chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Chicago outdoors: Suburban bucks, IL’s big-buck rep slips, rogue fish stockings, IL firearm deer har

Chicago outdoors: Suburban bucks, IL’s big-buck rep slips, rogue fish stockings, IL firearm deer harvest

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors .
Paul Yambrovich photographed this big buck on one of his long walks along the Des Plaines River .
“ He was hot on a doe and couldn ’ t care less that I was there , ” Yambrovich emailed .
“ The picture doesn ’ t do him justice .
Heavy-bodied and a really large bushel basket rack !
Saw him again on my return and he was munching on white acorns .
Maybe building up his stamina !
” BOTW Unplugged , the celebration of live big bucks around Chicago outdoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday .
To make submissions , email BowmanOutside @ gmail.com or contact me on Facebook ( Dale Bowman ) , Twitter ( @ BowmanOutside ) or Instagram ( @ BowmanOutside ) .
“ Dale , want to ask you your opinion .
I fish Palmisano Park frequently .
I have throughout the years dumped in the following species over the years : Rock bass ( about hand size ) , perch ( 6 inches or up ) and a couple of pumpkinseeds ( hand size ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the pond ?
” A faithful reader A : None is my recommendation .
Biologists/managers carefully calculate what species and how many to put in .
Rogue stockings knock such planning askew .
76,579 : Deer harvested during Illinois ’ two firearm deer season , up slightly from 75,417 in 2019 .
Click here for a more complete breakdown .
“ Is Ohio the New Best Whitetail Hunting State ?
” Tony Hansen , headline for his article posted Dec. 7 on outdoorlife.com , a thought for those of us who remember @ @ @ @ @ @

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors.
BUCK OF THE WEEK: UNPLUGGED
Paul Yambrovich photographed this big buck on one of his long walks along the Des Plaines River. “He was hot on a doe and couldn’t care less that I was there,” Yambrovich emailed. “The picture doesn’t do him justice. Heavy-bodied and a really large bushel basket rack! Saw him again on my return and he was munching on white acorns. Maybe building up his stamina!”
BOTW Unplugged, the celebration of live big bucks around Chicago outdoors, runs as apt in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or Instagram (@BowmanOutside).
WILD TIMES
ILLINOIS SEASONS
Today, Dec. 13: Final day. muzzleloader deer season
Tuesday, Dec. 15: Final day, duck season, north zone
DALE’S MAILBAG
“Dale, want to ask you your opinion. I fish Palmisano Park frequently. I have throughout the years dumped in the following species over the years: Rock bass (about hand size), perch (6 inches or up) and a couple of pumpkinseeds (hand size). What other fish would you recommend for the pond?” A faithful reader
A: None is my recommendation. Biologists/managers carefully calculate what species and how many to put in. Rogue stockings knock such planning askew.
BIG NUMBER
76,579: Deer harvested during Illinois’ two firearm deer season, up slightly from 75,417 in 2019. Click here for a more complete breakdown.
LAST WORD
“Is Ohio the New Best Whitetail Hunting State?”
Tony Hansen, headline for his article posted Dec. 7 on outdoorlife.com, a thought for those of us who remember when that would have been Illinois


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Shot fired into window of South Loop hotel room

A bullet was shot through the window of an occupied fifth-floor hotel room Sunday morning in the South Loop .
@ @ @ @ @ at a hotel in the first block of East Harrison Street heard gunshots as a @ @ @ @ @ lot came through their window , Chicago police said .
At the same time , @ @ @ @ @ hotel parking lot with what appeared to be bullet holes in their vehicle , police @ @ @ @ @ stop that vehicle but it got away , according to police .
No injuries were @ @ @ @ @

A bullet was shot through the window of an occupied fifth-floor hotel room Sunday morning in the South Loop.
About 1:30 a.m. a guest at a hotel in the first block of East Harrison Street heard gunshots as a bullet fired from a parking lot came through their window, Chicago police said.
At the same time, a Gray Cadillac left the hotel parking lot with what appeared to be bullet holes in their vehicle, police said.
Officers attempted to stop that vehicle but it got away, according to police.
No injuries were reported, police said.
Area Three detectives are investigating.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Dear Abby: Woman wants to give stocks to her grandson, but his dad won’t let her

DEAR ABBY : I ’ m writing because I ’ m torn .
My mother-in-law recently retired and wants to gift stocks to all of her grandchildren .
However , my husband refuses to accept them on behalf of our son .
We also didn ’ t deposit her wedding and baby shower gifts to us .
( Both were checks . )
We just kept them because I felt it was the right thing to do .
However , in this case , I appreciate and would gladly accept the stocks .
Her gift would pay for my son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels we can ’ t accept everything he ’ s given .
I think he ’ s being stubborn , not thinking about his son and letting his ego get in the way .
What do you think about this ?
— THINKING OF THE FUTURE DEAR THINKING : Why am I thinking you omitted an important paragraph ( or two ) from your letter ?
The one describing your husband ’ s troubled relationship with his mother .
That relationship should be separate from hers with her grandchild .
She was generous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The checks should probably be destroyed at this late date because they can no longer be cashed . )
As to the gift of stocks she wants to give your son , I see no rational reason why they shouldn ’ t be accepted , acknowledged and saved to be used for the purpose for which they are intended .
Your husband ’ s stance on this is irrational and will serve no purpose other than to penalize the boy — and both of you .
DEAR ABBY : My 29-year-old daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bedroom she has occupied since she was 7 months old and into a nice place .
She has been dating “ Ben ” for five years .
She has helped Ben and stuck by him .
Despite the fact that Ben doesn ’ t have a degree , my daughter has helped him improve his potential , and he now has licenses and gets well-paying jobs .
When he met my daughter , he lived with his mom .
My daughter gave him the push to get his own place and helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older than she is and has a 9-year-old daughter from a previous relationship , whom my daughter gets along with .
I guess because parents have expectations for their kids , I thought by now there would have been some sort of talk about their future .
She and Ben are still together , but I don ’ t know if this relationship is headed anywhere .
I like him , and I have a great relationship with my daughter .
I don ’ t want to intrude on her private life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move toward the future ?
— CARING DAD IN NEW JERSEY DEAR DAD : You are certainly free to have the discussion with your daughter , but as much as you love her , this is not your journey .
It ’ s hers and Ben ’ s .
Don ’ t be a back-seat driver .
They are enjoying the present , and the future will take care of itself .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To receive a collection of Abby ’ s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I’m writing because I’m torn. My mother-in-law recently retired and wants to gift stocks to all of her grandchildren. However, my husband refuses to accept them on behalf of our son. We also didn’t deposit her wedding and baby shower gifts to us. (Both were checks.) We just kept them because I felt it was the right thing to do.
However, in this case, I appreciate and would gladly accept the stocks. Her gift would pay for my son’s higher education. My husband feels we can’t accept everything he’s given. I think he’s being stubborn, not thinking about his son and letting his ego get in the way. What do you think about this? — THINKING OF THE FUTURE
DEAR THINKING: Why am I thinking you omitted an important paragraph (or two) from your letter? The one describing your husband’s troubled relationship with his mother. That relationship should be separate from hers with her grandchild.
She was generous with her wedding and shower gifts. (The checks should probably be destroyed at this late date because they can no longer be cashed.) As to the gift of stocks she wants to give your son, I see no rational reason why they shouldn’t be accepted, acknowledged and saved to be used for the purpose for which they are intended. Your husband’s stance on this is irrational and will serve no purpose other than to penalize the boy — and both of you.
DEAR ABBY: My 29-year-old daughter just moved out on her own from the bedroom she has occupied since she was 7 months old and into a nice place. She has been dating “Ben” for five years. She has helped Ben and stuck by him. Despite the fact that Ben doesn’t have a degree, my daughter has helped him improve his potential, and he now has licenses and gets well-paying jobs.
When he met my daughter, he lived with his mom. My daughter gave him the push to get his own place and helped him decorate. Ben is eight years older than she is and has a 9-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, whom my daughter gets along with.
I guess because parents have expectations for their kids, I thought by now there would have been some sort of talk about their future. She and Ben are still together, but I don’t know if this relationship is headed anywhere. I like him, and I have a great relationship with my daughter. I don’t want to intrude on her private life. What can I do to get them to move toward the future? — CARING DAD IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR DAD: You are certainly free to have the discussion with your daughter, but as much as you love her, this is not your journey. It’s hers and Ben’s. Don’t be a back-seat driver. They are enjoying the present, and the future will take care of itself.
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.
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--I volunteered for COVID-19 vaccine trials. We need public education to build trust in the vaccine.

As a volunteer for one of the COVID-19 vaccine trials and part of the Phase 3 Moderna study , I urge that there be education and full disclosure about the vaccines .
A front-page Sun-Times article outlines the city ’ s vaccination plan .
These efforts will require trustworthy elected leaders to be completely forthcoming about the facts regarding the vaccine , and for the public to participate in the plan fully and equitably .
Public trust and a massive vaccine education campaign are a must .
The political , business , labor and other community influencers who fought for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service ad campaigns on vaccine education .
This campaign must be apolitical so that vaccination , unlike wearing a face mask , does not divide Americans and diminish our fight against the virus .
The vaccine can not be allowed to be labeled as “ Trump ’ s shot.
” Conversations should involve honest dialogue about scientific and medical evidence , not repetition of sound bites .
The best way to overcome skepticism , as Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady points out — especially in communities of color hit the hardest by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here is some basic information : • Pharmaceutical firms that have developed coronavirus vaccines include Pfizer/BioNTech , Moderna , Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca .
• The vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have shown protection rates of 94.1 % and 95 % respectively , similar to the effectiveness of measles , mumps , chickenpox and polio vaccines .
• Both the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines require two doses and cold temperature storage .
• Reported side effects include flu-like symptoms and pain around the injection site .
Some “ anti-vaxx ” efforts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A public education campaign would make clear that the vaccine ’ s pros outweigh its possible drawbacks .
Saving lives is worth the time spent on debunking myths and countering misinformation .
Modeling the Cook County landlord-tenant ordinance on the Chicago ordinance is a mistake if it includes inequitable terms like prohibiting landlords from being awarded reasonable attorney fees in eviction cases while allowing tenants to receive such awards .
This shifts the expense of the fees from the bad tenants to the good tenants since the cost will have to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is no justification for this .

