dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-15--Aurora's Commitment2Community aims to help returning veterans build new bonds

Soldiers returning home from the battlefield can carry unseen scars , and Commitment2Community , a new Aurora-based nonprofit , is trying to help by forming a strong community of young veterans .
Heather Kuziel , 41 , of Aurora founded the group in 2018 as a way to provide support and therapeutic recreation for veterans , their loved ones and those currently serving .
Kuziel is not a veteran .
She had dreamed of joining the Air Force , but could n't for medical reasons .
Though she grew up in the Aurora area , she spent most of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a recreational therapist in a group home .
While there , she would organize activities between the foster kids and local veterans .
`` Youth in the foster system can feel lost , '' Kuziel said .
`` The kids felt they had a mentor and someone to look up to . ''
She started Commitment2Community soon after she and her 9-year-old son moved back to the area .
The group 's main program is called # 22vets , a reference to the number of military veterans who die by suicide per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizes monthly therapeutic recreation events to help foster a sense of community among younger veterans .
During war , brotherhoods often form among troops .
But once they return home , Kuziel said , they can lose that bond .
`` So we help them form a new brotherhood here in the community , '' Kuziel said .
Last month , the group met at Barbell 4:13 Gym in North Aurora , which is owned by a veteran , Dave Keilman .
At the event , veterans were treated to a free workout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Greg Zilioli , an Aurora resident who teaches woodworking skills to veterans through A Call to Shoulders .
The program aims to teach veterans new skills that could even help them start their own businesses .
The next event will be at Beans Greens Proteins , an Aurora health food restaurant owned by Andrew Schoenwetter , a veteran and a member of the Commitment2Community board .
The group will gather for free food , games and fun .
The veterans will also box up donated items , including snacks and toiletries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those interested in learning more about the group can go to hkcommitment2commu.wixsite.com/mysite .

Aurora's Commitment2Community aims to help returning veterans build new bonds
Commitment2Community founder Heather Kuziel started the group in 2018 as a way to connect veterans recently returning from war. Courtesy of Commitment2Community
Soldiers returning home from the battlefield can carry unseen scars, and Commitment2Community, a new Aurora-based nonprofit, is trying to help by forming a strong community of young veterans.
Heather Kuziel, 41, of Aurora founded the group in 2018 as a way to provide support and therapeutic recreation for veterans, their loved ones and those currently serving.
Kuziel is not a veteran. She had dreamed of joining the Air Force, but couldn't for medical reasons.
Though she grew up in the Aurora area, she spent most of her adult life in Florida where she worked as a recreational therapist in a group home. While there, she would organize activities between the foster kids and local veterans.
"Youth in the foster system can feel lost," Kuziel said. "The kids felt they had a mentor and someone to look up to."
She started Commitment2Community soon after she and her 9-year-old son moved back to the area.
The group's main program is called #22vets, a reference to the number of military veterans who die by suicide per day, on average. The group organizes monthly therapeutic recreation events to help foster a sense of community among younger veterans.
During war, brotherhoods often form among troops. But once they return home, Kuziel said, they can lose that bond.
"So we help them form a new brotherhood here in the community," Kuziel said.
Last month, the group met at Barbell 4:13 Gym in North Aurora, which is owned by a veteran, Dave Keilman. At the event, veterans were treated to a free workout and pizza.
Another recent gathering was with Greg Zilioli, an Aurora resident who teaches woodworking skills to veterans through A Call to Shoulders. The program aims to teach veterans new skills that could even help them start their own businesses.
The next event will be at Beans Greens Proteins, an Aurora health food restaurant owned by Andrew Schoenwetter, a veteran and a member of the Commitment2Community board. The group will gather for free food, games and fun. The veterans will also box up donated items, including snacks and toiletries, to ship to soldiers serving overseas.
Those interested in learning more about the group can go to hkcommitment2commu.wixsite.com/mysite.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-15--In a state that knows its Democrats, will Bloomberg gain traction?

On Saturday , it was a campaign office in Aurora .
Today , Michael Bloomberg 's campaign is set to open another space in Deerfield .
The former New York City mayor is crashing the Democratic Party 's presidential primary and investing heavily in delegate-dense Chicago and the suburbs .
Although he missed elections in Iowa and New Hampshire , the billionaire CEO is on the ballot in multiple states on Super Tuesday , March 3 , and in Illinois ' March 17 primary .
With its racial diversity and mix of city , suburbs and farmlands , Illinois is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although it 's uncertain what his reception will be .
Bloomberg entered the presidential primary Nov. 24 , and his late entry finds many powerful Illinois Democrats either embracing other candidates or , as with top dog Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , neutral .
`` Based on my district , it feels that most folks have committed to someone , '' said Democratic state Sen. Cristina Castro of Elgin , who supports Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
`` He has little over a month to make his case while others have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
With cash to spare , Bloomberg is staffing up to 10 offices in Illinois , and an 11th is expected to open in Waukegan soon .
He 's rolled out a television advertising campaign that so far is eclipsing those of his rivals like Warren , former Vice President Joe Biden , South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , and Sens .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota .
Bloomberg 's first Illinois appearance was Jan. 8 at Olive-Harvey College in Chicago , where he touted his jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's attracted appears to be U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush , who was a Bloomberg surrogate at a Feb. 7 event in Chicago .
Grassroots supporters like St. Charles Township retiree Michael Sullivan , a former Navy pilot and Dean Witter executive , believe Bloomberg is best equipped to beat Republican President Donald Trump .
Sullivan emailed the Bloomberg campaign in January , and now he and wife , Anne , are organizing a house party for backers next weekend .
`` When I looked at the candidate field , I was very disappointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` If we pick the wrong person , we 're going to have Trump for four more years . ''
Another supporter is Mary Agnes Zellmer of Geneva , owner of Chicago Race Management and Timing .
`` I think he is the only one that really has what it takes to get elected , '' said Zellmer , adding she was impressed by how Bloomberg handled New York 's post-9/11 recovery after taking office in 2002 .
What might resonate locally is Bloomberg 's spending millions on ads in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County tax on soda , on the grounds sugary drinks cause obesity .
Political veteran and former state Sen. Bill Morris of Grayslake predicted `` no one ( Democrat ) will have it locked up after Super Tuesday , but the field will narrow .
Depending who is left by Illinois ' primary , Bloomberg could be a factor . ''
Bloomberg does not have any delegates to the Democratic National Convention on the Illinois ballot .
However , state party officials said if he wins more than 15 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will receive delegates on a proportional basis .
That process would be determined by the Democratic officials within the district and the Bloomberg campaign .
Hoffman Estates Democratic state Rep. Fred Crespo thinks Bloomberg , unlike the other candidates , `` has the advantage of not being properly vetted through debates .
That allows him through his money to control his narrative '' with commercials , Crespo said .
But is there `` rich candidate fatigue in Illinois ? ''
wondered Crespo , referring to wealthy former Gov .
Bruce Rauner and current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line is Bloomberg 's presence could make Illinois ' Democratic presidential primary a nail-biter , experts say .
`` Whoever does well in Illinois will have a strong narrative , '' said Crespo , a Biden delegate .
`` Illinois represents what this country is all about . ''

In a state that knows its Democrats, will Bloomberg gain traction?
Michael Bloomberg speaks to supporters at a campaign office Jan. 27 in Maine.
On Saturday, it was a campaign office in Aurora. Today, Michael Bloomberg's campaign is set to open another space in Deerfield.
The former New York City mayor is crashing the Democratic Party's presidential primary and investing heavily in delegate-dense Chicago and the suburbs.
Although he missed elections in Iowa and New Hampshire, the billionaire CEO is on the ballot in multiple states on Super Tuesday, March 3, and in Illinois' March 17 primary.
With its racial diversity and mix of city, suburbs and farmlands, Illinois is crucial to Bloomberg, a spokeswoman said, although it's uncertain what his reception will be.
Bloomberg entered the presidential primary Nov. 24, and his late entry finds many powerful Illinois Democrats either embracing other candidates or, as with top dog Gov. J.B. Pritzker, neutral.
"Based on my district, it feels that most folks have committed to someone," said Democratic state Sen. Cristina Castro of Elgin, who supports Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
"He has little over a month to make his case while others have been at this for a while," she said.
With cash to spare, Bloomberg is staffing up to 10 offices in Illinois, and an 11th is expected to open in Waukegan soon. He's rolled out a television advertising campaign that so far is eclipsing those of his rivals like Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.
Bloomberg's first Illinois appearance was Jan. 8 at Olive-Harvey College in Chicago, where he touted his jobs program.
The most high-profile Democrat he's attracted appears to be U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who was a Bloomberg surrogate at a Feb. 7 event in Chicago.
Grassroots supporters like St. Charles Township retiree Michael Sullivan, a former Navy pilot and Dean Witter executive, believe Bloomberg is best equipped to beat Republican President Donald Trump.
Sullivan emailed the Bloomberg campaign in January, and now he and wife, Anne, are organizing a house party for backers next weekend.
"When I looked at the candidate field, I was very disappointed" before Bloomberg entered, Michael Sullivan said. "If we pick the wrong person, we're going to have Trump for four more years."
Another supporter is Mary Agnes Zellmer of Geneva, owner of Chicago Race Management and Timing.
"I think he is the only one that really has what it takes to get elected," said Zellmer, adding she was impressed by how Bloomberg handled New York's post-9/11 recovery after taking office in 2002.
What might resonate locally is Bloomberg's spending millions on ads in 2017 that unsuccessfully opposed the repeal of a Cook County tax on soda, on the grounds sugary drinks cause obesity.
Political veteran and former state Sen. Bill Morris of Grayslake predicted "no one (Democrat) will have it locked up after Super Tuesday, but the field will narrow. Depending who is left by Illinois' primary, Bloomberg could be a factor."
Bloomberg does not have any delegates to the Democratic National Convention on the Illinois ballot. However, state party officials said if he wins more than 15% of the vote in any congressional district, he will receive delegates on a proportional basis. That process would be determined by the Democratic officials within the district and the Bloomberg campaign.
Hoffman Estates Democratic state Rep. Fred Crespo thinks Bloomberg, unlike the other candidates, "has the advantage of not being properly vetted through debates. That allows him through his money to control his narrative" with commercials, Crespo said.
But is there "rich candidate fatigue in Illinois?" wondered Crespo, referring to wealthy former Gov. Bruce Rauner and current Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
The bottom line is Bloomberg's presence could make Illinois' Democratic presidential primary a nail-biter, experts say.
"Whoever does well in Illinois will have a strong narrative," said Crespo, a Biden delegate. "Illinois represents what this country is all about."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-16--Driver flees after Arlington Heights crash, leaving passengers behind

Illinois State Police and paramedics responded to a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning in Arlington Heights to find the driver had @ @ @ @ @ behind a pair of passengers .
The crash occurred at 7:59 a.m. on Route 53 @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Arlington Heights Fire Department , Neither of the passengers were injured @ @ @ @ @ badly damaged after it crashed into a ditch and struck a light pole , authorities @ @ @ @ @ how the crash occurred were not available Sunday .
State police continue to investigate the @ @ @ @ @ afternoon have not yet identified the driver , officials said .

