dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-18--Class AA broadcaster has 'zero doubt' Jordan could have made it to the big leagues

On Sunday night `` The Last Dance , '' a 10-part documentary series looking back on Michael Jordan 's extraordinary run of six NBA titles with the Bulls , airs on ESPN .
An avid basketball fan , Curt Bloom will be watching down in Birmingham , Ala .
He 'll also be flashing back to baseball .
Jordan was the greatest player to ever lace them up in the NBA , but he was also a baseball player in 1994 for the Birmingham Barons , the White Sox 's Class AA minor league team .
Bloom took over as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he is still with the Barons .
With 27 years on the job , the '94 season will always stand out for the play-by-play voice .
`` He was there for 150 days , '' Bloom said of Jordan .
`` They played 140 games in 150 days and we interacted every day , so building that trust was so important .
I 'm not going to lie and tell anybody , 'We went out to Hooters , ' or , 'We were in the manager 's office with Tito ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , because you had to build that trust and I gave him a lot of room and a lot of space .
When you did that , you realized he 'd accept you into his circle . ''
Bloom will never forget the first time Jordan stepped into the on-deck circle in his one and only season as a professional baseball player .
On the same day Jordan went 2-for-5 for the Sox in the April 7 Windy City Classic exhibition game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field , Birmingham was opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Chattanooga .
`` Never in the history of baseball has there ever been a more nonsignificant Opening Day , '' Bloom recalled .
`` ( Jordan ) was n't there , and everybody knew it . ''
Jordan was in uniform the next day for the Barons , a game forever etched in Bloom 's memory bank .
`` Chattanooga again for Game 2 , he was batting seventh , '' Bloom said .
`` I think the crowd itself , it was something we would discover early and then it lasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredible buzz that can not be replicated .
You ca n't fake that , you ca n't ever do that again .
A buzz by 2 o'clock , 3 o'clock .
It was almost like everyone was looking at their clocks going , 'Get to the ( darn ) game already . '
`` For me , personally , I looked around .
He was batting seventh , so he led off the bottom of the third ( inning ) .
As I took a peak behind me , there was Chicago media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ESPN , in my booth .
That is when the moment hit me , like , 'Woah , this is different . '
I ca n't say I was nervous .
I just wanted to be accurate and so much of it , you had to let the moment happen .
I knew that and I did n't want to babble over it , I did n't want to talk over it . ''
Bloom knew he was watching something special during Jordan 's first game , and that continued throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I happened to have a ticket to this freak show , to this rock concert , every day , '' he said .
`` I had a front-row ticket .
But I knew I had to treat him , that first at-bat and everything else , as if he was ( outfielder ) Scott Tedder , ( infielder ) Kenny Coleman , ( outfielder ) Kevin Coughlin , ( outfielder ) Kerry Valrie , treat it like that .
You just ca n't stop and think , 'Oh my God , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Francona was Birmingham 's manager in 1994 , and he had the great Kirk Champion on his two-man staff as pitching coach and Mike Barnett as hitting coach .
Francona went on to win two World Series championships with the Red Sox before leading the Indians to three straight trips to the playoffs ( 2016-18 ) .
`` I do n't think I 've come across a staff that could have pulled it off as well as they did , '' Bloom said .
`` Everything they had to offer , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) at the front of it .
He was a second-generation big leaguer .
I 'm sure his dad ( Tito ) played with or against some of the greatest players ever .
( Terry ) was n't fazed by it .
He was the absolute perfect guy . ''
Francona and his staff treated Jordan like every other player , and the Barons ' front office followed suit .
But one day , late in the '94 season , Jordan approached Birmingham president/general manager Bill Hardekopf and thanked the club for giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there was anything he could do as a show of gratitude .
A few days later , team employees and their immediate families were invited to take pictures with Jordan , who also added an autographed baseball .
Jordan was all set to return to baseball in 1995 , but with major league players on strike he wanted no part of being a replacement player .
Jordan left the Sox 's training camp in Sarasota , Fla. , on March 10 and was back playing basketball with the Bulls a week later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a long line of doubters who thought Jordan wound never be able to play major league baseball .
After all , he was 31 years old when he put down the basketball and picked up a bat , and Jordan had n't played baseball for 13 years .
In his one season with Birmingham , the 6-foot-6 , 205-pounder hit .202./.289/.266 with 3 home runs , 51 RBI and 30 stolen bases .
Bloom has seen hundreds of prospects come through the Southern League and advance to the majors , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a similar path .
`` I have to be careful because I 'm not a scout , but I have zero doubt , '' Bloom said .
`` The obvious thing was his speed .
And he work ethic , the athleticism , you put those together and there are a lot of players that do n't have that .
I 'm not a hitting coach , but when I look back at how much work he put in constructing his swing and the work Mike Barnett did it with him , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First of all , if he put the ball in play he had a chance to beat it out .
If he reached base , he had a chance to steal .
What I predicted , if he would have gotten a regular spring training in 1995 , he would have broken camp with ( Class AAA ) Nashville and at some point , he would have gone up as a fourth or fifth outfielder with the White Sox .
`` There was some natural talent .
Was it as good as Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later ?
No .
But you were n't expecting that .
We all understood he was on an accelerated pace , but that 's fine .
I have no doubt I knew what I was watching , it was , 'This is real . '
Again , I 'm not a scout , not an expert , but I have seen 3,000 , 4,000 games and I know what I saw .
I know absolutely the potential was there to be a big leaguer . ''

Class AA broadcaster has 'zero doubt' Jordan could have made it to the big leagues
Birmingham Barons radio broadcaster Curt Bloom and wife Laura let Michael Jordan do the heavy lifting with the Blooms' infant daughter, Chloe, during the 1994 season. Courtesy of Curt Bloom
Birmingham's Michael Jordan is brushed back by a pitch in the third inning of the Barons' game against Chattanooga April 8, 1994, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Birmingham. Jordan flied out on his first at-bat in his first game for the Class AA Barons. Associated Press
Harry Caray interviews Michael Jordan before the start of the 1994 Crosstown Classic between the White Sox and the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Jordan made his minor league debut the next night for the Birmingham Barons. Associated Press
On Sunday night "The Last Dance," a 10-part documentary series looking back on Michael Jordan's extraordinary run of six NBA titles with the Bulls, airs on ESPN.
An avid basketball fan, Curt Bloom will be watching down in Birmingham, Ala. He'll also be flashing back to baseball.
Jordan was the greatest player to ever lace them up in the NBA, but he was also a baseball player in 1994 for the Birmingham Barons, the White Sox's Class AA minor league team.
Bloom took over as Birmingham's radio broadcaster two years earlier, and he is still with the Barons.
With 27 years on the job, the '94 season will always stand out for the play-by-play voice.
"He was there for 150 days," Bloom said of Jordan. "They played 140 games in 150 days and we interacted every day, so building that trust was so important. I'm not going to lie and tell anybody, 'We went out to Hooters,' or, 'We were in the manager's office with Tito (Terry Francona) a lot.' No, because you had to build that trust and I gave him a lot of room and a lot of space. When you did that, you realized he'd accept you into his circle."
Bloom will never forget the first time Jordan stepped into the on-deck circle in his one and only season as a professional baseball player.
On the same day Jordan went 2-for-5 for the Sox in the April 7 Windy City Classic exhibition game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Birmingham was opening the 1994 season with a home game against Chattanooga.
"Never in the history of baseball has there ever been a more nonsignificant Opening Day," Bloom recalled. "(Jordan) wasn't there, and everybody knew it."
Jordan was in uniform the next day for the Barons, a game forever etched in Bloom's memory bank.
"Chattanooga again for Game 2, he was batting seventh," Bloom said. "I think the crowd itself, it was something we would discover early and then it lasted all year, and that's this incredible buzz that cannot be replicated. You can't fake that, you can't ever do that again. A buzz by 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock. It was almost like everyone was looking at their clocks going, 'Get to the (darn) game already.'
"For me, personally, I looked around. He was batting seventh, so he led off the bottom of the third (inning). As I took a peak behind me, there was Chicago media and national media, I think it was ESPN, in my booth. That is when the moment hit me, like, 'Woah, this is different.' I can't say I was nervous. I just wanted to be accurate and so much of it, you had to let the moment happen. I knew that and I didn't want to babble over it, I didn't want to talk over it."
Bloom knew he was watching something special during Jordan's first game, and that continued throughout the season. But he stayed professional.
"I happened to have a ticket to this freak show, to this rock concert, every day," he said. "I had a front-row ticket. But I knew I had to treat him, that first at-bat and everything else, as if he was (outfielder) Scott Tedder, (infielder) Kenny Coleman, (outfielder) Kevin Coughlin, (outfielder) Kerry Valrie, treat it like that. You just can't stop and think, 'Oh my God, I'm about to announce his name."
Francona was Birmingham's manager in 1994, and he had the great Kirk Champion on his two-man staff as pitching coach and Mike Barnett as hitting coach.
Francona went on to win two World Series championships with the Red Sox before leading the Indians to three straight trips to the playoffs (2016-18).
"I don't think I've come across a staff that could have pulled it off as well as they did," Bloom said. "Everything they had to offer, it was just magical, with (Francona) at the front of it. He was a second-generation big leaguer. I'm sure his dad (Tito) played with or against some of the greatest players ever. (Terry) wasn't fazed by it. He was the absolute perfect guy."
Francona and his staff treated Jordan like every other player, and the Barons' front office followed suit.
But one day, late in the '94 season, Jordan approached Birmingham president/general manager Bill Hardekopf and thanked the club for giving him so much space. He asked if there was anything he could do as a show of gratitude.
A few days later, team employees and their immediate families were invited to take pictures with Jordan, who also added an autographed baseball.
Jordan was all set to return to baseball in 1995, but with major league players on strike he wanted no part of being a replacement player.
Jordan left the Sox's training camp in Sarasota, Fla., on March 10 and was back playing basketball with the Bulls a week later. The rest is history.
There was a long line of doubters who thought Jordan wound never be able to play major league baseball. After all, he was 31 years old when he put down the basketball and picked up a bat, and Jordan hadn't played baseball for 13 years.
In his one season with Birmingham, the 6-foot-6, 205-pounder hit .202./.289/.266 with 3 home runs, 51 RBI and 30 stolen bases.
Bloom has seen hundreds of prospects come through the Southern League and advance to the majors, and he is convinced Jordan would have been on a similar path.
"I have to be careful because I'm not a scout, but I have zero doubt," Bloom said. "The obvious thing was his speed. And he work ethic, the athleticism, you put those together and there are a lot of players that don't have that. I'm not a hitting coach, but when I look back at how much work he put in constructing his swing and the work Mike Barnett did it with him, I knew he had a chance.
"First of all, if he put the ball in play he had a chance to beat it out. If he reached base, he had a chance to steal. What I predicted, if he would have gotten a regular spring training in 1995, he would have broken camp with (Class AAA) Nashville and at some point, he would have gone up as a fourth or fifth outfielder with the White Sox.
"There was some natural talent. Was it as good as Mike Cameron, who came in a year later? No. But you weren't expecting that. We all understood he was on an accelerated pace, but that's fine. I have no doubt I knew what I was watching, it was, 'This is real.' Again, I'm not a scout, not an expert, but I have seen 3,000, 4,000 games and I know what I saw. I know absolutely the potential was there to be a big leaguer."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-18--Go Figure: Chicago Baseball Stumpers