As a volunteer for one of the COVID-19 vaccine trials and part of the Phase 3 Moderna study, I urge that there be education and full disclosure about the vaccines.
A front-page Sun-Times article outlines the city’s vaccination plan. These efforts will require trustworthy elected leaders to be completely forthcoming about the facts regarding the vaccine, and for the public to participate in the plan fully and equitably. Public trust and a massive vaccine education campaign are a must.
The political, business, labor and other community influencers who fought for the Fair Tax must invest in public service ad campaigns on vaccine education. This campaign must be apolitical so that vaccination, unlike wearing a face mask, does not divide Americans and diminish our fight against the virus. The vaccine cannot be allowed to be labeled as “Trump’s shot.” Conversations should involve honest dialogue about scientific and medical evidence, not repetition of sound bites.
The best way to overcome skepticism, as Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady points out — especially in communities of color hit the hardest by the virus — is through education. Here is some basic information:
Pharmaceutical firms that have developed coronavirus vaccines include Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca.
The vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have shown protection rates of 94.1% and 95% respectively, similar to the effectiveness of measles, mumps, chickenpox and polio vaccines.
Both the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines require two doses and cold temperature storage.
Reported side effects include flu-like symptoms and pain around the injection site.
Some “anti-vaxx” efforts have already sought to discredit a coronavirus vaccine. A public education campaign would make clear that the vaccine’s pros outweigh its possible drawbacks. Saving lives is worth the time spent on debunking myths and countering misinformation.
Froy Jimenez, Chicago Public Schools civics teacher
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.
Unfair to landlords
Modeling the Cook County landlord-tenant ordinance on the Chicago ordinance is a mistake if it includes inequitable terms like prohibiting landlords from being awarded reasonable attorney fees in eviction cases while allowing tenants to receive such awards.
This shifts the expense of the fees from the bad tenants to the good tenants since the cost will have to be covered by those who pay their rent. There is no justification for this.
Earl Weiss, Skokie


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Man stabbed on Red Line train in South Loop

A 50-year-old man was stabbed early Sunday while riding a CTA Red Line train in the South Loop neighborhood .
@ @ @ @ @ riding a train in the 100 block of West Cermak Road when a man sitting @ @ @ @ @ in the face with a knife , causing a laceration , Chicago police said .
@ @ @ @ @ Hospital and listed in fair condition , police said .
The other man fled the @ @ @ @ @ according to police .
He has gray hair and was wearing black jeans and a @ @ @ @ @ .
Police do not yet know what provoked the stabbing .

A 50-year-old man was stabbed early Sunday while riding a CTA Red Line train in the South Loop neighborhood.
About 1:50 a.m. he was riding a train in the 100 block of West Cermak Road when a man sitting across from him stabbed him in the face with a knife, causing a laceration, Chicago police said.
He was transported to Stroger Hospital and listed in fair condition, police said.
The other man fled the scene after the attack, according to police. He has gray hair and was wearing black jeans and a black jacket, police said.
Police do not yet know what provoked the stabbing.
Area One detectives are investigating


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--2 Cook County sheriff’s police officers injured in I-290 crash

Two Cook County sheriff ’ s police officers were injured in a crash early Sunday morning on the Eisenhower Expressway @ @ @ @ @ 1 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 290 near Racine Avenue , according to @ @ @ @ @ officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries from the crash , state police said .
An offender was @ @ @ @ @ to state police .

Two Cook County sheriff’s police officers were injured in a crash early Sunday morning on the Eisenhower Expressway.
The crash happened about 1 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 290 near Racine Avenue, according to Illinois State Police.
Two officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries from the crash, state police said.
An offender was taken into custody, according to state police.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Man fatally shot in Bronzeville: police

Man fatally shot in Bronzeville: police

A 37-year-old man was fatally shot early Sunday in Bronzeville on the South Side , police said .
He was @ @ @ @ @ 12:05 a.m. in the 4600 block of South Wabash Avenue when a man on foot @ @ @ @ @ in the head , Chicago police said .
The man who fired shots then entered @ @ @ @ @ north on Wabash Avenue , police said .
The 37-year-old was transported to the University @ @ @ @ @ he was later pronounced dead , according to police The Cook County medical examiner ’ @ @ @ @ @ released information on the fatally .
No one is in custody as Area One detectives @ @

A 37-year-old man was fatally shot early Sunday in Bronzeville on the South Side.
He was leaving a residential building about 12:05 a.m. in the 4600 block of South Wabash Avenue when a man on foot fired shots, striking him in the head, Chicago police said.
The man who fired shots then entered a white vehicle and fled north on Wabash Avenue, police said.
The 37-year-old was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead, according to police
He was identified as Marki Alsup of West Englewood, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-12--Horoscope for Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020

Horoscope for Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Sagittarius .
Don ’ t believe everything you hear , especially in social media or certain publications .
This is because confusion is rampant .
Don ’ t fall for snake oil propaganda .
If something sounds fishy , it probably is .
Use your common sense to decide what is real or not .
This is a poor day for important , financial decisions because issues are confused , and , furthermore , people are actually duplicitous or they might be outright liars .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postpone important decisions for another day .
Avoid arguments or disputes with partners and close friends because today communications are subject to confusion .
This means your closest conversations are really like two ships passing in the night .
Do not make bad assumptions about anyone because they actually might mean well for you .
Expect confusion at work because communications are misunderstood , delayed or , in fact , incorrect .
Someone might even purposefully mislead you .
Meanwhile , this same level of confusion can apply to your health or something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is a challenging day .
Romantic partners might be disappointed in each other because their expectations were not realistic .
Or perhaps their expectations were not expressed ?
Likewise , confusion dealing with children might arise .
Make no assumptions .
Know where your kids are .
This is not a great day for a family discussion , especially with a parent or an older family member because confusion and misunderstandings will be part of the picture .
Therefore , why even go there ?
Choose another day .
( Someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Oops .
This is a very poor day for communications of any kind , but especially discussions with siblings , neighbors and relatives .
Meanwhile , you might spend a lot of time daydreaming or being lost in a fantasy world .
That ’ s because Mercury , the planet of communication , is at odds with fuzzy Neptune .
Postpone important financial decisions for another day because errors , confusion , misrepresentations and even deceit are likely .
This same disadvantage will be present if you are shopping .
You might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you think you are getting .
Beware !
You are an honest person to the point of being blunt .
( Ironically , you have great sales abilities and can sell anyone the Brooklyn Bridge . )
Today , however , communications are hopelessly misunderstood .
Issues are foggy and unclear .
People are inclined to distort things .
You can ’ t trust anyone or anything .
You might be hiding from someone because you don ’ t want to come out and say something .
Perhaps you ’ re trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information so that you don ’ t have to confront someone ?
This might be wise because conversations are confusing .
You might be disappointed in a friend because you ’ re not sure they ’ re telling the truth .
Or they might be disappointed with you and you don ’ t even realize this ?
The bottom line is that with Mercury at odds with Neptune , all communications are very confusing .
Trust no one .
When talking to parents , bosses and VIPs , if you think something fishy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , they might not believe you or think that you are stringing them a story ?
That ’ s because nobody trusts anyone today because confusion reigns supreme .
This is also why you might be avoiding talking to someone in a position of authority : You don ’ t want to face them .
If Your Birthday Is Today Actor Christopher Plummer ( 1929 ) shares your birthday .
You like to help others .
You are hard-working , adventurous and versatile ; plus , you have enthusiasm for whatever you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the benefit of all your hard work .
About time !
Focus on building solid foundations now and for the future .
Work with purpose .
Physical exercise will be important , which is why you will enjoy physical activities and sports .

Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Sagittarius.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Don’t believe everything you hear , especially in social media or certain publications. This is because confusion is rampant. Don’t fall for snake oil propaganda. If something sounds fishy, it probably is. Use your common sense to decide what is real or not.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This is a poor day for important, financial decisions because issues are confused, and, furthermore, people are actually duplicitous or they might be outright liars. You cannot trust figures and data. Postpone important decisions for another day.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Avoid arguments or disputes with partners and close friends because today communications are subject to confusion. This means your closest conversations are really like two ships passing in the night. Do not make bad assumptions about anyone because they actually might mean well for you.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Expect confusion at work because communications are misunderstood, delayed or, in fact, incorrect. Someone might even purposefully mislead you. Meanwhile, this same level of confusion can apply to your health or something to do with a pet. Yes, this is a challenging day.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Romantic partners might be disappointed in each other because their expectations were not realistic. Or perhaps their expectations were not expressed? Likewise, confusion dealing with children might arise. Make no assumptions. Know where your kids are.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is not a great day for a family discussion, especially with a parent or an older family member because confusion and misunderstandings will be part of the picture. Therefore, why even go there? Choose another day. (Someone might not be on the level.) Oops.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This is a very poor day for communications of any kind, but especially discussions with siblings, neighbors and relatives. Meanwhile, you might spend a lot of time daydreaming or being lost in a fantasy world. That’s because Mercury, the planet of communication, is at odds with fuzzy Neptune.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Postpone important financial decisions for another day because errors, confusion, misrepresentations and even deceit are likely. This same disadvantage will be present if you are shopping. You might buy something and it’s not what you think you are getting. Beware!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You are an honest person to the point of being blunt. (Ironically, you have great sales abilities and can sell anyone the Brooklyn Bridge.) Today, however, communications are hopelessly misunderstood. Issues are foggy and unclear. People are inclined to distort things. You can’t trust anyone or anything.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You might be hiding from someone because you don’t want to come out and say something. Perhaps you’re trying to keep a secret or hold back information so that you don’t have to confront someone? This might be wise because conversations are confusing.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You might be disappointed in a friend because you’re not sure they’re telling the truth. Or they might be disappointed with you and you don’t even realize this? The bottom line is that with Mercury at odds with Neptune, all communications are very confusing. Trust no one.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
When talking to parents, bosses and VIPs, if you think something fishy is going on, it is! Meanwhile, they might not believe you or think that you are stringing them a story? That’s because nobody trusts anyone today because confusion reigns supreme. This is also why you might be avoiding talking to someone in a position of authority: You don’t want to face them.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Christopher Plummer (1929) shares your birthday. You like to help others. You are hard-working, adventurous and versatile; plus, you have enthusiasm for whatever you do. Now you will start to see the benefit of all your hard work. About time! Focus on building solid foundations now and for the future. Work with purpose. Physical exercise will be important, which is why you will enjoy physical activities and sports.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-12--Ayo Dosunmu scores 36, but Illini fall 81-78 to Missouri