Driver flees after Arlington Heights crash, leaving passengers behind
Illinois State Police and paramedics responded to a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning in Arlington Heights to find the driver had fled the scene, leaving behind a pair of passengers.
The crash occurred at 7:59 a.m. on Route 53 just north of Dundee Road, according to the Arlington Heights Fire Department, Neither of the passengers were injured, but the vehicle was badly damaged after it crashed into a ditch and struck a light pole, authorities said.
Further details about how the crash occurred were not available Sunday.
State police continue to investigate the crash and as of Sunday afternoon have not yet identified the driver, officials said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Best bets: Darrell Hammond brings the funny to Zanies in Chicago, Rosemont

The Lula Washington Dance Theatre is one of the nation 's preeminent dance companies that takes its inspiration from African-American culture and history .
The Los Angeles-based company has a tour stop on Sunday , Feb. 16 , at College of Lake County 's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts , 19351 W. Washington St. , Grayslake .
$ 32- $ 38 ; $ 31- $ 37 seniors ; $ 10- $ 15 youths .
( 847 ) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu .
7 p.m. Sunday , Feb. 16 Lula Washington Dance Theatre tours to College of Lake County 's Lumber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , Feb. 16 .
Use the Schwartz !
See Mel Brooks spoof sci-fi adventures ( specifically the `` Star Wars '' franchise ) with `` Spaceballs . ''
This 1987 comedy stars Bill Pullman , Rick Moranis , John Candy and more .
It screens on Monday at the Paramount Theatre , 23 E. Galena Blvd.
, Aurora .
$ 1 .
Rated PG .
( 630 ) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com .
7 p.m. Monday , Feb. 17 Leslie Goddard portrays the American suffragist Alice Paul in a living-history presentation that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100th Birthday Celebration .
This Civic Awareness Series event commemorating a century of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is on Thursday at Cantigny Park , 1S151 Winfield Road , Wheaton .
Free admission and parking , but advance reservations required .
( 630 ) 260-8257 or cantigny.org .
6:30 p.m. cake served and living history presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday , Feb. 20 Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti conducts Beethoven 's Second and Fifth Symphonies , plus the world premiere of Nicolas Bacri 's `` Ophelia 's Tears '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a debut Riccardo Muti conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in four concerts featuring Beethoven 's Second Symphony and Fifth Symphony along with the world premiere of Nicolas Bacri 's `` Ophelia 's Tears '' starting Thursday at Symphony Center , 220 S. Michigan Ave. , Chicago .
$ 49- $ 286 .
( 312 ) 294-3000 or cso.org .
8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday , Feb. 20-22 , and 3 p.m. Sunday , Feb. 23 '' Saturday Night Live '' alum Darrell Hammond performs four standup comedy shows this week at two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1548 N. Wells St. , Chicago .
( 312 ) 337-4027 ; then on Friday and Saturday at Parkway Bank Park , 5437 Park Place , Rosemont .
( 847 ) 813-0484 .
$ 30 plus a two-item purchase .
zanies.com .
8 p.m. Thursday , Feb. 20 , in Chicago ; 8 p.m. Friday , Feb. 21 , and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday , Feb. 22 , in Rosemont

Best bets: Darrell Hammond brings the funny to Zanies in Chicago, Rosemont
Dancing experiences
The Lula Washington Dance Theatre is one of the nation's preeminent dance companies that takes its inspiration from African-American culture and history. The Los Angeles-based company has a tour stop on Sunday, Feb. 16, at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $32-$38; $31-$37 seniors; $10-$15 youths. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16
Lula Washington Dance Theatre tours to College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Arts in Grayslake on Sunday, Feb. 16. -
See Mel Brooks spoof sci-fi adventures (specifically the "Star Wars" franchise) with "Spaceballs." This 1987 comedy stars Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis, John Candy and more. It screens on Monday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $1. Rated PG. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17
Votes for women!
Leslie Goddard portrays the American suffragist Alice Paul in a living-history presentation that is part of the League of Women Voters 100th Birthday Celebration. This Civic Awareness Series event commemorating a century of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is on Thursday at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free admission and parking, but advance reservations required. (630) 260-8257 or cantigny.org. 6:30 p.m. cake served and living history presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20
Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti conducts Beethoven's Second and Fifth Symphonies, plus the world premiere of Nicolas Bacri's "Ophelia's Tears" at Symphony Center in Chicago. - Associated Press, 2016
Riccardo Muti conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in four concerts featuring Beethoven's Second Symphony and Fifth Symphony along with the world premiere of Nicolas Bacri's "Ophelia's Tears" starting Thursday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $49-$286. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 20-22, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23
'SNL' veteran
"Saturday Night Live" alum Darrell Hammond performs four standup comedy shows this week at two Zanies locations: first on Thursday at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago. (312) 337-4027; then on Friday and Saturday at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. (847) 813-0484. $30 plus a two-item purchase. zanies.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in Chicago; 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, in Rosemont


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-15--Des Plaines woman killed trying to cross expressway after accident

A 24-year-old Des Plaines woman in a car that hit a guardrail while traveling west on I-290 near Schaumburg Road @ @ @ @ @ was struck by another vehicle while running across the expressway .
The Des Plaines woman @ @ @ @ @ and Kinga A. Pieniadz , 26 , of Elk Grove Village were traveling fast when @ @ @ @ @ expressway , hit a guardrail end and came to rest in the right ditch shortly @ @ @ @ @ to Illinois State Police District 2 , which is handling the investigation .
The two @ @ @ @ @ car and ran across the westbound lanes of I-290 toward the left shoulder .
Pieniadz @ @ @ @ @ Sanchez-Perez was struck by a gold Toyota Camry , and transported to a hospital where @ @ @ @ @ .
The driver of the car that struck her was a 37-year-old Chicago man .
@ @ @ @ @ of the women was driving the Prius .
No charges have been filed .
The @ @ @

Des Plaines woman killed trying to cross expressway after accident
Daily Herald report
A 24-year-old Des Plaines woman in a car that hit a guardrail while traveling west on I-290 near Schaumburg Road died Friday night after she was struck by another vehicle while running across the expressway.
The Des Plaines woman, Gloria M. Sanchez-Perez, and Kinga A. Pieniadz, 26, of Elk Grove Village were traveling fast when their Toyota Prius left the expressway, hit a guardrail end and came to rest in the right ditch shortly before 11 p.m., according to Illinois State Police District 2, which is handling the investigation.
The two women got out of the car and ran across the westbound lanes of I-290 toward the left shoulder. Pieniadz made it safely, but Sanchez-Perez was struck by a gold Toyota Camry, and transported to a hospital where she died, police said.
The driver of the car that struck her was a 37-year-old Chicago man. Police didn't identify which of the women was driving the Prius.
No charges have been filed. The investigation continues.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-15--Elgin police: Suspect dies after fleeing officer, driving into body of water

Authorities are investigating the death of a person accused of violating an order of protection and fleeing Elgin police before driving into a body of water Friday .
Authorities responded Friday morning to the 1700 block of North Randall Road , the workplace of someone who had an order of protection against the suspect , according to the Elgin Police Department Facebook page .
Officers were told the suspect had appeared at the workplace and could be armed with a handgun .
Later in the afternoon , about 4:55 p.m. , an officer saw the suspect 's vehicle near one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The officer followed the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop , at which point the suspect accelerated and drove off the roadway into a body of water near Nesler Road .
The suspect , who has not been identified , was pronounced dead at the scene , and a handgun was recovered , police said .
The Kane County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the death , as required by the Illinois Police and Community Relations Improvement Act because it involves `` an individual 's vehicle in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apprehend . ''

Elgin police: Suspect dies after fleeing officer, driving into body of water
Authorities are investigating the death of a person accused of violating an order of protection and fleeing Elgin police before driving into a body of water Friday.
Authorities responded Friday morning to the 1700 block of North Randall Road, the workplace of someone who had an order of protection against the suspect, according to the Elgin Police Department Facebook page. Officers were told the suspect had appeared at the workplace and could be armed with a handgun.
Later in the afternoon, about 4:55 p.m., an officer saw the suspect's vehicle near one of the protected individual's addresses, police said. The officer followed the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop, at which point the suspect accelerated and drove off the roadway into a body of water near Nesler Road.
The suspect, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, and a handgun was recovered, police said.
The Kane County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the death, as required by the Illinois Police and Community Relations Improvement Act because it involves "an individual's vehicle in the process of apprehension or attempt to apprehend."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-15--Facts Matter: Mahomes's shirt altered to poke fun at Trump

