chicagosun-times--2020-12-25--Bad headlights have been a problem for years, but theyʼre getting better, IIHS says

Dim , poorly designed , excessively bright or badly aimed headlights have been repeatedly cited as a significant safety concern of modern vehicles .
But automakers have made significant improvements on the headlights of dozens of vehicles over the last several years , according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety .
So far for the 2021 model year , compared with the previous year , engineers improved the headlights on 17 IIHS-tested vehicles , including models from Honda , Hyundai , Nissan , Subaru and Volvo .
The advancements come after IIHS raised concerns about poor headlights in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by withholding its highest honors from vehicles that missed the mark .
“ Automakers deserve credit for moving forward as quickly as they have , ” IIHS President David Harkey said .
“ It ’ s really encouraging that automakers have stepped up to the plate.
” Beginning with the 2020 model year , IIHS said it would no longer award its Top Safety Pick+ honors to vehicles that fail to achieve “ good ” or “ acceptable ” headlights for every version of the model .
The move was spurred by data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on U.S. roads happen at nighttime , with more than a quarter taking place on unlit roads .
“ Headlights are a critical piece of safety equipment that we often don ’ t think about , ” Harkey said .
IIHS testers have said that automakers were often guilty of installing headlights that were aimed at oncoming drivers or not aimed at the right place on the road , while others created too much glare or didn ’ t light up the road enough .
In some cases , designers compromised on headlight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look , IIHS has said .
When IIHS first began assessing headlight performance in 2016 , only two of the 95 models it tested received a “ good ” rating .
In 2020 , 85 of 185 models the organization tested were sold with “ good ” headlights on at least one trim level .
“ Good ” headlights were standard technology on only eight of the 2020 models , while 42 were sold only with “ good ” or “ acceptable ” headlights .
For the 2021 model year , 10 vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honors were bumped up to Top Safety Pick+ “ by eliminating or changing poor or marginal headlight packages , ” the group said .
Those were the Audi A7 , Honda Accord , Hyundai Palisade , Mazda CX-30 , Nissan Altima , Subaru Ascent , Toyota Highlander , Volvo S60 , Volvo XC40 and Volvo XC60 .
The Honda Odyssey went from no award to Top Safety Pick+ with multiple improvements , including the elimination of two poorly performing headlight options .
Several vehicles that had already earned the Top Safety Pick+ honors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subaru Forester , Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback – now offer only “ good ” headlights , instead of “ good ” or “ acceptable.
” IIHS is not done testing 2021 model-year vehicles , which automakers can submit for assessments throughout the year .
So far , IIHS-tested vehicles that have improved their headlights from 2020 to 2021 ( ratings according to available models ) are :

Dim, poorly designed, excessively bright or badly aimed headlights have been repeatedly cited as a significant safety concern of modern vehicles.
But automakers have made significant improvements on the headlights of dozens of vehicles over the last several years, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
So far for the 2021 model year, compared with the previous year, engineers improved the headlights on 17 IIHS-tested vehicles, including models from Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru and Volvo.
The advancements come after IIHS raised concerns about poor headlights in recent years and pressured automakers to improve them by withholding its highest honors from vehicles that missed the mark.
“Automakers deserve credit for moving forward as quickly as they have,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “It’s really encouraging that automakers have stepped up to the plate.”
Beginning with the 2020 model year, IIHS said it would no longer award its Top Safety Pick+ honors to vehicles that fail to achieve “good” or “acceptable” headlights for every version of the model.
The move was spurred by data showing that about half of deadly crashes on U.S. roads happen at nighttime, with more than a quarter taking place on unlit roads.
“Headlights are a critical piece of safety equipment that we often don’t think about,” Harkey said.
IIHS testers have said that automakers were often guilty of installing headlights that were aimed at oncoming drivers or not aimed at the right place on the road, while others created too much glare or didn’t light up the road enough. In some cases, designers compromised on headlight performance for the sake of a slick look, IIHS has said.
When IIHS first began assessing headlight performance in 2016, only two of the 95 models it tested received a “good” rating. In 2020, 85 of 185 models the organization tested were sold with “good” headlights on at least one trim level.
There’s still room for improvement.
“Good” headlights were standard technology on only eight of the 2020 models, while 42 were sold only with “good” or “acceptable” headlights.
For the 2021 model year, 10 vehicles that previously had received Top Safety Pick honors were bumped up to Top Safety Pick+ “by eliminating or changing poor or marginal headlight packages,” the group said.
Those were the Audi A7, Honda Accord, Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-30, Nissan Altima, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, Volvo S60, Volvo XC40 and Volvo XC60. The Honda Odyssey went from no award to Top Safety Pick+ with multiple improvements, including the elimination of two poorly performing headlight options.
Several vehicles that had already earned the Top Safety Pick+ honors in 2020 – the Acura RDX, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback – now offer only “good” headlights, instead of “good” or “acceptable.”
IIHS is not done testing 2021 model-year vehicles, which automakers can submit for assessments throughout the year. So far, IIHS-tested vehicles that have improved their headlights from 2020 to 2021 (ratings according to available models) are:
Acura RDX (good)
Audi A7 (acceptable)
BMW 5-series (good)
Honda Accord (good or acceptable)
Honda Odyssey (acceptable)
Hyundai Palisade (good)
Mazda CX-30 (good)
Nissan Altima (acceptable)
Subaru Ascent (good)
Subaru Forester (good)
Subaru Legacy (good)
Subaru Outback (good)
Toyota Highlander (good or acceptable)
Volvo XC40 (good)
Volvo XC60 (acceptable)
Volvo XC90 (acceptable)


chicagosun-times--2020-12-25--Chicago police ‘remain diligent’ after Nashville explosion, say no apparent threat to city

Chicago police say they are keeping watch for signs of any threats following a Christmas Day explosion in downtown Nashville @ @ @ @ @ , which authorities called intentional , reportedly came from a parked recreational vehicle that played @ @ @ @ @ blast occurred , warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes .
Three people @ @ @ @ @ in the area were damaged .
Chicago police said that while there does not appear @ @ @ @ @ to the city , they are staying alert in the wake of the explosion .
@ @ @ @ @ is closely monitoring the reported vehicle explosion in Nashville and will maintain the appropriate level @ @ @ @ @ , ” CPD said in a statement .
“ We have no actionable intelligence of @ @ @ @ @ but we will remain diligent across the city.
” While the motivation for the explosion @ @ @ @ @ afternoon , it is common practice for CPD to operate in a state of heightened @ @ @ @ @ cities .
The FBI is leading the investigation in Nashville .

Chicago police say they are keeping watch for signs of any threats following a Christmas Day explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
The explosion, which authorities called intentional, reportedly came from a parked recreational vehicle that played a recording shortly before the blast occurred, warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes.
Three people were injured and several buildings in the area were damaged.
Chicago police said that while there does not appear to be an immediate threat to the city, they are staying alert in the wake of the explosion.
“The Chicago Police Department is closely monitoring the reported vehicle explosion in Nashville and will maintain the appropriate level of readiness here in Chicago,” CPD said in a statement. “We have no actionable intelligence of any threat to Chicago, but we will remain diligent across the city.”
While the motivation for the explosion was not immediately clear Friday afternoon, it is common practice for CPD to operate in a state of heightened vigilance following attacks in other cities.
The FBI is leading the investigation in Nashville.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-25--Boston Celtics Hall of Famer K.C. Jones dies at 88

BOSTON — Basketball Hall of Famer K.C .
Jones , a 12-time NBA champion who was one of only seven players in history to win championships in college and the pros along with an Olympic gold medal , has died .
He was 88 .
The Celtics said Jones ’ family confirmed Friday that he died at an assistant living facility in Connecticut , where he had been receiving care for Alzheimer ’ s disease for the past several years .
Earlier this year , two of Jones ’ Celtics teammates died : John Thompson , 78 , and Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who excelled on defense , Jones joined with Bill Russell to lead San Francisco to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1955-56 .
The two also played on the U.S. team that won the Olympic gold medal at the 1956 Games in Melbourne .
Jones reunited with Russell in Boston to win eight straight NBA titles from 1959-66 .
He retired in 1967 and began coaching , first in college at Brandeis and Harvard before joining the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant , where he earned another championship ring in 1972 .
Jones was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that won it all in 1981 before guiding the team led by Larry Bird , Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to the 1984 and ‘ 86 championships .
Jones ’ No .
25 was retired by the Celtics in 1967 , and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989 .
Only Russell and fellow Celtics teammate Sam Jones won more NBA championships as players .
“ Where K.C .
Jones went , winning was sure to follow , ” the Celtics said in a statement before their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ K.C .
also demonstrated that one could be both a fierce competitor and a gentleman in every sense of the word .
He made his teammates better , and he got the most out of the players he coached , ” the team said .
“ Never one to seek credit , his glory was found in the most fundamental of basketball ideals — being part of a winning team.
” Russell tweeted out his condolences to Jones ’ family and included what he said was their last photo together .

