Alcorn State, with center Lenell Henry, covered the spread in its first six games. | Young Kwak/AP

To bet on college hoops, follow the pros’ advice: Know lower-level teams before the sportsbooks do.

LAS VEGAS — This is definitely the most wonderful time of the year, but this sweet spot is unrelated to any holiday.

It’s the hectic sports schedule dominated by the NFL, referred to by Golden Nugget sportsbook director Tony Miller as “our boy.”

“The sportsbook’s best friend,” he says. “We depend on the NFL.”

With so few games, lines are tight, chiseled throughout the week, difficult to crack. Annual NFL profits pay casinos’ electric bills and many salaries.

The NBA and NHL are thriving. College football’s regular season just culminated, conference title and bowl games about to commence.

In the shadows, there’s college hoops. And we don’t refer to Duke or UCLA, the blue bloods. The Shadows. Games that don’t attract television cameras get our attention.

We are smack in the middle of the six-week sweet spot in which money should be made, bankrolls boosted, via mid-major and lower-rated hoops programs whose daily lines can’t possibly be calibrated accurately.

On these Saturdays, more than 100 college basketball games are on the menu. With proper research, begun months ago, out-of-kilter spreads reveal themselves.

Alcorn State, Cornell and Monmouth each covered their first six games against the spread (ATS). Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Western Illinois games were a combined 16-1 to Under out of the gate. Illinois State was 5-1 to Over.

Says professional bettor Ron Boyles, “You want to get these teams before the word gets out. That’s how you make money.”

General strengths and weaknesses should be culled, says pro punter Conner Streeter, so they become second nature and can be adjusted, either way, on the fly.

“If you’re trying to learn what teams are good at the same time as the bookmakers, it doesn’t work,” Streeter says. “Know these teams like the back of your hand before the season starts, making it easier to target mismatches.”

Betting limits are low, $3,000 maximum at most shops, for a reason.

“If they allowed the same limits [as college football] and let you bet those overnight,” Streeter says, “there would be blood flowing down the Las Vegas Strip.”

WCC IS RIPE

Boyles, nicknamed “Skinny” for his lean profile long ago by Vegas oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro, mostly has operated out of Chester, West Virginia, for the last couple of years.

Forty minutes away is Pennsylvania. Between the two states, he has 15 “outs,” or sportsbook options. He shops for optimal numbers. Risking those maximums, higher when available, is common for Boyles.

He already has plucked value from the West Coast Conference.

“Like Santa Clara,” he says. “The Broncos have been tremendous. I was on them early. In fact, I think the West Coast Conference is the best mid-major league in the country.”

As a 3.5-point underdog, Santa Clara defeated Stanford 88-72. As a two-point dog, it beat Nevada 96-74. Giving 14.5 points, it thrashed Cal Poly by 30. Getting 3.5 points, it pounded TCU 85-66.

“Gonzaga is its well-known brand, but there are a lot of teams in that league that are good,” Boyles says. “Loyola Marymount is good, so are BYU and San Diego. Gonzaga is not going to go undefeated this season in conference play.”

Five of the USD Toreros’ first seven games finished Under. As a slim favorite, BYU covered against Utah and San Diego State. As 4.5-point dogs, the Cougars pummeled Oregon by 32.

Five of San Francisco’s first six games did not hit their totals. The team owns a top-40 defensive efficiency, and Boyles calls senior point guard Jamaree Bouyea a future pro.

On Saturday, the Dons host UNLV, a poor-shooting, low-scoring squad that favors a slow tempo. Metrics guru Ken Pomeroy projects a 136 total, and we are on Under.

AVOID BLUE BLOODS

Pomeroy provides a stellar statistical service, KenPom, with an annual fee of $20. Its invaluable database is a staple for college basketball bettors. In addition, Bart Torvik provides a wealth of information gratis.

Streeter is the alias of an expert source who taps various offshore outlets. His college hoops profits pay his yearly living expenses, and this sweet spot is his wheelhouse window.

He knows no book can commit many staff hours to produce spot-on college basketball lines on every game, every day.

“They are somewhat beholden to KenPom and Torvik’s power ratings,” Streeter says. “As a bettor, you can attack those well in advance of the official line coming out. You should try to work a week ahead of time, because others are not.”