After the Kansas City Chiefs ' Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers , a photo made its way to social media showing Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wearing a shirt that featured the shape of Missouri with the words `` The Great State of Kansas . ''
The fake post , which was shared more than 15,000 times , according to PolitiFact.com , is a doctored image that appears to poke fun at a Twitter post President Donald Trump sent after the game .
Trump wrote , `` Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on a great game and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You represented the Great State of Kansas and , in fact , the entire USA , so very well . ''
But the Chiefs play in Kansas City , Missouri , not Kansas .
The president deleted that Twitter post shortly after it went out and replaced it with a corrected version , stating , `` We are proud of you and the Great State of Missouri . ''
The fake image was manipulated from a photo of Mahomes on a post-Super Bowl trip to Walt Disney World , posted on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caption , `` Let the victory tour begin !
, '' PolitiFact said .
In the original image Mahomes appears to be on a plane and is wearing a shirt with the word `` Showtime , '' along with his jersey number , 15 .
Other false memes also resulted from Trump 's Twitter post citing the wrong home state for the Chiefs .
A photo of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg holding a sign was falsified to make the sign read , `` Our next rally will be in Kansas City , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters wo n't be able to find us , '' < URL destination= '' https : //apnews.com/afs : Content:8451161446 '' > according to The Associated Press .
< /URL > The original photo , which Thunberg posted to her Twitter account on May 14 , 2019 , showed the 17-year-old holding a sign that reads , `` Let Russia strike for climate # FridaysForFuture , '' the AP said .
She included the comment , `` In some countries it is illegal to # schoolstrike4climate .
That makes our responsibility , we who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That photo has been used on other occasions to change the message on Thunberg 's sign , the AP said .
The latest false version was shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter .
That 's not where the virus started A mislabeled video making the rounds on social media shows a market selling bats and snakes , along with live caged dogs , and claims it is the Wuhan market in China , where the current strain of coronavirus originated .
But the video was posted to YouTube months before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indonesia , according to The Associated Press .
The footage , posted last July , shows roasted rats , cut up snakes and dogs for sale at the Langowan Market in Sulawesi , Indonesia , the AP said .
A phrase in Indonesian at the beginning of the video , when translated to English , says `` Langowan EXTREME Market . ''
Health officials have said the virus , first detected in December , can be traced to a seafood market in Wuhan , China , the AP said .
Recent figures show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and 490 deaths in China .
Every day is the # BroomstickChallenge !
The # BroomstickChallenge on social media originated from false claims that a broom will stand up by itself on two days each year , the vernal and autumnal equinox , because of Earth 's gravitational pull , according to NBC News .
But , with a little patience , a broom can be made to stand on its own any day of the year .
The idea of a broom standing because of the planet 's gravitation pull during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the myth that an egg will balance on its end on those days , NBC News said .
The challenge originated in a Twitter post , citing NASA , that shows a woman balancing a broom as she exclaims there are `` no strings '' involved .
That post received more than 260,000 likes , was shared more than 60,000 times and led to other posts of people standing up brooms .
There is no evidence NASA made this claim , NBC News said .
In fact , NASA astronaut Alvin Drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a broom they made stand on its own the day after it was supposed to be possible .
In the video , Noble asks , `` Did you do the Broomstick Challenge yesterday ?
Well , turns out you can do it again today . ''
Brooms have a low center of gravity , according to Snopes.com .
If you spread the bristles , it will create a tripod-like effect that will hold up the broom .
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gmail.com .

Facts Matter: Mahomes's shirt altered to poke fun at Trump
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, left, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have the jokes, but they aren't about a fake photo of Mahomes making the rounds online that pokes fun at President Trump. Associated Press
After the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers, a photo made its way to social media showing Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wearing a shirt that featured the shape of Missouri with the words "The Great State of Kansas."
The fake post, which was shared more than 15,000 times, according to PolitiFact.com, is a doctored image that appears to poke fun at a Twitter post President Donald Trump sent after the game.
Trump wrote, "Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on a great game and a fantastic comeback, under immense pressure. You represented the Great State of Kansas and, in fact, the entire USA, so very well."
But the Chiefs play in Kansas City, Missouri, not Kansas. The president deleted that Twitter post shortly after it went out and replaced it with a corrected version, stating, "We are proud of you and the Great State of Missouri."
The fake image was manipulated from a photo of Mahomes on a post-Super Bowl trip to Walt Disney World, posted on Twitter by his agent Jacquelyn Dahl with the caption, "Let the victory tour begin!," PolitiFact said. In the original image Mahomes appears to be on a plane and is wearing a shirt with the word "Showtime," along with his jersey number, 15.
Activist isn't planning rally in Missouri
Other false memes also resulted from Trump's Twitter post citing the wrong home state for the Chiefs.
A photo of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg holding a sign was falsified to make the sign read, "Our next rally will be in Kansas City, Missouri! This way Trump and his supporters won't be able to find us," according to The Associated Press.
The original photo, which Thunberg posted to her Twitter account on May 14, 2019, showed the 17-year-old holding a sign that reads, "Let Russia strike for climate #FridaysForFuture," the AP said. She included the comment, "In some countries it is illegal to #schoolstrike4climate. That makes our responsibility, we who can strike, even bigger."
That photo has been used on other occasions to change the message on Thunberg's sign, the AP said. The latest false version was shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter.
That's not where the virus started
A mislabeled video making the rounds on social media shows a market selling bats and snakes, along with live caged dogs, and claims it is the Wuhan market in China, where the current strain of coronavirus originated.
But the video was posted to YouTube months before the outbreak and the market pictured is in Indonesia, according to The Associated Press.
The footage, posted last July, shows roasted rats, cut up snakes and dogs for sale at the Langowan Market in Sulawesi, Indonesia, the AP said. A phrase in Indonesian at the beginning of the video, when translated to English, says "Langowan EXTREME Market."
Health officials have said the virus, first detected in December, can be traced to a seafood market in Wuhan, China, the AP said. Recent figures show more than 24,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 490 deaths in China.
Every day is the #BroomstickChallenge!
The #BroomstickChallenge on social media originated from false claims that a broom will stand up by itself on two days each year, the vernal and autumnal equinox, because of Earth's gravitational pull, according to NBC News.
But, with a little patience, a broom can be made to stand on its own any day of the year.
The idea of a broom standing because of the planet's gravitation pull during the equinox is a false, much like the myth that an egg will balance on its end on those days, NBC News said.
The challenge originated in a Twitter post, citing NASA, that shows a woman balancing a broom as she exclaims there are "no strings" involved.
That post received more than 260,000 likes, was shared more than 60,000 times and led to other posts of people standing up brooms.
There is no evidence NASA made this claim, NBC News said. In fact, NASA astronaut Alvin Drew and scientist Sarah Noble posted a video of a broom they made stand on its own the day after it was supposed to be possible.
In the video, Noble asks, "Did you do the Broomstick Challenge yesterday? Well, turns out you can do it again today."
Brooms have a low center of gravity, according to Snopes.com. If you spread the bristles, it will create a tripod-like effect that will hold up the broom.
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News. Contact him at boboswald33@gmail.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-15--Local coronavirus patients released from isolation

Two local patients diagnosed in January with the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) were released Friday from home isolation , according to health departments from the state of Illinois , Chicago and Cook County .
Originally treated at Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates in January , the couple were released to home isolation on Feb. 7 .
`` Our two Illinois residents with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 have recovered from their illnesses and there has been no further spread of the virus from these two cases , '' said Dr. Ngozi Ezike , director of the Illinois Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the general public remains low and we are continuing to use every tool at our disposal to keep our community safe . ''
The woman -- a Chicago resident in her 60s who had returned from Wuhan , China , where the virus first was diagnosed -- was identified as the first confirmed Illinois case of COVID-19 on Jan. 24 , and her husband , also in his 60s , was the second confirmed Illinois case and first human-to-human transmission in the U.S. identified .
For more information on the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email dph.sick @ illinois.gov or

Local coronavirus patients released from isolation
Two local patients diagnosed in January with the coronavirus (COVID-19) were released Friday from home isolation, according to health departments from the state of Illinois, Chicago and Cook County. Originally treated at Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates in January, the couple were released to home isolation on Feb. 7.
"Our two Illinois residents with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 have recovered from their illnesses and there has been no further spread of the virus from these two cases," said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. "The risk to the general public remains low and we are continuing to use every tool at our disposal to keep our community safe."
The woman -- a Chicago resident in her 60s who had returned from Wuhan, China, where the virus first was diagnosed -- was
identified as the first confirmed Illinois case of COVID-19 on Jan. 24, and her husband, also in his 60s, was the second confirmed Illinois case and first human-to-human transmission in the U.S. identified.
For more information on the virus, phone the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-889-3931, email dph.sick@illinois.gov or
visit dph.illinois.gov.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-15--Grammar Moses: Would you be annoyed if I were to ping you?

When I first took the job of managing editor in 2012 , I entered a world in which a majority of my day was spent in meetings -- as many as eight planned meetings a day , with short chats in between .
Much less editing ; much more talking .
With apologies to those with whom I shared a conference table then and now , the first few months of some of those meetings were brutal .
I had unwittingly walked into the Jargon Zone .
Much of it is a blur today .
People spoke in the made-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ web metrics and interfaces .
What actual nouns existed in those conversations morphed into verbs .
I responded to these discussions as I would to watching a fantasy movie or reading anything that features dragons and magic wands : I would enter a light coma .
I 'm sorry , but that 's my defense mechanism .
For obvious reasons , I have little by way of examples from then .
But there is one moment I remember distinctly .
Someone kept referring to the overarching importance of a strong UX .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
An unctuous xenolith ?
An ugly xerophyte ?
Why ca n't I think of any more words that start with X ?
I interrupted the conversation that I was in no way following and blurted out , `` What the heck is a UX ? ''
The room hushed .
`` The User Experience , '' the speaker replied .
Imagine walking into a Dungeons and Dragons ( those darned dragons again ) game for the first time and learning that everyone else has been playing it for years .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
There is a real uncomfortability with being in situations where you 're the only one not in the know .
When everyone in the room is in the know , jargon can be a helpful way to speed things along .
But in general conversation , especially when used in a braggy way to show your expertise , it can be truly off-putting .
I received an email this morning from Verizon Business alerting me to a survey it did on corporate jargon .
The company surveyed 1,000 people and asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The results were eye-opening to me .
We still have jargon around here that predates my earliest mustache to describe things that have n't really existed in 20 years .
But I had never heard some of the jargon in Verizon 's study .
And I hope to exorcise them today .
Here are some that were new to me : • `` Boil the ocean '' in business speak refers to an impossible goal .
• `` Analysis paralysis '' is overthinking to the point of inaction .
This topped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survey group .
• `` I 'll ping you . ''
I take it back ; I heard this from a friend who works in the IT industry .
I had to ask whether that meant calling me on the phone , emailing me , texting me , instant messaging me or showing up on my sonar .
• Why talk about `` bandwidth '' unless you 're actually talking about bandwidth ?
That was one conclusion Verizon folks came up with .
And I 'm sure Verizon folks talk about actual bandwidth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , you can save a syllable and say `` time . ''
What was even more eye-opening than the idioms I did n't know was the prevalence of those on the list that I employ in daily conversation : `` all hands on deck , '' `` deep dive , '' `` disconnect '' as a noun , `` heavy lifting , '' `` low-hanging fruit , '' `` out-of-the-box '' as an adjective , `` ROI , '' and `` wordsmithing . ''
I will exercise my authority and declare `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the essence of what I do .
Clearly , though , I need to focus on being more original .
The last one I 'll mention from Verizon 's list is `` big picture . ''
I , for one , do n't find that irritating at all .
`` Big Picture-Local Focus '' had been our marketing tag for most of my career .
• Jim Baumann is vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald .
Write him at jbaumann @ dailyherald.com .
Put Grammar Moses in the subject line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at facebook.com/baumannjim .

