, homeowners may start noticing some unwanted house guests. There are a number of pests that will be looking to invade homes during the cooler months, according to University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Andrew Holsinger.

Homegrown salads
When people think of fall, growing salad greens rarely comes to mind. However, fall is as terrific time for gardeners to begin planting lettuce, arugula, endive, or other leafy greens for salads. Not only are these plants quick and easy to grow, they also add a significant source of nutrients to your diet.

Plan now for spring bees
“Bumble bee queens, honey bees, and solitary bees start emerging from their winter homes ready to feast on the landscape as early as March,” says University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Kelly Allsup.

Tree planting 101
“If you have space for a tree that can only be 30 feet tall, don’t chose a tree that is 50 feet tall and hope that you can keep it pruned 20 feet smaller,” Houle says. “Determine how much space you have available and what your soil conditions are, then find a tree that is suitable to that planting space.

Choosing a retaining wall
Retaining walls were first created to perform the simple and necessary task of holding back earth. And with good reason: Erosion is a natural process, but when it means soil being washed off your property - or worse, accumulating against the side of your home - serious problems can result.

Flushing your water heater
Whether you have a gas or electric heater, sediment buildup represents a serious problem. Experts recommend that you drain and flush the tank once a year to keep it in good condition and extend its life. Fall is a good time to flush the tank if you haven’t done so already.

Protect yourself from home repair scams
Home improvement, repair and renovation projects represent significant investments. And with that kind of money at stake and decisions often made under pressure, home repairs make an inviting target for scam artists who plan to take the money and run. Protect yourself from fraud by looking out for these common schemes:.

Midcentury modern decorating
Midcentury modern is often used to describe a period in design centered around the middle of the 20th century. Clean, hard lines, brass finishes and solid hardwoods dominated, as did classic furniture pieces that are making a comeback.

Inexpensive artwork options
Artwork doesn’t have to be expensive to look expensive. Designers use a number of tricks to create interesting and original artwork without breaking the bank. Here are seven tips for adding artwork to your decor on a budget..

Starting a community garden
There is a good amount of planning involved in creating a successful community garden. To help people and organizations build and maintain productive community gardens, the University of Illinois Extension has created the community garden webinar series.

Just Judy, a politician we miss
Judy Barr Topinka had a distinguished career in politics, serving as Illinois representative, senator, state treasurer and comptroller. She was often called “colorful” so it is fitting that a new book about her is colorfully designed, from the front cover, filled with items representing her life, to each page bordered in red and filled with photos.

Kitchen confidential
It is 7:30 on a Saturday evening and I’m at Vele, an upscale restaurant in downtown Springfield. It’s a busy night and the dining room is nearly full. I, however, am not among the diners. I’m working in the kitchen, trying to keep up with all the orders coming in.

Nun falls short of Blumhouse standard
The good thing about this franchise is that instead of making quick knock-off sequels, the producers have delivered wellmade and intelligent movies that successfully mine and expand on the series’ mythology. Unfortunately, that’s not the case where The Nun.

Dry September music
Our weekly adventures begin at 6 on Thursday night with the annual “Women Who Rock!” benefit for the Sojourn’s Women and Children Shelter & Services hosted by the good folks at It’s All About Wine.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Laura Rain and the Caesars
With the imminent Laura on sublime vocals, backed by husband and collaborator George Friend on guitar, plus Jeff Powe (drums/bass), Jonathan Staten (drums) and Jim Alfredson (keys), the group merges “Memphis soul, juke-joint blues and tough Detroit funk and R&B” into a powerful and unique creation nightly on the stage and regularly in the studio.

PUB CRAWL
Kapital Sound, Sunshine Daydream, Mike Burnett and the Blue Suns.

THE CALENDAR
Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival.

ART | Three decades of fine art
On Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16, join the Springfield Art Association for the 30 th annual Edwards Place Fine Art Fair.

FESTIVALS | German games, beer and food
Celebrate all things German on Saturday, September 15 during the Jacksonville Rotary Club Oktoberfest.