chicagotribune--2020-02-21--Alex DeBrincat scores both Blackhawks goals in a 2-1 overtime win over the Predators

“ So nice to see that puck go in for Brinksy , ” coach Jeremy Colliton said .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ had a bunch of games lately that we ’ ve played hard and didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ it helps to move this thing forward when you get a win and ultimately , @ @ @ @ @ consistency from the group .

Even if the Blackhawks ultimately can’t make up the ground they need to get a wild-card playoff spot, Friday’s 2-1 overtime win after trailing the Predators for more than two periods was an emotional lift the team needed.
Erik Gustafsson’s last-minute scratch could have been a downer, but the Hawks came out with high energy. Alex DeBrincat scored both of the Hawks’ goals, and Corey Crawford made 42 saves.
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“Our group showed a lot of character to stay in it and find a way to come back in the third,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “It’s nice for the power play to come through. (Crawford) made some big saves, kept us in it and real happy for (DeBrincat) .”
Here are three takeaways from Friday night’s win.
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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 24 Alex DeBrincat scores the winning goal past Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne in overtime. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
1. The Blackhawks got the power-play monkey off their backs — for now.
When you rank last in a category, you tend to get asked about it often . And Alex DeBrincat has had to answer most of the questions.
So it’s fitting that DeBrincat scored on the power play about nine minutes into the third period. To top it off, DeBrincat raced out on a breakaway in overtime and had a clear shot at goalie Pekka Rinne, beating him glove-side high to win the game.
“I feel like I’ve had a lot hit the post and gotten a lot of chances lately and they went in tonight. It’s nice,” DeBrincat said.
Coach Jeremy Colliton also let DeBrincat mix it up with the big boys in front of the net. Because DeBrincat was there, he was able to deflect a shot by Patrick Kane for the Hawks’ first goal.
“No, actually, never in my life,” DeBrincat said when asked if he ever played in front. “I watched some clips today and tried to do the best I could. Tried to get in the goalie’s eyes as much as possible. The goal it’s just trying to go to the net, and it just hit me. It’s lucky.”
The 5-foot-7, 165-pound DeBrincat took “a few crosschecks, but nothing you can’t get over.”
Collition decided to place him there because “we’re trying to get him going and he’s a guy who’s not afraid to get his nose dirty."
Added Colliton: “Sometimes you put a guy in that spot, they have a little touch and they find a way to bury that rebound, or I know he ends up getting a stick on the puck.”
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2. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne had plenty to highlight in a goaltending duel.
The Hawks had the first eight shots on goal, and Crawford didn’t see a shot until about eight minutes into the game.
That little respite didn’t last. After a 10-shot first period, he was hit with a 20-shot barrage in the second — giving up a goal — and he faced 43 shots overall. But many of his saves were beauties.
The Predators’ Craig Smith, who had six goals over his previous six games, tried to beat Crawford on a wraparound and then on a backhand on the rebound, but Crawford stopped him both times. In the second period, Crawford gloved Rocco Grimaldi’s deflection and later stopped consecutive shots by Smith, Grimaldi and Kyle Turris.
“(I was) just trying to be in front of the puck and get there as quick as I can and just work hard through screens,” Crawford said. “Just kind of battling there. We need some wins, so I’ve just got to bring my best effort.”
Rinne had several gems himself. The Hawks had a two-man advantage in the third period after hooking and tripping penalties. Rinne deflected a DeBrincat one-timer, then dived to stop Patrick Kane, who fired from glove side on the rebound.
Later Rinne body-blocked a point-blank shot from Jonathan Toews and barely got a glove on Drake Caggiula’s rebound. But DeBrincat ultimately beat Rinne top shelf for the winner.
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"Yeah, he was really good,” Crawford said of Rinne. “I thought we had the winner there, too, late (in the third period). He made some great saves, but for us it’s just keep going. … Great shot by Cat. That was good to see just to not get let down by not getting that one in a tight game like that and find a way.”
3. Erik Gustafsson’s last-minute scratch caught everyone off guard, but Nick Seeler rose to the occasion.
Jeremy Colliton had to scramble to make defensive adjustments after Gustafsson, who’s a likely trade target, was scratched just before warmups.
“Hockey ops made the call. They wanted to pull him, so we just acted accordingly,” Colliton said. “Obviously, (you) make a quick decision as far as what we’re going to do, and you never know how it’s going to work out. But I thought Seeler did well.”
Seeler had about 12 minutes on the ice, made two hits, drew a cross-checking penalty in the first period and blocked a wrister by Dante Fabbro in the third.
“A lot of guys played extra minutes and hard minutes with all the penalties in particular,” Colliton said. “Thought we did a real good job of handling it. ... Gus is a very popular guy in the room. But I thought we handled it well.”
DeBrincat said Gustafsson’s absence “sucks, but it’s part of the business. We have to go out there and do our job, and they have to do theirs.”
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Here is more coverage from Friday night’s game.
The Blackhawks rallied in the third period and overtime with two goals by Alex DeBrincat to beat the Predators 2-1 on Friday night at the United Center and sustain a pulse on their long-shot playoff hopes.
And they did it through — of all things — a DeBrincat power-play goal.
Patrick Kane rifled a pass to DeBrincat, which he deflected to Predators goalie Pekka Rinne’s glove side in the third period. Duncan Keith also was in on the assist, which gave him his 600th career point.
The Hawks have had little success figuring out how to fix the league’s worst power play. It had been particularly frustrating for DeBrincat, who entered the game with only one power-play goal and two goals overall so far this month.
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DeBrincat wore a big smile as he pumped his fist in celebration.
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The Hawks almost closed out the game in regulation, but Rinne blocked shots by Jonathan Toews and Drake Caggiula in the final seconds.
But in the three-on-three overtime, DeBrincat got free on a breakaway and slapped in the winner.
“So nice to see that puck go in for Brinksy,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. "Our team, we’ve had a bunch of games lately that we’ve played hard and didn’t get rewarded, so it helps to move this thing forward when you get a win and ultimately, we’re looking for consistency from the group.
“Part of asking for that consistency, they need some results and that helps.”
Corey Crawford stopped 42 of 43 shots for the Hawks.
“It’s a great feeling," Keith said of the win. "Obviously just to have that feeling, we were down most of the game. We stuck with it, we stayed patient, had some big penalty kills. … Huge win, nice to win like that at home, too.”


chicagotribune--2020-02-21--72-year-old man carjacked, attacked in Sauganash on Northwest Side, cops say

Just before 7 p.m. , the 72-year-old got out of his vehicle parked in the 5900 block of North Sauganash @ @ @ @ @ walked over , and one of them grabbed the 72-year-old as the other punched him @ @ @ @ @ him to the ground , according to Chicago police .

Police apprehended two juveniles who are persons of interest in the beating and carjacking of a 72-year-old man Friday night in the Sauganash neighborhood on the Northwest Side, officials said.
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Just before 7 p.m., the 72-year-old got out of his vehicle parked in the 5900 block of North Sauganash Lane. Two unknown males walked over, and one of them grabbed the 72-year-old as the other punched him in the face before throwing him to the ground, according to Chicago police.
The two males snatched the 72-year-old’s car keys and other belongings, and escaped in his vehicle, police said. The 72-year-old declined medical attention.
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Officers recovered the vehicle on the South Side and took the juveniles into custody, according to Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
Detectives are still investigating, Guglielmi said.


chicagotribune--2020-02-21--Speeding SUV plows into 3 pedestrians, causing chain-reaction crash on Near West Side

After hitting the people , the SUV “ clipped the front fender of a pickup truck ” before smashing into @ @ @ @ @ parked , which caused the Mustang to back into a Jeep that was also parked @ @ @ @ @ , that Jeep possibly also collided with the SUV .

Police monitor the scene of a car crash at Randolph and Halsted streets in Chicago that reportedly caused several injuries Friday, Feb. 21. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
A possibly intoxicated man behind the wheel of a sport utility vehicle traveling at “high speed” hit three pedestrians and several other vehicles before crashing up against a tavern on the Near West Side Friday afternoon.
Police are investigating whether the driver who caused the crash, which happened about 4:30 p.m. at the southeast corner of Randolph and Halsted streets, was "under the influence.'' No charges have been filed yet as of Saturday afternoon, said Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
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A 47-year-old man behind the wheel of a black Hyundai Santa Fe SUV was southbound on Halsted at “high speed” when he attempted to make it through the green light at Randolph, said Officer Michelle Tannehill, a police spokeswoman, and Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
But the driver “swerved out of control” crossed over lanes and into oncoming traffic, and ran into three men who were crossing the street, according to Tannehill.
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After hitting the pedestrians, the SUV “clipped the front fender of a pickup truck” before smashing into a red Mustang that was parked, which caused the Mustang to back into a Jeep that was also parked, said Langford. Additionally, that Jeep possibly also collided with the SUV.
When it was all over, the SUV was “pinned” between the Mustang and Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 W. Randolph St., which was packed with patrons, said Langford.
“Lots of witnesses saw it," Langford said of the crash.
Chicago Police monitor the scene of a car crash on Halsted Street at Randolph Street in Chicago that reportedly caused several injuries on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
A 45-year-old who suffered head injuries was taken in critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, while the two other victims, 36 and 45, who both suffered “minor” injuries and were in good condition to Stroger and Northwestern, according to police.
The motorist who was driving the speeding vehicle had a cut to his head and was in good condition at Stroger and the driver of the “clipped” pickup declined medical treatment.
Halsted from Washington Street to Randolph was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic and vehicular traffic was slowly able to move west on Randolph, Tannehill said.
Six ambulances were sent to the scene.
Check back for details.
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rsobol@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-02-21--3 takeaways from White Sox spring training, including where Luis Robert will bat in their Cactus Lea

3 takeaways from White Sox spring training, including where Luis Robert will bat in their Cactus League opener

“ It ’ s not something I want to lock myself into , ” Renteria said .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ at the top of the order and have the experience up there .
We want @ @ @ @ @ him an opportunity to transition , unless your eyes tell you something different that gives @ @ @ @ @ able to make some adjustments .
”