He meant the other side of the counter.

“They work day to day, for the most part, with college basketball.”

Streeter had early edges on Alcorn State (1-5, but 6-0 ATS), Chicago State (2-5, 5-2 ATS) and Oakland (6-2, 6-2 ATS).

He highlights Oakland’s improved perimeter defense, bolstered by forward Jamal Cain, a Marquette transfer. Alcorn State and Chicago State are still bad, just not as poor as both have been in recent seasons.

“It’s going to take multiple games for the market to catch up to that,” Streeter says. “If you are ahead of it, you have five to six games where you needn’t worry.”

Streeter advises dodging supposed “experts” in traditional media.

“Charlatans and carnival barkers who recommend betting Gonzaga, Duke or Kansas, Michigan State,” he says. “The real way to dominate is to learn all 358 teams, get involved where you have edges and clear mismatches.

“Do not go after tough games between blue bloods.”

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At 4-7, the Chicago Bears would normally be counted out of the playoff race. But, for those who are keeping track of the mathematical situations at home, the Bears are far from out of the race. It sounds completely ridiculous, but those are the facts. Now, how realistic is it that they will actually turn […] 5 Chicago Bears who need strong finishes to the season – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & MoreRead More

A whooping crane mixed with sandhill cranes in northwest Indiana. | Bill Peak

Whooping cranes, including the famous “Grasshopper,” mixed with sandhill cranes in northwest Indiana, where to go mushing in DuPage County, updating “The Lakefront Lip,” and Wisconsin gun-deer harvest totals are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

WILD OF THE WEEK

Bill Peak found treasures last month while viewing sandhill cranes around Wheatfield, Ind., near Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. ” I ran into two whooping cranes, fourth year in a row,” he emailed. “One of them is 16-11 (“Grasshopper”), who became famous by mating with a sandhill and produced “Whoopsie,” the first hybrid.” Now that’s my kind of WOTW. To learn more about “Grasshopper” and “Whoopsie” click here.

WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. To make submissions, email [email protected] or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or Instagram (@BowmanOutside).

It’s worth another look.

Bill Peak
Whooping cranes mixed with sandhill cranes in northwest Indiana.

WILD TIMES

SHOWTIME

Click here for the complete list of shows, classes and swap meets for the coming months.

Sunday, Dec. 5: Final day, St. Paul Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show, St. Paul RiverCentre, Minn., stpaulicefishingshow.com

YOUTH HUNTING

Dec. 31: Deadline to register for 2022 Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt on Jan. 17, (217) 785-8060

FISH GATHERING

Wednesday, Dec. 8: Chas Martin, Musky Mastery Guide Service, Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies, Inc., Schaumburg Golf Club, 7 p.m., frvmuskie.com

ILLINOIS SEASONS

Sunday, Dec. 5: Second firearm deer season ends

Monday, Dec. 6: First scaup season, north zone, ends

Tuesday, Dec. 7: Second scaup season, north zone, begins

Friday, Dec. 10, to Dec. 12: Muzzleloader deer season

DALE’S MAILBAG

“You used to have a guy named Kenny in your column every so often. He was an avid fisherman and friend of mine. I haven’t seen nor heard hide or hair of him for a long time. We used to call him “Blue Eyes.” He fished down by the lake all the time.” Vito

A: That’s Ken Schneider. He’s is still at the lake daily, cheerfully being the same pain-in-the-butt he always is. I like my moniker for him, “The Lakefront Lip.”

BIG NUMBER

175,667: Deer registered by hunters in Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season, down 7.9 percent from 2020.

LAST WORD

“Finally, when there’s adequate snow conditions, mushers can dog sled on the Thunderbird Spur Trail at Greene Valley and on the West Branch Regional Trail, Bobolink and connector trails north of Mack Road at the McKee Marsh area of Blackwell.”

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, in case anyone is looking to mush

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Two people were killed and 11 others were wounded by gunfire in Chicago Friday. | Sun-Times file photo

The fatal attacks occurred in South Shore and Greater Grand Crossing.

Two people were killed and 11 others were wounded in shootings in Chicago Friday.

