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Horoscope for Tuesday, August 10, 2021Georgia Nicolson August 10, 2021 at 5:01 am

Moon Alert

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Virgo.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Today you feel that life is grand! You will especially enjoy schmoozing with others in an entertaining way. Vacations, social outings, sports events and playful times with kids will appeal because you’re so enthusiastic and upbeat! Be careful about going overboard.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Home projects, especially something to do with renovations or repairs truly appeal to you in an exciting way. In addition, family conversations will be upbeat because people are eager to embrace big ideas! The key is to remain realistic. Make sure things are doable.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

This is a happy day for you because your ruler Mercury is dancing with lucky Jupiter. This makes you feel optimistic and enthusiastic about whatever you do. You feel like a winner! You will enjoy talking to neighbors, siblings and relatives. (Don’t promise more than you can deliver.)

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

This is an excellent day for business and commerce because you feel confident about financial matters and ready to take the helm. Your ideas are big and ambitious and your confidence and enthusiasm will help sell your concepts to others. Note: Remain realistic.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

You feel excited and confident about things. You will definitely exude an aura of success. However, be careful about acting cocksure or arrogant. Make sure you have your facts; and be careful not to coerce others. Stay grounded.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

This is a feel-good day for you! You have a strong hunch about something and you are sure that you’re right, which is why your confidence is running high. In addition, with fiery Mars in your sign, you’re ready to act on your intuition. Meanwhile, Venus will ensure that others agree with you! (Oh my.)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

This is the perfect day to talk to friends or groups and get others to endorse your way of thinking. Your enthusiasm about something will persuade everyone to sit at your table and go along with what you want to do. You can deal successfully with groups, especially younger people.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

You will be successful talking to bosses, parents, teachers, VIPs and the police today because you appear confident, assured and knowledgeable about whatever you say. Guard against going overboard or being too cocky. You might want to pull your reins. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

This is a fabulous day to make travel plans because you are upbeat, enthusiastic and ready to think big! Likewise, your ideas related to publishing, the media, the law and medicine are also ambitious. It’s a strong day for writers and podcasters.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Be careful in discussions about shared property, inheritances and money issues because you might be tempted to give away the farm. This is because you’re thinking in large strokes and you feel very generous. All of this is very well, but stay reasonable.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Discussions with partners and close friends will be lively and upbeat today! Everyone is full of big ideas — including you. Nevertheless, it’s easy to go overboard today or see things as being better than they are. Keep this in mind.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

You’re not afraid to entertain big ideas related to your job today or any task for that matter. Meanwhile, issues related to your health are encouraging. You feel more optimistic. Likewise, anything related to a pet will please you because everything is going so well today. It’s a winning day!

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actor Justin Theroux (1971) shares your birthday. You are an independent person who needs a lot of freedom in their life. You crave variety and you love stimulation and change. You are competitive personally and professionally. Financial security is important to you. This year will appeal to your personal love of freedom as you make major changes in your life. Seek out new opportunities and trust your gut instincts.

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Horoscope for Tuesday, August 10, 2021Georgia Nicolson August 10, 2021 at 5:01 am Read More »

$1 million dollar bail set for star skateboarder charged first-degree murder after beating man to death in Oakbrook TerraceJermaine Nolenon August 10, 2021 at 5:40 am

A professional skateboarding star from California was ordered to be held on one million dollars bail after charges were upgraded to first-degree murder after he allegedly beat and kicked a man at a Comfort Suites in Oakbrook Terrace last week.

Prosecutors allege just after 11 a.m. July 27, Kennedy, Kassahun, and Kennedy’s ex-girlfriend checked out of a room at the Comfort Suites Motel and were walking to Kennedy’s ex-girlfriend’s car when Kennedy became enraged for no apparent reason.

Kassahun told Kennedy to calm down, and Kennedy punched Kassahun in the face, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, prosecutors said. Kennedy then allegedly kicked Kassahun in his torso before fleeing the scene in his ex-girlfriend’s car.

Terry Kennedy
DuPage County sheriff’s office

Kassahun, from Wheaton, died July 31 at Rush University Medical Center. An autopsy found he died of blunt force injuries to his head, and the medical examiner’s office ruled the death a homicide, which lead to charges being upgraded.

Kennedy, from Long Beach, California had initially been charged with aggravated battery in a public place, threatening a public official and theft, according to court records.