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Here are three takeaways from White Sox camp Friday.
1. Rain or shine, the Sox will get to work Saturday. If they play, Luis Robert will bat leadoff.
Rain is in the forecast for Saturday when the Sox are scheduled to play their Cactus League opener against the Angels.
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Rain or shine, the Sox plan on getting in some work.
“If we have to adjust for the rain, we will not preempt anything so that we can continue to get stuff done in the cages,” Sox manager Rick Renteria said Friday. “We’ll have everything set up to be able to audible.”
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If the rain holds off, expect to see Reynaldo Lopez on the mound. Renteria wouldn’t disclose his lineup but did say center fielder Luis Robert will be leading off.
Thursday, Renteria said it was unlikely Robert would called on to be the leadoff hitter at the start of the season. Renteria addressed the topic again Friday.
“It’s not something I want to lock myself into,” Renteria said. “We have enough guys who have worked at the top of the order and have the experience up there. We want to make sure to give him an opportunity to transition, unless your eyes tell you something different that gives you the ability to be able to make some adjustments.”
As for how long starters might play during the first few days of exhibition games, Renteria said: “Maybe a couple of at-bats. Four to five innings. Obviously they might go around and get three at-bats. Two or three at-bats possibly.”
2. Michael Kopech had a close call.
Matt Skole hit a line drive toward the mound that just missed Michael Kopech during Friday’s live batting practice session.
Kopech, who is returning after missing all of last season because of Tommy John surgery, had a good laugh about the close call later.
“I think (it) whipped my ear there a little bit," Kopech said. "He put a good swing on a good pitch, and I just was slow getting out of the way but it almost got me in the face.
“I haven’t seen that kind of real-time feedback in a long time, and that’s about as real-time as it gets. That’s what you want to experience, to see if you can get somebody or if he can get you. And he got me.”
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3. A bullpen session has been scheduled for Lucas Giolito.
Lucas Giolito, who broke out as the Sox’s ace last season with a 14-9 record and 3.41 ERA, has a bullpen session scheduled for Saturday.
The right-hander has been slowed this spring by a muscle strain in his rib-cage area.
It’s a good sign for the right-hander, who said previously that his level of concern regarding the injury was at “0%.”


chicagotribune--2020-02-21--Column: As Cactus League play begins, we’ll get some early clues of whether the White Sox have moved

Column: As Cactus League play begins, we’ll get some early clues of whether the White Sox have moved on from rebuilding to contending

“ I don ’ t think the word ‘ rebuild ’ is really the right word , ” Keuchel said @ @ @ @ @ been quite a few leaps from guys , so the rebuild phase is over .
@ @ @ @ @ like an open tryout in the big leagues , which I went through in Houston @ @ @ @ @ against ( the Sox ) last year was nice because I saw a lot of @ @ @ @ @ .

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The first three years of the White Sox rebuild featured some defining Cactus League moments, including Eloy Jimenez’s pinch-hit home run against the Cubs after begging manager Rick Renteria to hit and Luis Robert’s grand slam with a broken thumb.
But Year 4, which begins Saturday against the Angels at Camelback Ranch, figures to be the most intriguing yet.
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Between the ascension of rookies Robert and Nick Madrigal, the arrival of free agents Dallas Keuchel and Yasmani Grandal, the comeback of Michael Kopech and the sharp pivot from taking baby steps to actually contending, the Sox rebuild has come to a crossroads.
“I don’t think the word ‘rebuild’ is really the right word,” Keuchel said. “There’s been quite a few leaps from guys, so the rebuild phase is over. A rebuild to me is like an open tryout in the big leagues, which I went through in Houston. Being able to pitch against (the Sox) last year was nice because I saw a lot of guys take that next leap.
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“The only other phase now is making the playoffs. I don’t think there is any pressure on me or Grandal or Gio (Gonzalez) or any of these news guys to push (any message). I know we’re going to play well. There’s too much talent in this room to think anything less.”
We know the Sox should hit. We know they should get quality starts out of Keuchel and Lucas Giolito, and they have a reliable closer in Alex Colome and a workhorse for the eighth inning in Steve Cishek.
What we don’t know is whether they can catch the ball.
The Cactus League will offer visiting Sox fans some early clues, and as a bonus, they can work on their tans.
Most of the core prospects have already tasted some success. Now it’s time to take a bigger bite.
“We’re at a stage now where guys are starting to feel comfortable in their own skins,” Renteria said. “They’ve grown together, started to understand each other a little bit.”
Renteria traditionally protects his Cactus League plans like the Hope Diamond, deflecting questions with the dexterity of Luke Appling fouling off breaking balls to stay alive.
Surprisingly, Renteria did relay one significant decision before the Cactus League opener: He plans to bat Tim Anderson near the top of the lineup, either at No. 1 or No. 2 with Yoan Moncada, and take some pressure off Robert, who excelled in the leadoff spot in the minors.
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It’s a move that might spark outrage with the analytics crowd. Though Anderson led the majors in hitting last year with a .335 average, he was second-worst with a 2.9% walk rate. His .357 on-base percentage ranked 45th — good but not elite.
Anderson laughed off his critics and declared, “I don’t walk,” during an MLB Network interview at the start of camp, which prompted a question from the network’s Twitter account: “Would you rather walk 100 times or win a batting title?”
Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, a five-time batting champ with a career .415 OBP, quickly chimed in: “What’s wrong with doing both?”
Anderson de-escalated the debate, defending his philosophy to Boggs on Twitter and adding that everyone is “different.”
Nothing wrong with both. But i ain’t in the box waiting around to see if I’m gone walk. If you give me my pitch i@ gone drop some head on it. But we all different player. Everybody won’t get that tho. But i feel you 💯 — T A 7 (@TimAnderson7) February 12, 2020
Asked about the beef Thursday, Anderson said: “You can’t make everybody happy. Everything ain’t for everybody. Some people aren’t going to get why my approach is like that.”
Anderson insisted he’s not anti-walking. He’s simply pro-raking.
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“If you find a barrel, why would you want to walk?” he said. “I’m going to continue to try to find the barrel. We’re not going to let anybody’s opinions change our plan. We ain’t going to let nobody knock us off our pivot.
“This is all about me. This is my career. I’m here to compete and fill the spot where my team needs me. I’m all about winning championships. And doing whatever it takes to get there, I’m in.”
Renteria said he would “welcome” walks from Anderson if it means he’s laying off pitches he can’t hit, but he doesn’t believe Anderson needs to change.
“He is who he is,” Renteria said. “He swings the bat. When he swings the bat and puts the ball in play, his success rate is pretty high. Is it sustainable over the next 15 to 20 years? I don’t know. But hitters evolve in time.
"I remember not only physically, but approach-wise, guys in the old-school days would evolve. Right now, where he’s at, he trusts what he’s capable of doing. … I’m not going to try to overhaul him after having done what he did.”
No matter your opinion, the beginning of Cactus League action means it’s time to watch it all unfold, to look for reasons to believe the Sox rebuild has been worth the pain.
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“Some of these young guys who are talented are going to start transitioning from fundamentals to the games, and then from the fake games to the real games,” Keuchel said. “Just try to get these guys ready for another year of improvement, and if it’s anything short of the playoffs, then it’s a failure.”


chicagotribune--2020-02-21--Rod Blagojevich is back. So is Second City’s ‘Rod Blagojevich Superstar’

The illustrious Chicago comedy theater at 1613 N. Wells St. first staged Ed Furman and T.J. Shanoff ’ s satirical @ @ @ @ @ in 2009 in its e.t.c space , drawing inspiration from “ Jesus Christ Superstar , @ @ @ @ @ similar rock operas from the 1970s .
The show later moved to Chicago Shakespeare Theater @ @ @ @ @ the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights .

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich jokes with actors Joey Bland, left, playing Blagojevich and Lori McClain, playing Patti Blagojevich, before the Second City production of "Rod Blagojevich Superstar" at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Saturday, June 13, 2009. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
With the return home of Rod Blagojevich, the former Illinois governor and self-described “political prisoner," comes the reprise of Second City’s “Rod Blagojevich Superstar.”
And just as Blagojevich had his sentence commuted by President Donald J. Trump, so “Rod Blagojevich Superstar” will be back for one night only, an April 2 performance at Second City’s e.t.c. stage benefiting Second City’s alumni fund and the cancer charity known as Gilda’s Club.
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The illustrious Chicago comedy theater at 1613 N. Wells St. first staged Ed Furman and T.J. Shanoff’s satirical spoof of all things Blagojevich in 2009 in its e.t.c space, drawing inspiration from “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Godspell” and similar rock operas from the 1970s. The show later moved to Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier and then the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights.
At the time, the show was dubbed “the passion of the Rod.”
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“My party, my party, why have you forsaken me,” sang the title character in the opening number. “Machine, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Characters in the piece included such real-life political figures as former U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, former alderman Dick Mell, former Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan and, lest we forget, the former U.S. Senator Roland Burris, a Blagojevich appointee.
As reported at the time, other highlights in the piece included a rhyme for Judy Baar Topinka (“a great thinka”), a Pythonesque explanation of the full Blagojevich moniker Milorad (“Serbian, for one who is named Steve”), and appearances by both a hairbrush and a wig.
Lori McClain and Joey Bland (right) in "Rod Blagojevich Superstar!" by Second City Theatricals. ( Bob Knuth photo)
To make the show yet more surreal, Madigan could be seen on opening night, doubled up with laughter, even though the piece suggested she was having an amorous relationship with Fitzgerald.
And, stranger yet, Blagojevich himself went to the show on June 13, 2009, at Second City’s invitation (and maybe with some financial inducement). He got an enthusiastic ovation.
“Where were you when I was impeached?” he asked the audience.
Blagojevich was played by the actor Joey Bland. Second City has not yet announced casting for the benefit, but it is expected many of the original actors will return. Tickets are not yet on sale.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
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cjones5@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-02-20--Review: Broadway ‘West Side Story’ gets a brand new Ivo Van Hove look — why not add video and cut ‘I

Review: Broadway ‘West Side Story’ gets a brand new Ivo Van Hove look — why not add video and cut ‘I Feel Pretty’?