COLUMBIA , Mo .
— Missouri had no answer for Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu .
Luckily for the Tigers , there wasn ’ t much else from the Fighting Illini to worry about .
Missouri held off a late charge from No .
6 Illinois and overcame 36 points from Dosunmu for an 81-78 victory Saturday night .
Dru Smith had 17 points , Javon Pickett had 14 points and five rebounds and the Tigers held on in the annual “ Braggin ’ Rights ” rivalry game .
Missouri ( 5-0 ) led 49-41 at halftime and held on for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Illinois ( 4-2 ) trailed by 13 with nine minutes left but rallied to tie it before the Tigers closed out the upset .
“ They ’ re tough .
They ’ re basketball players , ” Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin said of his team .
“ They ’ ve took some lumps .
Injuries , tough losses and all of that , we ’ ve taken our lumps .
… I thought our guards did a great job blocking out and being physical.
” Dosunmu set a career high in scoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 19 points with six rebounds for Illinois .
Andre Curbelo added in 14 points off the bench .
“ Our lack of energy , our lack of effort , is beyond explanation , ” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said .
“ Offensively , when one player has 36 , we ’ re not going to win .
That ’ s an imbalance that I don ’ t like.
” Missouri guard Xavier Pinson ended the Tigers ’ seven-minute field goal drought on a spinning floater with 51 seconds left to make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the next possession , but that was waved off and he was given a Flagrant 1 foul after the 7-footer clipped Missouri ’ s Mitchell Smith .
The Tigers ran down the clock before Kobe Brown air-balled a 3-pointer .
Dosunmu took the ensuing inbounds pass the other way and missed an off-balanced 3 that was grabbed by Brown , who missed two free throws .
Dosunmu tried to get off another late heave , but couldn ’ t release in time .
“ I heard their coach screaming , ‘ Foul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting motion , ” Dosunmu said of the 3-pointer following the inbound .
“ I thought ( the defender ’ s ) hand got in there and I thought there was going to be some contact.
” The teams combined for 52 fouls .
That meant plenty of trips to the foul line , where Missouri — which set a NCAA record for most consecutive foul shots made last season — vastly outperformed Illinois , shooting 84 % to the Illini ’ s 61 % .
The game was played in Columbia as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from being held in its normal location of the Enterprise Center in St. Louis .
Mizzou Arena was chosen as the game site via a coin flip between it and Champaign ’ s State Farm Center in a streamed event last month .
Dosunmu ’ s scoring barrage shattered his previous career high , a 28-point outing he had against North Carolina A & T in the Illini ’ s opener Nov. 25 .
However , with the exception of Curbelo , the preseason All-American didn ’ t get much help in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points , Da ’ Monte Williams with three points and Adam Miller with two points on a combined 3-of-12 shooting .
Mark Smith , who played his freshman year at Illinois before transferring to Missouri , was fairly quiet as he finished with five points before fouling out with 5:21 remaining .
Jeremiah Tilmon , who initially committed to the Illini out of high school , also struggled in limited minutes due to foul trouble as he ended with three points and two rebounds as he also fouled out with 1:54 to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game against their highest-ranked foe since beating then-No .
5 Florida on Feb. 19 , 2013 .
Picked to finish 10th in the SEC , the Tigers continued their surprising 5-0 start by snatching their second ranked win of the season , the first against then-No .
21 Oregon on Dec. 2 in Omaha , Nebraska .
Illinois : Brad Underwood is now 1-3 against Missouri as the Fighting Illini ’ s head coach , with Saturday marking a deflating end to a nonconference slate that featured a dominant 83-68 win at No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Illini shot 23 % from 3-point range , a stark contrast to the 63.6 % clip from deep they maintained against the Blue Devils .
Illinois : Starts Big Ten Conference play as it hosts Minnesota on Tuesday .
Missouri : Plays at home against Prairie View A & M on Friday .

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri had no answer for Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu.
Luckily for the Tigers, there wasn’t much else from the Fighting Illini to worry about.
Missouri held off a late charge from No. 6 Illinois and overcame 36 points from Dosunmu for an 81-78 victory Saturday night.
Dru Smith had 17 points, Javon Pickett had 14 points and five rebounds and the Tigers held on in the annual “Braggin’ Rights” rivalry game.
Missouri (5-0) led 49-41 at halftime and held on for its third straight win in the series. Illinois (4-2) trailed by 13 with nine minutes left but rallied to tie it before the Tigers closed out the upset.
“They’re tough. They’re basketball players,” Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin said of his team. “They’ve took some lumps. Injuries, tough losses and all of that, we’ve taken our lumps. … I thought our guards did a great job blocking out and being physical.”
Dosunmu set a career high in scoring on 13-of-20 shooting, and Kofi Cockburn had 19 points with six rebounds for Illinois. Andre Curbelo added in 14 points off the bench.
“Our lack of energy, our lack of effort, is beyond explanation,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “Offensively, when one player has 36, we’re not going to win. That’s an imbalance that I don’t like.”
Missouri guard Xavier Pinson ended the Tigers’ seven-minute field goal drought on a spinning floater with 51 seconds left to make it 80-76. Cockburn threw down a dunk on the next possession, but that was waved off and he was given a Flagrant 1 foul after the 7-footer clipped Missouri’s Mitchell Smith.
The Tigers ran down the clock before Kobe Brown air-balled a 3-pointer. Dosunmu took the ensuing inbounds pass the other way and missed an off-balanced 3 that was grabbed by Brown, who missed two free throws. Dosunmu tried to get off another late heave, but couldn’t release in time.
“I heard their coach screaming, ‘Foul!’ so I got in my shooting motion,” Dosunmu said of the 3-pointer following the inbound. “I thought (the defender’s) hand got in there and I thought there was going to be some contact.”
The teams combined for 52 fouls. That meant plenty of trips to the foul line, where Missouri — which set a NCAA record for most consecutive foul shots made last season — vastly outperformed Illinois, shooting 84% to the Illini’s 61%.
The game was played in Columbia as challenges related to COVID-19 prevented the game from being held in its normal location of the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. Mizzou Arena was chosen as the game site via a coin flip between it and Champaign’s State Farm Center in a streamed event last month.
ONE-MAN SHOW
Dosunmu’s scoring barrage shattered his previous career high, a 28-point outing he had against North Carolina A&T in the Illini’s opener Nov. 25. However, with the exception of Curbelo, the preseason All-American didn’t get much help in the backcourt. Trent Frazier finished with four points, Da’Monte Williams with three points and Adam Miller with two points on a combined 3-of-12 shooting.
REMEMBER US?
Mark Smith, who played his freshman year at Illinois before transferring to Missouri, was fairly quiet as he finished with five points before fouling out with 5:21 remaining. Jeremiah Tilmon, who initially committed to the Illini out of high school, also struggled in limited minutes due to foul trouble as he ended with three points and two rebounds as he also fouled out with 1:54 to play.
BIG PICTURE
Missouri: The Tigers won a game against their highest-ranked foe since beating then-No. 5 Florida on Feb. 19, 2013. Picked to finish 10th in the SEC, the Tigers continued their surprising 5-0 start by snatching their second ranked win of the season, the first against then-No. 21 Oregon on Dec. 2 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Illinois: Brad Underwood is now 1-3 against Missouri as the Fighting Illini’s head coach, with Saturday marking a deflating end to a nonconference slate that featured a dominant 83-68 win at No. 10 Duke earlier in the week. The Illini shot 23% from 3-point range, a stark contrast to the 63.6% clip from deep they maintained against the Blue Devils.
UP NEXT
Illinois: Starts Big Ten Conference play as it hosts Minnesota on Tuesday.
Missouri: Plays at home against Prairie View A&M on Friday.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-12--13 shot, 1 fatally in Chicago so far this weekend

At least one person has been killed and 12 others wounded in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend .
A 37-year-old man was fatally shot early Sunday in Bronzeville on the South Side , police said .
He was leaving a residential building about 12:05 a.m. in the 4600 block of South Wabash Avenue when a man on foot fired shots , striking him in the head , Chicago police said .
The man who fired shots then entered a white vehicle and fled north on Wabash Avenue , police said .
The 37-year-old was transported to the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later pronounced dead , according to police .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has not yet released information on the fatally .
In non-fatal attacks , two people were critically wounded in separate shootings Sunday morning in Englewood .
A 32-year-old man was standing outside about 2:40 a.m. in the 2000 block of West 58th Street when he was shot in the hip , leg and abdomen , police said .
He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition .
About 2:40 a.m. , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ porch of a home in the 6600 block of South Oakley Avenue when she was shot in the leg , police said .
She was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition .
Ten minutes earlier , a woman was shot breaking up a fight in Lawndale on the West Side .
About 2:30 a.m. , the 39-year-old was attempting to break up a fight between her sister and another woman on a sidewalk in the 1100 block of South Central Park Avenue , when the other woman fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was grazed in the face and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition , police said .
Friday night , an off-duty police officer was involved in a shooting in Albany Park on the Northwest Side .
The officer heard shots about 10:45 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Irving Park Road and approached a vehicle , police said .
During a confrontation with the occupants of the vehicle , the officer discharged his weapon and struck a man in the hand .
The man was taken to Swedish Hospital for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The officer was not injured but was taken to a hospital for observation .
At least eight other people were wounded in shootings so far this weekend .