Go Figure: Chicago Baseball Stumpers

The Major League Baseball season will be truncated this year , so we figured it 's only fair that we push a bit extra with 11 `` Go Figure '' stumpers here that contain 15 answers overall .
All have a tie-in to the Cubs or the White Sox .
1 : The first major league home run by David Ross came in 2002 , against which former longtime Cubs lefty ?
2 : Which two White Sox players led the American League in batting average before Tim Anderson accomplished the feat last year ?
3 : Since 2010 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home record than the White Sox .
Which of these teams ( Marlins , Twins , Orioles , Mariners ) has not fared worse than the Pale Hose while playing at home ?
4 : The Crosstown Classic between the White Sox and Cubs dates to 1997 -- at least for the regular season .
But the rivalry 's roots can be traced to a World Series when they squared off .
What was the year , and who won the Series by reaching four wins first ?
5 : White Sox manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majors , securing 100 hits for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Seattle Mariners and Florida Marlins .
After singling in his first at bat , he scored when a teammate singled him home .
Who is it ?
( Hint : The player will make $ 1.2 million from the New York Mets this year ... and for each of the next 15 years , as part of a deferred-compensation buyout he reached toward the end of his career . )
6 : Since the first of Luke Appling 's two batting crowns in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-best in their pursuit of the AL batting title .
Both Appling ( 1940 ) and Frank Thomas ( 1996 ) are on that list , and so are Johnny Dickshot ( 1945 ) , Minnie Minoso ( 1951 ) and Al Smith ( 1960 ) .
Can you name the Sox player whose .316 average in 1974 was No .
2 in the AL , 48 points behind leader Rod Carew ?
( It was the biggest gap between the league 's top two batters since 1901 ) .
7 : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fame second baseman Nellie Fox led the American League in singles ( 1954 to 1960 ) is second in MLB history only to Ichiro Suzuki 's 10-year AL reign from 2001 to 2010 .
Since Fox , only two White Sox players have paced the AL in singles , in 1965 and 2011 .
Can you name them ?
8 : In 2019 , the Cubs lost eight games after holding a lead going into the ninth inning -- for a vexing 10 % percent of their overall losses ( 78 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champion Cubs of 2016 blow a ninth-inning lead during the regular season ?
9 : Through 150 games last year , the Cubs were in position to gain a wild-card playoff berth before a nine-game losing streak sank their chances .
How many consecutive one-run losses were part of that slide ?
10 : From May 4 to June 21 last year , Cubs hurler Yu Darvish went 10 starts without recording a decision -- the longest drought for a starting pitcher since Philadelphia 's Randy Lerch in 1977 .
The Cubs were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended with a one-run margin ?
11 : The 11th anniversary of White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle 's perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays is July 23 .
At the end of the 2019 season , only three players in that game were on active MLB rosters -- one in Chicago , one in Detroit , and one in San Francisco .
Who are they ?
1 : Mark Grace ; 2 : Luke Appling ( 1936 , 1943 ) and Frank Thomas ( 1997 ) ; 3 : Orioles ; 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the series , 4-2 ; 5 : Bobby Bonilla ; 6 : Jorge Orta ; 7 : Don Buford ( 1965 ) and Juan Pierre ( 2011 , tied with the Rangers ' Michael Young ) Pierre also led the NL in singles while playing for the Cubs , Dodgers , Rockies and Marlins ; 8 : Once ; 9 : Five , and they averaged 3 hours and 44 minutes to play -- a key ingredient in the slump 's torment ; 10 : Eight ; 11 : Ben Zobrist ( Cubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Evan Longoria ( Giants ) .
( 0-3 Correct ) -- Report back to spring training ; ( 4-6 Correct ) -- You 're on the roster ; ( 7-9 Correct ) -- You 're in the starting lineup ; ( 10-12 Correct ) -- you 're an All-Star ; ( 13-14 Correct ) -- you 're a Hall of Famer ; ( All 15 Correct ) -- Please join my sports trivia team !
• Matt Baron is an Oak Park-based freelance writer .
He supplements his baseball brainpower with Retrosheet.org @ @ @ @ @ @

Go Figure: Chicago Baseball Stumpers
White Sox starting pitcher Mark Buehrle, left, scratches his head as he talks with catcher A.J. Pierzynski during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Chicago on Monday, July 23, 2007. Associated Press
The Major League Baseball season will be truncated this year, so we figured it's only fair that we push a bit extra with 11 "Go Figure" stumpers here that contain 15 answers overall.
All have a tie-in to the Cubs or the White Sox.
1: The first major league home run by David Ross came in 2002, against which former longtime Cubs lefty?
2: Which two White Sox players led the American League in batting average before Tim Anderson accomplished the feat last year?
3: Since 2010, only three MLB teams have a worse home record than the White Sox. Which of these teams (Marlins, Twins, Orioles, Mariners) has not fared worse than the Pale Hose while playing at home?
4: The Crosstown Classic between the White Sox and Cubs dates to 1997 -- at least for the regular season. But the rivalry's roots can be traced to a World Series when they squared off. What was the year, and who won the Series by reaching four wins first?
5: White Sox manager Rick Renteria played five seasons in the majors, securing 100 hits for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Florida Marlins. After singling in his first at bat, he scored when a teammate singled him home. Who is it? (Hint: The player will make $1.2 million from the New York Mets this year ... and for each of the next 15 years, as part of a deferred-compensation buyout he reached toward the end of his career.)
6: Since the first of Luke Appling's two batting crowns in 1936, six White Sox players were second-best in their pursuit of the AL batting title. Both Appling (1940) and Frank Thomas (1996) are on that list, and so are Johnny Dickshot (1945), Minnie Minoso (1951) and Al Smith (1960). Can you name the Sox player whose .316 average in 1974 was No. 2 in the AL, 48 points behind leader Rod Carew? (It was the biggest gap between the league's top two batters since 1901).
7: The consecutive years that White Sox Hall of Fame second baseman Nellie Fox led the American League in singles (1954 to 1960) is second in MLB history only to Ichiro Suzuki's 10-year AL reign from 2001 to 2010. Since Fox, only two White Sox players have paced the AL in singles, in 1965 and 2011. Can you name them?
8: In 2019, the Cubs lost eight games after holding a lead going into the ninth inning -- for a vexing 10% percent of their overall losses (78). How many times did the World Series Champion Cubs of 2016 blow a ninth-inning lead during the regular season?
9: Through 150 games last year, the Cubs were in position to gain a wild-card playoff berth before a nine-game losing streak sank their chances. How many consecutive one-run losses were part of that slide?
10: From May 4 to June 21 last year, Cubs hurler Yu Darvish went 10 starts without recording a decision -- the longest drought for a starting pitcher since Philadelphia's Randy Lerch in 1977. The Cubs were 5-5 in those games. How many ended with a one-run margin?
11: The 11th anniversary of White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle's perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays is July 23. At the end of the 2019 season, only three players in that game were on active MLB rosters -- one in Chicago, one in Detroit, and one in San Francisco. Who are they?
Answers
1: Mark Grace; 2: Luke Appling (1936, 1943) and Frank Thomas (1997); 3: Orioles; 4: 1906. The White Sox won the series, 4-2; 5: Bobby Bonilla; 6: Jorge Orta; 7: Don Buford (1965) and Juan Pierre (2011, tied with the Rangers' Michael Young) Pierre also led the NL in singles while playing for the Cubs, Dodgers, Rockies and Marlins; 8: Once; 9: Five, and they averaged 3 hours and 44 minutes to play -- a key ingredient in the slump's torment; 10: Eight; 11: Ben Zobrist (Cubs), Gordon Beckham (Tigers) and Evan Longoria (Giants).
(0-3 Correct) -- Report back to spring training; (4-6 Correct) -- You're on the roster; (7-9 Correct) -- You're in the starting lineup; (10-12 Correct) -- you're an All-Star; (13-14 Correct) -- you're a Hall of Famer; (All 15 Correct) -- Please join my sports trivia team!
• Matt Baron is an Oak Park-based freelance writer. He supplements his baseball brainpower with Retrosheet.org for much of this research.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-18--Ice rescue in North Barrington felt like it was 'meant to be'