No moment exemplifies that intent than a stunner of a sequence following “ The Dance at the Gym , ” @ @ @ @ @ ( Isaac Powell ) and Maria ( Shereen Pimentel ) strain to reach each other @ @ @ @ @ by what looks and feels like two teams in a human tug of war .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ West Side ” has experienced leads with no particular connection : In this @ @ @ @ @ each other is so visceral as to overwhelm everything and everyone around them .
In @ @ @ @ @ on “ Somewhere , ” their feeling metastasizes with such force that everyone writhes around @ @ @ @ @ a lover of their own choosing .

NEW YORK — Ivo Van Hove, the visionary Dutch director behind the extraordinary, and extraordinarily controversial, Broadway revival of “West Side Story,” has one massive advantage over his peers. He’s a true outsider. He doesn’t give two figs about sacred Broadway traditions.
Not a single snap, Daddy-O.
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The iconic Jerome Robbins choreography? Great, but we’ve seen that for years. The Jets are a gang of white guys? They don’t have to be, any more than the Sharks all have to be Puerto Rican. Intermission? Only defuses the tension. “I Feel Pretty”? Cute, but insufficiently visceral for today.
A dream ballet? The average young person of color on the streets of a big American city no longer has such a luxury. Not with today’s Officer Krupkes baring down upon them, weapons first. Instead of dreaming of some fancy “Somewhere,” a kid has to get out a phone and start taking pictures, just to not get shot.
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Then there’s the core notion that a Broadway musical must, at its root, be a wholly live experience, a human transmission of art and emotion, a shared corporal experience expressed and received by carbon creatures.
Look again, say Van Hove and his design partners, Jan Versweyveld and videographer Luke Halls, at the eye-popping dimensionality now possible on a screen with today’s technology. Even when projected at the entire height of the stagehouse of the Broadway Theatre, where the show opened on Thursday.
If you can see Tony’s stubble and Riff’s sweat, these men persuasively argue with this show, there is no reason not to employ live filming and video imagery, especially since they allow you to use pulsing backdrop streetscapes that look like we’re all there tonight in the Bronx, or to pan over the faces of the ensemble, all tough-looking in An D’Huys costumes and done up with tattoos, reinforcing the point that everyone here has their anger, their pain and their story.
[ ‘West Side Story’ Broadway opening night sparks protests ]
Shereen Pimentel, Isaac Powell, and the cast of "West Side Story" at the Broadway Theatre in New York. (Jan Versweyveld photo)
The physical environments that Versweyveld chose to build — hyper-realistic shoebox versions of Doc’s drugstore and the dressmaker’s shop, hidden within the screen at the rear of the stage — are designed to offer a stark contrast with the dominant iconography, a trick that recalls David Cromer’s “Our Town.” In simple terms, physical realism mostly is aligned with the painful and the prosaic, as Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s choreography makes clear. Lovers prefer to run free on a bare stage, lifted by cameras from American soil that was polluted before they got there.
To put all that together, Van Hove has deconstructed the usual pieces of “West Side Story” in service of better targeting the show’s gooey, throbbing, omnisexual center: the truth that love is not only the fiercest human weapon against sectarian violence but the only real reason to live.
No moment exemplifies that intent than a stunner of a sequence following “The Dance at the Gym,” wherein a sensually smitten Tony (Isaac Powell) and Maria (Shereen Pimentel) strain to reach each other as they are held back by what looks and feels like two teams in a human tug of war. Anyone who has seen many a “West Side” has experienced leads with no particular connection: In this production, their need for each other is so visceral as to overwhelm everything and everyone around them. In this production’s take on “Somewhere,” their feeling metastasizes with such force that everyone writhes around on the stage floor with a lover of their own choosing.
Add in Van Hove’s macabre talent for articulating pending tragic disaster (as seen so vividly in his “A View From the Bridge”) and the result is a gripping “West Side” that you watch with both an appreciation for the power of the young and in love, and a profound sense of all-American doom. This is what Broadway can do when it focuses relentless on how it wants to make its audience feel. Even Jonathan Tunick’s orchestrations, which come with all kinds of subtle surprises, seem in service of that end.
With a company of around 40 performers, and the orchestra under the baton of Alexander Gemignani, this production often feels operatic in scope and nature; as such, it is a notable achievement for a group of commercial producers working without subsidy. No one individual turns in a star performance — Van Hove is invariably the star of his own work — but the two leads are not only up to the job vocally but feel like a single organism. Both Amar Ramasar, who plays Bernardo, and Yesenia Ayala, who essays Anita, have to deal with characters shorn to some degree of their specificity. They survive, though. And that is the point.
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The same cannot be said for the show’s archaic banter with Krupke (Danny Wolohan) or Doc (Daniel Oreskes). Both now feel like prophets of doom, emissaries of adult despair in a time and place where a couple of kids in love really have to go it alone, always knowing nothing will end for the best.
“West Side Story” plays at the Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway, New York; WestSideStoryBway.com
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
cjones5@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Brandon Morrow’s comeback effort hits a snag, and David Ross’ managerial debut is delayed. 3 takeawa

Brandon Morrow’s comeback effort hits a snag, and David Ross’ managerial debut is delayed. 3 takeaways from Cubs spring training.

A source said Morrow was relieved that his right elbow , which has been the major source of his problems @ @ @ @ @ , felt fine .
Morrow is listed as day to day with the shoulder injury @ @ @ @ @ sidelined longer .

MESA, Ariz. — Three takeaways from Cubs spring training Saturday.
1. Cubs reliever Brandon Morrow suffered a setback in his comeback effort.
Brandon Morrow, the former closer who hasn’t pitched in a game since July 15, 2018, was diagnosed with a strained muscle in his upper right chest.
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A source said Morrow was relieved that his right elbow, which has been the major source of his problems since he joined the Cubs, felt fine. Morrow is listed as day to day with the shoulder injury, but he could be sidelined longer.
Morrow, 35, signed a minor-league contract in December after the Cubs declined a $12 million option and gave him a $3 million buyout.
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The Cubs signed seven-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to a three-year, $43 million contract in June and had projected Morrow as a late-inning relief candidate.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 12 Kris Bryant talks with Anthony Rizzo during spring training. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
2. David Ross sidelined with a case of the flu.
New Cubs manager David Ross’ debut was delayed: He was sent home Saturday morning after feeling ill.
Bench coach Andy Green, who managed the Padres for four seasons, took over for Ross for the team’s Cactus League opener against the Athletics on Saturday night at Sloan Park.
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This marked the Cubs’ 42nd consecutive spring training in Mesa, the longest active streak in the Cactus League.
3. Kris Bryant is watching his steps.
Kris Bryant missed the final six games of the 2019 season because of a Grade 2 right ankle sprain after his foot hydroplaned on first base in an attempt to beat out an infield grounder against the Cardinals.
And the wet conditions Saturday at Sloan Park before the game against the Athletics caused Bryant to think twice about the way he steps on the bags.
“Last year, that’s understandable, with me going hard in the rain,” Bryant recalled of his effort with the Cubs battling for a playoff berth. “Here, you run hard, but you keep your feet under you. Nothing too crazy in the first spring game.”
Bryant saw no reason to change his footwear under soggy conditions.
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“We have metal cleats and hard bases,” Bryant said. “You’re going to slip on those when you’re wet. The way to go about it is change the base. I can’t change my footwear because of that.”
Bryant said he has opted for metal spikes instead cleats since he was 10.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Woman shot dead in car on South Shore: police

The 51-year-old ’ s husband had come outside by then as well , Watkins said , and he was “ @ @ @ @ @ By then , dozens of neighbors had come outside and were ordered to get behind @ @ @ @ @ Street .

Police work the scene in the 7300 block of South Bennett Avenue, where a woman, 51, was fatally shot about 3 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2022. (Alice Yin / Chicago Tribune)
A 51-year-old woman was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in the South Shore neighborhood on the city’s South Side.
It happened shortly before 3 p.m. in the 7300 block of South Bennett Avenue.
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An unknown assailant approached her while she was inside a vehicle and shot her in the head, police said.
She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she died.
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Willie Watkins, 73, said he heard about four gunshots right outside his home. He gingerly stepped away from the TV and out the door as his wife called out, “You be careful.”
“When we heard the shots, we almost fell to the floor,” Watkins said.
The 51-year-old, who Watkins said was his neighbor, was unresponsive and bleeding inside a blue sedan with both front windows shot out. Watkins, feeling fear the assailant was lurking nearby and urgency to save the woman, ran back inside the house to call 911. But police, having responded to a ShotSpotter call, were already pulling up.
The 51-year-old’s husband had come outside by then as well, Watkins said, and he was “messed up” emotionally. By then, dozens of neighbors crowded the sidewalks and were ordered to get behind the tape on East 74th Street.
One officer said to another that the woman was unconscious. That was Watkins’ cue to go home, he said. “Because what else could I do? It’s pitiful. You feel helpless.”
Watkins said the block, where he has lived since the late 1990s, is normally peaceful. He supposed that Saturday’s shooting was a taste of what other parts of the city endure.
“This is Chicago 2020,” Watkins said. “You hear it every day, shootings and carjackings. People ain’t got no conscience. It just hurts. Scary.”
Area Central detectives are investigating.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Opening day for the Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network is marred for some by distribution glitches

Hello !
We are aware of the issue and we are looking into it .
Broadcasting was scheduled to begin @ @ @ @ @ //t.co/iORmYgZlI4 This will be a part of the signature cable line up on Channel 377 @ @ @ @ @ ( HD ) Thank you for your patience .
-Karen

