The ChicagoBlackhawks ground out another big win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. They were tied at five in overtime and then won in a shootout after a gutsy effort once again. It was fun to watch but they earned the two points that they needed to stay right there in the […]
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Evan Barratt meets with Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman after being selected 90th overall during the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets came together at both the NHL and AHL level on Tuesday night.
Both teams are much better at the NHL level but it was a little bit concerning that the Rockford Ice Hofs didn’t have a single win. They went into this game with the Cleveland Monsters with a record of 0-5-1-0 so they were pretty desperate for a win. Well, finally they clawed their way to their first win of the season as they defeated the Monsters by a final score of 3-2.
It was a Cale Morris start for Rockford and he was really good to earn his first start of the season. He has been the backup for most of the year but they might start to consider him for more starts as his numbers are looking nice now. Picking up the first win of the season for any goalie on the squad has to feel good as well.
Evan Barratt scored his first pro goal in this game to get it tied at one. He became the seventh player on the Ice Hogs to net their first career pro goal this season. Of them all, he has one of the better chances of cracking the NHL lineup someday.
The Hogs did go down again 2-1 but they got it tied with less than three minutes to go thanks to a goal by Andrei Altybarmakyan. It was a fun way to get it tied late. The real fun, however, came when Isaak Phillips scored the eventual game-winner with 1:32 left in the third period. It was just what the doctor ordered as the Ice Hogs needed to get their first win in the worst way possible.
Things haven’t been easy for the Ice Hogs so far this year but maybe they can use this to propel them forward. They have a lot of development going down there and the Hawks need to make sure that it continues. They are still searching for more high-end skills but that is going to take time. This AHL squad winning and feeling good about themselves is very important to the organization. Hopefully, a big win like this helps them turn their season around.
The Ice Hogs are back in action on Saturday when they battle the Cleveland Monsters again. This matchup is getting to be pretty fun so it will be cool to see these two meet again for a back-to-back over the weekend in Cleveland.
“Well, okay, yes, sure: Ted Cruz did take a little trip to Cancún while his state weathered an unprecedented (and ongoing) crisis. And, okay, yes, his decision to flee with his family as millions of others hunkered down in their dark, freezing homes — as the Texas death toll climbed past 20 people — admittedly does not look great! But please, Ted Cruz is begging you, do not blame him for this dereliction of duty: It was his daughters (ages 10 and 12) who wanted the vacation, and well, what was he going to do — simply say no??” [thecut.com]
When Texas lost its power and fell into darkness and cold
And in its wake suffered misery untold
Including no water,
Ted Cruz asked his daughter
What should I do? Cancun she said. And he was sold.
I’m Jerry Partacz, happily married to my wife Julie for over 40 years. I have four children and eleven grandchildren. I’m enjoying retirement after 38 years of teaching. I now have an opportunity to share my thoughts on many things. I’m an incurable optimist. I also love to solve crossword puzzles and to write light verse. I love to read, to garden, to play the piano, to collect stamps and coins, and to watch “Curb Your Enthusiasm”.
It was the late 70’s and YMCA was a staple at bar mitzvahs and weddings. Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight was in heavy rotation on Chicago’s The Loop radio station and Hip Hop was on the rise.
About that time my fledgling career crossed paths with that of a man I will call John, whose career was already in high gear. We became friends and I learned a lot from John.
Our conversations spread like ripples on a pond. The first time John said, We’re free, White and 21, I thought it sounded kind of cool.
Yeah, I am.
Nothing good ever came from decisions I made based upon that rationale, but I took to using the phrase as my own.
Then I thought about it. Free, White and 21?What the heck does that even mean?
It dawned on me that proclaiming my free-White-and-21-ness was not at all innocuous. It may have been the most racist thing I ever said.
Being free and White are are good things in America, but that is not the case for everyone and dismissing that fact is the exact definition of White privilege.
We live our lives as if everything is great because it’s great for us. The problems of the less fortunate are not ours.
Except that they are.
Free and White is both tacit and blatant acknowledgement of our good fortune. We were never slaves and being White, we are free to plunder America’s bounty.
According to the Bible, which I take with a grain of kosher salt, my people were slaves in Egypt.
Thousands of years later, we still find ourselves reviled, feared and demonized; slowly waking up to the rise of anti-Semitism here in the Land of the Free.
Make no mistake.
The rise in hate crimes against Jews, Blacks and immigrants has skyrocketed in the last four years and given an unprecedented voice bolstered by the former President of the United States.
John occasionally comments on my posts, finding incomprehensible my constant railing against social injustice.
You’ve got a great life, Bob. Why don’t you talk about that?
John, I’m just not that guy.
I can never unsee the look in Derek Chauvin’s eyes as he knelt on George Floyd’s neck with indifference as Floyd called out for his mother with his last gasp of air.
It was murder, pure and simple and when I see a piece of shit like Tucker Carlson say that there is no physical evidence that Chauvin killed George Floyd, I want to reach through the TV screen and rip out his vocal chords.
Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me – Matthew 25:40
Surprised that an atheist can read the Bible without bursting into flames?
