chicagosun-times--2020-03-17--Simulating the state basketball playoffs: How the Class 2A tournament could have played out

The 2020 Illinois High School Association ’ s boys state basketball playoffs will never be completed .
All the players and coaches were left stuck just steps from Peoria .
There ’ s nothing anyone can do about that .
But a day after the cancellation I had an idea .
Sports video games are huge .
I regularly play a computer baseball simulation game called OOTP Baseball .
Why couldn ’ t we do something like that for the state playoffs ?
I asked around and found a few people willing to take on the task and ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Barking Crow started in 2017 as All Things NIT , a farcical college basketball blog written by someone very bored at work .
While it ’ s still primarily a farcical sports blog , it ’ s expanded to include legitimate statistical forecasting surrounding the College Football Playoff , the NCAA Tournament , and the NIT .
The Barking Crow used Aaron Britton ’ s ( @ NestoHoops ) spreadsheets as data for the simulation .
They are available on his website .
Obviously this is all totally fictional and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I made a few rules .
I ’ m not going to mention any player names in the short write-ups .
It doesn ’ t seem proper to have a high school kid ’ s name attached to something that he isn ’ t involved in .
For that same reason I ’ m not going to use any of our pictures .
Just to be very clear : The IHSA has nothing to do with this .
The schools and teams are not involved in any way .
This is a completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
Class 1A and Class 2A will be released on Tuesday .
Check back on Wednesday for Class 3A and Thursday for Class 4A .
The Spartans jumped out to a 20-10 lead and Breese Mater Dei was only able to cut it down to nine by halftime .
Orr dominated the third quarter and cruised to the win .
This one was a lot closer .
Looks like it was an excellent game .
Sacred Heart-Griffin led 14-5 after the first quarter .
Timothy Christian cut the lead to six by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarters .
The final quarter went back and forth until Timothy Christian took the lead for good with 3:44 to play .
Sacred Heart-Griffin hit a shot to pull within three with 49 seconds left but that was the final score of the game .
The computer had Sacred Heart-Griffin has 1.5 point favorite , so this was a minor upset .
Orr has dominated Class 2A for four years and entered this game as a heavy favorite , but Timothy Christian held its own early and led 31-30 at halftime .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held Timothy Christian scoreless for the first half of the third quarter .
Orr led 45-33 after three quarters .
The Trojans only got as close as ten points in the fourth quarter and Orr buckled down on defense again and held them scoreless for the final 5:07 of the game .

The 2020 Illinois High School Association’s boys state basketball playoffs will never be completed. All the players and coaches were left stuck just steps from Peoria.
There’s nothing anyone can do about that. But a day after the cancellation I had an idea. Sports video games are huge. I regularly play a computer baseball simulation game called OOTP Baseball. Why couldn’t we do something like that for the state playoffs?
I asked around and found a few people willing to take on the task and ended up deciding to go with The Barking Crow.
The Barking Crowstarted in 2017 as All Things NIT, a farcical college basketball blog written by someone very bored at work. While it’s still primarily a farcical sports blog, it’s expanded to include legitimate statistical forecasting surrounding the College Football Playoff, the NCAA Tournament, and the NIT.
The Barking Crow used Aaron Britton’s (@NestoHoops) spreadsheets as data for the simulation. They are available on his website.
Obviously this is all totally fictional and made up and just for fun. So I made a few rules. I’m not going to mention any player names in the short write-ups. It doesn’t seem proper to have a high school kid’s name attached to something that he isn’t involved in. For that same reason I’m not going to use any of our pictures.
Just to be very clear: The IHSA has nothing to do with this. The schools and teams are not involved in any way. This is a completely fictional result based on data from the season.
Class 1A and Class 2A will be released on Tuesday.
Check back on Wednesday for Class 3A and Thursday for Class 4A.
CLASS 2A
State semifinal: Orr 73, Breese Mater Dei 54
The Spartans jumped out to a 20-10 lead and Breese Mater Dei was only able to cut it down to nine by halftime. Orr dominated the third quarter and cruised to the win.
State semifinal: Timothy Christian 55, Sacred Heart-Griffin 52
This one was a lot closer. Looks like it was an excellent game. Sacred Heart-Griffin led 14-5 after the first quarter. Timothy Christian cut the lead to six by halftime and just one point after three quarters. The final quarter went back and forth until Timothy Christian took the lead for good with 3:44 to play. Sacred Heart-Griffin hit a shot to pull within three with 49 seconds left but that was the final score of the game. The computer had Sacred Heart-Griffin as a 1.5 point favorite, so this was a minor upset.
State championship: Orr 58, Timothy Christian 41
Orr has dominated Class 2A for four years and entered this game as a heavy favorite, but Timothy Christian held its own early and led 31-30 at halftime. The Spartans then locked down on defense and held Timothy Christian scoreless for the first half of the third quarter. Orr led 45-33 after three quarters. The Trojans only got as close as ten points in the fourth quarter and Orr buckled down on defense again and held them scoreless for the final 5:07 of the game.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-17--Medical weed can now be sold outside pot shops — while some stores halt recreational sales — as coro

Medical weed can now be sold outside pot shops — while some stores halt recreational sales — as coronavirus fears hit cannabis industry

