chicagosun-times--2020-05-12--Lawmakers warn ‘unscrupulous businesses’ are using social equity candidates as fronts in bid to get

Lawmakers warn ‘unscrupulous businesses’ are using social equity candidates as fronts in bid to get new pot licenses in Illinois

Fearing that “ unscrupulous businesses ” could partner with social equity candidates to get a leg up in the competitive application process for licenses to open new pot shops , a group of minority lawmakers are pushing to ensure those applicants profit from partnership agreements and aren ’ t simply used as front men .
While Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Arthur Turner Jr. introduced a bill in February that addresses the issue , he and other legislators have urged Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and members of his administration to take immediate action as they evaluate the current crop of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schemes ” outlined in a letter the lawmakers sent to Pritzker and his cohorts last month sounded eerily familiar to Michael Malcolm , a social equity applicant from Morgan Park who has applied for 10 dispensary licenses .
In November , the real estate broker and pot blogger was first approached by a venture capitalist from Chicago who invited him to a meeting at a Trump Tower and proposed an arrangement to partner together on a pot shop .
“ They wanted me , I feel , to be like a front for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name down as being a social equity applicant , ” Malcolm said .
“ But I wouldn ’ t have any real control over it.
” Three months later , he rejected another offer from a cannabis company from Michigan that asked him to partner on a small-scale cultivation center .
“ They basically wanted me to put my name down as being the majority owner and then in two years , they take over 80 % of the company , ” said Malcolm , who declined to provide the names of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an industry he hopes to enter .
“ It was a very stressful situation because I was new to it all , ” Malcolm said .
“ And while I wasn ’ t sure how things were supposed to work , I knew they were trying to take advantage of me.
” In an effort to bolster minority participation in the overwhelmingly white weed industry , the state legalization law grants extra points to qualifying social equity applicants that live in an area adversely affected by past drug policies , have a pot-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that meets the criteria But the law only requires those applicants own 51 % of a cannabis business .
And if a social equity applicant sells a license to someone who doesn ’ t qualify in under five years , the new license holder only has to cover any fees that were waived and pay back any outstanding state loans or grants .
Turner , along with six fellow members of the Legislative Black Caucus and two leaders in the Latino Caucus , appealed to Pritzker and administration officials last month to apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the applicants seeking the next round of 75 recreational dispensary licenses , which were delayed indefinitely just days before they were set to be awarded on May 1 .
Concerned that licenses “ will be granted to unscrupulous businesses who have no intent on treating their social equity applicant members as legitimate partners in the business , ” the lawmakers penned a letter urging officials to consider whether the current round of social equity applicants immediately vest in their ownership interests and whether they could be forced to sell their stakes or restricted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose to do so .
The letter also pushes regulators to determine whether those applicants give preferential returns or profits to the other owners and have an opportunity to profit from a sale .
Toi Hutchinson , a former member of the Legislative Black Caucus who co-sponsored the legalization law and now serves as Pritzker ’ s senior adviser for cannabis control , said the recommendations haven ’ t been applied to the current dispensary applicants , who submitted their applications before the bill was filed .
Though Turner ’ s bill has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak , he plans to work with Hutchinson “ to ensure we can continue moving forward to meet our goal of social equity in the cannabis industry.
” Hutchinson committed to addressing the concerns in the letter and said Turner ’ s bill “ elevates the public dialogue ” around cannabis equity , but she made it clear that input from stakeholders and community groups and an upcoming disparity study will ultimately “ inform what additional efforts are needed.
” That study , which will determine whether additional pot licenses should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outstanding dispensary , craft cultivation , transportation and infusion licenses are awarded .
Applicant had to push for job Meanwhile , social equity applicants are anxiously waiting for them to be issued .
After his earlier experiences , Malcolm decided to partner with New York-based Columbia Care , a multi-state cannabis firm that operates a dispensary in Jefferson Park .
Malcolm said it was important to work with a company that operated in Illinois and had access to product , though he and his attorney had to negotiate to get the right deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to push for a job managing his prospective shop to earn a steady paycheck .
“ They didn ’ t push back too hard on it , but I had to let it be known , ” he said .

