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The day terrorists destroyed Black Wall Street
What precipitated or caused this unprecedented act of aggression by citizens of the United States against citizens of the United States? The unprecedented economic growth and success of that black community in pre-Depression America.

Flags and railroads
This, of course, was the U.S. men’s relay team that shocked the planet in 2000, not by winning gold at the Sydney Olympics – that was expected – but by preening and prancing and posing while draped in American flags as if covered with beach towels. The runners quickly apologized.

Municipalities not likely to recieve pension bailout
Rockford is one of them, as the governor noted last week. Its first responder pension funds are in horrible shape for pretty much the same reason as so many others are. The state didn’t require local governments to fully fund those particular pension funds, so a large number of locals just didn’t do it.

LETTERS
There has been a lot of effort to promote Route 66 and tourism. I see it as an innkeeper when I provide lodging to foreign guests who stop in Springfield while adventuring west 2,448 miles from Chicago all the way to Santa Monica Pier. When Route 66 was in its prime, Americans often stayed at the Leland Hotel where the horseshoe sandwich was created.

GRISCHOW FOR PRESIDENT
After a June 27 hearing, Grischow didn’t let a holiday slow her down, ruling Monday that the file is public and that we’re entitled to fees.

COLORED SECTION
The tour and presentation will be led by longtime Springfield historian Richard E. Hart. “Many African-Americans buried in this beautiful section of Oak Ridge Cemetery have descendants still living in the Springfield community,” Hart said. “Some of those buried here were friends of Abraham Lincoln.

Census advocates forge ahead
“Whether a citizenship question is on the form or not, the damage is done,” said Anita Banerji, director of the Democracy Initiative of the nonprofit organization Forefront. “So you still have to be very intentional and make sure the communities feel safe and protected to self-report.

Baseball on the Fourth of July
The Fourth of July and baseball are irretrievably linked. The celebration of American independence in midsummer and the game share many traditions. Across America on the Fourth of July, baseball tournaments and games were played as part of celebrations of America’s birthday.

And, they're off
An hour before post time, families toting coolers had streamed into the track, paying $10 apiece for admission, less for kids and extra to reserve spots alongside the final stretch, a football field or so from the finish line and safe distance from the tawdry business of gambling, without which no one would be here.

Quick pickles, for a sexy kick
My summers during college and dental school were spent farming with Julianne’s grandfather, Bob Stevens, on North Cotton Hill Road. We were what was known as a “truck farm,” a term that hearkens back to an earlier time when the produce in our markets came from local farmers rather than being shipped in from places afar.

Cool music for hot times
How about a hip-hip-hooray for the amazing crowd that managed to find a way to make the Y-block work just fine last Thursday on the Fourth.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | John Clifton Blues Band
Where does one start to list the accomplishments of John Clifton in the world of blues music? During a career spanning 40 years of making music his life’s work, the vocalist, harmonica player, songwriter and musician has nearly done it all and continues doing more.

LIVE MUSIC
Sarah Schneider and Bruce Williams.

LECTURES | A sailor meets the Tongan people
Sharon Graf, associate professor of ethnomusicology at University of Illinois Springfield, will speak on the culture of the little known geographic area of Tonga. Her presentation is based on participant observation data collected in Tonga and other Pacific islands in 2010-11 and follow-up fieldwork completed in 2017.

THE CALENDAR
Music at the Museum: The Sweet Potatoes.

MEETINGS | Al-Anon Family Groups
Alateen is a peer support group for teenagers who are struggling with the effects of someone else’s problem drinking or drug use. At Alateen meetings, teenagers meet to share their experiences and help find solutions to problems, learn effective ways to cope with difficult circumstances and to encourage one another.