Officials announced Tuesday that cannabis retailers can sell medical pot outside dispensaries until the end of the month to protect patients who may be susceptible to the coronavirus .
Dispensaries are permitted to sell medical cannabis products on their property , as well as on adjacent sidewalks or curbs until March 30 , according to new guidance from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation .
“ Our top priority is to minimize the risk of and protect as many people as possible from exposure to COVID-19 , ” said Toi Hutchinson , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These steps prioritize that critical objective , while also ensuring medical patients have access to the medicine they need.
” Patients in the state ’ s medical cannabis and opioid alternative programs and chosen caregivers will be able to purchase pot under the new guidance , while recreational customers will have to continue shopping inside .
Shops are also being advised to keep customers six feet apart by moving lines outside , closing cash registers and minimizing the time workers stand near customers .
Employees should wear gloves while handling cash , frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to physically hand over their medical cards to be scanned , the IDFPR said .
Though pot deliveries are prohibited under state law , many stores have started encouraging customers to make orders online to expedite the shopping experience .
Dispensaries that largely accept cash only will also be able to process transactions outside , allowing for curbside pick-ups .
Meanwhile , at least eight Illinois dispensaries have shut down adult-use sales to prioritize medical pot patients and others have limited the hours recreational users can shop .
Among them are The Herbal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , MOCA Modern Cannabis in Logan Square and Dispensary 33 in Uptown .
” We understand that not everyone with a medical need has a medical card , but until further notice we can only serve medical patients , ” Dispensary 33 posted on Twitter Monday .
Cresco Labs , the largest Illinois pot firm , will continue selling recreational cannabis at its four dual-use stores across the state , including at its store in Lake View .
“ We feel that we need to continue to provide access for everyone that relies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whether they ’ re a card carrying patient or not , ” said Cresco spokesman Jason Erkes .
“ But we ’ ll obviously follow whatever state guidelines and mandates are put in place .
”

Officials announced Tuesday that cannabis retailers can sell medical pot outside dispensaries until the end of the month to protect patients who may be susceptible to the coronavirus.
Dispensaries are permitted to sell medical cannabis products on their property, as well as on adjacent sidewalks or curbs until March 30, according to new guidance from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
“Our top priority is to minimize the risk of and protect as many people as possible from exposure to COVID-19,” said Toi Hutchinson, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s senior adviser for cannabis control. “These steps prioritize that critical objective, while also ensuring medical patients have access to the medicine they need.”
Patients in the state’s medical cannabis and opioid alternative programs and chosen caregivers will be able to purchase pot under the new guidance, while recreational customers will have to continue shopping inside.
Shops are also being advised to keep customers six feet apart by moving lines outside, closing cash registers and minimizing the time workers stand near customers. Employees should wear gloves while handling cash, frequently wash their hands and avoid asking patients to physically hand over their medical cards to be scanned, the IDFPR said.
Though pot deliveries are prohibited under state law, many stores have started encouraging customers to make orders online to expedite the shopping experience. Dispensaries that largely accept cash only will also be able to process transactions outside, allowing for curbside pick-ups.
Meanwhile, at least eight Illinois dispensaries have shut down adult-use sales to prioritize medical pot patients and others have limited the hours recreational users can shop. Among them are The Herbal Care Center on the Near West Side, MOCA Modern Cannabis in Logan Square and Dispensary 33 in Uptown.
”We understand that not everyone with a medical need has a medical card, but until further notice we can only serve medical patients,” Dispensary 33 posted on Twitter Monday.
Cresco Labs, the largest Illinois pot firm, will continue selling recreational cannabis at its four dual-use stores across the state, including at its store in Lake View.
“We feel that we need to continue to provide access for everyone that relies on cannabis for their daily well being, whether they’re a card carrying patient or not,” said Cresco spokesman Jason Erkes. “But we’ll obviously follow whatever state guidelines and mandates are put in place.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-17--PGA Championship becomes the 2nd major postponed by coronavirus

First the Masters , now the PGA Championship .
The PGA Championship is being postponed , a person involved in @ @ @ @ @ Press .
It was scheduled for May 14-17 at Harding Park in San Francisco .
@ @ @ @ @ AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the decision has not been announced .
It @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention ’ s recommendation that events of 50 people or more not be @ @ @ @ @ That would last until the Sunday before the PGA Championship .
San Francisco now is @ @ @ @ @ Bay Area where residents are ordered to venture outside only when necessary for the next @ @ @ @ @ no indication when the PGA Championship would be played , or if it would remain @ @ @ @ @ National announced Friday that the Masters would be postponed .
The club typically closes in @ @ @ @ @

First the Masters, now the PGA Championship.
The PGA Championship is being postponed, a person involved in the discussions told The Associated Press. It was scheduled for May 14-17 at Harding Park in San Francisco. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the decision has not been announced.
It follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that events of 50 people or more not be held for eight weeks. That would last until the Sunday before the PGA Championship.
San Francisco now is among six counties in the Bay Area where residents are ordered to venture outside only when necessary for the next three weeks.
There was no indication when the PGA Championship would be played, or if it would remain in San Francisco.
Augusta National announced Friday that the Masters would be postponed. The club typically closes in mid-May for the summer.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-17--Kevin Durant among 4 Nets players testing positive for coronavirus: report

NEW YORK — Four Brooklyn Nets players have tested positive for the new coronavirus , bringing the total to seven known players in the NBA .
According to the Athletic , Kevin Durant is one of the four .
The team announced Tuesday that one player is exhibiting symptoms , while the other three are asymptomatic .
All four players have been isolated and are under the care of team physicians .
The Nets added that all players and members of their travel party are being asked to remain isolated and closely monitor their health .
Brooklyn last played on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lakers .
The Nets were then to face the Golden State Warriors two nights later in San Francisco before the NBA season was suspended after Utah ’ s Rudy Gobert tested positive for the COVID-19 virus .
Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell and Detroit ’ s Christian Wood are the other players who have tested positive .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .

NEW YORK — Four Brooklyn Nets players have tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total to seven known players in the NBA. According to the Athletic, Kevin Durant is one of the four.
The team announced Tuesday that one player is exhibiting symptoms, while the other three are asymptomatic. All four players have been isolated and are under the care of team physicians.
Durant has not had symptoms and was among four positive test results on the Nets. The two-time NBA Finals MVP's message is one for everyone to heed: Stay quarantined. https://t.co/7E58fcyFjm — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 17, 2020
The Nets added that all players and members of their travel party are being asked to remain isolated and closely monitor their health.
Brooklyn last played on March 10 in Los Angeles, beating the Lakers. The Nets were then to face the Golden State Warriors two nights later in San Francisco before the NBA season was suspended after Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell and Detroit’s Christian Wood are the other players who have tested positive.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-17--‘Little Fires Everywhere’: Race, class issues are smoldering in suburbia

I ’ ve come to believe Reese Witherspoon has more energy than all these energetic and driven characters she ’ s been playing on streaming platforms across this great land of ours .
Since 2017 , Witherspoon has logged 14 episodes as wealthy helicopter mother and social ringleader Madeline Mackenzie on the HBO series “ Big Little Lies ” ; a 10-episode run as a regional TV reporter turned network rising star on the AppleTV+ series “ The Morning Show , ” and now eight episodes as a journalist , wife , mother and whirling dervish busybody in the Hulu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worries Witherspoon might be spreading herself thin as an actor are dispelled the second she appears onscreen and disappears into the role of Elena Richardson , who is a kind of Shaker Heights counterpart to the Monterey-based Madeline on “ Big Little Lies.
” Once again , Witherspoon proves to be great at playing moms who love their children with all their heart and are also driving their children crazy every waking moment .
Premiering with three episodes on March 18 , “ Little Fires Everywhere ” is based on the 2017 bestseller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s set in 1997 , in the upper-class Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights — a planned community with an idyllic sense of itself as the home of the American Dream .
It ’ s just that dream is more easily attained if you ’ re white .
Subtle and not-so-subtle themes of institutional racism and class warfare are in the forefront throughout “ Little Fires Everywhere.
” Just beyond the fine-trimmed lawns , some beautiful people are harboring and sometimes expressing and acting on some pretty ugly thoughts .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the opening scene , as the Richardson family home has been destroyed by a blaze of suspicious origins .
“ There were little fires everywhere , ” says a fire official , making it clear this was arson .
Who would do such a thing ?
Flash back four months earlier , and we meet Elena , her family and the people closest to her — and before you know it , we can spot three or four individuals who could have been responsible for setting that fire .
Elena and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) own a duplex apartment , and in a gesture of largesse which makes Elena feel really good about herself , she rents a unit at a reduced price to Kerry Washington ’ s Mia Warren , an artist and single mother who moves from town to town with her teenage daughter Pearl ( Lexi Underwood , daughter of Blair Underwood , who stars in “ Self-Made , ” another streaming series debuting this week . )
Mia ’ s got a lot going on .
She is indeed a talented installation-art sculptor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet Mia and Pearl , they ’ re living in their car .
It ’ s not quite clear if Mia is a survivor and a fighter , or a con artist and schemer .
Maybe a little of both .
Elena has four teenage children : Trip ( Jordan Elsass ) , an amiable jock ; Lexi ( Jade Pettyjohn ) , who ’ s a mini-Elena for better or worse ; Moody ( Gavin Lewis ) , a sweet kid who becomes friends with Pearl , and Izzy ( Megan Stott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troubled and rebellious and is aggressively pushing back against her mother ’ s attempts to put her in a pretty little box .
Elena and Mia have a complicated dynamic , made all the more so when Elena hires Mia to “ manage the house , ” which sounds a lot better than housekeeper/cook/maid .
Mia grows resentful as Pearl becomes enamored with the Richardson family , even as Mia strikes a connection with Izzy , an aspiring artist .
There ’ s a big controversy right out of a daytime soap opera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restaurant where she works at night ( Mia takes on a LOT of jobs ) , and Elena ’ s fellow Real Housewife of Shaker Heights , Linda ( Rosemarie DeWitt ) , who is even more tightly wound than Elena , if that ’ s possible .
There ’ s also a lot of wine drinking and pot-smoking , and period-piece pop culture references to “ The Vagina Monologues ” and MTV ’ s “ The Real World ” and “ Before Sunrise.
” One moment , Elena and Mia are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crowded room .
The next , they ’ re sharing a bottle of wine and bonding over the joys and heartbreaks of being a mother .
Before this chapter in their respective lives is over , a lot of fires big and small , real and metaphorical , will be ignited , and it ’ s possible not everyone will be left standing when the smoke clears .

