A Capitol idea
The Billy Mitchell of more recent fame fell from grace last year, when Twin Galaxies, the closest the video game crowd has to a sanctioning body, announced that he no longer would be certified as the first human to score one million points on Donkey Kong.

Paul Findley remembered names
“We were looking for a way to send a message of our opposition,” said Stephen Jones, a former aide to Findley. “He had voted against extending the draft and reappointing General (Earle) Wheeler as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Be careful what you wish for
Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) announced last week that he will not seek reelection. Instead, he said he’ll likely be making a 2022 statewide bid for either US Senate against Sen. Tammy Duckworth or secretary of state if Jesse White retires..

LETTERS
WORTH A CHANCE Last week’s article on the Knights of Columbus raffle said the savvy gambler would be better off at a casino than buying into the K of C drawing (“Big money,” Sept. 5). Bruce Rushton quoted blackjack at 0.99 odds (meaning the bettor loses, on average, one percent of each bet) and video gambling machines at 0.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE
On the plus side, the daily paper has begun publishing letters stating the obvious: What in tarnation was the State Journal-Register thinking when it hired Ted Nugent to appear at an outdoor expo set for Sept.

It’s not easy being clean
But environmentalists aren’t happy with the announcement last month that the company will close four of eight plants by year’s end and leave the dirtiest ones in operation. Three hundred workers will be unemployed after plant closures in Havana, Canton, Hennepin and Coffeen.

GET READY FOR GREEN
A majority of Springfield city council members this week said nice things about plans to tax recreational marijuana and establish zoning to decide where dispensaries will be allowed.

What’s the purpose of Lake II?
The corps recently removed the project from a list of pending applications posted on the agency’s website. That doesn’t mean the proposed secondary water source dubbed Hunter Lake is dead in the water, according Allen Marshall, a corps spokesman.

10 hot decor trends for fall
Every so often the furniture industry rolls out the red carpet and rolls in their new lines for a new season. The Las Vegas Market, dedicated to the home furnishings industry, held one of its twice-a-year market shows in July. Unveiled were some of the hot new trends you will likely see translated and interpreted in home decor this fall.

Plant your native garden this fall
“Growing native plants is a great way to benefit the environment, wildlife and bring some interesting and beautiful plants to your garden,” said Gemini Bhalsod, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “Fall is a great time to plant and establish native gardens because the weed pressure is lower than in the spring.

Do I need to be worried about radon?
If you think about radon at all, odds are it’s because it came up during a home sale and created a hassle in the closing process. And indeed, it’s not really fun to think about radon – it’s a serious health problem that could lead to some costly fixes for your home.

Are you covered?
Coverage for the structure of your home, also referred to as dwelling coverage, is that which would cover the cost to repair or rebuild your home and anything attached to it, such as a garage, deck or front porch, should it be damaged or completely destroyed.

How to get started with vines
Trumpet creeper is so large, so willing and so floriferous, it was a favorite outhouse cover-up. Only a reliable plant could survive on these neglected spaces, visited only when necessary. All summer long that vine bloomed on very fertile ground, spreading into a privacy barrier that hummingbirds flock to.

Wallpaper, the great comeback of 2019
Wallpaper is a style destined to come around again and again. Not only is it functional and beautiful, it also has a certain nostalgia that keeps us coming back to it. I love hearing about renovations where homeowners find layer after layer of wallpaper when working on the walls.

Growing plants indoors versus outdoors
I’m not the only one with a brown thumb. However, most people I know don’t have an existential crisis about it. But worry plagued me for months as I watched my plants perish. When I told a friend about my inner turmoil, he just laughed. He didn’t even notice a tree in his office had died until unswept leaves got in his way.

Should I install outdoor lighting?
Judicious use of outdoor decorative lights gives your home character. They can be used to highlight flower gardens, decorative architectural components and landscaping. Small, low-voltage fixtures work well along the edges of walkways.

Lazy screenwriting hampers It 2
If you were one of the seven or eight people on the planet who did not see the first film, no worries. A concise summation of all that occurred and a reintroduction to all of the key players is done quickly and efficiently.

To make a global difference, eat local
As fires raging in the Amazon rainforest dominate recent news, the global importance of eating local has never been more apparent. While public attention to these wildfires is new, the fires are not a sudden phenomenon, nor are they accidental.

Sadness and celebrations
In several recent columns I’ve had to announce the loss of a community musician. Each time, I continue to talk about other events as life does move on, and I feel that especially with musicians, entertainers and performers, the thought that the show goes on is ever present, vital and necessary.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Samba Llamas
From the desire to simply have fun making a local version of a Brazilian carnival street rhythm percussion ensemble back in 1997, this group has expanded to become a highly respected and appreciated combo in the community.

LIVE MUSIC
Jack Flash with The Rick Mari Band.

THE CALENDAR
Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitter Festival.

HISTORY | Illinois History Forum
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library holds an unparalleled collection of books, documents, photographs, artifacts and art, as well as some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history.

ART | Juried fine art and craft show
Art Spectacular is a multi-experience festival of art, music and children’s programs. Founded by Rees Carillon Society board member/Barb Walker, the art show is a professionally juried fine art and craft show featuring collector- and museum-quality works.