I’m not a vegan, but if you tell me you are one, I would think you a liar if I see you eating a cheeseburger.
It is hypocritical to call yourself a Christian and not speak out against the injustices suffered by the George Floyd’s of our world.
Or the Laquan McDonalds, Michael Browns, Breonna Taylors, Tamir Rices or Philando Castiles.
Obviously, there’s not a whole lot I can do about any of it, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. It certainly doesn’t mean that I should keep quiet about it.
Sure, it’s great to be free, White and 21 in America. Even better to be free, equal and 21.
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Bob “RJ” Abrams is a political junkie, all-around malcontent and supporter of America’s warriors. After a career path that took him from merchandising at rock concerts to managing rock bands to a 27-year stint in the pits of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, he’s seen our nation from up and down.
As Regional Coordinator of the Warriors’ Watch Riders (a motorcycle support group for the military and their families) Bob plays an active role in our nation’s support of America’s warriors and their families.
Send comments and/or suggestions to [email protected]
He has only been a part of the Illinois Men’s Basketball team for the better part of three seasons. But in that time, Ayo Dosunmu has earned his place among the Illini greats. It all started in his freshman year in 2018. That season, Dosunmu would go on to earn All-Big 10 Freshman Team honors while also being listed as an honorable mention for the All-Big 10 Team. Despite the teams losing record his freshman year, it was clear that the Illini basketball program had a rising star in their hands.
Ayo Dosunmu’s Dominant Junior Season
After strong showings during his first two years in the NCAA, Ayo Dosunmu hasn’t let his foot off the gas in year three. This season, Dosunmu is averaging 21.2 PPG, 6.2 boards, and 5.3 assists. His efforts have helped lead the team to a 16-5 record, with a current ranking at #5. And when it comes to his performance recently, you’d have a hard time arguing against Dosunmu being one of the best players in the country.
In a game against the Minnesota Gophers on February 20, Dosunmu made Illinois basketball history when he notched his second triple-double of the season. There had only ever been two other instances where an Illini recorded a triple-double, but now there are four. And Dosunmu is half of them. With the way Dosunmu is playing, he’s put himself in consideration for winning the Wooden Award, and the National Player of the Year award. His close competition for the Wooden Award will most likely come down to University of Iowa Center, Luka Garza. But when the two teams played earlier in the year, Illinois got the win. And Ayo Dosunmu, like usual, led all players in scoring.
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His Place Among the All-Time Illini Greats
Given the career that Ayo Dosunmu has had on the University of Illinois Basketball team, it’s almost certain he’s catapulted himself to being a top 10 player in program history. He may not have passed names like Deron Williams, Nick Anderson, or Derek Harper, but he’s right there with them. If he would’ve had the chance to show off his talent in the March Madness tournament last year, who knows how high he’d be on that list. Ayo will have the chance to build on his college resume in next month’s tournament, and we’re definitely excited to see how far he’ll take this team in March.
Now, he is going to the NBA All-Star Game as the league announced on Tuesday night. That is a great accomplishment for him as he has really helped this Bulls team play well this season. They woke up this morning in a playoff spot which shows how far they have come in a year.
This is really an insignificant thing in terms of the Chicago Bulls but it does have positive implications. For one, LaVine is a super nice dude and is probably thrilled about the news. He knows how good he has been and it is nice to see him get the nod that he deserves.
This is also good for the organization as a whole because LaVine’s development can really help them going forward. For one, a player on their team is getting recognition as an All-Star type player which could help them build their team down the line. His good play could also help them as he is a good player to have on your team when you are trying to win. It is clear that his play this year has helped the Bulls win some close games that they might have lost if he wasn’t there.
As mentioned before, they are in the playoff picture right now and LaVine’s hot stretch is a big reason why. In his last nine games, LaVine has 33.6 PPG, 4.7 APG, 5.9 RPG, 4.2 3PG, and the Bulls went 6-3 in that stretch. If he is able to keep this up, there is a realistic chance that they make the playoffs. His February is the best month any Bulls player not named Michael Jordan has ever had. The coaching staff and front office also deserve a lot of credit for this massive improvement.
Zach LaVine is having the 31st best scoring month in Bulls history
On a personal level, LaVine wants to be a good player. Making the All-Star Game proves that he is one. It is also going to help him get a pretty nice contract for himself as he looks to continue his career. It would be nice to see the Bulls be the team to give it to him because he is awesome to have with some of the other talents around him. If you hit the jackpot in free agency or the draft, there might be a really good Bulls team on the horizon.
Congrats to Lavine on this selection, he absolutely deserves it. Being out there with some of the sport’s best players is really going to be a treat to watch for Chicago Bulls fans.
After what Anthony Rizzo has done for this organization, and how much he’s meant to the city, would the Chicago Cubs really allow him to leave next offseason?
It’s a question worth asking as Rizzo enters the final year of his contract with the Cubs.
In an offseason once again filled with semi-meaningless free agency signings and watching the club get rid of talented players, fans are wondering if this is only the beginning of tearing things down.
Rizzo, for one, still believes in what this team is and can be. At least there’s one of us out there who still believes.
