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Shades of gray
Mark Jennings spent more than 20 years serving his country in the U.S. Army Airborne. When he retired around 2002, “Sarge,” as he was known, enjoyed gardening, cooking out and bicycling, and was known for serving coffee to anyone who wanted to stop by in the morning.

July is for celebration of agitation
Are you an agitator? You know, one of those people who won’t leave well enough alone, who’s always questioning authority and trying to stir things up. If so, the Powers That Be detest you — you ... you ... “agitator!” They spit the term out as a pejorative to brand anyone who dares to challenge the established order.

LETTERS
This concept flies in the face of the integration people with disabilities have fought for for generations, and perpetuates a stereotype we have battled all our lives.

politicopoem #7
the battle’s o’er? there ain’t no more? she’s gone home sore?.

Quinn learns to play the blame game
As with any state legislative overtime session and possible government shutdown, “Job One” right now is making sure somebody else gets the blame. Last week, Gov. Pat Quinn dramatically vetoed an appropriations bill and then held a press conference to lay full blame for the overtime deadlock at the General Assembly’s feet.

Home sweet hospital
People who don’t like hospitals typically cite their cold, institutional feel as the reason. Officials at St. John’s Hospital clearly had this fact in mind when designing its new $8 million outpatient surgery department to be located on the hospital’s second floor.

Boys & Girls Clubs shut down, other groups step up
Even though Boys Girls Clubs of Central Illinois announced this week that state funding cuts would temporarily shutter its central unit, leaders hope community support and federal dollars can get their organization back on track.

No strings attached
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra has renewed its commitment to Maestra Karen Lynne Deal, announcing a new multi-year contract with the conductor at the ISO board of directors’ annual meeting in late June. The renewal comes despite concerns raised by ISO musicians who voted 72-2 against Deal earlier this year in a formal no-confidence vote.

Not so fast
Despite Springfield’s freedom from many of the rush-hour nightmares that plague other cities, traffic-paralyzing trains barreling through town at all the wrong times remain among the irritating facts of life here.

Making the case for ‘local first’
What can a 16-inch pancake do for Springfield? Plenty, said a recently formed Springfield nonprofit group last week, explaining that the unique products sold by independent businesses inject color, character and money into the local economy at a time when it needs it badly.

State Fair history needs a home
What do you do with 156 years of photos, programs, ribbons, exhibits and other memorabilia collected from the annual Illinois State Fair? Ask Pam Gray and she’ll quickly respond, “Build a museum.” While the answer seems simple, raising the $5 million needed for the building is anything but.

Argentina offers more than amor
It’s comforting to know that Illinois has some serious competition in the wacky governor sweepstakes. I feel like the folks my husband, Peter, and I met in last January in Louisiana. Whenever anyone realized we were from Illinois, they’d say something like “We really have to thank you.

Public Enemies guilty of robbery
Covering the years 1933-1934, the film begins with a rousing prison break as Dillinger orchestrates the unscheduled release of some old cohorts. With the intention of going to Chicago “to make some money,” the Robin Hood-like thief embarks on a crime spree that gets the attention of FBI director J.

Movie times
Kerasotes listings are for Friday, July 10 through Tuesday, July 14. All times are subject to change. For updates on Kerasotes films, call 1-800-FANDANGO. For reviews of other films, visit www.illinoistimes.com..

Hail the Great American Taxi
Back in March of 2005, Vince Herman and Chris Staehly needed a band to play for a Rainforest Action Group benefit concert in Boulder, Colo. The two musicians put together Great American Taxi and have been riding in the cab with the meter running ever since.

PUB CRAWL
The Odyssey Jazz Quartet Featuring John Sluzalis, Zach Radwine, AJ

BAND SPOTLIGHT
Are you “Certified Remedy Rocked” yet? Be sure to get your official recognition from the band at The Remedy show this weekend.

THE CALENDAR
Submit calendar listings at www.illinoistimes.com.

BEVERAGES
Remember those photographs of celebrities wearing milk moustaches? Here is your chance to snag your best milk mustache smile in a photograph while sampling local dairy milk from Deans Foods and Prairie Farms.

ART
You may have seen her paintings around town of the queen and king of hearts, diamonds, spades or clubs. Local artist Felicia Olin’s recent acrylics and mixed media pieces, including the work above titled, Love and Poetry #4,.

PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE UNDER ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME ACT STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF SANGAMON TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that on the 18th day of June, 2009 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon County, stating that JERALD E.

Real Estate Foreclosures
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY — SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

NEWSQUIRKS
Three British burglars broke into a house in Leeds and made off with a $2,900 plasma television, but their getaway van got stuck, forcing them to flee empty-handed.

THEADVICEGODDESS
I checked my boyfriend’s online history (okay, invaded his privacy) and saw he’d been looking up porn all day yesterday and the day before while home with the flu. I freaked! We’d talked about porn before. He said he watched it in his younger days, but didn’t anymore, so I was surprised.