About 8:20 p.m., a 27-year-old woman was shot in the head by someone in a hallway in the 7100 block of South Ridgeland Avenue, Chicago police said. She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she was pronounced dead, police said. She has not yet been identified.
About five minutes later, a man was fatally shot by an acquaintance during an argument outside a home in West Chatham, officials said. The 44-year-old was arguing with a male acquaintance on his porch about 8:25 p.m. in the first block of 78th Place, police said. The acquaintance then shot the man multiple times, striking him in the torso and head, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
In nonfatal attacks, three men were wounded in a shooting near the Garfield CTA Red Line stop Friday afternoon on the South Side. Two men were on the sidewalk about 12:42 p.m. in the 200 block of West Garfield Boulevard when two people approached and fired shots, police said. One man was struck in the back while the other was shot in the abdomen. Both were taken to the University of Chicago in fair condition., police said. A third man who was in the area suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh and took himself to the same hospital, where he was in good condition, police said.
Two people were shot and wounded on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The shooting happened around 2 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Interstate 94 near 75th Street, according to Illinois State Police. The two were taken to hospitals and expected to survive, state police said.
A man was critically wounded in a shooting Friday evening just blocks from the Mag Mile. About 6:50 p.m., the 31-year-old was inside a vehicle in the first block of East Huron Street when another vehicle pulled up alongside and someone opened fire, police said. He was shot in the legs and brought himself to Stroger in critical condition, police said.

Five others were wounded by gunfire in Chicago Friday.

Two people were killed and five others were wounded in shootings in Chicago Thursday.

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A Ukrainian soldier, holding a cat, walks in a trench on the line of separation from pro-Russian on Friday, Dec 3, 2021. The Ukrainian defense minister on Friday warned Russia could invade his country next month. | Andriy Dubchak/Associated Press

U.S. officials and former U.S. diplomats say while Putin clearly is laying the groundwork for a possible invasion, Ukraine’s military is better armed and prepared today than in past years, and the sanctions threatened by the West would do serious damage to Russia’s economy.

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden pledged Friday to make it “very, very difficult” for Russia’s Vladimir Putin to take military action in Ukraine as U.S. intelligence officials determined that Russian planning is underway for a possible military offensive that could begin as soon as early 2022.

The new intelligence finding estimates that the Russians are planning to deploy an estimated 175,000 troops — and almost half already are deployed along various points near Ukraine’s border, according to a Biden administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the finding.

It comes as Russia has increased demands on Biden to guarantee Ukraine will not be allowed to join the NATO alliance.

The official added that the plans call for the movement of 100 battalion tactical groups along with armor, artillery and equipment.

Intelligence officials also have seen an uptick in Russian propaganda efforts through the use of proxies and media outlets to denigrate Ukraine and NATO ahead of a potential invasion, the official said.

Asked about the intelligence finding as he set out for the presidential retreat at Camp David on Friday evening, Biden reiterated his concerns about Russian provocations.

“We’ve been aware of Russia’s actions for a long time and my expectation is we’re gonna have a long discussion with Putin,” Biden said.

The risks of such a gambit for Putin, if he actually went through with an invasion, would be enormous.

U.S. officials and former U.S. diplomats say while Putin clearly is laying the groundwork for a possible invasion, Ukraine’s military is better armed and prepared today than in past years, and the sanctions threatened by the West would do serious damage to Russia’s economy. It remains unclear if Putin intends to go through with what would be a risky offensive, they say.

Earlier Friday, Biden pledged to make it “very, very difficult” for Putin to take military action in Ukraine and said new initiatives coming from his administration are intended to deter Russian aggression.

“What I am doing is putting together what I believe to be will be the most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very difficult for Mr. Putin to go ahead and do what people are worried he may do,” Biden told reporters.

The Kremlin said Friday that Putin would seek binding guarantees precluding NATO’s expansion to Ukraine during the call with Biden. But Biden sought to head off the demand.

“I don’t accept anyone’s red line,” Biden said.