Kennedy, also known as “Compton-Ass Terry,” is known for his appearances in video games and TV shows like “Viva La Bam” and “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory.” He also has had cameo appearances in music videos featuring artists like Snoop Dogg and Pharrell.

He is due back in court Aug. 23.

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$1 million dollar bail set for star skateboarder charged first-degree murder after beating man to death in Oakbrook TerraceJermaine Nolenon August 10, 2021 at 5:40 am Read More »

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Headed to Station: How to Watch the CRS-16 Launchon August 10, 2021 at 4:35 am

Cosmic Chicago

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Headed to Station: How to Watch the CRS-16 Launch

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Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Headed to Station: How to Watch the CRS-16 Launchon August 10, 2021 at 4:35 am Read More »

Eloy Jimenez, Lucas Giolito upstage Luis Robert’s return to White Sox lineupDaryl Van Schouwenon August 10, 2021 at 3:00 am

MINNEAPOLIS — Eloy Jimenez would not let his good friend Luis Robert be the story Monday night.

Lucas Giolito didn’t, either.

As the White Sox celebrated the return of Robert to center field for the first time since May 2, Jimenez and Giolito stole the show. Jimenez, the designated hitter, slammed home runs in the first and second innings Monday against Twins right-hander Beau Burrows, knocked in five runs in the process and powered his team to an 11-1 victory at Target Field.

Jimenez’s homers, a 454-foot blast to center field and 359-footer to left, came a night after he hit two home runs and collected five RBI against the Cubs. He became the only Sox in history to drive in five runs or more in consecutive games, and according to Stats by STATS is the second player in history to have two-plus homers and five-plus RBI within the first five innings in back to back games since the RBI became an official stat in 1920. The Reds’ Lee May also did it in 1969.

After a 2-for-19 start when he came back from a torn pectoral muscle, Jimenez has nine hits in his last eight games, seven for extra bases. In 187 games, he is the fastest Sox player to reach 50 homers in his career.

“I didn’t even know that,” Jimenez said. “Just keep going.”

The Sox (67-46) opened with a leadoff homer by Tim Anderson (three hits, two RBI) and a Jimenez homer in the first for the second straight game. Anderson, who led off games consecutively with homers against the Tigers last season, has 12 homers and hiked his average to .300.

Robert dropped a double in front of center fielder Jake Cave for his ninth RBI of the season in the fifth inning and singled in the ninth.

Robert strained his right hip flexor on May 2 and returned from a minor league rehab assignment.

Giolito dominant

Giolito (9-8, 3.81 ERA) pitched eight innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts and no walks, facing the minimum until Miguel Sano’s solo homer with one out in the eighth. Before that, the only Twins hit was a single by Luis Arraez in the fifth that caromed off the right-hander’s calf.

Giolito said he pitched with “controlled emotion and anger with each pitch” to get himself going.

“Just create it, find something to tick myself off, things batters are doing and let it fuel me,” he said.

Trevor Larnach was hit by a pitch in the third, and both Arraez and Larnach were wiped out on double plays started by third baseman Yoan Moncada, who also belted his 10th homer.

The Sox are 13-4 against the Twins and have beat them by 10 or more runs three times.

Positive COVID test sidelines Benetti

TV play-by-play voice Jason Benetti will miss the team’s upcoming broadcasts after a breakthrough positive test for the coronavirus. Benetti just called the Olympic baseball semifinals and finals for NBC and is recovering at home in Chicago.

Benetti said on his Twitter account that he is mildly symptomatic and plans to return soon. Mike Monaco, who worked Monday’s game, will fill in during Benetti’s absence. Monaco is a play-by-play announcer for ESPN and its ACC Network and fills in on Red Sox games for NESN.

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Eloy Jimenez, Lucas Giolito upstage Luis Robert’s return to White Sox lineupDaryl Van Schouwenon August 10, 2021 at 3:00 am Read More »

Memorial rises on block where Chicago Police Officer Ella French was killedAndy Grimmon August 10, 2021 at 1:03 am

Two days after Chicago Police Officer Ella French was shot and killed by a suspect fleeing a traffic stop, a makeshift memorial took shape on the West Englewood street where French died.

Around noon Monday, the 6300 block of South Bell Avenue was quiet and largely empty as a trio of Chicago Police officers walked up and tied balloons and a small teddy bear to a tree near where the 29-year-old French died. Arriving about the same time was Yvette Smith, making her second trip to the murder scene.