Spring training is for working the kinks out — not just for ballplayers, but apparently TV channels too.
Even for those who could figure out what channel the Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network was on, Saturday’s debut did not go as smoothly as all concerned might have hoped.
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Many of those Cubs fans who thought they would have access to Marquee, a long-anticipated joint venture of the Cubs and Sinclair Broadcast Group, ran into glitches on launch day.
Problems appeared to center on cable, satellite and streaming distribution, rather than on Marquee’s end.
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Fortunately, opening day is more than a month away.
Some RCN customers on Saturday had to wait at least an hour after the channel’s 1 p.m. launch to see Marquee on their TVs.
Hello! We are aware of the issue and we are looking into it. Broadcasting was scheduled to begin at 1PM. https://t.co/iORmYgZlI4 This will be a part of the signature cable line up on Channel 377 (SD) and 679 (HD) Thank you for your patience. -Karen — RCN (@RCNconnects) February 22, 2020
But at least RCN was among those that had established an authentication protocol so viewers could watch the channel via watchmarquee.com and the Marquee phone app.
Marquee said not all providers had enabled their customers to use Marquee Sports Network’s app, which offered fans access to the network and its content on their devices, on the go and on demand.
Among those shut out because companies had not yet enabled its customers to access Marquee’s stream were AT&T/DirecTV and Charter Spectrum subscribers.
Some DirecTV customers complained they weren’t getting the channel despite being under the impression they would.
Just to update others who might be in my situation, I'm in 61265. Directv MARQ 664 showing in my guide but message says I'm not subscribed. I have entertainment pkg as well as sports pack. Called DTV and was told Marquee not available in my zip code with any package. Confused. — Veets23 (@veets23) February 22, 2020
Never mind that rain pushed the exhibition opener Saturday against the Athletics from afternoon to an evening slot, Cubs manager David Ross was sidelined by the flu and Comcast’s Xfinity, which serves roughly half the households in the Cubs market, still hasn’t agreed to carry Marquee.
Some Mediacom subscribers in Rock Island, paying an extra $5 a month for Marquee, reported the channel was available in standard definition but not high definition on launch.
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The streaming service Hulu + Live TV, which announced a deal to carry the channel earlier in the week, said it would not have it available for a time. This seemed to catch its customers off guard.
@Cubs @WatchMarquee @hulu Switched streaming svc 2 Hulu (double $ of previous svc)so I can get Cubs’ games.I find out it won’t be available till 3/26?! I just want 2 watch my team play! I count days 2 ST & for 1st time I won’t get to watch them!Do something that benefits fans! — Sarah Pruitt (@Sarahpruitt76) February 22, 2020
Charter Spectrum, which serves homes in Illinois and Wisconsin, also is among the companies not offering access to the channel online yet.
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Some other pregame thoughts about Marquee’s launch.
To quote “Meatballs,” it just doesn’t matter: The first voice heard on “Marquee Debut,” the first program on the Cubs’ new channel, was that of the late Harry Caray, followed by a quick bit with Bill Murray on a cold Chicago night.
Nice of new studio host Cole Wright to immediately note his name was not among those Murray rattled off as people he was excited about contributing to Marquee. Murray did mention Fox’s Chris Myers, whose hire as Wright’s backup came at Murray’s suggestion.
About “Marquee Debut”: While Marquee billed the introductory show as “infotainment,” it played more like an informercial, something one would show potential advertisers and cable companies to tease what the channel intends to do.
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“Most watched" means already seen: Marquee’s rain-delay programming appears to be a step up from cutting to a rerun of “Walker, Texas Ranger,” already in progress. But “Best of Cubs YouTube,” a collection of the most-watched video clips the team put online a year or so ago, already seems worn out.
A lot of the appeal washes off with repeated viewing, so the channel might want to consign that to overnight hours. The “Best of Cubs You Tube” is best consumed as an on-demand option.
Nothing to say yet: Marquee has touted that it will have one-hour pregame and postgame shows. That apparently doesn’t cover spring training games, which is fine. Rare is the fan who thinks a one-hour pregame show is necessary — 15 minutes on the old WGN-9 “Lead-Off Man” was more than adequate — and it takes an extraordinary non-postseason game to merit a 60-minute review.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--White Sox lock up reliever Aaron Bummer with a 5-year, $16 million deal: ‘It’s an amazing feeling’

“ To be standing here now , it ’ s an amazing feeling , ” Bummer said Saturday after the @ @ @ @ @ was rained out .
“ I don ’ t know if we ever thought we @ @ @ @ @ this point .
I was a 19th-round draft pick .
Just to be standing in @ @ @ @ @ feeling .
Now to be able to take care of my family for the rest @ @ @ @ @ ’ s pretty awesome .
”

GLENDALE, ARIZ. —
Last spring didn’t exactly go as planned for White Sox reliever Aaron Bummer.
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He had a 12.00 ERA in seven appearances, with seven walks in six innings.
“I was getting my teeth kicked in,” Bummer said Saturday.
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This spring has gotten off to a memorable start for Bummer, and the Sox haven’t even had a Cactus League game yet.
The Sox agreed to a five-year, $16 million contract with the left-hander. The deal includes two club options that could extend the contract through the 2026 season.
“To be standing here now, it’s an amazing feeling,” Bummer said Saturday after the Sox’s spring opener was rained out. “I don’t know if we ever thought we were going to get to this point. I was a 19th-round draft pick. Just to be standing in the clubhouse is an amazing feeling. Now to be able to take care of my family for the rest of our lives, that’s pretty awesome.”
Bummer, 26, will receive $1 million in 2020, $2 million in 2021, $2.5 million in 2022, $3.75 million in 2023 and $5.5 million in 2024. The Sox hold options for $7.25 million in 2025 and $7.5 million in 2026, with $1.25 million buyouts for both seasons.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the deal is the largest extension in major-league history given to a non-closer reliever who has yet to qualify for salary arbitration.
“Any time you are looking at relievers, there’s the capacity to come in in key situations, high leverage, and be that guy you can count on in any situation,” Sox assistant general manager Jeremy Haber said. "That’s what we have with Aaron.
“In addition the nature of the position, there’s ups and downs. He’s experienced that in his career on and off the field. He demonstrated that resiliency that you look for in that position.”
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 78 White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease warms up in right field before a game against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on Feb. 23, 2020. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
Bummer missed his entire 2015 minor-league season after undergoing surgery to remove “loose bodies in his left forearm,” according to the Sox media guide. He began the 2016 season on the injured list while recovering from left elbow surgery and was reinstated July 19.
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He first appeared in the majors in 2017 and has become an essential part of the Sox bullpen.
Bummer finished with a 2.13 ERA, one save, 27 holds, 60 strikeouts and a 0.99 WHIP in 58 relief appearances in 2019.
“Going back to Chris Sale, and (Jose) Quintana and (Adam) Eaton and now Eloy (Jimenez) and (Luis) Robert, every organization seeks to acquire and develop and retain championship-level talent, and we are very pleased to have been able to accomplish that (Saturday) with another piece,” Haber said.
Bummer’s contract news was part of a busy morning for the Sox.
The team also announced it agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.5 million contract with infielder/outfielder Leury Garcia. The deal includes a club option for 2021. Garcia will receive $3.25 million in 2020, while the Sox hold a $3.5 million option for 2021 with a $250,000 buyout.
“It means a lot,” Garcia said through an interpreter. “It shows the confidence and trust the team has in me. Definitely it gives stability for me and my family, too.”
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Garcia, 29, had agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.25 million contract Jan. 10 to avoid arbitration. He hit .279 with 27 doubles, three triples, eight home runs, 40 RBIs and 93 runs in 140 games last season. He’s vying to start at second base, competing with Danny Mendick and Nick Madrigal. Garcia spent a majority of his time last season in the outfield but also played second, third and shortstop.
“Leury is a super-talented player,” Haber said. “He’s that Swiss Army knife and a great guy to have in any lineup. This move allows him to get a little more financial security and gives us the option on 2021 depending on how the roster shakes out.”
The Sox agreed to terms on 2020 contracts for the following 23 players:
Pitchers: Zack Burdi, Dylan Cease, Jimmy Cordero, Dane Dunning, Bernardo Flores Jr., Matt Foster, Jace Fry, Carson Fulmer, Lucas Giolito, Ian Hamilton, Michael Kopech, Jimmy Lambert, Reynaldo Lopez and Jose Ruiz.
Zack Burdi, Dylan Cease, Jimmy Cordero, Dane Dunning, Bernardo Flores Jr., Matt Foster, Jace Fry, Carson Fulmer, Lucas Giolito, Ian Hamilton, Michael Kopech, Jimmy Lambert, Reynaldo Lopez and Jose Ruiz. Catchers: Zack Collins, Yermin Mercedes and Seby Zavala.
Zack Collins, Yermin Mercedes and Seby Zavala. Infielders: Mendick and Yoan Moncada.
Mendick and Yoan Moncada. Outfielders: Micker Adolfo, Luis Basabe, Adam Engel and Blake Rutherford.
Giolito and Moncada will each make $627,000.
With the 23 signings, all members of the 40-man roster are under contract for the season.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Juveniles apprehended in connection with beating, carjacking of man, 72


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Police: Two men arrested after soldier in Iraq views burglary at Park Ridge home via doorbell camera

Officers responded to the area around 2:30 a.m. and saw two men walking along Higgins Road , not far from @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The two men were observed carrying items that investigators determined had been @ @ @ @ @ , as well as other items suspected of being stolen from cars in the area @ @ @ @

A soldier deployed to Iraq helped Park Ridge police officers nab two burglary suspects in his hometown, even though he was more than 6,000 miles away at the time, police said.
According to Park Ridge police, the department received a call early Friday morning from a man who said he was a soldier serving in Iraq and had just viewed a possible burglary at his Park Ridge home via a doorbell camera linked to his smartphone.
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The man reportedly told police he watched two people walk toward his garage on the 1800 block of South Fairview Avenue and then exit the garage holding several power tools.
Officers responded to the area around 2:30 a.m. and saw two men walking along Higgins Road, not far from the Fairview Avenue address, police said. The two men were observed carrying items that investigators determined had been stolen from the Fairview garage, as well as other items suspected of being stolen from cars in the area, police said.
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Police identified the suspects as Andres Gutierrez, 23, of the 1500 block of North Karlov Avenue, Chicago, and Brandon Shaw, 24, of the 600 block of Moca Court, Arcola, Illinois.
Each was charged with three counts of burglary, police said.
Park Ridge Police Department Executive Officer Tom Gadomski said the men are suspected of burglarizing at least two parked cars in addition to the garage. They were found with sports equipment and power tools when they were stopped by officers, he said.
Gutierrez remained behind bars in Cook County Jail Monday, but Shaw was released from custody, said Allison Peters, spokeswoman for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.
Both were scheduled to appear for a court hearing on Feb. 25, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
jjohnson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Rain washes away the White Sox’s Cactus League opener against the Angels at Camelback Ranch