At least three people were killed and 15 others wounded in shootings across Chicago this weekend.
Sunday evening, a man was found shot to death at a home in Washington Park. Officers conducting a well-being check at the home about 7 p.m. in the 300 block of East 53rd Street found the 27-year-old unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the neck, Chicago police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hours earlier, a man was killed in a shooting in Bronzeville on the South Side. A 37-year-old man was leaving a residential building about 12:05 a.m. in the 4600 block of South Wabash Avenue when a man on foot fired shots, striking him in the head, police said. The man who fired shots then entered a white vehicle and fled north on Wabash Avenue.
The 37-year-old was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead, according to police.
On Saturday, a man was fatally shot in Lawndale on the West Side. He was in a vacant lot about 8:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of South Sawyer Avenue when he was shot multiple times, police said. The 24-year-old was pronounced dead hours later at Mount Sinai Hospital.
In non-fatal attacks, two people were critically wounded in separate shootings minutes apart Sunday morning in Englewood.
A 32-year-old man was standing outside about 2:40 a.m. in the 2000 block of West 58th Street when he was shot in the hip, leg and abdomen, police said. He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.
Around the same time, a 35-year-old woman was standing on the front porch of a home in the 6600 block of South Oakley Avenue when she was shot in the leg, police said. She was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition.
Ten minutes earlier, a woman was shot while breaking up a fight in Lawndale on the West Side. The 39-year-old was attempting to break up a fight about 2:30 a.m. between her sister and another woman on a sidewalk in the 1100 block of South Central Park Avenue, when the other woman fired shots, police said. The 39-year-old was grazed in the face and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.
Friday night, an off-duty police officer shot a man in Albany Park on the Northwest Side. The officer heard shots about 10:45 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Irving Park Road and approached a vehicle, police said. During a confrontation with the occupants of the vehicle, the officer fired his weapon and struck a man in the hand.
The man was taken to Swedish Hospital for treatment, police said. The officer was not injured but was taken to a hospital for observation. The officer was later stripped of his police powers, the department said in a statement.
About 6 p.m. Sunday, a 37-year-old man was shot in Chicago Lawn on the Southwest Side. He told investigators he was shot in the 6400 block of South Mozart Avenue, according to police. Monday morning, the man took himself to Holy Cross Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to his bicep, police said. He was listed in good condition.
At least nine other people were wounded in shootings across Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Last weekend, 39 people were shot, 5 fatally, citywide.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Northwestern distances itself from ex-instructor who wrote ‘misogynistic’ WSJ op-ed about Jill Biden

Northwestern University is distancing itself from a former lecturer after he wrote a controversial column published in the Wall Street Journal this weekend that many have deemed “ sexist ” and “ misogynistic.
” Joseph Epstein , a writer and former adjunct English instructor at Northwestern , authored a Wall Street Journal op-ed published online Friday urging the future first lady , Jill Biden — who earned a doctorate of education from the University of Delaware in 2007 — to drop the title “ doctor , ” saying it “ feels and sounds fraudulent ” and “ comic ” because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epstein also referred to President-elect Joe Biden ’ s wife as “ kiddo.
” “ While we firmly support academic freedom and freedom of expression , we do not agree with Mr. Epstein ’ s opinion and believe the designation of doctor is well deserved by anyone who has earned a Ph.D. , an Ed.D .
or an M.D.
, ” the statement reads .
“ Northwestern is firmly committed to equity , diversity and inclusion , and strongly disagrees with Mr. Epstein ’ s misogynistic views.
” Northwestern ’ s English Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t taught there since 2003 .
Furthermore , the department accused him of casting “ unmerited aspersion on Dr. Jill Biden ’ s rightful public claiming of her doctoral credentials and expertise.
” “ The Department rejects this opinion as well as the diminishment of anyone ’ s duly-earned degrees in any field , from any university , ” the statement said .
Jill Biden ’ s spokesperson , Michael LaRosa , labeled the piece “ pretty gross , ” while Joe Biden ’ s communications director , Kate Bedingfield , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elitist drivel.
” “ Dr .
B earned a doctorate in education , so we call her Doctor , ” Bedingfield tweeted Saturday .
“ The title Mr. Epstein has earned here is perhaps not fit for mixed company.
” Doug Emhoff , the husband of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , also accused Epstein of sexism .
“ Dr .
Biden earned her degrees through hard work and pure grit , ” he tweeted Saturday .
“ She is an inspiration to me , to her students , and to Americans across this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been written about a man.
” Meanwhile , Jill Biden on Sunday didn ’ t directly reference the column in her first public statement since its publication .
Instead , she shared an uplifting message on Twitter , writing : “ Together , we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated , rather than diminished.
” This isn ’ t the first time Epstein ’ s writing has sparked backlash .
Epstein drew ire from some academics in 2019 after a column he wrote for the Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncommon for university faculty to make $ 200,000 per year for “ essentially a six-month job , and without ever having to put in an eight-hour day .
”

Northwestern University is distancing itself from a former lecturer after he wrote a controversial column published in the Wall Street Journal this weekend that many have deemed “sexist” and “misogynistic.”
Joseph Epstein, a writer and former adjunct English instructor at Northwestern, authored a Wall Street Journal op-ed published online Friday urging the future first lady, Jill Biden — who earned a doctorate of education from the University of Delaware in 2007 — to drop the title “doctor,” saying it “feels and sounds fraudulent” and “comic” because she is not a medical doctor. Epstein also referred to President-elect Joe Biden’s wife as “kiddo.”
In a statement issued Saturday, Northwestern denounced Epstein’s column, calling his views “misogynistic.”
“While we firmly support academic freedom and freedom of expression, we do not agree with Mr. Epstein’s opinion and believe the designation of doctor is well deserved by anyone who has earned a Ph.D., an Ed.D. or an M.D.,” the statement reads. “Northwestern is firmly committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and strongly disagrees with Mr. Epstein’s misogynistic views.”
Northwestern’s English Department also released a statement noting that Epstein hasn’t taught there since 2003. Furthermore, the department accused him of casting “unmerited aspersion on Dr. Jill Biden’s rightful public claiming of her doctoral credentials and expertise.”
“The Department rejects this opinion as well as the diminishment of anyone’s duly-earned degrees in any field, from any university,” the statement said.
Epstein has received significant backlash online.
Jill Biden’s spokesperson, Michael LaRosa, labeled the piece “pretty gross,” while Joe Biden’s communications director, Kate Bedingfield, called it “patronizing, sexist, elitist drivel.”
“Dr. B earned a doctorate in education, so we call her Doctor,” Bedingfield tweeted Saturday. “The title Mr. Epstein has earned here is perhaps not fit for mixed company.”
Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, also accused Epstein of sexism.
“Dr. Biden earned her degrees through hard work and pure grit,” he tweeted Saturday. “She is an inspiration to me, to her students, and to Americans across this country. This story would never have been written about a man.”
Meanwhile, Jill Biden on Sunday didn’t directly reference the column in her first public statement since its publication. Instead, she shared an uplifting message on Twitter, writing: “Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished.”
This isn’t the first time Epstein’s writing has sparked backlash.
Epstein drew ire from some academics in 2019 after a column he wrote for the Wall Street Journal suggested that it was not uncommon for university faculty to make $200,000 per year for “essentially a six-month job, and without ever having to put in an eight-hour day.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Rahm Emanuel Transportation spot prospects dim; CNN reports Pete Buttigieg is frontrunner

WASHINGTON — The odds of Rahm Emanuel landing a top spot in the Biden administration at this time are getting much tougher .
Rev .
Al Sharpton last week told President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris the ex-Chicago mayor was unacceptable to the civil rights community .
CNN reported on Sunday former South Bend Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is the front-runner for transportation secretary — a job Emanuel was eyeing .
Another slot where Emanuel ’ s name was mentioned — U.S. trade representative — has been filled .
During a virtual meeting between Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , Sharpton objected to Emanuel landing any position with the incoming administration .
The Intercept posted a video recording of that meeting on Friday .
Sharpton was blunt when he told Biden , “ I think that it is totally ridiculous for anyone to think that we could put a Rahm Emanuel , who covered up Laquan McDonald ’ s killing … in any position without our raising , from the civil rights community , that this man did something that in our opinion was just absolutely ” indefensible .
McDonald is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 after being shot 16 times by a Chicago police officer , with Emanuel sitting on the release of a video of the incident until after he was reelected in 2015 .
Emanuel has been in the mix — but always way down on the list , with no priority — for a Biden Cabinet appointment , sources earlier told the Chicago Sun-Times .
Since Emanuel ’ s name has been floated , labor , progressive and civil rights activists have been warning Biden to not pick Emanuel .
Biden would be taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he tapped Emanuel for a post .
Another hurdle for Emanuel is Biden ’ s pledge to appoint a diverse team ; Biden is under enormous pressure to make good on his promises , and there may not be room for another white , straight , male .
If selected , Buttigieg would be Biden ’ s first LGBTQ nominee .