I’ve come to believe Reese Witherspoon has more energy than all these energetic and driven characters she’s been playing on streaming platforms across this great land of ours.
Since 2017, Witherspoon has logged 14 episodes as wealthy helicopter mother and social ringleader Madeline Mackenzie on the HBO series “Big Little Lies”; a 10-episode run as a regional TV reporter turned network rising star on the AppleTV+ series “The Morning Show,” and now eight episodes as a journalist, wife, mother and whirling dervish busybody in the Hulu series “Little Fires Everywhere.”
Witherspoon is also a producer on all three series, and “Legally Blonde 3” is on the way, and let’s not forget “Reese’s Book Club.” Dang!
Any worries Witherspoon might be spreading herself thin as an actor are dispelled the second she appears onscreen and disappears into the role of Elena Richardson, who is a kind of Shaker Heights counterpart to the Monterey-based Madeline on “Big Little Lies.” Once again, Witherspoon proves to be great at playing moms who love their children with all their heart and are also driving their children crazy every waking moment.
‘Little Fires Everywhere’
Untitled An eight-part series premiering with three episodes March 18 on Hulu, with another episode streaming each subsequent Wednesday.
In other words, a mom.
Premiering with three episodes on March 18, “Little Fires Everywhere” is based on the 2017 bestseller of the same title by Celeste Ng. It’s set in 1997, in the upper-class Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights — a planned community with an idyllic sense of itself as the home of the American Dream.
It’s just that dream is more easily attained if you’re white. Subtle and not-so-subtle themes of institutional racism and class warfare are in the forefront throughout “Little Fires Everywhere.” Just beyond the fine-trimmed lawns, some beautiful people are harboring and sometimes expressing and acting on some pretty ugly thoughts.
The series literally lives up to its title in the opening scene, as the Richardson family home has been destroyed by a blaze of suspicious origins. “There were little fires everywhere,” says a fire official, making it clear this was arson.
Who would do such a thing? Flash back four months earlier, and we meet Elena, her family and the people closest to her — and before you know it, we can spot three or four individuals who could have been responsible for setting that fire.
Elena awakes each morning as if shot out of a cannon — knocking on the kids’ bedroom doors and telling them to rise and shine, checking all the entries on the enormous, color-coded calendar mounted in the kitchen, and then zooming out for a full day of working at the local newspaper, organizing the next meeting of the ladies’ book club, attending school functions, etc.
Mia’s daughter Pearl (Lexi Underwood) becomes fascinated by the upscale lifestyle of her mother’s landlords in “Little Fires Everywhere.” Hulu
Elena and her successful lawyer husband Bill (Joshua Jackson) own a duplex apartment, and in a gesture of largesse which makes Elena feel really good about herself, she rents a unit at a reduced price to Kerry Washington’s Mia Warren, an artist and single mother who moves from town to town with her teenage daughter Pearl (Lexi Underwood, daughter of Blair Underwood, who stars in “Self-Made,” another streaming series debuting this week.)
Mia’s got a lot going on. She is indeed a talented installation-art sculptor and photographer, but when we first meet Mia and Pearl, they’re living in their car. It’s not quite clear if Mia is a survivor and a fighter, or a con artist and schemer. Maybe a little of both.
Elena has four teenage children: Trip (Jordan Elsass), an amiable jock; Lexi (Jade Pettyjohn), who’s a mini-Elena for better or worse; Moody (Gavin Lewis), a sweet kid who becomes friends with Pearl, and Izzy (Megan Stott), the youngest, who is troubled and rebellious and is aggressively pushing back against her mother’s attempts to put her in a pretty little box.
Elena and Mia have a complicated dynamic, made all the more so when Elena hires Mia to “manage the house,” which sounds a lot better than housekeeper/cook/maid. Mia grows resentful as Pearl becomes enamored with the Richardson family, even as Mia strikes a connection with Izzy, an aspiring artist.
Elena’s daughter Izzy (Megan Stott), an aspiring artist, connects with the family’s artistically minded tenant in “Little Fires Everywhere.” Hulu
There’s a big controversy right out of a daytime soap opera, involving Mia’s co-worker at the restaurant where she works at night (Mia takes on a LOT of jobs), and Elena’s fellow Real Housewife of Shaker Heights, Linda (Rosemarie DeWitt), who is even more tightly wound than Elena, if that’s possible. There’s also a lot of wine drinking and pot-smoking, and period-piece pop culture references to “The Vagina Monologues” and MTV’s “The Real World” and “Before Sunrise.”
One moment, Elena and Mia are shooting daggers at one another from across a crowded room. The next, they’re sharing a bottle of wine and bonding over the joys and heartbreaks of being a mother.
Before this chapter in their respective lives is over, a lot of fires big and small, real and metaphorical, will be ignited, and it’s possible not everyone will be left standing when the smoke clears.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-17--$1M awarded to wetlands restoration project on Chicago’s Southeast Side