Fearing that “unscrupulous businesses” could partner with social equity candidates to get a leg up in the competitive application process for licenses to open new pot shops, a group of minority lawmakers are pushing to ensure those applicants profit from partnership agreements and aren’t simply used as front men.
While Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Arthur Turner Jr. introduced a bill in February that addresses the issue, he and other legislators have urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker and members of his administration to take immediate action as they evaluate the current crop of applicants for dispensary licenses.
Stressful situation for potential owners
The “schemes” outlined in a letter the lawmakers sent to Pritzker and his cohorts last month sounded eerily familiar to Michael Malcolm, a social equity applicant from Morgan Park who has applied for 10 dispensary licenses.
In November, the real estate broker and pot blogger was first approached by a venture capitalist from Chicago who invited him to a meeting at a Trump Tower and proposed an arrangement to partner together on a pot shop.
“They wanted me, I feel, to be like a front for them and for me to put my name down as being a social equity applicant,” Malcolm said. “But I wouldn’t have any real control over it.”
Three months later, he rejected another offer from a cannabis company from Michigan that asked him to partner on a small-scale cultivation center.
“They basically wanted me to put my name down as being the majority owner and then in two years, they take over 80% of the company,” said Malcolm, who declined to provide the names of the companies fearing he may face backlash in an industry he hopes to enter.
“It was a very stressful situation because I was new to it all,” Malcolm said. “And while I wasn’t sure how things were supposed to work, I knew they were trying to take advantage of me.”
In an effort to bolster minority participation in the overwhelmingly white weed industry, the state legalization law grants extra points to qualifying social equity applicants that live in an area adversely affected by past drug policies, have a pot-related criminal record or have a family member that meets the criteria
But the law only requires those applicants own 51% of a cannabis business. And if a social equity applicant sells a license to someone who doesn’t qualify in under five years, the new license holder only has to cover any fees that were waived and pay back any outstanding state loans or grants.
Black Caucus presses governor
Turner, along with six fellow members of the Legislative Black Caucus and two leaders in the Latino Caucus, appealed to Pritzker and administration officials last month to apply recommendations from Turner’s bill to the applicants seeking the next round of 75 recreational dispensary licenses, which were delayed indefinitely just days before they were set to be awarded on May 1.
Concerned that licenses “will be granted to unscrupulous businesses who have no intent on treating their social equity applicant members as legitimate partners in the business,” the lawmakers penned a letter urging officials to consider whether the current round of social equity applicants immediately vest in their ownership interests and whether they could be forced to sell their stakes or restricted from selling or transferring ownership if they choose to do so. The letter also pushes regulators to determine whether those applicants give preferential returns or profits to the other owners and have an opportunity to profit from a sale.
Toi Hutchinson, a former member of the Legislative Black Caucus who co-sponsored the legalization law and now serves as Pritzker’s senior adviser for cannabis control, said the recommendations haven’t been applied to the current dispensary applicants, who submitted their applications before the bill was filed.
Though Turner’s bill has stalled in committee in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, he plans to work with Hutchinson “to ensure we can continue moving forward to meet our goal of social equity in the cannabis industry.”
Related Meet 3 black Chicagoans who want to open recreational marijuana shops in Illinois
Hutchinson committed to addressing the concerns in the letter and said Turner’s bill “elevates the public dialogue” around cannabis equity, but she made it clear that input from stakeholders and community groups and an upcoming disparity study will ultimately “inform what additional efforts are needed.” That study, which will determine whether additional pot licenses should be issued, will commence when the outstanding dispensary, craft cultivation, transportation and infusion licenses are awarded.
Applicant had to push for job
Meanwhile, social equity applicants are anxiously waiting for them to be issued. After his earlier experiences, Malcolm decided to partner with New York-based Columbia Care, a multi-state cannabis firm that operates a dispensary in Jefferson Park.
Malcolm said it was important to work with a company that operated in Illinois and had access to product, though he and his attorney had to negotiate to get the right deal. Most importantly, Malcolm said he needed to push for a job managing his prospective shop to earn a steady paycheck.
“They didn’t push back too hard on it, but I had to let it be known,” he said.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-12--Chinese Americans in Chicago donate 1 million surgical masks to city’s first-responders

A group of Chinese American business leaders has donated 1 million surgical masks to first-responders and others in Chicago , saying Chicagoans did the same thing for China when the coronavirus emerged there at the beginning of the year .
“ We are grateful to the frontline responders who are risking their well-being to protect Chicago neighborhoods , ” said Citadel Securities CEO Peng Zhao , who organized the donation with his wife Cherry Chen .
The effort follows months of President Donald Trump blaming China for the pandemic .
On Monday , when a Chinese American reporter asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus as a “ global competition , ” he responded , “ Maybe that ’ s a question you should ask China.
” On Tuesday , Trump tweeted : “ Asian Americans are VERY angry at what China has done to our Country , and the World .
Chinese Americans are the most angry of all.
” Zhao and more than a dozen other Chinese American business leaders bought the masks and asked the University of Chicago Crime Lab to help distribute them .
About 750,000 of the masks are going to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will provide them to Chicago police officers and other city workers who need them , according to the crime lab .
More than 500 officers have tested positive for COVID-19 , and three have died .
About 100,000 masks will go to the Chicago Public Schools .
Masks also are being given to nonprofits that work with at-risk youth .
The distribution of the masks began May 4 .
Roseanna Ander , executive director of the crime lab , said the donation comes at a time China is under fire by Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a common enemy in COVID-19 and a shared interest in stopping its spread , protecting our brave frontline responders and ultimately finding a vaccine.
” Ken Griffin , founder of Citadel and Chicago ’ s richest man , is paying for cleaning supplies and medical equipment for cops and other first-responders .
He also donated $ 2.5 million to feed Chicago schoolchildren during the pandemic .
In early February , he and his companies contributed $ 7.5 million to help China ’ s Hubei province , where the pandemic began .

A group of Chinese American business leaders has donated 1 million surgical masks to first-responders and others in Chicago, saying Chicagoans did the same thing for China when the coronavirus emerged there at the beginning of the year.
“We are grateful to the frontline responders who are risking their well-being to protect Chicago neighborhoods,” said Citadel Securities CEO Peng Zhao, who organized the donation with his wife Cherry Chen.
The effort follows months of President Donald Trump blaming China for the pandemic.
On Monday, when a Chinese American reporter asked the president why he sees testing for the coronavirus as a “global competition,” he responded, “Maybe that’s a question you should ask China.” On Tuesday, Trump tweeted: “Asian Americans are VERY angry at what China has done to our Country, and the World. Chinese Americans are the most angry of all.”
Zhao and more than a dozen other Chinese American business leaders bought the masks and asked the University of Chicago Crime Lab to help distribute them.
About 750,000 of the masks are going to the Chicago Department of Public Health, which will provide them to Chicago police officers and other city workers who need them, according to the crime lab. More than 500 officers have tested positive for COVID-19, and three have died.
About 100,000 masks will go to the Chicago Public Schools. Masks also are being given to nonprofits that work with at-risk youth.
The distribution of the masks began May 4.
Roseanna Ander, executive director of the crime lab, said the donation comes at a time China is under fire by Trump and others and said, “We all have a common enemy in COVID-19 and a shared interest in stopping its spread, protecting our brave frontline responders and ultimately finding a vaccine.”
Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel and Chicago’s richest man, is paying for cleaning supplies and medical equipment for cops and other first-responders. He also donated $2.5 million to feed Chicago schoolchildren during the pandemic. In early February, he and his companies contributed $7.5 million to help China’s Hubei province, where the pandemic began.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-12--144 more die in Illinois from COVID-19 as fatalities top 3,600 and state hits record for new cases

Another 144 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois , raising the state ’ s death toll to 3,601 .
Tuesday also marked a record-high number of new cases — 4,014 — although Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s office said that positive count came from 29,266 tests results .
That ’ s the most the state has ever received back in a day .
Pritzker said more than 20,000 were performed within 24 hours , marking a new record for the state in testing .
“ There is a proportionality there , that as you test more , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from within those additional tests , ” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said .
The state has now seen 83,021 positive cases , as the virus remains in 98 of 102 counties .
Illinois has received 471,691 total tests back since the pandemic began , health officials said .
Illinois ’ positivity rate is 18 % from May 2 to May 9 .
That metric is being looked at under a magnifying glass since Pritzker included it as one of several numbers needed under 20 % in his regional reopening plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in intensive care units was down by 33 from Sunday to Monday .
During that same timeframe , there was no change in ventilator use , although the number of total COVID-19 patients entering hospitals went up by 307 , the governor ’ s office said .
Tuesday ’ s fatality count is higher than the previous two days , when the state saw fewer than 100 deaths each day .
The governor ’ s administration released new projections a day earlier from researchers that indicate the state will see a range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July .
Northwestern University , one of three universities involved in the state ’ s projections , has predicted a more dire range of 50 to 300 deaths .
But Pritzker signaled some optimism on Monday in revealing three of four regions in his reopening plan are “ on pace ” to potentially enter a new phase of reopening when his latest stay-at-home order expires on May 29 .
The governor on Tuesday said he is speaking with the governors in nearby Midwestern states , some of whom are already reopening businesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that we ’ re following best practices .
It is different from one state to another .
Indiana is a different state than Illinois .
We have different concerns and Michigan ’ s different as well , ” Pritzker said .
“ ... Each of us have different timetables .
It ’ s again based a lot on at least or Illinois and a lot of the other states , based on health care metrics.
” Pritzker , however , said he is concerned about Illinoisans traveling to neighboring states .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in many ways that opening too early or the potential spread of the virus in those states will affect our metrics in Illinois , ” Pritzker said .
“ I understand that people may cross over the border , but I think they should take into account the danger , the potential anyway , of the spread of the virus and their ability to carry that virus back over the border when they come back.
” Facing some pushback against his order extension , Pritzker said he “ would consider ” withholding federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liquor licenses against local leaders and businesses who disobey the directive , as Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf has threatened to do in that state .
“ I would just suggest that there are a number of enforcement mechanisms that are available to us .
And I don ’ t want to utilize those .
I have asked people to do the right thing and I want to point out that the vast majority of people in Illinois have been doing the right thing and I ’ m so very proud of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the stay-at-home order “ outliers.
” “ These people do not follow science or data .
They ’ re just listening to partisan rhetoric perhaps and following their own instincts , but not science .
”

Another 144 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois, raising the state’s death toll to 3,601.
Tuesday also marked a record-high number of new cases — 4,014 — although Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said that positive count came from 29,266 tests results. That’s the most the state has ever received back in a day. Pritzker said more than 20,000 were performed within 24 hours, marking a new record for the state in testing.
“There is a proportionality there, that as you test more, you’re going to get more positives from within those additional tests,” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said.
The state has now seen 83,021 positive cases, as the virus remains in 98 of 102 counties. Illinois has received 471,691 total tests back since the pandemic began, health officials said.
Illinois’ positivity rate is 18% from May 2 to May 9. That metric is being looked at under a magnifying glass since Pritzker included it as one of several numbers needed under 20% in his regional reopening plan.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
The total number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units was down by 33 from Sunday to Monday. During that same timeframe, there was no change in ventilator use, although the number of total COVID-19 patients entering hospitals went up by 307, the governor’s office said.
Tuesday’s fatality count is higher than the previous two days, when the state saw fewer than 100 deaths each day. The governor’s administration released new projections a day earlier from researchers that indicate the state will see a range of 50 to 150 deaths into June or July. Northwestern University, one of three universities involved in the state’s projections, has predicted a more dire range of 50 to 300 deaths.
But Pritzker signaled some optimism on Monday in revealing three of four regions in his reopening plan are “on pace” to potentially enter a new phase of reopening when his latest stay-at-home order expires on May 29.
The governor on Tuesday said he is speaking with the governors in nearby Midwestern states, some of whom are already reopening businesses.
“We are sharing ideas and making sure that we’re following best practices. It is different from one state to another. Indiana is a different state than Illinois. We have different concerns and Michigan’s different as well,” Pritzker said. “...Each of us have different timetables. It’s again based a lot on at least or Illinois and a lot of the other states, based on health care metrics.”
Pritzker, however, said he is concerned about Illinoisans traveling to neighboring states.
“I am concerned because I think that in many ways that opening too early or the potential spread of the virus in those states will affect our metrics in Illinois,” Pritzker said. “I understand that people may cross over the border, but I think they should take into account the danger, the potential anyway, of the spread of the virus and their ability to carry that virus back over the border when they come back.”
Facing some pushback against his order extension, Pritzker said he “would consider” withholding federal aid or taking other actions like revoking liquor licenses against local leaders and businesses who disobey the directive, as Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has threatened to do in that state.
“I would just suggest that there are a number of enforcement mechanisms that are available to us. And I don’t want to utilize those. I have asked people to do the right thing and I want to point out that the vast majority of people in Illinois have been doing the right thing and I’m so very proud of that,” Pritzker said, calling opponents of the stay-at-home order “outliers.”
“These people do not follow science or data. They’re just listening to partisan rhetoric perhaps and following their own instincts, but not science.”


chicagosun-times--2020-05-12--2 more Chicago Police Department employees test positive for COVID-19

Chicago police announced Tuesday two more cases of COVID-19 , bringing the number of cases in the department to 504 @ @ @ @ @ , 479 are officers and 25 are civilian employees , police said .
The department @ @ @ @ @ third officer from complications of the coronavirus on April 17 .
Illinois health officials Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ , raising the toll in the state to 3,601 .
The state also saw a @ @ @ @ @ the virus .

Chicago police announced Tuesday two more cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of cases in the department to 504.
Of the confirmed cases, 479 are officers and 25 are civilian employees, police said.
The department announced the death of a third officer from complications of the coronavirus on April 17.
Illinois health officials Tuesday announced 144 more COVID-19 deaths, raising the toll in the state to 3,601. The state also saw a record-high 4,014 new cases of the virus.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-13--Dear Abby: Just for today, let’s forget our troubles and discuss baked beans

DEAR ABBY : I love your column .
Some years ago , you printed a recipe for baked beans .
I believe they were called St. James ’ Baked Beans .
I have lost my copy .
I would get lots of compliments about how great they were at family gatherings and potlucks .
Would you please reprint the recipe ?
— SHIRLEY IN BROWNSVILLE , TEXAS DEAR SHIRLEY : Thank you for your kind words and for letting me know how much you enjoyed that recipe .
It ’ s included in my Cookbooklet set , which contains more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salads , appetizers , main courses and desserts that can be used when friends and family get together to celebrate holidays and special occasions .
Shirley , I am pleased to share it , knowing you will continue to enjoy it .
Heat oven to 325 degrees .
Butter a 1 1/2-quart casserole .
In a small skillet , saute the bacon and onions until the bacon is crisp and onions are lightly browned ; drain well .
In a large bowl , combine the remaining ingredients .
Add bacon-onion mixture ; mix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casserole .
Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours .
For readers who are interested in having my cookbooklets , they can be ordered as a set .
Once you start reviewing “ Cookbooklet II ” you will discover that a sweet tooth runs in my family .
The pecan pie recipe has won blue ribbons at county fairs , while others were featured on the covers of women ’ s magazines .
The booklets can be ordered by sending your name and address , plus check or money order for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to : Dear Abby — Cookbooklet Set , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
I know the recipes will become among your favorites because dinner guests , family members — as well as many readers — have raved about them .
Also included in this collection are tips on entertaining , when those days return , for anyone who is inexperienced or nervous about it .
Remember , although what you put on the table is important , it ’ s WHO you put on the chairs that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABBY : I am seeing a guy whose roommate is a sex offender .
I found out after I typed the address on the internet .
I ’ m not sure how to ask my friend about it .
Should I come right out and ask , or just leave it alone ?
I ’ m not sure he knows , but I would be surprised if he didn ’ t .
I don ’ t want it to be awkward when I ask .
— SHOCKED IN VIRGINIA DEAR SHOCKED : There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the roommate ’ s offense may be minor .
Double-check to make sure the roommate ’ s name , address and photo match what you found on the site .
Tell the man you are seeing what you discovered , but not in an alarmist manner .
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 .

DEAR ABBY: I love your column. Some years ago, you printed a recipe for baked beans. I believe they were called St. James’ Baked Beans. I have lost my copy. I would get lots of compliments about how great they were at family gatherings and potlucks. Would you please reprint the recipe? — SHIRLEY IN BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS
DEAR SHIRLEY: Thank you for your kind words and for letting me know how much you enjoyed that recipe. It’s included in my Cookbooklet set, which contains more than 100 tasty recipes for soups, salads, appetizers, main courses and desserts that can be used when friends and family get together to celebrate holidays and special occasions. Shirley, I am pleased to share it, knowing you will continue to enjoy it.
ST. JAMES’ BAKED BEANS
(Serves 8)
6 slices bacon, diced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (16-ounce) can pork and beans, drained
1 (16-ounce) can lima beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10-ounce) package sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
1 cup ketchup
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 1 1/2-quart casserole. In a small skillet, saute the bacon and onions until the bacon is crisp and onions are lightly browned; drain well. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Add bacon-onion mixture; mix well. Pour bean mixture into prepared casserole. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
For readers who are interested in having my cookbooklets, they can be ordered as a set. Once you start reviewing “Cookbooklet II” you will discover that a sweet tooth runs in my family. The pecan pie recipe has won blue ribbons at county fairs, while others were featured on the covers of women’s magazines. The booklets can be ordered by sending your name and address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. I know the recipes will become among your favorites because dinner guests, family members — as well as many readers — have raved about them.
Also included in this collection are tips on entertaining, when those days return, for anyone who is inexperienced or nervous about it. Remember, although what you put on the table is important, it’s WHO you put on the chairs that makes for a great party.
DEAR ABBY: I am seeing a guy whose roommate is a sex offender. I found out after I typed the address on the internet. I’m not sure how to ask my friend about it. Should I come right out and ask, or just leave it alone? I’m not sure he knows, but I would be surprised if he didn’t. I don’t want it to be awkward when I ask. — SHOCKED IN VIRGINIA
DEAR SHOCKED: There are various levels of sex offenses, and the roommate’s offense may be minor. Double-check to make sure the roommate’s name, address and photo match what you found on the site. Tell the man you are seeing what you discovered, but not in an alarmist manner.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-13--Rock bass: Another state-record quality fish comes from Three Oaks

Jonny Pitelka caught three personal-best fish in a row May 4 from shore at Three Oaks Recreation .
“ All fish were caught off a weighted slip bobber and worm , ” Pitelka messaged .
“ It was overcast skies for the most part.
” As I went through his list—crappie of 1 pound , 11 ounces , 14.5 inches ; a bigger crappie of 1-15 , 15 inches ; then a rock bass of 1-10 , 13.5—the rock bass caught my eye .
My memory was right .
George Nielson caught Illinois ’ record rock bass ( 1-10 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aux Sable Creek in Grundy County .
Here ’ s the deal .
Three Oaks , which Crystal Lake reclaimed from the Vulcan Lakes quarry , is one of the top public fishing spots around Chicago .
It is also catch-and-release .
To be an Illinois-record fish caught by hook and line , a fish must be fairly caught , weighed on a certified scale witnessed by two people and verified by a biologist .
On May 9 , 2017 , Bach caught a rock bass at Three Oaks that would have beaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that story .
Bach was in a rowboat fishing for smallmouth bass with a 3.8-inch Keitech swimbait on a quarter-ounce orange swimbait head .
He measured it at 12.5 inches with a width of 5 inches .
On a Berkley Big Game Lip Grip digital scale , it weighed 1-14 .
He recorded everything on video and with his iPhone 7 .
But , he did not get any witnesses before releasing his fish .
Just in case , he contacted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources .
But biologist Andy Plauck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verify it as an Illinois record .
Nielson ’ s record still stands .
Here ’ s where it gets interesting .
Bach knew he had a potential state record .
Pitelka did not until I told him .
That ’ s especially noteworthy because Pitelka was there for one of the most famous Illinois records .
On the night of Oct. 14 , 2019 , Pitelka was fishing with Myles Cooke and Joe Capilupo for smallmouth bass at Monroe Harbor When Capilupo caught the Illinois-record smallmouth ( 7 pounds , 3 ounces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some people know the right spots .
“ We went to Three Oaks about 15 times last year but almost everything from boat , ” Pitelka said .
“ I haven ’ t really ever caught much shore fishing .
My other fiends usually do.
” For info on Three Oaks , go to crystallake.org/three-oaks-recreation .
Crystal Lake residents with a city sticker get in free ; parking is $ 5 for others .
ILLINOIS HUNTING : The final turkey season in the north zone ends Thursday .
I ’ m curious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out with IDNR sites closed the entire season .
WILD THINGS : Back-yard observations of wild animals and birds keep rolling .
I hope that keeps on when some semblance of normalcy trickles back .
STRAY CAST : Baseball reminds me of walleye guys launching when the Illinois River is rolling at 28 feet at LaSalle .

Crappie, crappie, rock bass.
Jonny Pitelka caught three personal-best fish in a row May 4 from shore at Three Oaks Recreation.
That’s pretty impressive.
“All fish were caught off a weighted slip bobber and worm,” Pitelka messaged. “It was overcast skies for the most part.”
As I went through his list—crappie of 1 pound, 11 ounces, 14.5 inches; a bigger crappie of 1-15, 15 inches; then a rock bass of 1-10, 13.5—the rock bass caught my eye.
My memory was right. George Nielson caught Illinois’ record rock bass (1-10) on May 5, 1987, from Aux Sable Creek in Grundy County.
So Pitelka caught and released a potential record-tying rock bass.
Here’s the deal. Three Oaks, which Crystal Lake reclaimed from the Vulcan Lakes quarry, is one of the top public fishing spots around Chicago. It is also catch-and-release.
To be an Illinois-record fish caught by hook and line, a fish must be fairly caught, weighed on a certified scale witnessed by two people and verified by a biologist.
I immediately thought of Matt Bach.
On May 9, 2017, Bach caught a rock bass at Three Oaks that would have beaten Nielson’s record. Click here for that story.
Bach was in a rowboat fishing for smallmouth bass with a 3.8-inch Keitech swimbait on a quarter-ounce orange swimbait head.
He measured it at 12.5 inches with a width of 5 inches. On a Berkley Big Game Lip Grip digital scale, it weighed 1-14. He recorded everything on video and with his iPhone 7. But, he did not get any witnesses before releasing his fish.
Just in case, he contacted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. But biologist Andy Plauck made the correct call and could not verify it as an Illinois record. Nielson’s record still stands.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Bach knew he had a potential state record. Pitelka did not until I told him.
That’s especially noteworthy because Pitelka was there for one of the most famous Illinois records.
On the night of Oct. 14, 2019, Pitelka was fishing with Myles Cooke and Joe Capilupo for smallmouth bass at Monroe Harbor When Capilupo caught the Illinois-record smallmouth (7 pounds, 3 ounces). Click here for that story.
Some people know the right spots.
“We went to Three Oaks about 15 times last year but almost everything from boat,” Pitelka said. “I haven’t really ever caught much shore fishing. My other friends usually do.”
For info on Three Oaks, go to crystallake.org/three-oaks-recreation. Crystal Lake residents with a city sticker get in free; parking is $5 for others.
ILLINOIS HUNTING: The final turkey season in the north zone ends Thursday. I’m curious to see how the harvest numbers shake out with IDNR sites closed the entire season.
WILD THINGS: Back-yard observations of wild animals and birds keep rolling. I hope that keeps on when some semblance of normalcy trickles back.
STRAY CAST: Baseball reminds me of walleye guys launching when the Illinois River is rolling at 28 feet at LaSalle.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-13--12 shot, 2 killed Tuesday in Chicago

12 shot, 2 killed Tuesday in Chicago

Twelve people were shot , two of them fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
The latest fatal attack left one man dead and two more wounded in Princeton Park on the South Side .
They were in the street about 6:40 p.m. in the 9400 block of South Lafayette Avenue when someone opened fire , Chicago police said .
A 54-year-old man was struck in the abdomen , and a 23-year-old man was hit in the thigh , police said .
Both were taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where the older man was pronounced dead and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A 34-year-old man was taken to the same hospital in fair condition with a gunshot wound to the buttocks , police said .
Earlier in the afternoon , a man was shot to death in West Elsdon on the Southwest Side .
The man , 34 , was on the street about 3:34 p.m. in the 5400 block of South Keeler Avenue when someone in a vehicle fired shots , police said .
He was struck in the back and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where he was pronounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenage girl was wounded in Jeffery Manor on the South Side .
The 16-year-old was on the sidewalk about 3 p.m. on East 99th Street when someone approached her and shot her in the leg , police said .
The teen was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition .
Just over an hour earlier , three men were shot in Austin on the West Side .
They were on the sidewalk about 1:55 p.m. in the 500 block of North Leamington Avenue when they heard shots and felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man was struck in the leg and back , and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition .
A 23-year-old was shot in the shoulder and the third , 57 , was hit in the buttocks , police said .
Both were taken to Stroger Hospital where the younger man was in serious condition and the older man was stabilized .
The day ’ s latest shooting grazed a 53-year-old man in Lawndale on the West Side .
He was standing on the sidewalk about 9:08 p.m. in the 2800 block of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and felt pain , police said .
The man was grazed in the head and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition .
Before that , two men were shot in West Garfield Park .
The men were outside about 8 p.m. in the 4000 block of West Wilcox Street when someone in a dark car opened fire , police said .
One man , 32 , was shot in the cheek and taken to Stroger Hospital , while the other man , 19 , was struck in the calf and took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Both were in good condition .
The day ’ s first reporting shooting left a man wounded in Lawndale .
He was in a home about 12:45 p.m. in the 3900 block of West Lexington Street when he was involved in an argument with someone who pulled out a gun and fired shots , police said .
The 27-year-old struck in the back and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition , police said .
On Monday , one person was killed and four more were wounded in citywide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

Twelve people were shot, two of them fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
The latest fatal attack left one man dead and two more wounded in Princeton Park on the South Side.
They were in the street about 6:40 p.m. in the 9400 block of South Lafayette Avenue when someone opened fire, Chicago police said.
A 54-year-old man was struck in the abdomen, and a 23-year-old man was hit in the thigh, police said. Both were taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where the older man was pronounced dead and the younger was in critical condition.
A 34-year-old man was taken to the same hospital in fair condition with a gunshot wound to the buttocks, police said.
Earlier in the afternoon, a man was shot to death in West Elsdon on the Southwest Side.
The man, 20, was on the street about 3:34 p.m. in the 5400 block of South Keeler Avenue when someone in a vehicle fired shots, police said. He was struck in the back and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead.
In non-fatal shootings, a teenage girl was wounded in Jeffery Manor on the South Side.
The 16-year-old was on the sidewalk about 3 p.m. on East 99th Street when someone approached her and shot her in the leg, police said. The teen was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
Just over an hour earlier, three men were shot in Austin on the West Side.
They were on the sidewalk about 1:55 p.m. in the 500 block of North Leamington Avenue when they heard shots and felt pain, police said. A 59-year-old man was struck in the leg and back, and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition.
A 23-year-old was shot in the shoulder and the third, 57, was hit in the buttocks, police said. Both were taken to Stroger Hospital where the younger man was in serious condition and the older man was stabilized.
The day’s latest shooting grazed a 53-year-old man in Lawndale on the West Side.
He was standing on the sidewalk about 9:08 p.m. in the 2800 block of West Polk Street when he heard gunfire and felt pain, police said. The man was grazed in the head and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
Before that, two men were shot in West Garfield Park.
The men were outside about 8 p.m. in the 4000 block of West Wilcox Street when someone in a dark car opened fire, police said.
One man, 32, was shot in the cheek and taken to Stroger Hospital, while the other man, 19, was struck in the calf and took himself to Mt. Sinai Hospital, police said. Both were in good condition.
The day’s first reporting shooting left a man wounded in Lawndale.
He was in a home about 12:45 p.m. in the 3900 block of West Lexington Street when he was involved in an argument with someone who pulled out a gun and fired shots, police said.
The 27-year-old struck in the back and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition, police said.
On Monday, one person was killed and four more were wounded in citywide shootings.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-13--Gunfire leads to crash on I-57

Gunfire leads to crash on I-57

Shots were fired Tuesday on Interstate 57 , causing a vehicle to crash on the Far South Side .
Someone @ @ @ @ @ vehicle about 7:30 p.m. on I-57 near 115th Street , Illinois State Police said .
@ @ @ @ @ to crash into the left concrete wall .
No one was shot or injured in @ @ @ @ @ said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Shots were fired Tuesday on Interstate 57, causing a vehicle to crash on the Far South Side.
Someone opened fire on a northbound vehicle about 7:30 p.m. on I-57 near 115th Street, Illinois State Police said. The shots caused the vehicle to crash into the left concrete wall.
No one was shot or injured in the crash, state police said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-13--Man shot to death in Aurora

Man shot to death in Aurora

About 5:15 p.m. , Paris Brandon was in front of an apartment complex in the 700 block of Huntington Drive @ @ @ @ @ according to Aurora police .
He was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to @ @ @ @ @ .
An investigation into the circumstances of the shooting is ongoing .
Anyone with information @ @ @ @ @ police at 630-256-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000 .
Read more on crime , and @ @ @ @ @ homicides .

A 25-year-old man was fatally shot Tuesday in west suburban Aurora.
About 5:15 p.m., Paris Brandon was in front of an apartment complex in the 700 block of Huntington Drive when someone shot him, according to Aurora police.
He was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries, police said.
An investigation into the circumstances of the shooting is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Aurora police at 630-256-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-12--Ingleside woman mauled to death by own dog

A northwest suburban woman was found dead after her dog attacked her this month in Ingleside .
Officers from Fox @ @ @ @ @ p.m. May 9 to a home where a woman was found unresponsive , the Lake @ @ @ @ @ said .
A death investigation was launched shortly after .
Autopsy results Tuesday found 52-year-old @ @ @ @ @ , died from injuries after her French bulldog attacked her , the coroner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ are pending .
The attack happened inside her home , but she made it out @ @ @ @ @ she died , the coroner ’ s office said .
“ We have been in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family and our deepest condolences go out to them during this difficult time @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Howard Cooper said in a statement .
“ This is truly a tragedy .
@

A northwest suburban woman was found dead after her dog attacked her this month in Ingleside.
Officers from Fox Lake were called about 4:43 p.m. May 9 to a home where a woman was found unresponsive, the Lake County coroner’s office said. A death investigation was launched shortly after.
Autopsy results Tuesday found 52-year-old Lisa Urso, of Ingleside, died from injuries after her French bulldog attacked her, the coroner’s office said. Toxicology results are pending.
The attack happened inside her home, but she made it out to her patio, where she died, the coroner’s office said.
“We have been in close contact with Ms. Urso’s family and our deepest condolences go out to them during this difficult time,” Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper said in a statement. “This is truly a tragedy.”
The investigation is ongoing.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-12--A classic Dickens tale

A classic Dickens tale

On Monday we lost Albert Dickens , the dependable rock of the Chicago Sun-Times sports department , and it hurts to ponder that .
Albert was 82 and had been in a rehabilitation facility for a while with complications from a number of ailments , and he died of kidney failure .
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family .
But our sympathy also goes to those who ever worked or still work in the Sun-Times sports department and have brought our readers the news and opinions they deserve for years and years .
Every editor , writer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody who had anything to do with the long-gone Daily News or current Sun-Times sports department in the last half-century owes so much to Albert .
His title , I guess , was assistant to the sports department .
But his role really was that of the glue and oil that kept the whole shebang running together and smoothly , without fanfare , without drama .
I can ’ t emphasize enough how much he did for all of us .
You don ’ t notice a man like Albert from the outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you smile in gratitude every day .
Can I just tell you how dapper Albert was ?
He always wore a coat and tie , while so many of us dressed like slobs .
He brought dignity to a chaotic barnyard of feather-rufflers .
One day I had to have my photo taken to go with my column heading .
But I didn ’ t have a tie .
I did .
A lovely silk tie .
Thank you , sir .
His late partner was a master tailor , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost a fortune at a fine men ’ s store .
To look good made him proud .
And when Albert was proud , we all felt good , secure in our work .
I had planned to visit him once again at his rehab place back in mid-March — as former sportswriter Toni Ginnetti and sports editor Chris De Luca and many other Sun-Times workers , current and retired , had done .
But the COVID-19 hit , so we just talked for a long time on the phone .
I complained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him at the newspaper , and my job and everybody else ’ s was harder and less fun .
So why didn ’ t he get out of there and come back ?
He shrugged it off with his usual good humor and gave me instead a verbatim recitation of 19th century editor and poet William Cullen Bryant ’ s transcendentally influenced poem on death , “ Thanatopsis.
’ ’ “ I gave that at Lacy Banks ’ funeral , ’ ’ Albert said proudly .
Banks , of course , was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2012 .
Albert implied that he was not remotely afraid of death , which he seemed to know was coming fast .
In fact , he kept messing with the 89-year-old Irish priest who visited his room occasionally for somber talks .
“ ‘ Oh , the Potato Famine was a terrible thing !
’ he ’ d tell me , ’ ’ Albert would say , imitating him in a perfect Irish brogue .
He told the priest he wasn ’ t sure what he could do about that famine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted .
He even spoke to Sun-Times office cleaning ladies in real Polish .
How did he learn Polish ?
By watching Polish TV , he said .
A black man raised Catholic in small-town , all-white Iowa , Albert was full of gentle quirks and incongruity .
His family ended up outside Des Moines after a relative came up from South Carolina to work on the railroad , he said .
He owned a deep sense of the absurdity about his upbringing and the world in general , along with a playful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I mean , we don ’ t know much about Jesus as a teenager , do we ?
’ ’ he asked , chuckling with his own hypothesis : “ Maybe he broke into chariots.
’ ’ Albert ’ s diction was precise and without inflection .
He was from the center of the country , of course .
“ The Southern whites in the Army wondered how I spoke the way I did .
They said I seemed to have no accent .
What do you mean , seemed ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but he loved bawdy humor , civility-skewering jokes that bear no repeating here .
He could do things that amazed you , like read upside-down pages fluently .
He had a cane that had a teensy , laced-up gym shoe on it .
He was unique .
And this is the verse he ended with from “ Thanatopsis , ” on how to transition from life : Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him , and lies down to pleasant dreams .

On Sunday we lost Albert Dickens, the dependable rock of the Chicago Sun-Times sports department, and it hurts to ponder that.
Albert was 82 and had been in a rehabilitation facility for a while with complications from a number of ailments.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family. But our sympathy also goes to those who ever worked or still work in the Sun-Times sports department and have brought our readers the news and opinions they deserve for years and years.
Every editor, writer, reporter, delivery man, janitor — anybody who had anything to do with the long-gone Daily News or current Sun-Times sports department in the last half-century owes so much to Albert.
His title, I guess, was assistant to the sports department. But his role really was that of the glue and oil that kept the whole shebang running together and smoothly, without fanfare, without drama.
I can’t emphasize enough how much he did for all of us. You don’t notice a man like Albert from the outside. On the inside, you marvel, you smile in gratitude every day.
Related Albert Dickens was a man of his Times
Can I just tell you how dapper Albert was?
He was sartorially impeccable.
He always wore a coat and tie, while so many of us dressed like slobs. He brought dignity to a chaotic barnyard of feather-rufflers.
One day I had to have my photo taken to go with my column heading. But I didn’t have a tie.
“Here, take mine,’’ Albert said.
I did. A lovely silk tie. Thank you, sir.
His late partner was a master tailor, and he sewed things for Albert that would have cost a fortune at a fine men’s store.
To look good made him proud. And when Albert was proud, we all felt good, secure in our work.
Albert Dickens enjoys himself at the last Sun-Times Christmas party. Provided
I had planned to visit him once again at his rehab place back in mid-March — as former sportswriter Toni Ginnetti and sports editor Chris De Luca and many other Sun-Times workers, current and retired, had done. But the COVID-19 hit, so we just talked for a long time on the phone.
I complained about there really being nobody to replace him at the newspaper, and my job and everybody else’s was harder and less fun. So why didn’t he get out of there and come back?
He shrugged it off with his usual good humor and gave me instead a verbatim recitation of 19th century editor and poet William Cullen Bryant’s transcendentally influenced poem on death, “Thanatopsis.’’
“I gave that at Lacy Banks’ funeral,’’ Albert said proudly.
Banks, of course, was the veteran sportswriter for the Sun-Times who died in 2012.
Albert implied that he was not remotely afraid of death, which he seemed to know was coming fast. In fact, he kept messing with the 89-year-old Irish priest who visited his room occasionally for somber talks.
“‘Oh, the Potato Famine was a terrible thing!’ he’d tell me,’’ Albert would say, imitating him in a perfect Irish brogue.
He told the priest he wasn’t sure what he could do about that famine.
Albert could do almost any accent you wanted. He even spoke to Sun-Times office cleaning ladies in real Polish. How did he learn Polish? By watching Polish TV, he said.
A black man raised Catholic in small-town, all-white Iowa, Albert was full of gentle quirks and incongruity. His family ended up outside Des Moines after a relative came up from South Carolina to work on the railroad, he said. He owned a deep sense of the absurdity about his upbringing and the world in general, along with a playful cynicism for the twists of establishment mythology.
“I mean, we don’t know much about Jesus as a teenager, do we?’’ he asked, chuckling with his own hypothesis: “Maybe he broke into chariots.’’
Oh, we laughed.
Albert’s diction was precise and without inflection. He was from the center of the country, of course.
“The Southern whites in the Army wondered how I spoke the way I did. They said I seemed to have no accent. What do you mean, seemed?’’
Albert was a brilliant man, but he loved bawdy humor, civility-skewering jokes that bear no repeating here. He could do things that amazed you, like read upside-down pages fluently. He had a cane that had a teensy, laced-up gym shoe on it. He was unique.
And this is the verse he ended with from “Thanatopsis,” on how to transition from life:
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Sleep well, friend.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-12--Horoscope for Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Horoscope for Wednesday, May 13, 2020