Grammar Moses: Would you be annoyed if I were to ping you?
When I first took the job of managing editor in 2012, I entered a world in which a majority of my day was spent in meetings -- as many as eight planned meetings a day, with short chats in between.
Much less editing; much more talking.
With apologies to those with whom I shared a conference table then and now, the first few months of some of those meetings were brutal.
I had unwittingly walked into the Jargon Zone.
Much of it is a blur today. People spoke in the made-up language of apps, software providers, web metrics and interfaces. What actual nouns existed in those conversations morphed into verbs.
I responded to these discussions as I would to watching a fantasy movie or reading anything that features dragons and magic wands: I would enter a light coma.
I'm sorry, but that's my defense mechanism.
For obvious reasons, I have little by way of examples from then. But there is one moment I remember distinctly. Someone kept referring to the overarching importance of a strong UX.
I racked my brain: an undulating xylophone? An unctuous xenolith? An ugly xerophyte? Why can't I think of any more words that start with X?
I interrupted the conversation that I was in no way following and blurted out, "What the heck is a UX?"
The room hushed. "The User Experience," the speaker replied.
Imagine walking into a Dungeons and Dragons (those darned dragons again) game for the first time and learning that everyone else has been playing it for years.
I'm sure you've experienced something like this before.
There is a real uncomfortability with being in situations where you're the only one not in the know.
When everyone in the room is in the know, jargon can be a helpful way to speed things along. But in general conversation, especially when used in a braggy way to show your expertise, it can be truly off-putting.
I received an email this morning from Verizon Business alerting me to a survey it did on corporate jargon.
The company surveyed 1,000 people and asked them what jargon they hate the most.
The results were eye-opening to me. We still have jargon around here that predates my earliest mustache to describe things that haven't really existed in 20 years. But I had never heard some of the jargon in Verizon's study.
And I hope to exorcise them today.
Here are some that were new to me:
• "Boil the ocean" in business speak refers to an impossible goal.
• "Analysis paralysis" is overthinking to the point of inaction. This topped the list of most annoying jargon for the survey group.
• "I'll ping you." I take it back; I heard this from a friend who works in the IT industry. I had to ask whether that meant calling me on the phone, emailing me, texting me, instant messaging me or showing up on my sonar.
• Why talk about "bandwidth" unless you're actually talking about bandwidth? That was one conclusion Verizon folks came up with. And I'm sure Verizon folks talk about actual bandwidth every day. In non-frequency discussions, however, you can save a syllable and say "time."
What was even more eye-opening than the idioms I didn't know was the prevalence of those on the list that I employ in daily conversation: "all hands on deck," "deep dive," "disconnect" as a noun, "heavy lifting," "low-hanging fruit," "out-of-the-box" as an adjective, "ROI," and "wordsmithing."
I will exercise my authority and declare "wordsmithing" OK, given that it is the essence of what I do.
Clearly, though, I need to focus on being more original.
The last one I'll mention from Verizon's list is "big picture."
I, for one, don't find that irritating at all. "Big Picture-Local Focus" had been our marketing tag for most of my career.
Write carefully!
• Jim Baumann is vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald. Write him at jbaumann@dailyherald.com. Put Grammar Moses in the subject line. You also can friend or follow Jim at facebook.com/baumannjim.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-16--Last-second shot by Williams lifts Stanford over Colordo

BOULDER , Colo. -- Junior Kiana Williams hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds left , then stole the ball from Mya Hollingshed and sank a 40-footer at the buzzer to send eighth-ranked Stanford past Colorado 69-66 Sunday .
Williams , whose 29 points and seven 3-pointers were both career highs , looked as stunned as the Buffaloes and their fans as her teammates swarmed her and celebrated in a pile in front of their bench while the officials went to the monitors to confirm the basket was good .
The Buffaloes ( 15-10 , 4-10 Pac-12 ) were on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Top 25 team since 2016 , but they were held without a basket over the final 3:06 after taking a 64-59 lead and they missed four of six free throws in the final 26 seconds with a chance to ice it .
The Cardinal ( 23-3 , 12-2 Pac-12 ) won its fifth straight game , and just like its 76-68 overtime win against Colorado three weeks ago , last-second heroics were necessary to escape the Buffaloes ' upset bid .
RALEIGH , N.C. -- Francesca Pan scored 13 of her 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third quarter and Georgia Tech built a double-digit lead and withstood a late rally to stun N.C. State .
The Yellow Jackets ( 17-9 , 8-7 ACC ) , who had lost six of their past eight games , trailed 30-25 at halftime after missing their last six field-goal attempts of the second quarter and being held scoreless for 3:38 .
But Pan got going in the third quarter , making 6 of 7 field-goal attempts to help Georgia Tech build a 49-38 lead .
N.C. State ( 22-3 , 11-3 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home for the second time in four days following a defeat to No .
9 Louisville on Thursday .
LOS ANGELES -- Erin Boley scored 25 points , Ruthy Hebard added 22 and Satou Sabally had 18 to help Oregon rout Southern California .
Boley 's points and her seven 3-pointers were both season highs .
Hebard and Sabally had 10 rebounds each to help the Ducks dominate the boards , 38-23 .
Sabrina Ionescu had 13 assists to go with 12 points - her fewest points since 10 against UConn earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13-1 Pac-12 ) pulled away to lead by 28 points in the fourth after USC kept it close early in the game .
TAMPA , Fla. -- Megan Walker scored 21 points and Olivia Nelson-Ododa added 20 Sunday to help UConn shrug off a slow start to beat South Florida and remain unbeaten in the American Athletic Conference .
The Huskies ( 21-3 , 11-0 ) trailed by four at halftime , took the lead for good early in the third quarter and broke the game open by beginning the fourth quarter with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15-10 , 7-4 ) to one field goal during a nine-minute stretch .
Aubrey Griffin came off the bench to score eight points , grab seven rebounds and key the Huskies defense with five steals .
In improving to 131-0 all-time against league opponents since formation of the AAC , UConn rebounded from an 18-point loss to top-ranked South Carolina on Monday .
The Huskies have never lost to USF , going 30-0 in a series that dates to the 2002-03 season .
LOUISVILLE , Ky. -- Dana Evans scored 18 points to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dame .
The Cardinals ( 23-3 , 12-2 Atlantic Coast Conference ) made 7-of-9 shots during one stretch of the second quarter to build a 36-21 lead midway through the period .
Louisville played unselfish , dishing out 13 assists on 17 baskets in the half .
UNIVERSITY PARK , Pa. -- Stephanie Jones scored 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds and Maryland clamped down defensively in the second half to roll to a win over Penn State .
The Terrapins , who only led 46-45 at halftime , won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost their 11th straight .
Diamond Miller and Shakira Austin , who had eight rebounds , added 16 points apiece for Maryland ( 22-4 , 13-2 Big Ten Conference ) , Kamaria McDaniel led Penn State ( 7-19 , 1-14 ) with 22 points , her 11th 20-point game of the season , McDonald , a junior who came in averaging 20.5 points per game , has scored in double figures in 62 consecutive games , the longest active streak in the nation .
She scored 10 points in the opening quarter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 26-13 lead .
The lead was still 13 at halftime and 15 after three quarters before an 11-2 run midway through the fourth quarter , including five points form McDonald , put Arizona State ahead by 24 , 72-48 , with 3:38 to go .
The Wildcats ( 21-4 , 10-4 ) reached 10 conference wins for the first time since the 2010-11 season .
Sam Thomas added 18 points and six assists for Arizona , which swept the season series from the Cougars ( 11-15 , 4-10 ) .
Held was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but 6 of 7 otherwise and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line for the Blue Demons ( 24-3 , 14-1 Big East ) , who have won five straight .
Donya Morris added 15 points and six assists , Chante Stonewall also scored 15 points with Deja Church adding 13 and Dee Bekelja 11 .
Kelly Campbell - like fellow senior Stonewall , playing her final game at McGrath-Phillips Arena - had eight assists to go with nine points .
A'riana Gray led the Musketeers ( 2-23 , 1-13 ) with 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added a career-high 17 points and Morgan Sharps had 13 .
DURHAM , N.C. -- Haley Gorecki scored 21 points , including two free throws with 3.5 seconds left , and Duke upset Florida State , ending a string of 13 straight losses against Top 25 teams .
Nicki Ekhomu 's long 3-point attempt from the top left went off the front of the rim as time expired .
Gorecki made a tough driving layup with 13.4 seconds to go and Ekhomu did the same at 9.8 seconds .
Gorecki , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 of 16 from the line , was fouled on a drive .
Leaonna Odom added 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting for Duke ( 15-10 , 9-5 Atlantic Coast Conference ) , which has won four straight .
Ekhomu scored 19 points and Nausia Woolfolk added 14 with 11 rebounds for the Seminoles ( 20-5 , 9-5 ) .
No .
16 TEXAS A & M 73 , No .
25 TENNESSEE 71 KNOXVILLE , Tenn. -- Chennedy Carter scored a season-high 37 points in her first start since returning from an ankle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slumping Tennessee .
Carter , the Southeastern Conference 's preseason player of the year , had missed seven games after hurting her left ankle , with the Aggies going 4-3 in that span .
The 5-foot-7 junior returned to action Thursday and scored 18 points in 22 minutes off the bench in a 74-53 victory over Vanderbilt .
Shambria Washington scored 10 points and N'dea Jones had eight points and 16 rebounds for Texas A & M ( 20-5 , 8-4 SEC ) .
Rae Burrell scored 19 and Rennia Davis had 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which lost its fourth straight .
IOWA CITY , Iowa -- Kathleen Doyle scored 22 points and Iowa ran its winning streak at home to 34 with a victory over Wisconsin .
McKenna Warnock added 20 points and Monika Czinano 19 on a combined 14-of-19 shooting for the Hawkeyes ( 21-5 , 12-3 Big Ten Conference ) , who won the first matchup 85-78 last month .
Makenzie Meyer added 13 points for Iowa , which shot 55 % ( 34 of 62 ) to bounce back from a 93-59 loss at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
EVANSTON , Ill. -- Veronica Burton scored 21 points and Northwestern scored the last nine points of the game to pull out a win over Nebraska .
Lindsey Pulliam scored the last four points , including the clinching free throws with four seconds left in a fourth quarter of runs .
Jordan Hamilton had 10 points for the Wildcats ( 22-3 , 12-2 Big Ten ) , who won their fifth straight to remain a half-game behind first-place Maryland .
BLOOMINGTON , Ind , -- Madison Greene scored 14 of her 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State rallied to beat Indiana .
Indiana ( 20-7 , 10-5 Big Ten Conference ) , which was trying to end a 13-game skid against the Buckeyes ( 16-9 , 9-5 ) dating to 2010 , led 36-34 at halftime and upped its lead to 55-49 heading into the final quarter .
The Hoosiers quickly pushed their lead to 10 before Greene and the Buckeyes took control to notch their fifth straight win .
Trailing 59-49 with 9:07 remaining in the game , Greene had a layup and two 3-pointers in an 18-7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layup for a 67-66 Buckeyes ' lead .
After Aleksa Gulbe made 1 of 2 free throws to pull Indiana even , Greene sank two foul shots , Jacy Sheldon nailed a 3-pointer and Braxtin Miller capped the 7-0 spurt with a layup for a 74-67 lead at the 2:07 mark .
Ohio State never trailed again .
TEMPE , Ariz. -- Reili Richardson scored 17 points and became Arizona State 's all-time assists leader as the Sun Devils held off Washington .
Richardson 's record-breaking assist came on a layup by Ja'tavia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jayde Van Hyfte added ASU 's final field goal with 3:28 to go .
Amber Melgoza scored the Huskies ' final eight points over the last minute to get Washington within two with 15 seconds left but Iris Mbulito made two free throws with 13 seconds left and a contested Melgoza layup attempt missed the mark .
Richardson , a senior , finished with six assists giving her 539 in her career , one more than Briann January ( 2006-09 ) , a Sun Devils assistant coach and an 11-year WNBA veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scored 13 points and Jamie Ruden 12 for ASU ( 18-8 , 8-6 ) , which swept the season series .
Melgoza scored 18 points and Darcy Rees and Missy Peterson 10 each for Washington ( 12-13 , 3-11 ) .
OXFORD , Miss .
-- Alexis Tolefree scored 19 points and Chelsea Dungee scored 18 and Arkansas disposed of Ole Miss to set an SEC single-game scoring record .
The Razorbacks also topped the century mark beating Kentucky 103-85 last week .
Arkansas ( 20-5 , 8-4 Southeastern Conference ) began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 0-12 ) late in the first quarter .
Taylor Smith buried a 3-pointer to bring the Rebels within 23-21 with 98 seconds left in the first .
But in an 84-second span , Tolefree responded with three free throws , A'Tyanna Gaulden followed with a 3 created off a steal by Amber Ramirez and Tolefree ended the quarter with another 3 for a 32-23 advantage .
The Razorbacks broke it open in the second and outscored Ole Miss 26-14 .