All things considered , mid-January seems like decades ago , recollections faded and details blurred amid our new lives and times .
But for North Barrington resident Vicki Matthews and veteran ADT technician Mike Heimbuch , the events that quickly unfolded on a cold January day at Honey Lake are unforgettable .
On what had been a quiet afternoon , the pair reacted quickly and creatively to save a man who had fallen through the ice .
What would have happened if Heimbuch had been on schedule ?
What if a neighbor 's boat had been tied up ?
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a table in midwinter ?
They wonder , too .
But sometimes things appear meant to be .
`` The point is that it was an honor to be there and make a difference and have a happy ending , '' said Matthews , a naturopathic physician .
Matthews was working in her home office , which looks onto the lake , when she heard a cry and thought maybe something had fallen .
`` It sounded like , 'Help ' but it was pretty muffled , '' Matthews said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the basement . ''
Heimbuch , an Elgin resident and 31-veteran of the company , was installing an addition to the security system when Matthews asked if he was OK. '' I did n't know what she was talking about , '' he said .
They ran onto the deck and saw a man who had fallen through the ice on the frozen lake about 40 feet from shore .
The man had been ice skating and apparently hit a soft patch .
Matthews called 911 and was told someone already had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coatless , she and Heimbuch sprinted to the shore .
They found a bunch of kayaks tied up and an aluminum row boat upside down frozen to the sand .
`` It took every bit of strength I had to pry it free , '' said Heimbuch .
`` Unbelievably , there 's a rope sitting 15 feet away on a table . ''
The rope was tied to one end with the intent of shoving the flat end of the boat to the man .
`` He was yelling , 'Hurry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matthews recalled .
`` We said , 'Hold on .
We 'll get this out there and you try to grab it . '
'' Heimbuch said he kept falling through the ice near shore and it took four or five tries to 'skip ' the boat across the ice to the man .
`` It was like an angel 's hands made sure that boat got out there , '' Matthews said .
`` When I was able to see his shoulders , I started pulling him , '' Heimbuch said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ paramedics arrived .
`` A couple more minutes and he might not have made it , '' Matthews said she was told .
Both wondered `` What if ? ''
`` I got hung up on my first job ( that day ) , '' Heimbuch said .
`` Otherwise I would have been there and gone before this happened . ''
`` Afterward it hit us .
'Wow , ' '' Matthews added .
`` We were meant to be there . ''
In February , the pair were honored at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , ADT presented both with hero awards at a ceremony in Oak Brook .
• Do you know any Suburban Heroes ?
Share your story at heroes @ dailyherald.com .

Ice rescue in North Barrington felt like it was 'meant to be'
Mike Heimbuch and North Barrington resident Vicki Matthews rescued a skater who fell through the ice on Honey Lake in January. Courtesy of Vicki Matthews
Operations Manager Rick Baker, left, and Travis Miller, right, vice president of consumer field sales present ADT Hero Awards to North Barrington resident Vicki Matthews and technician Mike Heimbuch, center, during an event March 6. Courtesy of ADT
All things considered, mid-January seems like decades ago, recollections faded and details blurred amid our new lives and times.
But for North Barrington resident Vicki Matthews and veteran ADT technician Mike Heimbuch, the events that quickly unfolded on a cold January day at Honey Lake are unforgettable.
On what had been a quiet afternoon, the pair reacted quickly and creatively to save a man who had fallen through the ice.
What would have happened if Heimbuch had been on schedule? What if a neighbor's boat had been tied up? Why was a long length of rope sitting on a table in midwinter?
They wonder, too. But sometimes things appear meant to be.
"The point is that it was an honor to be there and make a difference and have a happy ending," said Matthews, a naturopathic physician.
Matthews was working in her home office, which looks onto the lake, when she heard a cry and thought maybe something had fallen.
"It sounded like, 'Help' but it was pretty muffled," Matthews said. "I thought it might have been Mike in the basement."
Heimbuch, an Elgin resident and 31-veteran of the company, was installing an addition to the security system when Matthews asked if he was OK.
"I didn't know what she was talking about," he said.
They ran onto the deck and saw a man who had fallen through the ice on the frozen lake about 40 feet from shore. The man had been ice skating and apparently hit a soft patch.
Matthews called 911 and was told someone already had called and help was en route. Coatless, she and Heimbuch sprinted to the shore.
They found a bunch of kayaks tied up and an aluminum row boat upside down frozen to the sand.
"It took every bit of strength I had to pry it free," said Heimbuch. "Unbelievably, there's a rope sitting 15 feet away on a table."
The rope was tied to one end with the intent of shoving the flat end of the boat to the man.
"He was yelling, 'Hurry, hurry. Please hurry,' " Matthews recalled. "We said, 'Hold on. We'll get this out there and you try to grab it.'"
Heimbuch said he kept falling through the ice near shore and it took four or five tries to 'skip' the boat across the ice to the man.
"It was like an angel's hands made sure that boat got out there," Matthews said.
"When I was able to see his shoulders, I started pulling him," Heimbuch said.
They got him to shore just as paramedics arrived.
"A couple more minutes and he might not have made it," Matthews said she was told.
Both wondered "What if?"
"I got hung up on my first job (that day)," Heimbuch said. "Otherwise I would have been there and gone before this happened."
"Afterward it hit us. 'Wow,'" Matthews added. "We were meant to be there."
In February, the pair were honored at a North Barrington village board meeting and in March, ADT presented both with hero awards at a ceremony in Oak Brook.
• Do you know any Suburban Heroes? Share your story at heroes@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Dist. 214 superintendent: Student likely died due to COVID-19 complications

In an email sent to parents and guardians on Saturday , Arlington Heights-based District 214 Superintendent Dr. David Schuler delivered @ @ @ @ @ 214 student died this week `` likely due to complications related to COVID-19 , '' @ @ @ @ @ In addition , we currently have at least one additional student who is in the @ @ @ @ @ due to COVID-19 , '' it continued .
`` ( T ) his is a @ @ @ @ @ that leaves me with an incredibly heavy heart , '' Schuler wrote in the email @ @ @ @ @ very difficult time for the district , and for all of us , '' Beery @ @ @ @ @ all hearing these tragic stories every day , and this hits so close to home @ @ @ @ @ Buffalo Grove , Elk Grove , Hersey , Prospect , Rolling Meadows and Wheeling high @ @ @ @ @ Newcomer Center , Academy at Forest View and Vanguard School .

Dist. 214 superintendent: Student likely died due to COVID-19 complications
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Associated Press
In an email sent to parents and guardians on Saturday, Arlington Heights-based District 214 Superintendent Dr. David Schuler delivered tragic news.
A District 214 student died this week "likely due to complications related to COVID-19," the email said.
"In addition, we currently have at least one additional student who is in the (intensive care unit) due to COVID-19," it continued.
"(T)his is a dark week in District 214 that leaves me with an incredibly heavy heart," Schuler wrote in the email.
Dave Beery, interim communications supervisor of District 214, agreed.
"It's a very difficult time for the district, and for all of us," Beery said. "We're all hearing these tragic stories every day, and this hits so close to home."
District 214 includes Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, Hersey, Prospect, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling high schools, as well as Newcomer Center, Academy at Forest View and Vanguard School.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-18--April 18 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code

• Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below .
• As of Saturday , suburban Cook County had 7,982 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 333 deaths , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 12,007 cases and 491 fatalities .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health on Saturday listed 390 cases in Des Plaines , 204 in Glenview , 120 in Mount Prospect , 102 in Park Ridge , 102 in Wheeling , 96 in Palatine , 92 in Schaumburg , 87 in Arlington Heights , 64 in Hoffman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 11 in Elgin ( Cook County portion ) , 35 in Rolling Meadows , 33 in Prospect Heights and 28 in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) • The DuPage County Health Department reports 1,661 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 83 deaths on its coronavirus website Saturday .
• Cases in some DuPage County towns include : 127 in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) , 114 in Carol Stream , 111 in Addison , 111 in Bensenville , 88 in Lombard , 83 in Elmhurst , 78 in Glendale Heights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Chicago , 61 in Downers Grove , 55 in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 35 in Glen Ellyn and 33 in Lisle .
• The Lake County Health Department lists 2,074 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 71 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Saturday .
• Cases in some Lake County towns include : 565 to 569 in Waukegan , 80 to 84 in Gurnee , 75 to 79 in Round Lake , 65 to 69 in Mundelein , 45 to 49 in Libertyville , 40 to 44 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) and Wauconda , 30 to 34 in Grayslake and 25 to 29 in both Lake Zurich and Lake Villa .
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 589 cases of COVID-19 with 30 deaths on its website Saturday at kanehealth.com .
• Cases in some Kane County towns as of Saturday include : 217 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 125 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 48 in St. Charles , 39 in Carpentersville , 22 in South Elgin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 16 in North Aurora , 12 in Gilberts and 9 in Sugar Grove .
• There are 343 cases of COVID-19 and 16 deaths in McHenry County according to the health department 's website on Saturday .
• There have been 1,603 cases of COVID-19 and 94 deaths , according to the Will County Health Department 's website Saturday .
• Cases per town include 116 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) , and 12 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