WASHINGTON — The odds of Rahm Emanuel landing a top spot in the Biden administration at this time are getting much tougher.
Rev. Al Sharpton last week told President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris the ex-Chicago mayor was unacceptable to the civil rights community.
CNN reported on Sunday former South Bend Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is the front-runner for transportation secretary — a job Emanuel was eyeing.
Another slot where Emanuel’s name was mentioned — U.S. trade representative — has been filled.
During a virtual meeting between Biden, Harris and seven civil rights leaders Tuesday, Sharpton objected to Emanuel landing any position with the incoming administration. The Intercept posted a video recording of that meeting on Friday.
Sharpton was blunt when he told Biden, “I think that it is totally ridiculous for anyone to think that we could put a Rahm Emanuel, who covered up Laquan McDonald’s killing … in any position without our raising, from the civil rights community, that this man did something that in our opinion was just absolutely” indefensible.
McDonald is the Black 17-year-old youth who died in 2014 after being shot 16 times by a Chicago police officer, with Emanuel sitting on the release of a video of the incident until after he was reelected in 2015.
Emanuel has been in the mix — but always way down on the list, with no priority — for a Biden Cabinet appointment, sources earlier told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Since Emanuel’s name has been floated, labor, progressive and civil rights activists have been warning Biden to not pick Emanuel. Biden would be taking incoming shots from his own allies if he tapped Emanuel for a post. Another hurdle for Emanuel is Biden’s pledge to appoint a diverse team; Biden is under enormous pressure to make good on his promises, and there may not be room for another white, straight, male.
If selected, Buttigieg would be Biden’s first LGBTQ nominee.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--David Montgomery’s TD run sends message to Texans in win

The Bears ’ first play Sunday was an 80-yard touchdown .
On a run-pass option , Mitch Trubisky handed the ball off out of the shotgun to David Montgomery , who ran through a huge gulf between left guard Alex Bars and left tackle Charles Leno .
He stiff-armed Texans safety Justin Reid with his right hand , broke down the left sideline and sprinted untouched .
“ Really , it had nothing to do with me , to be honest with you , ” Montgomery said after the game .
“ You probably could run through that hole and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to have that line move and push the way they did and create that amazing hole , it ’ s crazy.
” Montgomery said he probably would have been caught had receiver Allen Robinson not blocked after running his RPO route .
The touchdown sparked the sideline , quarterback Mitch Trubisky said after the 36-7 win at Soldier Field .
“ To start a game with an explosive play for a touchdown like that , I think it sends a message to the whole team and to everyone about the mindset we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Montgomery ’ s run was as explosive as it was surprising .
It tied the Bears ’ longest touchdown run since the merger : Neal Anderson galloped for 80 on Nov. 27 , 1988 , against the Packers .
His one run almost matched the Bears ’ rushing yards per game average of 86.9 entering Sunday .
It accounted for more rushing yards than Montgomery had in all but three games this season .
He only got 10 more carries , finishing with 11 carries for 113 yards .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many carries I had , ” he said .
“ I ’ m just happy we won.
” Cornerback Jaylon Johnson left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury .
Johnson appeared to favor his right arm on the sideline .
That ’ s concerning , as he had right shoulder surgery in March .
It ’ s unclear how significant the injury is , but the Bears can ill-afford to lose the rookie .
Entering Sunday ’ s game , he had played 98.2 % of the Bears ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just have to keep an eye on that here moving forward , and see the significance of that , ” Nagy said .

The Bears’ first play Sunday was an 80-yard touchdown.
On a run-pass option, Mitch Trubisky handed the ball off out of the shotgun to David Montgomery, who ran through a huge gulf between left guard Alex Bars and left tackle Charles Leno. He stiff-armed Texans safety Justin Reid with his right hand, broke down the left sideline and sprinted untouched.
“Really, it had nothing to do with me, to be honest with you,” Montgomery said. “You probably could run through that hole and run the 80 yards. Just being able to have that line move and push the way they did and create that amazing hole, it’s crazy.”
Montgomery said he probably would have been caught had wide receiver Allen Robinson not blocked after running his RPO route.
The touchdown sparked the sideline, Trubisky said after the Bears’ 36-7 victory.
“To start a game with an explosive play for a touchdown like that, I think it sends a message to the whole team and to everyone about the mindset we came out and played with,” he said.
Montgomery’s run was as explosive as it was surprising. It tied the Bears’ longest touchdown run since the merger: Neal Anderson galloped for 80 on Nov. 27, 1988, against the Packers.
His dash almost matched the Bears’ per-game average of 86.9 rushing yards entering Sunday. It accounted for more rushing yards than Montgomery had in all but three games this season.
He only got 10 more carries, finishing with 11 for 113 yards.
“I don’t really care how many carries I had,” he said. “I’m just happy we won.”
Johnson hurt
Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson left in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. He appeared to favor his right arm on the sideline, which is concerning because he had surgery on his right shoulder in March.
It’s unclear how significant the injury is, but the Bears can’t afford to lose Johnson. Entering the game, he had played 98.2% of the team’s defensive snaps.
‘‘We’ll just have to keep an eye on that here and see the significance of that,” coach Matt Nagy said.
Watt reps wife
Texans defensive end J.J. Watt arrived at Soldier Field wearing Chicago gear: the jersey of his wife, Kealia, who plays soccer for the Red Stars, and a matching fuzzy hat.
Watt sported a replica white Red Stars jersey with his wife’s name and No. 2 on the back.
In January, the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League traded her to the Red Stars.
Watt had two tackles and one quarterback pressure.
This and that
After being held without a catch in two of his previous three games, tight end Jimmy Graham caught all four passes thrown his way for 23 yards.
His six-yard touchdown was his first score since Nov. 8 against the Titans.
† The Bears are 3-0 when wearing their 1936 throwback uniforms.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Have Mercy: Governor and state lawmakers must work now to improve South Side hospital care

Talk of closing Mercy Hospital next year couldn ’ t have come at a worse time , with the city fighting a pandemic that acutely affects the South Side , a place where health care choices are already too few and far between .
But don ’ t heap all the blame on Mercy .
Save some for the state legislators who — in a colossal blunder last spring — refused to help fund an effort led by Mercy to merge with three other aging , financially struggling South Side hospitals .
By pooling resources and getting state help , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Side ’ s first new hospital in decades along with a network of outpatient and preventative care clinics .
But without financial assistance from the state , the plan died .
Now this week , Mercy ’ s owner , Trinity Health , will ask the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board for permission to close sometime next year .
The hospital will also provide the board with details about a planned new care center .
Meanwhile , the three other cash-strapped hospitals — St. Bernard , South Shore and Advocate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a wrong that must be corrected , even at this late hour .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers must work now to either revive and fund the plan or seek an equal alternative .
Mercy first alerted state officials in late 2019 that it intended to close .
But the city ’ s oldest hospital then held off shutting its doors while it worked toward the ultimately unsuccessful merger .
“ I was hopeful that the transformation Mercy proposed earlier this year would be the beginning of a new era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Jamie Dircksen said in a letter to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board in advance of this week ’ s meeting .
“ I remain disappointed it did not come to fruition , but the desire to address outpatient care needs continue and that ’ s what Mercy is proposing in its plan for the future.
” For Mercy , the future means a new outpatient facility that it plans to open in September 2021 at 3753 S. Cottage Grove Ave .
The center is expected to serve 65,000 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those on Medicare and Medicaid .
“ In the case of Mercy Hospital ’ s patients , it is clear that what the community most needs is stronger access to outpatient and preventive care , ” Dircksen said .
A major new clinic is better than nothing .
But the benefits of the hospital merger would ’ ve been far greater .
To construct the new South Side health care network that would have been created under the merger , the four hospitals requested $ 520 million over five years in state funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons that baffled us , state lawmakers — including some from the South Side — nixed the plan , claiming it lacked sufficient details and failed to convincingly lay out the merger ’ s benefits .
But there were enough details there for Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Theresa Eagleson to back the merger and argue in favor of its funding .
So this was hardly some half-baked proposal .
The plan also had the written support of community groups , South Side churches , organizations , the Chicago Urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
State Rep. Marcus Evans , D-Chicago , one of the legislators against the merger , tells us now that he hopes some kind of solution regarding Mercy ’ s closing can be worked out .
He ’ s not sure what , though .
“ I really don ’ t know what all the possibilities are , ” he says .
“ COVID had made everything worse .
.
.
I definitely don ’ t want to see Mercy close .
It ’ s clear what the solution is .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You just hold out hope.
” Fixing this will not take hope , but action .
A spokeswoman for Gov .
J.B. Pritzker wrote last week in an email to the Sun-Times : “ The governor has communicated to Trinity President and CEO Michael Slubowski the state ’ s position that the hospital urgently rethink the decision to close Mercy Hospital ; the state stands ready and willing to work with them to avoid closure.
” Excluding the University of Chicago ’ s medical center in Hyde Park , a relative handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an area of the city that is the size of the entire city of Detroit — and has a population as large as Seattle ’ s .
That ’ s a civic embarrassment , the effects of which are underscored by the pandemic .
Here ’ s an opportunity for the governor and concerned lawmakers to take the lead in correcting this grave wrong .