Today 's game between @ whitesox & @ angels has been cancelled due to rain .
If you have tickets @ @ @ @ @ rainout policy : https : //t.co/icC3AiCUVV pic.twitter.com/hdLrusaIr5

GLENDALE, ARIZ. — The White Sox will have to wait one more day to begin Cactus League play.
Rain washed away Saturday’s opener against the Angels at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
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Today's game between @whitesox & @angels has been cancelled due to rain.
If you have tickets, please refer to our rainout policy: https://t.co/icC3AiCUVV pic.twitter.com/hdLrusaIr5 — Camelback Ranch (@camelbackranch) February 22, 2020
Prior to the cancelation, the Sox had planned to place outfielder Luis Robert in the lead-off position for Saturday’s game. Pitcher Reynaldo Lopez was scheduled to start.
The Sox are scheduled to play the Reds at 2:05 p.m. Sunday in Goodyear, Ariz.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Man charged with multiple sex crimes after hourslong standoff in Crystal Lake home: police

Officers from multiple agencies set up a perimeter around the house and negotiated with Reder for several hours until he @ @ @ @ @ according to police .
He was taken into custody on two active warrants , one @ @ @ @ @ from DuPage County .
More charges are expected , police said .

Matthew Reder, 24, is charged with multiple sex crimes after police said he barricaded himself in a Crystal Lake home on Feb. 22, 2020. (Crystal Lake Police Department)
After police said he barricaded himself in a Crystal Lake home and threatened officers with a knife, a McHenry man was taken into custody Friday night and charged with multiple felonies, including production of child pornography and sexual assault.
Matthew R. Reder, 24, was arrested following several hours of negotiations after he locked himself in a bathroom in the 500 block of Darlington Lane in the northwest suburb, according to a news release from Crystal Lake police.
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Crystal Lake police were called to the home around 4:30 p.m. Friday for reports of a burglary at the residence, police said. When officers arrived, Reder immediately barricaded himself in the bathroom and began threatening officers with a knife, the release said.
Officers from multiple agencies set up a perimeter around the house and negotiated with Reder for several hours until he surrendered himself without incident, according to police. He was taken into custody on two active warrants, one from McHenry County and one from DuPage County. More charges are expected, police said.
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Right now, the charges he faces are two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, two counts of production of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography, all class X felonies. He also faces a felony drug charge and four misdemeanor charges, including aggravated assault, obstructing a peace officer, criminal trespass to a residence and criminal damage to property.
He was awaiting a bond hearing in the McHenry County Jail.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Column: Rob Manfred will never live down his ‘piece of metal’ gaffe about the World Series trophy —

Column: Rob Manfred will never live down his ‘piece of metal’ gaffe about the World Series trophy — no matter how the Astros cheating scandal shakes out

It will be impossible for the 2017 Astros to live down the cheating scandal for the rest of their careers @ @ @ @ @ be impossible for Manfred to remove this gaffe from his baseball obituary , whenever that @ @ @ @ @ his MLB.com employees .
The phrase “ piece of metal ” will be a part @ @ @ @ @ forever , as “ Say it ain ’ t so , Joe ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ till it ’ s over .
”

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Grapefruit and Cactus League games begin Saturday across Florida and Arizona, the first official steps for major-league teams fighting for the coveted “piece of metal” that goes to the World Series champion.
The piece of metal, also known as the Commissioner’s Trophy, has been awarded to baseball’s best team since 1967, when Bob Gibson and the Cardinals beat the Red Sox in a seven-game series. Until last week, few knew the World Series trophy even had a name.
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But that all changed when Commissioner Rob Manfred called it “just a piece of metal” while discussing why he was reluctant to void the title of the 2017 Astros after their sign-stealing scandal.
Manfred apologized Tuesday for his unfortunate description of the holy grail of baseball. But no one was buying it, save for one Chicago reporter who, speaking “as a baseball fan,” thanked Manfred during a news conference for summoning the courage to admit he was wrong.
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“They’re never easy, and I hope I did OK,” Manfred replied. “I mean it. I feel badly about it.”
If Manfred thinks he feels badly about it now, wait until the piece-of-metal presentation ceremony at the next World Series.
It will be impossible for the 2017 Astros to live down the cheating scandal for the rest of their careers. Likewise, it will be impossible for Manfred to remove this gaffe from his baseball obituary, whenever that gets written by one of his MLB.com employees. The phrase “piece of metal” will be a part of baseball’s lexicon forever, as “Say it ain’t so, Joe” and “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
Congrats, commissioner, on your contribution to the game.
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant said the next day he didn’t believe Manfred was being sincere and the apology was meaningless.
“I don’t think people are accepting it,” Bryant said. “When you say something like that, I genuinely believe he really meant that it was just a piece of metal.”
White Sox pitcher Dallas Keuchel, who played for the 2017 Astros and issued the first apology of any of their players, said it was beneath the office of the commissioner to make such a remark.
“If you’re making $30 million to $40 million (Manfred’s estimated salary is $11 million) and you’re the central figure of baseball, I don’t really think you can have that vocabulary in your mind,” Keuchel said Thursday. “Then again, I’m not commissioner. It was distasteful, but that’s not my job.”
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So Manfred will have to live with this scarlet letter, not unlike the one steroid users wore after being busted. The lesson they might not have taught Manfred at Harvard Law School is to choose your words carefully — or risk having them attached to you on the internet forever.
Aside from widespread player disgust with Manfred, the vitriol emanating from the scandal — the player-vs.-player shots against the Astros — has been unprecedented. But it’s not particularly surprising given the weak apologies by Astros owner Jim Crane and the team’s biggest stars.
“Not at all,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said when asked if the apologies have been sincere. “I don’t think it was received well from players around the league. They don’t believe that the messaging is sincere, and so there’s going to be some (negative) reaction.”
That leaves new Astros manager Dusty Baker, who was not involved in the scandal, as the scandal’s primary spokesman. He’ll be forced to respond to opposing players’ reactions, whether it’s beanballs or harsh rhetoric, the rest of the season.
Fortunately for the Astros, Baker is experienced in handling a PR crisis from managing Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa, not to mention the 2004 Cubs as a whole.
“Dusty is a perfect hire,” Roberts said. “He’s a seasoned veteran. He relates to players. He has a way of doing some damage control. It’s taken Dusty too long to get back to managing, so I’m happy to see him back.”
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While repercussions from the Astros scandal play out this spring and we await Manfred’s verdict on the Red Sox sign stealing, MLB is having conversations with the players union concerning Manfred’s desire to “drastically restrict in-game access by game personnel to video (rooms).”
That seemingly would prevent some sign-stealing attempts, but why not just ban in-game technology altogether so there can be no doubts?
“We might be too far down the road on that,” Rockies manager Bud Black said.
For well over a century, major-league hitters performed without going into the clubhouse to check video of their last at-bat to make an adjustment in their next one. Surely they can go back to making the proper adjustments based on their knowledge of the pitchers and their own finely honed swings.
“As an in-game teaching tool, scouting tool, technology has become part of what players do and coaches do,” Black said. “Coaches look at video as much as players. But it could be turning.”
Black said he never has worn a smart watch or used technology to try to gain an advantage over the opposing team.
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“I barely know how to work my cellphone,” he said.
Mariners manager Scott Servais asked how you would even go about banning technology, though he said limiting it would suffice.
“In-game, OK, I don’t think (a ban) is a bad thing,” he said. “Get (the players) on the bench, back to (staying in the dugout). If that happens, I certainly understand it, and it’s not a bad thing.”
Meanwhile, the controversy over the cheating scandal — and Manfred’s handling of it — goes on with no end in sight. Even the players from the 2017 Astros seem to have accepted that as they try to move on, whether in Houston or in their new homes.
“I don’t know how many people there are in this world, or in this country, but everyone is entitled to an opinion,” Keuchel said. “It’s not going to go away anytime soon, but that’s just the way it is. I’ve said my piece with it and I’m moving on. I’m with the Chicago White Sox, and I’m hoping to bring some playoff experience to this team.”
Like everyone else in the game, Keuchel has only one goal in mind as the new season begins — to hold that beautiful piece of metal over his head eight months from now.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--South Shore train derails outside Millennium Station, causing minor injuries

A westbound train experienced a “ low-speed , minor derailment ” while nearing Millennium Station on Metra tracks , according @ @ @ @ @ Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District , which operates the line .

A South Shore train derailed outside Millennium Station on Saturday morning, causing minor injuries to four people, officials said.
A westbound train experienced a “low-speed, minor derailment” while nearing Millennium Station on Metra tracks, according to an alert from the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the line.
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Four adults were injured and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
The train was carrying 74 passengers, fire officials said.
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Metra trains that run on the same tracks are still able to operate, a Metra spokesman said.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Who will start at second base? Who will win the 5th-starter job? 5 areas to watch as the Cubs open C

Who will start at second base? Who will win the 5th-starter job? 5 areas to watch as the Cubs open Cactus League play.