April 18 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website, shown here at the end of March, that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Interactive map
• Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below.
Cook County
• As of Saturday, suburban Cook County had 7,982 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 333 deaths, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 12,007 cases and 491 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health on Saturday listed 390 cases in Des Plaines, 204 in Glenview, 120 in Mount Prospect, 102 in Park Ridge, 102 in Wheeling, 96 in Palatine, 92 in Schaumburg, 87 in Arlington Heights, 64 in Hoffman Estates, 58 in Elk Grove Village, 11 in Elgin (Cook County portion), 35 in Rolling Meadows, 33 in Prospect Heights and 28 in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion)
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 1,661 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 83 deaths on its coronavirus website Saturday.
• Cases in some DuPage County towns include: 127 in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 114 in Carol Stream, 111 in Addison, 111 in Bensenville, 88 in Lombard, 83 in Elmhurst, 78 in Glendale Heights, 76 in Willowbrook, 69 in West Chicago, 61 in Downers Grove, 55 in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 35 in Glen Ellyn and 33 in Lisle.
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department lists 2,074 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 71 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Saturday.
• Cases in some Lake County towns include: 565 to 569 in Waukegan, 80 to 84 in Gurnee, 75 to 79 in Round Lake, 65 to 69 in Mundelein, 45 to 49 in Libertyville, 40 to 44 in Vernon Hills, 35 to 39 in both Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion) and Wauconda, 30 to 34 in Grayslake and 25 to 29 in both Lake Zurich and Lake Villa.
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 589 cases of COVID-19 with 30 deaths on its website Saturday at kanehealth.com.
• Cases in some Kane County towns as of Saturday include: 217 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 125 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 48 in St. Charles, 39 in Carpentersville, 22 in South Elgin, 17 in Batavia, 17 in Geneva, 16 in North Aurora, 12 in Gilberts and 9 in Sugar Grove.
McHenry County
• There are 343 cases of COVID-19 and 16 deaths in McHenry County according to the health department's website on Saturday.
Will County
• There have been 1,603 cases of COVID-19 and 94 deaths, according to the Will County Health Department's website Saturday.
• Cases per town include 116 in Naperville (Will County portion), and 12 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-18--The Chapel-Libertyville distributes food for 500 needy families

Cars lined southbound Lewis Avenue for nearly half a mile as volunteers from The Chapel-Libertyville distributed food for 500 families in North Chicago on Saturday .
Approximately 20 volunteers loaded boxes and bags of food into cars as they pulled into a parking lot between city hall and the Foss Park District Community Center .
Recipients started gathering at the parking lot of Paris Banquets at 8 a.m. , and when the distribution started two hours later , the line stretched the five blocks between the two points , and around the parking lot of the banquet hall .
Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pantry said the organization normally works in conjunction with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to distribute food to 150 families at the monthly event .
A greater need has developed due to job losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic , resulting in the distribution of food for 500 families .
`` With the COVID-19 situation the need in North Chicago and the surrounding suburbs has just grown exponentially , '' Crawford said , adding he hopes the food bank will be able to keep up with the increased need and that the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. said his community was appreciative of the effort .
`` This is a great way to make sure that those that have been laid off or have been furloughed from their jobs have the food necessary for their families , '' Rockingham Jr. said .
Crawford said donations can be made to the Northern Illinois Food Bank at solvehungertoday.org .

The Chapel-Libertyville distributes food for 500 needy families
Cars lined southbound Lewis Avenue for nearly half a mile as volunteers from The Chapel-Libertyville distributed food for 500 families in North Chicago on Saturday.
Approximately 20 volunteers loaded boxes and bags of food into cars as they pulled into a parking lot between city hall and the Foss Park District Community Center.
Recipients started gathering at the parking lot of Paris Banquets at 8 a.m., and when the distribution started two hours later, the line stretched the five blocks between the two points, and around the parking lot of the banquet hall.
Robert Crawford of The Libertyville Chapel Mobile Food Pantry said the organization normally works in conjunction with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to distribute food to 150 families at the monthly event.
A greater need has developed due to job losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the distribution of food for 500 families.
"With the COVID-19 situation the need in North Chicago and the surrounding suburbs has just grown exponentially," Crawford said, adding he hopes the food bank will be able to keep up with the increased need and that the church will serve as many people as possible.
North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. said his community was appreciative of the effort.
"This is a great way to make sure that those that have been laid off or have been furloughed from their jobs have the food necessary for their families," Rockingham Jr. said.
Crawford said donations can be made to the Northern Illinois Food Bank at solvehungertoday.org.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-18--Naperville trail attack on Chinese-American man leaves many uneasy

A March 21 attack on a Chinese American man jogging along a Naperville trail has left the Asian community there uneasy , says resident Nancy Chen .
The women spit on and threw sticks at the man and told him `` to go back to China , '' Chen said .
`` It just does not reflect the kind of Naperville that I have been calling home for almost now 50 years , '' she said .
A Naperville Crime Stoppers poster shows two unidentified women who are wanted for questioning and offers a $ 1,000 reward for information leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating .
Chen , an advisory board member of United Chinese Americans Illinois Chapter , is urging the Naperville City Council to adopt a resolution condemning racism and supporting Asian Americans .
Viral racism : Since March 19 , the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council 's STOP AAPI HATE reporting center has received more than 1,100 reports nationwide of coronavirus-related discrimination against Asian Americans .
A majority of incidents occurred in grocery stores , pharmacies and big box retail stores , the center reports .
Chen said there 's been a rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wake of President Donald Trump and other politicians labeling COVID-19 a `` Chinese virus . ''
E-learning access gaps : Suburban educators are realizing gaps in student access to e-learning due to technological challenges affecting low-income and minority families .
At Elgin Area School District U-46 , officials are seeing a significant drop in participation among Hispanic and African American students .
Attendance rates post-COVID-19 lockdown declined during the first week of distance learning -- from 95 % to 90 % among Asians , from 94 % to 89 % among whites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among Hispanics , and from 90 % to 66 % among blacks .
`` Internet access is obviously a big issue with some families , '' U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said .
`` We are working on a solution for that .
We are doing a second round of technology distribution this week .
Another one is planned when additional devices arrive . ''
Free food : The Islamic Foundation in Villa Park will begin distributing free food and groceries to community members in need starting today .
The event will run from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 300 W. Highridge Road .
`` We have been doing this for the last three years all through the year , '' foundation Chairman Aftab Khan said .
`` This year , we have distributed food and groceries to over 1,000 needy families . ''
The foundation is seeking donations for its Chicago Food Distribution Program , which has collected nearly $ 12,700 toward a $ 100,000 goal .
COVID-19 support helpline : A coalition of religious , civic and social service organizations from the greater Chicago area has formed a task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It includes free tele-health consultations , access to medical , mental health and dental care , food distribution , emergency monetary assistance , and help filing for unemployment benefits .
To access services , call the helpline , ( 847 ) 737-1785 , staffed by professionals and volunteers .
The task force comprises members of Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago , local and national relief agencies , associations of medical and dental professionals and community service groups .
More black docs : Being comfortable with one 's doctor is key to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blacks , it 's harder to build that trust when most doctors do n't look like them , and that can be an issue in the suburbs , experts say .
`` To open yourself up and be vulnerable , you want to do that typically among people who understand the nuances , '' said Dr. Courtney Coke , an African American radiation oncologist at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin .
`` That vulnerability requires certain sensibility on the part of physicians .
Historically , patients who are of diverse backgrounds may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces . ''
• Share stories , news and happenings from the suburban mosaic with Madhu Krishnamurthy at mkrishnamurthy @ dailyherald.com .

