Chicago composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist Cam Be draws on his community to invigorate his already bold musical ideas. On his new second album, Summer in September (on his own Camovement label), Cam and an ensemble of friends create immediately gratifying fusions of soul, funk, hip-hop, and R&B. Feel-good jam “Fade Away” opens with 16 people clapping on the twos and fours, jump-starting its relaxed but implacable rhythm and amping up its summertime-barbecue vibe—which provides a simpatico framework for Joshua Griffin’s limber bass line, Sam Trump’s smoky trumpet, and Chris Paquette’s tender conga playing.…Read More
Since Chicago footwork producer and Teklife member DJ Earl dropped his breakthrough 2016 debut, Open Your Eyes, he’s traveled far outside the city and branched out into different sounds. In 2017, Earl dropped a genre-splicing dance full-length called 50 Backwoods with in-demand Brooklyn producer Nick Hook, and this year his collaborations have included the hip-hop EPs Paintings on the Porch (with Detroit MC Sheefy McFly) and Black Dobson (with Chicago rapper and childhood friend Akem Eshu).…Read More
When high school basketball fans think back to the 1980s, programs like Quincy, Providence St. Mel, East St. Louis Lincoln and the arrival of city powers King and Simeon are easy to think back on.
The 1990s brought us memorable basketball giants in Peoria Manual and Thornton, a few steamrolling Proviso East teams and the continued dominance of King.
The first 10 years of the 2000s included Glenbrook North, Peoria High and the beginning of a Simeon juggernaut.
Now, with the calendar inching closer to wrapping up an unforgettable 2020, the end of this month closes out another decade. And it’s another high school basketball time period to look back on.
Earlier this year we broke down the decade’s best teams and best players. Now, with every season of the past decade complete, it’s time to look at the Chicago area programs who won the most.
This list is comprised of the 50 winningest programs over the past 10 years, starting with the 2010-11 season and concluding with the 2019-20 season. Every team in every class throughout the Chicago area will be broken down in a variety of ways. But total wins, with winning percentage used as tie-breaker, determined the rankings.
We present No. 38 St. Rita today and will add one program a day going forward.
38. ST. RITA: 189-108
Decade’s biggest storyline: The rise of the St. Rita program under Gary DeCesare was easily the biggest storyline of the past 10 years.
In the 40 years prior to DeCesare taking over the program in 2009-10, St. Rita had one Catholic League championship and had won three regional titles. Under DeCesare there was an influx of individual talent with a surplus of Division I players. The decade success included six different Catholic League championships and four regional titles.
Underrated highlight: The program rise under DeCesare also included an upgraded schedule and vast opportunities for travel for the players in the program. St. Rita took a back seat to no one when it came to new and exotic road trips. During the decade the Mustangs have played in events and tournaments in the Bahamas, Hawaii, Alaska, Toronto, New Orleans, Miami, New York and Las Vegas.
St. Rita’s Charles Matthews dribbles with St. Joseph’s Jordan Ash defending.Sun-Times file photo
Player of the Decade: Charles Matthews (2013)
All-Decade Team: Tony Hicks (2012), Dominique Matthews (2014), Vic Law (2014), Charles Matthews (2015) and Alec Millender (2020)
Other decade news and highlights:
-Beating one of the big boys on national TV was a bright spot. The decade rise included a 51-46 high-profile win over Simeon in December of 2014 on ESPN2.
-St. Rita had two players who finished as top 100 players in the country in the decade in Charles Matthews (No. 50 in 2015 final rankings) and Vic Law (No. 90 in 2014 final rankings).
-The Mustangs made their presence felt in the Catholic League over the course of the decade, sharing a Catholic League North title in 2012 and winning multiple Catholic League South titles (2013, 2014, 2015) and Catholic League White titles (2019 and 2020).
-Tony Hicks was the Chicago Catholic League Player of the Year in 2012 and put together a monster season, averaging 26 points a game.
-The Mustangs won the 2017 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic title.
Got an elderly loved one in a nursing home you haven’t seen in person since last March? Maybe you are thinking that once a vaccine is available and they receive it things will change?
It might.
But your granny is going to have to wait in line behind your favorite Illinois politician, who just plowed to the front of that line in the name of “government continuity.” Lord knows we need our Congressfolks healthy and rosy-cheeked to pass along $600 crumbs to their constituents.
Here are the reported Illinois politicians who shoved granny off her walker to get the jab:
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Representatives Sean Casten, Lauren Underwood, Jesús García, Bill Foster and Robin Kelly.