As for the rest of the bullpen , the front office and Ross have cast a wide net of thrifty @ @ @ @ @ show effectiveness against right-handed and left-handed batters , especially with new rules stating a reliever @ @ @ @ @ three batters or finish an inning and pitchers staying on the injured list for a @ @ @ @ @

MESA, Ariz. — New Cubs manager David Ross has been around long enough from his playing days to not be swayed by spring performances in determining his opening-day roster.
But Ross and the Cubs front office have some questions to answer over the next month, starting with the Cactus League opener Saturday night against the Athletics at Sloan Park.
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1. Who will start at second base?
If Jason Kipnis continues to show enough range defensively and a quick bat, he’ll earn most of the playing time. Ross is aware of Kipnis’ credentials over a nine-year career that included two All-Star selections.
But the Cubs don’t expect to get more than 120 starts out of Kipnis, 32, a left-handed batter who hit 70 homers over the last four seasons but had a .304 on-base percentage in 2019 with the Indians.
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Jason Kipnis hits during Cubs a spring training workout Feb. 18, 2020, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
The Cubs need more mileage out of their second basemen, who hit .220 with a .301 on-base percentage last season. There are plenty of right-handed-hitting candidates, led by rookie Nico Hoerner, David Bote and Hernan Perez. Daniel Descalso, a left-handed hitter, is aiming for a rebound season after being nagged by an ankle injury that led to a .173 average.
Hoerner, 22, needs to play enough to continue his development after skipping Triple-A Iowa to play the final three weeks at shortstop in place of injured starter Javier Baez.
2. Who will replace Pedro Strop, Steve Cishek and Brandon Kintzler in the bullpen?
Rowan Wick made a favorable impression last spring and became a prominent late-inning reliever by August.
Newcomer Jeremy Jeffress was a 2018 National League All-Star and is determined to rebound from a rough 2019 season with the Brewers. The Cubs also will have a full season with closer Craig Kimbrel, whose June free-agent signing started a rough three months.
As for the rest of the bullpen, the front office and Ross have cast a wide net of thrifty candidates who will need to show effectiveness against right-handed and left-handed batters, especially with new rules stating a reliever must face a minimum of three batters or finish an inning and pitchers staying on the injured list for a minimum of 15 days.
“It’s a lot easier to watch a bullpen and make judgement,” Ross said. “Once I get into the games, it will give me a good feedback on body language from the hitter and talking to the catchers and even talking to some of these guys I know in their live batting practices and what’s their stuff look like.”
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 21 Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Victor Caratini and Kris Bryant stand on the field at Sloan Park. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
3. Who will stabilize center field?
If switch hitter Ian Happ can carry his September production into spring training, he’ll earn the majority of the playing time.
But Cubs center fielders hit only .220 with a .301 on-base percentage in 2019. Ross and his staff will watch closely to see if Albert Almora Jr. can improve on his .255 average on batted balls in play and 30.6% hard-hit rate.
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Right-handed hitter Steven Souza, signed as a free agent in January, can spell left-handed corner outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward and has the speed and instincts to play center. Souza, however, missed all of last season because of torn ligaments in his left knee, and Ross is cautious about depending on a player who didn’t bat last season.
4. Who will be the 26th man?
The Cubs need a backup shortstop to Javier Baez, with Hoerner best-suited for those duties. Perez can play the infield and outfield.
Bote has spelled Kris Bryant at third base and is competing for the starting job at second. Bote hit .304 (7-for-23) with a .407 on-base percentage as a pinch hitter last season. Descalso is competing for the same roles as Bote but is a left-handed hitter and is under contract for $2.5 million.
Backup catcher Victor Caratini is a switch hitter who can play third and first base. Nonroster invitee Josh Phegley drove in 62 runs while starting 90 games at catcher for the Athletics last season.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 12 Kris Bryant talks with Anthony Rizzo during spring training. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
5. Who will take the 5th?
Ross is so curious about who will win the fifth spot in the rotation that he will start candidates Alec Mills, Tyler Chatwood and Adbert Alzolay in the first three Cactus League games. Mills is out of minor-league options, and Chatwood is guaranteed $13 million.
“There’s a time when you start running out of options, it’s time to have a little bit of pressure on you when you’ve got to perform,” Ross said. “I look forward to seeing that, how they handle that, go about their business.
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“That’s the fun part about spring and what it has — a little adversity to overcome and rise to those occasions as they usually do that and have a nice long career.”


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--23-year-old barista killed in stabbing at Richard’s Bar in West Town: ‘He was a great guy. I’m just

23-year-old barista killed in stabbing at Richard’s Bar in West Town: ‘He was a great guy. I’m just in shock.'

Paterimos was killed Friday night at a bar in the West Town neighborhood .
About 11:20 p.m. , a 30-year-old @ @ @ @ @ , began arguing with him inside Richard ’ s Bar in the 400 block of @ @ @ @ @ bouncer threw out the man , who then stabbed Paterimos in the arm , back @ @ @ @ @ outside minutes later , according to Chicago police sources .

Though the cold winds outside Stroger Hospital were biting, Desiree Bueno was thinking about her nephew’s frozen banana mocha drinks.
One of her favorite memories with Kenneth Paterimos was when the 23-year-old barista visited her at work and brought the frosted concoction, which he learned to make while working at Starbucks. “Well right, you’re the best nephew,” Bueno, 43, would tell him.
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The coffee drinks Paterimos prepared were just one way he demonstrated his love for family. To their delight, he often used a coffee printer machine to imprint designs of his siblings and celebrities on the lattes he served, according to his brother-in-law, Matthew Meza.
“He was a great guy,” Meza, 27, said. “I’m just in shock. I feel sick. It’s a shock.”
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Paterimos was killed Friday night at a bar in the West Town neighborhood. About 11:20 p.m., a 30-year-old man, who was intoxicated, began arguing with him inside Richard’s Bar in the 400 block of North Milwaukee Avenue. A bouncer threw out the man, who then stabbed Paterimos in the arm, back and neck when he walked outside minutes later, according to Chicago police sources.
An ambulance took Paterimos to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His brother allegedly tackled the 30-year-old, who was hospitalized after responding officers placed him into custody and found a knife, a police source said. Charges are pending.
Chicago police investigate a fatal stabbing Feb. 22, 2020, in the 400 block of North Milwaukee Avenue. (Alice Yin/Chicago Tribune)
The crime scene was contained to the bar and surrounding sidewalk southeast of the North Halsted Street and West Grand Avenue intersection. Detectives walked around the yellow police tape and parked squad cars, shining flashlights at the ground and talking to people inside the tavern. A man, noticing prying eyes on the other side of the street, closed the bar’s front door.
Over an hour after the stabbing, family members said they knew little about the last moments of Paterimos’ life. While waiting for detectives to arrive from the scene, they volleyed from reminiscing about his outsize personality to still processing his death.
This was the first time Meza lost a family member to a homicide. He said “these things happen every day in Chicago, but I never thought it would happen to our family.”
Dina Paterimos, the 23-year-old’s sister, said she traveled to the hospital thinking he was only injured. When she walked into Stroger, he had died.
“My brother was really outgoing,” Dina Paterimos, 24, said. “He was really fun, really cared about his family, and he just said whatever was on his mind. He didn’t deserve anything that happened tonight. I’m devastated right now.”
Kenneth Paterimos loved the artistry and camaraderie behind being a barista at L’Ours Bakery Cafe in Little Italy, and he loved his niece and nephew as his own, Bueno said. She fretted over how she would break the news to his niece, who is 6.
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“He was loving,” Bueno said. “He did anything he could at the drop of a hat for his family.”
Two detectives pulled into the Stroger parking lot around 2 a.m. and spoke with the family inside the waiting room. Their words elicited sobs and embraces and, for some loved ones, more confusion. “What happened?” a woman walked out saying, pausing for multiple seconds between the two words.
Bueno also went outside, helping another tearful woman light a cigarette. “Even if I go inside, I’m still going to have shivers,” that woman said.
ayin@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-02-21--Man with Alzheimer’s disease reported missing from Niles is found in Indiana: Police

Scipione said Cahill went to use the restroom and was not seen again .
The couple ’ s car , @ @ @ @ @ CRV , was missing from the parking lot and police determined that Cahill , who @ @ @ @ @ to the vehicle , had driven away in it , Scipione said .

Police are looking for 76-year-old Patrick Cahill, who went missing from a Niles Costco store on the afternoon of Feb. 21. (Niles Police Department / HANDOUT)
A 76-year-old man who went missing from a Niles Costco store Friday afternoon has been found safe in Indiana, police said.
Niles Acting Police Cmdr. Tony Scipione said late Friday night that Patrick Cahill, of the 5800 block of North Odell Avenue in Chicago’s Edison Park neighborhood, was located by Indiana State Police.
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In a press release Saturday, Niles police said Cahill was found on I-94 in Chesterton, Indiana shortly before 11 p.m. He was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation, but was “reportedly in good health and spirits,” Niles police said.
Scipione said Cahill, who has dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, was reported missing by his wife Friday afternoon when she was unable to locate him inside the Costco at 7220 N. Melvina Ave. where the two had been shopping together.
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Scipione said Cahill went to use the restroom and was not seen again. The couple’s car, a gray, 2014 Honda CRV, was missing from the parking lot and police determined that Cahill, who had a set of keys to the vehicle, had driven away in it, Scipione said.
Niles and Chicago police officers searched the area and the couple’s home, but were unable to locate Cahill, police said in a news release. A Silver Alert, a public notification issued for missing and endangered senior citizens, was broadcast to the Illinois State Police shortly before 3 p.m.
jjohnson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune


chicagotribune--2020-02-21--3 takeaways from the Blackhawks’ 2-1 overtime win over the Predators, including Alex DeBrincat’s pow

3 takeaways from the Blackhawks’ 2-1 overtime win over the Predators, including Alex DeBrincat’s power-play goal and Erik Gustafsson’s surprise scratch

`` Yeah , he was really good , ” Crawford said of Rinne .
“ I thought we had the @ @ @ @ @ late ( in the third period ) .
He made some great saves , but @ @ @ @ @ just keep going .
… Great shot by Cat .
That was good to see @ @ @ @ @ down by not getting that one in a tight game like that and find a @ @ @