BOSTON — Basketball Hall of Famer K.C. Jones, a 12-time NBA champion who was one of only seven players in history to win championships in college and the pros along with an Olympic gold medal, has died. He was 88.
The Celtics said Jones’ family confirmed Friday that he died at an assisted living facility in Connecticut, where he had been receiving care for Alzheimer’s disease for the past several years.
Earlier this year, two of Jones’ Celtics teammates died: John Thompson, 78, and Tom Heinsohn, 86.
A point guard who excelled on defense, Jones joined with Bill Russell to lead San Francisco to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1955-56. The two also played on the U.S. team that won the Olympic gold medal at the 1956 Games in Melbourne.
Jones reunited with Russell in Boston to win eight straight NBA titles from 1959-66. He retired in 1967 and began coaching, first in college at Brandeis and Harvard before joining the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant, where he earned another championship ring in 1972.
Jones was an assistant coach on the Celtics team that won it all in 1981 before guiding the team led by Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to the 1984 and ‘86 championships. Jones’ No. 25 was retired by the Celtics in 1967, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989.
Only Russell and fellow Celtics teammate Sam Jones won more NBA championships as players.
“Where K.C. Jones went, winning was sure to follow,” the Celtics said in a statement before their Christmas Day game against the Brooklyn Nets.
“K.C. also demonstrated that one could be both a fierce competitor and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He made his teammates better, and he got the most out of the players he coached,” the team said. “Never one to seek credit, his glory was found in the most fundamental of basketball ideals — being part of a winning team.”
Russell tweeted out his condolences to Jones’ family and included what he said was their last photo together.
“Friends for life,” Russell wrote.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-25--Illinois records 5,742 new COVID-19 cases, another 156 deaths

Another 5,742 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois , state health officials announced Christmas Day , the second lowest daily caseload for the state since late October but still more than double the worst days in the summer .
An additional 156 deaths were also reported Friday — including two Cook County men in their 40s and a DuPage woman in her 100s — bringing the state ’ s pandemic death toll to 15,799 .
There have been 930,849 confirmed cases in Illinois so far .
As daily case totals have started to fall in recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning to follow .
The state ’ s rolling average daily death rate stands at 112 , down from 138 a week ago .
A total of 3,521 people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois this month alone , an average of 140 per day .
There were about 2,500 deaths in all of November , about 80 per day .
Almost 99,000 coronavirus tests were processed in Illinois labs the past 24 hours for a total of 12.89 million since the start of the pandemic .
As of Christmas Eve , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complications from COVID-19 , with 928 of those patients in the ICU and 538 on ventilators .

Another 5,742 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois, state health officials announced Christmas Day, the second lowest daily caseload for the state since late October but still more than double the worst days in the summer.
An additional 156 deaths were also reported Friday — including two Cook County men in their 40s and a DuPage woman in her 100s — bringing the state’s pandemic death toll to 15,799. There have been 930,849 confirmed cases in Illinois so far.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
As daily case totals have started to fall in recent weeks, a subsequent decrease in deaths is beginning to follow. The state’s rolling average daily death rate stands at 112, down from 138 a week ago. A total of 3,521 people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois this month alone, an average of 140 per day. There were about 2,500 deaths in all of November, about 80 per day.
Almost 99,000 coronavirus tests were processed in Illinois labs the past 24 hours for a total of 12.89 million since the start of the pandemic.
As of Christmas Eve, 4,352 people statewide were hospitalized due to complications from COVID-19, with 928 of those patients in the ICU and 538 on ventilators.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-25--Anjanette Young case demonstrates, once again, why society must reimagine policing

After all the instances of police brutality this year , especially after watching the family of Breonna Taylor receive no justice for her wrongful death , it is painful to learn of yet another police catastrophe .
Though Anjanette Young was not killed in the botched raid at her home , her humanity was stripped from her as a gang of men watched while her naked body was unjustly handcuffed .
To say this was gross negligence by the Chicago Police Department would be an understatement .
Black people are tired of being defiled and dehumanized on camera .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our enemy , rather than doing their job to keep us safe .
Why should we as legislators continue to support the CPD when they ’ ve turned against the people ?
How is CPD going to use their resources to decrease crime , rather than be the perpetuators of it ?
It is deeply necessary that we begin to reimagine policing in our post-George Floyd America .
It is nearly impossible for Black people to trust an institution that was initially created to hunt them down in the era of slavery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is little to no accountability for the continued harm being caused .
Every officer involved in the raid needs to be fired immediately .
We can not accept such misconduct from those who are sworn to protect and serve us .
Further , crisis intervention tactics need to be readdressed , so that Black and Brown people are protected against unnecessary use of force and no-knock warrants .
We will continue to challenge the inhumane systems that allow for such behavior until there is deep healing and accountability for CPD ’ s dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We stand in solidarity with Anjanette Young , and will fight until she receives justice for every minute she stood while her human rights were violated .
Why the controversy over Blackhawks name ?
I don ’ t understand the outcry to change the name of Chicago ’ s hockey team .
The name is Blackhawks .
Black Hawk was a hero to Illinois ’ Native Americans .
He is being honored by our hockey team .
The Cleveland Indians outcry is a different situation .
Native Americans aren ’ t Indians .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve respect .
It ’ s time to know what ’ s respectful and what ’ s not .
Is there really any doubt we ’ d all be with our friends and loved ones this Christmas if only Mr. Trump had as much concern for our health and safety as he does about his lost re-election ?

After all the instances of police brutality this year, especially after watching the family of Breonna Taylor receive no justice for her wrongful death, it is painful to learn of yet another police catastrophe. Though Anjanette Young was not killed in the botched raid at her home, her humanity was stripped from her as a gang of men watched while her naked body was unjustly handcuffed.
To say this was gross negligence by the Chicago Police Department would be an understatement. Black people are tired of being defiled and dehumanized on camera. We are tired of the police acting as our enemy, rather than doing their job to keep us safe.
Why should we as legislators continue to support the CPD when they’ve turned against the people? How is CPD going to use their resources to decrease crime, rather than be the perpetuators of it?
It is deeply necessary that we begin to reimagine policing in our post-George Floyd America. It is nearly impossible for Black people to trust an institution that was initially created to hunt them down in the era of slavery, especially when, centuries later, there is little to no accountability for the continued harm being caused.
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be 350 words or less.
Every officer involved in the raid needs to be fired immediately. We cannot accept such misconduct from those who are sworn to protect and serve us. Further, crisis intervention tactics need to be readdressed, so that Black and Brown people are protected against unnecessary use of force and no-knock warrants.
We will continue to challenge the inhumane systems that allow for such behavior until there is deep healing and accountability for CPD’s dark past with Black and Brown communities.
We stand in solidarity with Anjanette Young, and will fight until she receives justice for every minute she stood while her human rights were violated.
State Sen. Mattie Hunter, Majority Caucus Chair, 3rd District
State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, 5th District
Opinion Newsletter
Why the controversy over Blackhawks name?
I don’t understand the outcry to change the name of Chicago’s hockey team. The name is Blackhawks. Black Hawk was a hero to Illinois’ Native Americans. He is being honored by our hockey team.
The Cleveland Indians outcry is a different situation. Native Americans aren’t Indians. Indians are from India. Native Americans deserve respect. It’s time to know what’s respectful and what’s not.
Carl F. Rollberg, Calumet Park
Trump’s misplaced concern
Is there really any doubt we’d all be with our friends and loved ones this Christmas if only Mr. Trump had as much concern for our health and safety as he does about his lost re-election?
Bob Ory, Elgin


chicagosun-times--2020-12-25--Man found shot to death in car near South Side hospital

A 29-year-old man was found shot to death inside a parked car Thursday near Trinity Hospital on the South Side @ @ @ @ @ suspicious car about noon in an alley in the 9300 block of South Oglesby Avenue @ @ @ @ @ the Calumet Heights hospital , Chicago police said .
Officers found a man inside the @ @ @ @ @ wounds , according to police .
Police determined that he had been dead for a @ @ @ @ @ medical examiner ’ s office identified the man as 29-year-old Cyle Hemphill , of Beverly @ @ @ @ @ death a homicide , saying he died of his injuries , according to the medical @ @ @ @ @ Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 25-year-old man was found shot to death inside a parked car Thursday near Trinity Hospital on the South Side.
Officers responded to a suspicious car about noon in an alley in the 9300 block of South Oglesby Avenue, within a block of the Calumet Heights hospital, Chicago police said.
Officers found a man inside the car unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds, according to police. Police determined that he had been dead for a while.
He was identified as Cyle Hemphill of Beverly by the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide, saying he died of his injuries.
Area Two detectives are conducting a homicide investigation.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-25--Downtown Nashville explosion knocks communications offline