“This city and everything about this city, I kind of wear on my sleeve. And I still love it. I still love our team. I still love what we have going on here.” (via ESPN)
Maybe he’s an eternal optimist, which is likely, considering you very rarely see the guy without a smile on his face. Or, maybe he’s somewhat in denial.
Anthony Rizzo:
“I just want to go out and continue to have that big smile and play the game hard. That’s all you can do every day. At the end of this year, I’ll look back with no regrets. Every day, you just enjoy it. Life’s too short; the game’s too short.”
There is no doubt Rizzo can and will receive interest from other teams if he is allowed to test free agency next offseason — and he could land somewhere much more promising in terms of the potential for another World Series ring.
Jed Hoyer said that he would be open to discussing long-term deals for guys like Rizzo, Javy Baez and Kris Bryant during spring training. Well, it’s here, and hopefully those talks lead somewhere for Rizzo, at the very least.
The Cubs would be wise to hold onto Rizzo and Baez, with Bryant being the most likely trade candidate.
Cubs manager David Ross seems unfazed by the contract situations, though.
“If these guys go out and do what they are accustomed to doing, I think those things do take care of themselves. You can’t worry about what’s going to happen next offseason. We’re wasting our time if we’re that far ahead.” (via ESPN)
Both Ross and Rizzo seemed very cool and collected when speaking about the contract situations at hand, with Rizzo citing that he and his teammates are “all professionals.” Rizzo said that none of them will have a hand in their negotiations and will allow their agents to do all of the talking.
As for the upcoming season, Rizzo knows he and his guys haven’t done nearly enough to warrant any hype. He mentioned that they just need to go out and prove it, stating that last year shouldn’t dictate what you do this year.
Rizzo is correct. Things can change quickly in this league. While it may look grim now, you never know who or what could come out of nowhere to surprise. Odds are, the Cubs don’t compete for a title. But, maybe they make things interesting and chase a Wild Card spot. For now, let’s all just be thankful that baseball is back.
So much has been written and said about the stock market lately, but the actual economy itself has gone somewhat overlooked. Even with all the information about mortgages available at your finger tips, you still need to pay attention to interest rates, the key metric for determining the health of the economy.
30-year US mortgage rates, on average, hit 2.99% this past Friday, having hit an all-time low of 2.8% back on February 10th. On Monday it climbed up to 3.04% according to Bankrate, and this has many market experts believing it’s going to stay north of 3% moving forward. That’s still very low, even if it starts hovering near 4%, it would still be rather low, as far as mortgage rates go historically.
However, it’s still the biggest jump in over a year and it comes along as the 10 year Treasury Note has seen its yield rise yet again. It hit 1.35% on Friday, the highest its been since last February, and the 1.5% line is very much in sight now. On a positive trajectory since August, when it was way down at 53 basis points, we’re now seeing an increased level of concern about inflation.
As we wrote back in Mid-October, when the interest rate on the 10-year was about half of what it is right now, we expected Democrats to win big on Election Day, and with that we’d see an increase in treasury yields, sooner rather than later. That’s because history shows that one party control of the legislative and executive branches typically leads to an increase in treasury yields.
Joe Biden decisively defeated Donald Trump to take the Presidency, as had been expected while the Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives, which they took in the 2018 midterms, and gained just barely enough Senate seats to take control of the upper chamber.
One party rule provides an easier opportunity to expand the federal budget deficit through spending programs. As deficits rise so do treasury yields due to two reasons. Outstanding bond supply increases, with the federal government needing to raise more money in order to match their level of borrowing.
Also, a boost in short term economic growth is likely as we’re seeing more vaccines get distributed, bringing us closer to eventual herd immunity. That would get us to more re-opening and that could mean expansion, and thus inflation. We should expect to see mortgage rates and the 10 year yield rise as the Biden administration readies a new round of economic stimulus.
We’re set for another round of PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) to help small businesses and get Main St up and running again. It all adds up to rising interest rates, mortgage rates and falling bond prices and inflation creeps closer.
“From a bond investor’s perspective, inflation is their worst enemy, because it erodes the value of those fixed payments that a bond holder receives over time,” Bankrate analyst Geeg McBride said to Marketwatch. “Bond investors demand higher yields to compensate for that.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and ChicagoNow.
He’s been a featured guest in dozens of media outlets including The History Channel. His work has been cited in hundreds of publications including the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.
The series of the great Black musicians continues with a look at the greatest Black male vocalists. There are so many that there’s not enough space to feature all of them.
Some of the others not featured in the gallery include Lionel Richie, Isaac Hayes, Teddy Pendergrass, Bill Withers, Lou Rawls and Johnny Mathis,
Here are some of the greatest Black male vocalists:
My so called friends think it’s time to edit this section. After four years, they may be right, but don’t tell them that. I’ll deny it until they die!
I can’t believe I’ve been writing this blog for four years.
It started as a health/wellness thing and over the years has morphed to include so many things that I don’t know how to describe it anymore.
I really thought this was going to be the final year of the blog but then Donald Trump came along. It looks like we’re good for four more years..God help us all!
Oh yeah…the biographical stuff. I’m not 60 anymore. The rest you can read about in the blog.
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