Naperville trail attack on Chinese-American man leaves many uneasy
A March 21 attack on a Chinese American man jogging along a Naperville trail has left the Asian community there uneasy, says resident Nancy Chen.
The women spit on and threw sticks at the man and told him "to go back to China," Chen said.
"It just does not reflect the kind of Naperville that I have been calling home for almost now 50 years," she said.
A Naperville Crime Stoppers poster shows two unidentified women who are wanted for questioning and offers a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Naperville police are investigating.
Chen, an advisory board member of United Chinese Americans Illinois Chapter, is urging the Naperville City Council to adopt a resolution condemning racism and supporting Asian Americans.
Viral racism
Since March 19, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council's STOP AAPI HATE reporting center has received more than 1,100 reports nationwide of coronavirus-related discrimination against Asian Americans.
A majority of incidents occurred in grocery stores, pharmacies and big box retail stores, the center reports.
Chen said there's been a rise in anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes in the wake of President Donald Trump and other politicians labeling COVID-19 a "Chinese virus."
To report a hate crime, visit a3pcon.org/stopaapihate.
E-learning access gaps
Suburban educators are realizing gaps in student access to e-learning due to technological challenges affecting low-income and minority families.
At Elgin Area School District U-46, officials are seeing a significant drop in participation among Hispanic and African American students. Attendance rates post-COVID-19 lockdown declined during the first week of distance learning -- from 95% to 90% among Asians, from 94% to 89% among whites, from 92% to 76% among Hispanics, and from 90% to 66% among blacks.
"Internet access is obviously a big issue with some families," U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said. "We are working on a solution for that. We are doing a second round of technology distribution this week. Another one is planned when additional devices arrive."
Free food
The Islamic Foundation in Villa Park will begin distributing free food and groceries to community members in need starting today.
The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. at the mosque on 300 W. Highridge Road.
"We have been doing this for the last three years all through the year," foundation Chairman Aftab Khan said. "This year, we have distributed food and groceries to over 1,000 needy families."
The foundation is seeking donations for its Chicago Food Distribution Program, which has collected nearly $12,700 toward a $100,000 goal.
COVID-19 support helpline
A coalition of religious, civic and social service organizations from the greater Chicago area has formed a task force to coordinate COVID-19 support services. It includes free tele-health consultations, access to medical, mental health and dental care, food distribution, emergency monetary assistance, and help filing for unemployment benefits. To access services, call the helpline, (847) 737-1785, staffed by professionals and volunteers.
The task force comprises members of Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, local and national relief agencies, associations of medical and dental professionals and community service groups.
More black docs
Being comfortable with one's doctor is key to dealing with any health crisis. For blacks, it's harder to build that trust when most doctors don't look like them, and that can be an issue in the suburbs, experts say.
"To open yourself up and be vulnerable, you want to do that typically among people who understand the nuances," said Dr. Courtney Coke, an African American radiation oncologist at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin. "That vulnerability requires certain sensibility on the part of physicians. Historically, patients who are of diverse backgrounds may not feel comfortable venturing outside of their traditional spaces."
Having a culturally competent physician empowers patients, he added.
• Share stories, news and happenings from the suburban mosaic with Madhu Krishnamurthy at mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-18--Camp One Step for kids with cancer finds way around stay-at-home order

Working with children diagnosed with cancer , Camp One Step knows about finding ways around adversity .
So when the COVID-19 pandemic forced its day campers to stay away , Camp One Step brought day camp to the kids .
Camp One Step , which serves about 800 kids annually , is using Zoom to host day camp online , with campers logging in from home to participate in activities .
`` Our whole thought was , we had to pivot , and what we had to do in that pivot is to say our kids love coming to camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell us is that camp is everything to them , '' camp President Jeff Infusino said .
`` They find their second family .
They have that opportunity to forget about what they 're going through . ''
A cancer diagnosis , Infusino said , often means taking normalcy away from children .
`` We do n't want COVID to take it away from the kids again , '' he said .
`` Camp is not going to be there physically in this particular program , but we 're not going to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good time and see their group , see their pals and enjoy and smile . ''
Saturday morning saw a group of 22 campers ages 5-10 learning improv comedy from Jill Stuck of Storytown Improv in Chicago on Zoom .
The children , some of them wearing costumes , went through warmup exercises for facial expressions and pretended to throw items such as a Frisbee or a `` crazy cat '' through the screen to Stuck and their friends .
Stuck also mimed situations , then had the kids guess what was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were things the kids could do with their family and friends .
The virtual camps wo n't go away even when the pandemic does .
`` We feel if we are able to do this now , there are more kids that might not be able to get to camp or there may be kids in other states that we do n't serve at this particular point that need us at this particular time , '' Infusino said .
To donate to Camp One Step go to https : //camponestep.org/donateonline/

Camp One Step for kids with cancer finds way around stay-at-home order
Jeremy Taulbee of Dave DiNaso's Traveling World of Reptiles shows off an animal during a Zoom session Friday with day campers from Camp One Step. Courtesy of Camp One Step
Talia and Anthony Pisano take part Friday morning in a virtual day camp session for Camp One Step. Courtesy of Camp One Step
Working with children diagnosed with cancer, Camp One Step knows about finding ways around adversity.
So when the COVID-19 pandemic forced its day campers to stay away, Camp One Step brought day camp to the kids.
Camp One Step, which serves about 800 kids annually, is using Zoom to host day camp online, with campers logging in from home to participate in activities.
"Our whole thought was, we had to pivot, and what we had to do in that pivot is to say our kids love coming to camp, and some of the things they tell us is that camp is everything to them," camp President Jeff Infusino said. "They find their second family. They have that opportunity to forget about what they're going through."
A cancer diagnosis, Infusino said, often means taking normalcy away from children.
"We don't want COVID to take it away from the kids again," he said. "Camp is not going to be there physically in this particular program, but we're not going to let COVID not let those kids have a good time and see their group, see their pals and enjoy and smile."
Saturday morning saw a group of 22 campers ages 5-10 learning improv comedy from Jill Stuck of Storytown Improv in Chicago on Zoom. The children, some of them wearing costumes, went through warmup exercises for facial expressions and pretended to throw items such as a Frisbee or a "crazy cat" through the screen to Stuck and their friends.
Stuck also mimed situations, then had the kids guess what was going on. She reminded them the activities were things the kids could do with their family and friends.
The virtual camps won't go away even when the pandemic does.
"We feel if we are able to do this now, there are more kids that might not be able to get to camp or there may be kids in other states that we don't serve at this particular point that need us at this particular time," Infusino said.
To donate to Camp One Step go to https://camponestep.org/donateonline/


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--A song to make you smile: 'Walk Like an Egyptian' by the Bangles

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Walk Like an Egyptian '' by the Bangles , released in 1986 .

A song to make you smile: 'Walk Like an Egyptian' by the Bangles
The Bangles (from left, Debbi Peterson, Vicki Peterson and Susanna Hoffs) perform their hit "Walk Like an Egyptian" at the 2012 Allen USA Celebration in Allen, Texas. Associated Press file photo
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Walk Like an Egyptian" by the Bangles, released in 1986.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-18--Warrenville band plays concert to inspire neighborhood

John Herpolsheimer shared the sound of music with his Warrenville neighborhood Saturday afternoon .
People trickled out to sit in @ @ @ @ @ front lawns as the impromptu band filled the air with rock music .
The neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ on guitar , Sean Herpolsheimer on bass and Chris Swade on drums .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ from Italy , '' said John Herpolsheimer before starting to play to the group of @ @ @ @ @ `` Six feet over rather than six feet under , '' he joked when he @ @ @ @ @ the new band was .
The group has performed together twice in as many weekends @ @ @ @ @ originals and classics to their short stretch of Jackson Street .
`` We are happy @ @ @ @ @ '' Sean Herpolsheimer said .
`` It 's uplifting the spirits of the neighborhood , @ @ @ @ @

Warrenville band plays concert to inspire neighborhood
John Herpolsheimer shared the sound of music with his Warrenville neighborhood Saturday afternoon.
People trickled out to sit in camp chairs on their sun-filled front lawns as the impromptu band filled the air with rock music.
The neighborhood group consisted of John Herpolsheimer on guitar, Sean Herpolsheimer on bass and Chris Swade on drums.
"We sort of took our cue from Italy," said John Herpolsheimer before starting to play to the group of about 25 people listening.
"Six feet over rather than six feet under," he joked when he asked what the name of the new band was.
The group has performed together twice in as many weekends, bringing a mix of originals and classics to their short stretch of Jackson Street.
"We are happy that we can play," Sean Herpolsheimer said.
"It's uplifting the spirits of the neighborhood," Swade chimed in.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-18--When 'remains to be seen' is something you don't want to see

Reader Anola Stowick pointed out the ambiguous nature of that sentence , given that `` remains '' is both a verb and a noun .
`` Headlines like this are confusing , and I have to read them several times to get it right , she said .
`` Does it 'remain likely that this is the missing girl ' or are the 'remains ' likely to be the girl ? ''
I see her point .
The correct meaning is the latter .
When words evolve -- what remains ( verb ) of a person becomes one 's remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusion , especially when they 're used in headlines .
Why ?
Because we tend to drop articles and simple verbs in headlines to make headlines fit on the page .
It 's a convention that every American newspaper I 've read embraces .
Given that , we need to be mindful of creating confusion .
Why do we use `` remains '' in the first place ?
Because `` corpse '' is just too awful to consider .
So , with all of these speed bumps in the way , how do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in doubt , write around it , I always say .
How about `` Body likely missing Tennessee girl 's '' ?
Judging by your response to my recent column about paraprosdokians , it 's clear that you 're interested in building your vocabulary related to figures of speech .
And jokes .
So when everyone at your dinner table rolls their eyes as you spit out puns faster than Grandma 's mashed rutabagas , you can tell them you 're merely tantalizing them with paronomasias .
`` Paronomasia '' ( like `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greek .
It basically means a play on words that sound alike .
Consider REO Speedwagon 's seminal 1978 album , `` You Can Tune a Piano , But You Ca n't Tuna Fish . ''
That 's a solid paronomasia and probably the cleverest thing on that album .
There 's also `` Atheism is a non-prophet institution . ''
Back in the day , my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Rudy would have epic paronomasia duels at the dinner table .
Man , do I miss those days .
`` A double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expression , one of whose implications is imprudently suggestive , '' wrote reader Robert Rugarian .
`` With that in mind , what is the first ( or second ) thing that comes to your mind from the following item in the virus update column in the Daily Herald ? ''
It read : `` Carrie Symonds , U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's pregnant fiancee , tweeted that she 'spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of coronavirus . '
'' To be sure , Johnson is a polarizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now recovering at home from a nasty bout with COVID-19 .
But in no way should we draw from the sentence that he is defined by or gives definition to the virus .
Get better soon , Boris .
Your nation needs you .
• 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 .