Talk of closing Mercy Hospital next year couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the city fighting a pandemic that acutely affects the South Side, a place where health care choices are already too few and far between.
Editorials bug Editorials
But don’t heap all the blame on Mercy. Save some for the state legislators who — in a colossal blunder last spring — refused to help fund an effort led by Mercy to merge with three other aging, financially struggling South Side hospitals.
By pooling resources and getting state help, the proposed merger would have created the South Side’s first new hospital in decades along with a network of outpatient and preventative care clinics.
But without financial assistance from the state, the plan died.
Now this week, Mercy’s owner, Trinity Health, will ask the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board for permission to close sometime next year.
The hospital will also provide the board with details about a planned new care center.
Meanwhile, the three other cash-strapped hospitals — St. Bernard, South Shore and Advocate Trinity Hospital — remain vulnerable.
This is a wrong that must be corrected, even at this late hour. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers must work now to either revive and fund the plan or seek an equal alternative.
Merger could’ve helped the South Side
Mercy first alerted state officials in late 2019 that it intended to close. But the city’s oldest hospital then held off shutting its doors while it worked toward the ultimately unsuccessful merger.
“I was hopeful that the transformation Mercy proposed earlier this year would be the beginning of a new era in health,” Trinity Health Vice President Jamie Dircksen said in a letter to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board in advance of this week’s meeting.
“I remain disappointed it did not come to fruition, but the desire to address outpatient care needs continue and that’s what Mercy is proposing in its plan for the future.”
For Mercy, the future means a new outpatient facility that it plans to open in September 2021 at 3753 S. Cottage Grove Ave. The center is expected to serve 65,000 patients yearly, treating mainly the uninsured and those on Medicare and Medicaid.
“In the case of Mercy Hospital’s patients, it is clear that what the community most needs is stronger access to outpatient and preventive care,” Dircksen said.
A major new clinic is better than nothing. But the benefits of the hospital merger would’ve been far greater.
To construct the new South Side health care network that would have been created under the merger, the four hospitals requested $520 million over five years in state funds earmarked for hospital improvement.
But for reasons that baffled us, state lawmakers — including some from the South Side — nixed the plan, claiming it lacked sufficient details and failed to convincingly lay out the merger’s benefits.
But there were enough details there for Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Theresa Eagleson to back the merger and argue in favor of its funding. So this was hardly some half-baked proposal. The plan also had the written support of community groups, South Side churches, organizations, the Chicago Urban League and the University of Chicago hospitals.
State Rep. Marcus Evans, D-Chicago, one of the legislators against the merger, tells us now that he hopes some kind of solution regarding Mercy’s closing can be worked out.
He’s not sure what, though.
“I really don’t know what all the possibilities are,” he says. “COVID had made everything worse . . . I definitely don’t want to see Mercy close. It’s clear what the solution is. They’re trying to figure out a solution. You just hold out hope.”
Fixing this will not take hope, but action.
A spokeswoman for Gov. J.B. Pritzker wrote last week in an email to the Sun-Times: “The governor has communicated to Trinity President and CEO Michael Slubowski the state’s position that the hospital urgently rethink the decision to close Mercy Hospital; the state stands ready and willing to work with them to avoid closure.”
Time to fix a civic embarrassment
Excluding the University of Chicago’s medical center in Hyde Park, a relative handful of underfunded hospitals are struggling to serve an area of the city that is the size of the entire city of Detroit — and has a population as large as Seattle’s.
That’s a civic embarrassment, the effects of which are underscored by the pandemic.
Here’s an opportunity for the governor and concerned lawmakers to take the lead in correcting this grave wrong.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Bears WR Allen Robinson puts up another 1,000-yard season despite QB woes

The Bears must wonder where they would be without receiver Allen Robinson , who has been their best offensive player the last two seasons and thrives no matter who plays quarterback .
But it ’ s equally valid to imagine how high Robinson might soar if he ever gets away from the disastrous offenses that have plagued him throughout his career .
Robinson burned the Texans for nine catches , 123 yards and a touchdown in the Bears ’ 36-7 victory Sunday .
That put him at 1,027 yards for the season , and he now has broken the 1,000-yard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mitch Trubisky ( 2019 ) and a combination of Trubisky and Nick Foles ( 2020 ) as his quarterbacks .
‘ ‘ It means a lot , ’ ’ Robinson said of the milestone .
‘ ‘ I ’ m the person that ’ s waking up early in the spring , early in the summer , working out in South Florida and trying to put myself in the best position possible to help my team .
When you kind of reflect on the work as a player that you put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it definitely does feel good.
’ ’ It also makes you rich .
As Robinson plays out the final season of his three-year , $ 42 million deal with the Bears , he has put himself in optimal position to hit the jackpot in free agency .
The Bears will have to outbid outside offers that could crack $ 20 million per year or use the franchise tag on Robinson , which would pay him the average of the top five receiver salaries or 120 % of his current pay — whichever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his prime at 27 , Robinson ’ s market value will be substantial .
Robinson has caught 239 passes for 2,928 yards and 17 touchdowns since signing with the Bears in 2018 .
In 42 games with the team , he ’ s already 17th in franchise history in yardage .
And he has accounted for 32.1 % of their passing offense in the last two seasons .
‘ ‘ He ’ s been huge , ’ ’ Trubisky said .
‘ ‘ He ’ s a leader of our offense .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to me , and .
.
.
I ’ m just lucky to throw him the ball .
’ ’

The Bears must wonder where they would be without receiver Allen Robinson, who has been their best offensive player the last two seasons and thrives no matter who plays quarterback.
But it’s equally valid to imagine how high Robinson might soar if he ever gets away from the disastrous offenses that have plagued him throughout his career.
Robinson burned the Texans for nine catches, 123 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 36-7 victory Sunday. That put him at 1,027 yards for the season, and he now has broken the 1,000-yard mark with Blake Bortles (2015), Mitch Trubisky (2019) and a combination of Trubisky and Nick Foles (2020) as his quarterbacks.
‘‘It means a lot,’’ Robinson said of the milestone. ‘‘I’m the person that’s waking up early in the spring, early in the summer, working out in South Florida and trying to put myself in the best position possible to help my team. When you kind of reflect on the work as a player that you put in and what you set out to accomplish, it definitely does feel good.’’
It also makes you rich. As Robinson plays out the final season of his three-year, $42 million deal with the Bears, he has put himself in optimal position to hit the jackpot in free agency.
The Bears will have to outbid outside offers that could crack $20 million per year or use the franchise tag on Robinson, which would pay him the average of the top five receiver salaries or 120% of his current pay — whichever is greater — next season. In his prime at 27, Robinson’s market value will be substantial.
Robinson has caught 239 passes for 2,928 yards and 17 touchdowns since signing with the Bears in 2018. In 42 games with the team, he’s already 17th in franchise history in yardage. And he has accounted for 32.1% of their passing offense in the last two seasons.
‘‘He’s been huge,’’ Trubisky said. ‘‘He’s a leader of our offense. He has been a great friend, brother, to me, and . . . I’m just lucky to throw him the ball.’’


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Bears, Mitch Trubisky finding identity — albeit against bad defenses

On the second play of the second half of what would be a 36-7 blowout Sunday , the Bears crammed all the nuances of their new offensive identity into one play .
They broke the huddle and sprinted to the line of scrimmage as if their stripy retro game socks had caught fire .
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky took the snap before he could finish screaming the word “ set.
” Trubisky faked a handoff right .
Tight end Cole Kmet pulled left as if he was going to block , and released into the flat .
The field cut in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before he could get hit , winged the ball to Kmet , who has more catches the last two games than the rest of the combined .
The rookie shoved three tacklers to the ground and gained 10 yards .
The play had everything the Bears embraced since bringing Trubisky back off the bench last month : tempo , play-action , misdirection and a focus on the flank .
As the Bears jogged back to the huddle , one question came to mind : where in the holy heck had that been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points the first 11 games , the Bears have averaged 35 points over the last two .
Sunday , they scored the third-most points of the Nagy era and the most in more than two years .
A critical caveat : the Bears ’ last two opponents , the Texans and Lions , were ranked No .
27 and 32 by Football Outsiders , respectively , in total defense entering Sunday .
Bears fans have seen false positives before — see Buccaneers , 2018 — but Sunday constituted progress , at least , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play-calling responsibilities to Bill Lazor .
Running an offense catering to his strengths , Trubisky has , over the last two games , totaled a 117.4 passer rating .
The rest of the season : 78.6 .
Behind a retooled line , David Montgomery — who ran for an 80-yard score on the first offensive play — has averaged 6.6 yards per carry the last two games .
Before then : 4.0 .
With the Vikings game carrying actual postseason heft comes the more difficult question : will the new identity work against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
“ I think we ’ re just gon na play whoever they put in front of us , ” Nagy said , “ and see where it goes.
” The Bears finally have a road map .
Trubisky went 24-for-33 for 267 yards and three scores .
He didn ’ t outduel Watson , but operated the more efficient offense — not that Bears fans will suddenly forgive general manager Ryan Pace for the 2017 draft .
By halftime , Trubisky was 18-for-21 for 178 yards and four touchdowns , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play .
He was 4-for-4 on the Bears ’ third scoring drive , which ended with a 12-yard pass to Darnell Mooney , and 8-for-8 on the second , which Jimmy Graham ended with a six-yard jump-ball .
“ I think ‘ dialed in ’ would be a good word for it ... ” Trubisky said .
“ Today , my goal was to go out there and be present and just play each play as its own entity.
” “ I was just so focused on what I need to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to block everything else out , ’ he said .
“ Just the situation that we were in , being on that [ six-game ] losing streak , that makes you sick to your stomach .
So I was willing to do whatever it took for the team today to just go out and get a win — whether it was handing the ball off every time or throwing it every time .
Obviously that ’ s extreme.
” It ’ s not , though .
Last year , Nagy had him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 53 in another .
“ When you score points , you have a chance to win , ” Nagy said .
“ And we ’ re scoring points right now and some of the stuff we ’ re doing , using [ Trubisky ’ s ] legs , doing different things schematically , is able to give us an advantage in the plays .
”