NASHVILLE — A recreational vehicle parked in the deserted streets of downtown Nashville exploded early Christmas morning , causing widespread communications outages that took down police emergency systems and grounded holiday travel at the city ’ s airport .
Authorities said they believe the blast was intentional .
Police were responding to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes , Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said .
Police evacuated nearby buildings and called in the bomb squad .
The RV exploded shortly afterward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference .
Police did not immediately indicate a possible motive or the target .
“ It looks like a bomb went off on Second Avenue , ” Nashville Mayor John Cooper said after touring the site .
Cooper issued a state of emergency and a curfew for the area .
Police did not immediately indicate a possible motive or the target .
Surveillance video published on a Twitter account Friday that appeared to be across the street from the blast captured the warning issuing from the RV , “ ... if you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” seconds before the explosion .
The blast sent black smoke and flames billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville ’ s tourist scene , an area packed with honky-tonks , restaurants and shops .
Buildings shook and windows shattered streets away from the explosion near a building owned by AT & T that lies one block from the company ’ s office tower , a landmark in downtown .
“ We do not know if that was a coincidence , or if that was the intention , ” police spokesman Don Aaron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were taken to the department ’ s central precinct for questioning but declined to give details .
AT & T said the affected building is the central office of a telephone exchange , with network equipment in it .
The blast interrupted service , but the company declined to say how widespread outages were .
“ Service for some customers in Nashville and the surrounding areas may be affected by damage to our facilities from the explosion this morning .
We are in contact with law enforcement and working as quickly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” AT & T spokesman Jim Greer said in an emailed statement .
The AT & T outages site showed service issues in middle Tennessee and Kentucky , including Bowling Green about 65 miles north of Nashville .
Several police agencies reported that their 911 systems were down because of the outage , including Murfreesboro and Knox County , home to Knoxville about 180 miles east of Nashville .
The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights out of Nashville International Airport because of telecommunications issues associated with the explosion .
Three people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blast , although none were in critical condition , Aaron said .
Cooper said the city was lucky that the number of injuries was limited .
Authorities don ’ t know whether anyone was in the vehicle when it exploded .
Human remains were found in the vicinity , two law enforcement officials told the The Associated Press .
It was unclear how the remains were related to the explosion or whether they might belong to the person believed to be responsible or a victim .
The officials could not discuss an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP on condition of anonymity .
The FBI will be taking the lead in the investigation , agency spokesman Joel Siskovic said .
Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives were also on the scene .
The FBI is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigating federal crimes , such as explosives violations and acts of terrorism .
A Philadelphia man staying in a nearby hotel said that when he heard the blast , he was knew it wasn ’ t harmless .
“ We tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earthquake or something , but it was obvious it wasn ’ t an earthquake , ” Joseph Fafara said .
He said he traveled to Tennessee with his family on Christmas because the state has looser COVID-19 restrictions than Philadelphia .
When he went to look at the damage , police barricades had already been put in place .
At noon , police dogs continued to search cars and buildings in the nearby area .
Buck McCoy , who lives near the area , posted videos on Facebook that show water pouring down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blare in the background along with cries of people in distress .
A fire is visible in the street outside .
McCoy said he heard gunfire 15 minutes before the explosion rocked his building , set cars in the street on fire and blew trees apart .
“ All my windows , every single one of them got blown into the next room .
If I had been standing there it would have been horrible , ” he said .
“ It felt like a bomb .
It was that big , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump has been briefed , according to White House spokesperson Judd Deere .
The U.S. Justice Department said Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen was also briefed and directed all department resources be made available to help with the investigation .
Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee said on Twitter that the state would provide the resources necessary “ to determine what happened and who was responsible.
” The American Red Cross of Tennessee announced that it was working with officials to open a shelter for victims .
Associated Press writers Eric Tucker in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York .

NASHVILLE — A recreational vehicle parked in the deserted streets of downtown Nashville exploded early Christmas morning, causing widespread communications outages that took down police emergency systems and grounded holiday travel at the city’s airport.
Police were responding to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said. Police evacuated nearby buildings and called in the bomb squad. The RV exploded shortly afterward, Drake said.
“This morning’s attack on our community was intended to create chaos and fear in this season of peace and hope. But Nashvillians have proven time and time again that the spirit of our city cannot be broken,” Mayor John Cooper said at a news conference after issuing a curfew for the area.
Police believe the blast was intentional but don’t yet know a motive or target, and Drake noted that officials had not received any threats before the explosion.
The chief said investigators at the scene “have found tissue that we believe could be remains, but we’ll have that examined and let you know at that time.” Police could not say whether it potentially came from someone inside the RV.
A vehicle is on fire after an explosion in the area of Second and Commerce Friday, Dec. 25, 2020 in Nashville. Buildings shook in the immediate area and beyond after a loud boom was heard early Christmas morning Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP
Three people taken to area hospitals for treatment were in stable condition Friday evening, Cooper said.
Surveillance video published on a Twitter account Friday that appeared to be across the street from the blast captured the warning issuing from the RV, “... if you can hear this message, evacuate now,” seconds before the explosion.
The blast sent black smoke and flames billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville’s tourist scene, an area packed with honky-tonks, restaurants and shops. Buildings shook and windows shattered streets away from the explosion near a building owned by AT&T that lies one block from the company’s office tower, a landmark in downtown.
“We do not know if that was a coincidence, or if that was the intention,” police spokesman Don Aaron said. He said earlier that some people were taken to the department’s central precinct for questioning but declined to give details.
AT&T said the affected building is the central office of a telephone exchange, with network equipment in it. The blast interrupted service, but the company declined to say how widespread outages were.
The AT&T outages site showed service issues in middle Tennessee and Kentucky. Several police agencies reported that their 911 systems were down because of the outage, including Knox County, home to Knoxville about 180 miles (290 kilometers) east of Nashville.
AT&T said that it was bringing in portable cell sites and was working with law enforcement to get access to make repairs to its equipment. The company noted that “power is essential to restoring” service.
The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights out of Nashville International Airport because of telecommunications issues associated with the explosion.
The FBI will be taking the lead in the investigation, agency spokesman Joel Siskovic said. Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also on the scene. The FBI is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigating federal crimes, such as explosives violations and acts of terrorism.
Emergency personnel work at the scene of an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. Buildings shook in the immediate area and beyond after a loud boom was heard early Christmas morning. Mark Humphrey/AP
A Philadelphia man staying in a nearby hotel said that when he heard the blast, he was knew it wasn’t harmless.
“We tried to rationalize it that it was an earthquake or something, but it was obvious it wasn’t an earthquake,” Joseph Fafara said.
When he went to look at the damage, police barricades had already been put in place.
Buck McCoy, who lives near the area, posted videos on Facebook that show water pouring down the ceiling of his home. Alarms blare in the background along with cries of people in distress. A fire is visible in the street outside.
McCoy said he heard gunfire 15 minutes before the explosion rocked his building, set cars in the street on fire and blew trees apart.
Debris is scattered near the scene of an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. Buildings shook in the immediate area and beyond after a loud boom was heard early Christmas morning. Mark Humphrey/AP
“All my windows, every single one of them got blown into the next room. If I had been standing there it would have been horrible,” he said.
“It felt like a bomb. It was that big,” he told The Associated Press.
President Donald Trump has been briefed, according to White House spokesperson Judd Deere. The U.S. Justice Department said Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen was also briefed and directed all department resources be made available to help with the investigation.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said on Twitter that the state would provide the resources necessary “to determine what happened and who was responsible.”
The American Red Cross of Tennessee announced that it was working with officials to open a shelter for victims.
Associated Press writer Thalia Beaty in New York contributed. Balsamo and Tucker reported from Washington.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-26--3 shot, 1 killed in Chicago so far this weekend

At least one person has been killed and two others wounded in citywide shootings so far this weekend .
The latest fatal shooting happened Friday night in Gage Park on the Southwest Side .
Officers responded about 9:20 p.m. to the 3300 block of West 52nd Street and found a 20-year-old man unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen , Chicago police said .
The man was pronounced dead at the scene , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has not released information on the fatality .
About an hour earlier a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the South Side .
The man was found lying unresponsive on the side of the street about 8:30 p.m. in the 900 block of East 82nd Street , police said .
He had suffered gunshot wounds to the body and was pronounced dead at the scene , police said .
Chicago police are conducting a death investigation .
The fatality is being left off the weekend homicide count pending the release of an autopsy .
In non-fatal attacks , a 27-year-old man was shot Friday night in Pulaski Park on the Northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in the 4000 block of North Pulaski Road when someone opened fire , following an argument , police said .
The man was struck multiple times and took himself to Swedish Covenant Hospital , where he was listed in serious condition , police said .
Two people — including the person he was arguing with —were taken into custody , police said .
Earlier Friday , a woman was shot in Brainerd on the South Side .
The 18-year-old was in a vehicle about 5:37 p.m. in the 9000 block of South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pulled out a gun and opened fire , police said .
The woman was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition with a gunshot wound to her left side .
Last weekend , six people were killed and 32 others wounded in shootings across Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

At least eight people were killed and 22 others wounded in citywide shootings over the extended holiday weekend.
In the latest fatal attack, a man was shot to death Monday morning on the Lower West Side.
About 4 a.m., the man, 57, was headed south in a vehicle in the 2300 block of South Wood Street when someone in a gold-colored SUV opened fire, striking him multiple times in the back, Chicago police said. The man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A person was killed Sunday morning in Vittum Park on the Southwest Side.
The male, believed to be between 17 and 20-years-old, was standing in the 5500 block of South Archer Avenue about 9 a.m., when he was shot multiple times, police said.
He was brought to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with gunshot wounds to his back and shoulder, police said. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
Earlier Sunday morning, three people were shot, one fatally, in South Chicago, police said.
About 3:55 a.m., a 24-year-old woman and two men, both 36 years old, were outside in the 8300 block of South Paxton Avenue when someone fire shots, Chicago police said.
The woman, later identified as Mariah Thomas, of Harvey, was sitting in a parked vehicle at the time of the shooting and was struck on the body, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she was pronounced dead, police said.
One man was grazed on the neck and shot in the leg, police said, and the other man was also shot in the leg. Both were transported to the same hospital in fair condition.
Saturday night, a man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the chest in Englewood on the South Side.
He was found in an alley about 10 p.m. in the 7400 block of South Stewart Avenue and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. A witness told investigators the man was talking to someone in a vehicle when shots were fired.
Hours earlier, a man was shot and killed while trying to commit a robbery on the West Side, according to police.
He walked in to a store about 6:50 p.m. in the 3200 block of West Chicago Avenue, pulled out a gun and demanded property, police said.
A store employee, a 29-year-old man, pulled out his own gun and fired shots at the robber, striking him in the chest, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The 29-year-old has a valid concealed-carry license, police said. Officers recovered his gun as well as the other man’s gun.
On Christmas Day, three people were fatally shot. The latest attack that day happened in Gage Park on the Southwest Side.
Officers responded about 9:20 p.m. to the 3300 block of West 52nd Street and found a 20-year-old man unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
About an hour earlier, a man was found fatally shot in Chatham on the South Side.
The man, whose age was unknown, was found about 8:35 p.m. lying unresponsive after being shot on the side of the street in the 900 block of East 82nd Street, police said. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
In the weekend’s earliest reported fatal attack, a 57-year-old man was gunned down in Grand Crossing on the South Side.
The man was on the sidewalk about 2:30 p.m. in the 7300 block of South Kenwood Avenue when someone fired shots, striking him in the side, abdomen and head, police said.
The 57-year-old, later identified as Dwayne Malette, of Roseland, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died nearly nine hours later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy ruled Malette’s death a homicide, saying he died of his injuries.
At least 20 other people were wounded in shootings within city limits between 5 p.m. Thursday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Last weekend, six people were killed and 32 others wounded in shootings across Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-26--Blackhawks’ new assistant GMs — Ryan Stewart, Mark Eaton, Kyle Davidson — bringing fresh voices to b