When 'remains to be seen' is something you don't want to see
The headline read: "Remains likely Tennessee missing girl."
Reader Anola Stowick pointed out the ambiguous nature of that sentence, given that "remains" is both a verb and a noun.
"Headlines like this are confusing, and I have to read them several times to get it right, she said. "Does it 'remain likely that this is the missing girl' or are the 'remains' likely to be the girl?"
I see her point. The correct meaning is the latter.
When words evolve -- what remains (verb) of a person becomes one's remains (noun) -- they can create confusion, especially when they're used in headlines.
Why? Because we tend to drop articles and simple verbs in headlines to make headlines fit on the page.
It's a convention that every American newspaper I've read embraces. Given that, we need to be mindful of creating confusion.
Why do we use "remains" in the first place? Because "corpse" is just too awful to consider.
So, with all of these speed bumps in the way, how do we smooth out that headline?
When in doubt, write around it, I always say.
How about "Body likely missing Tennessee girl's"?
Lowest form of humor?
Judging by your response to my recent column about paraprosdokians, it's clear that you're interested in building your vocabulary related to figures of speech. And jokes.
So when everyone at your dinner table rolls their eyes as you spit out puns faster than Grandma's mashed rutabagas, you can tell them you're merely tantalizing them with paronomasias.
"Paronomasia" (like "paraprosdokian") is derived from Ancient Greek. It basically means a play on words that sound alike.
Consider REO Speedwagon's seminal 1978 album, "You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish."
That's a solid paronomasia and probably the cleverest thing on that album.
There's also "Atheism is a non-prophet institution."
Back in the day, my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Rudy would have epic paronomasia duels at the dinner table. Man, do I miss those days.
Poor Boris
"A double entendre is said to be an ambivalent expression, one of whose implications is imprudently suggestive," wrote reader Robert Rugarian. "With that in mind, what is the first (or second) thing that comes to your mind from the following item in the virus update column in the Daily Herald?"
It read: "Carrie Symonds, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's pregnant fiancee, tweeted that she 'spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of coronavirus.'"
To be sure, Johnson is a polarizing figure in Great Britain, and he is now recovering at home from a nasty bout with COVID-19. But in no way should we draw from the sentence that he is defined by or gives definition to the virus.
Get better soon, Boris. Your nation needs you.
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--2020-04-18--Repurposed photos falsely claim coronavirus cover-up

Photos of medical personnel using mannequins during training are being shared as false proof of a coronavirus cover up , according to LeadStories.com .
`` Please pray for this mannequin being wheeled into a New York hospital , '' headlined a photo of a dummy strapped to a stretcher .
The Facebook post went on to claim the media is `` using actors and props just to get the pictures and the press that they need . ''
The actual photos , taken last month , show U.S. Navy training operations as military members practiced transporting patients in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sara Eshleman and posted on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website , show soldiers training to transfer patients from overcrowded New York hospitals to a Navy hospital ship , the USNS Comfort , docked in the harbor .
The fake social media claims have been shared hundreds of times , LeadStories said .
But at least one user thought the dummies were real .
`` Looks like a human arm to me , '' the post said .
As scientists search for ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but completely untrue '' methods and cures have made the rounds on social media , The Associated Press reports .
A claim that drinking alcoholic beverages can prevent the disease was among the false treatments .
A Facebook post , topped with , `` Time to disinfect our insides , '' featured a fake memo from a Kansas City hospital recommending vodka as effective at reducing the risk of the virus .
`` In fact , the evidence is often the opposite -- that alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Robert Legare Atmar told the AP .
• Placing antibiotic ointment inside your nostrils will kill germs before they can get to your lungs .
Antibacterial medications fight off bacteria , not a virus like COVID-19 , the AP said .
• COVID-19 has a pH level between 5.5 and 8.5 and people can eat alkaline foods to fend it off .
Not true , according to the AP .
A virus does n't have a pH level and a person 's pH level ca n't be changed through diet .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by drinking hot water with lemon and bicarbonate of soda at night , resulting in no deaths in that country .
In truth , people in India have died from the virus and that drink is not a preventive .
`` There are no herbal remedies I would recommend for COVID-19 , '' Tufts Medical Center epidemiologist Dr. Shira Doron told the AP .
• Drinking tonic water brands that contain quinine can cure coronavirus .
Not recommended , according to the AP .
Users appear to be mixing up quinine with hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended people wear face masks when they go outside during the coronavirus pandemic .
A recent Facebook post , shared more than 7,200 times , suggested placing those masks in a zip-lock bag and microwaving for 2-3 minutes to sanitize the them .
But the Greeneville/Greene County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security warned against this cleaning method , < URL destination= '' https : //www.snopes.com/fact-check/microwave-fabric-masks-sanitize/ '' > according to Snopes.com .
< /URL > An entry on the group 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a microwave could burn the material or start a fire .
If the mask contains any metal , it could destroy the microwave .
`` Washing in warm water and antibacterial soap and a small amount of bleach will disinfect your masks of any germs .
Yes , this includes COVID-19 , '' the post said .
Some users shared the result of the microwave sanitation method , Snopes said .
One Facebook user wrote , `` Please do n't try it .
It smells awful . ''
A quote circulating on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Murray , according to PolitiFact.com .
A meme stating , `` Social media is training us to compare our lives , instead of appreciating everything we are .
No wonder why everyone is depressed -- Bill Murray , '' has appeared recently on Facebook .
The quote first showed up in 2015 but was n't attributed to Murray or anyone else , PolitiFact said , but since has been associated with the actor .
Murray does n't use social media and does n't have an official Twitter account .
And there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , PolitiFact said .
Murray has criticized the use of social media .
`` My only problem with it is that people now feel they should document their life rather than live it , '' he told The Guardian in 2018 .
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News .
Contact him at boboswald33 @ gmail.com .

Repurposed photos falsely claim coronavirus cover-up
Photos of medical personnel using mannequins during training are being shared as false proof of a coronavirus cover up, according to LeadStories.com.
"Please pray for this mannequin being wheeled into a New York hospital," headlined a photo of a dummy strapped to a stretcher. The Facebook post went on to claim the media is "using actors and props just to get the pictures and the press that they need."
The actual photos, taken last month, show U.S. Navy training operations as military members practiced transporting patients in New York City, LeadStories said.
The images, taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sara Eshleman and posted on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website, show soldiers training to transfer patients from overcrowded New York hospitals to a Navy hospital ship, the USNS Comfort, docked in the harbor.
The fake social media claims have been shared hundreds of times, LeadStories said. But at least one user thought the dummies were real.
"Looks like a human arm to me," the post said.
Social media offers fake cures
As scientists search for ways to treat the coronavirus, some "popular but completely untrue" methods and cures have made the rounds on social media, The Associated Press reports.
A claim that drinking alcoholic beverages can prevent the disease was among the false treatments. A Facebook post, topped with, "Time to disinfect our insides," featured a fake memo from a Kansas City hospital recommending vodka as effective at reducing the risk of the virus.
"In fact, the evidence is often the opposite -- that alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of infection," Baylor College infectious disease specialist Dr. Robert Legare Atmar told the AP.
Other false claims:
• Placing antibiotic ointment inside your nostrils will kill germs before they can get to your lungs. Antibacterial medications fight off bacteria, not a virus like COVID-19, the AP said.
• COVID-19 has a pH level between 5.5 and 8.5 and people can eat alkaline foods to fend it off. Not true, according to the AP. A virus doesn't have a pH level and a person's pH level can't be changed through diet.
• People in India have prevented the virus by drinking hot water with lemon and bicarbonate of soda at night, resulting in no deaths in that country. In truth, people in India have died from the virus and that drink is not a preventive. "There are no herbal remedies I would recommend for COVID-19," Tufts Medical Center epidemiologist Dr. Shira Doron told the AP.
• Drinking tonic water brands that contain quinine can cure coronavirus. Not recommended, according to the AP. Users appear to be mixing up quinine with hydroxychloroquine, a possible therapy touted by President Donald Trump.
Microwave won't sanitize mask
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended people wear face masks when they go outside during the coronavirus pandemic.
A recent Facebook post, shared more than 7,200 times, suggested placing those masks in a zip-lock bag and microwaving for 2-3 minutes to sanitize the them.
But the Greeneville/Greene County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security warned against this cleaning method, according to Snopes.com.
An entry on the group's Facebook page said putting cloth masks in a microwave could burn the material or start a fire. If the mask contains any metal, it could destroy the microwave.
"Washing in warm water and antibacterial soap and a small amount of bleach will disinfect your masks of any germs. Yes, this includes COVID-19," the post said.
Some users shared the result of the microwave sanitation method, Snopes said.
One Facebook user wrote, "Please don't try it. It smells awful."
Murray didn't say that
A quote circulating on social media is mistakenly being attributed to actor Bill Murray, according to PolitiFact.com.
A meme stating, "Social media is training us to compare our lives, instead of appreciating everything we are. No wonder why everyone is depressed -- Bill Murray," has appeared recently on Facebook.
The quote first showed up in 2015 but wasn't attributed to Murray or anyone else, PolitiFact said, but since has been associated with the actor.
Murray doesn't use social media and doesn't have an official Twitter account. And there is no evidence the quote came from him, PolitiFact said.
Murray has criticized the use of social media.
"My only problem with it is that people now feel they should document their life rather than live it," he told The Guardian in 2018.
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News. Contact him at boboswald33@gmail.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Number of new coronavirus deaths across state drops to 33

