chicagosun-times--2020-07-28--Need some COVID-safe entertainment? Drive-in music festival coming to Soldier Field   (LIVE UPDATES)

Need some COVID-safe entertainment ?
Drive-in music festival coming to Soldier Field The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of Chicago ’ s event curators to get much more creative when providing entertainment to the masses .
The Drive-In Fest , which is scheduled for Aug. 22 at Soldier Field ( doors open at 6 p.m. ) , is the brainchild by five local Black promoters : Mike “ Orie ” Mosley ( AFROTRAK ) ; Ronald Platt , Bobby Burke , Charles Martin and Sigma Chris .
Concertgoers should expect feature performances from “ a few of your favorite artists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80s hip-hop/R & B era , ” according to festival officials .
The festival lineup includes chart-topping singer-songwriter Lloyd , Pleasure P of R & B/hip-hop group Pretty Ricky , Atlanta-based singer Bobby V. , and West Side hip-hop artists Do or Die .
6:38 p.m. City will issue tickets for quarantine violations , ‘ flagrant ’ social activities spotted on social media Ticketing is coming for Chicagoans who travel to any of the 20-plus states subject to Chicago ’ s 14-day travel quarantine , Dr. Allison Arwady , the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city has relied on voluntary compliance to the order .
Arwady told reporters on a conference call that tickets can be issued during course of an investigation into COVID spread .
She also mentioned the possibility of fining city employees who may not have abided by quarantine .
Tickets also may result from “ social media examples ” where people are “ flagrantly posting social activities , ” Arwady said .
The additions to the order — Wisconsin , Missouri , Nebraska and North Dakota were all announced Tuesday — bring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under the order , people traveling or returning to Chicago from one of those states are required to isolate for 14 days upon arrival .
When the order , in effect indefinitely , was announced , the city had offered no details on exactly how it would be enforced .
But under the order violators are subject to city fines of $ 100 to $ 500 per day , up to $ 7,000 .
There are exemptions , such as travel for medical care , or for essential workers who are required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or travel from Chicago to work in one of the covered states .
The rest of the list : Alabama , Arkansas , Arizona , California , Florida , Georgia , Idaho , Iowa , Louisiana , Kansas , Mississippi , North Carolina , Nevada , Oklahoma , South Carolina , Tennessee , Texas and Utah .
Read the full report here for more .
3:15 p.m .
They call themselves the ’ Rona Quartet after the disease that has kept so many musicians apart The music floats down a narrow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Side , where four French horn players sit , socially distanced , their instruments gleaming in the late-morning sunlight .
A cardinal somewhere up in the high branches of a huge silver maple adds its own accompaniment to the piece they ’ re playing , “ Fripperies for Four Horns , ” by Lowell Shaw .
A middle-aged couple step out onto their deck overlooking the garden to listen .
“ There are a lot of bees out here .
What ’ s going on ?
” said Mary Jo Neher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her ankles during a pause in the music .
It ’ s a small inconvenience for Neher , 42 , and her fellow Chicago-area horn players , who are thrilled to be playing with other human beings after months of isolation at home .
“ One of the things I ’ ve missed was the feeling of throwing my case on my back and going into the garage to go to work , ” said Neher , a freelance musician .
“ There is so much in that moment : I have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mom , keeping everyone alive and teaching at home .
I just yearn for that basic feeling.
” Read the full story from Stefano Esposito here .
The Miami Marlins ’ season was suspended by Major League Baseball amid an outbreak of COVID-19 cases that resulted in 15 players and two staff members testing positive from Friday to Tuesday , according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the decision .
The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because it has not been officially announced .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sidelining one of the 30 MLB teams attempting to play a 60-game schedule through a pandemic , with one potential outcome being that the Marlins — and their upcoming opponents — may not play the season in full .
The Marlins ’ outbreak had already resulted in a handful of postponements Monday and Tuesday : Two Marlins games against the Baltimore Orioles in Miami , and a pair of Phillies-New York Yankees games in Philadelphia , site of the Marlins ’ three-game weekend series .
Now , the Marlins will have up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four against the Orioles and three against the Washington Nationals , their weekend opponents in Miami .
Read the full story from USA Today here .
11:45 a.m. Andrea Bocelli recovered from COVID but says lockdown made him feel ‘ humiliated ’ ROME — Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli , who had COVID-19 , said the pandemic lockdown made him feel “ humiliated and offended ” by depriving him of his freedom to come and go as he wanted .
Bocelli spoke at a panel Monday in an Italian Senate conference room , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matteo Salvini , who has railed against the government ’ s stringent measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
The singer ’ s announcement in May that he had recovered from the virus came weeks after his Easter Sunday performance in Milan ’ s empty cathedral .
At the time , Bocelli said that when he learned on March 10 that he had tested positive , just as the nation was going into lockdown , “ I jumped into the pool , I felt well ” and had only a slight fever .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pool at his residence , as public gym pools were closed by then .
Bocelli told the conference at the Senate that he resented not being able to leave his home even though he “ committed no crime ” and revealed , without providing details , that he violated that lockdown restriction .
Read the full story from the Associated Press here .
10:38 a.m. CPS parents — and teachers — bombard district officials with questions about classroom safety The first of five community meetings hosted by Chicago Public Schools officials about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from parents and teachers , many of which were steeped in skepticism over whether in-classroom learning could be done safely in the middle of a pandemic .
Will there be more hand-washing stations at schools ?
What will happen when a student tests positive for COVID-19 ?
Are teachers expected to move between “ pods ” of students ?
What type of instruction will students receive when they opt out of in-person learning ?
Top CPS leadership , including CEO Janice Jackson , gave live answers to many questions — though they only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes set aside for a Q & A session , and there were many they couldn ’ t answer .
Responding to a question about potential cases at schools , CPS ’ chief health officer Kenneth Fox said families will be expected to self-report to the district ’ s Office of Student Health and Wellness , providing their symptoms , noting when they first felt sick and other personal information .
The district would then gather information from that student ’ s school , such as which 15-student pod they were in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what part of the school they had been in .
An entire pod would be sent home if one of its students tests positive , and anyone directly in contact with the positive case would be told to quarantine for 14 days .
Read the full story from Nader Issa here .
8:04 a.m. Lightfoot showcases $ 33 million in relief for renters and property owners Three months after unveiling a non-binding “ Housing Solidarity Pledge ” that appeased no one , Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday showcased $ 33 million in relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal stimulus funds and local philanthropies .
Shortly after the stay-at-home shutdown triggered by the coronavirus , Lightfoot offered 2,000 Chicagoans struggling to stay in their homes grants of $ 1,000 apiece .
The $ 2 million was nowhere near enough to meet the demand from 83,000 applicants .
Now , those who struck out in Round One will be “ automatically transferred ” to a $ 25 million Round 2 , “ more than ten times ” the initial investment made by the Chicago Department of Housing There is no need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Department of Family and Support Services , Chicago is dedicating $ 33 million to “ eviction and foreclosure prevention , ” officials said .
“ Thanks to this investment , more Chicagoans will be able to stave off foreclosure , eviction and homelessness and the pain and insecurity that comes with it , ” Lightfoot told a City Hall news conference .
• Orioles GM Mike Elias confirmed that Monday ’ s Orioles-Marlins game in Miami has been postponed after eight more Marlins players and two coaches tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 14 cases in their clubhouse .
• Illinois announced its sixth straight day of more than 1,200 new COVID-19 cases and a positivity rate that keeps creeping up .
6:13 p.m.
I ’ m a teacher and parent .
Our schools aren ’ t ready to reopen and keep children and families safe .
With the start of a typical school year right around the corner , discussions are taking place about what the eventual return will look like .
As an educator and a mom , I am torn between options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and students stay healthy ; or a hybrid , with some in-person instruction .
But two major questions loom in the minds of every educator and parent : Can our nation keep children and families healthy , even with limited classroom teaching ?
If remote learning continues , will students lose too much educationally ?
As a former teacher in three Chicago public high schools on the South Side , I think the answer to the first question is a clear “ No.
” Our nation can ’ t keep our kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership , which is needed to have any chance of slowing the spread of coronavirus .
A case in point : One of my grossest days in CPS was the time a student threw up in the library entryway .
It was flu season and only two janitors were working that day , so it took around six hours for one of them to clean up the vomit .
The student went to the nurse ’ s office , but she wasn ’ t at our school that day , so he returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesson .
Meanwhile , students and teachers continued to fill the room .
4:45 p.m. Four must-haves in Congress ’ next pandemic rescue package No sooner did professional baseball return last week , after months of planning to make the games safe during the pandemic , than the entire season was thrown into doubt when COVID-19 swept through the Miami Marlins .
There is a lesson in that not only for professional sports , which we ’ re really feeling the loss of right now , but also for lawmakers in Washington who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill : All our man-made plans are doomed if designed for a wished-for world .
At the core of almost every disagreement between Democrats and Republicans about how big the federal relief bill should be — and what it should include — is a fundamentally different view about how long it will be before life in the United States can return to normal .
Democrats , listening to the scientists , think it could be many more months or even years .
They are proposing a $ 3 trillion relief bill .
Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are pushing a $ 1 trillion bill .
With that in mind , here are four provisions of any relief bill we ’ d like to stress : Read the CST Editorial Board ’ s four must-haves here .
2:45 p.m .
If we ’ re in hell , we might as well read Dante John Took ’ s new book Dante is very heavy lifting .
From the first sentence — ” Exemplary in respect of just about everything coming next on the banks of the Arno over the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de ’ Buondelmonti on the threshold of the thirteenth century.
” — it is a waist-deep slog through the muddiest of academic creeks .
Pressing forward , I grew to hate him .
Just for taking something so valuable and rendering it into turgid academic blather .
Grew to hate Princeton University Press for foisting this upon a trusting public .
Hate the scholars who blurbed it .
“ A beautiful book that reflects decades of thinking and teaching , ” begins literary critic Piero Boitani .
Maybe he meant the cover .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I grew to hate myself for buying the book , impulsively , because , heck , it has such a nice cover and it is about Dante .
For insisting on grimly , joylessly grinding through it , page after page , trying to glean some shred of knowledge from this field of chaff .
I blame my own cheapness .
I bought the thing , paid , geez , $ 35 for it .
I have to read it .
It grew to feel like penance , a hair shirt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ era during the realm of an imbecile ?
Here ’ s some grist for the mill , perfesser .
Chew on this !
8:43 a.m. Marlins outbreak sobering , scary for NFL teams on eve of camp On the eve of training camp , the NFL was visited Monday by its worst nightmare .
Dressed in Marlins blue and black , the Ghost of Coronavirus Yet to Come showed the worst-case scenario : a season on the brink of cancellation before it really gets started .
At least 13 Marlins players and coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to national reports .
It ’ s a full-blown outbreak , after only three games .
Major League Baseball postponed the Marlins ’ game Monday against the Orioles .
The Phillies-Yankees game also was called off because the Phillies had hosted the Marlins for three games .
Baseball will be play-the-Lotto lucky if that ’ s the only damage done .
A growing crisis would lead to the cancellation of the season .
Even in the best of circumstances , the virus presents a new reality that baseball must cope with every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woke up with a cough and nasal congestion Monday , went to a Cleveland hospital for tests and , out of caution , stayed away from the ballpark .
He reportedly tested negative for COVID-19 and is expected to be back with the team Tuesday .

Another 1,076 people have tested positive for COVID-19, health officials said Tuesday, marking a full week of four-digit daily caseloads.
There’s a lot more going on around the city and state when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what happened Tuesday.
News
8:55 p.m. Need some COVID-safe entertainment? Drive-in music festival coming to Soldier Field
Scott Stewart/Sun-Times
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of Chicago’s event curators to get much more creative when providing entertainment to the masses.
The Drive-In Fest, which is scheduled for Aug. 22 at Soldier Field (doors open at 6 p.m.), is the brainchild by five local Black promoters: Mike “Orie” Mosley (AFROTRAK); Ronald Platt, Bobby Burke, Charles Martin and Sigma Chris.
Concertgoers should expect feature performances from “a few of your favorite artists from the ’90s and early ’80s hip-hop/R&B era,” according to festival officials.
The festival lineup includes chart-topping singer-songwriter Lloyd, Pleasure P of R&B/hip-hop group Pretty Ricky, Atlanta-based singer Bobby V., and West Side hip-hop artists Do or Die.
Reporter Evan F. Moore has the full story.
8:08 p.m. Suburban districts flip-flop, nix in-person learning for fall after initially planning to reopen schools
School districts in some of Chicago’s largest suburbs had planned to kick off the fall with students back in classrooms at least part-time.
But with the start of school less than a month away and pressure mounting from anxious parents and teachers during a raging pandemic, some of those very districts have backtracked and will start the year fully remote.
Others plan to stick with a hybrid model to get students in school at least occasionally, and most districts, whether they’re planning to bring kids back on a limited basis or not at all, are pledging to improve the online learning experience from the end of last school year.
Online learning will include more live teaching sessions in Elgin Area School District U-46 schools, the second-largest district in the state after Chicago Public Schools. That includes teachers and students using a single digital platform and having teachers evaluate all student work to determine performance. The district’s decision to go fully remote came after it had initially been leaning toward a hybrid model.
Diana Martinez, 43, of Streamwood, will have children in kindergarten and high school at District U-46 schools this fall. Martinez, a single mother who lost two jobs due to the pandemic, said she had waited to find a new job until she knew her kids’ schedules. She even started training her younger son to get used to wearing a mask, in case his kindergarten class had an in-person component.
6:38 p.m. City will issue tickets for quarantine violations, ‘flagrant’ social activities spotted on social media
Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago’s public health commissioner, offering an update on coronavirus. File photo. Tyler LaRiviere / Sun-Times
Ticketing is coming for Chicagoans who travel to any of the 20-plus states subject to Chicago’s 14-day travel quarantine, Dr. Allison Arwady, the city’s health commissioner, said Tuesday. Previously the city has relied on voluntary compliance to the order.
Arwady told reporters on a conference call that tickets can be issued during course of an investigation into COVID spread. She also mentioned the possibility of fining city employees who may not have abided by quarantine.
Tickets also may result from “social media examples” where people are “flagrantly posting social activities,” Arwady said.
The additions to the order — Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska and North Dakota were all announced Tuesday — bring the tally to 22 states now covered. Under the order, people traveling or returning to Chicago from one of those states are required to isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
When the order, in effect indefinitely, was announced, the city had offered no details on exactly how it would be enforced. But under the order violators are subject to city fines of $100 to $500 per day, up to $7,000.
There are exemptions, such as travel for medical care, or for essential workers who are required to travel to Chicago from a covered state, or travel from Chicago to work in one of the covered states.
The rest of the list: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
Read the full report here for more.
3:15 p.m. They call themselves the ’Rona Quartet after the disease that has kept so many musicians apart
The music floats down a narrow, weedy gangway to a backyard on the North Side, where four French horn players sit, socially distanced, their instruments gleaming in the late-morning sunlight.
A cardinal somewhere up in the high branches of a huge silver maple adds its own accompaniment to the piece they’re playing, “Fripperies for Four Horns,” by Lowell Shaw. A middle-aged couple step out onto their deck overlooking the garden to listen.
“There are a lot of bees out here. What’s going on?” said Mary Jo Neher, swatting at the little insects buzzing around her ankles during a pause in the music.
It’s a small inconvenience for Neher, 42, and her fellow Chicago-area horn players, who are thrilled to be playing with other human beings after months of isolation at home.
“One of the things I’ve missed was the feeling of throwing my case on my back and going into the garage to go to work,” said Neher, a freelance musician. “There is so much in that moment: I have a purpose. I’m not just Mom, keeping everyone alive and teaching at home. I just yearn for that basic feeling.”
Read the full story from Stefano Esposito here.
2:15 p.m. MLB temporarily suspends Marlins’ 2020 season amid COVID-19 outbreak
The Miami Marlins’ season was suspended by Major League Baseball amid an outbreak of COVID-19 cases that resulted in 15 players and two staff members testing positive from Friday to Tuesday, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the decision.
The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because it has not been officially announced.
The action is a remarkable but pragmatic pause, sidelining one of the 30 MLB teams attempting to play a 60-game schedule through a pandemic, with one potential outcome being that the Marlins — and their upcoming opponents — may not play the season in full.
The Marlins’ outbreak had already resulted in a handful of postponements Monday and Tuesday: Two Marlins games against the Baltimore Orioles in Miami, and a pair of Phillies-New York Yankees games in Philadelphia, site of the Marlins’ three-game weekend series.
Now, the Marlins will have up to seven games to make up: Four against the Orioles and three against the Washington Nationals, their weekend opponents in Miami.
Read the full story from USA Today here.
1:55 p.m. State notches another four-digit COVID-19 caseload day, pushing total added over last seven days past 10,000
Another 1,076 people have tested positive for COVID-19, health officials said Tuesday, marking a full week of four-digit daily caseloads.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also announced an additional 30 deaths have been attributed to the virus, the most reported by the state in a single day in nearly three weeks.
The latest cases were confirmed among 28,331 tests received by the state, keeping the statewide testing positivity rate at 3.8% over the last week. But that number has climbed upward from 2.5% three weeks ago.
It’s all part of the gradual rise in cases over the last month that Gov. J.B. Pritzker has warned could lead to state interventions in areas where outbreaks have ticked upward.
Reporter Mitch Arementrout has the full story.
11:45 a.m. Andrea Bocelli recovered from COVID but says lockdown made him feel ‘humiliated’
ROME — Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who had COVID-19, said the pandemic lockdown made him feel “humiliated and offended” by depriving him of his freedom to come and go as he wanted.
Bocelli spoke at a panel Monday in an Italian Senate conference room, where he was introduced by right-wing opposition leader Matteo Salvini, who has railed against the government’s stringent measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
The singer’s announcement in May that he had recovered from the virus came weeks after his Easter Sunday performance in Milan’s empty cathedral. At the time, Bocelli said that when he learned on March 10 that he had tested positive, just as the nation was going into lockdown, “I jumped into the pool, I felt well” and had only a slight fever. He apparently was referring to a private pool at his residence, as public gym pools were closed by then.
Bocelli told the conference at the Senate that he resented not being able to leave his home even though he “committed no crime” and revealed, without providing details, that he violated that lockdown restriction.
Read the full story from the Associated Press here.
10:38 a.m. CPS parents — and teachers — bombard district officials with questions about classroom safety
The first of five community meetings hosted by Chicago Public Schools officials about a potential fall reopening featured hundreds of questions from parents and teachers, many of which were steeped in skepticism over whether in-classroom learning could be done safely in the middle of a pandemic.
Will there be more hand-washing stations at schools? What will happen when a student tests positive for COVID-19? Are teachers expected to move between “pods” of students? What type of instruction will students receive when they opt out of in-person learning?
Top CPS leadership, including CEO Janice Jackson, gave live answers to many questions — though they only got to a fraction in the 45 minutes set aside for a Q&A session, and there were many they couldn’t answer.
Responding to a question about potential cases at schools, CPS’ chief health officer Kenneth Fox said families will be expected to self-report to the district’s Office of Student Health and Wellness, providing their symptoms, noting when they first felt sick and other personal information.
The district would then gather information from that student’s school, such as which 15-student pod they were in, who else they had contact with and what part of the school they had been in. An entire pod would be sent home if one of its students tests positive, and anyone directly in contact with the positive case would be told to quarantine for 14 days.
Read the full story from Nader Issa here.
8:04 a.m. Lightfoot showcases $33 million in relief for renters and property owners
Three months after unveiling a non-binding “Housing Solidarity Pledge” that appeased no one, Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday showcased $33 million in relief for renters and property owners bankrolled by federal stimulus funds and local philanthropies.
Shortly after the stay-at-home shutdown triggered by the coronavirus, Lightfoot offered 2,000 Chicagoans struggling to stay in their homes grants of $1,000 apiece. The $2 million was nowhere near enough to meet the demand from 83,000 applicants.
Now, those who struck out in Round One will be “automatically transferred” to a $25 million Round 2, “more than ten times” the initial investment made by the Chicago Department of Housing There is no need to re-apply.
Together with $8 million from the Department of Family and Support Services, Chicago is dedicating $33 million to “eviction and foreclosure prevention,” officials said.
“Thanks to this investment, more Chicagoans will be able to stave off foreclosure, eviction and homelessness and the pain and insecurity that comes with it,” Lightfoot told a City Hall news conference.
Reporter Fran Spielman has the full story.
New cases
Orioles GM Mike Elias confirmed that Monday’s Orioles-Marlins game in Miami has been postponed after eight more Marlins players and two coaches tested positive for COVID-19. The Marlins now have a total of 14 cases in their clubhouse.
Illinois announced its sixth straight day of more than 1,200 new COVID-19 cases and a positivity rate that keeps creeping up.
Analysis & Commentary
6:13 p.m. I’m a teacher and parent. Our schools aren’t ready to reopen and keep children and families safe.
With the start of a typical school year right around the corner, discussions are taking place about what the eventual return will look like. As an educator and a mom, I am torn between options: Full remote learning to ensure that children and students stay healthy; or a hybrid, with some in-person instruction.
But two major questions loom in the minds of every educator and parent: Can our nation keep children and families healthy, even with limited classroom teaching? If remote learning continues, will students lose too much educationally?
As a former teacher in three Chicago public high schools on the South Side, I think the answer to the first question is a clear “No.” Our nation can’t keep our kids and their families healthy without strong federal leadership, which is needed to have any chance of slowing the spread of coronavirus.
A case in point: One of my grossest days in CPS was the time a student threw up in the library entryway. It was flu season and only two janitors were working that day, so it took around six hours for one of them to clean up the vomit. The student went to the nurse’s office, but she wasn’t at our school that day, so he returned, still sick, for his library lesson. Meanwhile, students and teachers continued to fill the room.
The custodian also found a dead mouse nearby.
Read the full opinion piece by Gina Caneva.
4:45 p.m. Four must-haves in Congress’ next pandemic rescue package
No sooner did professional baseball return last week, after months of planning to make the games safe during the pandemic, than the entire season was thrown into doubt when COVID-19 swept through the Miami Marlins.
There is a lesson in that not only for professional sports, which we’re really feeling the loss of right now, but also for lawmakers in Washington who are crafting a massive new pandemic relief bill:
All our man-made plans are doomed if designed for a wished-for world.
At the core of almost every disagreement between Democrats and Republicans about how big the federal relief bill should be — and what it should include — is a fundamentally different view about how long it will be before life in the United States can return to normal.
Democrats, listening to the scientists, think it could be many more months or even years. They are proposing a $3 trillion relief bill. Republicans are leaning hard into that wished-for world. They are pushing a $1 trillion bill.
With that in mind, here are four provisions of any relief bill we’d like to stress:
Read the CST Editorial Board’s four must-haves here.
2:45 p.m. If we’re in hell, we might as well read Dante
John Took’s new book Dante is very heavy lifting. From the first sentence — ”Exemplary in respect of just about everything coming next on the banks of the Arno over the next few decades was the case of Buondelmonte de’Buondelmonti on the threshold of the thirteenth century.” — it is a waist-deep slog through the muddiest of academic creeks.
Pressing forward, I grew to hate him. Just for taking something so valuable and rendering it into turgid academic blather. Grew to hate Princeton University Press for foisting this upon a trusting public. Hate the scholars who blurbed it. “A beautiful book that reflects decades of thinking and teaching,” begins literary critic Piero Boitani.
Maybe he meant the cover. It is indeed a beautiful cover.
And I grew to hate myself for buying the book, impulsively, because, heck, it has such a nice cover and it is about Dante. For insisting on grimly, joylessly grinding through it, page after page, trying to glean some shred of knowledge from this field of chaff. I blame my own cheapness. I bought the thing, paid, geez, $35 for it. I have to read it. It grew to feel like penance, a hair shirt. Enduring a homebound summer in a brainless era during the realm of an imbecile? Here’s some grist for the mill, perfesser. Chew on this!
Read Neil Steinberg’s full column here.
8:43 a.m. Marlins outbreak sobering, scary for NFL teams on eve of camp
On the eve of training camp, the NFL was visited Monday by its worst nightmare. Dressed in Marlins blue and black, the Ghost of Coronavirus Yet to Come showed the worst-case scenario: a season on the brink of cancellation before it really gets started.
At least 13 Marlins players and coaches have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to national reports. It’s a full-blown outbreak, after only three games.
Major League Baseball postponed the Marlins’ game Monday against the Orioles. The Phillies-Yankees game also was called off because the Phillies had hosted the Marlins for three games. Baseball will be play-the-Lotto lucky if that’s the only damage done. A growing crisis would lead to the cancellation of the season.
Even in the best of circumstances, the virus presents a new reality that baseball must cope with every day. White Sox manager Rick Renteria woke up with a cough and nasal congestion Monday, went to a Cleveland hospital for tests and, out of caution, stayed away from the ballpark. He reportedly tested negative for COVID-19 and is expected to be back with the team Tuesday.
Read Patrick Finley’s full analysis here.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-28--Man allegedly stabbed girlfriend to death after fighting over sharing cigarette, alcohol

A convicted felon with a history of domestic violence allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death with a kitchen knife after they fought over alcohol and a cigarette on the South Side over the weekend .
Surveillance cameras captured Julius Williams killing 36-year-old Enjoli Haymore after the on-and-off couple met at Metcalfe Park ’ s playground to drink alcohol Sunday , Cook County prosecutors said Tuesday .
Before the murder that took place between the park and the Bronzeville Classical Elementary School , Haymore ’ s friend had seen the couple “ bickering ” about sharing alcohol and a cigarette , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grab a six-pack of beer and came back to find Williams , 53 , and Haymore still arguing .
Williams eventually left after yelling at Haymore , but the friend stayed with her for a bit until they decided to leave for Haymore ’ s mother ’ s house a block away near 43rd and State streets , prosecutors said .
As they walked down the first block of West Root Street , Haymore and her friend noticed Williams walking toward them , prosecutors said .
The friend allegedly asked Haymore if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but she said “ no.
” So the friend continued walking while Haymore slowed down as if to speak to Williams , prosecutors said .
Seconds later , Haymore could be heard grunting as Williams allegedly stabbed her three times : once in her chest and twice in her abdomen .
Haymore ’ s friend tried to intervene , but Williams already had started walking away , prosecutors said .
The friend took a swing at Williams and tried to grab him , but Williams , still holding the knife , allegedly asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Haymore was unable to speak when her family rushed to the scene .
She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she died an hour later at 5:20 p.m. Sunday .
Williams was arrested within 15 minutes of the deadly stabbing a half mile away .
He was allegedly wearing the same distinctive blue checkered shirt captured on surveillance cameras .
A stain on his pants tested positive for blood , prosecutors said .
This was not the first time Williams was violent with Haymore , according to prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captured on surveillance cameras choking and repeatedly pushing her at the Metra Stoney Island station .
Williams was never charged because Haymore refused to sign complaints , prosecutors said .
Williams ’ extensive criminal record includes convictions for sexual assault , attempted murder , armed robbery , violating an order of protection and failure to register as a sex offender , prosecutors said .
He is expected back in court Aug. 17 .

A convicted felon with a history of domestic violence allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death with a kitchen knife after they fought over alcohol and a cigarette on the South Side over the weekend.
Surveillance cameras captured Julius Williams killing 36-year-old Enjoli Haymore after the on-and-off couple met at Metcalfe Park’s playground to drink alcohol Sunday, Cook County prosecutors said Tuesday.
Before the murder that took place between the park and the Bronzeville Classical Elementary School, Haymore’s friend had seen the couple “bickering” about sharing alcohol and a cigarette, prosecutors said. The friend left to grab a six-pack of beer and came back to find Williams, 53, and Haymore still arguing.
Julius Williams Chicago police mugshot
Williams eventually left after yelling at Haymore, but the friend stayed with her for a bit until they decided to leave for Haymore’s mother’s house a block away near 43rd and State streets, prosecutors said.
As they walked down the first block of West Root Street, Haymore and her friend noticed Williams walking toward them, prosecutors said.
The friend allegedly asked Haymore if he should “knock out” Williams, but she said “no.” So the friend continued walking while Haymore slowed down as if to speak to Williams, prosecutors said.
Seconds later, Haymore could be heard grunting as Williams allegedly stabbed her three times: once in her chest and twice in her abdomen.
Haymore’s friend tried to intervene, but Williams already had started walking away, prosecutors said. The friend took a swing at Williams and tried to grab him, but Williams, still holding the knife, allegedly asked if he “wanted some of this.”
Haymore was unable to speak when her family rushed to the scene. She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she died an hour later at 5:20 p.m. Sunday.
Williams was arrested within 15 minutes of the deadly stabbing a half mile away. He was allegedly wearing the same distinctive blue checkered shirt captured on surveillance cameras. A stain on his pants tested positive for blood, prosecutors said.
This was not the first time Williams was violent with Haymore, according to prosecutors. In November, he was allegedly captured on surveillance cameras choking and repeatedly pushing her at the Metra Stoney Island station. Williams was never charged because Haymore refused to sign complaints, prosecutors said.
Williams’ extensive criminal record includes convictions for sexual assault, attempted murder, armed robbery, violating an order of protection and failure to register as a sex offender, prosecutors said.
Judge Wesley Willis ordered Williams held without bail for Haymore’s murder.
He is expected back in court Aug. 17.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-28--Police seek vehicle in Little Village shooting

Police are asking the community for help finding the driver of a car in connection with a shooting last month @ @ @ @ @ inside the car fired shots about 2:10 p.m. June 21 at a man in another @ @ @ @ @ of South Ridgeway Avenue , Chicago police said .
The 26-year-old was struck in the @ @ @ @ @ Anthony ’ s Hospital , police said .
The car was described as a four-door @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Four detectives at @ @ @ @ @ crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Police are asking the community for help finding the driver of a car in connection with a shooting last month in Little Village.
Someone inside the car fired shots about 2:10 p.m. June 21 at a man in another vehicle in the 2600 block of South Ridgeway Avenue, Chicago police said.
The 26-year-old was struck in the head and taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital, police said.
The car was described as a four-door sedan, possibly a Hyundai, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Four detectives at 312-746-8253.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-28--Bears waive Tre Roberson

Bears waive Tre Roberson

The Bears waived cornerback Tre Roberson with a non-football injury Tuesday .
Sources said he was hurt while training in @ @ @ @ @ In January , the Bears signed Roberson , a one-time Illinois State quarterback who later @ @ @ @ @ emerged as a Canadian Football League standout .
An undrafted free agent with the Vikings @ @ @ @ @ two years with the Calgary Stampeders , where he posted 10 interceptions and 95 tackles @ @ @ @ @ Cup , the CFL ’ s equivalent of the Super Bowl , in 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ and drafted Jaylon Johnson to challenge for the starting job .
Johnson , a second-round @ @ @ @ @ the favorite .

The Bears waived cornerback Tre Roberson with a non-football injury Tuesday. Sources said he was hurt while training in anticipation of the season.
In January, the Bears signed Roberson, a onetime Illinois State quarterback who later switched positions, after he emerged as a Canadian Football League standout. An undrafted free agent with the Vikings in 2016, he spent two years with the Calgary Stampeders, for whom he posted 10 interceptions and 95 tackles. He won the Grey Cup, the CFL’s Super Bowl, in 2018.
The Bears later signed Artie Burns and drafted Jaylon Johnson to challenge for the starting job. Johnson, a second-round pick from Utah, is the favorite.
Time to talk
General manager Ryan Pace, coach Matt Nagy and head athletic trainer Andre Tucker will hold a news conference Wednesday via Zoom to discuss the start of training camp and the medical measures taken to try to ensure player safety. Tucker is the Bears’ Infection Control Officer.
Bears veterans, who are taking coronavirus tests and can participate in virtual meetings, will begin training camp with a strength and conditioning ramp-up. NFL teams are scheduled to begin practices Aug. 17.
Rodgers in blue?
In the first episode of the “10 questions with Kyle Brandt” podcast, which will run Aug. 12 but was teased Tuesday, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers sounded resigned to the fact he might not finish his career with the team. The Packers drafted Utah State quarterback Jordan Love in April.
Brandt, an NFL Network host and Stevenson High School alum, asked Rodgers how he’d look in a Bears uniform. Rodgers laughed.
“Oh, man,” Rodgers said. “That’s a tough thought right there, man.”
Former Bears to coach
Former Bears John Timu and Henry Burris joined the team as Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellows for training camp. Timu, who played for the Bears in 2015-17, will be a graduate assistant for defense. Burris — who played for the Bears in 2002 and became a first-ballot Canadian Football League Hall of Famer in 2020 — will be an analyst.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-28--Bottled Blonde surrenders licenses, closes for good

After years of legal fights , a notorious River North bar and restaurant has closed for good .
Bottled Blonde , 504 N. Wells St. , handed over its business licenses to the city on Monday , according to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection .
“ Yesterday , Bottled Blonde surrendered their business licenses , permanently closing the River North bar after a series of serious nuisance conditions dating back to 2017 , ” a spokesman for the city agency said in a written statement .
“ The establishment has a history of egregious license violations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urination , vomiting and other problematic conditions that have had a serious impact on neighbors and the surrounding community .
The city is pleased that yesterday ’ s action will end three years of legal proceedings with the permanent closure of this problem business.
” Bottled Blonde ’ s parent company did not respond to a request for comment .
In 2017 , the city moved to strip the Bottled Blonde of its liquor license after a host of alleged license violations and complaints from River North residents about loud music , unruly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The establishment was also criticized for implementing a strict dress code .
The city again tried to strip the liquor license in 2018 , but a Cook County judge granted an order then that allowed the Bottled Blonde to stay open .

After years of legal fights, a notorious River North bar and restaurant has closed for good.
Bottled Blonde, 504 N. Wells St., handed over its business licenses to the city on Monday, according to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
“Yesterday, Bottled Blonde surrendered their business licenses, permanently closing the River North bar after a series of serious nuisance conditions dating back to 2017,” a spokesman for the city agency said in a written statement. “The establishment has a history of egregious license violations, including over-occupancy, noise violations, public urination, vomiting and other problematic conditions that have had a serious impact on neighbors and the surrounding community. The city is pleased that yesterday’s action will end three years of legal proceedings with the permanent closure of this problem business.”
Bottled Blonde’s parent company did not respond to a request for comment.
In 2017, the city moved to strip the Bottled Blonde of its liquor license after a host of alleged license violations and complaints from River North residents about loud music, unruly patrons and public urination and vomiting. The establishment was also criticized for implementing a strict dress code.
The city again tried to strip the liquor license in 2018, but a Cook County judge granted an order then that allowed the Bottled Blonde to stay open.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-28--Lloyd, Bobby V., Do Or Die to headline drive-in music festival at Soldier Field

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of Chicago ’ s event curators to get much more creative when providing entertainment to the masses .
The Drive-In Fest , which is scheduled for Aug. 22 at Soldier Field ( doors open at 6 p.m. ) , is the brainchild by five local Black promoters : Mike “ Orie ” Mosley ( AFROTRAK ) ; Ronald Platt , Bobby Burke , Charles Martin and Sigma Chris .
Concertgoers should expect feature performances from “ a few of your favorite artists from the ’ 90s and early ’ 80s hip-hop/R & B era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The festival lineup includes chart-topping singer-songwriter Lloyd , Pleasure P of R & B/hip-hop group Pretty Ricky , Atlanta-based singer Bobby V. , and West Side hip-hop artists Do or Die .
As for keeping the artists — and the concertgoers safe — the event plans to adhere to social distancing guidelines by requiring those folks to park their vehicles ( car admission ticket allows up to four guests per ticket ) one space apart .
Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed .
No coolers , umbrellas , tents , grills other furniture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim to provide eats for sale via food trucks , with the goal of pumping revenue back into local restaurants .
“ Chicago , unlike many of the other major cities across the nation , has a much smaller window of warmer weather , ” said Mosley in a statement .
“ While it ’ s very important for us to continue to take safety precautions , we also realize that once this window is gone and fall comes , the weather might possibly make it even harder for everyone to gather .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer alternative.
” Tickets ( starting at $ 210 for up to four occupants ) for the Drive-In Fest can be purchased at Ticketmaster .
Vehicles will be charged and additional $ 55 for more than four occupants .

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of Chicago’s event curators to get much more creative when providing entertainment to the masses.
The Drive-In Fest, which is scheduled for Aug. 22 at Soldier Field (doors open at 6 p.m.), is the brainchild by five local Black promoters: Mike “Orie” Mosley (AFROTRAK); Ronald Platt, Bobby Burke, Charles Martin and Sigma Chris.
Concertgoers should expect feature performances from “a few of your favorite artists from the ’90s and early ’80s hip-hop/R&B era,” according to festival officials.
The festival lineup includes chart-topping singer-songwriter Lloyd, Pleasure P of R&B/hip-hop group Pretty Ricky, Atlanta-based singer Bobby V., and West Side hip-hop artists Do or Die.
CHICAGO! I’m coming to your city next month, August 22, for a live drive-in show at Soldier Field! Tickets are on sale NOW at https://t.co/DIIvzAFd5e. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/haiLxAjet4 — Lloyd (@Lloyd_YG) July 14, 2020
As for keeping the artists — and the concertgoers safe — the event plans to adhere to social distancing guidelines by requiring those folks to park their vehicles (car admission ticket allows up to four guests per ticket) one space apart. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed. No coolers, umbrellas, tents, grills other furniture will be permitted.
The event organizers aim to provide eats for sale via food trucks, with the goal of pumping revenue back into local restaurants.
“Chicago, unlike many of the other major cities across the nation, has a much smaller window of warmer weather,” said Mosley in a statement. “While it’s very important for us to continue to take safety precautions, we also realize that once this window is gone and fall comes, the weather might possibly make it even harder for everyone to gather. The drive-in concept provides this safe, summer alternative.”
Tickets (starting at $210 for up to four occupants) for the Drive-In Fest can be purchased at Ticketmaster. Vehicles will be charged and additional $55 for more than four occupants.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Dear Abby: Husband spends hours online with a woman — his second cousin

DEAR ABBY : Three months ago , my husband ran into a second cousin he hadn ’ t seen in 40 years .
They were close for a short time during high school and saw each other a couple times after that .
I was not aware until recently that he had looked her up on social media and has been communicating with her every day since then .
I didn ’ t think much of it when he did tell me — until one night when he stayed on the computer with her until 3 a.m .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times he has been online with her and , if she calls or texts , he tells me it is someone else .
She sent him pictures — which I saw — yet he denied receiving them .
One time he forgot to sign off on a message he sent and , of course , I read it .
To my shock , he was confiding a lot of things he has done while married to me that I was unaware of .
It hurt me deeply , and I told him so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When I called him a couple of times at night , he claimed he didn ’ t pick up because he was “ tired.
” I found out later he was on the computer with her .
I have asked him more than once why this relationship is so private , and he says they are just friends .
But when I asked to see some of the things he has written to her , he refused to show me .
I said fine , then I will ask HER .
Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told him it hurts me that he spends so much time with her in the evening , he didn ’ t give an answer .
Am I overreacting ?
If so , can you please tell me how to settle down and deal with what is happening ?
— COUSIN TROUBLE IN THE MIDWEST DEAR COUSIN TROUBLE : You are not overreacting .
It ’ s time to do what you said you were going to do — call the woman and ask her what has been going on .
After she fills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still want to be married to a man who has cheated on you emotionally and probably physically .
If you feel there is any hope of saving your marriage , offer your husband the option of seeing a marriage and family therapist together .
However , knowing he has no compunction about lying to you or any respect for your feelings , you might prefer to simply consult a lawyer about what your next steps should be .
DEAR ABBY : I am an 18-year-old woman .
My parents are divorced .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun and I owe no explanations to anyone .
My mother , on the other hand , is very strict .
I respect her wishes and don ’ t do what most people my age would do .
I try to be very careful with what I say in any conversation with her , but it always ends up with her very angry toward me .
I want to live my life or at least try to .
What do I do ?
— CLUELESS TEEN IN TEXAS DEAR TEEN : An 18-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But people of every age are having to hunker down and curtail their social activities these days because their lives could depend on it .
And as to owing no explanations to anyone , until you are self-supporting and on your own , you WILL have to be accountable .
Your mother may be feeling insecure because her daughter is now a young adult rather than her little girl who needs protecting .
She may also be reacting to the “ advice ” your dad is doling out .
You are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your mother ’ s anger during those conversations and find a happy medium .
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 order “ How to Write Letters for All Occasions , ” send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: Three months ago, my husband ran into a second cousin he hadn’t seen in 40 years. They were close for a short time during high school and saw each other a couple times after that.
I was not aware until recently that he had looked her up on social media and has been communicating with her every day since then. I didn’t think much of it when he did tell me — until one night when he stayed on the computer with her until 3 a.m.
He has lied to me about the number of times he has been online with her and, if she calls or texts, he tells me it is someone else. She sent him pictures — which I saw — yet he denied receiving them. One time he forgot to sign off on a message he sent and, of course, I read it. To my shock, he was confiding a lot of things he has done while married to me that I was unaware of. It hurt me deeply, and I told him so.
Recently I was in the hospital. When I called him a couple of times at night, he claimed he didn’t pick up because he was “tired.” I found out later he was on the computer with her.
I have asked him more than once why this relationship is so private, and he says they are just friends. But when I asked to see some of the things he has written to her, he refused to show me. I said fine, then I will ask HER. Well, he blew up!
When I told him it hurts me that he spends so much time with her in the evening, he didn’t give an answer. Am I overreacting? If so, can you please tell me how to settle down and deal with what is happening? — COUSIN TROUBLE IN THE MIDWEST
DEAR COUSIN TROUBLE: You are not overreacting. It’s time to do what you said you were going to do — call the woman and ask her what has been going on. After she fills you in, ask yourself if you still want to be married to a man who has cheated on you emotionally and probably physically.
If you feel there is any hope of saving your marriage, offer your husband the option of seeing a marriage and family therapist together. However, knowing he has no compunction about lying to you or any respect for your feelings, you might prefer to simply consult a lawyer about what your next steps should be.
DEAR ABBY: I am an 18-year-old woman. My parents are divorced. My father says I should be out having fun and I owe no explanations to anyone. My mother, on the other hand, is very strict. I respect her wishes and don’t do what most people my age would do. I try to be very careful with what I say in any conversation with her, but it always ends up with her very angry toward me. I want to live my life or at least try to. What do I do? — CLUELESS TEEN IN TEXAS
DEAR TEEN: An 18-year-old should be carefree and engaged in self-discovery. But people of every age are having to hunker down and curtail their social activities these days because their lives could depend on it. And as to owing no explanations to anyone, until you are self-supporting and on your own, you WILL have to be accountable.
Your mother may be feeling insecure because her daughter is now a young adult rather than her little girl who needs protecting. She may also be reacting to the “advice” your dad is doling out. You are going to have to figure out what triggers your mother’s anger during those conversations and find a happy medium.
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 order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Fast food restaurants robbed at gunpoint on the Northwest Side

Two fast food restaurants were robbed at gunpoint in July in Northwest Side neighborhoods , according to Chicago police .
@ @ @ @ @ into the restaurant , implied they were armed or flashed a gun , and demanded @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The robberies happened about 8:50 p.m. July 24 in the 3500 block @ @ @ @ @ about 7:45 p.m. July 27 in the 4000 block of North Narragansett Avenue , police @ @ @ @ @ is asked to contact Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394 .

Two fast food restaurants were robbed at gunpoint in July in Northwest Side neighborhoods, according to Chicago police.
In each incident someone walked into the restaurant, implied they were armed or flashed a gun, and demanded money from the register, police said.
The robberies happened about 8:50 p.m. July 24 in the 3500 block of North Cicero Avenue and about 7:45 p.m. July 27 in the 4000 block of North Narragansett Avenue, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--‘The Big Ugly’: Great cast stirs up some West Virginia mountain mayhem

The British footballer turned action star Vinnie Jones is featured most prominently on the poster for the modern-day Western “ The Big Ugly , ” and his mob enforcer Neelyn is the narrator and driving force for the story , but I was more intrigued by the supporting players , a colorful array of wrong-side-of-the-law types including : • Ron Perlman ’ s Preston , a West Virginia oil man/crime boss with a strict ethical code when it comes to respecting the sanctity of the land .
• Bruce McGill ’ s Milt , Preston ’ s loyal consigliere and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preston and will do his bidding , no questions asked .
• Brandon Sklenar ’ s Junior , a hybrid of two of Don Corleone ’ s sons from “ The Godfather.
” Junior has the volatile temper and violent streak of Sonny — but he ’ s as weak and sniveling as Fredo .
• Nicholas Braun ’ s Will , a recovering alcoholic who works for Preston and runs around with Junior , trying to keep him out of trouble , and Leven Rambin ’ s Kara , a tough but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery meeting and has fallen in love with him .
• Malcolm McDowell ’ s Harris , a London crime boss who forged an unlikely bond with Preston many years ago .
Throw ’ em all together and what do you get ?
“ The Big Ugly ” ( so named for a jagged tributary of the Guyandotte River ) , a wildly entertaining , over-the-top , blood-soaked , noir-Western from director/co-writer Scott Wiper that ’ s filled with stunning visuals of the breathtaking and sometimes foreboding countryside ( with Morehead , Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and searing performances from the ensemble cast .
“ The Big Ugly ” kicks off with Jones ’ Neelyn , the longtime muscle for McDowell ’ s upscale crime lord Harris , running through the woods and trying to dodge gunfire while voicing grave narration about how he “ didn ’ t come here to West Virginia for God , ” which seems pretty obvious given he ’ s a mob enforcer and he ’ s in the middle of a gunfight .
Flashback to a few days earlier , as Preston awaits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris and Neelyn and their respective companions : Jackie ( Elyse Levesque ) , a high-end sex worker on a permanent retainer with Harris , and Fiona ( Lenora Crichlow ) , Neelyn ’ s longtime girlfriend .
( I guess the fellas thought it would be a peachy idea to take the gals on a glamorous vacation trip from London to … Appalachia ? )
Preston needs financing for his sprawling and very illegal drilling project ; Harris is looking to launder some 25 million quid .
It ’ s a win-win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rules the region with an iron fist , but he ’ s no stereotypical Western villain .
He doesn ’ t frack , he takes care of the local mountain folk by providing them with food and jobs , and he doesn ’ t have any use for good ol ’ boys displaying a Confederate flag from their pickup truck , telling them the flag is a tribute to men “ who ripped our nation apart until finally [ they just ] quit .
They gave up .
They lost .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , go win something .
Riding around with this just says , ‘ Hey , I ’ m a f -- -ing loser.
’ ” After Preston and Harris consummate the deal , a night of wild celebration ensues .
( “ Only you could get 86 ’ d from a bar called the f -- -- -- Eighty Six !
” Harris exclaims to Neelyn after a barroom brawl . )
Things really go sideways after Neelyn passes out and the troublemaking Junior invites Neelyn ’ s girlfriend Fiona to have one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after , and Fiona has gone missing , and her story will not have a happy ending .
At that point “ The Big Ugly ” becomes a revenge thriller , with the headstrong Neelyn ignoring orders from Harris to return home while vowing to end Junior , who is almost certainly responsible for Fiona ’ s disappearance .
With power rock such as “ Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress ” blasting on the soundtrack , “ The Big Ugly ” introduces a number of subplots , from the romance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving Preston ’ s beloved wife and how she was killed , to a seemingly peripheral character who is bound to resurface at a key moment in the story , or else why would we be introduced to him in the first place ?
Jones is rock-solid as Neelyn , an anti-hero who is at the point in his “ career ” where he ’ s not going to win a fight against a much younger tough guy unless he finds a handy rock at just the right time .
Brandon Sklenar gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fantastic as a monster cloaked in a James Dean persona .
Best of all , “ The Big Ugly ” gives us 70-year-old Ron Perlman and 77-year-old Malcolm McDowell playing two very different sides of the same coin , who respect the hell out of one another but understand the rules of the game they ’ ve chosen to play , and find themselves sitting across from one another , each with a glass of something strong , each with a gun .

The British footballer turned action star Vinnie Jones is featured most prominently on the poster for the modern-day Western “The Big Ugly,” and his mob enforcer Neelyn is the narrator and driving force for the story, but I was more intrigued by the supporting players, a colorful array of wrong-side-of-the-law types including:
• Ron Perlman’s Preston, a West Virginia oil man/crime boss with a strict ethical code when it comes to respecting the sanctity of the land.
• Bruce McGill’s Milt, Preston’s loyal consigliere and gunman, who owes his life to Preston and will do his bidding, no questions asked.
‘The Big Ugly’
Untitled Vertical Entertainment presents a film written and directed by Scott Wiper. Rated R (for violence, language throughout, some sexual content and brief drug use). Running time: 105 minutes. Opens Friday at iPic South Barrington and iPic Bolingbrook, and on demand.
• Brandon Sklenar’s Junior, a hybrid of two of Don Corleone’s sons from “The Godfather.” Junior has the volatile temper and violent streak of Sonny — but he’s as weak and sniveling as Fredo.
• Nicholas Braun’s Will, a recovering alcoholic who works for Preston and runs around with Junior, trying to keep him out of trouble, and Leven Rambin’s Kara, a tough but tender bartender who met Will in a recovery meeting and has fallen in love with him.
• Malcolm McDowell’s Harris, a London crime boss who forged an unlikely bond with Preston many years ago.
Throw ’em all together and what do you get? “The Big Ugly” (so named for a jagged tributary of the Guyandotte River), a wildly entertaining, over-the-top, blood-soaked, noir-Western from director/co-writer Scott Wiper that’s filled with stunning visuals of the breathtaking and sometimes foreboding countryside (with Morehead, Kentucky, standing in for West Virginia) and searing performances from the ensemble cast.
“The Big Ugly” kicks off with Jones’ Neelyn, the longtime muscle for McDowell’s upscale crime lord Harris, running through the woods and trying to dodge gunfire while voicing grave narration about how he “didn’t come here to West Virginia for God,” which seems pretty obvious given he’s a mob enforcer and he’s in the middle of a gunfight.
Flashback to a few days earlier, as Preston awaits the arrival of a private jet carrying Harris and Neelyn and their respective companions: Jackie (Elyse Levesque), a high-end sex worker on a permanent retainer with Harris, and Fiona (Lenora Crichlow), Neelyn’s longtime girlfriend. (I guess the fellas thought it would be a peachy idea to take the gals on a glamorous vacation trip from London to … Appalachia?)
Preston needs financing for his sprawling and very illegal drilling project; Harris is looking to launder some 25 million quid. It’s a win-win! Preston wears an oversized cowboy hat and rules the region with an iron fist, but he’s no stereotypical Western villain. He doesn’t frack, he takes care of the local mountain folk by providing them with food and jobs, and he doesn’t have any use for good ol’ boys displaying a Confederate flag from their pickup truck, telling them the flag is a tribute to men “who ripped our nation apart until finally [they just] quit. They gave up. They lost. You want to fly a flag, hey, go win something. Riding around with this just says, ‘Hey, I’m a f---ing loser.’ ”
After Preston and Harris consummate the deal, a night of wild celebration ensues. (“Only you could get 86’d from a bar called the f------ Eighty Six!” Harris exclaims to Neelyn after a barroom brawl.) Things really go sideways after Neelyn passes out and the troublemaking Junior invites Neelyn’s girlfriend Fiona to have one more drink. Cut to the morning after, and Fiona has gone missing, and her story will not have a happy ending.
At that point “The Big Ugly” becomes a revenge thriller, with the headstrong Neelyn ignoring orders from Harris to return home while vowing to end Junior, who is almost certainly responsible for Fiona’s disappearance. With power rock such as “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” blasting on the soundtrack, “The Big Ugly” introduces a number of subplots, from the romance of Will and Kara; to a backstory involving Preston’s beloved wife and how she was killed, to a seemingly peripheral character who is bound to resurface at a key moment in the story, or else why would we be introduced to him in the first place?
Jones is rock-solid as Neelyn, an anti-hero who is at the point in his “career” where he’s not going to win a fight against a much younger tough guy unless he finds a handy rock at just the right time. Brandon Sklenar gives a screen-popping performance as Junior; he’s fantastic as a monster cloaked in a James Dean persona. Best of all, “The Big Ugly” gives us 70-year-old Ron Perlman and 77-year-old Malcolm McDowell playing two very different sides of the same coin, who respect the hell out of one another but understand the rules of the game they’ve chosen to play, and find themselves sitting across from one another, each with a glass of something strong, each with a gun.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--11 shot, 2 fatally, Tuesday in Chicago

11 shot, 2 fatally, Tuesday in Chicago

Eleven people were shot , two of them fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
Two shootings early Tuesday in West Garfield Park left two men dead and another wounded , according to police .
The first fatal shooting happened about 3:40 a.m. in the 4700 block of West Arthington Street , Chicago police .
A man , 31 , was found inside a vehicle in the with gunshot wounds to his body , police said .
He died at the scene .
His name has not been released by the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office .
Minutes later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed one man and left another wounded .
About 4 a.m. , officers found a 33-year-old with gunshot wounds to his chest , arm and ear in the 4500 block of West Van Buren Street , police said .
He was taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead , police said .
The medical examiner ’ s office identified him as Dante A. Morris , of west suburban Maywood .
Another man on the same block , a 37-year-old , was struck in his legs , abdomen and lower back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4500 block of West Congress Parkway , where a friend found him and took him to Stroger Hospital .
He was listed in fair condition .
No arrests have been made in either shooting .
It was unclear if the shootings were related .
In non-fatal shootings , a 20-year-old man was critically wounded in a drive-by in Fuller Park on the South Side .
About 11:35 p.m. , he was in the backseat of a vehicle in the 4200 block of South Wells Street when someone inside a red-colored sedan fired shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was struck in the head and taken to St. Bernard Hospital in critical condition , police said .
Minutes prior , a teenage boy was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
The 14-year-old was with a group of people in the backyard of a home in the 200 block of East Kensington Avenue , police said .
Someone in a black sedan drove by just before 11:30 p.m. and opened fire , striking the boy in the leg .
The boy ’ s family drove him to Franciscan Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
He was in fair condition .
Another 14-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was shot multiple times in Englewood on the South Side .
He was on the street about 8:45 p.m. in the 900 block of West Marquette Road when someone came up and fired shots , police said .
The teen was struck multiple times and taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in critical condition .
A man was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
He was in an alley about 5:48 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 120th Street when someone fired shots , striking him in the leg and back , police said .
The 54-year-old ran to a nearby apartment and was later taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , police said .
His condition was not immediately known .
That afternoon , a woman was shot in South Shore .
She was standing outside about 12:32 p.m. in the 7600 block of South Phillips Avenue when she heard shots and saw two males flee in a vehicle , police said .
The 25-year-old was struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition , police said .
A 29-year-old man was shot while he was riding his bike in Chatham on the South Side .
About 2:35 a.m. he was riding his bike in the 8200 block of South King Drive when he was shot in the neck , police said .
He was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition .
About 15 minutes prior , a 26-year-old man was shot in Back of the Yards on the South Side .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block of South Hoyne Avenue when someone walked up to him and opened fire , police said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center with gunshot wounds to his arm and leg , police said .
He is in fair condition .
The day ’ s first reported shooting left a 61-year-old man in serious condition after he was shot in Fernwood on the Far South Side .
About 12:10 a.m. , he was walking in the 10200 block of South Normal Avenue when he heard shots and felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition .
Twenty-two people were shot , two fatally , Monday in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Eleven people were shot, two of them fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
Two shootings early Tuesday in West Garfield Park left two men dead and another wounded, according to police.
The first fatal shooting happened about 3:40 a.m. in the 4700 block of West Arthington Street, Chicago police.
A man, 31, was found inside a vehicle in the with gunshot wounds to his body, police said. He died at the scene.
His name has not been released by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Minutes later and just blocks away, another shooting killed one man and left another wounded.
About 4 a.m., officers found a 33-year-old with gunshot wounds to his chest, arm and ear in the 4500 block of West Van Buren Street, police said.
He was taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. The medical examiner’s office identified him as Dante A. Morris, of west suburban Maywood.
Another man on the same block, a 37-year-old, was struck in his legs, abdomen and lower back, police said. He ran to the 4500 block of West Congress Parkway, where a friend found him and took him to Stroger Hospital. He was listed in fair condition.
No arrests have been made in either shooting. It was unclear if the shootings were related.
In non-fatal shootings, a 20-year-old man was critically wounded in a drive-by in Fuller Park on the South Side.
About 11:35 p.m., he was in the backseat of a vehicle in the 4200 block of South Wells Street when someone inside a red-colored sedan fired shots at him, police said.
He was struck in the head and taken to St. Bernard Hospital in critical condition, police said.
Minutes prior, a teenage boy was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
The 14-year-old was with a group of people in the backyard of a home in the 200 block of East Kensington Avenue, police said. Someone in a black sedan drove by just before 11:30 p.m. and opened fire, striking the boy in the leg.
The boy’s family drove him to Franciscan Health hospital in Hammond, Indiana, police said. He was in fair condition.
Another 14-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was shot multiple times in Englewood on the South Side.
He was on the street about 8:45 p.m. in the 900 block of West Marquette Road when someone came up and fired shots, police said. The teen was struck multiple times and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
A man was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
He was in an alley about 5:48 p.m. in the 400 block of West 120th Street when someone fired shots, striking him in the leg and back, police said.
The 54-year-old ran to a nearby apartment and was later taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, police said. His condition was not immediately known.
That afternoon, a woman was shot in South Shore.
She was standing outside about 12:32 p.m. in the 7600 block of South Phillips Avenue when she heard shots and saw two males flee in a vehicle, police said.
The 25-year-old was struck in the leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition, police said.
A 29-year-old man was shot while he was riding his bike in Chatham on the South Side.
About 2:35 a.m. he was riding his bike in the 8200 block of South King Drive when he was shot in the neck, police said. He was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
About 15 minutes prior, a 26-year-old man was shot in Back of the Yards on the South Side.
He was walking about 2:20 a.m. in the 5200 block of South Hoyne Avenue when someone walked up to him and opened fire, police said.
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center with gunshot wounds to his arm and leg, police said. He is in fair condition.
The day’s first reported shooting left a 61-year-old man in serious condition after he was shot in Fernwood on the Far South Side.
About 12:10 a.m., he was walking in the 10200 block of South Normal Avenue when he heard shots and felt a pain, police said. He was rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition.
Twenty-two people were shot, two fatally, Monday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--NFL Network names Bears’ Khalil Mack 19th-best player

One year after being named the third-best player in the league by the NFL Network , Bears star Khalil Mack @ @ @ @ @ 19 for 2020 .
Mack is coming off a disappointing second year with the Bears @ @ @ @ @ totaled 8 ½ sacks over 16 games .
The star outside linebacker had 12 ½ @ @ @ @ @ any Bears player not named Richard Dent , in his first season with the team @ @ @ @ @ is voted upon by anonymous players .
The top 10 , which doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ , will be named Wednesday .
Bears receiver Allen Robinson was ranked No .
93 @ @ @ @ @ veterans began their coronavirus testing this week .
Following a strength and conditioning ramp-up period @ @ @ @ @ to begin practicing at Halas Hall on Aug. 17 .
To get Mack , the @ @ @ @ @ picks , including two first-rounders , to the Raiders on the eve of the 2018 @ @

One year after being named the third-best player in the league by the NFL Network, Bears star Khalil Mack was downgraded to No. 19 for 2020.
Mack is coming off a disappointing second year with the Bears, one in which he totaled 8 ½ sacks over 16 games. The star outside linebacker had 12 ½ sacks, the most for any Bears player not named Richard Dent, in his first season with the team.
The NFL Network list is voted upon by anonymous players. The top 10, which doesn’t include a single edge rusher, will be named Wednesday.
Bears receiver Allen Robinson was ranked No. 93 earlier this week.
The sack master in Chi-town lands at 19!@ChicagoBears LB @FiftyDeuce lands in the top 20 once again. pic.twitter.com/xZp4YE6Crs — NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 29, 2020
Bears veterans began their coronavirus testing this week. Following a strength and conditioning ramp-up period, the Bears are slated to begin practicing at Halas Hall on Aug. 17.
To get Mack, the Bears sent a package of picks, including two first-rounders, to the Raiders on the eve of the 2018 season.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Person stabbed outside Swissotel in the Loop

A person was stabbed Wednesday outside the Swissotel in the Loop .
Two groups of males started arguing about 2:50 @ @ @ @ @ the 300 block of East Wacker Drive , Chicago police said .
One person pulled @ @ @ @ @ another male in the abdomen .
The male was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital , @ @ @ @ @ was unknown .
Police sources said the stabbing happened outside Swissotel Chicago , 323 E. @ @ @ @ @ in custody as Area Three detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track @ @ @ @ @ .

A 19-year-old man was stabbed during a fight early Wednesday outside a hotel in the Loop.
About 2:50 a.m., two groups of males started arguing in the 300 block of East Wacker Drive, Chicago police said. A police source said it was outside the Swissotel Chicago, 323 E. Wacker Dr.
After someone threw a punch, a suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the 19-year-old in the chest, police said. He was taken in serious condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
No one has been made. Police said they are looking for three suspects.
In June, the Swissotel was the site of another stabbing that seriously wounded a woman.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--14-year-old boy shot in West Pullman

14-year-old boy shot in West Pullman

A teenage boy was shot Tuesday in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
The 14-year-old was with a @ @ @ @ @ backyard of a home in the 200 block of East Kensington Avenue , Chicago police @ @ @ @ @ black sedan drove by just before 11:30 p.m. and opened fire , striking the boy @ @ @ @ @ boy ’ s family drove him to Franciscan Health hospital in Hammond , Indiana , @ @ @ @ @ in fair condition .
No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate .
@ @ @ @ @ 14-year-old boy was shot in Englewood .
Read more on crime , and track the @ @ @ @ @

A teenage boy was shot Tuesday in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
The 14-year-old was with a group of people in the backyard of a home in the 200 block of East Kensington Avenue, Chicago police said. Someone in a black sedan drove by just before 11:30 p.m. and opened fire, striking the boy in the leg.
The boy’s family drove him to Franciscan Health hospital in Hammond, Indiana, police said. He was in fair condition.
No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.
Earlier Tuesday evening, another 14-year-old boy was shot in Englewood.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Armed robberies reported in Englewood: police

Chicago police are warning Englewood residents about a recent string of armed robberies reported in the South Side neighborhood .
@ @ @ @ @ approached the victim , pulled out a weapon and stole their property , Chicago police @ @ @ @ @ a.m. July 16 in the 5700 block of South Elizabeth Street ; • About 1 @ @ @ @ @ 5700 block of South Racine Avenue ; and • About 6:35 a.m. July 26 in @ @ @ @ @ Racine Avenue .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8382 @ @ @ @ @ , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Chicago police are warning Englewood residents about a recent string of armed robberies reported in the South Side neighborhood.
In each incident, someone approached the victim, pulled out a weapon and stole their property, Chicago police said.
The robberies happened:
About 9:50 a.m. July 16 in the 5700 block of South Elizabeth Street;
About 1 p.m. July 21 in the 5700 block of South Racine Avenue; and
About 6:35 a.m. July 26 in the 5600 block of South Racine Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8382.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-28--Horoscope for Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Horoscope for Wednesday, July 29, 2020

After 3 a.m. Chicago time , there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Sagittarius .
A lovely day !
You are blessed because the sun is in your fellow fire sign of Leo , and the moon is in your fellow fire sign of Sagittarius .
A double whammy !
This is why you ’ re eager to explore more of your world and grateful to meet interesting people .
Financial matters will favor you , or they will favor home , family and your personal world .
These benefits might come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wealth and resources of a close friend or your partner .
Ka-ching !
This is a busy , social time !
Fortunately , with fair Venus in your sign , you are charming and diplomatic with everyone .
You will find it enjoyable to deal with others and will happily go more than halfway to help get things done .
This is a positive day at work for you .
You might teach something or explain something to someone .
Very likely , your efforts related to your job or your health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earnings or your assets .
Wunderbar !
This is a lovely day !
The sun is in your sign .
The moon is in your fellow fire sign of Sagittarius ; and Mars is in your fellow fire sign of Aries !
This is a supportive triangle that will boost your energy and increase your optimism and belief in your future .
Family discussions will go well today .
However , some of you will choose to cocoon at home alone and luxuriate in the privacy of familiar surroundings .
Either way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for you .
Do what you can to keep it that way .
You will enjoy communicating with others because you feel upbeat and happy today !
It ’ s a lovely day to intermingle with friends either in person or through technology .
Likewise , you might interact with groups in the same way .
Someone might encourage you to go after a lofty goal !
Today you feel encouraged about your financial situation because you see that someone in power ( perhaps a boss , parent or VIP ) will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up doors that can lead to a better job .
Something positive is waiting for you down the road .
This is a strong , positive day for you , even though you might feel a bit emotionally all over the map because the moon is in your sign .
Nevertheless , fiery Mars in Aries is supportive to you ; and the sun in Leo is supportive to you because they are both in your fellow fire signs .
A winning combo for you !
Today you might prefer to work alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will feel content and happy .
This is the perfect day to seek out solitude in beautiful surroundings .
You need this because the increased chaos and activity at home is a lot to deal with .
Your interaction with a female friend or acquaintance will be important to you today .
This person might encourage you to go after your goals .
Sometimes that ’ s all we need —someone else to believe in us .
We know what we want to achieve , but we sometimes doubt our dreams .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good thing because “ you look mahvellous dahling , mahvellous !
” With such great optics , now is the time to make your pitch !
Ya think ?
If Your Birthday Is Today Actor Stephen Dorff ( 1973 ) shares your birthday .
You are creative inventive and bold .
You are also idealistic .
It ’ s encouraging to see that your hard work will start to pay off this year !
Channel your energy and focus on building solid foundations now and for the future .
Work with purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is why you might want to explore something physical that you enjoy doing .

Moon Alert
After 3 a.m. Chicago time, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Sagittarius.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
A lovely day! You are blessed because the sun is in your fellow fire sign of Leo, and the moon is in your fellow fire sign of Sagittarius. A double whammy! This is why you’re eager to explore more of your world and grateful to meet interesting people.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Financial matters will favor you, or they will favor home, family and your personal world. These benefits might come from the government, a third party or the wealth and resources of a close friend or your partner. Ka-ching!
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
This is a busy, social time! Fortunately, with fair Venus in your sign, you are charming and diplomatic with everyone. You will find it enjoyable to deal with others and will happily go more than halfway to help get things done.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
This is a positive day at work for you. You might teach something or explain something to someone. Very likely, your efforts related to your job or your health will have an indirect benefit to your earnings or your assets. Wunderbar!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
This is a lovely day! The sun is in your sign. The moon is in your fellow fire sign of Sagittarius; and Mars is in your fellow fire sign of Aries! This is a supportive triangle that will boost your energy and increase your optimism and belief in your future.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Family discussions will go well today. However, some of you will choose to cocoon at home alone and luxuriate in the privacy of familiar surroundings. Either way, this is a gentle, peace-loving day for you. Do what you can to keep it that way.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
You will enjoy communicating with others because you feel upbeat and happy today! It’s a lovely day to intermingle with friends either in person or through technology. Likewise, you might interact with groups in the same way. Someone might encourage you to go after a lofty goal!
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today you feel encouraged about your financial situation because you see that someone in power (perhaps a boss, parent or VIP) will help you to boost your earnings or open up doors that can lead to a better job. Something positive is waiting for you down the road.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
This is a strong, positive day for you, even though you might feel a bit emotionally all over the map because the moon is in your sign. Nevertheless, fiery Mars in Aries is supportive to you; and the sun in Leo is supportive to you because they are both in your fellow fire signs. A winning combo for you!
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today you might prefer to work alone or behind the scenes, but you will feel content and happy. This is the perfect day to seek out solitude in beautiful surroundings. You need this because the increased chaos and activity at home is a lot to deal with.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Your interaction with a female friend or acquaintance will be important to you today. This person might encourage you to go after your goals. Sometimes that’s all we need —someone else to believe in us. We know what we want to achieve, but we sometimes doubt our dreams.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
People notice you today, but this is a good thing because “you look mahvellous dahling, mahvellous!” With such great optics, now is the time to make your pitch! Ya think?
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Stephen Dorff (1973) shares your birthday. You are creative inventive and bold. You are also idealistic. It’s encouraging to see that your hard work will start to pay off this year! Channel your energy and focus on building solid foundations now and for the future. Work with purpose. Physical exercise will be important, which is why you might want to explore something physical that you enjoy doing.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Motorcyclist killed in Tri-State crash near Lake Forest Oasis

A motorcyclist was killed in a crash Wednesday on the Tri-State Tollway in north suburban Lake Forest .
The 78-year-old @ @ @ @ @ 2007 Honda motorcycle just after 1 p.m. on the ramp from eastbound I-94 to the @ @ @ @ @ veered onto the right shoulder and hit a parked semi , according to a statement @ @ @ @ @ The man , who lived in Milford , Utah , was pronounced dead at the @ @ @ @ @ .
His identity has not been released .
The ramp to the oasis remains closed @ @ @ @

A motorcyclist suffered a medical emergency before he was killed in a crash Wednesday on the Tri-State Tollway in north suburban Lake Forest, according to an autopsy.
The 78-year-old man was driving a blue 2007 Honda motorcycle just after 1 p.m. on the ramp from eastbound I-94 to the Lake Forest Oasis when he veered onto the right shoulder and hit a parked semi, according to a statement from Illinois State Police.
The man, who lived in Milford, Utah, was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.
He was identified as George Mayer, the Lake County coroner’s office said. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that he had a medical event that caused the crash.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Ditka doubles down on criticism of kneeling athletes, support for Trump

Former Bears coach Mike Ditka just doubled down !
And he did it on Trump Team Online !
A nonapologetic Ditka , who got blitzed with negative publicity this week for blasting protesting players who he said were “ disrespecting the American flag ” by kneeling during the national anthem , just went one step further .
“ This is me , ” chirped a newly beardless Ditka in a taped interview Wednesday with Donald Trump Jr .
The interview , done in coordination with President Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign , airs Thursday on Trump ’ s Jr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is told the irascible but low-key Ditka , 80 , not only endorsed Trump for reelection , but claimed Trump was the best president in his lifetime , according to a source familiar with the interview .
And Trump Jr. , the president ’ s eldest son , got to capitalize on the internet storm whipped up by Ditka exhorting flag kneelers to “ get the hell out of the country.
” By subliminally equating the coach to his father via compliments on being the “ epitome of toughness and hard work ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes ; and someone who doesn ’ t worry what the “ woke generation ” is going to think .
Ditka , who cradled an iPad during the early morning Skype interview in his Gold Coast apartment — also sported an orange and blue jersey emblazoned with the number 89 .
“ Mike didn ’ t trash anybody nor tell them to get out of the country , but he wanted to explain why he felt like he did and said what he said to the show ’ s 4 to 6 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who emphasized da coach did NOT discuss the COVID-19 pandemic .
Ditka described himself as just being an old-fashioned guy , who was raised by a former U.S. Marine he didn ’ t know until he was 5 years old ; and who was a dad who was tough but fair , like legendary Bears coach George Halas .
He also described his father as working in the same Pennsylvania mill as his grandfather , growing up in a culture where one went to work , came home for dinner and then went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also emphasized he grew up in an America where people put their hand over their heart during the national anthem — people like his grandparents who had come from Ukraine and had fled to America to work .
And , natch , the 15-minute interview included high praise for the president as the man to keep this country going and get people working again .
For those not on Ditka ’ s page politically , the interview did shed disclosures from Ditka being hired by Halas for $ 12,000 , plus a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sixth pick in the NFL draft , and how Halas offered him the SAME amount of money the next year despite him being an All-Pro and Rookie of the Year .
One may not agree with the bumptious coach , but he is never boring .
And , yeah , da coach had no kind words for Dem presidential contender Joe Biden .
He called him “ a [ empty ] shell , ” Sneed ’ s source said .

Holy Grabowski!
Former Bears coach Mike Ditka just doubled down!
And he did it on Trump Team Online!
A nonapologetic Ditka, who got blitzed with negative publicity this week for blasting protesting players who he said were “disrespecting the American flag” by kneeling during the national anthem, just went one step further.
“This is me,” chirped a newly beardless Ditka in a taped interview Wednesday with Donald Trump Jr. The interview, done in coordination with President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, airs Thursday on Trump’s Jr. online “Triggered” program.
Sneed is told the irascible but low-key Ditka, 80, not only endorsed Trump for reelection, but claimed Trump was the best president in his lifetime, according to a source familiar with the interview.
Yikes!
And Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, got to capitalize on the internet storm whipped up by Ditka exhorting flag kneelers to “get the hell out of the country.”
How so?
By subliminally equating the coach to his father via compliments on being the “epitome of toughness and hard work;” someone willing to say what he believes; and someone who doesn’t worry what the “woke generation” is going to think.
In other words, yikes!
Ditka, who cradled an iPad during the early morning Skype interview in his Gold Coast apartment — also sported an orange and blue jersey emblazoned with the number 89.
“Mike didn’t trash anybody nor tell them to get out of the country, but he wanted to explain why he felt like he did and said what he said to the show’s 4 to 6 million viewers,” said the source — who emphasized da coach did NOT discuss the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ditka described himself as just being an old-fashioned guy, who was raised by a former U.S. Marine he didn’t know until he was 5 years old; and who was a dad who was tough but fair, like legendary Bears coach George Halas.
He also described his father as working in the same Pennsylvania mill as his grandfather, growing up in a culture where one went to work, came home for dinner and then went to a corner bar for beers.
He also emphasized he grew up in an America where people put their hand over their heart during the national anthem — people like his grandparents who had come from Ukraine and had fled to America to work.
(Trump Jr. countered by mentioning his mother, Ivana, had left Czechoslovakia as a young woman.)
And, natch, the 15-minute interview included high praise for the president as the man to keep this country going and get people working again.
For those not on Ditka’s page politically, the interview did shed disclosures from Ditka being hired by Halas for $12,000, plus a $6,000 signing bonus when he was the sixth pick in the NFL draft, and how Halas offered him the SAME amount of money the next year despite him being an All-Pro and Rookie of the Year.
One may not agree with the bumptious coach, but he is never boring.
And, yeah, da coach had no kind words for Dem presidential contender Joe Biden.
He called him “a [empty] shell,” Sneed’s source said.