“I had been over here earlier, and there was nothing,” said a teary-eyed Smith. “I was watching the Cubs game, and there was no moment of silence. It just upset me, so I got my son and said, ‘Let’s get some balloons, let’s do something.’

“There’s other people feeling the same way, (but) there’s nothing up, nothing being put up for her remembrance for what she’s done. You don a uniform to come out here and put your life on the line. Nobody acknowledges that.”

French was killed and her partner critically wounded Saturday evening in a shootout that erupted when officers pulled over a vehicle about 50 yards south of where the balloons tugged against the tree. Three suspects have been arrested, including one who was restrained by neighbors after leaping over a fence into a crowded backyard barbecue.

Peering at reporters over the bent chain-link fence Monday, the barbecue’s host said the fleeing man looked at the crowd of children and adults in the party and turned as if to bolt back over the fence.

“He went back [toward the fence] and wanted to jump, but then he saw the cops and he came back,” said the host, who did not want to be named.

The man pointed a gun at the host and hit him with it. The host and several other men wrestled with the gunman, and the pistol wound up on the ground, he said. They held the man down until police arrived. It was not clear Tuesday if the man arrested after the struggle in the backyard was the gunman who shot either officer.

“We feel bad for what happened, we feel bad for the officer,” the backyard host said. “It’s sad … I don’t have any regrets on stopping the man, honestly. He could have gone to do much worse things, like shoot other people, if he had not been stopped.”

A second man involved in the shooting was wounded by gunfire and arrested at the scene. Police arrested a third person, a woman, in connection with the shooting Sunday.

Federal prosecutors Monday filed charges against Jamel Danzy, a Hammond, Indiana man, for acting as a straw purchaser of a .22-caliber Glock pistol used to shoot French and her partner. The Honda CR-V that French and her fellow officers had pulled over on South Bell at the start of the fatal encounter was registered to Danzy, federal prosecutors said Monday.

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Memorial rises on block where Chicago Police Officer Ella French was killedAndy Grimmon August 10, 2021 at 1:03 am Read More »

Athletes put through the Olympic wringerRick Telanderon August 10, 2021 at 1:14 am

The Tokyo Olympics ended Sunday not with a bang but a muted sigh and a symbolic tear.

Every modern Olympics has been a reflection of the world around them at the moment of competition. And this one — in the time of COVID, global warming and the rise of multiple demagogues — is no different.

Going back to Games of yore is like viewing a snapshot of global history in the making.

The 1936 Games heralded the rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazism.

The 1972 Munich Olympics brought terrorism to the forefront.

The 1996 Olympics in Atlanta were a salute to the global power of corporations and moneyed sponsorships. And then came the bomb in Olympic Park.

There were no Olympic Games at all in 1916, 1940 and 1944 because of world wars.

So what will we think of these 2020 Olympics held in 2021?

Not much, I’m afraid.

First off, they were supposed to be held a year ago but could not be because of the untamed pandemic, a pandemic that is far from gone. Indeed, Japan’s cases surged during the Games, a number of athletes were forced out because of COVID and most Japanese citizens didn’t want the Olympics from the start.

Gold medals presented in empty stadiums to masked athletes in near silence are the stuff not of massed celebration but of fear and isolation, fueling visions of an even more nightmarish future.

China hosts the Winter Games in six months, and what that virtually closed country — the place that gave us COVID to begin with — is planning would stun Orwell himself.

According to the New York Times, Chinese guards will wear biohazard suits and prevent anyone from leaving venues, passageways will be divided lengthwise and athletes will be interviewed behind plastic walls via microphone and will wear armpit thermometers to sound an alarm if they get a fever.

“Authorities intend to wall off China’s 1.4 billion people from essentially all athletes, judges, drivers, guides, journalists and others associated with the event,” the paper stated.

This is the big hug felt around the world?

And there was Tokyo’s grand closing ceremony, held in front of almost no one. Athletes themselves seemed irrelevant. No tourists, no fans, no discernible joy.

The Olympic torch was symbolically handed off to Paris, site of the 2024 Games. And all that came to mind was: Good luck, France.

If anything, these Games will be remembered (beyond disease) for the trials of little Simone Biles, all 4-9 of her, the greatest female gymnast in history.

Her televised mental meltdown under the psychic weight of expectation from a world demanding transcendence and entertainment was epic and important in itself. The ”twisties,” she called her sudden loss of self in midair.