Last-second shot by Williams lifts Stanford over Colordo
BOULDER, Colo. -- Junior Kiana Williams hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds left, then stole the ball from Mya Hollingshed and sank a 40-footer at the buzzer to send eighth-ranked Stanford past Colorado 69-66 Sunday.
Williams, whose 29 points and seven 3-pointers were both career highs, looked as stunned as the Buffaloes and their fans as her teammates swarmed her and celebrated in a pile in front of their bench while the officials went to the monitors to confirm the basket was good.
The Buffaloes (15-10, 4-10 Pac-12) were on the verge of their first win over a Top 25 team since 2016, but they were held without a basket over the final 3:06 after taking a 64-59 lead and they missed four of six free throws in the final 26 seconds with a chance to ice it.
The Cardinal (23-3, 12-2 Pac-12) won its fifth straight game, and just like its 76-68 overtime win against Colorado three weeks ago, last-second heroics were necessary to escape the Buffaloes' upset bid.
GEORGIA TECH 65, No. 4 N.C. STATE 61
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Francesca Pan scored 13 of her 30 points in the first six minutes of the third quarter and Georgia Tech built a double-digit lead and withstood a late rally to stun N.C. State.
The Yellow Jackets (17-9, 8-7 ACC), who had lost six of their past eight games, trailed 30-25 at halftime after missing their last six field-goal attempts of the second quarter and being held scoreless for 3:38. But Pan got going in the third quarter, making 6 of 7 field-goal attempts to help Georgia Tech build a 49-38 lead.
N.C. State (22-3, 11-3), which started 22-1, lost at home for the second time in four days following a defeat to No. 9 Louisville on Thursday.
No. 3 OREGON 93, SOUTHERN CAL 67
LOS ANGELES -- Erin Boley scored 25 points, Ruthy Hebard added 22 and Satou Sabally had 18 to help Oregon rout Southern California.
Boley's points and her seven 3-pointers were both season highs. Hebard and Sabally had 10 rebounds each to help the Ducks dominate the boards, 38-23. Sabrina Ionescu had 13 assists to go with 12 points - her fewest points since 10 against UConn earlier this month.
The Ducks (24-2, 13-1 Pac-12) pulled away to lead by 28 points in the fourth after USC kept it close early in the game.
Endyia Rogers led the Trojans (13-12, 5-9) with 21 points
No. 5 UCONN 67, SOUTH FLORIDA 47
TAMPA, Fla. -- Megan Walker scored 21 points and Olivia Nelson-Ododa added 20 Sunday to help UConn shrug off a slow start to beat South Florida and remain unbeaten in the American Athletic Conference.
The Huskies (21-3, 11-0) trailed by four at halftime, took the lead for good early in the third quarter and broke the game open by beginning the fourth quarter with a 15-2 run and holding USF (15-10, 7-4) to one field goal during a nine-minute stretch.
Aubrey Griffin came off the bench to score eight points, grab seven rebounds and key the Huskies defense with five steals.
In improving to 131-0 all-time against league opponents since formation of the AAC, UConn rebounded from an 18-point loss to top-ranked South Carolina on Monday. The Huskies have never lost to USF, going 30-0 in a series that dates to the 2002-03 season.
NO. 18 KENTUCKY 73, NO. 6 MISSISSIPPI STATE 62
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Rhyne Howard scored 26 points and led a third-quarter surge that sent Kentucky over Mississippi State.
Howard had 11 points to help the Wildcats (19-5, 8-4 Southeastern Conference) outscore the Bulldogs 22-9 in the third period. Amanda Paschal and Howard hit consecutive 3-pointers as Kentucky closed the quarter on an 8-0 run.
Kentucky led 61-41 early in the fourth before Rickea Jackson's 10 straight points helped MSU (22-4, 10-2) get within 10. Jaida Roper let the Wildcats maintain a safe cushion with six consecutive points down the stretch.
No. 9 LOUISVILLE 82, NOTRE DAME 49
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Dana Evans scored 18 points to lead Louisville to a victory over Notre Dame.
The Cardinals (23-3, 12-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) made 7-of-9 shots during one stretch of the second quarter to build a 36-21 lead midway through the period. Louisville played unselfish, dishing out 13 assists on 17 baskets in the half.
Mik Vaughn led the Irish (10-16, 5-9) with 16 points.
No. 10 MARYLAND 106, PENN STATE 69
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Stephanie Jones scored 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds and Maryland clamped down defensively in the second half to roll to a win over Penn State.
The Terrapins, who only led 46-45 at halftime, won their 11th straight while the Nittany Lions lost their 11th straight.
Diamond Miller and Shakira Austin, who had eight rebounds, added 16 points apiece for Maryland (22-4, 13-2 Big Ten Conference),
Kamaria McDaniel led Penn State (7-19, 1-14) with 22 points, her 11th 20-point game of the season,
No. 12 ARIZONA 72, WASHINGTON STATE 57
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Pac-12 scoring leader Aari McDonald scored 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting and Arizona beat Washington State.
McDonald, a junior who came in averaging 20.5 points per game, has scored in double figures in 62 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the nation.
She scored 10 points in the opening quarter, closing the period with a 3-pointer for a 26-13 lead. The lead was still 13 at halftime and 15 after three quarters before an 11-2 run midway through the fourth quarter, including five points form McDonald, put Arizona State ahead by 24, 72-48, with 3:38 to go.
The Wildcats (21-4, 10-4) reached 10 conference wins for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
Sam Thomas added 18 points and six assists for Arizona, which swept the season series from the Cougars (11-15, 4-10).
No. 13 DEPAUL 97, XAVIER 65
CHICAGO -- Lexi Held scored 26 points and DePaul rolled past Xavier.
Held was only 1 of 7 from 3-point range but 6 of 7 otherwise and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line for the Blue Demons (24-3, 14-1 Big East), who have won five straight.
Donya Morris added 15 points and six assists, Chante Stonewall also scored 15 points with Deja Church adding 13 and Dee Bekelja 11. Kelly Campbell - like fellow senior Stonewall, playing her final game at McGrath-Phillips Arena - had eight assists to go with nine points.
A'riana Gray led the Musketeers (2-23, 1-13) with 20 points and nine rebounds. Carrie Gross added a career-high 17 points and Morgan Sharps had 13.
DUKE 66, No. 14 FLORIDA STATE 64
DURHAM, N.C. -- Haley Gorecki scored 21 points, including two free throws with 3.5 seconds left, and Duke upset Florida State, ending a string of 13 straight losses against Top 25 teams.
Nicki Ekhomu's long 3-point attempt from the top left went off the front of the rim as time expired.
Gorecki made a tough driving layup with 13.4 seconds to go and Ekhomu did the same at 9.8 seconds. Gorecki, who was 3 of 14 from the field and 14 of 16 from the line, was fouled on a drive.
Leaonna Odom added 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting for Duke (15-10, 9-5 Atlantic Coast Conference), which has won four straight. Ekhomu scored 19 points and Nausia Woolfolk added 14 with 11 rebounds for the Seminoles (20-5, 9-5).
No. 16 TEXAS A&M 73, No. 25 TENNESSEE 71
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Chennedy Carter scored a season-high 37 points in her first start since returning from an ankle injury as Texas A&M edged slumping Tennessee.
Carter, the Southeastern Conference's preseason player of the year, had missed seven games after hurting her left ankle, with the Aggies going 4-3 in that span. The 5-foot-7 junior returned to action Thursday and scored 18 points in 22 minutes off the bench in a 74-53 victory over Vanderbilt.
Shambria Washington scored 10 points and N'dea Jones had eight points and 16 rebounds for Texas A&M (20-5, 8-4 SEC). Rae Burrell scored 19 and Rennia Davis had 18 for Tennessee (17-8, 7-5), which lost its fourth straight.
No. 17 IOWA 97, WISCONSIN 71
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Kathleen Doyle scored 22 points and Iowa ran its winning streak at home to 34 with a victory over Wisconsin.
McKenna Warnock added 20 points and Monika Czinano 19 on a combined 14-of-19 shooting for the Hawkeyes (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten Conference), who won the first matchup 85-78 last month.
Makenzie Meyer added 13 points for Iowa, which shot 55% (34 of 62) to bounce back from a 93-59 loss at Maryland in a showdown for first place.
Imani Lewis scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Wisconsin (11-15, 3-12).
No. 19 NORTHWESTERN 60, NEBRASKA 56
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Veronica Burton scored 21 points and Northwestern scored the last nine points of the game to pull out a win over Nebraska.
Lindsey Pulliam scored the last four points, including the clinching free throws with four seconds left in a fourth quarter of runs.
Jordan Hamilton had 10 points for the Wildcats (22-3, 12-2 Big Ten), who won their fifth straight to remain a half-game behind first-place Maryland.
Leigha Brown scored 14 points for Nebraska (16-10, 6-9).
OHIO STATE 80, No. 20 INDIANA 76
BLOOMINGTON, Ind, -- Madison Greene scored 14 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter and Ohio State rallied to beat Indiana.
Indiana (20-7, 10-5 Big Ten Conference), which was trying to end a 13-game skid against the Buckeyes (16-9, 9-5) dating to 2010, led 36-34 at halftime and upped its lead to 55-49 heading into the final quarter.
The Hoosiers quickly pushed their lead to 10 before Greene and the Buckeyes took control to notch their fifth straight win. Trailing 59-49 with 9:07 remaining in the game, Greene had a layup and two 3-pointers in an 18-7 run that ended with a Janai Crooms layup for a 67-66 Buckeyes' lead.
After Aleksa Gulbe made 1 of 2 free throws to pull Indiana even, Greene sank two foul shots, Jacy Sheldon nailed a 3-pointer and Braxtin Miller capped the 7-0 spurt with a layup for a 74-67 lead at the 2:07 mark. Ohio State never trailed again.
No. 22 ARIZONA STATE 72, WASHINGTON 68
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Reili Richardson scored 17 points and became Arizona State's all-time assists leader as the Sun Devils held off Washington.
Richardson's record-breaking assist came on a layup by Ja'tavia Tapley with just over four minutes left and Jayde Van Hyfte added ASU's final field goal with 3:28 to go. Amber Melgoza scored the Huskies' final eight points over the last minute to get Washington within two with 15 seconds left but Iris Mbulito made two free throws with 13 seconds left and a contested Melgoza layup attempt missed the mark.
Richardson, a senior, finished with six assists giving her 539 in her career, one more than Briann January (2006-09), a Sun Devils assistant coach and an 11-year WNBA veteran now with the Phoenix Mercury.
Tapley scored 13 points and Jamie Ruden 12 for ASU (18-8, 8-6), which swept the season series.
Melgoza scored 18 points and Darcy Rees and Missy Peterson 10 each for Washington (12-13, 3-11).
No. 23 ARKANSAS 108, Mississippi 64
OXFORD, Miss. -- Alexis Tolefree scored 19 points and Chelsea Dungee scored 18 and Arkansas disposed of Ole Miss to set an SEC single-game scoring record.
The Razorbacks also topped the century mark beating Kentucky 103-85 last week.
Arkansas (20-5, 8-4 Southeastern Conference) began to pull away from Ole Miss (7-18, 0-12) late in the first quarter. Taylor Smith buried a 3-pointer to bring the Rebels within 23-21 with 98 seconds left in the first. But in an 84-second span, Tolefree responded with three free throws, A'Tyanna Gaulden followed with a 3 created off a steal by Amber Ramirez and Tolefree ended the quarter with another 3 for a 32-23 advantage.
The Razorbacks broke it open in the second and outscored Ole Miss 26-14.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-16--How suburban police departments are courting minority recruits