Over 100 acres of wetlands in southeast Chicago will be restored in a three-year , $ 1 million project , according to the environmental group Audubon Great Lakes .
Powderhorn Lake Forest Preserve , along the Illinois-Indiana state line , has prairie , woodland and wetland habitats .
Powderhorn Lake and Wolf Lake were historically connected as part of a massive wetland in the area .
“ There are two stages to the loss of the number of wetlands , and the body of wetlands , ” Bradford Kasberg , wetland and restoration manager at Audubon Great Lakes , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcing the project earlier this week .
Those stages , Kasberg explained , are : industrialization and other development , followed by pollution and invasive plant species .
Audubon Great Lakes aims to reconnect the two lakes by installing a drain at the north end of Powderhorn Lake to improve native fish passage and restore marsh habitat .
“ This project builds on a large partnership in the Calumet region of Illinois to restore marshes to their former glory , providing refuge for threatened and common wildlife and improving resilience to heavy storms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chip O ’ Leary , deputy director of resource management at the Forest Preserves of Cook County .
Cook County ’ s Powderhorn Lake Forest Preserve project team was awarded the $ 1 million for the project by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Great Lakes Commission .
“ This project builds on a large partnership in the Calumet region of Illinois and Indiana , restoring marshes to their former glory , providing refuge for threatened wildlife and improving resilience to storms and lake level fluctuations , ” Kasberg was quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Draining a 55-acre shallow pool adjacent to the lake will allow the native marsh habitat to be re-established .
That also will create a safe fish passage for the first time in decades , according to Audubon Great Lakes.. Powderhorn Lake will drain into Wolf Lake , which will reach Lake Michigan , expanding the marsh habitat .
“ These improvements will provide more habitat for fish to spawn , which should make those who fish at Powderhorn — both marsh birds and people — very happy.
, ” said O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues in Chicago ’ s 10th ward , according to Ald .
Susan Garza .
“ With high water levels in Lake Michigan and Powderhorn Lake , improving drainage and better controlling the flow of water in the Calumet is important for the benefit of wildlife and people , ” Garza was quoted as saying .

Over 100 acres of wetlands in southeast Chicago will be restored in a three-year, $1 million project, according to the environmental group Audubon Great Lakes.
Powderhorn Lake Forest Preserve, along the Illinois-Indiana state line, has prairie, woodland and wetland habitats. Powderhorn Lake and Wolf Lake were historically connected as part of a massive wetland in the area.
“There are two stages to the loss of the number of wetlands, and the body of wetlands,” Bradford Kasberg, wetland and restoration manager at Audubon Great Lakes, was quoted as saying in a press release announcing the project earlier this week. Those stages, Kasberg explained, are: industrialization and other development, followed by pollution and invasive plant species.
Audubon Great Lakes aims to reconnect the two lakes by installing a drain at the north end of Powderhorn Lake to improve native fish passage and restore marsh habitat.
“This project builds on a large partnership in the Calumet region of Illinois to restore marshes to their former glory, providing refuge for threatened and common wildlife and improving resilience to heavy storms and lake level fluctuations,” said Chip O’Leary, deputy director of resource management at the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Cook County’s Powderhorn Lake Forest Preserve project team was awarded the $1 million for the project by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Great Lakes Commission.
Draining a 55-acre shallow pool adjacent to the lake will allow the native marsh habitat to be re-established. That also will create a safe fish passage for the first time in decades, according to Audubon Great Lakes.. Powderhorn Lake will drain into Wolf Lake, which will reach Lake Michigan, expanding the marsh habitat.
“These improvements will provide more habitat for fish to spawn, which should make those who fish at Powderhorn — both marsh birds and people — very happy.,” said O’Leary.
This will also alleviate flooding issues in Chicago’s 10th ward, according to Ald. Susan Garza.
“With high water levels in Lake Michigan and Powderhorn Lake, improving drainage and better controlling the flow of water in the Calumet is important for the benefit of wildlife and people,” Garza was quoted as saying.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-18--‘Big Time Adolescence’: Pete Davidson shows true talent playing a charming loser

“ I could be an actor.
” “ Yeah but in a hot way , like Steve Buscemi.
” – Exchange between Pete Davidson and his girlfriend in “ Big Time Adolescence.
” Thus far in Pete Davidson ’ s career , the comedian and “ Saturday Night Live ” cast member is more famous for his roller-coaster personal life than his show-business resume .
The lanky , tattoo-spangled , likable , 26-year-old Davidson has been an open book in talking about the death of his New York City firefighter father on 9/11 , his struggles with depression and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grande .
These experiences are mined in interviews , on “ SNL ” and in his stand-up .
In the quirky , indie , party comedy “ Big Time Adolescence , ” Davidson has a co-starring role — and while the character is about a six-inch leap from Davidson ’ s public persona and I wouldn ’ t go so far as to call this a game-changing performance , I was impressed by Davidson ’ s effortless , comfortable and authentic work .
We often hear how certain actors are just playing themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no easy trick .
We still have to buy into the character one is playing , regardless of the real-life parallels .
Davidson shows true talent in this performance .
Writer-director Jason Orley ’ s smart and funny coming-of-age film is like an upstate New York variation on “ About a Boy , ” in that it ’ s about an unorthodox friendship between a grown man and a school kid — and the music of the time plays an integral part .
( There ’ s even a scene in “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment in “ About a Boy ” when Nicholas Hoult strides through the hallways jamming to a newly discovered tune on his headphones . )
Griffin Gluck has the look and the instant relatability factor of a John Hughes high school movie protagonist as Mo Harris , a goodnatured , slightly awkward and bright 16-year-old suburban kid who ’ s a bit adrift as he navigates the choppy waters of cliques and crushes and trying to be cool .
( Jon Cryer , nearly 35 years after his breakout performance in the Hughes-written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mo ’ s dad . )
When Mo was in elementary school , his older sister Kate ( Emily Arlook ) started dating Davidson ’ s Zeke — and Mo and Zeke became good buddies through the years .
“ He took me on roller coasters , he took me to R-rated movies , he gave me a beer , ” says Mo in voice-over narration that makes it clear the impressionable Mo thinks the stoner-slacker Zeke is just the coolest .
Here ’ s the weird part .
Even after Zeke and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have continued to hang out , which should concern Mo ’ s parents more than it does , given Zeke is now 23 and Mo is 16 .
Zeke is a cheerful nihilist with a barely functioning social filter and a dry , offbeat sense of humor .
( At the appliance store where Zeke works , a customer asks him to recommend a microwave for her grandson ’ s dorm room , and Zeke replies , “ Who ’ s your grandson ?
” ) Every night , Zeke parties like there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buddies ( including a hilarious Machine Gun Kelly ) and his current girlfriend , Holly ( Sydney Sweeney ) — and Mo tagging along like a little brother/mascot .
When Mo scores a coveted invite to a weekly theme party held in the basement of an upperclassman ’ s home ( contingent upon Mo and his friend supplying the liquor , a la “ Superbad ” ) , Zeke hatches a plan to catapult Mo from wallflower to instant rock star : Mo can sell pot ( and eventually other drugs ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the privileged teens at inflated prices , with Mo and Zeke splitting the profits .
Just like that , Mo becomes the coolest kid at the cool-kid parties .
His newfound status even gives him the confidence to pursue a romance with Sophie ( Oona Laurence ) , a smart , self-confident , popular-without-trying-to-be-popular girl who would have been so out of his league just a few weeks ago .
Mo ’ s admiration for Zeke escalates to the level of hero worship , with Mo literally quoting Zeke and emulating his live-for-the-moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a blueprint for disaster , as evidenced by the sorry state of Zeke ’ s life , but to the credit of Orley ’ s screenplay and Davidson ’ s smiling-devil performance as the charming but toxic Zeke , we can understand how a vulnerable teen could mistake a loser for a legend — and we ’ re rooting like hell for the kid to realize that mistake before it ’ s too late .