The twisties might be a good term for all future athletes to use when they mentally crumble from the near insanity of endless training while attempting to become the best in the world.

The man with the most Olympic gold medals, former swimmer Michael Phelps, spoke compassionately about Biles and her torment. Phelps knows. He felt the emptiness of tunnel focus, winning and then . . . nothing.

After his four gold medals in 2012 at the London Games, Phelps had way more than the twisties.

“I didn’t want to be alive anymore,” he said, admitting that he narrowly avoided suicide.

American sprinter Noah Lyles, who won bronze in the 200 meters in Tokyo, was just as open about his mental struggles. Lyles has two therapists to help him deal with non-physical issues.

“I know there’s somebody out there who is probably struggling with the same issues I was,” Lyles said. “And I want them to know there are ways to feel better.”

So there’s the likely message of these Games. Take care of yourself. And, along with that, dear God, take care of this planet.

You could say hope and dreamy good cheer are still the prime movers of the Olympics, much as they were at the start of the modern Games.

But with millions of acres of forests on fire, icebergs calving like falling dominoes, athletes collapsing in the heat and a deadly virus stalking the Earth, thinking of the Tokyo Olympics as the Mental Health Games might not be a bad way to go.

Every viewer out there should be asking existential questions. Prime among them: What price dominance? What price Planet Earth?

And how’s your mental health?

I mean everyone’s.

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Athletes put through the Olympic wringerRick Telanderon August 10, 2021 at 1:14 am Read More »

Health Benefits of Whole Grains as We Work to Fight COVID Variantson August 10, 2021 at 12:57 am

All is Well

Health Benefits of Whole Grains as We Work to Fight COVID Variants

©2021 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
Crafted by the News Apps team

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Health Benefits of Whole Grains as We Work to Fight COVID Variantson August 10, 2021 at 12:57 am Read More »

Watch Berkowitz & Martin discuss Pritzker’s decision to mask 2 million school kids- 7 hours/day: Science, data or politics? Also, new GOP Gov candidates & 2022 Gov General Election, Cable/Webon August 10, 2021 at 1:14 am

Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz

Watch Berkowitz & Martin discuss Pritzker’s decision to mask 2 million school kids- 7 hours/day: Science, data or politics? Also, new GOP Gov candidates & 2022 Gov General Election, Cable/Web

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Watch Berkowitz & Martin discuss Pritzker’s decision to mask 2 million school kids- 7 hours/day: Science, data or politics? Also, new GOP Gov candidates & 2022 Gov General Election, Cable/Webon August 10, 2021 at 1:14 am Read More »

Back on schedule: Morgan Park has high expectations on the first day of practiceMichael O’Brienon August 10, 2021 at 12:24 am

Morgan Park sophomore Tysean Griffin was one of the area’s breakout stars during the brief high school football season last spring. The speedster has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Illinois, Syracuse and several other schools. He was immediately comfortable on the football field, even as a freshman.

But he’s understandably apprehensive about actually attending high school in person in a few weeks.

“I will no doubt be lost and feel like a freshman,” Griffin said. “I haven’t been in the building.”

It’s been a chaotic stretch for Chicago Public Schools students, especially the high schoolers that didn’t attend any classes in person last school year.

A small slice of normal returned all across the state on Monday, as fall sports athletes started practice on schedule for the first time since August of 2019.

“It feels great to get back in the normal routine,” Morgan Park quarterback Aaron Warren said. “I just woke up excited today.”

Expectations are high for the Mustangs, who finished 4-0 during the spring.

Coach Chris James, who graduated from Morgan Park and played at Illinois, has built his alma mater back into a Public League powerhouse. There were more than 100 players on hand for the first practice.

“When I first got here three years ago there were 37 kids in the program,” James said. “It’s fun to see my school back to where it should be. I remember I told [Warren] when he was a freshman that things would look a lot different eventually. He was a puppy then and now he’s our guy.”

Warren and Griffin opened eyes during the spring season. Big things are also expected of senior cornerback/receiver Donta Hayes Jr., sophomore cornerback/receiver Chris Durr and senior lineman Devan King.

Two transfers, junior cornerback Kiwaun Davis (Brother Rice) and defensive tackle Jaylin Adams (Thornwood) should make immediate impacts.