Ever since Pradeep Singh Deol was old enough to dress up for Halloween , his costume of choice was a police uniform .
A Buffalo Grove High School alumnus , Deol now is one of just three Sikh law enforcement professionals in the suburbs .
Unwittingly , his lifelong passion has made him the poster child for departments seeking to diversify their ranks .
A few suburban police departments are recruiting in earnest within the Sikh , Muslim , Hindu , and other minority communities to better mirror and serve the growing racial and ethnic diversity of the suburbs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- hitting up high school and college campuses .
That was the kind of connection that lured Deol , 28 , who now is a Prospect Heights police officer .
He said his first impressions of law enforcement were drawn from engaging with his school 's resource officer and from participation in Drug Abuse Resistance Education and another youth program offered by Wheeling Police Department .
He has a ready answer for why individual departments value such efforts .
`` It 's important ( to have officers who are ) able to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuances when you respond to calls , '' he said .
`` You are able to have a better understanding of a situation based on the cultural dynamics . ''
Deol wanted nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of his great-grandfather , who was a police officer in India .
Now , Deol is an inspiration for youth from the suburban Sikh community who want to become cops .
A Palatine resident , he often helps with recruiting efforts at the Palatine gurdwara where he worships .
Part of the challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrants is a distrust of law enforcement , said Lake in the Hills police Sgt .
Matthew Mannino .
`` What we are doing is basically bridging that gap between us and ( these ) communities , '' he said .
`` It 's not just about recruiting officers for our department .
It 's about building that trust with the community . ''
The department 's 39 sworn officers mostly are white men , with seven women in the ranks .
Five percent are minorities , but none speak Spanish .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in Hispanics and Asians .
`` We are seeing that need for bilingual or multilingual employees , '' Mannino said .
`` One of our recruitment efforts is to attract those applicants . ''
Having a mosque and Hindu temple in town offers access to youth in these communities who could join the department 's Explorer Program , which has attracted few diverse candidates over the past 20 years .
The program offers young people who are from 15 to 20 years old firsthand experience with what it is like to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ride-alongs , training , simulations , crime scene investigations and traffic stops .
On Saturday , Mannino and a few officers met with members of the American Community Muslim Organization in Lake in the Hills build those relationships .
`` And also to let them know that we are there as a resource , as well , '' Mannino said .
`` There are members of their organization that are interested in becoming police officers .
They are of the age that they can test and be hired .
Our goal here really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the racial , ethnic and gender ( makeup ) of our community . ''
Mannino said officials also are reaching out to student clubs at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake , including members of the LGBT campus group .
Zumba classes are n't just a prime destination for single men trolling for dates .
The Elgin Police Department soon will be courting female recruits at local gyms and health clubs , said Lt. Eric Echevarria .
`` That 's going to be one of our big efforts this year , reaching out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recruit right at their facilities , '' he said .
The department 's 184 sworn officers -- 167 male and 17 female -- are 78 % white , 14 % Hispanic , 5 % black and 2 % Asian .
Elgin police also are scouting college-level athletes who can handle the rigor of police academy training .
Echevarria said the focus is on Division II and III schools .
`` We 've learned that athletic groups have the concept of working in teams , wearing uniforms , '' Echevarria said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The military is very good at recruiting ( them ) .
We are taking a page out of the military ( playbook ) ... talking to some of the big recruiters in the military and seeing how they are doing it . ''
The department will be releasing a new recruitment video targeting the Latino population and pushing its message on Spanish-language television and radio stations .
It also recently changed its hiring standards to allow Elgin Community College students who graduate with an associate degree in criminal justice to apply , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required .
For some cultures that do n't view law enforcement as a viable career choice , getting parents ' support is key to breaking barriers .
`` There always has been a little bit of a disconnect ... that we probably would not be welcome , '' said Pardeep Singh Gill , president of the Sikh Religious Society of Palatine Gurdwara .
`` That is being dispelled now .
Suburban Chicago Sikh community is now embracing careers in police and military . ''
Gill credits the ongoing efforts of the Chicago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changing sentiments in his community .
As part of the Unity Partnership , the Lisle Police Department has been working to break barriers at gurdwaras in Palatine and Wheaton , the Islamic Center of Naperville and African Methodist Episcopal churches in Aurora and Lisle .
Unity Partnership , based in DuPage County , has been working in concert with police chiefs to address issues in policing communities of color .
Lisle has an all-white police force , and just seven out of 37 sworn officers are female .
Now , the department is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting communities of color , said Deputy Chief Ron Wilke .
`` I hope both sides see this as a trusting relationship because we certainly do , '' Wilke said .
`` We have a legitimate desire to try and bridge this gap and bring a more diversified workforce . ''