On the second play of the second half of what would be a 36-7 blowout Sunday, the Bears crammed all the nuances of their new offensive identity into one play.
They broke the huddle and sprinted to the line of scrimmage as if their striped retro game socks had caught fire. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky took the snap before he could finish screaming the word “set.”
Trubisky faked a handoff right. Rookie tight end Cole Kmet pulled left, as if he was going to block, and released into the flat. The field cut in half, Trubisky turned his hips and, before he could get hit, winged the ball to Kmet, who has more catches the last two games than the rest of the games combined. Kmet shoved three tacklers to the ground and gained 10 yards.
The play had everything the Bears embraced since bringing Trubisky back off the bench last month: tempo, play-action, misdirection and a focus on the flank.
As the Bears jogged back to the huddle, one question came to mind: Where in the holy heck had that been all season long?
After averaging 19.6 points the first 11 games, the Bears have averaged 33 points the last two. On Sunday against the Texans, they scored the third-most points in the Matt Nagy era and the most in more than two years.
A critical caveat: The Bears’ last two opponents, the Texans and Lions, were ranked No. 27 and 32 by Football Outsiders, respectively, in total defense entering Sunday. Bears fans have witnessed false positives before — see Buccaneers, 2018 — but this game constituted progress, at least, four games after Nagy ceded play-calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.
Running an offense catering to his strengths, Trubisky has, over the last two games, totaled a 117.4 passer rating. The rest of the season: 78.6. Behind a retooled line, David Montgomery — who ran for an 80-yard score on the first offensive play — has averaged 6.6 yards per carry the last two games. Before then: 4.0.
With the Vikings game carrying actual postseason heft comes the more difficult question: Will the new identity work against good — or even competent — defenses?
“I think we’re just gonna play whoever they put in front of us,” Nagy said, “and see where it goes.”
The Bears finally have a road map. Trubisky went 24-for-33 for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t outduel Deshaun Watson but operated the more efficient offense — not that Bears fans will suddenly forgive general manager Ryan Pace for the 2017 draft.
By halftime, Trubisky was 18-for-21 for 178 yards and three touchdowns, including a three-yarder to Allen Robinson with eight seconds to play. He was 4-for-4 on the Bears’ third scoring drive, which ended with a 12-yard pass to Darnell Mooney, and 8-for-8 on the second, which Jimmy Graham ended with a six-yard jump ball.
“I think ‘dialed in’ would be a good word for it,” Trubisky said. “Today my goal was to go out there and be present and just play each play as its own entity.”
That included forgetting about Watson.
“I was just so focused on what I need to do for my team that it really allowed me to block everything else out,’’ he said. “Just the situation that we were in, being on that [six-game] losing streak, that makes you sick to your stomach. So I was willing to do whatever it took for the team today to just go out and get a win — whether it was handing the ball off every time or throwing it every time. Obviously, that’s extreme.”
It’s not, though. Last year, Nagy had him throw 54 passes in one game and 53 in another.
That won’t happen again.
“When you score points, you have a chance to win,” Nagy said. “And we’re scoring points right now, and some of the stuff we’re doing, using [Trubisky’s] legs, doing different things schematically, is able to give us an advantage in the plays.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-13--Jimmy Collins, former UIC coach and Illinois assistant, dies at 74

Jimmy Collins , who coached Illinois-Chicago to the NCAA Tournament three times in 14 seasons , died Sunday morning , @ @ @ @ @ was 74 .
Collins led UIC to a 218-208 record from 1996 to 2010 .
@ @ @ @ @ seasons and made the program ’ s only NCAA Tournament appearances in 1998 , 2002 @ @ @ @ @ for Lou Henson at New Mexico State from 1967-70 .
He helped the Aggies reach @ @ @ @ @ last season and was drafted 11th overall by the Bulls .
Collins spent 13 seasons @ @ @ @ @ at Illinois and was one of the main architects of the 1988-89 “ Flyin ’ @ @ @ @ @ 31 games and reached the Final Four .
He also recruited Deon Thomas , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ a former UIC assistant .
Collins was inducted into the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame @ @ @ @ @ survived by his wife Hettie and children Erica , Kenny , Semaj and Brandi .

Jimmy Collins, who coached Illinois-Chicago to the NCAA Tournament three times in 14 seasons, died Sunday morning, the school announced. He was 74.
Collins led UIC to a 218-208 record from 1996 to 2010. The Flames posted four 20-win seasons and made the program’s only NCAA Tournament appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2004.
Collins played for Lou Henson at New Mexico State from 1967-70. He helped the Aggies reach the Final Four in his last season and was drafted 11th overall by the Bulls.
Collins spent 13 seasons as an assistant under Henson at Illinois and was one of the main architects of the 1988-89 “Flyin’ Illini” squad that won 31 games and reached the Final Four. He also recruited Deon Thomas, Illinois’ career scoring leader and a former UIC assistant. Collins was inducted into the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.
Collins is survived by his wife Hettie and children Erica, Kenny, Semaj and Brandi.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-14--Dear Abby: What did husband do for 25th anniversary? Absolutely nothing

DEAR ABBY : I have been married to my husband 25 years as of today .
( We ’ ve been a couple for 32 years . )
He has done absolutely nothing to commemorate this .
I reminded him months ago to save for something because it was very important to me .
My friends would have happily helped him do something .
Every year it ’ s the same old nothing .
He asked me to remind him and I did , but it made no difference .
Same with my birthday .
Yes , we have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But if something was important to him , he always saved for it .
I have money put away we could have used , and he knew this .
Yet nothing .
The only time he shows me any kind of emotion or love/sex is when he ’ s drunk .
But he swears he loves me .
I don ’ t suspect cheating .
He doesn ’ t care what he looks like when we go places .
I always try to look my best .
I ’ m at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really hurt me .
He said we ’ ll do something when he can .
I can ’ t take it anymore .
I feel worthy of nothing , like I don ’ t matter .
What do I do ?
— ANNIVERSARY SADNESS DEAR ANNIVERSARY SADNESS : If the only time your husband shows you any kind of affectionate attention is when he is drunk , you have bigger problems than the fact that he “ forgets ” special occasions .
Is this the way you want to spend the next 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not make a person “ worthy.
” You need to work on your level of self-esteem .
As expensive as a celebration might have been , a gift you could both benefit from would be couples counseling .
DEAR ABBY : I have a wonderful mother-in-law who recently turned 92 .
For the past five or so years , she has struggled with urinary incontinence and uses adult diapers .
However , her urine really stinks .
I don ’ t think she changes her diaper often enough , and the smell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m also afraid that by not changing often enough , she may get an infection .
I find myself distancing from her since I can ’ t stand the smell .
I have researched the topic , and I don ’ t think there ’ s anything that can be done to address the incontinence issue due to her age and other medical issues .
However , I think if she drank more fluids so her urine wouldn ’ t be so concentrated , the smell wouldn ’ t be so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about drinking more water for other reasons , but she doesn ’ t want to because then she would need to urinate more .
I really love my MIL , but I can ’ t stand to be near her .
I feel like I ’ m only the daughter-in-law and that any discussions should come from her children , but they don ’ t want to bring it up with her .
What can be done ?
— KEEPING MY DISTANCE DEAR KEEPING : Has your mother-in-law seen a urologist and been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incontinence problem , or is she so embarrassed she hasn ’ t seen one ?
Because her children refuse to discuss this with their mother , the ball is in your court .
Please talk to her and urge her to see a doctor .
Because when people age their sense of smell can diminish , she may not be aware that she has the problem you ’ re describing .
She does need to drink more water and change her diaper more often than she ’ s doing .
Her mental and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But she also needs to see a urologist .
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 .
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person , order “ How to Be Popular.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband 25 years as of today. (We’ve been a couple for 32 years.) He has done absolutely nothing to commemorate this. I reminded him months ago to save for something because it was very important to me. My friends would have happily helped him do something.
Every year it’s the same old nothing. He asked me to remind him and I did, but it made no difference. Same with my birthday. Yes, we have been in better positions financially than now. But if something was important to him, he always saved for it. I have money put away we could have used, and he knew this. Yet nothing.
The only time he shows me any kind of emotion or love/sex is when he’s drunk. But he swears he loves me. I don’t suspect cheating. He doesn’t care what he looks like when we go places. I always try to look my best.
I’m at the end of my rope. This 25th anniversary really hurt me. He said we’ll do something when he can. I can’t take it anymore. I feel worthy of nothing, like I don’t matter. What do I do? — ANNIVERSARY SADNESS
DEAR ANNIVERSARY SADNESS: If the only time your husband shows you any kind of affectionate attention is when he is drunk, you have bigger problems than the fact that he “forgets” special occasions. Is this the way you want to spend the next 25 years of your life?
Receiving gifts does not make a person “worthy.” You need to work on your level of self-esteem. As expensive as a celebration might have been, a gift you could both benefit from would be couples counseling.
DEAR ABBY: I have a wonderful mother-in-law who recently turned 92. For the past five or so years, she has struggled with urinary incontinence and uses adult diapers. However, her urine really stinks. I don’t think she changes her diaper often enough, and the smell is really strong throughout the day. I’m also afraid that by not changing often enough, she may get an infection.
I find myself distancing from her since I can’t stand the smell. I have researched the topic, and I don’t think there’s anything that can be done to address the incontinence issue due to her age and other medical issues. However, I think if she drank more fluids so her urine wouldn’t be so concentrated, the smell wouldn’t be so bad. I have talked to her about drinking more water for other reasons, but she doesn’t want to because then she would need to urinate more.
I really love my MIL, but I can’t stand to be near her. I feel like I’m only the daughter-in-law and that any discussions should come from her children, but they don’t want to bring it up with her. What can be done? — KEEPING MY DISTANCE
DEAR KEEPING: Has your mother-in-law seen a urologist and been told nothing can be done about her incontinence problem, or is she so embarrassed she hasn’t seen one? Because her children refuse to discuss this with their mother, the ball is in your court. Please talk to her and urge her to see a doctor. Because when people age their sense of smell can diminish, she may not be aware that she has the problem you’re describing.
She does need to drink more water and change her diaper more often than she’s doing. Her mental and physical health could depend upon it. But she also needs to see a urologist.
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.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-12-14--Audrey Hepburn documentary reminds us how the actress became beloved worldwide