Blackhawks’ new assistant GMs — Ryan Stewart, Mark Eaton, Kyle Davidson — bringing fresh voices to big roles

Ryan Stewart describes the height of his professional playing career as a single AHL appearance for the Providence Bruins during the 2001-02 season .
Neither before nor after did Stewart ever reappear at the highest level of the minors leagues , much less threaten to make an NHL roster .
He spent the majority of his seven-year pro career with the comically named Greenville Grrrowl of the ECHL .
But 16 years since Stewart retired and nearly immediately became the Grrrowl ’ s general manager , he has not only reached the NHL but become highly influential at this level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davidson were promoted in July to assistant general manager positions for the Blackhawks , the first major dominoes to fall in the franchise ’ s year of front office shakeups .
Stewart now oversees pro scouting , Eaton heads the Hawks ’ revamped player development department and Davidson leads hockey administration , a term for managing the salary cap and player contracts .
Together , they ’ ve brought a trio of relatively new voices to the Hawks ’ behind-the-scenes operations .
“ They have a seat at the table now in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowman said recently .
“ Before they were in more of a supporting role .
I ’ ve noticed , just in the past four or five months with several of them , they ’ re taking big initiatives and they ’ re coming up with a lot of ideas.
” “ It ’ s been great to get to know those guys even better than in the past , ” Eaton said separately .
“ And to put our heads together at certain times , disagree at certain times and try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hockey ops staff.
” For Stewart , those fresh thought processes actually originated during his turbulent minor-league career .
“ Bouncing around and seeing different leagues and meeting various people just gives you a better range of the different assets and styles you need to make [ it in ] the NHL , ” he said .
“ I was able to retire and become an assistant coach , an AGM and a GM down in the minors .
At those levels , you wear many hats with immigration , with travel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When the Grrrowl folded in 2006 , Stewart joined the Hawks ’ organization as a video coach and slowly rose through the ranks , finally stepping into a leadership role within pro scouting in 2012 .
Davidson followed a similar path , different only in that he started — in 2010 — at an even lower level : as a fresh-out-of-college Rockford IceHogs intern .
That quickly turned into a Hawks internship , then a full-time job , then a manager role starting in 2015 .
“ It ’ s been about 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became available and trying to constantly learn from those around me , ” Davidson said .
“ It started with some video work , a little bit of analytics work , and then taking on whatever things on the administrative side I could , up until where we are today.
” Eaton took a far different and more prominent path to this AGM role .
Many fans will remember him from his 650-game NHL career largely with the Predators and Penguins , highlighted by a 2009 Stanley Cup ring .
After retiring in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coaching role with the Hawks .
“ I always joked ... [ that ] when your sole responsibility is making sure you ’ re ready to play every given night , you don ’ t think a lot into what goes on with running an NHL team , ” Eaton said .
“ You think , ‘ How hard can it be to put a team of 25 together ?
’ “ But I learned pretty quickly when I came on seven years ago about all the moving pieces and the different dynamics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning process.
” Their 2020 promotions have not dramatically changed their respective duties , but nonetheless increased the weight given to their opinions in discussions about the draft , trades and free agency .
The front office has shifted significantly around them , too .
Bowman , to whom they directly report , added the hockey operations presidency to his resume .
Meghan Hunter was promoted to director of hockey administration , just beneath Davidson .
Kendall Coyne Schofield and Erik Condra were added to Eaton ’ s player development staff .
Bowman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a recent press conference .
“ [ Eaton has ] come up with some creative ideas about how we can stay connected to our players to give them better feedback , ” Bowman said .
“ He ’ s done a great job commanding his staff to think outside the box a little bit .
“ In Ryan Stewart ’ s case , it ’ s somewhat similar .
His group focuses on scouting , and although there haven ’ t really been any games to scout ... he ’ s undertaken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has really become the right-hand man on a day-to-day basis with salary cap preparations , contract negotiations , contract research , in addition to scouting .
He ’ s taken an interest in ... watching players all over Europe , and for the draft , to keep an eye on.
” Although the pandemic has forced some changes upon all aspects of sports , all three said they plan to implement even more new uses of technology moving forward .
Eaton has worked to increase the Hawks ’ rate of gathering information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will generate actionable uses for that information .
“ Outside of Rockford , our amateur prospects are not guys we ’ re with on a daily basis , so it ’ s checking in with their coaches to see how they approach their development , ” he said .
“ Every prospect learns differently , so it ’ s up to us to learn how each of our prospects learns most effectively and develop that plan around that.
” Davidson has helped the rest of the Hawks ’ front office comprehend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bargaining agreement extension and flattened salary cap .
And Stewart has ramped up his scouting in European leagues — most of which began their seasons on time this fall — to find the next Artemi Panarin or Dominik Kubalik .
“ I was able to win a championship as a player [ with Greenville ] , and there ’ s no greater feeling , ” Stewart said .
“ But then to have experiences with our three championships in Chicago , it ’ s a different feeling being part of the building of @ @ @ @

Ryan Stewart describes the height of his professional playing career as a single AHL appearance for the Providence Bruins during the 2001-02 season.
Neither before nor after did Stewart ever reappear at the highest level of the minors leagues, much less threaten to make an NHL roster. He spent the majority of his seven-year pro career with the comically named Greenville Grrrowl of the ECHL.
But 16 years since Stewart retired and nearly immediately became the Grrrowl’s general manager, he has not only reached the NHL but become highly influential at this level.
Stewart, Mark Eaton and Kyle Davidson were promoted in July to assistant general manager positions for the Blackhawks, the first major dominoes to fall in the franchise’s year of front office shakeups.
Stewart now oversees pro scouting, Eaton heads the Hawks’ revamped player development department and Davidson leads hockey administration, a term for managing the salary cap and player contracts.
Together, they’ve brought a trio of relatively new voices to the Hawks’ behind-the-scenes operations.
“They have a seat at the table now in their new role,” general manager Stan Bowman said recently. “Before they were in more of a supporting role. I’ve noticed, just in the past four or five months with several of them, they’re taking big initiatives and they’re coming up with a lot of ideas.”
“It’s been great to get to know those guys even better than in the past,” Eaton said separately. “And to put our heads together at certain times, disagree at certain times and try to supplement the decision-making process...of the hockey ops staff.”
Kyle Davidson, as AGM of hockey administration, helps manage the Blackhawks’ salary cap restrictions and player contracts. Chicago Blackhawks Photos
For Stewart, those fresh thought processes actually originated during his turbulent minor-league career.
“Bouncing around and seeing different leagues and meeting various people just gives you a better range of the different assets and styles you need to make [it in] the NHL,” he said. “I was able to retire and become an assistant coach, an AGM and a GM down in the minors. At those levels, you wear many hats with immigration, with travel, with trades, with agent work.”
When the Grrrowl folded in 2006, Stewart joined the Hawks’ organization as a video coach and slowly rose through the ranks, finally stepping into a leadership role within pro scouting in 2012.
Davidson followed a similar path, different only in that he started — in 2010 — at an even lower level: as a fresh-out-of-college Rockford IceHogs intern. That quickly turned into a Hawks internship, then a full-time job, then a manager role starting in 2015.
“It’s been about 10 years now of taking responsibilities as they became available and trying to constantly learn from those around me,” Davidson said. “It started with some video work, a little bit of analytics work, and then taking on whatever things on the administrative side I could, up until where we are today.”
Eaton took a far different and more prominent path to this AGM role. Many fans will remember him from his 650-game NHL career largely with the Predators and Penguins, highlighted by a 2009 Stanley Cup ring.
After retiring in 2013, he moved into a development coaching role with the Hawks.
“I always joked...[that] when your sole responsibility is making sure you’re ready to play every given night, you don’t think a lot into what goes on with running an NHL team,” Eaton said. “You think, ‘How hard can it be to put a team of 25 together?’
“But I learned pretty quickly when I came on seven years ago about all the moving pieces and the different dynamics. It’s been a constant learning process.”
Mark Eaton’s executive career began only once his lengthy playing career, largely with the Predators (as seen here in 2004) and Penguins, ended. Brian Kersey/AP file photo
Their 2020 promotions have not dramatically changed their respective duties, but nonetheless increased the weight given to their opinions in discussions about the draft, trades and free agency.
The front office has shifted significantly around them, too.
Bowman, to whom they directly report, added the hockey operations presidency to his resume. Meghan Hunter was promoted to director of hockey administration, just beneath Davidson. Kendall Coyne Schofield and Erik Condra were added to Eaton’s player development staff.
Bowman himself had high praise for all three during a recent press conference.
“[Eaton has] come up with some creative ideas about how we can stay connected to our players to give them better feedback,” Bowman said. “He’s done a great job commanding his staff to think outside the box a little bit.
“In Ryan Stewart’s case, it’s somewhat similar. His group focuses on scouting, and although there haven’t really been any games to scout...he’s undertaken a few projects.
“Kyle Davidson has really become the right-hand man on a day-to-day basis with salary cap preparations, contract negotiations, contract research, in addition to scouting. He’s taken an interest in...watching players all over Europe, and for the draft, to keep an eye on.”
Although the pandemic has forced some changes upon all aspects of sports, all three said they plan to implement even more new uses of technology moving forward.
Eaton has worked to increase the Hawks’ rate of gathering information about their prospects and to find new software that will generate actionable uses for that information.
“Outside of Rockford, our amateur prospects are not guys we’re with on a daily basis, so it’s checking in with their coaches to see how they approach their development,” he said. “Every prospect learns differently, so it’s up to us to learn how each of our prospects learns most effectively and develop that plan around that.”
Davidson has helped the rest of the Hawks’ front office comprehend the nuances of this summer’s collective bargaining agreement extension and flattened salary cap.
And Stewart has ramped up his scouting in European leagues — most of which began their seasons on time this fall — to find the next Artemi Panarin or Dominik Kubalik.
“I was able to win a championship as a player [with Greenville], and there’s no greater feeling,” Stewart said. “But then to have experiences with our three championships in Chicago, it’s a different feeling being part of the building of those teams.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-26--Bears vs. Jaguars — What to Watch 4