Morgan Park coach Chris James looks on during practice.
Morgan Park coach Chris James looks on during practice.
Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

The Mustangs open the season Aug. 27 at St. Viator. They will face Curie, Taft, Kenwood and Simeon in a four-week midseason stretch. The game against the Wolverines on Oct. 19 could be the biggest Public League football game of the season.

“The Simeon game means a lot to me,” James said. “It’s like Duke vs. North Carolina. They are right down the street. And I beat them a lot when I played here. They have had a ton of success. So you have to go beat them. We know when we see them it is a big deal. We are under the radar a little now and that is ok. We have to earn it. And with our schedule we will have the opportunity.”

James believes Jovan Clark, a six-foot, 207-pound freshman, is a future five-star recruit. He plays multiple positions and will be a varsity starter.

“[Clark] would be a varsity starter at any school he went to,” James said. “He’s the most physically gifted freshman out there. Everybody is excited about him. He was just physically born with some different things that most people don’t have. He has a chance to be the top-ranked player in his class.”

Linebacker Keyth Williams is the team’s vocal leader. The junior doesn’t have any reservations about heading back to school. He can’t wait.

“I’m one of those kids that likes learning and likes school and likes interacting with other people,” Williams said. “That was the biggest thing the last year, missing that. We couldn’t do so many things with COVID on our back. I’m going to have fun at school and win some football games.”

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Back on schedule: Morgan Park has high expectations on the first day of practiceMichael O’Brienon August 10, 2021 at 12:24 am Read More »

Greg Deichmann tells story of the night he was traded to the CubsRussell Dorseyon August 10, 2021 at 12:25 am

Greg Deichmann has had a wild two weeks, but after things have settled following the trade deadline, the Cubs’ outfielder is starting to catch his breath. Every baseball player understands the business side of baseball, but even Deichmann was curious at this year’s deadline.

Deichmann was one of the two players the Cubs acquired in the trade that sent left-hander Andrew Chafin to the Oakland A’s.

“You’re kind of always blindsided by trade, unless you’re in control of that situation, but you always know it’s a possibility,” Deichmann said. “Especially kind of coming up to the trade deadline with the position that the A’s were in and just kind of their history of going out and getting guys at the deadline to make a playoff push.

“So you never think it’s going to be you until it actually happens. But yeah, you’re kind of checking Twitter here and there, looking for [Ken] Rosenthal’s tweets.”

There’s always a possibility a player can be traded and as Deichmann quickly found out, those trades can also happen at any time, including during the middle of a game. News of the deal between Oakland and the Cubs broke during the middle of the Cubs-Reds game on July 26. Meanwhile in Salt Lake City, news hadn’t gotten to Deichmann just yet.

He was still playing for Triple-A Las Vegas when the trade went down and he didn’t find out on Twitter or on TV, but from fans in the stands.

“I was in Salt Lake and I think it was a day or two before the deadline,” he said. “I was running off in the seventh inning and a fan in right field, I could hear him, ‘Deichmann, you got traded.’ So I’m just like whatever.'”

Deichmann’s strange night didn’t end there as he had a variety of interactions with his teammates and coaching staff before finally being told about the trade.

“I get in the dugout and one of my teammates comes and shakes my hand,” he said. “He’s like, ‘You’re out of here. And we’re just talking about waiting to go here and then my manager comes up and kind of gives me a little pat. And was like, ‘Hey, stay locked in.’ And now I’m like, What do we got? So I’m sitting on the railing. I’m talking to one of my teammates, and I tell him I’m so rattled right now. He’s like, ‘Why?’ and I just tell him all these things.

“So I start running out for the eighth inning and I probably make it to the pitcher’s mound and the manager calls me back in. Immediately. I’m just like, one of two things just happened – I got traded or I’m going up [to the big leagues]. I get back in the dugout and I’m walking through and all my teammates are just staring in the field. They’re just not even looking at me and I’m like, ‘Yup, I got traded.”

Deichmann is one of the first players from the Cubs’ deadline deals to make it to the big leagues along with right-hander Codi Heuer to get an opportunity on the team’s major-league roster.

The Cubs have plenty of opportunities for players over the last two months of the season and Deichmann will have a chance to show what he’s capable of in his first stint in the big leagues.

“That’s a really valuable next two months [where] we’re gonna have to continue to keep an eye on the guys that can prove it every single day,” manager David Ross said. “I think there’s a real opportunity to play here.”

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Greg Deichmann tells story of the night he was traded to the CubsRussell Dorseyon August 10, 2021 at 12:25 am Read More »