Susan Walsh/Associated Press
President Joe Biden waves as he walks to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Friday.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials also warned that Russia could invade next month. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told lawmakers Friday that the number of Russian troops near Ukraine and in Russia-annexed Crimea is estimated at 94,300, warning that a “large-scale escalation” is possible in January. U.S. intelligence officials estimate closer to 70,000 troops are deployed near the border, according to an unclassified intelligence document obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

The intelligence findings were first reported by The Washington Post.

There are signs that the White House and Kremlin are close to arranging a conversation next week between Biden and Putin. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters Friday that arrangements have been made for a Putin-Biden call in the coming days, adding that the date will be announced after Moscow and Washington finalize details. The Russians say a date has been agreed upon, but declined to say when.

Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have also tentatively agreed to have a call next week, according to a person close to the Ukrainian president who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said administration officials have “engaged in the possibility” of a Biden-Putin call. White House officials did not respond to a request for comment on the expected Zelenskyy call.

“It certainly would be an opportunity to discuss our serious concerns about the bellicose rhetoric, about the military buildup that we’re seeing on the border of Ukraine,” Psaki said of a potential Biden-Putin call.

Biden did not detail what actions he was weighing. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who met Thursday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Sweden, said the U.S. has threatened new sanctions. He did not detail the potential sanctions but suggested the effort would not be effective.

“If the new ‘sanctions from hell’ come, we will respond,” Lavrov said. “We can’t fail to respond.”

Psaki said the administration would look to coordinate with European allies if it moved forward with sanctions. She noted that bitter memories of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that had been under Ukraine’s control since 1954, are front of mind as the White House considers the way forward.

“We know what President Putin has done in the past,” Psaki said. “We see that he is putting in place the capacity to take action in short order.”

Deep differences were on display during the Blinken-Lavrov meeting, with the Russia official charging the West was “playing with fire” by denying Russia a say in any further NATO expansion into countries of the former Soviet Union. Zelenskyy has pushed for Ukraine to join the alliance, which holds out the promise of membership but hasn’t set a a timeline.

Blinken this week said the U.S. has “made it clear to the Kremlin that we will respond resolutely, including with a range of high-impact economic measures that we’ve refrained from using in the past.”

He did not detail what sanctions were being weighed, but one potentially could be to cut off Russia from the SWIFT system of international payments. The European Union’s Parliament approved a nonbinding resolution in April to cut off Russia from SWIFT — the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications — if its troops entered Ukraine.

Such a move would go far toward blocking Russian businesses from the global financial system. Western allies reportedly considered such a step in 2014 and 2015, during earlier Russian-led escalations of tensions over Ukraine.

Then-Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said it would be tantamount to “a declaration of war.”

But some U.S. government officials say Putin also could be seeking attention and concessions from Biden and other Western leaders, using the military escalation to force Russia back into a central role in world affairs as it had in the days of the Soviet Union.

“They are seriously envious for superpower status and … the parity to the United States that existed during the Cold War. That’s what this is all about,” said John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

An invasion is possible, but more likely, “they provoke a crisis, they get concessions from us, and then they reduce the crisis. Right? And that, I think, is probably their objective,” Herbst said Friday.

Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov and Dasha Litvinova in Moscow contributed reporting.

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Former Oak Park/NBA player Iman Shumpert joins the Oak Park fans during the game against Fenwick. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Scores, highlights and thoughts on Friday’s top games.

The first day of the Chicago Elite Classic is in the books.

It was a late one. Things wrapped up a little bit after 11 p.m. as Lane beat Taft 50-40.

Sean Molloy scored 14 and grabbed 5 rebounds for Lane (5-1). Shaheed Solebo added nine points. Nick LoGalbo has a fun team. They are capable of putting a scare into the top teams in the Red North-West this season.

Taft fought hard until the end but it is hard to overcome 25 turnovers. There was a lot of early-season sloppy play in both games here at UIC tonight. Armin Aliloski led Taft with 15 points and 17 rebounds. He’s a warrior.

Jumping jack Gideon Adeowle added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Eagles (3-2). They will definitely be a factor, if not the favorites, in the White-North this season.

The picture up top is of Oak Park grad Iman Shumpert joining the Oak Park student section during the Huskies win against Fenwick. It was a big night for Oak Park basketball, the spotlight debut for new coach Phil Gary.