Bears vs. Jaguars — What to Watch 4

Bears center Sam Mustipher , a 2019 undrafted free agent from Notre Dame , has been a revelation since becoming the full-time starter against the Packers in Week 12 .
In four games with Mustipher at center , former center Cody Whitehair at left guard and ’ 19 undrafted free agent Alex Bars at right guard , the interior line has anchored a running attack that has averaged 157.5 yards and 5.6 yards per carry .
“ He ’ s a leader , and he has extreme confidence in himself , ” Bears coach Matt Nagy said of Mustipher .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was at Notre Dame and running all these meetings with guys like Quenton Nelson [ a two-time All-Pro with the Colts ] and all these other players at Notre Dame .
Go check out the touchdown run [ against the Vikings ] and watch Sam Mustipher ’ s celebration after the touchdown .
It ’ s pretty neat , and that ’ s where we ’ re at right now.
” The Jaguars counter with a Cinderella story of their own in rookie nose tackle Doug Costin , an undrafted free agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since replacing former first-round draft pick Taven Bryan as the starter in Week 9 against the Texans .
Costin has been stout against the run and recently was ranked as the third-highest rookie defender in the NFL by Pro Football Focus .
The Bears , who ranked 31st in the NFL in scoring after Week 11 , have been on an almost unprecedented offensive tear the last three weeks , scoring 30 points against the Lions , 34 against the Texans and 33 against the Vikings last week .
It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more points in three consecutive games since 1995 .
The Lions ( 32nd ) , Texans ( 24th ) and Vikings ( 25th ) all rank in the bottom 10 in the NFL in scoring defense .
But so do the Jaguars ( 30th ) , which means the Bears have an opportunity to continue their offensive resurgence .
Though quarterback Mitch Trubisky has been the focal point of the Bears ’ offensive surge , David Montgomery has been the most productive player .
In his last four games , the second-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 6.1 yards per carry , with five touchdowns .
The Jaguars rank 30th in the NFL in rushing defense and 24th in yards per carry .
The Jaguars have lost 13 consecutive games and are in line for the No .
1 overall pick in the 2021 draft — presumably Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence .
Coach Doug Marrone said he will be going all-out to win .
The team has played close games against the Packers ( losing 24-20 ) , Browns ( losing 27-15 ) and Vikings ( losing 27-24 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Titans 31-10 and Ravens 40-14 the last two weeks .
So that can go either way .

Key matchup
Bears center Sam Mustipher, a 2019 undrafted free agent from Notre Dame, has been a revelation since becoming the full-time starter against the Packers in Week 12. In four games with Mustipher at center, former center Cody Whitehair at left guard and ’19 undrafted free agent Alex Bars at right guard, the interior line has anchored a running attack that has averaged 157.5 yards and 5.6 yards per carry.
“He’s a leader, and he has extreme confidence in himself,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said of Mustipher. “You hear about the stories when he was at Notre Dame and running all these meetings with guys like Quenton Nelson [a two-time All-Pro with the Colts] and all these other players at Notre Dame. Go check out the touchdown run [against the Vikings] and watch Sam Mustipher’s celebration after the touchdown. It’s pretty neat, and that’s where we’re at right now.”
The Jaguars counter with a Cinderella story of their own in rookie nose tackle Doug Costin, an undrafted free agent from Miami who has been particularly impressive since replacing former first-round draft pick Taven Bryan as the starter in Week 9 against the Texans. Costin has been stout against the run and recently was ranked as the third-highest rookie defender in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
Trending
The Bears, who ranked 31st in the NFL in scoring after Week 11, have been on an almost unprecedented offensive tear the last three weeks, scoring 30 points against the Lions, 34 against the Texans and 33 against the Vikings last week. It’s the first time the offense has produced 30 or more points in three consecutive games since 1995.
The Lions (32nd), Texans (24th) and Vikings (25th) all rank in the bottom 10 in the NFL in scoring defense. But so do the Jaguars (30th), which means the Bears have an opportunity to continue their offensive resurgence.
Player to watch
Though quarterback Mitch Trubisky has been the focal point of the Bears’ offensive surge, David Montgomery has been the most productive player.
In his last four games, the second-year running back is averaging 108.5 rushing yards and 6.1 yards per carry, with five touchdowns. The Jaguars rank 30th in the NFL in rushing defense and 24th in yards per carry.
X-factor
The Jaguars have lost 13 consecutive games and are in line for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft — presumably Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Coach Doug Marrone said he will be going all-out to win. The team has played close games against the Packers (losing 24-20), Browns (losing 27-15) and Vikings (losing 27-24 in overtime) but also have lost to the Titans 31-10 and Ravens 40-14 the last two weeks. So that can go either way.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-26--Dear Abby: Husband still emails women he dated when we were separated

DEAR ABBY : My husband and I were married for several years , divorced , then remarried 10 years later .
During our separation , he had a lot of girlfriends .
To this day , he keeps all their contact information .
I discovered he has emailed some of them since we ’ ve been back together .
I think he uses email to avoid any phone calls that I would be aware of .
Our marriage is overall going well , but I don ’ t understand his need to keep up with some of these past “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deleted all of my past contacts .
I ’ m worried that he ’ s still attached to at least a few of these women , and I don ’ t think it ’ s right .
What do you think ?
It makes me very insecure and upset .
What should I do ?
I ’ m already in therapy .
DEAR UNEASY : Marriage is a choice .
Your husband CHOSE to remarry you .
I am going to assume that because of your insecurity , you have been hesitant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to stay in touch with these women .
Your therapist may be able to help you with this .
If he/she is willing to invite him to accompany you for a session , consider posing the question there .
DEAR ABBY : I recently contracted coronavirus and had a difficult time recovering .
It has been three months , and I am still suffering from long-term aftereffects .
When my co-workers and supervisors ask how I ’ m feeling and I tell them , they almost immediately downplay my response .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , “ Oh , that ’ s not bad .
One time , I lost so much hair , blah , blah , ” or they say , “ Well , you ’ re working .
You ’ ll be fine.
” I feel like it belittles me and makes what I went through seem like a bid for sympathy .
How would you recommend I reply ?
I can ’ t ignore the people at work .
— DOWNPLAYED UP NORTH DEAR DOWNPLAYED : All you need to say is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will understand that I feel lucky to be alive .
So many people weren ’ t. ” DEAR ABBY : I have a question about etiquette .
My son is getting married soon .
In a conversation with the bride-to-be , I asked if she had chosen a florist and was told that her mom will be making all the wedding flowers out of natural materials .
Abby , I hate silk , i.e .
“ plastic ” flowers !
Would I be creating a huge problem if I offered to purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or should I keep quiet and deal with ugly fake “ flowers ” with my beautiful dress ?
Or , can I remove the fake corsage directly after photos are taken ?
— OFFENDED MOM OF THE GROOM DEAR OFFENDED MOM : The proper thing to do is keep your opinion to yourself and go along with the plans your soon-to-be daughter-in-law and her mother have made .
Wear the corsage and your sweetest smile for the wedding photos .
After that it shouldn ’ t cause a problem if you QUIETLY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets : “ Abby ’ s Favorite Recipes ” and “ More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 16 ( U.S. funds ) to : Dear Abby , Cookbooklet Set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I were married for several years, divorced, then remarried 10 years later. During our separation, he had a lot of girlfriends. To this day, he keeps all their contact information. I discovered he has emailed some of them since we’ve been back together. I think he uses email to avoid any phone calls that I would be aware of.
Our marriage is overall going well, but I don’t understand his need to keep up with some of these past “friends.” When we remarried, I deleted all of my past contacts. I’m worried that he’s still attached to at least a few of these women, and I don’t think it’s right. What do you think? It makes me very insecure and upset. What should I do? I’m already in therapy.
— UNEASY IN THE SOUTH
DEAR UNEASY: Marriage is a choice. Your husband CHOSE to remarry you. I am going to assume that because of your insecurity, you have been hesitant to ask him directly why he feels a need to stay in touch with these women. Your therapist may be able to help you with this. If he/she is willing to invite him to accompany you for a session, consider posing the question there.
DEAR ABBY: I recently contracted coronavirus and had a difficult time recovering. It has been three months, and I am still suffering from long-term aftereffects.
When my co-workers and supervisors ask how I’m feeling and I tell them, they almost immediately downplay my response. Some of them ignore my response and tell me, “Oh, that’s not bad. One time, I lost so much hair, blah, blah,” or they say, “Well, you’re working. You’ll be fine.” I feel like it belittles me and makes what I went through seem like a bid for sympathy. How would you recommend I reply? I can’t ignore the people at work. — DOWNPLAYED UP NORTH
DEAR DOWNPLAYED: All you need to say is, “If it happens to you, you will understand that I feel lucky to be alive. So many people weren’t.”
DEAR ABBY: I have a question about etiquette. My son is getting married soon. In a conversation with the bride-to-be, I asked if she had chosen a florist and was told that her mom will be making all the wedding flowers out of natural materials. Abby, I hate silk, i.e. “plastic” flowers! Would I be creating a huge problem if I offered to purchase my own wrist corsage from a florist, or should I keep quiet and deal with ugly fake “flowers” with my beautiful dress? Or, can I remove the fake corsage directly after photos are taken? — OFFENDED MOM OF THE GROOM
DEAR OFFENDED MOM: The proper thing to do is keep your opinion to yourself and go along with the plans your soon-to-be daughter-in-law and her mother have made. Wear the corsage and your sweetest smile for the wedding photos. After that it shouldn’t cause a problem if you QUIETLY remove it.
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.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-12-26--No regrets? Analyzing QBs Bears could have signed last offseason