How suburban police departments are courting minority recruits
Pardeep Singh Gill, president of the Sikh Religious Society of Palatine Gurdwara, speaks during a vigil honoring a Texas sheriff's deputy, Sandeep Dhaliwal, who was shot during a traffic stop last September. Gill said suburban police departments are increasing recruitment efforts within the Sikh community in Palatine. Courtesy of Pardeep Gill
A Lisle police officer talks to Sikh youth about how to become a cop during a recent visit to the Sikh Religious Society in Palatine. Courtesy of Pardeep Gill
A Lisle police officer explains the police department's recruitment process to members of the Sikh community during a recent visit to the Sikh Religious Society in Palatine. Courtesy of Pardeep Gill
Lisle police officers explain the recruitment process to members of the Sikh community during a visit to the Sikh Religious Society in Palatine. Courtesy of Pardeep Gill
Some suburban police departments are targeting recruiting efforts at the Sikh, Muslim and Hindu communities. Pictured here, from left, are Amanpreet Singh of Michigan City, Indiana, Jaskaran Singh Gill of the Round Lake Beach Police Department, Pardeep Singh Deol of the Prospect Heights Police Department, and Damandeep Singh Bhangoo, a McHenry County sheriff's deputy, during a Vaisakhi celebration at the Sikh Religious Society in Palatine. Courtesy of Pardeep Singh Deol
Ever since Pradeep Singh Deol was old enough to dress up for Halloween, his costume of choice was a police uniform.
A Buffalo Grove High School alumnus, Deol now is one of just three Sikh law enforcement professionals in the suburbs. Unwittingly, his lifelong passion has made him the poster child for departments seeking to diversify their ranks.
A few suburban police departments are recruiting in earnest within the Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, and other minority communities to better mirror and serve the growing racial and ethnic diversity of the suburbs. Others are using a common recruitment tactic -- hitting up high school and college campuses.
That was the kind of connection that lured Deol, 28, who now is a Prospect Heights police officer. He said his first impressions of law enforcement were drawn from engaging with his school's resource officer and from participation in Drug Abuse Resistance Education and another youth program offered by Wheeling Police Department.
He has a ready answer for why individual departments value such efforts.
"It's important (to have officers who are) able to look at things in a different light, nuances when you respond to calls," he said. "You are able to have a better understanding of a situation based on the cultural dynamics."
Deol wanted nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, who was a police officer in India. Now, Deol is an inspiration for youth from the suburban Sikh community who want to become cops. A Palatine resident, he often helps with recruiting efforts at the Palatine gurdwara where he worships.
Cultivating trust
Part of the challenge with recruiting in communities of color and immigrants is a distrust of law enforcement, said Lake in the Hills police Sgt. Matthew Mannino.
"What we are doing is basically bridging that gap between us and (these) communities," he said. "It's not just about recruiting officers for our department. It's about building that trust with the community."
The department's 39 sworn officers mostly are white men, with seven women in the ranks. Five percent are minorities, but none speak Spanish. Yet the town's population has seen an increase in Hispanics and Asians.
"We are seeing that need for bilingual or multilingual employees," Mannino said. "One of our recruitment efforts is to attract those applicants."
Having a mosque and Hindu temple in town offers access to youth in these communities who could join the department's Explorer Program, which has attracted few diverse candidates over the past 20 years. The program offers young people who are from 15 to 20 years old firsthand experience with what it is like to be a police officer. They participate in ride-alongs, training, simulations, crime scene investigations and traffic stops.
On Saturday, Mannino and a few officers met with members of the American Community Muslim Organization in Lake in the Hills build those relationships.
"And also to let them know that we are there as a resource, as well," Mannino said. "There are members of their organization that are interested in becoming police officers. They are of the age that they can test and be hired. Our goal here really is to ensure that our agency represents the racial, ethnic and gender (makeup) of our community."
Mannino said officials also are reaching out to student clubs at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, including members of the LGBT campus group.
A team sport
Zumba classes aren't just a prime destination for single men trolling for dates. The Elgin Police Department soon will be courting female recruits at local gyms and health clubs, said Lt. Eric Echevarria.
"That's going to be one of our big efforts this year, reaching out to our local gyms, being able to recruit right at their facilities," he said.
The department's 184 sworn officers -- 167 male and 17 female -- are 78% white, 14% Hispanic, 5% black and 2% Asian.
Elgin police also are scouting college-level athletes who can handle the rigor of police academy training. Echevarria said the focus is on Division II and III schools.
"We've learned that athletic groups have the concept of working in teams, wearing uniforms," Echevarria said. "They fit what we're looking for. The military is very good at recruiting (them). We are taking a page out of the military (playbook) ... talking to some of the big recruiters in the military and seeing how they are doing it."
The department will be releasing a new recruitment video targeting the Latino population and pushing its message on Spanish-language television and radio stations. It also recently changed its hiring standards to allow Elgin Community College students who graduate with an associate degree in criminal justice to apply, when previously a bachelor's degree was required.
Breaking barriers
For some cultures that don't view law enforcement as a viable career choice, getting parents' support is key to breaking barriers.
"There always has been a little bit of a disconnect ... that we probably would not be welcome," said Pardeep Singh Gill, president of the Sikh Religious Society of Palatine Gurdwara. "That is being dispelled now. Suburban Chicago Sikh community is now embracing careers in police and military."
Gill credits the ongoing efforts of the Chicago, Prospect Heights and Lisle police departments for changing sentiments in his community.
As part of the Unity Partnership, the Lisle Police Department has been working to break barriers at gurdwaras in Palatine and Wheaton, the Islamic Center of Naperville and African Methodist Episcopal churches in Aurora and Lisle.
Unity Partnership, based in DuPage County, has been working in concert with police chiefs to address issues in policing communities of color.
Lisle has an all-white police force, and just seven out of 37 sworn officers are female.
Now, the department is developing a new internship program for youth targeting communities of color, said Deputy Chief Ron Wilke.
"I hope both sides see this as a trusting relationship because we certainly do," Wilke said. "We have a legitimate desire to try and bridge this gap and bring a more diversified workforce."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-16--New format for All-Star Game produces some drama as Team LeBron wins

On Day 3 of All-Star Weekend in Chicago , it got a little warmer , so at least visiting reporters could stop complaining about the weather .
Was the weekend a success ?
Well , the NBA All-Star experience met its own goals .
In one sense , this was bad timing for the All-Star Game 's return to Chicago , since the Bulls are in a bad state and did n't have anything to offer besides Zach LaVine in the 3-point contest .
At the same time , maybe the city needed a reminder of what the NBA 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , All-Star Weekend is a celebration of the league 's star power .
The weekend ended with the game itself , which was certainly livened up by the new format .
The untimed fourth quarter went down to the wire and had players on both sides , along with the fans , fully engaged .
Team LeBron beat Team Giannis 157-155 on a free throw by Chicago native Anthony Davis after the game came down to a `` next basket wins '' scenario .
Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 30 points and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own squad with 25 .
`` That was fun , having to play for a set number , '' LeBron James said .
The game ended when one team reached a `` target score , '' which was set by adding 24 to the leading team 's total through three quarters .
The 24 was an homage to Kobe Bryant , a figure who loomed large over the entire weekend .
The new format also brought drama to the third quarter , which went down to the wire .
Both sides used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the waning seconds .
The quarter ended with a nice flurry -- go-ahead 3-pointer from Nikola Jokic , lob dunk for the tie from Trae Young to Rudy Gobert , then a missed runner by Russell Westbrook at the buzzer .
Traditionally , the All-Star Game is not especially friendly to local fans .
A couple of Bulls season-ticket holders told me they would have had to pay several thousand dollars to attend the three events at the United Center this weekend , and not in their usual seats .
Many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's sponsors .
So it did n't feel like the `` Fire GarPax '' crowd from Navy Pier on Friday made it into the United Center .
The crowd felt more like people either with connections or a great appreciation for the NBA , along with deep pockets .
On Sunday , most fans at the United Center sat silently during the first half .
The league reserved two sections of seats to represent the two charities involved .
The gimmick was the winner of each quarter would get $ 100,000 for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scholars and Team Giannis with After School Matters .
But that was awkward .
After the first quarter , the Chicago Scholars section cheered their good fortune , while After School Matters sat silently , having won nothing .
But it evened out in the second quarter .
Local rapper Common rhymed the pregame introductions for both teams , which met with mixed response on social media .
Ex-Bull Jimmy Butler definitely got the loudest cheer from fans , with Chicago native Anthony Davis likely second .
As usual , the contests on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The biggest conversation seemed to be about judging in the dunk contest .
ESPN.com suggested the judges planned to make it a tie , but they unexpectedly gave Aaron Gordon a lower score after his final dunk over 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall .
Suspicion soon focused on Dwyane Wade .
On the final two dunks , he gave former Miami Heat teammate Derrick Jones Jr. a 10 , then gave Gordon a 9 .
When the votes were announced following Gordon 's dunk , fellow judge Scottie Pippen shot a look in Wade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some advice for future dunk judges : Stop passing out so many 50-point scores .
The 50s were passed out like Halloween candy on Saturday .
Lower the scores slightly and it will be easier to subjectively choose a winner .
What should have happened was Gordon winning in regulation time .
His fourth dunk was the best one of the night , the one-handed 360 off the side of the backboard .
That should have been the walk off winner , 50-point dunk , everyone goes home happy .
But 50 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sudden death dunk-off that created the controversy .
At the same time , Jones was a worthy champion .
On Gordon 's extra dunks , he repeated an earlier move , then made a lot of contact on the jump over Fall .
So it was n't that egregious a decision .
Overall , not a bad weekend for Chicago .
It may not return for another 30 years and there 's no hurry .