“I could be an actor.”
“You’re too ugly.”
“Yeah but in a hot way, like Steve Buscemi.” – Exchange between Pete Davidson and his girlfriend in “Big Time Adolescence.”
Thus far in Pete Davidson’s career, the comedian and “Saturday Night Live” cast member is more famous for his roller-coaster personal life than his show-business resume.
The lanky, tattoo-spangled, likable, 26-year-old Davidson has been an open book in talking about the death of his New York City firefighter father on 9/11, his struggles with depression and his high-profile romances with the likes of Ariana Grande. These experiences are mined in interviews, on “SNL” and in his stand-up.
‘Big Time Adolescence’
Untitled Neon presents a film written and directed by Jason Orley. Rated R (for drug content, alcohol use, pervasive language, and sexual references - all involving teens). Running time: 91 minutes. Premieres Friday on Hulu.
In the quirky, indie, party comedy “Big Time Adolescence,” Davidson has a co-starring role — and while the character is about a six-inch leap from Davidson’s public persona and I wouldn’t go so far as to call this a game-changing performance, I was impressed by Davidson’s effortless, comfortable and authentic work.
We often hear how certain actors are just playing themselves. Maybe so — but that’s no easy trick. We still have to buy into the character one is playing, regardless of the real-life parallels. Davidson shows true talent in this performance.
Writer-director Jason Orley’s smart and funny coming-of-age film is like an upstate New York variation on “About a Boy,” in that it’s about an unorthodox friendship between a grown man and a school kid — and the music of the time plays an integral part. (There’s even a scene in “Big Time Adolescence” that mirrors the moment in “About a Boy” when Nicholas Hoult strides through the hallways jamming to a newly discovered tune on his headphones.)
Griffin Gluck has the look and the instant relatability factor of a John Hughes high school movie protagonist as Mo Harris, a goodnatured, slightly awkward and bright 16-year-old suburban kid who’s a bit adrift as he navigates the choppy waters of cliques and crushes and trying to be cool. (Jon Cryer, nearly 35 years after his breakout performance in the Hughes-written “Pretty in Pink,” plays Mo’s dad.)
When Mo was in elementary school, his older sister Kate (Emily Arlook) started dating Davidson’s Zeke — and Mo and Zeke became good buddies through the years.
“He took me on roller coasters, he took me to R-rated movies, he gave me a beer,” says Mo in voice-over narration that makes it clear the impressionable Mo thinks the stoner-slacker Zeke is just the coolest.
Here’s the weird part. Even after Zeke and Kate broke up, Zeke and Mo have continued to hang out, which should concern Mo’s parents more than it does, given Zeke is now 23 and Mo is 16.
Zeke is a cheerful nihilist with a barely functioning social filter and a dry, offbeat sense of humor. (At the appliance store where Zeke works, a customer asks him to recommend a microwave for her grandson’s dorm room, and Zeke replies, “Who’s your grandson?”)
Every night, Zeke parties like there’s no tomorrow with his burnout buddies (including a hilarious Machine Gun Kelly) and his current girlfriend, Holly (Sydney Sweeney) — and Mo tagging along like a little brother/mascot.
When Mo scores a coveted invite to a weekly theme party held in the basement of an upperclassman’s home (contingent upon Mo and his friend supplying the liquor, a la “Superbad”), Zeke hatches a plan to catapult Mo from wallflower to instant rock star: Mo can sell pot (and eventually other drugs), supplied by Zeke of course, to the privileged teens at inflated prices, with Mo and Zeke splitting the profits.
Just like that, Mo becomes the coolest kid at the cool-kid parties. His newfound status even gives him the confidence to pursue a romance with Sophie (Oona Laurence), a smart, self-confident, popular-without-trying-to-be-popular girl who would have been so out of his league just a few weeks ago.
Mo’s admiration for Zeke escalates to the level of hero worship, with Mo literally quoting Zeke and emulating his live-for-the-moment, consequences-be-damned, me-first philosophy.
This is a blueprint for disaster, as evidenced by the sorry state of Zeke’s life, but to the credit of Orley’s screenplay and Davidson’s smiling-devil performance as the charming but toxic Zeke, we can understand how a vulnerable teen could mistake a loser for a legend — and we’re rooting like hell for the kid to realize that mistake before it’s too late.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-18--Dear Abby: Snubbed by a friend after surgery, I’m now snubbing her back