Bears fans who changed the channel late Sunday afternoon to root against the Cardinals — the team one game ahead of theirs in the NFC wild-card race — must have turned a particular shade of green with envy .
What ’ s the name of the Eagles ’ hue : midnight green ?
Rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns , and ran for 63 yards and another score , in the Eagles ’ loss to the Cardinals .
The week before , he upset the Saints , albeit with far more modest stats , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other standout rookie quarterbacks this season — the Bengals ’ Joe Burrow , the Dolphins ’ Tua Tagovailoa and the Chargers ’ Justin Herbert — the Bears had a change to draft Hurts .
Twice .
He was picked No .
53 overall — 10 spots after the Bears took tight end Cole Kmet and three spots after they selected cornerback Jaylon Johnson .
Both Kmet and Johnson have been standouts this season .
The Bears ’ offense is back on track entering Sunday ’ s game against the Jaguars , shepherded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the playoffs by winning out , presuming the Cardinals lose one of their last two games .
The franchise still doesn ’ t have a long-term answer at quarterback , though .
Trubisky is in the last year of his contract .
Nick Foles , whom the Bears traded for this past offseason , is 2-5 as a starter this year .
Hurts would be so good , right ?
That ’ s been said at different points this season about free agents the Bears passed on in March .
But the feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are quarterbacks the Bears would rather have than Foles .
However , none of them — short of two expensive future Hall of Famers — has altered the trajectory of his franchise this season .
That ’ s important when evaluating general manager Ryan Pace , whose job status is still tenuous , but also when projecting what the Bears might do at quarterback this offseason .
Drafting a quarterback — and paying him rookie scale for four or five years — is still the most efficient way to acquire the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can make a real difference , though , rarely hit the free agent market .
And when they do , they often disappoint .
A look at the passers the Bears considered last offseason , and how they ’ ve fared this year : Tom Brady — who signed a 2-year deal with the Buccaneers for $ 50 million plus passing and playoff incentives — is fifth in passing yards but 14th in passer rating .
The Bucs are 9-5 and headed toward the playoffs , as long as they win one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who signed a 1-year , $ 25 million deal with the Colts — is 10th in yards and 12th in passer rating .
The Colts are 10-4 and tied for the AFC South lead .
This might be Rivers ’ final season .
In the spring , he was introduced as the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope , Ala. , effective whenever he retires .
Rivers wanted to play for Frank Reich , his old Chargers assistant .
Brady was sold by the Bucs ’ skill position players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would have taken financial gymnastics for the Bears to fit either player onto the roster .
Both Brady and Rivers carry a $ 25 million cap hit this season .
By contrast , outside linebacker Robert Quinn , the Bears ’ big-money offseason flop — he signed the NFL ’ s second-largest deal of the offseason , in terms of total dollars — has only a $ 6.1 million cap hit this year because he signed a five-year deal .
Still , either quarterback would have been an obvious upgrade this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling sick on Sept. 20 .
Cam Newton , who signed with the Patriots for just $ 1.5 million plus incentives , had just torched the Seahawks on “ Sunday Night Football , ” throwing for 397 yards and running for another 47 and two touchdowns .
Ever since ?
He ’ s been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL .
Running the Patriots ’ conservative system , Newton has run for 489 yards , the third-most among quarterbacks .
But he ’ s thrown for less than 100 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight times .
He has five passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions .
His 79.6 passer rating is 30th in the league , one spot behind Foles .
Newton doesn ’ t look like a starter in 2020 — or 2021 .
Teddy Bridgewater signed the biggest free agent contract for a quarterback last offseason — for $ 63 million over three years .
Entering the Panthers ’ game against the Bears in October , Bridgewater was 3-2 and led the league in completion percentage .
Since then , he ’ s 0-8 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 touchdowns — the same number as Trubisky , but in five more starts .
The Panthers ’ lone during that span came without him .
Monday , they fired their general manager .
In explaining the move , owner David Tepper didn ’ t sound sold on Bridgewater on the team ’ s quarterback of the future .
“ Unless you have that guy , for sure , that gets you to the playoffs and Super Bowls , you have to keep re-evaluating , ” he told reporters .
The first two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents last offseason .
Neither has started this year — but that could end this week .
When Marcus Mariota signed with the Raiders for two years and $ 17.6 million , it seemed like a lot of money for a backup .
The Bears , of course , then traded a fourth-round pick for Foles , who was guaranteed $ 22 million over three years .
Mariota didn ’ t see the field until last week when Raiders quarterback Derek Carr hurt his groin .
He threw for 226 yards against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing the athleticism that would have fit nicely in the Bears ’ new scheme .
Jameis Winston , the No .
1 overall pick five years ago , signed a one-year , $ 1.1 million deal to be the Saints ’ third-string quarterback .
When Drew Brees was hurt , the Saints turned to Taysom Hill — and not Winston .
The Bears traded for Foles rather than waiting for the Bengals to cut Andy Dalton .
They should have done the latter .
Dalton is making $ 3 million on a one-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been mediocre , winning three of seven starts and suffering a scary concussion after replacing the injured Dak Prescott .
But at least he ’ s cheap .
Otherwise , the Bears don ’ t regret passing on the available backups .
Neither the Browns ’ Case Keenum nor the Lions ’ Chase Daniel has started a game , while the Broncos ’ Jeff Driskel and the Giants ’ Colt McCoy have combined to start three.˜