State officials on Sunday reported 33 new deaths from the COVID-19 virus , sharply below the 125 reported a day earlier .
The one-day increase brings the total death toll from the virus to 1,290 across Illinois since the pandemic began , officials announced during Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's daily briefing .
During the news conference , Pritzker also announced that the state is about to receive another shipment of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and said he is considering ordering the use of masks .
Officials on Sunday also reported 1,197 more cases of COVID-19 , bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose deaths were announced Sunday include : Pritzker said the additional shipment of PPE from China will arrive Monday by airlift .
It follows on the heels of the first shipment delivered earlier in the week .
The Illinois National Guard will handle logistics on the ground .
The equipment , including masks and gloves , will be taken to a state warehouse to be checked for performance and quality .
`` If it strikes you as atypical that in the midst of a national emergency , a state is directly airlifting emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you 'd be right , '' Pritzker said .
`` But that 's the landscape that we 're operating in , competing with other states , other countries and even our own federal government for supplies .
So if an airlift is what it takes to bring the PPE to protect our nurses , our firefighters , our police officers and other essential workers , then it 's an airlift that we 'll use without hesitation . ''
Pritzker addressed those who are protesting the stay-at-home order , saying , `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I want people to go back to school .
And I want us to have a great summer .
So I 'm looking for all the best ways to make that happen .
But we 're in the middle of an emergency , a pandemic , and it 's like nothing that we have ever seen , at least , in our lifetimes . ''
To that end , he said , the state is listening to the experts and scientists , but he warned that `` we have got to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions about changing the stay-at-home order to keep people safe .
Pritzker said he is considering ordering the use of masks , which is now optional .
`` It may be that the right answer is everybody wears a mask , no matter where they are outside , or perhaps everybody wears a mask if they know that they are going to be in an area with other people . ''
He said decisions will be made between now and April 30 , when the stay-at-home order is set to expire .

Number of new coronavirus deaths across state drops to 33
State officials on Sunday reported 33 new deaths from the COVID-19 virus, sharply below the 125 reported a day earlier.
The one-day increase brings the total death toll from the virus to 1,290 across Illinois since the pandemic began, officials announced during Gov. J.B. Pritzker's daily briefing.
During the news conference, Pritzker also announced that the state is about to receive another shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) and said he is considering ordering the use of masks.
Officials on Sunday also reported 1,197 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the total statewide to 30,357.
Those whose deaths were announced Sunday include:
• Cook County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 60s, 5 males 60s, 4 females 80s, 2 males 80s, 2 females 90s, 3 males 90s, 1 unknown 90s
• DuPage County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
• Kane County: 1 female 90s
• Will County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 60s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s.
• Madison County: 1 male 50s
• Monroe County: 1 female 90s
• Sangamon County: 1 male 90s
• St. Clair County: 1 male 60s
Pritzker said the additional shipment of PPE from China will arrive Monday by airlift. It follows on the heels of the first shipment delivered earlier in the week.
The Illinois National Guard will handle logistics on the ground. The equipment, including masks and gloves, will be taken to a state warehouse to be checked for performance and quality.
"If it strikes you as atypical that in the midst of a national emergency, a state is directly airlifting emergency response materials from another country, well, you'd be right," Pritzker said. "But that's the landscape that we're operating in, competing with other states, other countries and even our own federal government for supplies. So if an airlift is what it takes to bring the PPE to protect our nurses, our firefighters, our police officers and other essential workers, then it's an airlift that we'll use without hesitation."
Pritzker addressed those who are protesting the stay-at-home order, saying, "I want people to get back to work. I want people to go back to school. And I want us to have a great summer. So I'm looking for all the best ways to make that happen. But we're in the middle of an emergency, a pandemic, and it's like nothing that we have ever seen, at least, in our lifetimes."
To that end, he said, the state is listening to the experts and scientists, but he warned that "we have got to be very careful" as the state makes decisions about changing the stay-at-home order to keep people safe.
Pritzker said he is considering ordering the use of masks, which is now optional.
"It may be that the right answer is everybody wears a mask, no matter where they are outside, or perhaps everybody wears a mask if they know that they are going to be in an area with other people."
He said decisions will be made between now and April 30, when the stay-at-home order is set to expire.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Death of District 214 student raises concerns about COVID-19 in teens

A student at Northwest Suburban High School District 214 has died , likely from complications of COVID-19 , and another is in intensive care , raising concerns about the effects of the disease in an age group considered at low risk for serious infections .
News of the two students came in a letter to parents from District 214 Superintendent David R. Schuler .
He did not identify either student or their schools .
The Cook County Medical Examiner reports no teenagers among COVID-19 victims since the outbreak began , though the Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in Cook County .
The agencies could not immediately explain the discrepancy .
Among those under age 20 , 144 people have tested positive and 11 have been hospitalized , the Cook County Department of Public Health reports .
Illinois Public Heath Director Ngozi O. Ezike said while those numbers are relatively small , teens appear more likely than younger children to suffer severe cases of COVID-19 .
She could not say if other teens have died .
She added that a death is considered COVID-19-related for anyone who tests positive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
`` We know from the pediatric literature that pediatric deaths from COVID are low , '' she said Sunday during Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's daily briefing .
However , `` a 2-year-old and a 17-year-old are all considered pediatric patients but the 17-year-old has the physiology much closer to an adult than , say , an infant or baby .
Hospitals that I have worked with and pediatricians I have talked to , they have seen severe illness in older pediatric patients , as they look more like adults than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's student services staff is working with family and friends of the students to provide support .
In his emotional letter , he said the student died `` likely due to complications related to COVID-19 .
In addition , we currently have at least one additional student who is in the ( intensive care unit ) due to COVID-19 .
`` While we may be seeing a plateau in confirmed cases and deaths related to COVID-19 in Illinois , this is a dark week in District 214 that leaves me with an incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We will continue to move forward to see the sunrise again one day ; however , this week in our district is marked by pain and sadness .
My family 's thoughts and prayers are with these families and all members of our district 's school community during this global pandemic . ''
Schuler said the district has donated masks , gloves and gowns used in health care classes and by nurses and maintenance staff to Northwest Community Healthcare in Arlington Heights .
The district has also expanded its PPE face shield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and culinary students and teachers are sewing and distributing face masks .
In addition , the District 214 Education Foundation has raised nearly $ 60,000 through the # 214Cares fundraising campaign to assist students and families who might need additional support .
According to the Cook County Department of Public Health , there have been 327 deaths out of 7,983 confirmed cases in the county .
Among those under age 20 in suburban Cook County , there have been 23.3 positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people .
The rate jumps to 336 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 393 per 100,000 people in their 30s .
Older people are much more likely to have a positive test for COVID-19 , with the rate jumping to 607 per 100,000 people in their 60s , the highest rate reported .

