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Going to pot
Tacoma isn’t like Springfield, and Washington isn’t like Illinois. For one thing, the Evergreen State pays its bills on time and has neither a pension crisis nor an income tax.

Mass shootings take a toll on the American psyche
Mass shootings are prevalent in our society. The U.S. is an outlier among developed countries in terms of gun deaths. Mass shootings (defined as three or more killings in a single incident) occur on average about once per day in the United States.

Making the numbers work
This fiscal year’s budget was originally supposed to be austere, but then a $1.5 billion flood of unexpected revenue poured in during April and eliminated the need for drastic cuts. Even so, as the recent memo from Deputy Gov.

LETTERS
JUST SAY NO I went to the city council meeting where the topic of selling recreational marijuana in Springfield was on the agenda. I could tell from the comments of several of the members that their minds were already made up before the meeting started.

For LGBT teens, Lincoln Prairie cares
“I remember coming into the hospital for my interview and seeing the pride flag flying out front. I thought to myself, ‘It isn’t pride month, there must be some special event or something that they would be flying it,’” recounts Rob Weis, a part-time...

City stumbles to homeless shelter
It was, easily, one of the most depressing public gatherings I’ve witnessed since coming to Springfield nearly 15 years ago. Nearly everything bad about our town – from weak political leadership to powerful economic forces imposing their will – was on full display.

Bringing farmers and eaters together
The Illinois Stewardship Alliance promotes eating local, wholesome foods and supports local food producers. The Buy Fresh, Buy Local Central Illinois campaign – to connect farmers with eaters – is just one example of how the organization works to connect local farmers with community members, restaurants and retailers.

Celebrating the harvest
If you want to savor farm-to-table small plates prepared by local chefs and lend your support for developing a sustainable local food system, partake in the upcoming Harvest Celebration. The Illinois Stewardship Alliance 12th Annual Harvest Celebration is Sept.

Attracting teachers 101
“For many years there’s been a lack of respect for the educators in our schools,” said Kathi Griffin, president of the 135,000-member Illinois Education Association. “The funding has been diminished so much over the years that it’s not a welcoming profession for our students to entertain as a career.

Mostly solo
Music is in a constant state of flux. Bands form, perform, break up, get back together and eventually call it quits. Venues become established, switch hands, change names and get torn down. Genres increase and decrease in popularity, and they sometimes end up as dead as disco.

Finding connection and comfort over cauliflower
On this day 18 years ago I was on a plane flying to New York City to spend a weekend with my daughter, Anne, who was attending law school at Columbia. The flight had been rescheduled from a week earlier due to the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attack. The mood on the plane was very tense.

Downton a delight for true fans
In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I have never seen a single episode of the hit PBS series “Downton Abbey.” I don’t know a Crawley from a Talbot and whether the show has been on two seasons or six, I couldn’t tell you.

September music mixture
On Saturday, let the celebration begin as Walnut Street Winery commemorates 10 years of doing what they do, making wine and entertaining the folks. Loren lined up special acts for his special event starting at 12:15 p.m. with Ella Gibson, who played some of her very first gigs at WSW.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Dexter Anodyne and Greenhouse Opera
A self-taught, artistically driven musician, proficient on several instruments, as well as an accomplished vocalist and songwriter, Dexter Anodyne gives it her all as she gives it all to produce profoundly interesting and distinctly creative music.

LIVE MUSIC
Chris Camp and His Blues Ambassadors.

ART | Springfield Art Association
Many favorite local artists are returning to the fair this year and plenty of new artists will also be in attendance. In all, over 70 artists from across the Midwest will display and sell their works including ceramics, metalwork, glass, wood, fibers and jewelry, along with photography, paintings and prints.

THE CALENDAR
Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitter Festival.

FESTIVAL | Pleasant Plains Historical Society
The Pleasant Plains Historical Society will host the annual Clayville Fall Festival this weekend. The Broadwell Inn, the oldest brick building in Sangamon County, will be open for tours.