Bears fans who changed the channel late Sunday afternoon to root against the Cardinals — the team one game ahead of theirs in the NFC wild-card race — must have turned a particular shade of green with envy. What’s the name of the Eagles’ hue, midnight green?
Rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 63 yards and another score in the Eagles’ loss to the Cardinals. The week before, he upset the Saints, albeit with far more modest stats, in his first NFL start.
Unlike the other standout rookie quarterbacks this season — the Bengals’ Joe Burrow, the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert — the Bears had a chance to draft Hurts. Twice.
He was picked No. 53 overall — 10 spots after the Bears took tight end Cole Kmet and three spots after they selected cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Kmet and Johnson have been standouts this season. The Bears’ offense is back on track entering Sunday’s game against the Jaguars, shepherded by quarterback Mitch Trubisky. They can make the playoffs by winning out, presuming the Cardinals lose one of their last two games.
The franchise still doesn’t have a long-term answer at quarterback, though. Trubisky is in the last year of his contract. Nick Foles, whom the Bears traded for this past offseason, is 2-5 as a starter this year.
Hurts would be so good, right?
That has been said at different points this season about free agents the Bears passed on in March. But the feeling has rarely lasted. In retrospect, there are quarterbacks the Bears would rather have than Foles. However, none of them — short of two expensive future Hall of Famers — has altered the trajectory of his franchise this season.
That’s important when evaluating general manager Ryan Pace, whose job status is still tenuous, but also when projecting what the Bears might do at quarterback this offseason.
Drafting a quarterback — and paying him rookie scale for four or five years — is still the most efficient way to acquire the player for the most important position in sports.
Quarterbacks who can make a real difference, though, rarely hit the free-agent market. And when they do, they often disappoint.
A look at the passers the Bears considered last offseason, and how they’ve fared this year:
The Hall of Famers
Tom Brady — who signed a two-year deal with the Buccaneers for $50 million plus passing and playoff incentives — is fifth in passing yards but 14th in passer rating. The Bucs are 9-5 and headed toward the playoffs, as long as they win one of their remaining two games.
Philip Rivers — who signed a one-year, $25 million deal with the Colts — is 10th in yards and 12th in passer rating. The Colts are 10-4 and tied for the AFC South lead. This might be Rivers’ final season. In the spring, he was introduced as the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, effective whenever he retires.
Rivers wanted to play for Frank Reich, his old Chargers assistant. Brady was sold by the Bucs’ skill-position players, warm weather and Eastern location.
It would have taken financial gymnastics for the Bears to fit either player onto the roster. Brady and Rivers carry a $25 million cap hit this season. By contrast, outside linebacker Robert Quinn, the Bears’ big-money flop — he signed the NFL’s second-largest deal of the offseason, in terms of total dollars — has only a $6.1 million cap hit this year because he signed a five-year deal.
Still, either quarterback would have been an obvious upgrade this year.
The former MVP
Pace must have gone to bed feeling sick on Sept. 20. Cam Newton, who signed with the Patriots for only $1.5 million plus incentives, had just torched the Seahawks on “Sunday Night Football,” throwing for 397 yards and running for another 47 and two touchdowns.
He was a revelation.
Ever since? He has been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Running the Patriots’ conservative system, Newton has run for 489 yards, the third-most among quarterbacks. But he has thrown for less than 100 yards in three games and less than 175 eight times. He has five touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. His 79.6 passer rating is 30th in the league, one spot behind Foles.
Newton doesn’t look like a starter in 2020 — or 2021.
The stable starter
Teddy Bridgewater signed the biggest free-agent contract for a quarterback last offseason — for $63 million over three years.
Entering the Panthers’ game against the Bears in October, Bridgewater was 3-2 and led the league in completion percentage.
Since then, he’s 0-8 as the starter. He has thrown 14 touchdown passes — the same number as Trubisky but in five more starts.
The Panthers’ lone win during that span came without him. On Monday, they fired GM Marty Hurney. In explaining the move, owner David Tepper didn’t sound sold on Bridgewater as the team’s quarterback of the future.
“Unless you have that guy, for sure, that gets you to the playoffs and Super Bowls, you have to keep re-evaluating,” he told reporters.
The pedigreed
The first two picks of the 2015 draft were free agents last offseason. Neither has started this year — but that could end this week.
When Marcus Mariota signed with the Raiders for two years and $17.6 million, it seemed like a lot of money for a backup. The Bears, of course, then traded a fourth-round pick for Foles, who was guaranteed $22 million over three years.
Mariota didn’t see the field until last week when Derek Carr hurt his groin. He threw for 226 yards against the Chargers and ran for 88 more, showing the athleticism that would have fit nicely in the Bears’ new scheme.
Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall pick five years ago, signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal to be the Saints’ third-string quarterback. When Drew Brees was hurt, the Saints turned to Taysom Hill — not Winston.
The backups
The Bears traded for Foles rather than wait for the Bengals to cut Andy Dalton. They should have done the latter. Dalton is making $3 million on a one-year deal with the Cowboys. He has been mediocre, winning three of seven starts and suffering a scary concussion after replacing the injured Dak Prescott. But at least he’s cheap.
Otherwise, the Bears don’t regret passing on the available backups. Neither the Browns’ Case Keenum nor the Lions’ Chase Daniel has started a game. The Broncos’ Jeff Driskel and the Giants’ Colt McCoy have combined to start three.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-26--Bears focused on playoffs — but should it  determine their future?

The NFL watered down the playoffs when it added an extra team from each conference this year .
The Bears might further diminish that accomplishment if they become the NFC ’ s seventh seed by beating three teams with losing records and a Packers squad that might have already clinched the top spot in the conference .
Don ’ t tell that to outside linebacker Khalil Mack .
He has played 109 NFL games in his career but only one in the postseason .
Or to receiver Allen Robinson , who has only one playoff appearance in 87 games .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you start to begin the season , you want to be able to say that you played meaningful football when it comes to December , ” Robinson said .
“ Always .
Getting to the playoffs , that ’ s the first step.
” The Bears have a chance to stay on the playoff path Sunday when they play the one-win Jaguars , a team that ’ s incentivized to lose their final two games to earn the No .
1 spot in the draft .
They spent the week giving the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying not to downplay the Jaguars .
But it ’ s clear what they had in mind .
“ That ’ s everyone ’ s goal , to obviously get into the playoffs , ” said quarterback Mitch Trubisky , whose lone playoff game ended with Cody Parkey ’ s double-doink kick .
“ To get into the dance and just go out there and compete.
” But should the playoffs be the marker for success this year ?
Does reaching the postseason absolve general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foles and signing Robert Quinn be forgiven ?
What about a six-game losing streak ?
Or would reaching the postseason give the McCaskeys the perfect excuse to keep both the coach and GM , whom they have an affinity for — and save money at the end of the worst financial year in NFL history ?
Three days before the start of the season , chairman George McCaskey seemingly gave the answer when he asked himself the same question that Bears fans had .
“ The goal every year is to win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Two years ago we made a great run , fell short .
Last year we regressed .
So we need to find out which team it is .
Is it the team that took the NFL by storm two years ago , or is it the team that fell back last year ?
” Making the playoffs after going on a four-game winning streak would put the Bears in the former category .
Winning four consecutive games and missing the playoffs — if the Cardinals were to win out — would , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little .
Firing a coach with a winning record has burned the Bears before .
Phil Emery canned Lovie Smith after he went 10-6 — but missed the playoffs — in 2012 .
The Bears ’ reward : two years of Marc Trestman .
Coaches rarely get fired after a winning season .
Making the playoffs produces even better career stability .
Only two coaches this century have been fired after winning a playoff game : the Titans ’ Mike Mularkey three years ago and the 49ers ’ Steve Mariucci in 2002 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it ’ s a newly invented seed .
“ We all do this for one reason and one reason only — that ’ s to win the Super Bowl , ” said returner Cordarrelle Patterson , who won the title with the Patriots two years ago .
“ To win the Super Bowl , you ’ ve got to get to the playoffs .
To get to the playoffs , you ’ ve got to win games .
So that ’ s our main focus , is just keep winning these games.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ All we can do is take care of one week at a time , trying to get one win at a time and see where the cards lay , ” said tight end Jimmy Graham , who has played in eight postseason games .
“ Hopefully , it will be in our favor and we can continue to play — because I ’ m not used to going home in January .
”

The NFL watered down the playoffs when it added an extra team from each conference this year. The Bears might further diminish that accomplishment if they become the NFC’s seventh seed by beating three teams with losing records and a Packers squad that might have already clinched the top spot in the conference.
Don’t tell that to outside linebacker Khalil Mack. He has played 109 NFL games in his career but only one in the postseason. Or to receiver Allen Robinson, who has only one playoff appearance in 87 games.
“Anybody in the league, when you start to begin the season, you want to be able to say that you played meaningful football when it comes to December,” Robinson said. “Always. Getting to the playoffs, that’s the first step.”
The Bears will make the playoffs if they win their final two games, starting with Sunday’s game against the one-win Jaguars, who are incentivized to lose their final two games to earn the No. 1 spot in the draft. The Bears spent the week giving the same “any given Sunday” speech, trying not to downplay the Jaguars. But it’s clear what they had in mind.
“That’s everyone’s goal, to obviously get into the playoffs,” said quarterback Mitch Trubisky, whose lone playoff game ended with Cody Parkey’s double-doink kick. “To get into the dance and just go out there and compete.”
But should the playoffs be the marker for success this year? Does reaching the postseason absolve general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy of their mistakes? Can trading for Nick Foles and signing Robert Quinn be forgiven? What about a six-game losing streak?
Or would reaching the postseason give the McCaskeys the perfect excuse to keep both the coach and GM, whom they have an affinity for — and save money at the end of the worst financial year in NFL history?
Three days before the start of the season, chairman George McCaskey seemingly gave the answer when he asked himself the same question that Bears fans had.
“The goal every year is to win the Super Bowl,” he said. “Two years ago we made a great run, fell short. Last year we regressed. So we need to find out which team it is. Is it the team that took the NFL by storm two years ago, or is it the team that fell back last year?”
Making the playoffs after going on a four-game winning streak would put the Bears in the former category. When the Cardinals lost to the 49ers on Saturday, it cleared the way for the Bears to reach the postseason.
Firing a coach with a winning record has burned the Bears before. Phil Emery canned Lovie Smith after he went 10-6 — but missed the playoffs — in 2012. The Bears’ reward: two years of Marc Trestman.
Coaches rarely get fired after a winning season. Making the playoffs produces even better career stability. Only two coaches this century have been fired after winning a playoff game: the Titans’ Mike Mularkey three years ago and the 49ers’ Steve Mariucci in 2002.
Making the playoffs matters. Even if it’s a newly invented seed.
“We all do this for one reason and one reason only — that’s to win the Super Bowl,” said returner Cordarrelle Patterson, who won the title with the Patriots two years ago. “To win the Super Bowl, you’ve got to get to the playoffs. To get to the playoffs, you’ve got to win games. So that’s our main focus, is just keep winning these games.”
The Bears have two to go.
“All we can do is take care of one week at a time, trying to get one win at a time and see where the cards lay,” said tight end Jimmy Graham, who has played in eight postseason games. “Hopefully, it will be in our favor and we can continue to play — because I’m not used to going home in January.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-25--Horoscope for Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020