Even if the Blackhawks ultimately can’t make up the ground they need to get a wild-card playoff spot, Friday’s 2-1 overtime win after trailing the Predators for more than two periods was an emotional lift the team needed.
Erik Gustafsson’s last-minute scratch could have been a downer, but the Hawks came out with high energy. Alex DeBrincat scored both of the Hawks’ goals, and Corey Crawford made 42 saves.
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“Our group showed a lot of character to stay in it and find a way to come back in the third,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “It’s nice for the power play to come through. (Crawford) made some big saves, kept us in it and real happy for (DeBrincat) .”
Here are three takeaways from Friday night’s win.
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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 24 Alex DeBrincat scores the winning goal past Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne in overtime. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
1. The Blackhawks got the power-play monkey off their backs — for now.
When you rank last in a category, you tend to get asked about it often . And Alex DeBrincat has had to answer most of the questions.
So it’s fitting that DeBrincat scored on the power play about nine minutes into the third period. To top it off, DeBrincat raced out on a breakaway in overtime and had a clear shot at goalie Pekka Rinne, beating him glove-side high to win the game.
“I feel like I’ve had a lot hit the post and gotten a lot of chances lately and they went in tonight. It’s nice,” DeBrincat said.
Coach Jeremy Colliton also let DeBrincat mix it up with the big boys in front of the net. Because DeBrincat was there, he was able to deflect a shot by Patrick Kane for the Hawks’ first goal.
“No, actually, never in my life,” DeBrincat said when asked if he ever played in front. “I watched some clips today and tried to do the best I could. Tried to get in the goalie’s eyes as much as possible. The goal it’s just trying to go to the net, and it just hit me. It’s lucky.”
The 5-foot-7, 165-pound DeBrincat took “a few crosschecks, but nothing you can’t get over.”
Collition decided to place him there because “we’re trying to get him going and he’s a guy who’s not afraid to get his nose dirty."
Added Colliton: “Sometimes you put a guy in that spot, they have a little touch and they find a way to bury that rebound, or I know he ends up getting a stick on the puck.”
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2. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne had plenty to highlight in a goaltending duel.
The Hawks had the first eight shots on goal, and Crawford didn’t see a shot until about eight minutes into the game.
That little respite didn’t last. After a 10-shot first period, he was hit with a 20-shot barrage in the second — giving up a goal — and he faced 43 shots overall. But many of his saves were beauties.
The Predators’ Craig Smith, who had six goals over his previous six games, tried to beat Crawford on a wraparound and then on a backhand on the rebound, but Crawford stopped him both times. In the second period, Crawford gloved Rocco Grimaldi’s deflection and later stopped consecutive shots by Smith, Grimaldi and Kyle Turris.
“(I was) just trying to be in front of the puck and get there as quick as I can and just work hard through screens,” Crawford said. “Just kind of battling there. We need some wins, so I’ve just got to bring my best effort.”
Rinne had several gems himself. The Hawks had a two-man advantage in the third period after hooking and tripping penalties. Rinne deflected a DeBrincat one-timer, then dived to stop Patrick Kane, who fired from glove side on the rebound.
Later Rinne body-blocked a point-blank shot from Jonathan Toews and barely got a glove on Drake Caggiula’s rebound. But DeBrincat ultimately beat Rinne top shelf for the winner.
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"Yeah, he was really good,” Crawford said of Rinne. “I thought we had the winner there, too, late (in the third period). He made some great saves, but for us it’s just keep going. … Great shot by Cat. That was good to see just to not get let down by not getting that one in a tight game like that and find a way.”
3. Erik Gustafsson’s last-minute scratch caught everyone off guard, but Nick Seeler rose to the occasion.
Jeremy Colliton had to scramble to make defensive adjustments after Gustafsson, who’s a likely trade target, was scratched just before warmups.
“Hockey ops made the call. They wanted to pull him, so we just acted accordingly,” Colliton said. “Obviously, (you) make a quick decision as far as what we’re going to do, and you never know how it’s going to work out. But I thought Seeler did well.”
Seeler had about 12 minutes on the ice, made two hits, drew a cross-checking penalty in the first period and blocked a wrister by Dante Fabbro in the third.
“A lot of guys played extra minutes and hard minutes with all the penalties in particular,” Colliton said. “Thought we did a real good job of handling it. ... Gus is a very popular guy in the room. But I thought we handled it well.”
DeBrincat said Gustafsson’s absence “sucks, but it’s part of the business. We have to go out there and do our job, and they have to do theirs.”
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Here is more coverage from Friday night’s game.
The Blackhawks rallied in the third period and overtime with two goals by Alex DeBrincat to beat the Predators 2-1 on Friday night at the United Center and sustain a pulse on their long-shot playoff hopes.
And they did it through — of all things — a DeBrincat power-play goal.
Patrick Kane rifled a pass to DeBrincat, which he deflected to Predators goalie Pekka Rinne’s glove side in the third period. Duncan Keith also was in on the assist, which gave him his 600th career point.
The Hawks have had little success figuring out how to fix the league’s worst power play. It had been particularly frustrating for DeBrincat, who entered the game with only one power-play goal and two goals overall so far this month.
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DeBrincat wore a big smile as he pumped his fist in celebration.
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The Hawks almost closed out the game in regulation, but Rinne blocked shots by Jonathan Toews and Drake Caggiula in the final seconds.
But in the three-on-three overtime, DeBrincat got free on a breakaway and slapped in the winner.
“So nice to see that puck go in for Brinksy,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. "Our team, we’ve had a bunch of games lately that we’ve played hard and didn’t get rewarded, so it helps to move this thing forward when you get a win and ultimately, we’re looking for consistency from the group.
“Part of asking for that consistency, they need some results and that helps.”
Corey Crawford stopped 42 of 43 shots for the Hawks.
“It’s a great feeling," Keith said of the win. "Obviously just to have that feeling, we were down most of the game. We stuck with it, we stayed patient, had some big penalty kills. … Huge win, nice to win like that at home, too.”


chicagotribune--2020-02-21--Police end investigation after US Senate candidate backs away from claim she brought a gun inside Hi

Police end investigation after US Senate candidate backs away from claim she brought a gun inside Hinsdale Central High School

The employee who processed them did not remember if Hubbard ’ s card was a concealed carry license .
The @ @ @ @ @ ’ s identification card did not have a barcode on it that could be scanned @ @ @ @ @ and state identification cards .
The employee asked for information , such as Hubbard ’ @ @ @ @ @ then entered into the system which checks the information against electronic databases of people who @ @ @ @ @ , have restraining orders or other safety alerts , Jasculca said .

A Republican candidate for U.S. Senate created concern when she said she brought a gun into Hinsdale Central High School where students hosted a debate, a claim she later recanted. (Pioneer Press/Chicago Tribune )
Hinsdale police are closing their investigation into a claim that a candidate in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate had a gun with her when she came to Hinsdale Central High School last week for an after-school debate.
The high school’s Student Conservative Organization hosted the debate in the school cafeteria Feb. 13. Peggy Hubbard of Belleville, a Navy veteran and former police officer, was one of the candidates who participated.
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At a Republican candidates forum Feb. 18 in Washington, Ill. broadcast by public radio station WCBU, Hubbard said she had a firearm and three ammunition clips with her when she came to Hinsdale Central, although the school doors have a sign showing guns are not permitted inside.
Visitors to the school during the school day must present identification. At the Washington, Ill. forum, Hubbard said she presented her concealed carry license to a Hinsdale Central employee as her form of identification upon arriving, but was not questioned about whether she had any weapons with her.
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Chris Jasculca, director of communications for Hinsdale High School District 86, said Hubbard wrote similar comments on social media, which the district relayed to law enforcement representatives.
Hubbard could not immediately be reached for comment. But she later posted a video on her Facebook page, in which she said she misspoke and that she actually locked her gun in her car before she entered Central, although she did still have clips of ammunition with her inside the building.
“I was trying to make a point,” Hubbard said in the video.
Schools in urban areas have metal detectors and X-ray machines that keep the schools safe, but suburban schools do not, she said.
“Our children are not safe,” Hubbard said. She also said a friend who attended the forum with her was able to enter the school through a side door and was not stopped by security.
Jasculca said district officials did an extensive review of footage from the security camera system throughout the school and interviewed members of the staff who were present, but could not confirm whether Hubbard had a gun with her or what kind of photo identification was presented to the employees at the school entrance.
The district turned over all the information and evidence to the police department.
“We have since learned that she has backed away from her earlier claim,” Hinsdale Police Chief Brian King said in an email. “We are left with inconsistent and contradictory statements by the candidate herself. Pending further information, there is no continuing investigation.”
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The surveillance recordings show Hubbard did not give her identification to the staff who sit behind a glass window in the school foyer, Jasculca said. Instead, two people who arrived with Hubbard about 2:30 p.m. Feb. 13 gave all their identification cards to the school staff, Jasculca said.
The employee who processed them did not remember if Hubbard’s card was a concealed carry license. The employee recalled only that Hubbard’s identification card did not have a barcode on it that could be scanned, like most drivers licenses and state identification cards. The employee asked for information, such as Hubbard’s birthdate, which was then entered into the system which checks the information against electronic databases of people who are registered as sex offenders, have restraining orders or other safety alerts, Jasculca said.
Regardless of what type of identification was presented “possession of a firearm and ammunition on school property by someone who has no authority to do so is illegal, not to mention dangerous and irresponsible,” district officials said in a statement.
The district has taken numerous measures to improve security in and around its buildings, including hiring former police officers as security staff, installing more than 300 security cameras, creating command centers at Central and at Hinsdale South High School from which to monitor security and training students and staff on techniques to handle an active shooter threat, district officials said.
Still, the incident with Hubbard signifies the need for continued staff training so if someone presents a concealed carry license, employees would ask the person if they are carrying weapons or call for a security employee to question them, Jasculca said.
“There is no foolproof way to keep a school safe,” he said, but the district is committed to remaining vigilant.
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District officials also said they are proud of the students who organized the debate and Hubbard’s remarks should not overshadow their work or discourage other student groups from hosting similar events.
The other Republican candidates in the March 17 primary to challenge incumbent Sen. Dick Durbin in the general election and who participated in Central’s debate are Casey Chlebek, Mark Curran, Jr., Robert Marshall and Dr. Tom Tarter.