Death of Wheeling High School sophomore raises concerns about COVID-19 in teens
A student at Northwest Suburban High School District 214 has died, raising concerns about whether he succumbed to complications of COVID-19.
Zach Leviton, a 16-year-old Wheeling High School sophomore, became ill last month, CBS-TV Channel 2 quoted his mother as saying. He worsened, was put on a ventilator and died last week.
Zach had tested negative for COVID-19, CBS quoted his mother as saying, but a doctor had told them the boy had experienced heart complications and might have been suffering from early stages of the virus.
The death shook the community and his friends posted memorials on YouTube and Instagram for the boy, whose services last week were private because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Cook County medical examiner's office had not yet ruled on a cause of death Sunday.
Family friend Jacqueline Batalis said Sunday that Leviton was one of her son's best friends and one of six boys who hung out together.
"They were all best friends. And he was with us all the time. So It's quite devastating," she said.
Northwest Suburban High School District 214 Superintendent David R. Schuler had informed parents and students in an email Saturday that one student had died, likely from complications of COVID-19.
He and other school officials did not name the student or school involved and would not say Sunday whether they were referring to Zach.
In the same letter, Schuler said another student is in intensive care, raising concerns about the effects of the disease in an age group considered at low risk for serious infections.
"Our understanding is that he hadn't been feeling good for a couple weeks. And then he was gone," Batalis said.
She said Zach's many friends are still trying to process his passing.
"It's hard to grasp and understand why and how such a young boy is just gone," she said.
Batalis remembered a boy who made others feel good.
"He had the most genuine loving heart. Everybody that was around him liked him. He was always smiling, always laughing. Always made everybody around him laugh and smile. Such a free spirit. Just a really neat, really respectful young man. Really good kid," she said.
Cases of COVID-19 among teens are uncommon. The Cook County Medical Examiner reports no teenagers among COVID-19 victims since the outbreak began, though the Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported the death of "one female teen" in Cook County. The agencies could not immediately explain the discrepancy.
Among those under age 20, 144 people have tested positive and 11 have been hospitalized, the Cook County Department of Public Health reports.
Illinois Public Heath Director Ngozi O. Ezike said while those numbers are relatively small, teens appear more likely than younger children to suffer severe cases of COVID-19. She could not say if other teens have died.
She added that a death is considered COVID-19-related for anyone who tests positive, though other causes could have led to death.
"We know from the pediatric literature that pediatric deaths from COVID are low," she said Sunday during Gov. J.B. Pritzker's daily briefing.
However, "a 2-year-old and a 17-year-old are all considered pediatric patients but the 17-year-old has the physiology much closer to an adult than, say, an infant or baby. Hospitals that I have worked with and pediatricians I have talked to, they have seen severe illness in older pediatric patients, as they look more like adults than babies."
Schuler said District 214's student services staff is working with family and friends of the students to provide support.
In his emotional letter, he said the student died "likely due to complications related to COVID-19. In addition, we currently have at least one additional student who is in the (intensive care unit) due to COVID-19.
"While we may be seeing a plateau in confirmed cases and deaths related to COVID-19 in Illinois, this is a dark week in District 214 that leaves me with an incredibly heavy heart."
He added, "We will continue to move forward to see the sunrise again one day; however, this week in our district is marked by pain and sadness. My family's thoughts and prayers are with these families and all members of our district's school community during this global pandemic."
According to the Cook County Department of Public Health, there have been 327 deaths out of 7,983 confirmed cases in the county.
Among those under age 20 in suburban Cook County, there have been 23.3 positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people.
The rate jumps to 336 per 100,000 people in their 20s, and 393 per 100,000 people in their 30s.
Older people are much more likely to have a positive test for COVID-19, with the rate jumping to 607 per 100,000 people in their 60s, the highest rate reported.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Family calls vacated conviction in Burrito Express murder 'salt in the wound'

Raul Briseno was one of 11 siblings raised in a small town in Atolinga , Zacatecas , Mexico .
With $ 100 in his pocket , and a new bride in 1987 , at about 21 years old , he climbed aboard a bus and traveled to the U.S .
Along the way , Briseno spent much of his pocket money .
When they arrived in Las Vegas , his wife , Leticia , said she was hungry .
Without the heart to tell her he had less than $ 10 in his pocket , Briseno risked all he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slot machine .
To his amazement , he won $ 400 .
Then he said , `` OK , we can eat now . ''
This is one of many stories Briseno 's son , Raul Briseno Jr. , 31 , of Schaumburg shared in describing his father 's humble beginnings .
Raul Briseno would go on to move to McHenry County , open three Mexican restaurants , buy rental properties and provide for his large family , including siblings and his parents , who eventually moved to the area .
Raul Briseno @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after learning a federal judge had vacated the conviction of Kenneth Smith , 44 , who was convicted and sentenced to 67 years in prison for the elder Briseno 's slaying .
Briseno was 34 when he was fatally shot March 6 , 2001 , in a botched robbery at Burrito Express in McHenry .
Raul Briseno Jr. said the month of March always is depressing for his family , especially for his mom .
`` I can see it on her face , the way she carries herself , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members expressed shock and frustration that they may have to sit through yet another trial .
`` It 's been hard , '' he said of the past 19 years since his father was killed and all the legal wrangling that his family has had to endure , including two previous retrials .
`` It just baffles me that we have another appeal .
... We have been through here one too many times .
It 's been hard , emotionally draining . ''
Raul Briseno Jr. and other family members said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys ' suggestion that his father was selling drugs at the restaurant , leading to his death .
Raul Briseno Jr. said his father was a `` people person , '' a hardworking man who died with the calluses on his hands to prove it .
He was a loving man who `` carried himself well '' and took care of everyone , including members of the Hispanic community .
One time , a man unknown to the elder Briseno came into the restaurant and asked his father for $ 500 to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not sure he ever would be repaid , Briseno gave him the money .
Raul Briseno Jr. said his father could see the man needed the money , `` so he gave it to him . ''
Another time , a few teenagers entered and demanded tacos .
His dad replied with , `` What is the magic word ? ''
The teens said , `` Please , '' and he gave them tacos .
Today , the younger Briseno works as a car sales manager , a life far from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for , he said .
There are eight restaurants in the Lake and McHenry County area and Chicago owned by Raul Briseno Sr. 's siblings and inspired by their late brother .
Although Raul Briseno Jr. is not currently in the restaurant business , he said he plans to buy back from an uncle the restaurant Raul 's Burrito Express in Wauconda next year .
It was his father 's first restaurant .
He thought at this point in hs life , he would have owned a couple of restaurants .
But without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that plan was sidetracked .
`` My dad was my rock , '' he said .
`` If I was slipping up , he would catch me with a leather belt , and I miss that . ''
Raul Briseno 's daughter , Alexandra Strohmaier , 26 , is married with two children and lives in Algonquin .
She said she is `` disappointed '' that Smith 's conviction again has been overturned .
`` It 's like we will never find peace , '' she said .
`` It will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wound for sure . ''
She often thinks of how her life would have been different had he been alive .
`` I gave birth to my children in the same hospital my dad took his last breath , '' she said .
`` It 's sad , and they are missing out on a grandpa .
He would have loved having grandkids . ''

Family calls vacated conviction in Burrito Express murder 'salt in the wound'
Family members of murder victim Raul Briseno gather Friday outside of Raul's Burrito Express in Wauconda, which is owned by his brother Alsonso, not shown. From left, daughter Alexandra Strohmaier of Algonquin with her husband Brett and their children Gia, 1, and Jordan, 5; sister Nicole Briseno of Wauconda; daughter-in-law Linda Briseno of Schaumburg; brother Sergio of Island Lake; brother Paul of Barrington; son Raul Briseno Jr. of Schaumburg; and nephew Silvestre Briseno of Wauconda. Mark Busch/mbusch@shawmedia.com
Raul Briseno was one of 11 siblings raised in a small town in Atolinga, Zacatecas, Mexico.
With $100 in his pocket, and a new bride in 1987, at about 21 years old, he climbed aboard a bus and traveled to the U.S.
Along the way, Briseno spent much of his pocket money. When they arrived in Las Vegas, his wife, Leticia, said she was hungry. Without the heart to tell her he had less than $10 in his pocket, Briseno risked all he had left and took a gamble at a slot machine. To his amazement, he won $400. Then he said, "OK, we can eat now."
This is one of many stories Briseno's son, Raul Briseno Jr., 31, of Schaumburg shared in describing his father's humble beginnings.
Raul Briseno would go on to move to McHenry County, open three Mexican restaurants, buy rental properties and provide for his large family, including siblings and his parents, who eventually moved to the area.
Raul Briseno Jr. reflected on his father's life after learning a federal judge had vacated the conviction of Kenneth Smith, 44, who was convicted and sentenced to 67 years in prison for the elder Briseno's slaying.
Briseno was 34 when he was fatally shot March 6, 2001, in a botched robbery at Burrito Express in McHenry.
Raul Briseno Jr. said the month of March always is depressing for his family, especially for his mom. "I can see it on her face, the way she carries herself," he said.
Raul Briseno Jr. and other family members expressed shock and frustration that they may have to sit through yet another trial.
"It's been hard," he said of the past 19 years since his father was killed and all the legal wrangling that his family has had to endure, including two previous retrials. "It just baffles me that we have another appeal. ... We have been through here one too many times. It's been hard, emotionally draining."
Raul Briseno Jr. and other family members said they believe Smith is guilty and reject defense attorneys' suggestion that his father was selling drugs at the restaurant, leading to his death.
Raul Briseno Jr. said his father was a "people person," a hardworking man who died with the calluses on his hands to prove it. He was a loving man who "carried himself well" and took care of everyone, including members of the Hispanic community.
One time, a man unknown to the elder Briseno came into the restaurant and asked his father for $500 to pay his rent, Raul Briseno Jr. said. Not sure he ever would be repaid, Briseno gave him the money. Raul Briseno Jr. said his father could see the man needed the money, "so he gave it to him."
Another time, a few teenagers entered and demanded tacos. His dad replied with, "What is the magic word?" The teens said, "Please," and he gave them tacos.
Today, the younger Briseno works as a car sales manager, a life far from the restaurant business his father was grooming him for, he said. There are eight restaurants in the Lake and McHenry County area and Chicago owned by Raul Briseno Sr.'s siblings and inspired by their late brother.
Although Raul Briseno Jr. is not currently in the restaurant business, he said he plans to buy back from an uncle the restaurant Raul's Burrito Express in Wauconda next year. It was his father's first restaurant.
He thought at this point in hs life, he would have owned a couple of restaurants. But without his father's guidance, he said, that plan was sidetracked. "My dad was my rock," he said. "If I was slipping up, he would catch me with a leather belt, and I miss that."
Raul Briseno's daughter, Alexandra Strohmaier, 26, is married with two children and lives in Algonquin.
She said she is "disappointed" that Smith's conviction again has been overturned.
"It's like we will never find peace," she said. "It will never be over. ... It is salt in the wound for sure."
She often thinks of how her life would have been different had he been alive.
"I gave birth to my children in the same hospital my dad took his last breath," she said. "It's sad, and they are missing out on a grandpa. He would have loved having grandkids."