* Another week in the books. Man, this summer is going by way too fast.

I dunno about you, but I’m planning to spend some serious quality time at the Illinois State Fair this weekend. And if you’re looking for info, there is no better place than the State Journal-Register’s website. Click here for their stories and extremely helpful guides.

* I don’t think I’ll be eating three pork chops on a stick in one sitting, however…

Gov. Pat Quinn admitted he’s already making headway on his goal to eat his way through the fair. Even before he snipped the ribbon for the official opening today, the governor had jumped in following Thursday night’s pre-fair parade.

He acknowledged — under his breath — that he had downed three pork chops on a stick and an elephant ear. An aide to the Democratic governor also copped to Quinn having some ice cream too.

I saw the governor out and about last night. He was having such a good time that I didn’t have the heart to approach him.

* I also ran into US Sen. Mark Kirk last night. He was on his way to sample the chocolate covered bacon. He even offered to buy me one, but I declined. I have enough problems without eating something like that. Kirk won’t be at Republican Day next week because he has Navy Reserve duty, so he was trying to get as much out of his 2011 State Fair experience as he could yesterday.

* State Treasurer Dan Rutherford was at the parade and on the grounds last night, but he “officially” kicked off his State Fair experience today with a ride down the Giant Slide…

Republican Treasurer Dan Rutherford stole the schtick of former GOP Gov. Jim Thompson and his thunderous rides down the Giant Slide two decades before.

Rutherford said he’s gone on the ride for years. But this time — or actually all three times he rode down the slide today — it was symbolic of this week’s wild slide of the stock markets.

Video…

* Even Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is getting into the act…

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon says she plans to make history at this year’s Illinois State Fair. Simon will play banjo with her band, Loose Gravel, on Wednesday.

Her office says she’s the first constitutional officer in history to perform with her own band at the annual agricultural showcase.

Loose Gravel was featured earlier this month on ABC7…

An eclectic blues and boogie based band with traces of folk, rock, country, funk, and lush vocal harmonies, formed in 1998. Members are Jayme McCarroll (mando, harmonica, guitar, percussion, vocals), Lynda Killoran (bass, drums, vocals), Maria Johnson (piano/keyboard, guitar, vocals), Cindy Clark (guitar, drums, vocals), and Sheila Simon (banjo, bassoon, vocals). A “democratic” band, members take turns singing lead and providing multi-part vocal back-up across a wide range of original material and cover songs. The band has been together for 12 years. They all sing and they all write songs. They have 1 CD out and play mostly folk rock and blues.

Video…

* My daughter Vanessa’s birthday is today. I’m hoping she can spend some time with me at the Fair this year as we’ve done in years past. Anyway, this song was one of our mutual favorites when she was a kid, so it goes out to her…

Insane and rising in my own weird way