If you took a generous sip of champagne every time someone says “ icon ” or “ iconic ” to describe Audrey Hepburn ’ s acting or fashion or hairstyles or presence in “ Audrey , ” you ’ d be too hungover to enjoy breakfast at Tiffany ’ s — but then again , the legendary , trendsetting , globally beloved Audrey Hepburn deserves the “ icon ” label as much as nearly anyone who has ever graced a Hollywood soundstage .
And while this worshipful documentary breaks no new ground and often seems like little more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it serves as a lovely and valuable reminder of Hepburn ’ s unique star power and grace in front of the camera — and her kindness and tireless work for the less fortunate long after she had kissed the cinema a fond farewell .
Two words : “ Roman Holiday.
” If you haven ’ t seen it , please give it a watch before you watch “ Audrey.
” Hepburn ’ s indelible performance in that film arms you with all the evidence you need to understand how she became such an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and capably takes us through the early stages of Hepburn ’ s life , when the notion of little Audrey becoming a movie star would have seemed too farfetched for an actual Hollywood movie .
Her family was relatively well-off , but her parents were ardent fascists and Nazi sympathizers pre-World War II and her father abandoned the family when Audrey was just 6 .
( The documentary is not the first to speculate this was why Hepburn often was romantically attracted to father-figure older men . )
Audrey arrived in London from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of becoming a ballet star but eventually turned to acting onstage and in small film roles , getting her first big break when she was cast in the title role in the Broadway play “ Gigi ” in 1951 and getting her first starring movie role and winning Oscar for best actress in the aforementioned “ Roman Holiday.
” We get the time-honored documentary formula of family photos and home movies , archival footage from talk shows and awards shows and clips from Hepburn ’ s work , interspersed with interviews with Hepburn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( who speaks with great eloquence and love about his mother ) ; her granddaughter Emma ; old family friends and associates , and veteran journalists , as well as Peter Bogdanovich , who directed Hepburn in the noble failure “ They All Laughed ” in 1981 , and Richard Dreyfuss , who appeared with Hepburn in her last film , Steven Spielberg ’ s spiritually themed romantic comedy/drama “ Always ” ( 1989 ) .
Of course , we ’ re going to hear about the famous opening to “ Breakfast at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exiting a cab at dawn to the instrumental strains of “ Moon River ” — wearing that black dress and oversized sunglasses , hair swept up , ropes of pearls around her neck , taking out a croissant and coffee while gazing into the windows of Tiffany ’ s flagship store .
Of course , we ’ re going to hear how she influenced generations with her sense of style and her famous haircut .
It ’ s so easy to see how she became a star for the ages .
Alas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from time to time , whenever actors are used for dramatic enhancement .
Late in the film , we see three dancers , apparently representing Hepburn at different stages in her life , doing a mournful ballet together .
This is tantamount to having actors portray Michael Jordan from time to time in “ The Last Dance.
” It ’ s not terrible ; it ’ s simply unnecessary .
My favorite moments in “ Audrey ” are the smaller ones , e.g.
, a “ Tonight Show ” clip with a visibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hand and seeming tentative and almost nervous — in stark contrast to his usual image as the suave and sophisticated king of late night .
And “ Audrey ” reminds us Hepburn was still greatly in demand when she semi-retired in 1967 ( we catch a glimpse of a letter she wrote to Stanley Kubrick , politely turning down a role ) , as she longed for a life less complicated , where she could enjoy her family and her dogs , take long walks , spend time in the garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hepburn would take an acting role , but her last great part was her most admirable : traveling the world as an ambassador for UNICEF , devoting her time and resources and star power to combating child hunger everywhere .
In that role , she was magnificent .

If you took a generous sip of champagne every time someone says “icon” or “iconic” to describe Audrey Hepburn’s acting or fashion or hairstyles or presence in “Audrey,” you’d be too hungover to enjoy breakfast at Tiffany’s — but then again, the legendary, trendsetting, globally beloved Audrey Hepburn deserves the “icon” label as much as nearly anyone who has ever graced a Hollywood soundstage.
‘Audrey’
Untitled Bohemia Media presents a documentary directed by Helena Coan. No MPAA rating. Running time: 90 minutes. Available Tuesday on DVD and Blu-ray and Jan. 5 on demand.
And while this worshipful documentary breaks no new ground and often seems like little more than a glorified IMDB bio accompanied by video, it serves as a lovely and valuable reminder of Hepburn’s unique star power and grace in front of the camera — and her kindness and tireless work for the less fortunate long after she had kissed the cinema a fond farewell.
Two words: “Roman Holiday.” If you haven’t seen it, please give it a watch before you watch “Audrey.” Hepburn’s indelible performance in that film arms you with all the evidence you need to understand how she became such an … an …
Icon.
Director Helena Coan quickly and capably takes us through the early stages of Hepburn’s life, when the notion of little Audrey becoming a movie star would have seemed too farfetched for an actual Hollywood movie. Her family was relatively well-off, but her parents were ardent fascists and Nazi sympathizers pre-World War II and her father abandoned the family when Audrey was just 6. (The documentary is not the first to speculate this was why Hepburn often was romantically attracted to father-figure older men.)
Audrey arrived in London from The Netherlands after the war with dreams of becoming a ballet star but eventually turned to acting onstage and in small film roles, getting her first big break when she was cast in the title role in the Broadway play “Gigi” in 1951 and getting her first starring movie role and winning Oscar for best actress in the aforementioned “Roman Holiday.”
We get the time-honored documentary formula of family photos and home movies, archival footage from talk shows and awards shows and clips from Hepburn’s work, interspersed with interviews with Hepburn’s son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer (who speaks with great eloquence and love about his mother); her granddaughter Emma; old family friends and associates, and veteran journalists, as well as Peter Bogdanovich, who directed Hepburn in the noble failure “They All Laughed” in 1981, and Richard Dreyfuss, who appeared with Hepburn in her last film, Steven Spielberg’s spiritually themed romantic comedy/drama “Always” (1989).
Of course, we’re going to hear about the famous opening to “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” with Hepburn exiting a cab at dawn to the instrumental strains of “Moon River” — wearing that black dress and oversized sunglasses, hair swept up, ropes of pearls around her neck, taking out a croissant and coffee while gazing into the windows of Tiffany’s flagship store. Of course, we’re going to hear how she influenced generations with her sense of style and her famous haircut. It’s so easy to see how she became a star for the ages.
Alas, “Audrey” hits a storytelling pothole from time to time, whenever actors are used for dramatic enhancement. Late in the film, we see three dancers, apparently representing Hepburn at different stages in her life, doing a mournful ballet together. This is tantamount to having actors portray Michael Jordan from time to time in “The Last Dance.” It’s not terrible; it’s simply unnecessary.
Audrey Hepburn visits Ethiopia in 1988 as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. UNICEF/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
My favorite moments in “Audrey” are the smaller ones, e.g., a “Tonight Show” clip with a visibly awed Johnny Carson literally holding the star’s hand and seeming tentative and almost nervous — in stark contrast to his usual image as the suave and sophisticated king of late night. And “Audrey” reminds us Hepburn was still greatly in demand when she semi-retired in 1967 (we catch a glimpse of a letter she wrote to Stanley Kubrick, politely turning down a role), as she longed for a life less complicated, where she could enjoy her family and her dogs, take long walks, spend time in the garden, cook for friends.
On occasion, Hepburn would take an acting role, but her last great part was her most admirable: traveling the world as an ambassador for UNICEF, devoting her time and resources and star power to combating child hunger everywhere. In that role, she was magnificent.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-14--17 shot, 3 fatally in Chicago this weekend

At least three people were killed and 14 others wounded in shootings across Chicago this weekend .
Sunday evening , a man was found shot to death at a home in Washington Park .
Officers conducting a well-being check at the home about 7 p.m. in the 300 block of East 53rd Street found the 27-year-old unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the neck , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
Hours earlier , a man was killed in a shooting in Bronzeville on the South Side .
A 37-year-old man was leaving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4600 block of South Wabash Avenue when a man on foot fired shots , striking him in the head , police said .
The man who fired shots then entered a white vehicle and fled north on Wabash Avenue .
The 37-year-old was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead , according to police .
On Saturday , a man was fatally shot in Lawndale on the West Side .
He was in a vacant lot about 8:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of South Sawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The 24-year-old was pronounced dead hours later at Mount Sinai Hospital .
In non-fatal attacks , two people were critically wounded in separate shootings minutes apart Sunday morning in Englewood .
A 32-year-old man was standing outside about 2:40 a.m. in the 2000 block of West 58th Street when he was shot in the hip , leg and abdomen , police said .
He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition .
Around the same time , a 35-year-old woman was standing on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6600 block of South Oakley Avenue when she was shot in the leg , police said .
She was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition .
Ten minutes earlier , a woman was shot while breaking up a fight in Lawndale on the West Side .
The 39-year-old was attempting to break up a fight about 2:30 a.m. between her sister and another woman on a sidewalk in the 1100 block of South Central Park Avenue , when the other woman fired shots , police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition , police said .
Friday night , an off-duty police officer shot a man in Albany Park on the Northwest Side .
The officer heard shots about 10:45 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Irving Park Road and approached a vehicle , police said .
During a confrontation with the occupants of the vehicle , the officer fired his weapon and struck a man in the hand .
The man was taken to Swedish Hospital for treatment , police said .
The officer was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital for observation .
At least nine other people were wounded in shootings across Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday .