chicagosun-times--2020-11-13--Big Game Hunting: A Notre Dame-BC surprise? Brian Kelly says his best team yet will be ready

Maybe this whole college football thing wasn ’ t such a good idea .
Have you taken a look at the Week 11 schedule ?
There are more postponed or canceled games around the country than there are tall tales of voter fraud .
If the Southeastern Conference had a mascot , it would be a tumbleweed for all the stadiums that will sit empty on Saturday .
It definitely wouldn ’ t be a mask , but let ’ s not get into that here .
By Friday afternoon , at least 15 FBS games were on ice or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 flare-ups .
The Top 25 slate was like a breakfast buffet without the bacon and eggs .
No .
1 Alabama at LSU : postponed .
No .
3 Ohio State at Maryland : canceled .
No .
5 Texas A & M at Tennessee , No .
12 Georgia at Missouri , No .
15 Coastal Carolina at Troy , No .
24 Auburn at Mississippi State — not on your plate this weekend , pal .
Which raises a question : Coastal Who ?
But we kid the Chanticleers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just google “ Coastal Carolina nickname.
” ) The real question : What , if anything , does this mean to Notre Dame ?
The answer is nothing , really .
The Irish , 7-0 overall and 6-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play , put themselves on a pristine path to the playoff by beating then-No .
1 Clemson last weekend .
They could win out and get the top seed .
They could lose a game — any remaining game — and still get into the four-team field .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And speaking of that margin : No .
2 Notre Dame ( -13½ ) at Boston College ( 2:30 p.m. , Ch .
7 , 1000-AM ) is a dangerous game for the Irish .
Don ’ t forget the Eagles ( 5-3 ) nearly won at Clemson two weeks ago after taking a 28-10 second-quarter lead .
Under-the-radar Jeff Hafley is doing strong work in his first season as coach .
The Eagles defense has gone from awful against the pass in 2019 to very good under Hafley , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and later Ohio State .
An even bigger improvement in the passing game has been made by BC ’ s offense .
Quarterback Phil Jurkovec — a transfer from Notre Dame — has been on fire , and Zay Flowers and Hunter Long are doing things receivers haven ’ t done in Chestnut Hill since Matt Ryan was BMOC .
Also : With the Irish coming off the high of a double-overtime upset of Clemson , this is the classic trap-game scenario .
Or maybe the Irish are just plain too good to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Kelly , they ’ re better “ across the board ” than they were in 2018 , when they reached the playoff , or in 2012 , when they played in the BCS title game .
“ Overall , on all three levels , it ’ s a more physical , faster football team , ” Kelly said .
It ’ s important to note that BC can ’ t run the ball and the Irish are pretty much impossible to run on , anyway .
That puts a ton of pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Easy street ?
No .
Irish in a 27-20 dogfight .
Illinois ( +7 ) at Rutgers ( noon , BTN , 890-AM ) : From 2012 to 2015 , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 19-45 .
Their coaches were Greg Schiano and Lovie Smith .
In 2020 , Schiano ’ s Scarlet Knights and Smith ’ s Illini are a combined 1-5 .
The Illini are 0-3 , with a scoring differential of minus-72 .
“ The thing that jumps out at you on the tape is they play really hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team that I ’ ve seen in a long time , ” Schiano said .
Where did he get this tape ?
Illini by three .
No .
23 Northwestern ( -2½ ) at Purdue ( 6:30 p.m. , BTN , 720-AM ) : The Wildcats are 3-0 .
The Boilermakers are 2-0 .
This is a lot more fun than it was when the teams were a combined 2-10 in the Big Ten heading into last year ’ s meeting .
“ This will be a great opportunity for us to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up against the top team in our division , ” Boilers coach Jeff Brohm said .
The top team ?
That has a nice ring to it .
But can Northwestern ’ s gritty defense handle explosive offensive playmakers David Bell and — if he plays — Rondale Moore ?
’ Cats , 24-23 .
No .
10 Indiana ( -7 ) at Michigan State ( 11 a.m. , Ch .
7 ) : The Hoosiers are the real deal .
Football school 34 , basketball school 24 .
No .
13 Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , Ch .
7 ) : Who knows what the Badgers will look like in their first game since the season opener ?
We ’ ve seen plenty of the Wolverines , on the other hand .
Bucky by a touchdown .
Arkansas ( +17 ) at No .
6 Florida ( 6 p.m. , ESPN ) : The Hogs aren ’ t pushovers anymore , but the Gators ’ passing game is sick .
Good sick .
Gators , 38-23 .
My favorite favorite : No .
11 Oregon ( -10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fox-32 ) : Too soon to hand the Ducks another Pac-12 title ?
Maybe not .
My favorite underdog : Arizona ( +15 ) vs. No .
20 USC ( 2:30 p.m. , Fox-32 ) : The Wildcats have enough offense to keep this one entertaining throughout .
Last week : 5-3 straight-up , 5-3 vs. the spread .
Season to date : 16-10 straight-up , 12-13-1 vs. the spread .

Maybe this whole college football thing wasn’t such a good idea.
Have you taken a look at the Week 11 schedule? There are more postponed or canceled games around the country than there are tall tales of voter fraud. If the Southeastern Conference had a mascot, it would be a tumbleweed for all the stadiums that will sit empty on Saturday. It definitely wouldn’t be a mask, but let’s not get into that here.
By Friday afternoon, at least 15 FBS games were on ice or off the season calendar altogether due to COVID-19 flare-ups. The Top 25 slate was like a breakfast buffet without the bacon and eggs. No. 1 Alabama at LSU: postponed. No. 3 Ohio State at Maryland: canceled. No. 5 Texas A&M at Tennessee, No. 12 Georgia at Missouri, No. 15 Coastal Carolina at Troy, No. 24 Auburn at Mississippi State — not on your plate this weekend, pal.
Which raises a question: Coastal Who? But we kid the Chanticleers. (No, we most certainly did not just google “Coastal Carolina nickname.”)
The real question: What, if anything, does this mean to Notre Dame? The answer is nothing, really. The Irish, 7-0 overall and 6-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, put themselves on a pristine path to the playoff by beating then-No. 1 Clemson last weekend. They could win out and get the top seed. They could lose a game — any remaining game — and still get into the four-team field. They’ve given themselves some margin for error.
And speaking of that margin: No. 2 Notre Dame (-13½) at Boston College (2:30 p.m., Ch. 7, 1000-AM) is a dangerous game for the Irish. Don’t forget the Eagles (5-3) nearly won at Clemson two weeks ago after taking a 28-10 second-quarter lead.
Under-the-radar Jeff Hafley is doing strong work in his first season as coach. The Eagles defense has gone from awful against the pass in 2019 to very good under Hafley, who was a secondary coach for three NFL teams and later Ohio State. An even bigger improvement in the passing game has been made by BC’s offense. Quarterback Phil Jurkovec — a transfer from Notre Dame — has been on fire, and Zay Flowers and Hunter Long are doing things receivers haven’t done in Chestnut Hill since Matt Ryan was BMOC.
Also: With the Irish coming off the high of a double-overtime upset of Clemson, this is the classic trap-game scenario. Or maybe the Irish are just plain too good to screw this up. According to coach Brian Kelly, they’re better “across the board” than they were in 2018, when they reached the playoff, or in 2012, when they played in the BCS title game.
“Overall, on all three levels, it’s a more physical, faster football team,” Kelly said.
It’s important to note that BC can’t run the ball and the Irish are pretty much impossible to run on, anyway. That puts a ton of pressure on Jurkovec.
Pristine path? Yes. Easy street? No. Irish in a 27-20 dogfight.
OTHER WEEK 11 PICKS
Illinois (+7) at Rutgers (noon, BTN, 890-AM): From 2012 to 2015, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 19-45. Their coaches were Greg Schiano and Lovie Smith. In 2020, Schiano’s Scarlet Knights and Smith’s Illini are a combined 1-5. The Illini are 0-3, with a scoring differential of minus-72.
“The thing that jumps out at you on the tape is they play really hard and they’re the best ball-disruption team that I’ve seen in a long time,” Schiano said.
Where did he get this tape? Illini by three.
No. 23 Northwestern (-2½) at Purdue (6:30 p.m., BTN, 720-AM): The Wildcats are 3-0. The Boilermakers are 2-0. This is a lot more fun than it was when the teams were a combined 2-10 in the Big Ten heading into last year’s meeting.
“This will be a great opportunity for us to see how we stack it up and measure up against the top team in our division,” Boilers coach Jeff Brohm said.
The top team? That has a nice ring to it. But can Northwestern’s gritty defense handle explosive offensive playmakers David Bell and — if he plays — Rondale Moore? ’Cats, 24-23.
No. 10 Indiana (-7) at Michigan State (11 a.m., Ch. 7): The Hoosiers are the real deal. Football school 34, basketball school 24.
No. 13 Wisconsin (-4½) at Michigan (6:30 p.m., Ch. 7): Who knows what the Badgers will look like in their first game since the season opener? We’ve seen plenty of the Wolverines, on the other hand. Bucky by a touchdown.
Arkansas (+17) at No. 6 Florida (6 p.m., ESPN): The Hogs aren’t pushovers anymore, but the Gators’ passing game is sick. Good sick. Gators, 38-23.
My favorite favorite: No. 11 Oregon (-10) at Washington State (6 p.m., Fox-32): Too soon to hand the Ducks another Pac-12 title? Maybe not.
My favorite underdog: Arizona (+15) vs. No. 20 USC (2:30 p.m., Fox-32): The Wildcats have enough offense to keep this one entertaining throughout.
Last week: 5-3 straight-up, 5-3 vs. the spread.
Season to date: 16-10 straight-up, 12-13-1 vs. the spread.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-13--Is it smart for the Fire to stress continuity?

Sporting director Georg Heitz said Friday the Fire will try to strengthen their 28-man roster by adding two or three more signings .
And with seven players on the verge of getting green cards , needed international spots could be opening soon .
But after the 2019-20 offseason brought so much change in so little time , Heitz made it clear he ’ s focusing on continuity as he looks ahead to next season .
Though this begs the question : is that a good idea considering the Fire won just five out of 23 games this year and couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generous format ?
“ This is my perspective , that we didn ’ t end up being in the table where we belong with this team and we have to analyze the reasons why this is the case , ” Heitz said during a Zoom media availability .
“ But we really think that even against the best teams in this league we were quite good , obviously not good enough , but we don ’ t think that we lack a lot to be competitive , even with the best teams in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Heitz alluded to , roster continuity hasn ’ t been a Fire strength .
Turnover has been a constant theme of former administrations , and has been blamed for slow starts of the past that blew up seasons as they began .
Heitz and the Fire are hoping that keeping things mostly intact will help results and patch some of the cracks that kept the team out of the Eastern Conference ’ s top 10 .
When he came aboard last December , the Fire had no coach , no designated players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be rebuilt quickly , but Heitz didn ’ t blame that rush for how the season played out .
The task won ’ t be as extreme this winter , and for better or worse , much of last offseason ’ s work should be in effect for 2021 .
“ Due to what we did last winter , we had , I think until now , 18 new signings since I have joined the club , which is too many , ” Heitz said .
“ We can not be successful with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we laid the foundation and we would really like to keep most of the players that we have this season.
” Heitz didn ’ t go into specifics about what he was looking to add this offseason , other than to say something in their offense and defense and more competition at every position .
The idea of buying down designated player Ignacio Aliseda ’ s contract was also dismissed by Heitz , indicating that the Fire won ’ t be adding another DP as they ’ re already at the maximum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coach Raphael Wicky and the staff , Heitz said they did a “ great job.
” He said the Fire were hurt by the stop-start nature of the season due to the pandemic , but didn ’ t linger on the point .
Heitz bemoaned how they routinely allowed goals off set pieces and lost concentration after scoring , but continued the familiar refrain that the Fire were better than their record .
“ What we have to clearly improve is we have to convert our chances , ” Heitz said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into points .
Many times , after the matches the coaches of the other teams came to Rapha and told him , ‘ Hey , great team.
’ But we had lost the game .
This is not why we are doing this .
We want to be a winning side and we have to work on our winning spirit .
This is definitely clear.
” Perhaps , but it ’ s not clear whether running it back with a similar roster can bring different results .

Sporting director Georg Heitz said Friday that the Fire will try to strengthen their 28-man roster by adding two or three more signings. And with seven players on the verge of getting green cards, needed international spots could be opening soon.
But after the 2019-20 offseason brought so much change in so little time, Heitz made it clear he will focus on continuity as he looks ahead to next season. That begs the question: Is that a good idea considering the Fire won just five out of 23 games and couldn’t make the playoffs in a generous format?
“This is my perspective, that we didn’t end up being in the table where we belong with this team and we have to analyze the reasons why this is the case,” Heitz said during a Zoom media availability. “But we -really think that even against the best teams in this league, we were quite good. Obviously not good enough, but we don’t think that we lack a lot to be competitive, even with the best teams in this league. This is why.”
As Heitz noted, roster continuity hasn’t been a strength. Turnover has been a constant theme of former administrations and has been blamed for slow starts that blew up seasons as they began.
Heitz and the Fire hope that keeping things mostly intact will help results and patch some of the cracks that kept the team out of the Eastern Conference’s top 10. When he came aboard last December, the Fire had no coach and no designated players, and much of the roster needed to be rebuilt quickly. But Heitz didn’t blame that rush for how the season played out.
The task won’t be as extreme this winter, and for better or worse, much of last offseason’s work should be in effect for 2021.
“Due to what we did last winter, we had, until now, 18 new signings since I have joined the club, which is too many,” Heitz said. “We cannot be successful with that. So, we think that we laid the foundation, and we would really like to keep most of the players that we have this season.”
Heitz didn’t go into specifics about what he was looking to add this offseason, other than to say something on offense and defense and more competition for spots. Heitz dismissed the idea of buying down designated player Ignacio Aliseda’s contract, indicating that the Fire won’t be adding another DP because they’re already at the maximum of three.
As for the performance of coach Raphael Wicky and the staff, Heitz said they did a “great job.” He said the Fire were hurt by the -stop-start nature of the season caused by the pandemic but didn’t linger on the point.
Heitz bemoaned how they routinely allowed goals off set pieces and lost concentration after scoring but continued the familiar refrain that the Fire were better than their record.
“What we have to clearly improve is we have to convert our chances,” Heitz said. “We have to convert our performances into points. Many times, after the matches, the coaches of the other teams came to Rapha and told him, ‘Hey, great team.’ But we had lost the game. This is not why we are doing this. We want to be a winning side, and we have to work on our winning spirit. This is definitely clear.”
Perhaps, but it’s not clear whether running it back with a similar roster can bring different results.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-13--Illinois’ public health officials announce 15,415 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 (LIV

Illinois’ public health officials announce 15,415 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 (LIVE UPDATES)

Stay-at-home order looms as Illinois shatters record again with 15,415 more coronavirus cases Illinois ’ exponential coronavirus explosion took yet another record-breaking step up Friday as public health officials announced 15,415 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 .
That ’ s almost 3,000 more infections than were reported a day earlier , and it ’ s the fourth straight day the state has reported an all-time high case count .
Eight months into the pandemic , the state ’ s 25 highest daily caseloads have all come in the past four weeks .
The latest cases were confirmed among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Health , raising the average statewide testing positivity rate over the past week to 13.2 % .
That number has almost tripled over the last month , suggesting the virus is spreading more rampantly than it has since the state weathered its first — much smaller — peak of the pandemic in mid-May .
While leaders in Chicago and suburban Cook County have issued stay-at-home advisories amid the violent viral flareup , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has said a full-on stay-at-home order for the entire state “ seems like where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities closing through early December because of COVID-19 Illinois driver service facilities will close for weeks because of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic .
The facilities will close Nov. 17 and are expected to reopen Dec. 7 , according to Secretary of State Jesse White ’ s office .
Expiration dates for driver ’ s licenses and ID cards have been extended to June 1 as a result of the ongoing coronavirus crisis , the office said .
3:11 p.m. UIC , DePaul halt in-person classes , but other Illinois colleges take different tack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opted to follow their own COVID-19 plans as the state ’ s caseload continues its meteoric rise .
This week the University of Illinois at Chicago and DePaul University chose to suspend in-person student activities , while the University of Chicago , Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Universities of Illinois at Springfield and Urbana-Champaign will continue in-person activities under their individual protocols .
In an update shared by the University of Illinois at Chicago on Wednesday , the school announced that all in-person classes would be suspended by the end of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the fall semester .
The school had 135 employees and students test positive last week , according to its COVID-19 dashboard .
Chicago hospitals are preparing for an onslaught of COVID-19 cases amid predictions that a new surge is going to be bigger than any seen yet during the pandemic .
Hospitals are recruiting additional nurses , reconfiguring and adding spaces to separate a growing number of virus patients from others and , in some cases , frantically trying to prevent reaching capacity .
Some are limiting procedures that aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than three quarters of the city ’ s 9,500 hospital beds were full , according to city figures .
COVID patients are using nearly 20 % of intensive care beds and more than 10 % of the rest .
The hospital at University of Illinois at Chicago has seen its COVID cases jump from single digits late last month to more than 60 this week , said Susan Bleasdale , UIC ’ s chief quality officer and an infectious disease doctor .
It ’ s a trend she worries will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Side hospital recorded 90 virus cases at one point .
This week , the hospital reached its capacity .
“ Our hospital is packed .
Our emergency room is packed , ” Bleasdale said .
“ We hit a point where we didn ’ t have any beds available.
” UIC is preparing to reactivate three outdoor tents as early as next week to handle almost 40 patients as hospital officials fear they ’ ll run out of room .
The hospital is testing as many as 800 patients a day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , higher than the city average , she said .
“ I ’ m worried we ’ re going to see a much worse wave than before , ” Bleasdale said .
12:28 p.m. FOP : City , CPD not doing enough to protect cops from COVID-19 The union representing rank-and-file Chicago police officers alleges the city and Chicago Police Department are endangering officers ’ safety by disregarding COVID-19 protocols during training sessions .
In a court filing Thursday evening , the Fraternal Order of Police said officers who attend mandatory in-service training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus because the CPD is not taking the necessary precautions that have been issued by the city of Chicago Commissioner of Health to avoid a resurgence in community cases of the virus.
” The in-service training sessions — seminars in which departmental policies and procedures are reviewed — sometimes see as many as 40 officers sitting in close proximity to each other , with insufficient personal protective and sanitation equipment provided and face coverings not required , according to the FOP .
The FOP is asking U.S. District Judge Robert M. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s consent decree , to allow the union to intervene in the case because the in-service training protocols directly relate to several officer wellness provisions of the consent decree .
11:10 a.m. Stay-at-home advisory issued for Cook County as coronavirus cases surge Cook County health officials on Friday issued a stay-at-home advisory urging residents to limit their activity as COVID-19 infections soar to record highs across Illinois .
The suburban guidance follows a Chicago advisory issued a day earlier by Mayor Lori Lightfoot , while Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has said a full-on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems like where we are heading.
” Cook County ’ s advisory , which takes effect at 6 a.m. Monday and lasts at least 30 days , cautions residents to “ refrain from any nonessential activities and stay home.
” Among the activities considered essential are work , school , coronavirus testing , getting a flu shot and shopping for groceries .
10:31 a.m. María Cerda , first Latina on Chicago Board of Education , dead of coronavirus at 86 In 1969 , when María Cerda became the first Latino member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the University of Chicago-trained social worker a “ housewife ” who would advocate for “ Latin ” students .
Mrs. Cerda not only lobbied fiercely for the Latino community , but she also adroitly navigated City Hall with her strategic alliances and powerful speeches .
Mayor Richard J. Daley put her on the Board of Education .
She was an early supporter of Harold Washington and sometimes warmed up crowds before his speeches .
When he was elected mayor , he made her director of the Mayor ’ s Office of Employment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Northwestern Memorial Hospital of complications from the coronavirus , according to her children Marta and David Cerda .
She was 86 .
Her daughter and her husband of 60 years , David Cerda , 93 , who was the first Hispanic judge in Illinois and the first Hispanic judge on the Illinois Appellate Court , also have been infected .
“ I have COVID , my father has COVID , ” their daughter said .
“ So we have to do just an outside burial .
It ’ s very sad that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
It is cruel.
” As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers raced to build a $ 66 million emergency COVID-19 field hospital inside McCormick Place last spring , state and city officials scrambled to find the staff , equipment and supplies to run it .
The tab for all of that was another $ 20.3 million , records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times show , though state officials say two vendors returned a total of $ 5.2 million of “ unspent funds.
” That brought the total cost of building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital to about $ 81.1 million .
State and city officials say they expect most of the costs for the McCormick Place hospital to be covered by the federal government .
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency spent $ 19 million to staff and operate the hospital .
City Hall put in another $ 1.3 million for materials and supplies .
The McCormick Place field hospital , built by Walsh Construction , one of Chicago ’ s most politically well-connected contractors , opened in mid-April .
It was shut down only weeks later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hospital beds for coronavirus patients eased , and it was deemed by state and city officials to no longer be needed .
• Public health officials announced 12,702 more people have tested positive while hospitals across the state remain packed with the most COVID-19 patients they ’ ve ever seen .
• Peter Giannikopoulos , one of the suitors vying for Tayshia Adams ’ hand on the current season of ” The Bachelorette , ” announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 10:29 a.m .
He went to the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was dead from COVID-19 .
He didn ’ t celebrate because he had been feeling sick .
But he went on Facebook the following day to thank everyone for wishing him well .
The next morning , having trouble breathing , he called 911 to take him to the hospital .
He was able to walk to the ambulance and waved to a neighbor .
A couple of hours later , he texted his sister from the emergency room , saying he was feeling better .
At 3:38 that afternoon , Sprinkle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by COVID-19 .
Just like that .
The toll from the coronavirus pandemic is mounting again , much like it was in the spring , and I ’ ve decided to return to what I was doing then : telling the stories of the victims .
9:14 a.m. Should I or should I not get tested for COVID-19 ?
I have not taken .
I have not taken a COVID-19 test .
I don ’ t know why that feels like a shameful confession .
Maybe it ’ s because so , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic — 1.28 million according to the “ Our World in Data ” website .
Or maybe what I ’ m really feeling is survivor ’ s guilt .
I am , after all , in a group considered high-risk for catching the virus .

Friday the 13th was anything but lucky for Illinois. The state broke another record high for the number of daily coronavirus cases.
Here’s what else happened Friday in coronavirus news.
News
8:55 p.m. Stay-at-home order looms as Illinois shatters record again with 15,415 more coronavirus cases
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file
Illinois’ exponential coronavirus explosion took yet another record-breaking step up Friday as public health officials announced 15,415 more people have tested positive for COVID-19.
That’s almost 3,000 more infections than were reported a day earlier, and it’s the fourth straight day the state has reported an all-time high case count. Eight months into the pandemic, the state’s 25 highest daily caseloads have all come in the past four weeks.
The latest cases were confirmed among 106,540 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health, raising the average statewide testing positivity rate over the past week to 13.2%.
That number has almost tripled over the last month, suggesting the virus is spreading more rampantly than it has since the state weathered its first — much smaller — peak of the pandemic in mid-May.
While leaders in Chicago and suburban Cook County have issued stay-at-home advisories amid the violent viral flareup, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said a full-on stay-at-home order for the entire state “seems like where we are heading.”
Read the full story here.
6:08 p.m. Illinois driver facilities closing through early December because of COVID-19
Illinois driver service facilities will close for weeks because of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.
The facilities will close Nov. 17 and are expected to reopen Dec. 7, according to Secretary of State Jesse White’s office.
Expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended to June 1 as a result of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the office said.
Read the full report here.
3:11 p.m. UIC, DePaul halt in-person classes, but other Illinois colleges take different tack as coronavirus cases spike
Illinois colleges have opted to follow their own COVID-19 plans as the state’s caseload continues its meteoric rise.
This week the University of Illinois at Chicago and DePaul University chose to suspend in-person student activities, while the University of Chicago, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Universities of Illinois at Springfield and Urbana-Champaign will continue in-person activities under their individual protocols.
In an update shared by the University of Illinois at Chicago on Wednesday, the school announced that all in-person classes would be suspended by the end of this week and moved to online platforms until the end of the fall semester. The school had 135 employees and students test positive last week, according to its COVID-19 dashboard.
Reporter Adam Mahoney has the full story.
1:00 p.m. Chicago hospitals brace for biggest COVID-19 surge yet
Tents for expanded emergency admittance at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science at 1740 W. Taylor in the Illinois Medical District, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chicago hospitals are preparing for an onslaught of COVID-19 cases amid predictions that a new surge is going to be bigger than any seen yet during the pandemic.
Hospitals are recruiting additional nurses, reconfiguring and adding spaces to separate a growing number of virus patients from others and, in some cases, frantically trying to prevent reaching capacity. Some are limiting procedures that aren’t urgent.
As of Tuesday, more than three quarters of the city’s 9,500 hospital beds were full, according to city figures. COVID patients are using nearly 20% of intensive care beds and more than 10% of the rest.
But that’s rising rapidly.
The hospital at University of Illinois at Chicago has seen its COVID cases jump from single digits late last month to more than 60 this week, said Susan Bleasdale, UIC’s chief quality officer and an infectious disease doctor. It’s a trend she worries will continue, overtaking a spring peak when the West Side hospital recorded 90 virus cases at one point. This week, the hospital reached its capacity.
“Our hospital is packed. Our emergency room is packed,” Bleasdale said. “We hit a point where we didn’t have any beds available.”
UIC is preparing to reactivate three outdoor tents as early as next week to handle almost 40 patients as hospital officials fear they’ll run out of room. The hospital is testing as many as 800 patients a day and seeing more than 20% positivity rates, higher than the city average, she said.
“I’m worried we’re going to see a much worse wave than before,” Bleasdale said.
Read the full story here.
12:28 p.m. FOP: City, CPD not doing enough to protect cops from COVID-19
The union representing rank-and-file Chicago police officers alleges the city and Chicago Police Department are endangering officers’ safety by disregarding COVID-19 protocols during training sessions.
In a court filing Thursday evening, the Fraternal Order of Police said officers who attend mandatory in-service training “have the potential of becoming superspreaders of the virus because the CPD is not taking the necessary precautions that have been issued by the city of Chicago Commissioner of Health to avoid a resurgence in community cases of the virus.”
The in-service training sessions — seminars in which departmental policies and procedures are reviewed — sometimes see as many as 40 officers sitting in close proximity to each other, with insufficient personal protective and sanitation equipment provided and face coverings not required, according to the FOP.
The FOP is asking U.S. District Judge Robert M. Dow, who oversees the CPD’s consent decree, to allow the union to intervene in the case because the in-service training protocols directly relate to several officer wellness provisions of the consent decree.
Read the full story here.
11:10 a.m. Stay-at-home advisory issued for Cook County as coronavirus cases surge
Cook County health officials on Friday issued a stay-at-home advisory urging residents to limit their activity as COVID-19 infections soar to record highs across Illinois.
The suburban guidance follows a Chicago advisory issued a day earlier by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, while Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said a full-on stay-at-home order for the entire state “seems like where we are heading.”
Cook County’s advisory, which takes effect at 6 a.m. Monday and lasts at least 30 days, cautions residents to “refrain from any nonessential activities and stay home.” Among the activities considered essential are work, school, coronavirus testing, getting a flu shot and shopping for groceries.
Read the full story here.
10:31 a.m. María Cerda, first Latina on Chicago Board of Education, dead of coronavirus at 86
In 1969, when María Cerda became the first Latino member of the Chicago school board, some news stories called the University of Chicago-trained social worker a “housewife” who would advocate for “Latin” students.
Mrs. Cerda not only lobbied fiercely for the Latino community, but she also adroitly navigated City Hall with her strategic alliances and powerful speeches.
Mayor Richard J. Daley put her on the Board of Education.
She was an early supporter of Harold Washington and sometimes warmed up crowds before his speeches. When he was elected mayor, he made her director of the Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training.
Mrs. Cerda died Sunday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital of complications from the coronavirus, according to her children Marta and David Cerda. She was 86.
Her daughter and her husband of 60 years, David Cerda, 93, who was the first Hispanic judge in Illinois and the first Hispanic judge on the Illinois Appellate Court, also have been infected.
“I have COVID, my father has COVID,” their daughter said. “So we have to do just an outside burial. It’s very sad that we can’t have a memorial right now. It is cruel.”
Read Maureen O’Donnell’s full story here.
9:09 a.m. Now-closed McCormick Place COVID-19 hospital cost taxpayers $15M to staff, run
As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers raced to build a $66 million emergency COVID-19 field hospital inside McCormick Place last spring, state and city officials scrambled to find the staff, equipment and supplies to run it.
The tab for all of that was another $20.3 million, records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times show, though state officials say two vendors returned a total of $5.2 million of “unspent funds.”
That brought the total cost of building and staffing the short-lived, makeshift coronavirus hospital to about $81.1 million.
State and city officials say they expect most of the costs for the McCormick Place hospital to be covered by the federal government.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency spent $19 million to staff and operate the hospital. City Hall put in another $1.3 million for materials and supplies.
The McCormick Place field hospital, built by Walsh Construction, one of Chicago’s most politically well-connected contractors, opened in mid-April. It was shut down only weeks later, on May 8, as the demand for hospital beds for coronavirus patients eased, and it was deemed by state and city officials to no longer be needed.
Read the full story here.
New Cases
Public health officials announced 12,702 more people have tested positive while hospitals across the state remain packed with the most COVID-19 patients they’ve ever seen.
Peter Giannikopoulos, one of the suitors vying for Tayshia Adams’ hand on the current season of ”The Bachelorette,” announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19
Analysis & Commentary
10:29 a.m. He went to the hospital in the morning. By mid-afternoon, he was dead from COVID-19.
John Sprinkle of Evergreen Park observed his 36th birthday Nov. 4.
He didn’t celebrate because he had been feeling sick. But he went on Facebook the following day to thank everyone for wishing him well.
The next morning, having trouble breathing, he called 911 to take him to the hospital. He was able to walk to the ambulance and waved to a neighbor.
A couple of hours later, he texted his sister from the emergency room, saying he was feeling better.
At 3:38 that afternoon, Sprinkle was dead from acute respiratory failure caused by COVID-19.
Just like that.
The toll from the coronavirus pandemic is mounting again, much like it was in the spring, and I’ve decided to return to what I was doing then: telling the stories of the victims.
Read Mark Brown’s column here.
9:14 a.m. Should I or should I not get tested for COVID-19?
I have not.
I have not taken.
I have not taken a COVID-19 test.
I don’t know why that feels like a shameful confession.
Maybe it’s because so, so many people have died worldwide from this pandemic — 1.28 million according to the “Our World in Data” website.
Or maybe what I’m really feeling is survivor’s guilt.
I am, after all, in a group considered high-risk for catching the virus.
I’m Black. I’m a senior citizen. I have a compromised immune system.
Read Mary Mitchell’s full column here.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-13--If only in a mural, Oprah Winfrey is back in the West Loop

If only in a mural , Oprah Winfrey is back in the West Loop Share All sharing options for : If only in a mural , Oprah Winfrey is back in the West Loop Oprah Winfrey ’ s popular daytime talk show , filmed in the West Loop at her Harpo Studios , came to an end in 2011 , but she ’ s back in the neighborhood in the form of a new mural that pays tribute to her influence .
The mural , completed in October , is about 300 feet long and 26 feet tall .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , looking rather regal , painted by artist Shawn Michael Warren , a Chicago native who was among the artists collaborating on the piece .
“ It ’ s almost like planting a flag of a person that has claimed the territory , ” says Warren , 33 .
The West Loop “ was her territory long before it went through this major evolution in terms of being a go-to destination in the city of Chicago.
” The building that provided the canvas for the mural is Porte Apartments Chicago , 855 W. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes townhomes , 585 apartments and retail space .
The mural is on the side of the building that faces Green Street , between Monroe and Madison .
Warren also painted the huge bird featured in the mural — a magpie , a particularly smart bird that he says can recognize itself in a mirror and shows the kind of self-awareness Winfrey is known for .
“ You have Oprah , and this magpie kind of serves as her spirit animal , ” Warren says .
Levar Hoard of B_Line Projects directed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right image of Winfrey to work from was especially important .
The one that was chosen was a recent image with a classic feel .
“ It was very glamorous , very timeless and still looked like Oprah from ‘ 86 , ” says Hoard , 42 .
That was the year “ The Oprah Winfrey Show ” was first broadcast nationally .
As you look beyond Warren ’ s portrait of Winfrey and the sprawling wingspan of the magpie , you see a mix of florals , geometric shapes and graphic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other artists .
Around Winfrey ’ s head and seeming to pour forth from her mouth are sharp geometric images , painted by Jane Barthes , 60 , who says her aim was to create a sort of halo in reds , blacks and yellows .
“ I almost feel like she ’ s being canonized because she is , in Chicago , sort of being enshrined on this wall , ” Barthes says .
Intersecting with Barthes ’ cutting shapes are soft florals , bees and an angel bearing a bow like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy .
Murphy , 31 , used blue and whites , reminiscent of classic porcelain , set against a gold background to create a sense of spirituality , something she says Winfrey exudes .
“ Oprah is all about being our best selves and doing the spiritual work to be the best people we can be , ” Murphy says .
“ The mural , as a whole , represents inspiration and hope because Oprah is a great example of that.
” Then , there ’ s a magpie again , now taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all done by Berwyn artist Janson Rapisarda , who goes by CERA for his street art .
Rapisarda , 31 , says he took elements already in the mural and weaved them together to create a sense of movement .
Much of the piece already had been completed when he added his part .
“ Instead of actually starting with a totally blank slate , it actually makes it a little bit easier because you ’ re reacting to a decision that ’ s already been made , ” Rapisarda says .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video message to thank the artists , especially Warren for his portrait of her .
“ When I saw it , it took my breath away , ” Winfrey says in the video .
“ I was so impressed by Shawn Michael Warren ’ s artistry , the creativity , the way he was able to capture a feeling of hope and inspiration and strength.
” Click on the map below for a selection of Chicago-area murals

Oprah Winfrey’s popular daytime talk show, filmed in the West Loop at her Harpo Studios, came to an end in 2011, but she’s back in the neighborhood in the form of a new mural that pays tribute to her influence.
Chicago’s murals and mosaics sidebar Chicago’s murals & mosaics Part of a series on public art in the city and suburbs. More murals are added every week.
The mural, completed in October, is about 300 feet long and 26 feet tall. The focal point is a portrait of Winfrey, looking rather regal, painted by artist Shawn Michael Warren, a Chicago native who was among the artists collaborating on the piece.
“It’s almost like planting a flag of a person that has claimed the territory,” says Warren, 33.
The West Loop “was her territory long before it went through this major evolution in terms of being a go-to destination in the city of Chicago.”
Shawn Michael Warren, who grew up on the South Side, was among the artists to complete a mural at 855 W. Madison St., on the side of the building that faces Green Street between Monroe and Madison. Oprah Winfrey is the focus of the work. Provided
The building that provided the canvas for the mural is part of a development called Porte, 855 W. Madison St., that includes townhomes, 585 apartments and retail space. The mural is on the side of the building that faces Green Street between Monroe and Madison.
Warren also painted the huge bird featured in the mural — a magpie, a particularly smart bird that he says can recognize itself in a mirror and shows the kind of self-awareness Winfrey is known for.
The new mural also features a magpie, which is one smart bird. It’s located on Green Street, between Monroe and Madison. Provided
“You have Oprah, and this magpie kind of serves as her spirit animal,” Warren says.
Levar Hoard of B_Line Projects directed the project and says coming up with just the right image of Winfrey to work from was especially important. The one that was chosen was a recent image with a classic feel.
“It was very glamorous, very timeless and still looked like Oprah from ‘86,” says Hoard, 42.
That was the year “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was first broadcast nationally.
As you look beyond Warren’s portrait of Winfrey and the sprawling wingspan of the magpie, you see a mix of florals, geometric shapes and graphic patterns, elements woven together by three other artists.
The new mural on Green Street between Madison and Monroe featuring Oprah Winfrey is nearly 300 feet across and 26 feet high. Provided
Around Winfrey’s head and seeming to pour forth from her mouth are sharp geometric images, painted by Jane Barthes, 60, who says her aim was to create a sort of halo in reds, blacks and yellows.
The sharp points that seem to pour forth from Oprah Winfrey’s head as a kind of halo were done by artist Jane Barthes. Provided
“I almost feel like she’s being canonized because she is, in Chicago, sort of being enshrined on this wall,” Barthes says.
Intersecting with Barthes’ cutting shapes are soft florals, bees and an angel bearing a bow like Cupid’s, created by Anna Murphy.
Artist Anna Murphy created the nature-inspired blue-and-white images that give a sense of spirituality to the West Loop mural that features Oprah Winfrey on Green Street between Madison and Monroe. Provided
Murphy, 31, used blue and whites, reminiscent of classic porcelain, set against a gold background to create a sense of spirituality, something she says Winfrey exudes.
“Oprah is all about being our best selves and doing the spiritual work to be the best people we can be,” Murphy says. “The mural, as a whole, represents inspiration and hope because Oprah is a great example of that.”
Then, there’s a magpie again, now taking flight followed by silhouettes of birds, all done by Berwyn artist Janson Rapisarda, who goes by CERA for his street art.
Artist Janson Rapisarda’s image of a magpie shows it taking flight across the mural on Green Street between Madison and Monroe. Provided
Rapisarda, 31, says he took elements already in the mural and weaved them together to create a sense of movement. Much of the piece already had been completed when he added his part.
“Instead of actually starting with a totally blank slate, it actually makes it a little bit easier because you’re reacting to a decision that’s already been made,” Rapisarda says.
When Winfrey saw the mural, she recorded a video message to thank the artists, especially Warren for his portrait of her.
“When I saw it, it took my breath away,” Winfrey says in the video. “I was so impressed by Shawn Michael Warren’s artistry, the creativity, the way he was able to capture a feeling of hope and inspiration and strength.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-14--Collin Delia ‘frothing at the mouth’ as he eyes Blackhawks’ vacant starting goalie job

Collin Delia , halfway through an in-depth discussion about rebound control , pauses when he hears his five-month-old baby , Anderson , wailing in the distance .
“ He ’ s crying right now , ” Delia said , a bright smile quickly spreading across his face .
“ He must be hungry.
” The joy now spread by Anderson ’ s presence serves as a wholly welcome change from the emotionally chaotic past year that Delia endured — a year during which his personal life often detracted from his hockey career .
Last fall , Delia and his girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unexpected pregnancy and overwhelmed with health complications .
Delia ’ s play with the Rockford IceHogs suffered , starting the season 2-5-0 with an .863 save percentage .
He re-established himself as one of the AHL ’ s top goaltenders after Dec. 3 , going 14-8-1 with a .927 save percentage between then and March 7 , only to watch a global pandemic strike in the final months of his Lammers ’ pregnancy .
He anticipated a full offseason of family time following Anderson ’ s birth June 10 , only to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s restart .
Then he lost the training camp competition to Malcolm Subban and sat alone and idle , as the third string goalie , for a month in the NHL playoff bubble .
But this autumn , Delia has finally restored order to his life .
He ’ s spent copious time with Lammers and Anderson at home .
He ’ s vacationed with family on both coasts .
He ’ s reflected on the ups and downs of the 2019-20 season and learned from the low points .
“ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wasn ’ t ready , [ but ] there was a lot on my plate that I was focusing on instead , ” he said .
“ I ’ d be lying if I said I wasn ’ t distracted ...
There was a little bit of discontentment on my part because I felt cheated of that time with my boy .
“ But looking back , you have a job , you have a responsibility , you ’ re being paid by the organization and they expect a certain level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacrifice on my behalf , on my family ’ s behalf , if you ’ re going to achieve anything , you ’ re sacrificing where some people may not want to sacrifice.
” It ’ s with that reinvigorated drive that Delia will attack the upcoming 2021 season .
And as it turns out , an enormous opportunity awaits : with Corey Crawford gone and the Hawks committed to their young goalies , the starting job lies wide open for him to claim .
“ I ’ d be remiss if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mouth , ” Delia said .
“ It ’ s an opportunity not many people get , and I don ’ t want to let that pass me by.
” The California native has tasted the NHL before , filling in admirably — 6-4-3 with a .908 save percentage — on an injury-plagued Hawks team at the end of 2018-19 .
The Hawks gave him a three-year contract extension at that season ’ s conclusion , making Delia believe he ’ d won the backup job , only to bring in Robin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distant third on the depth chart .
“ When they signed Robin , I was kind of cutting my teeth because I thought I earned the position , ” he said .
“ But then coming full circle , I was like , ‘ You can ’ t try to earn a position as a backup goalie .
You try to earn the starting position.
’ ” With the window to do exactly that now as open as it ’ ll ever be , the same philosophical approach that Delia used to accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his greatest sales pitch to the Hawks .
Simply put , Delia is a very smart , thoughtful guy .
And his level of intelligence provides a huge advantage at the goaltending position .
Consider this explanation of his offseason training as proof .
“ You have to take your game to the outer bounds and see how you really do in situations where you ’ re uncomfortable , and then from those situations , you can find growth and you can simplify things , ” he said .
“ For me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep ] things simple but also relying on facets of my game that make me good , like my ability to stay calm under pressure or just my skating ability , my post work , my edges.
” Brian Daccord , a Massachusetts-based goalie coach ( now affiliated with the Coyotes ) who has trained Delia since his years at Merrimack College , has seen that hockey intelligence firsthand .
“ He thinks way beyond what a lot of guys will normally do , ” Daccord said .
“ Are you going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to practice ?
That ’ s what separates a lot of guys .
And that ’ s why someone like him , who may have equal athletic abilities , may not be where he ’ s at , because Collin has that extra level of focus.
” Delia recently revisited Daccord ’ s company , Stop It Goaltending , to work on his rebound control .
In any given situation , making the save is obviously most important , but controlling where the puck goes afterward is the type of advanced skill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help him master .
“ A goaltender that has such good awareness , good goalie IQ , that can he read a play , can feel a situation , he can put pucks in places where his teammates can get it , ” Daccord said .
“ For instance , if there ’ s an odd-man rush — say it ’ s a 3-on-2 — and we have a late backchecker , ” Delia said .
“ If at the last second , I can identify the shot angle and I can locate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an area where he can recover it and then go the other way , that ’ s the next echelon of rebound control.
” Delia , with Lammers ’ encouragement , also started Pilates classes in Chicago this fall .
His twice-weekly private lessons at Frog Temple Studio in Logan Square are designed to strengthen the smaller , overlooked muscle groups in his core and supplement his more mainstream-style workouts with Hawks trainer Paul Goodman .
“ [ Pilates is ] fun and new and challenging , but it also builds upon a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — work years and years to create , ” Delia said .
“ So much of what [ goalies ] do stems from having a strong and mobile core and being able to change directions quickly and be safe in vulnerable positions.
” Armed with his refreshed mental state , refined rebound control and strengthened core , Delia ’ s stars may be aligning at the perfect time .
Another camp battle against Subban and Kevin Lankinen still lies between him and the outright starting role , yet Delia likely enters the winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doubt , I think I can earn that job , ” he said .
“ There ’ s no complacency when it comes to training camp .
Every single day you step on the ice , you ’ re proving how much better you are than the other two guys .
We all have to have that mindset .
”

Collin Delia, midway through an in-depth discussion about rebound control, paused when he heard his 5-month-old son, Anderson, wailing in the distance.
“He’s crying right now,” Delia said, a bright smile spreading across his face. “He must be hungry.”
The joy is a welcome change after an emotionally chaotic past year in which Delia’s personal life often siphoned his attention from hockey.
Last fall, he and his girlfriend, Ava Lammers, were shocked by an unexpected pregnancy and overwhelmed by health complications she experienced. His play with the Rockford IceHogs suffered; he started the season 2-5-0 with an .863 save percentage.
He was able to re-establish himself as one of the AHL’s top goaltenders, going 14-8-1 with a .927 save percentage between Dec. 3 and March 7, only for a global pandemic to strike in the final months of Lammers’ pregnancy.
He anticipated a full offseason of family time after Anderson’s birth on June 10 but was pulled away by the NHL’s restart. Then he lost the Blackhawks’ training camp competition to Malcolm Subban and sat alone and idle as the third-string goalie for a month in the NHL playoff bubble.
But this fall, Delia finally has restored order to his life. He has spent copious amounts of time with Lammers and Anderson at home. He has vacationed with family on both coasts. He has reflected on the ups and downs of the 2019-20 season and learned from the low points.
“I don’t think it’s that I wasn’t ready, [but] there was a lot on my plate that I was focusing on instead,” he said. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t distracted. . . . There was a little bit of discontentment on my part because I felt cheated of that time with my boy.
“But looking back, you have a job, you have a responsibility, you’re being paid by the organization, and they expect a certain level of professionalism and acuity. While there is sacrifice on my behalf, on my family’s behalf, if you’re going to achieve anything, you’re sacrificing where some people may not want to sacrifice.”
It’s with a reinvigorated drive that Delia will attack the upcoming season.
And, as it turns out, an enormous opportunity awaits. With Corey Crawford gone and the Hawks committed to their young goalies, the starting job is wide open for him to claim.
“I’d be remiss if I said I wasn’t frothing at the mouth,” Delia said. “It’s an opportunity not many people get, and I don’t want to let that pass me by.”
The California native has tasted the NHL before, filling in admirably — 6-4-3 with a .908 save percentage — on an injury-plagued Hawks team at the end of the 2018-19 season.
The Hawks gave him a three-year contract extension after that season, making him believe he’d won the backup job, only to bring in Robin Lehner and cast Delia back to a distant third on the depth chart.
“When they signed Robin, I was kind of cutting my teeth because I thought I earned the position,” Delia said. “But then, coming full circle, I was like, ‘You can’t try to earn a position as a backup goalie. You try to earn the starting position.’ ”
With the window to do that as open as it’ll ever be, Delia can turn his philosophical approach into his greatest sales pitch.
He’s a smart, thoughtful guy. And his intelligence gives him a huge advantage as a goaltender. Consider this explanation of his offseason training as proof:
“You have to take your game to the outer bounds and see how you really do in situations where you’re uncomfortable. And then from those situations, you can find growth and you can simplify things. For me, it’s continuing to . . . [keep] things simple but also relying on facets of my game that make me good, like my ability to stay calm under pressure or just my skating ability, my post work, my edges.”
Brian Daccord is a Massachusetts-based goalie coach, now affiliated with the Coyotes, who has trained Delia since his years at Merrimack College. He has seen Delia’s hockey intelligence firsthand.
“He thinks way beyond what a lot of guys will normally do,” Daccord said. “Are you going to bring the mental energy necessary to training and to practice? That’s what separates a lot of guys. And that’s why someone like him who may have equal athletic abilities may not be where [Delia] is at, because Collin has that extra level of focus.”
Delia recently revisited Daccord’s company, Stop It Goaltending, to work on his rebound control. Making a save is obviously most important in any situation, but controlling where the puck goes afterward is the type of advanced skill Delia’s analytical mind strives to master.
“A goaltender that has such good awareness, good goalie IQ, that can he read a play, can feel a situation — he can put pucks in places where his teammates can get it,” Daccord said.
Explained Delia: “For instance, if there’s an odd-man rush — say it’s a 3-on-2 — and we have a late backchecker. If, at the last second, I can identify the shot angle, and I can locate my backchecker and put that rebound in an area where he can recover it and then go the other way, that’s the next echelon of rebound control.”
Delia, with Lammers’ encouragement, started Pilates classes in Chicago this fall.
His twice-weekly private lessons at Frog Temple Studio in Logan Square are designed to strengthen the smaller, overlooked muscle groups in his core and supplement his more mainstream-style workouts with Hawks trainer Paul Goodman.
“[Pilates is] fun and new and challenging, but it also builds upon a foundation that we, as hockey players, work years and years to create,” Delia said. “So much of what [goalies] do stems from having a strong and mobile core and being able to change directions quickly and be safe in vulnerable positions.”
With his refreshed mental state, refined rebound control and strengthened core, Delia may find his stars aligning at the perfect time.
Although another training camp battle against Subban and Kevin Lankinen lies between him and the outright starting role, Delia likely enters the winter as the odds-on favorite to win it.
“Without a doubt, I think I can earn that job,” he said. “There’s no complacency when it comes to training camp. Every single day you step on the ice, you’re proving how much better you are than the other two guys. We all have to have that mindset.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-14--We’ve come a long way in America, but Black folks are still not free

If I could write without fear of offending , what would I say ?
That the liberal policies of well-meaning , guilt-ridden white folk have done more to cripple Black folk than to lift Black folk .
We never asked to be your welfare case .
If I could write without fear of offending , I ’ d say , don ’ t feed me , teach me .
Don ’ t integrate me , nor segregate me .
I ’ d say that no man has the power to liberate me .
That we were born free .
Created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ See me .
See us .
See that we live , move , breathe and we bleed — the same color as you .
See that this too is true : We need a hand up , not a hand out .
Not generational , self-perpetuating welfare chains .
Equality .
Not jaded justice .
Not American hypocrisy .
If I could write without political correctness , I ’ d say that “ guilt ” is a poor substitute for repentance .
So pass me with the guilt and shame .
For that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black man from becoming the end of the hashtag , “ sayhisname ” Guilt and shame do not prevent the commission of sins present or in the future .
One ’ s conscience may be soothed by the self-placating ointment of guilt .
But the healing balm of repentance brings redemption , frees the soul .
Makes one whole .
Moreover , of what value is my guilt , if I do not mend my ways ?
How fair is a broken system , which continues to perpetuate systemic racial hate ?
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to weightier matters of the soul , how many afflictions and un-American contradictions will our Black souls have to bear beneath these symbols that insist we dwell in the land of the free ?
Why is freedom still only an illusion for folks Black like me ?
…I ’ d say that Joe Biden is not our savior .
But Donald Trump was certainly not our friend .
And in another four years , we get to vote again .
If I could tell my truth without worry of backlash , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a man born Black in America that so much of America still hates my black ass .
I ’ d say , to hell with the NFL , with its milquetoast nod to Black Lives Matter .
Apologize to Colin Kaepernick !
And when Kap says all is well , holler at me sometime after .
If I could speak freely , I ’ d say that after all the marches and protests this summer and fall , Black Lives still don ’ t matter to us all .
I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men don ’ t heed the call ?
” Or why , in Black neighborhoods across this nation , the preponderance of murder and violence is inflicted upon Black Lives by Black Lives without hesitation ?
Why do we blame all of our ill decisions on systemic oppression ?
If I could speak the truth in love — as God is my witness above — without risk of being labeled “ sellout ” or “ Uncle Tom , ” I ’ d say that we have too much wasted precious time , waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or a descending Black Messiah .
Meanwhile , we succumb to assorted poverty pimps — political and clergical — who sift us for their own desires .
If I could speak without fear of antagonizing the Afro-stocracy , miseducating Black-ademics , and those so-called Black leaders who rode our backs to their own brighter day , I ’ d ask , “ When you coming back around this way ?
” If I could speak freely , I ’ d say that white accountability does not absolve us of Black responsibility .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself up by his own bootstraps when all he ’ s got is his bare feet .
I ’ d say that we ’ ve come a long way in America , baby .
But ain ’ t no way in hell I ’ m free .

If I could write without fear of offending, what would I say? That the liberal policies of well-meaning, guilt-ridden white folk have done more to cripple Black folk than to lift Black folk. We never asked to be your welfare case.
If I could write without fear of offending, I’d say, don’t feed me, teach me. Don’t integrate me, nor segregate me. I’d say that no man has the power to liberate me.
That we were born free. Created free. Predestined to be free.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
See me. See us. See that we live, move, breathe and we bleed — the same color as you.
See that this too is true: We need a hand up, not a hand out. Not generational, self-perpetuating welfare chains. Equality. Not jaded justice. Not American hypocrisy.
If I could write without political correctness, I’d say that “guilt” is a poor substitute for repentance.
So pass me with the guilt and shame. For that won’t prevent me as a Black man from becoming the end of the hashtag, “sayhisname”
Guilt and shame do not prevent the commission of sins present or in the future. One’s conscience may be soothed by the self-placating ointment of guilt.
But the healing balm of repentance brings redemption, frees the soul. Makes one whole.
Moreover, of what value is my guilt, if I do not mend my ways? How fair is a broken system, which continues to perpetuate systemic racial hate?
And if you legislate policy but do not tend to weightier matters of the soul, how many afflictions and un-American contradictions will our Black souls have to bear beneath these symbols that insist we dwell in the land of the free? Why is freedom still only an illusion for folks Black like me?
…I’d say that Joe Biden is not our savior. But Donald Trump was certainly not our friend. And in another four years, we get to vote again.
If I could tell my truth without worry of backlash, I’d say that after 60 years as a man born Black in America that so much of America still hates my black ass.
I’d say, to hell with the NFL, with its milquetoast nod to Black Lives Matter. Apologize to Colin Kaepernick! And when Kap says all is well, holler at me sometime after.
If I could speak freely, I’d say that after all the marches and protests this summer and fall, Black Lives still don’t matter to us all. I’d ask, “How come young Black men don’t heed the call?”
Or why, in Black neighborhoods across this nation, the preponderance of murder and violence is inflicted upon Black Lives by Black Lives without hesitation? Why do we blame all of our ill decisions on systemic oppression?
If I could speak the truth in love — as God is my witness above — without risk of being labeled “sellout” or “Uncle Tom,” I’d say that we have too much wasted precious time, waiting for our oppressor to come liberate us, or a descending Black Messiah.
Meanwhile, we succumb to assorted poverty pimps — political and clergical — who sift us for their own desires.
If I could speak without fear of antagonizing the Afro-stocracy, miseducating Black-ademics, and those so-called Black leaders who rode our backs to their own brighter day, I’d ask,
“When you coming back around this way?”
If I could speak freely, I’d say that white accountability does not absolve us of Black responsibility. But a man can’t pull himself up by his own bootstraps when all he’s got is his bare feet.
I’d say that we’ve come a long way in America, baby. But ain’t no way in hell I’m free.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com


chicagosun-times--2020-11-14--Dear Abby: My widowed aunt, now alone in a big house, expects visitors to do chores

DEAR ABBY : Ten months ago , my aunt ’ s 66-year-old live-in boyfriend died unexpectedly .
She has no children and is left with a four-bedroom , two-bathroom house to take care of by herself .
She has always been in debt ( I think ) , and his final expenses only made it worse .
Since his death , she has expected my family ( mostly me ) to complete a list of chores every time I visit .
I have been asked to hook up her garden hose , plant grass , exterminate bees , replant flowers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ashes from the original bag to a more permanent urn .
So far , I have managed to avoid taking care of her pool and cutting her grass , but it ’ s only a matter of time before the neighbors stop doing it for her .
I love my aunt , and she has done a lot for me over the years .
I realize she has no kids to take care of her , but I don ’ t think I should be expected to be her lackey for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I tell her I can ’ t be responsible for taking care of her house without getting her upset or angry ?
Is it my place to say something to her mother and siblings ?
She has been very emotional since the death , and we ’ ve all been walking on eggshells , but she won ’ t go to therapy .
— OVERWHELMED NEPHEW DEAR NEPHEW : Your aunt may not need a therapist as much as she needs a grief support group to help her work through her loss .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure surge and wane from day to day , are magnified by her money problems .
Because the house and yard are now too much for her to handle alone , it might make sense for her to downsize and put the money she gets from selling the place to work for her .
Of course , she should run the idea by her attorney or accountant before making any decisions , but it might be the solution — not only to her problem , but also to yours .
DEAR ABBY : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and moved in literally the day COVID was announced as a national emergency .
I had planned to go around to our new neighbors and introduce ourselves , perhaps with a small gift ( I ’ m a professional baker ) .
That obviously hasn ’ t been possible .
We ’ ve had some over-the-fence interactions with a couple of neighbors , but I feel bad I haven ’ t reached out to the others .
My husband and I are private , introverted people , but I still want to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too late ?
What ’ s the protocol on introducing yourselves to neighbors ?
Given that everything is in flux and we still don ’ t know if it ’ s safe , I don ’ t want to let that become an excuse to put it off indefinitely .
— NEIGHBORLY IN NEW MEXICO DEAR NEIGHBORLY : It is not too late .
A charming way to introduce yourselves would be to deliver — or have delivered — a small plant to each of your neighbors , with a short note explaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you are a professional baker and you regret that the quarantine makes it impossible to reach out in a more personal way .
Be sure to include your address and phone number .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For everything you need to know about wedding planning , order “ How to Have a Lovely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Wedding Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: Ten months ago, my aunt’s 66-year-old live-in boyfriend died unexpectedly. She has no children and is left with a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house to take care of by herself. She has always been in debt (I think), and his final expenses only made it worse.
Since his death, she has expected my family (mostly me) to complete a list of chores every time I visit. I have been asked to hook up her garden hose, plant grass, exterminate bees, replant flowers, vacuum — even move her boyfriend’s ashes from the original bag to a more permanent urn. So far, I have managed to avoid taking care of her pool and cutting her grass, but it’s only a matter of time before the neighbors stop doing it for her.
I love my aunt, and she has done a lot for me over the years. I realize she has no kids to take care of her, but I don’t think I should be expected to be her lackey for the next 30 years. How do I tell her I can’t be responsible for taking care of her house without getting her upset or angry? Is it my place to say something to her mother and siblings? She has been very emotional since the death, and we’ve all been walking on eggshells, but she won’t go to therapy. — OVERWHELMED NEPHEW
DEAR NEPHEW: Your aunt may not need a therapist as much as she needs a grief support group to help her work through her loss. Her mood swings, which I am sure surge and wane from day to day, are magnified by her money problems.
Because the house and yard are now too much for her to handle alone, it might make sense for her to downsize and put the money she gets from selling the place to work for her. Of course, she should run the idea by her attorney or accountant before making any decisions, but it might be the solution — not only to her problem, but also to yours.
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I bought a house and moved in literally the day COVID was announced as a national emergency. I had planned to go around to our new neighbors and introduce ourselves, perhaps with a small gift (I’m a professional baker). That obviously hasn’t been possible. We’ve had some over-the-fence interactions with a couple of neighbors, but I feel bad I haven’t reached out to the others.
My husband and I are private, introverted people, but I still want to make ourselves known as approachable. Is it too late? What’s the protocol on introducing yourselves to neighbors? Given that everything is in flux and we still don’t know if it’s safe, I don’t want to let that become an excuse to put it off indefinitely. — NEIGHBORLY IN NEW MEXICO
DEAR NEIGHBORLY: It is not too late. A charming way to introduce yourselves would be to deliver — or have delivered — a small plant to each of your neighbors, with a short note explaining that you are new to the community, you are a professional baker and you regret that the quarantine makes it impossible to reach out in a more personal way. Be sure to include your address and phone number.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-11-14--Man on parole for carjacking Chicago Tribune reporter arrested after traffic stop

A man on parole for carjacking a Chicago Tribune reporter in 2017 was arrested Wednesday after accidentally shooting himself in the leg during a traffic stop in Armour Square on the South Side .
About 12:45 p.m. , Noriyhea Evans , 20 , and Jalen Howard , 19 , were inside a vehicle in the 200 block of West Pershing Road when officers conducted an investigatory stop , Chicago police said .
During the stop , officers heard a gunshot and discovered Evans had shot himself in the upper right leg with a weapon that was in his pants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment .
Evans was charged with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and one felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm , police said .
He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing identification .
Howard was charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon as well as a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license , police said .
He was also cited for operating an uninsured vehicle .
In 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with carjacking the Tribune reporter outside a Dunkin ’ Donuts in Bridgeport .
He pleaded guilty to charges of vehicular hijacking and receiving or possessing a stolen vehicle in February 2019 and was sentenced to four years in prison , according to Cook County court records .
Evans was released on parole in that case on June 24 , according to Illinois Department of Corrections records .
Both men remain in custody in Cook County Jail and will be released on electronic monitoring if able to post bail , according to court records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Nov. 20 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A man on parole for carjacking a Chicago Tribune reporter in 2017 was arrested Wednesday after accidentally shooting himself in the leg during a traffic stop in Armour Square on the South Side.
About 12:45 p.m., Noriyhea Evans, 20, and Jalen Howard, 19, were inside a vehicle in the 200 block of West Pershing Road when officers conducted an investigatory stop, Chicago police said.
During the stop, officers heard a gunshot and discovered Evans had shot himself in the upper right leg with a weapon that was in his pants, police said. Police drove him to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment.
Evans was charged with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and one felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm, police said. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing identification.
Howard was charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon as well as a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license, police said. He was also cited for operating an uninsured vehicle.
In 2017, Evans and two teenagers were charged with carjacking the Tribune reporter outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Bridgeport. He pleaded guilty to charges of vehicular hijacking and receiving or possessing a stolen vehicle in February 2019 and was sentenced to four years in prison, according to Cook County court records.
Evans was released on parole in that case on June 24, according to Illinois Department of Corrections records.
Both men remain in custody in Cook County Jail and will be released on electronic monitoring if able to post bail, according to court records.
Their next court appearance is set for Nov. 20.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-14--Teen shot during fight in South Loop Portillo’s drive-thru

A teenage boy was shot Friday night during a fight outside the Portillo ’ s restaurant in the South Loop @ @ @ @ @ a vehicle in a parking lot shortly after 11 p.m. in the 500 block of @ @ @ @ @ got into an altercation with someone in a black Jeep behind him who honked his @ @ @ @ @ to Chicago police .
A police source said the incident happened in the drive-thru of @ @ @ @ @ W. Taylor .
They got out of their cars and started to fight before the @ @ @ @ @ gun and shot the teen in the leg , police said .
The boy was @ @ @ @ @ fair condition , police said .
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives @ @

A teenage boy was shot Friday night during a fight outside the Portillo’s restaurant in the South Loop.
The 16-year-old was in a vehicle in a parking lot shortly after 11 p.m. in the 500 block of West Taylor Street when he got into an altercation with someone in a black Jeep behind him who honked his horn at him, according to Chicago police.
A police source said the incident happened in the drive-thru of Portillo’s, 520 W. Taylor.
They got out of their cars and started to fight before the male suspect pulled out a gun and shot the teen in the leg, police said.
The boy was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-13--Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson among four tied for Masters lead

AUGUSTA , Ga. — The buzz was back Friday at Augusta National , loud as ever .
It wasn ’ t from any of the patrons because they ’ re not allowed in this most usual Masters in November .
It came from the constant humming of motors of the sub-air system beneath the soft turf in an attempt to make the course a little firmer , a lot more like a typical Masters in April .
“ You have to really throw all the past knowledge out the window this week , as weird as it is , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few short-game shots that required trust and imagination for rounds of 66-69 .
That gave Thomas a share of the lead with Dustin Johnson ( 65-70 ) , Cameron Smith ( 67-68 ) and Abraham Ancer ( 68-67 ) , a Masters rookie who doesn ’ t know this course any other way .
“ A lot of the history and things that you know about the golf course , it can sometimes hurt you this week because of what you ’ re used to , ” Thomas said .
“ But at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a lot softer and a lot more scorable.
” Progress could be measured in greens that began to pick up some pace and scoring that didn ’ t get out of control .
Johnson , looking every bit like the No .
1 player in the world , had four birdies on the back nine in the morning for a 65 , breaking by two shots his best round at Augusta .
He birdied his way through Amen Corner at the start of his second round and quickly reached 10 under .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the 14th and a 3-iron that caught enough of a gust to come up short on the par-5 15th and roll back into the water , leading to another bogey .
He finished with a birdie for a 70 and was atop the leaderboard with the others at 9-under 135 when the second round was halted by darkness , a product of a weather delay at the start of the tournament that has put the Masters behind schedule .
The forecast for the weekend is favorable , warm and mostly sunny .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit , but it ’ s going to be tough for it to get firm , ” Johnson said .
“ I think it ’ s going to be soft enough to where you ’ re going to have to attack the golf course and play aggressive and keep swinging like I am .
I like where I ’ m at .
I like my position.
” Still to be determined is what that position will be .
Hideki Matsuyama was at 8 with three holes remaining , while Jon Rahm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holes left , including both par 5s on the back nine .
Another Masters rookie , Sungjae Im ( 70 ) , was in the group another shot behind that included Patrick Cantlay ( 66 ) , who contended for the green jacket last year .
Cantlay was among four players who had 66 , the lowest score when play was stopped for the night .
Among those still on the course was Tiger Woods , stuck in neutral on a day when the greens picked up a little more speed and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bryson DeChambeau was struggling to make the cut after a lost ball that led to a triple bogey .
What two days have shown is that Masters experience only goes so far on a soft course with rye grass that isn ’ t grown in quite the way it usually is in April .
Thomas served up one example from Friday morning .
He was well left of the 15th green in two with the pin to the right , leaving a pitch that typically is nearly impossible to hit close .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitch that hit the brakes at the hole and spun gently to tap-in range for birdie .
“ I had to trust that I just had to gas it and hit it pretty hard and it was going to spin , ” Thomas said .
“ Balls are making pitch marks with chip shots and pitch shots.
” Woods left the course Thursday with only three players ahead of him .
He was tied for 10th when the first round ended , and he was tied for 22nd when he left Friday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bogeys on the third and seventh , the latter from a tee shot close enough to the Georgia pines that his only shot was to hit a runner into the front bunker .
DeChambeau , the betting favorite coming into the week because of his enormous bulk and power off the tee , took a big swing on No .
3 and never found the ball .
With the altitude on his shots , it could have buried under the soft turf .
Either way , he went back to the tee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , made a mess of his flop shot and took a triple bogey .
He followed with two more bogeys but was in good position for a birdie to get back to even par for the tournament .
The cut is top 50 and ties , and among those who will be sticking around are young and old — 23-year-old U.S .
Amateur runner-up John Augenstein and 63-year-old Bernhard Langer .
The two-time Masters champion shot 68 in the morning on a long , soft course .
He followed with a 73 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cut at Augusta National .
“ It actually makes me feel older when I play with these young guys and I see how far they hit it and how short I hit it , ” Langer said .
“ I like this golf course .
I think I know how to get around it , even though I hit very long clubs .
But it ’ s certainly not easy.
” It was plenty hard for Rory McIlroy , who opened with a 75 and was in danger of the weekend off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least get back in the mix in his pursuit of the final leg of the career Grand Slam .

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The buzz was back Friday at Augusta National, loud as ever.
It wasn’t from any of the patrons because they’re not allowed in this most usual Masters in November. It came from the constant humming of motors of the sub-air system beneath the soft turf in an attempt to make the course a little firmer, a lot more like a typical Masters in April.
“You have to really throw all the past knowledge out the window this week, as weird as it is,” said Justin Thomas, who hit a few short-game shots that required trust and imagination for rounds of 66-69.
That gave Thomas a share of the lead with Dustin Johnson (65-70), Cameron Smith (67-68) and Abraham Ancer (68-67), a Masters rookie who doesn’t know this course any other way.
“A lot of the history and things that you know about the golf course, it can sometimes hurt you this week because of what you’re used to,” Thomas said. “But at the end of the day, it is a lot softer and a lot more scorable.”
Progress could be measured in greens that began to pick up some pace and scoring that didn’t get out of control.
Johnson, looking every bit like the No. 1 player in the world, had four birdies on the back nine in the morning for a 65, breaking by two shots his best round at Augusta. He birdied his way through Amen Corner at the start of his second round and quickly reached 10 under.
Johnson was slowed by a three-putt bogey on the 14th and a 3-iron that caught enough of a gust to come up short on the par-5 15th and roll back into the water, leading to another bogey.
He finished with a birdie for a 70 and was atop the leaderboard with the others at 9-under 135 when the second round was halted by darkness, a product of a weather delay at the start of the tournament that has put the Masters behind schedule.
The forecast for the weekend is favorable, warm and mostly sunny.
“I think it can firm up a little bit, but it’s going to be tough for it to get firm,” Johnson said. “I think it’s going to be soft enough to where you’re going to have to attack the golf course and play aggressive and keep swinging like I am. I like where I’m at. I like my position.”
Still to be determined is what that position will be. Hideki Matsuyama was at 8 with three holes remaining, while Jon Rahm was at 8 under and had six holes left, including both par 5s on the back nine.
Another Masters rookie, Sungjae Im (70), was in the group another shot behind that included Patrick Cantlay (66), who contended for the green jacket last year. Cantlay was among four players who had 66, the lowest score when play was stopped for the night.
Among those still on the course was Tiger Woods, stuck in neutral on a day when the greens picked up a little more speed and the autumn leaves shook slightly with some wind. Bryson DeChambeau was struggling to make the cut after a lost ball that led to a triple bogey.
What two days have shown is that Masters experience only goes so far on a soft course with rye grass that isn’t grown in quite the way it usually is in April.
Thomas served up one example from Friday morning. He was well left of the 15th green in two with the pin to the right, leaving a pitch that typically is nearly impossible to hit close. He went with a hard, low pitch that hit the brakes at the hole and spun gently to tap-in range for birdie.
“I had to trust that I just had to gas it and hit it pretty hard and it was going to spin,” Thomas said. “Balls are making pitch marks with chip shots and pitch shots.”
Woods left the course Thursday with only three players ahead of him. He was tied for 10th when the first round ended, and he was tied for 22nd when he left Friday night with two birdies on the par 5s and bogeys on the third and seventh, the latter from a tee shot close enough to the Georgia pines that his only shot was to hit a runner into the front bunker.
DeChambeau, the betting favorite coming into the week because of his enormous bulk and power off the tee, took a big swing on No. 3 and never found the ball. With the altitude on his shots, it could have buried under the soft turf. Either way, he went back to the tee and drove in about the same spot, made a mess of his flop shot and took a triple bogey.
He followed with two more bogeys but was in good position for a birdie to get back to even par for the tournament.
The cut is top 50 and ties, and among those who will be sticking around are young and old — 23-year-old U.S. Amateur runner-up John Augenstein and 63-year-old Bernhard Langer. The two-time Masters champion shot 68 in the morning on a long, soft course. He followed with a 73 and will be the oldest player to make the cut at Augusta National.
“It actually makes me feel older when I play with these young guys and I see how far they hit it and how short I hit it,” Langer said. “I like this golf course. I think I know how to get around it, even though I hit very long clubs. But it’s certainly not easy.”
It was plenty hard for Rory McIlroy, who opened with a 75 and was in danger of the weekend off until he rallied with a 66 to at least get back in the mix in his pursuit of the final leg of the career Grand Slam.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-13--Horoscope for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020

Horoscope for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Scorpio .
This is a powerful day for discussions about shared property , loans , taxes and debt .
It ’ s a good day to talk to a financial institution to ask for a loan or mortgage .
It ’ s also a good day to discuss how to divide or share something .
Look for ways to make improvements .
This is an excellent day to sit down and have a heart-to-heart discussion with a close friend or partner about the relationship or any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You might introduce changes into the relationship , especially because all parties will be positive and receptive .
This is a lovely day !
You might be able to do something that will improve your health .
Likewise , you can improve your job or improve how you are approaching a particular task .
Tonight , is an excellent time to begin something new .
You will enjoy entertaining because you will love to be in the company of others .
You will also enjoy sports events and fun activities with kids .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only will it be fun , it also might lift your spirits in a powerful way .
This is a great day to make home improvements or to have a family discussion about how to take off in a new direction .
You might want to initiate something , especially tonight .
You might also explore real estate opportunities or ways to improve where you live .
Your communication skills are excellent , which is why this is a strong day for those of you who sell , market , teach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a lovely day for a short trip and discussions with siblings , relatives and neighbors .
Tonight is a good time to start something new .
This is a good money day for you .
You might see ways to boost your income or to make money on the side .
You might even explore a better paying job .
Likewise , you might see new uses for something that you already own because you ’ re in a resourceful frame of mind .
This is a powerful day for you because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Jupiter and your ruler Pluto .
You have focus and intention .
This is a good day to clean up your surroundings or your immediate environment .
You might do something to improve your appearance as well .
Tonight is a great time to begin something .
Your ability to research anything is top-notch today because you have a penetrating mind and a deep curiosity .
Furthermore , you also have a desire to learn and expand your world .
Note : What you learn might ultimately improve your wealth .
Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends will be excellent choices for you today .
These interactions will benefit you in some way .
Furthermore , they might introduce you to new ideas and new beginnings .
Exciting !
You make a fabulous impression on bosses , parents , teachers and the police today .
People in power will admire you ; furthermore , they see you as influential and someone to be respected .
You might also impress a group or an association .
This is a wonderful day to study something or learn something new through travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a penetrating mind and a deep curiosity today plus the desire to expand your knowledge of the world .
Enjoy talking to people from other cultures .
If Your Birthday Is Today Charles , Prince of Wales ( 1948 ) shares your birthday .
People seek your advice .
You are passionate and have a colorful love life .
You are also creative and enjoy your hobbies .
Because you are entering a new cycle , it means it ’ s time to define goals to determine what you want for yourself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and physically energetic about going after what you want .
Just do it !

Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Scorpio.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
This is a powerful day for discussions about shared property, loans, taxes and debt. It’s a good day to talk to a financial institution to ask for a loan or mortgage. It’s also a good day to discuss how to divide or share something. Look for ways to make improvements.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This is an excellent day to sit down and have a heart-to-heart discussion with a close friend or partner about the relationship or any issues that are important to you. You might introduce changes into the relationship, especially because all parties will be positive and receptive.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
This is a lovely day! You might be able to do something that will improve your health. Likewise, you can improve your job or improve how you are approaching a particular task. Tonight, is an excellent time to begin something new.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
You will enjoy entertaining because you will love to be in the company of others. You will also enjoy sports events and fun activities with kids. In fact, whatever you do — not only will it be fun, it also might lift your spirits in a powerful way.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
This is a great day to make home improvements or to have a family discussion about how to take off in a new direction. You might want to initiate something, especially tonight. You might also explore real estate opportunities or ways to improve where you live.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Your communication skills are excellent, which is why this is a strong day for those of you who sell, market, teach, write or act. It’s also a lovely day for a short trip and discussions with siblings, relatives and neighbors. Tonight is a good time to start something new.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This is a good money day for you. You might see ways to boost your income or to make money on the side. You might even explore a better paying job. Likewise, you might see new uses for something that you already own because you’re in a resourceful frame of mind.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
This is a powerful day for you because the sun is in your sign dancing with Jupiter and your ruler Pluto. You have focus and intention. This is a good day to clean up your surroundings or your immediate environment. You might do something to improve your appearance as well. Tonight is a great time to begin something.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Your ability to research anything is top-notch today because you have a penetrating mind and a deep curiosity. Furthermore, you also have a desire to learn and expand your world. Note: What you learn might ultimately improve your wealth.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Group situations, meetings and time spent with friends will be excellent choices for you today. These interactions will benefit you in some way. Furthermore, they might introduce you to new ideas and new beginnings. Exciting!
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You make a fabulous impression on bosses, parents, teachers and the police today. People in power will admire you; furthermore, they see you as influential and someone to be respected. You might also impress a group or an association.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
This is a wonderful day to study something or learn something new through travel, books or coursework. You have a penetrating mind and a deep curiosity today plus the desire to expand your knowledge of the world. Enjoy talking to people from other cultures.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Charles, Prince of Wales (1948) shares your birthday. People seek your advice. You are passionate and have a colorful love life. You are also creative and enjoy your hobbies. Because you are entering a new cycle, it means it’s time to define goals to determine what you want for yourself in the next few years. Be confident and physically energetic about going after what you want. Just do it!