And then it all went bad…just minutes after the win Oak Park emailed students and staff that the school was shutting down all extra-curricular activities due to an increase in COVID cases.

Will that put the Pontiac Holiday Tournament in jeopardy for Oak Park? Who knows.

Friday’s top games

Thornton 65, Crete-Monee 46: Ty Rodgers posts a triple-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Montreal McCullough led the way with 22 points and Kelsey Tarver added 11 points and nine rebounds.

Don Bosco, Ind. 94, Yorkville Christian 80: The Mustangs are now 3-3 after another high-scoring game. Jaden Schutt finished with 30 and KJ Vasser added 22.

Homewood-Flossmoor 71, Andrew 60: The T-Bolts’ undefeated run to open the season ends in game six. Nashawn Holmes led the Vikings with 20 points and Arnas Sakenis had 17 points and seven rebounds for Andrew.

West Aurora 64, Yorkville 58: Yorkville Christian isn’t the only interesting team in Yorkville this season. The Foxes appear to have a competitive group. Ty Rogers led the Blackhawks with 23 points. Jason Jakstys had 16 for Yorkville.

Beecher 56, Donovan 20: The Bobcats jumped out to a big lead and had a running clock in the fourth quarter. Duane Doss led the way with 15 points.

Leo 72, St. Ignatius 62: First time fans were back in the tiny Leo gym. Cam Cleveland scored 24, Jakeem Cole 18 and Austin Ford added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. AJ Redd led Iggy with 17.

Glenbard West 71, Lyons 34: The Hilltoppers dominate a good team. Cade Pierce had 23, Bobby Durkin 17 and Braden Huff 15.

Lemont 75, Argo 48: Sophomore Nojus Indrusaitis drops 32 points. Gavin Kelby added 14 for Lemont. Will Adams and Davonte Evans each had 14 for the Argonauts.

Romeoville 55, Joliet West 50: Mayho Swamsey scored 15 and Troy Cicero added 13. This is a big win for the Spartans. They will be a factor in the Southwest Prairie.

Wheaton-Warrenville South 50, St. Charles North 23: This is an upset. The North Stars run into WW South’s top-notch defense.

Fremd 55, Barrington 54: Third upset in a row. The Vikings take down Barrington on Eli Schoffstall’s three-pointer at the buzzer. He finished with 28 points and Chris Smyros added 12. Daniel Hong scored 21 for the Broncos.

Oswego East 69, Minooka 59: Another interesting Southwest Prairie score. Ricky HIll and Minooka are a team to keep an eye on this season. Mekhi Lowery scored 26 for Oswego East and Patrick Robinson added 21.

St. Rita 68, De La Salle 58: The young Mustangs open conference play with a solid win at home.

Glenbrook South 70, Evanston 54: Nick Martinelli had 27 points and Gaven Marr added 15. Big week ahead for Glenbrook South.

New Trier 53, Maine South 25: This would be a close game most years. This group of Trevians looks to be a few levels above most years.

Curie 86, Fenger 43: I was wondering if the Titans would be able to keep things relatively close with the Condors. It wasn’t to be. Chikasi Ofoma had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Taevion Collier added 12 for Curie.

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Oak Park basketball players react after winning the game against Fenwick. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Oak Park wasn’t playing for a state championship on Friday, but you never would have known it based on the Huskies’ intensity from start to finish and the postgame celebration after beating Fenwick 66-52 at Credit Union 1 Arena.

Oak Park wasn’t playing for a state championship on Friday, but you never would have known it based on the Huskies’ intensity from start to finish and the postgame celebration after beating Fenwick 66-52 at Credit Union 1 Arena.

The Chicago Elite Classic is one of the season’s most high-profile events and Oak Park had been taking it on the chin from their crosstown neighbors for years. So there was a lot of emotion to let out after Justin Mullins grabbed a steal and soared for a dunk in the third quarter.

“Once I got that dunk the energy just changed,” Mullins said. “The whole team got hyped and I felt like the flow of the game changed.”

It was a key moment, as the Friars (0-3) had just tied the game after consecutive buckets from freshman Damion Porter Jr.

Sam Lewis, the Huskies’ other star guard, followed up with two very similar front court steals and breakaway dunks. By the time the dust settled and the third quarter was over Oak Park led 46-36.