DEAR ABBY : I ’ ve been friends with “ Brenda ” for nearly 40 years .
We ’ ve had our share of tough times , but I ’ ve always been a good friend to her even though it felt one-sided .
The last straw for me was a few months ago , when I had major surgery .
I didn ’ t hear from her for three weeks , and when she did call , she talked about her life the whole time and showed no interest in how I was doing .
Brenda has now had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by , and I haven ’ t called her .
I want her to have a taste of her own selfish medicine .
I have been upfront with her in the past that she hasn ’ t always been there for me .
She apologizes but nothing changes .
Am I being too sensitive about her lack of caring about anyone but herself ?
— OVER IT IN CALIFORNIA DEAR OVER IT : I don ’ t think so .
But if you step back and review your relationship with Brenda , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this way .
Perhaps it ’ s time to reevaluate whether maintaining the kind of relationship you have with her is worth the effort because , after 40 years , she isn ’ t going to change .
Either accept her as she is or move on .
DEAR ABBY : I have carried a worn clipping of your “ Definition of Maturity ” with me for many years because it has been inspirational to me .
I even gave a copy of it to my younger brother .
Is it part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is relevant today because both the young and old could use a lesson in respect and self-respect .
Can you reprint it ?
— FRANCES IN DALLAS DEAR FRANCES : With pleasure !
Here it is : The ability to stick with a job until it ’ s finished .
The ability to do a job without being supervised .
The ability to carry money without spending it .
And the ability to bear an injustice without wanting To get even .
This definition of maturity is included in my booklet “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inspirational items — poems and short essays — that readers have asked me to include in my column because they held special meaning for them .
Many , like you , also have said they kept the articles until they were worn and yellowed with age .
Many readers suggested the articles be put together in a booklet .
Filled with clever observations , “ Keeper ” cover a variety of topics , including parenting , children , aging , animals , forgiveness , etc .
My booklet can be ordered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to Dear Abby Keepers Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .
Filled with down-to-earth nuggets of wisdom , both witty and philosophical , the “ Keepers ” booklet is an inexpensive , welcome gift for newly married couples , pet lovers or anyone recovering from an illness .
It ’ s also an inspiring , positive , quick and easy read for anyone who could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been friends with “Brenda” for nearly 40 years. We’ve had our share of tough times, but I’ve always been a good friend to her even though it felt one-sided. The last straw for me was a few months ago, when I had major surgery.
I didn’t hear from her for three weeks, and when she did call, she talked about her life the whole time and showed no interest in how I was doing. Brenda has now had major surgery. Two weeks have gone by, and I haven’t called her. I want her to have a taste of her own selfish medicine.
I have been upfront with her in the past that she hasn’t always been there for me. She apologizes but nothing changes. Am I being too sensitive about her lack of caring about anyone but herself? — OVER IT IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR OVER IT: I don’t think so. But if you step back and review your relationship with Brenda, you will realize that it has always been this way. Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate whether maintaining the kind of relationship you have with her is worth the effort because, after 40 years, she isn’t going to change. Either accept her as she is or move on.
DEAR ABBY: I have carried a worn clipping of your “Definition of Maturity” with me for many years because it has been inspirational to me. I even gave a copy of it to my younger brother.
Is it part of one of your publications? I feel it is relevant today because both the young and old could use a lesson in respect and self-respect. Can you reprint it? — FRANCES IN DALLAS
DEAR FRANCES: With pleasure! Here it is:
DEFINITION OF MATURITY
Maturity is:
The ability to stick with a job until it’s finished.
The ability to do a job without being supervised.
The ability to carry money without spending it.
And the ability to bear an injustice without wanting
To get even.
This definition of maturity is included in my booklet “Keepers,” a compilation of humorous and inspirational items — poems and short essays — that readers have asked me to include in my column because they held special meaning for them. Many, like you, also have said they kept the articles until they were worn and yellowed with age. Many readers suggested the articles be put together in a booklet.
Filled with clever observations, “Keeper” cover a variety of topics, including parenting, children, aging, animals, forgiveness, etc. My booklet can be ordered by sending your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to Dear Abby Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.
Filled with down-to-earth nuggets of wisdom, both witty and philosophical, the “Keepers” booklet is an inexpensive, welcome gift for newly married couples, pet lovers or anyone recovering from an illness. It’s also an inspiring, positive, quick and easy read for anyone who could use a lift!
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-18--8 shot Tuesday in Chicago