Horoscope for Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020

Caution : Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chicago time .
After that , the moon moves from Taurus into Gemini .
Despite retail sales temptations , this is a poor day to shop — see moon alert .
Be smart .
Forewarned is forearmed .
Later in the day , you might make sensible plans for the future ( after the moon alert is over ) .
Good luck !
The moon alert is in your sign , which means you might be more emotional than usual and subject to poor judgment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the moon alert is over for your own benefit .
Why waste money ?
Once the moon alert is over , then the moon moves into your sign , which will slightly increase your good luck !
You will notice that things start to go your way by the end of the day .
You might feel more excitable .
This is a lovely day to schmooze because you feel friendly and happy to enjoy their company .
During the moon alert , which is for most of this day , avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food ) .
Be smart .
People will notice you more than usual .
Do be aware of this .
In fact , some people are aware of personal details about your private life .
However , you are in a friendly , social mood .
Do heed the warning about no shopping during the moon alert .
This continues to be a playful , easy-going time !
Today you want a little adventure !
You want a change of scenery or something different to happen .
Be aware of the restrictions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were thinking of shopping .
Be smart .
Home and family are still your focus today .
You might deal with shared responsibilities or something to do with the wealth and resources of your partner .
Avoid important decisions during the moon alert ( which is for most of the day . )
Be accommodating with others because the moon is opposite your sign for most of this day .
Furthermore , it ’ s a moon alert !
Avoid important decisions and shopping during this time .
Just relax and enjoy a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk .
With the sun and Mercury in your house of money , you ’ re focused on financial matters and shopping .
However , most of this day is a moon alert , which means it ’ s a bad day to shop .
It ’ s also a poor day for financial decisions .
You have the green light after 6 p.m. Chicago time .
Wait until then .
This is a fun-loving , playful time for you !
Many of you are focused on children and sports activities more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the restrictions of the moon alert .
Avoid shopping and important decisions until 6 p.m. Chicago time .
Home and family are still a strong priority .
Do be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert and postpone shopping or important decisions until 6 p.m. Chicago time .
Although you want to keep a low profile , you ’ re also eager to communicate with others today .
Yada , yada , yada .
This continues to be a popular time for you .
Relations with parents , bosses and people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of today is a Moon Alert , therefore , avoid important decisions and shopping until after 6 p.m. Chicago time .
Stay safe !
If Your Birthday Is Today Actress Beth Behrs ( 1985 ) shares your birthday .
You are determined , ambitious and competitive .
You will always rise to a challenge !
Service to others will be an important theme for you this year , especially within your family .
Therefore , take care of yourself so that you can be a strong resource .
Meanwhile decide to invest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hang out with quality people .

Moon Alert
Caution: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Taurus into Gemini.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Despite retail sales temptations, this is a poor day to shop — see moon alert. Be smart. Forewarned is forearmed. Later in the day, you might make sensible plans for the future (after the moon alert is over). Good luck!
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
The moon alert is in your sign, which means you might be more emotional than usual and subject to poor judgment. Do heed the warnings about no shopping until the moon alert is over for your own benefit. Why waste money?
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Once the moon alert is over, then the moon moves into your sign, which will slightly increase your good luck! You will notice that things start to go your way by the end of the day. You might feel more excitable.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
This is a lovely day to schmooze because you feel friendly and happy to enjoy their company. During the moon alert, which is for most of this day, avoid important decisions and shopping (except for food). Be smart.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
People will notice you more than usual. Do be aware of this. In fact, some people are aware of personal details about your private life. However, you are in a friendly, social mood. Do heed the warning about no shopping during the moon alert.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This continues to be a playful, easy-going time! Today you want a little adventure! You want a change of scenery or something different to happen. Be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert, especially if you were thinking of shopping. Be smart.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Home and family are still your focus today. You might deal with shared responsibilities or something to do with the wealth and resources of your partner. Avoid important decisions during the moon alert (which is for most of the day.)
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Be accommodating with others because the moon is opposite your sign for most of this day. Furthermore, it’s a moon alert! Avoid important decisions and shopping during this time. Just relax and enjoy a chatty exchange with someone because you want to talk.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
With the sun and Mercury in your house of money, you’re focused on financial matters and shopping. However, most of this day is a moon alert, which means it’s a bad day to shop. It’s also a poor day for financial decisions. You have the green light after 6 p.m. Chicago time. Wait until then.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
This is a fun-loving, playful time for you! Many of you are focused on children and sports activities more than usual. However, be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert. Avoid shopping and important decisions until 6 p.m. Chicago time.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Home and family are still a strong priority. Do be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert and postpone shopping or important decisions until 6 p.m. Chicago time. Although you want to keep a low profile, you’re also eager to communicate with others today. Yada, yada, yada.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
This continues to be a popular time for you. Relations with parents, bosses and people in authority are excellent. However, most of today is a Moon Alert, therefore, avoid important decisions and shopping until after 6 p.m. Chicago time. Stay safe!
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actress Beth Behrs (1985) shares your birthday. You are determined, ambitious and competitive. You will always rise to a challenge! Service to others will be an important theme for you this year, especially within your family. Therefore, take care of yourself so that you can be a strong resource. Meanwhile decide to invest in the relationships that you value. Hang out with quality people.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-26--The hope for this Bulls core is that toughness will be learned

It ’ s an issue that isn ’ t going away anytime soon with this core group .
Toughness , or in the case of the Bulls , there lack of .
New coach Billy Donovan has been very open with how he ’ s trying to get this group to be accepting of a more physical brand of basketball , and on-the-court newcomers continued addressing it on Saturday .
“ You have to build that habit , ’ ’ veteran guard Garrett Temple said of toughness .
“ I don ’ t think we have soft guys here by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a matter of building the right habits .
And that starts in practice .
But a lot of young teams do things in practice but they don ’ t bring it over to the games .
I think that ’ s what we ’ re in the transition of doing right now .
We have to transition that stuff that we do in practice , when we have great , competitive , hard practices , we have to be able to transition that to the game.
’ ’ Even in preseason games that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious lack of physicality on display far too often .
Then game the opener against Atlanta , where it was flat-out embarrassing .
Hawks players went wherever they wanted on the floor , including attacking the rim with very little resistance .
And while no one is asking this group to be a reboot of Detroit ’ s “ Bad Boys , ’ ’ how about an elbow or two on an opposing player ’ s dunk attempt just to let them know someone cares ?
“ I think it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why we have to do it together , ’ ’ Donovan said , when asked if it is too hard to get players to change their demeanor .
“ We ’ re not putting guys on an island to say , ‘ You got this guy , it ’ s on you , just be physical and tough and handle this.
’ We ’ re trying to build and help , and I think that ’ s what ended up happening , having two 40-point quarters in the first and second quarters [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like , guys were going right down the lane , transitioning , it was way too easy .
“ We ’ ve got to get physically in there to battle and compete , and are we great at it ?
No .
Can we be a lot better than [ we ’ ve been ] ?
I think so.
’ ’ Thad Young continued progressing from MRSA in his left leg , but was still unavailable for the game against the Pacers .
The good news for the Bulls was the veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in street clothes .
Temple made his Bulls debut in the first quarter , while Tomas Satoransky was finally back after he had to quarantine because of contact tracing with the coronavirus .
Satoransky never tested positive , and that made the ordeal even more frustrating .
“ It was very tough for me being at home , not being able to work out or doing anything , ’ ’ Satoransky said of the time he missed .
“ Just self-quarantine myself ; definitely something you have to try to focus , me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it and you have to be mentally strong and be ready to come back and accept the role you will have after this , so I wouldn ’ t see anything positive out of it , but it really tests you mentally and is another challenge you have to go through this season.
’ ’ Donovan is yet to show his hand on how he will use Young when he does get him back , especially considering Otto Porter Jr. has been the first option off the bench in both regular-season games @

The toughness of the Bulls’ core — or the lack thereof — is an issue that isn’t going away anytime soon.
Coach Billy Donovan has been open about how he’s trying to get his team to accept a more physical brand of basketball, and newcomers continued to address it Saturday.
‘‘You have to build that habit,’’ veteran guard Garrett Temple said, referring to toughness. ‘‘I don’t think we have soft guys here by any means, so it’s a matter of building the right habits. And that starts in practice.
‘‘But a lot of young teams do things in practice [and] don’t bring it over to the games. I think that’s what we’re in the transition of doing right now. We have to transition that stuff that we do in practice — when we have great, competitive, hard practices — to the game.’’
Even in the preseason games the Bulls won, they displayed a lack of physicality too often. And in the regular-season opener Wednesday against the Hawks, it was flat-out embarrassing.
The Hawks went wherever they wanted to go on the court, including attacking the rim, with little resistance. And while no one is asking the Bulls to be a defensive juggernaut, how about an elbow or two on an opponent’s dunk attempt to show that someone cares?
‘‘I think it’s a really good point, and that’s why we have to do it together,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘We’re not putting guys on an island to say: ‘You’ve got this guy; it’s on you. Just be physical and tough and handle this.’ . . .
‘‘I think that’s what ended up happening, having two 40-point quarters in the first and second quarters [against the Hawks]. It was just, like, guys were going right down the lane, transitioning. It was way too easy.
‘‘We’ve got to get physically in there to battle and compete. Are we great at it? No. Can we be a lot better than [we’ve been]? I think so.’’
More bodies
Veteran forward Thad Young continued to make progress from an infection in his left leg but was still unavailable for the game against the Pacers.
The good news for the Bulls was that Young was the only player of significance in street clothes. Temple made his Bulls debut in the first quarter, and backup guard Tomas Satoransky finally returned after he had to quarantine because of contact tracing. Satoransky said he never tested positive for the coronavirus, and that made the ordeal even more frustrating.
‘‘It was very tough for me being at home, not being able to work out or doing anything,’’ Satoransky said. ‘‘Just self-quarantine myself. . . . You only can control some of it, and you have to be mentally strong and be ready to come back and accept the role you will have after this. . . . It really tests you mentally and is another challenge you have to go through this season.’’
Donovan has yet to address how he will use Young when he gets him back, especially considering forward Otto Porter Jr. has been the first option off the bench in both regular-season games.