We now know that those over seventy years of age are most vulnerable, so keeping that in mind here are the ages of some of your granny-shoving Illinois politicians:
Duckworth is 52. Casten is 49. Underwood is just 34,
Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they have comorbidities. Perhaps they lied about their ages? Perhaps they have loved ones at home they are concerned about? Perhaps they are sure that they are that important to the continuation of our Republic that these politicians got a vaccine for our sakes. Got the jab for the people, don’t ‘cha know.
We know how they demonstrate their concern. They support closing business, declare entire swaths of the population “non-essential”, allow illegal aliens to collect $1800 in Covid emergency payments, and give the American citizen, whose lives they are complicit in destroying, $600 for their Marie Antoinette Cake Fund.
As for granny, what are a few more months of isolation and possible death from Covid when the likes of Sean Casten has a country to run?
Merry Christmas, granny. It may be your last, but at least our politicians will be healthy.
Yes, I LOVED TV Dinners. I’m sure they have every chemical known to man — and some that weren’t, but they were square and cool at the same time. And you really did eat them in front of the TV.
Fire crews have been on the scene of a blaze in north suburban Waukegan for hours Friday morning, as frigid temperatures slow down the process of putting out the flames.
No injuries have been reported so far at the fire near Washington and Genesee streets, which started just after 5 a.m., according to Waukegan Fire Marshal Steve Lenzi.
The building that went up in flames was in the process of being demolished, Lenzi said. Crews were still battling the fire as of 7:30 a.m.
Lenzi said the chilly weather, which fell to about 10 degrees Friday morning, was impeding the fire department’s progress, along with the demolition of other nearby buildings.
Numerous other agencies are assisting the Waukegan Fire Department with the blaze.
What are five landing spots for ChicagoBears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in 2021?
The Chicago Bears are in an intriguing dilemma. They benched Mitchell Trubisky in week three and then turned to Nick Foles for nearly two months. When Foles injured his back in week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, the Bears were forced to turn back to Trubisky.
Fast forward nearly a month later and the Bears offense has come to life. Over the last four games, Trubisky has posted a completion percentage of 67.91, tossed eight touchdowns to just three interceptions, and posted a passer rating of 99.7. Those numbers aren’t eye-opening by any means but if there is one main takeaway, it’s that Trubisky is playing better than Foles.
Trubisky’s recent resurgence has led the Bears fanbase to consider an intriguing scenario: Should the Bears consider bringing Trubisky back in 2021? It’s a question that just six weeks ago, many would have never considered asking.
Nobody, not even Trubisky knows what his future is set to look like. However, we do know one thing: He’s set to be a free agent in 2021. Unless general manager Ryan Pace returns and decides to sign him to a contract extension or use the franchise tag, which would be nearly $25 million dollars, on Trubisky, he’ll be a free agent and can sign wherever he’d like to. That’s led to some speculation about where he could be playing next season, either as a starter or as a backup. So what are some landing spots for Trubisky in 2021? Let’s examine some potential spots and find out.
As Chicago Bears fans spend time with loved ones over Christmas, they’ll also want to watch for these prospects in the weekend’s Bowl games.
This is a big weekend for the Chicago Bears. With Christmas on Friday, those celebrating will hopefully get to spend some time with loved ones, even if some may do so virtually. Just two days after the holiday, though, the Bears enter a must-win game against Jacksonville in Week 16.
For Bears fans, this weekend also gives them a chance to dive deep into Bowl season. On Christmas Day, fans get a small sample with a single Bowl game (The Camellia Bowl). Then, on Saturday, get set for three Bowl games.
In a shortened season for most schools, this weekend is an important one when it comes to the future of many players. This is the last time we will see several draft prospects on the field.
Bears fans may have been in offseason mode a few weeks ago already, even though they still have a shot now at the playoffs. But, for those who enjoy the draft process and looking at potential prospects, let’s check out some of them suiting up in this weekend’s Bowl games.
Chicago Bears (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
1. Running Back Jaret Patterson, Buffalo
The Bears have Tarik Cohen coming back next season, thankfully. But, they still don’t have that solid third back which seems so important to many teams out there. If you watch teams like the Los Angeles Rams or Baltimore Ravens, they’re an example of clubs that have three different backs they could plug in for an entire drive and the offense continues to roll on.
On Christmas Day, you’ll get a chance to see Jaret Patterson, the lead back for Buffalo as they take on Marshall in the Camellia Bowl on ESPN (2:30PM ET).
Patterson won’t blow you away with his speed, but neither do a lot of the league’s best running backs. He’s the type of back that excels because of his patience and ability to hit the right holes, take the right angles and shed tacklers. His 5-foot-9 frame also allows him to make it through the smaller holes in the offensive line. He finds the opening and hits it right when he sees it.