8 shot Tuesday in Chicago

Eight people were shot Tuesday in Chicago , including a 25-year-old man who was shot in Logan Square on the Northwest Side .
He was standing outside about 9:25 p.m. in the 2700 block of North Lawndale Avenue when shots rang out and he was struck in the arm , Chicago police said .
He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in fair condition .
The man told officers he did not see the shooter or know where the shots came from , police said .
Less that an hour prior , a 25-year-old man was shot in Albany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was standing in an alley about 9 p.m. in the 4200 block of North Bernard Street when another male walked up and opened fire , striking the man in the leg , police said .
The man was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition .
Also at 9 p.m. , a man was shot on the Near North Side .
The 35-year-old was sitting in a car in the 400 block of West Evergreen Avenue , when someone in a white BMW pulled up and fired shots , police said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , treated at the scene and is in good condition , police said .
A 26-year-old man was shot in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side .
He was walking about 7:25 p.m. in the 2400 block of West 72nd Street when someone shot him in the arm , police said .
He was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in good condition .
Two people , including a 17-year-old boy , were shot in Logan Square on the Northwest Side .
The teen was in a vehicle with a 21-year-old man about 6:53 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in an alley in the 3200 block of West Wellington Avenue , police said .
He opened fire and hit the teen in the leg and the man in the arm and hip .
The boy and the man were taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center , where they were both stabilized , police said .
Another teenage boy was shot in Albany Park on the Northwest Side .
The 16-year-old was walking about 6:10 p.m. in the 4400 block of North Pulaski Road when he was shot in the arm and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition .
He was walking about 4:20 p.m. in the 8700 block of South Commercial Avenue when a male shot at him from a nearby alley , police said .
The man was struck in the right leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition , police said .
One person was killed and one person was shot Monday in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Eight people were shot Tuesday in Chicago, including a 25-year-old man who was shot in Logan Square on the Northwest Side.
He was standing outside about 9:25 p.m. in the 2700 block of North Lawndale Avenue when shots rang out and he was struck in the arm, Chicago police said. He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in fair condition.
The man told officers he did not see the shooter or know where the shots came from, police said.
Less that an hour prior, a 25-year-old man was shot in Albany Park on the Northwest Side.
He was standing in an alley about 9 p.m. in the 4200 block of North Bernard Street when another male walked up and opened fire, striking the man in the leg, police said.
The man was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition.
Also at 9 p.m., a man was shot on the Near North Side.
The 35-year-old was sitting in a car in the 400 block of West Evergreen Avenue, when someone in a white BMW pulled up and fired shots, police said.
He was grazed in the arm, treated at the scene and is in good condition, police said.
A 26-year-old man was shot in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.
He was walking about 7:25 p.m. in the 2400 block of West 72nd Street when someone shot him in the arm, police said. He was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in good condition.
Two people, including a 17-year-old boy, were shot in Logan Square on the Northwest Side.
The teen was in a vehicle with a 21-year-old man about 6:53 P.M. when another male walked up to them in an alley in the 3200 block of West Wellington Avenue, police said. He opened fire and hit the teen in the leg and the man in the arm and hip.
The boy and the man were taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where they were both stabilized, police said.
Another teenage boy was shot in Albany Park on the Northwest Side.
The 16-year-old was walking about 6:10 p.m. in the 4400 block of North Pulaski Road when he was shot in the arm and face, Chicago police said. He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition.
A 31-year-old man was shot in South Chicago.
He was walking about 4:20 p.m. in the 8700 block of South Commercial Avenue when a male shot at him from a nearby alley, police said.
The man was struck in the right leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition, police said.
One person was killed and one person was shot Monday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-18--Tinley Park man sentenced to 29 years in prison for beating wife to death

A 54-year-old Tinley Park man was sentenced to 29 years in prison after being convicted of beating his wife to death with a piece of exercise equipment in 2012 .
Bahaa Sam was sentenced with no possibility of parole by Circuit Judge Amy Bertani Tomczsk for the murder of his then wife , 38-year-old Nermeen Sam , according to the Will County state ’ s attorney ’ s office .
Sam beat his wife to death with a metal weightlifting bar on the morning of Dec. 19 , 2012 following an argument , prosecutors said .
Nermeen Sam was found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trauma to the back of her head .
A witness at the trial reported seeing Sam strike his wife outside while his 4-year-old son was nearby , according to prosecutors .
Sam ’ s three children testified against him at the trial .
“ Sam ’ s ruthless beating of his wife as his innocent four-year-old son witnessed the atrocity is irrefutable evidence of an abandoned and malignant heart .
Prison can not undo the horror this cold-blooded murdered perpetrated upon his family , ” Will County state ’ s attorney James Glasgow @ @

A 54-year-old Tinley Park man was sentenced to 29 years in prison after being convicted of beating his wife to death with a piece of exercise equipment in 2012.
Bahaa Sam was sentenced with no possibility of parole by Circuit Judge Amy Bertani Tomczsk for the murder of his then wife, 38-year-old Nermeen Sam, according to the Will County state’s attorney’s office.
Sam beat his wife to death with a metal weightlifting bar on the morning of Dec. 19, 2012 following an argument, prosecutors said. Nermeen Sam was found lying outside of her home with severe trauma to the back of her head.
A witness at the trial reported seeing Sam strike his wife outside while his 4-year-old son was nearby, according to prosecutors. Sam’s three children testified against him at the trial.
“Sam’s ruthless beating of his wife as his innocent four-year-old son witnessed the atrocity is irrefutable evidence of an abandoned and malignant heart. Prison cannot undo the horror this cold-blooded murdered perpetrated upon his family,” Will County state’s attorney James Glasgow said.