We have the all clear to shop and do business .
The moon is in Aquarius .
A tiny warning : Today , your ruling planet Mars moves into a hidden part of your chart to stay until the end of June .
It could mean you won ’ t get the credit you deserve for what you do .
You might also inadvertently create the wrong impression with others , which undermines you .
( Oops . )
The next six weeks are a great time to formulate goals and actively pursue them .
Ideally , you will achieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which means you have to coordinate your needs with their needs to make this a win-win situation .
This opportunity lasts until the end of June .
From now until the end of June , your ambition will be aroused more than it ’ s been in several years .
Although you can use this to your advantage , it might also put you in conflict with authority figures — parents , bosses and government officials .
Easy does it !
Today until the end of June , Mars will urge you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend your beliefs because you will identify with what you believe .
You will put energy into expanding your mind ( along with your waist line , if in isolation ) .
For the next six weeks , you might find yourself at odds with someone about differing values .
( This could force you to re-examine your own position . )
You might disagree with someone on how to handle jointly held resources or a limited amount of money .
Tricky .
Beginning today , Mars will be opposite your sign until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trigger conflict with others , especially enemies .
( Yikes ! )
The upside is that you won ’ t hesitate to speak up about what makes you unhappy .
( That ’ s something . )
Get ready to put a lot of energy into any project that you want to get done in the next six weeks because you ’ re going to work hard until the end of June .
No question !
You will want to call the shots , which means you won ’ t be a team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done !
You will be a bit more cocky in the next six weeks because you will demand the freedom to be yourself and express exactly who you are to others .
Get a T-shirt that says “ I am !
” This means you ’ re ready to go after what you want , including hot sex .
Oh my .
Increased chaos and activity on the home front might drive you batty in the next six weeks .
Something will shift at home or within your family .
Unfortunately , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient with others .
Keep a low profile .
You will have a busy , fast-paced tempo in the next six weeks .
During this window of time , you will identify strongly with your ideas and opinions , which means you will be more argumentative .
Don ’ t get hung up trying to coerce others to agree with you .
Be nice .
You ’ ll be more focused on your possessions in the next six weeks .
You might even buy things that boost your ego because it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial worth .
Therefore , guard against wasteful spending .
There will be more activity in your world in the next six weeks because you have more vim and vigor !
You will also be more of a fighter for your own rights than usual .
Because your physical energy will be high , you will get a lot done .
If Your Birthday Is Today TV host , comedian Stephen Colbert ( 1964 ) shares your birthday .
You are patient , easy-going , calm and firm .
Even though you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can be tender and caring .
Finally , this year your hard work will start to pay off !
Simplify your life and focus on how to build solid foundations .
Work with purpose .
Physical exercise will be important , which is why you should explore enjoyable physical activities .

Moon Alert
We have the all clear to shop and do business. The moon is in Aquarius.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
A tiny warning: Today, your ruling planet Mars moves into a hidden part of your chart to stay until the end of June. It could mean you won’t get the credit you deserve for what you do. You might also inadvertently create the wrong impression with others, which undermines you. (Oops.)
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
The next six weeks are a great time to formulate goals and actively pursue them. Ideally, you will achieve these goals by working with others, which means you have to coordinate your needs with their needs to make this a win-win situation. This opportunity lasts until the end of June.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
From now until the end of June, your ambition will be aroused more than it’s been in several years. Although you can use this to your advantage, it might also put you in conflict with authority figures — parents, bosses and government officials. Easy does it!
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Today until the end of June, Mars will urge you to do creative intellectual work. You will defend your beliefs because you will identify with what you believe. You will put energy into expanding your mind (along with your waist line, if in isolation).
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
For the next six weeks, you might find yourself at odds with someone about differing values. (This could force you to re-examine your own position.) You might disagree with someone on how to handle jointly held resources or a limited amount of money. Tricky.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Beginning today, Mars will be opposite your sign until the end of June, which will trigger conflict with others, especially enemies. (Yikes!) The upside is that you won’t hesitate to speak up about what makes you unhappy. (That’s something.)
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Get ready to put a lot of energy into any project that you want to get done in the next six weeks because you’re going to work hard until the end of June. No question! You will want to call the shots, which means you won’t be a team player. But you will get stuff done!
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
You will be a bit more cocky in the next six weeks because you will demand the freedom to be yourself and express exactly who you are to others. Get a T-shirt that says “I am!” This means you’re ready to go after what you want, including hot sex. Oh my.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Increased chaos and activity on the home front might drive you batty in the next six weeks. Something will shift at home or within your family. Unfortunately, it can create tension and fighting. Be patient with others. Keep a low profile.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You will have a busy, fast-paced tempo in the next six weeks. During this window of time, you will identify strongly with your ideas and opinions, which means you will be more argumentative. Don’t get hung up trying to coerce others to agree with you. Be nice.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You’ll be more focused on your possessions in the next six weeks. You might even buy things that boost your ego because it’s easy for you to identify with your financial worth. Therefore, guard against wasteful spending.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
There will be more activity in your world in the next six weeks because you have more vim and vigor! You will also be more of a fighter for your own rights than usual. Because your physical energy will be high, you will get a lot done.
If Your Birthday Is Today
TV host, comedian Stephen Colbert (1964) shares your birthday. You are patient, easy-going, calm and firm. Even though you are confident, you are also modest. You can be tender and caring. Finally, this year your hard work will start to pay off! Simplify your life and focus on how to build solid foundations. Work with purpose. Physical exercise will be important, which is why you should explore enjoyable physical activities.