chicagotribune--2020-02-21--A year after Boy Scouts started welcoming girls, suburban troops say the transition has been seamles

A year after Boy Scouts started welcoming girls, suburban troops say the transition has been seamless

“ It ’ s not about the rank , ” said Morgan , who is a member of Troop 48G @ @ @ @ @ began when the change in policy took effect last February .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ it .
It ’ s a huge project .
You ’ re helping the community @ @ @ @ @ others in your troop .
”

Becca Boe (left), 16, of Deerfield; Hanna Sol, 16, of Morton Grove; and Nora Blount, of Highwood, demonstrate tying knots during a Scouts BSA troop meeting in Deerfield. (Mark Kodiak Ukena / Pioneer Press)
Morgan Holmes, a senior at Lake Forest High School, is working diligently toward celebrating later this fall as she and others in the area look to become some of the first girls ever to achieve the Boy Scouts organization’s highest rank.
The opportunity was the result of a decision made nearly a year ago in February 2019 to allow older girls across the country to join their local Boy Scout troops after more than a century of being a boys club.
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For Holmes, she said is thankful for the change after seeing her brother, Jimmy, participate in Boy Scouts and earn the organization’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, at age 15.
Morgan is on track to do the same by Oct. 31, when the Boy Scouts of America, now known as Scouts BSA, hands out its highest rank to an inaugural class of girls.
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“It’s not about the rank,” said Morgan, who is a member of Troop 48G in Lake Forest, which began when the change in policy took effect last February. “It’s about the experience of getting it. It’s a huge project. You’re helping the community and enlisting the help of others in your troop.”
Local troops say the decision nearly a year ago to welcome older girls in the organization has gone smoothly even as the national Boy Scouts of America organization again is grabbing national attention, this time, for filing for bankruptcy protection Feb. 11.
Cary Schmidt, scoutmaster of Troop 4150, which serves girls in the Deerfield area and began last February, said she didn’t notice much of a difference when the change went into effect.
“The girls were better prepared," she said. "It was fun to see how enthusiastic they were.”
Brianna Schmidt, a Deerfield High School sophomore and Troop 4150 member, said she thought boys may have been initially reluctant to accept the fact that girls now belong in the organization, but the perception changed following a recent competition in Wisconsin.
“We won rafting and mountain biking,” Brianna said. “They were OK after that.”
Members of an all-girls troop in Boy Scouts of America work on building a sled for a derby during a troop meeting in Deerfield. (Mark Kodiak Ukena / Pioneer Press)
Cub Scouts, a division of the organization for children between 5 and 10 years old, have been accepting both boys and girls in the same pack since 2018.
But while boys still outnumber girls in the organization, the change has been well received in communities, according to Allison Dietz, communications director for the Pathway to Adventure Council of Scouts BSA serving Chicago and the northwest suburbs.
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While kids between the ages of 11 and 18 either are in a boy or girl troop, the troops can be linked together, sharing the same troop number but with a "B" or “G" destination and participating in some of the same activities, Dietz said.
All-female troops each are required to have at least one woman in the position of scoutmaster, assistant scoutmaster or chair a committee, Dietz said.
At Troop G21 in Barrington, Tom Herb and his wife, Wendy, work together to run the local troop. Tom Herb chairs Troop G21 while Wendy Herb serves as scoutmaster.
Their three sons all were Boy Scouts and two earned the rank of Eagle Scout. They both said they were thrilled to see the organization welcome girls and have enjoyed watching their daughter, Jessica, a Barrington High School junior, and the other girls of Troop G21 develop together.
“It’s been really cool to watch them become young adults,” Tom Herb said.
Wendy Herb said the transition to Scouts BSA has gone well, in part, since some scouting activities had been co-ed for a number of years.
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Sasha Ulrich, assistant scoutmaster of Troop 48G in Lake Forest, said the change has helped her daughter, Nicolette, a seventh grader at Deer Path Middle School in the city.
She said she now hopes she eventually can see her daughter earn Eagle Scout, which her father achieved decades ago.
“She’s really blossoming,” Ulrich said. “They all are.”
Members of an all-girls troop in Boy Scouts of America work on tying knots to build a shelter during a troop meeting in Deerfield. (Mark Kodiak Ukena / Pioneer Press)
Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Tyson Fury dominates Deontay Wilder with a 7th-round TKO for the heavyweight boxing championship

Fury dropped Wilder in the third round with a right hand that seemed to take the legs out of the @ @ @ @ @ down again in the fifth round , this time with a left hand to the @ @

LAS VEGAS — Tyson Fury is a heavyweight champion once again, dominating Deontay Wilder in their title rematch Saturday night before Wilder’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh round.
A boxer in their first fight, Fury went on the attack in the rematch and knocked Wilder down twice before a flurry of punches in the seventh prompted his corner to call an end to the highly anticipated rematch.
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Fury dropped Wilder in the third round with a right hand that seemed to take the legs out of the champion. He put him down again in the fifth round, this time with a left hand to the body.
The end came at 1:39 of the seventh round when referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight after Wilder's corner threw in the towel as he was getting pummeled in a neutral corner.
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It was the first loss for Wilder in 44 fights, and it came in the 11th defense of the title he won in 2015.
Fury stalked Wilder almost from the opening bell, using his jab to control the early rounds. He won every round on the scorecard of the Associated Press and was in total command of the fight when it ended.
Wilder briefly protested the stoppage, as a pro-Fury crowd at the MGM Grand hotel roared in delight.
Fury had bulked up to 273 pounds for the rematch, vowing to change tactics and become the big puncher. He was true to his word, dominating early with a jab that stopped Wilder in his tracks and then landing combinations to the head and body.
The rematch drew a sellout crowd that set a record of more than $17 for the live gate and was expected to do well on pay-per-view. Both fighters were guaranteed $5 million but could make $40 million apiece.


chicagotribune--2020-02-22--Ask Amy: Fellowship blows up over possible affair

Minding your own business is an option .
Otherwise , you are sharing your reactions with the wrong people .
@ @ @ @ @ secret and a source of gossip .
You could speak with the principals involved ( @ @ @ @ @ ) .
You and your wife witnessed untoward behavior .
So you say , `` @ @ @ @ @ and commented on .
I do n't want to personally judge you , but ... @ @ @ @ @ headed toward some Commandment-breaking stuff .
I 'm giving you a heads-up .
I 'd @ @ @ @ @ hurt . ''

Dear Amy: My wife and I are in a fellowship group with other families from our church. We meet for dinner at one house each month and visit after church. The families: husbands/wives/kids, are all very close and adore each other.
Unfortunately, it appears that one of the husbands and one of the wives (not his) seem to adore each other a little too much. They always sit next to each other at these dinners, and my wife and I have both noticed some funny business going on under the table.
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The two of them will go off to "do the dishes" while the remaining adults continue enjoying the group conversation. All of this happens with their spouses present.
We weren't certain this behavior was obvious to anyone else, but my wife talked privately with another wife, and she and her husband are certain that something is going on.
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Our emotions range from sadness to disbelief and anger that we are somehow facilitating a possible affair.
We don't want to talk with the two spouses on the sidelines, and we know that confronting one of the two in this possible affair will definitely bring the group to an end. What should we do?
— Sad on Sundays
Dear Sad: "Doing the dishes" has a whole new meaning for me, now. Thank you for that.
Minding your own business is an option. Otherwise, you are sharing your reactions with the wrong people. This has become an open secret and a source of gossip. You could speak with the principals involved (I'm assuming the husband). You and your wife witnessed untoward behavior. So you say, "Your behavior has been noticed and commented on. I don't want to personally judge you, but ... it seems like you're headed toward some Commandment-breaking stuff. I'm giving you a heads-up. I'd hate to see people get hurt."
Yes -- this could implode your group.
Dear Amy: I am a retired, 65-year-old woman. I live by myself in a townhouse community.
A few months ago, new neighbors moved in. They are two gay married men, in their 40s.
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They introduced themselves to me, and invited me over to their house for a backyard barbecue the weekend after they moved in.
I was surprised that they invited me, because I thought they'd think I was old or boring.
I went to their barbecue. I was very nervous, but I had such a good time! They were lovely and funny, and I had so much fun.
Besides waving "hello" to them, or the occasional quick chat outside, we haven't talked since. They seem to have people over to their home almost every weekend, and are very active, but they've never re-extended an invitation.
I don't want to invade their space or be the "nosy neighbor." I want to be in their company again, but I want it to be at their house.
I have always been shy, so I don't know how I should approach this.
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How should I get them to invite me back?
— Nervous Neighbor
Dear Nervous: Your smart (and nice) new neighbors have done the right thing by inviting you to their home soon after moving in. In a townhouse community, you are living in close proximity (possibly sharing a common wall), and by demonstrating how they entertain, they have created trust, understanding and -- yes, your burning desire to spend more social time with them.
You should always and forever be authentically who you are, and you should read and respect whatever social cues they are sending.
These gentlemen likely have a long-standing social circle. You might not be able to angle your way into it, but you could probably deepen your relationship beyond the occasional wave hello.
Even if you don't feel comfortable reciprocating by inviting these two into your own home, you should have thanked them for their hospitality by sending them a note and a small token -- perhaps a plant for their garden.
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In order to seed a friendship, you first need to let your neighborliness bloom.
Dear Amy: I'm offering my perspective to "Desperate," who seeks a rural lifestyle while her boyfriend wants to live in a city.
I was in the same position, except I was the one who wanted the city life.
Ask Amy Daily No-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >
My boyfriend won, we got married, and have lived in a small town hundreds of miles from cities.
It's been 44 years, and not a day passes that I don't regretfully wonder "what if."
— Country Mouse
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Dear Mouse: I hope "Desperate" reads your response.
Get the latest no-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning with our Ask Amy newsletter. Sign up here.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
Copyright 2019 by Amy Dickinson
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