A lot like David Montgomery, Patterson works well inside the tackle box and, at times, busts out of a pile making you scratch your head as to just how he did that. Patterson is calculated and calm as a runner. He’s also an underrated pass-catcher, which makes him that much more valuable in today’s NFL. He’s only caught 20 passes in his three seasons, but Patterson simply hasn’t been used in that respect as much as he could be in the pros.
Patterson’s collegiate career has been fairly impressive. In just six games this year, he rushed for 1,072 yards and 19 touchdowns — go ahead and read that again just in case you didn’t realize how incredible that is.
In just one game against Kent State, he rushed for a ridiculous 409 yards and eight — yes, eight — touchdowns. Patterson will find himself selected anywhere as late as the fifth round and could go as early as the second round. With a strong showing in his Bowl game and a solid combine, the sky is the limit.
Rolo and Twix are one-year-old, bonded male guinea pigs looking for a loving guardian together.
The boys get along and make wonderful wheeks and whistle sounds.
These boys are best handled by experienced pig lovers. They are not a good selection for small children.
Guinea pigs eat a diet of unlimited timothy and orchard hays – in fact, hay should be the majority of their diet. They can have limited pellets, and a variety of fresh vegetables daily including romaine, red leaf and green leaf lettuces, cilantro, carrots, and a little bit of fruit as a treat: oranges, apples, etc.
Guinea pigs like humans need a source of vitamin C in their diet which they can get from a one-inch square piece of sweet red pepper, kale, chard and other greens, or you can use vitamin C treats made for guinea pigs.
Please read up on guinea pig care and diet before adopting by visiting this excellent web site http://www.guinealynx.info/.
Most cages marketed for guinea pigs are way too small. And, these boys need a large cage. Guinea pigs need appropriate room to roam and separate spaces for a nest, bathroom area and food and water. No animal is meant to live in a cage all the time, so make sure to provide your pig with proper exercise outside of a cage with a romp around the home or exercise pen.
They would love a home with people who will handle them daily, keep them well fed, and keep their habitat nice and clean.
If you’re interested in meeting and possibly adopting Rolo and Twix, please fill out an adoption application at https://friendsofpetraits.com/guinea-pig-adoption-application/ and follow up by contacting [email protected] to set up an appointment to meet them.
They are being fostered in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood.
Their adoption fee of $120 as a pair benefits the Friends of Petraits Rescue. For an additional $75, we’ll include a starter kit of absolutely everything you need to care for them including a large cage, hay, litter, pellets, hidey huts and water bottle.
It’s the early 1960’s. I’m visiting my grandmother. She has a calendar on the wall and I’m checking it out. I’m looking at the month of June. On the twelfth, I see something that excites me. CHILDREN’S DAY!!!
WOOOOOO!!!
My nine-year-old brain starts to work. My birthday is on June 11. I’m already thinking about how this could double my day in the spotlight….not to mention double presents. What could possibly be better?
When I get home, I tell my mother about my discovery. She looks at me and says “Every day is children’s day.” Killjoy!!
So even though my mom put the kibosh on all future double birthday celebrations, it started my obsession with wondering how people who have birthdays falling on holidays feel. My sister has her birthday on New Year’s Day and I’ve never heard her say anything about that…good or bad. My youngest daughter has a birthday that every few years falls on Mother’s Day. When that occurs, she usually has lunch or dinner with her mother. And now since she is also a mother, maybe her son will get her double presents? Hmmm…since the kid is only three months old, the pressure is off on that for a few years.
But what if your birthday falls on December 25? Christmas Day!! It’s the biggest holiday of them all!! Not only does everyone in the family get presents, but you’re sharing your birthday with Jesus. Wow! Talking about getting your thunder stolen!! Picture sitting in your living room, opening up one of your presents, getting excited over receiving exactly what you wanted and then your sibling gets a brand new bicycle….ON YOUR DAY!!!! That has to be worse than my mother ruining Children’s Day for me forever…..much, much worse.
I’ve only known one person who has had a birthday on Christmas and since she’s Jewish, the above scenario was moot. But, if you’re reading this and your birthday is today, and you’re pissed off that you aren’t getting double presents or being treated as if your special day is not really special, know that I’m in your corner. Solidarity my brother/sister. I wish you a Happy Birthday!
By the way, earlier this week I found out that Children’s Day, which is a real thing, Mom, isn’t on June 12. It’s on the second Sunday in June, so each year the date changes…kind of like a Jewish holiday. It matches up with my June 11 birthday next in 2023. I’ll be accepting double presents. Thank you in advance.
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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