New format for All-Star Game produces some drama as Team LeBron wins
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers hit the winning free throw for Team LeBron on Sunday night in the 69th NBA All-Star Game the United Center in Chicago. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
On Day 3 of All-Star Weekend in Chicago, it got a little warmer, so at least visiting reporters could stop complaining about the weather.
Was the weekend a success? Well, the NBA All-Star experience met its own goals.
In one sense, this was bad timing for the All-Star Game's return to Chicago, since the Bulls are in a bad state and didn't have anything to offer besides Zach LaVine in the 3-point contest.
At the same time, maybe the city needed a reminder of what the NBA's best looks like. If nothing else, All-Star Weekend is a celebration of the league's star power.
The weekend ended with the game itself, which was certainly livened up by the new format. The untimed fourth quarter went down to the wire and had players on both sides, along with the fans, fully engaged.
Team LeBron beat Team Giannis 157-155 on a free throw by Chicago native Anthony Davis after the game came down to a "next basket wins" scenario. Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 30 points and won MVP, while Giannis Antetokounmpo topped his own squad with 25.
"That was fun, having to play for a set number," LeBron James said.
The game ended when one team reached a "target score," which was set by adding 24 to the leading team's total through three quarters. The 24 was an homage to Kobe Bryant, a figure who loomed large over the entire weekend.
The new format also brought drama to the third quarter, which went down to the wire. Both sides used timeouts and Team Giannis fouled intentionally in the waning seconds. The quarter ended with a nice flurry -- go-ahead 3-pointer from Nikola Jokic, lob dunk for the tie from Trae Young to Rudy Gobert, then a missed runner by Russell Westbrook at the buzzer.
Traditionally, the All-Star Game is not especially friendly to local fans. A couple of Bulls season-ticket holders told me they would have had to pay several thousand dollars to attend the three events at the United Center this weekend, and not in their usual seats. Many of the best seats are given to the league's sponsors.
So it didn't feel like the "Fire GarPax" crowd from Navy Pier on Friday made it into the United Center. The crowd felt more like people either with connections or a great appreciation for the NBA, along with deep pockets.
On Sunday, most fans at the United Center sat silently during the first half. The league reserved two sections of seats to represent the two charities involved. The gimmick was the winner of each quarter would get $100,000 for their charity, with Team LeBron representing Chicago Scholars and Team Giannis with After School Matters.
But that was awkward. After the first quarter, the Chicago Scholars section cheered their good fortune, while After School Matters sat silently, having won nothing. But it evened out in the second quarter.
Local rapper Common rhymed the pregame introductions for both teams, which met with mixed response on social media. Ex-Bull Jimmy Butler definitely got the loudest cheer from fans, with Chicago native Anthony Davis likely second.
As usual, the contests on All-Star Saturday night created the most interest. The biggest conversation seemed to be about judging in the dunk contest. ESPN.com suggested the judges planned to make it a tie, but they unexpectedly gave Aaron Gordon a lower score after his final dunk over 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall.
Suspicion soon focused on Dwyane Wade. On the final two dunks, he gave former Miami Heat teammate Derrick Jones Jr. a 10, then gave Gordon a 9. When the votes were announced following Gordon's dunk, fellow judge Scottie Pippen shot a look in Wade's direction.
Anyway, here's some advice for future dunk judges: Stop passing out so many 50-point scores. The 50s were passed out like Halloween candy on Saturday. Lower the scores slightly and it will be easier to subjectively choose a winner.
What should have happened was Gordon winning in regulation time. His fourth dunk was the best one of the night, the one-handed 360 off the side of the backboard.
That should have been the walk off winner, 50-point dunk, everyone goes home happy. But 50 points could only tie Jones and lead to the sudden death dunk-off that created the controversy.
At the same time, Jones was a worthy champion. On Gordon's extra dunks, he repeated an earlier move, then made a lot of contact on the jump over Fall. So it wasn't that egregious a decision.
Overall, not a bad weekend for Chicago. It may not return for another 30 years and there's no hurry.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-16--Rozner: Filled with stars, but the house that MJ built feels empty

So many stars , so little time .
The NBA 's best arrived in Chicago , put on a show and in less than 48 hours they were gone .
Sunday night was grand , the fans enthralled , the game a spectacle , the tributes to Kobe Bryant warm and the donations to local charities crucial .
As for the rest of it , including the All-Star Game itself , well , it was mostly a reminder of how dreadful the local NBA product has been and continues to be .
If you were around these parts in 1988 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- then you most certainly remember the celebration that was the All-Star Game that year .
It was n't just that Michael Jordan won the dunk contest in front of the home fans , or that he followed it up with 40 points and MVP honors in a winning effort for the East in his fourth all-star nod in four years in the NBA .
It was the hope .
Jordan provided Chicago hope and a belief that there was a future on the West Side .
The Bulls took a step in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then 1989 brought The Shot against the Cavs and a six-game loss to Detroit in the conference finals .
The next year , the Bulls took the Pistons seven games .
Steps .
Each year they took steps .
Until 1991 , when they swept the two-time , defending champion Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals and took down Magic Johnson and the Lakers for the Bulls ' first title .
There was no guarantee in 1988 that any of it would happen , but the Bulls were building toward something and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All Time took the stage at home , the brightest among all the stars , on his way to winning the 1988 NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards .
There was a lot to look forward to as Jordan and the Pips began gaining momentum .
That run in the '90s of six titles in eight years was the greatest decade by a franchise in the history of the city , a memory that remains strong in and out of Chicago , a reason for countless hours and endless nights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joyous moment for my community , for myself and my friends , '' LeBron James said Saturday of Jordan returning to basketball in 1995 .
`` Just having the greatest basketball player ever coming back playing the game , I needed the inspiration growing up in the inner city .
`` It 's kind of like I lost a superhero when he retired , someone that I needed to help me , even though he did n't know it .
The basketball world , and everyone who loved him , was ecstatic when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Mike and those boys did in the 90s ... to do it at that time , they had so many different obstacles to overcome .
But to retire and come back and three-peat again , it was an unbelievable run . ''
Today , it also serves as a reminder of how awful the state of basketball is in Chicago , where the Bulls have won a total of five playoff series since Jordan left 22 years ago .
It was a grinding thought while attending All-Star Weekend and especially Sunday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure , but an event that would have meant so much more if the Bulls had a roster being taken seriously by the rest of the league .
They were shut out as James , Giannis Antetokounmpo , Anthony Davis , James Harden , Kawhi Leonard and so many huge names took over the House That Michael Built and put on a show , Bulls fans left wondering just what there is to celebrate .
Or when they might have even a little something to look forward to .
A city so rich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , like Davis , Isiah Thomas , Mark Aguirre , Derrick Rose , Dwyane Wade , Terry Cummings , George Mikan , Mo Cheeks , Michael Finley , Juwan Howard , Eddie Johnson , Antoine Walker , Johnny Kerr , Doc Rivers and Quinn Buckner , to name only some of a long list of Chicago greats .
Many of them were at the game and featured on the big screen before the pregame introductions , cheered and honored by the hometown fans .
But Chicago had not before and never will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave us .
Not in any sport .
Not at any time .
And now , what are the Bulls ?
Worse than terrible , they are irrelevant .
Most Bulls fans , or those who used to be , have traveled beyond anger .
They have given up entirely , though it did n't stop some from chanting `` Fire GarPax '' during a national TV broadcast .
Longtime boss John Paxson says they `` do n't know what they have yet '' on the current roster , but everyone else seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach , a collection of underachieving talent that ca n't play together and an organization in disarray .
Perhaps one of the reasons the Bulls did nothing at the trade deadline was because Paxson has been told he 's on the way out -- or further upstairs .
Regardless , it 's a mess and any search for progress is debilitating .
So yeah , the 69th NBA All-Star Game in Chicago was a reason to celebrate basketball .
It just was n't a reason to celebrate Chicago 's current NBA version of @ @

Rozner: Filled with stars, but the house that MJ built feels empty
The start of the 69th NBA All-Star Game Sunday, Feb. 16 at the United Center in Chicago. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
So many stars, so little time.
The NBA's best arrived in Chicago, put on a show and in less than 48 hours they were gone.
Sunday night was grand, the fans enthralled, the game a spectacle, the tributes to Kobe Bryant warm and the donations to local charities crucial.
As for the rest of it, including the All-Star Game itself, well, it was mostly a reminder of how dreadful the local NBA product has been and continues to be.
If you were around these parts in 1988 -- or maybe even at Chicago Stadium -- then you most certainly remember the celebration that was the All-Star Game that year.
It wasn't just that Michael Jordan won the dunk contest in front of the home fans, or that he followed it up with 40 points and MVP honors in a winning effort for the East in his fourth all-star nod in four years in the NBA.
It was the hope.
Jordan provided Chicago hope and a belief that there was a future on the West Side.
The Bulls took a step in '88 with a playoff series win. Then 1989 brought The Shot against the Cavs and a six-game loss to Detroit in the conference finals. The next year, the Bulls took the Pistons seven games.
Steps. Each year they took steps. Until 1991, when they swept the two-time, defending champion Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals and took down Magic Johnson and the Lakers for the Bulls' first title.
There was no guarantee in 1988 that any of it would happen, but the Bulls were building toward something and that feeling was palpable as the Greatest Of All Time took the stage at home, the brightest among all the stars, on his way to winning the 1988 NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
There was a lot to look forward to as Jordan and the Pips began gaining momentum.
That run in the '90s of six titles in eight years was the greatest decade by a franchise in the history of the city, a memory that remains strong in and out of Chicago, a reason for countless hours and endless nights on YouTube.
"It was a joyous moment for my community, for myself and my friends," LeBron James said Saturday of Jordan returning to basketball in 1995. "Just having the greatest basketball player ever coming back playing the game, I needed the inspiration growing up in the inner city.
"It's kind of like I lost a superhero when he retired, someone that I needed to help me, even though he didn't know it. The basketball world, and everyone who loved him, was ecstatic when he came back.
"To see what Mike and those boys did in the 90s ... to do it at that time, they had so many different obstacles to overcome. But to retire and come back and three-peat again, it was an unbelievable run."
Today, it also serves as a reminder of how awful the state of basketball is in Chicago, where the Bulls have won a total of five playoff series since Jordan left 22 years ago.
It was a grinding thought while attending All-Star Weekend and especially Sunday night at the United Center.
Entertaining, sure, but an event that would have meant so much more if the Bulls had a roster being taken seriously by the rest of the league.
They were shut out as James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and so many huge names took over the House That Michael Built and put on a show, Bulls fans left wondering just what there is to celebrate.
Or when they might have even a little something to look forward to.
A city so rich in tradition remembers fondly those who began here, like Davis, Isiah Thomas, Mark Aguirre, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Terry Cummings, George Mikan, Mo Cheeks, Michael Finley, Juwan Howard, Eddie Johnson, Antoine Walker, Johnny Kerr, Doc Rivers and Quinn Buckner, to name only some of a long list of Chicago greats.
Many of them were at the game and featured on the big screen before the pregame introductions, cheered and honored by the hometown fans.
But Chicago had not before and never will again witness a championship run like Jordan gave us. Not in any sport. Not at any time.
And now, what are the Bulls? Worse than terrible, they are irrelevant.
Most Bulls fans, or those who used to be, have traveled beyond anger. They have given up entirely, though it didn't stop some from chanting "Fire GarPax" during a national TV broadcast.
Longtime boss John Paxson says they "don't know what they have yet" on the current roster, but everyone else seems to.
They have a bumbling head coach, a collection of underachieving talent that can't play together and an organization in disarray.
Perhaps one of the reasons the Bulls did nothing at the trade deadline was because Paxson has been told he's on the way out -- or further upstairs.
Regardless, it's a mess and any search for progress is debilitating.
So yeah, the 69th NBA All-Star Game in Chicago was a reason to celebrate basketball.
It just wasn't a reason to celebrate Chicago's current NBA version of basketball.