“Once we got those steals and dunks the crowd went crazy, we were rolling and [Fenwick] started backpedaling,” Lewis said.

A new era is starting at both schools. Fenwick graduated Bryce Hopkins and coach Staunton Peck stepped down after last season. Phil Gary took over the Oak Park program last season, but the team only played a handful of games due to the pandemic.

So this was a statement moment for the Huskies.

“The past ten years [Fenwick] had won like nine out of ten times,” Mullins said. “This is a big win with a new coach and new culture here and everything.”

Lewis, a junior, finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds for Oak Park (3-2). Mullins, a Denver recruit, had 20 points and 12 rebounds.

The Huskies committed 24 turnovers but out-rebounded Fenwick 44-32.

“We showed a little growth. The past couple games when the other team made a run we looked a little shell-shocked. But today we were calm. So I love our composure right now.”

“This meant a lot,” Gary said. “Oak Park had been losing in this rivalry for a long time. It’s a fresh start now. It’s big for the town. The kids were just super pumped. Once they settled in we were fine”

Denium Juette led the Friards with 20 points and eight rebounds and Gabe Madej added nine points.

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Johana Vargas (left), Jean Claudio (center) and Xavier Claudio, circus performers with La Vuelta, dance during Destinos al Aire, A Holiday Extravaganza. The Latino-centered event, inspired by Christkindlmarket, was at Humboldt Park’s Boathouse on Friday. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

The next free event put on by the the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance will be at Harrison Park on Dec. 10.

The Humboldt Park boathouse welcomed dozens of people to enjoy a free night of holiday festivities that included a circus act, a comedy show, live music and shopping from local vendors.

Think Christkindlmarket with a Latino twist.

Memo Martinez watched his 3-year-old grandson run from vendor to vendor, jumping with excitement during the performances. It was a joy, he said, to see so many people having a good time.

“Events like this help us stake our claim and proudly show us Latinos are part of our community,” said Mata, who lives in nearby Avondale. “We have local artists here that really don’t get support anywhere and they can help make money here. We have to support them.”

The free event — Destinos al Aire, A Holiday Extravaganza! — was put on by the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Park series. This was the second of three events leading up to Christmas.

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Melissa Correa with La Humita on Wheels serves the Mata family hot chocolate, during Destinos al Aire, A Holiday Extravaganza at the Humbolt Park boathouse.

Sara Carranza, media and digital director for the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, said Latino-centric events are vital.

“So one of the things that is very prominent within the arts in general is that it happens in a centralized location — usually downtown,” Carranza said. “To have our own culture come to our own neighborhoods is something that makes us feel more a part of the city. It shows our voices matter, we are seen and we can just be ourselves.”

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Laura Rodriguez-Romani, owner of Los Amigos Books, was among the vendors Friday night at Destinos al Aire at the Humboldt Park boathouse.

Vendors sold customized tumblers, clothing, candles, Christmas tree ornaments, jewelry, essential oils and hand-made soap. None were charged a vendor’s fee to the benefit of many of these entrepreneurs.

Performers included stand-up comedian Gwen La Roka, the all-woman group Las BomPleneras, circus act La Vuelta and local band Cepillao.

The next Destinos al Aire, A Holiday Extravaganza! will be at Harrison Park on Dec. 10.

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Circus performer Johana Vargas performs rope dances for the crowd at the Humboldt Park boathouse Friday night. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Xavier Claudio, a circus performer with La Vuelta juggles with a Diabolo on Friday at the Humboldt Park boathouse.

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Tyni Simpson (center) and Sahat Votan (left), owners of Divine Blissings, discuss incense with a customer on Friday night at the Humboldt Park boathouse. Their business was among the vendors at a Latino centered Christkindlmarket-type event.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Las BomPleneras performs Friday night at the Humboldt Park boathouse.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Las BomPleneras performs Friday night at the Humboldt Park boathouse.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Jean Claudio (from left), Johana Vargas and Xavier Claudio, circus performers with La Vuelta, dance during Destinos al Aire, A Holiday Extravaganza, at the Humboldt Park Boathouse on Friday.

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