For the first time in his career, the Chicago Bears defeated Tom Brady and it was largely due to the incredible play of the game’s undisputed MVP, Khalil Mack.
During the first half, the Bears offense struggled to move the football. Fans likely said to themselves “here we go again” as they watched the team go down 10-0 in the first quarter. Judging from some of the comments on Twitter, Bears fans were not happy with the performance.
However, the offense turned it around at least somewhat, manging to go into halftime with a 14-13 lead, and set to receive the second-half kickoff. They would tack on two more field goals in the second half to push their total to 20 which was just barely enough to stave off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-19.
The reason only 20 points were enough was because of the Bears defense. And the reason the Bears defense was once again outstanding, was the play of Mack.
The defense amazingly pressured Brady on 43.2 percent of his dropbacks, which was his highest rate since 2017, according to ESPN’s Next Gen Stats. Mack personally pressured Brady on 17.6 percent of his 34 pass rushes (for 6 total pressures) and got home twice for 2 sacks.
Mack has unjustifiably taken some heat this season for “not producing enough.” However, more than a casual observer of the game would see how disruptive Mack has been this year and how often he gets pressure on the quarterback, even if not finishing the sack. His impact on the game should be clear and obvious even without the sacks.
However, last night he was rewarded with a couple of doozies, including one that will show up as highlights and GIFs for the foreseeable future.
Khalil Mack makes his presence felt. ? @FiftyDeuce
It came on 1st and 10 with 11:34 left in the third quarter with the Bears clinging to a one-point lead. Mack was lined up opposite rookie Tristan Wirfs, who had been playing really well to start the season. However, Mack gave him a quick reality check and then some.
Mack simply powers around the 6-foot-5, 320 pound Wirfs, and takes Brady down. Wirfs, seemingly feeling guilty about giving up the sack (or worried about facing Tom’s rath back in the huddle) continues to try to block Mack after the sack and the play was blown dead.
Mack, having none of it, casually flip-tosses the 320 pounder with one arm. It was the Mack fans have grown accustomed to seeing during his time in Chicago. And if that version of Mack shows up every week, this Bears defense will go from above average to dominant very quickly.
Consider how good the Bears defense has been without Mack getting home on the quarterback. Now ponder how good it will be with Mack and Quinn regularly taking down the quarterback. Suddenly, the Bears look like legit contenders again.
Bond and Honey are a pair of young, beautiful, active, talkative and fun parakeets looking for a loving guardian.
Bond is a blue male parakeet, Honey is a yellow parakeet.
When a child in the home became allergic to bird feathers, the bonded pair was relinquished to Friends of Petraits Rescue.
In their former home, the yellow parakeet Honey had learned to step up onto the family’s finger.
Parakeets are the smallest of the parrot species and the most common captively kept pet bird.
Bond and Honey are available including their spacious 24” by 29” cage with toys, food, treats and perches for an adoption donation of $150.
They are currently being fostered in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood. To meet and adopt these beautiful birds, please fill in an application at https://friendsofpetraits.com/adoption-applications/.
50 E. Chestnut St., No. 2601: $3,299,000 | Listed: July 24, 2020 (Tim Newhouse)
This three-bedroom condo spans an entire floor in a Gold Coast tower and has 3½ bathrooms. Along with a flexible floor plan for living space anchored by a gas fireplace, the home features large windows with east, south and west views. The kitchen is built for a gourmet experience, with double ovens and a breakfast bar. The primary bedroom suite is equipped with a custom-built walk-in closet and a spa-like bath. Two private terraces include a gas hookup for a grill, while common spaces in the building include a fitness center, dog run and deck. The home includes two parking spots in a heated garage.
Agent: Linda Levin of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, 312-335-3231
We can never have enough of nature.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods
The ginkgos are starting to turn as bright as the sun, maples promise a spectacularly vibrant array of multitones, and sumacs’ colorful clusters stand out in glorious shades of bright red and purple
Come October in Chicago the trees reach their peak fall colors creating a rich tapestry from Mother Nature’s color palette.
The Show Must Go On
Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
Thegolden bronze of the Hickories, the brilliant scarlet of the Red Maple, the oranges of the Sugar Maples and the russet reds of the Oaks that follow–often continuing into November and early December–create a spectacular show that even a pandemic can’t shutdown.
Best Places to view color
The Esplanade. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
Although you can find colorful trees on a city street or even just outside your window, one of the best places to see it all is at the Chicago Botanic Garden that showcases a plant collection of more than 2.6 million plants on over 285 acres.
Plant Finder
Get planting ideas for your fall garden.Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
Before you begin your journey through the garden, you may want to make a plan. Even if you don’t know a gingo from an oak tree, the Garden’s plant finder will help you to identify trees and plants and to see what’s in bloom. Click here.
Garden Highlights
The English Walled Garden. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
There is so much to see at the Garden that you could easily spend a day. You can explore the grounds via foot or tram.
The trees are not the only part of nature that changes in fall. Cruise through the Bonsai Collection, the Aquatic Garden, Evening Island and more.
A wall of mums inside the English Walled Garden. Photo” Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
Don’t miss the brilliant color of the prairie grasses or the many varieties of mums and other fall flowers.
Hungry?
Dining on the terrace. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
You can dine on the Terrace overlooking the water or under the trees at the Esplanade Cafe (open 11am to 2pm, Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday).
The Espanade Cafe. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
Reservations required
Entry path from parking lot 2. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
Fall Bulb Festival – Saturday, October 10 through Sunday, October 11 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.); Members-only bulb shopping, Friday, October 9 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Visit chicagobotanic.org/bulb for more information.
Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns – Wednesday, October 14, through Sunday, October 18 (6:30 to 10:30 p.m.), and Wednesday, October 21, through Sunday, October 25 (6:30 to 10:30 p.m.)
More than 1,000 hand-carved, real pumpkins—some as large as 150 pounds—will light up the night. Visit chicagobotanic.org/halloween for tickets and information.
Lightscape – Friday, November 13, to Sunday, January 3, 2021; Select Nights (4:30 to 10 p.m.) The holiday event that sold out in its debut is back. Along a mile-long path, the night will come alive with color, imagination and sound, from a playful choir of singing trees to a spectacular Cathedral of Light. Visit chicagobotanic.org/lightscape for tickets and information.
Information:
Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
Address: 1000 Lake-Cook Rd Glencoe Metra: Union Pacific N to Braeside. Then bike, bus, walk or Uber less than a mile to Garden. Free admission: parking per car $25, $30 weekends; seniors (Cook County residents) on Tuesdays $10.
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Starting your own business is a huge decision, one that you’ve likely put a lot of time, thought and effort into. Now, you must choose exactly what kind of business you wish to run. Should you make it an LLC or a DBA?
Familiarizing yourself with the pros and cons of each will help you compare your options and narrow down your decision so you can make the best possible choice.
What Is an LLC?
A Limited Liability Company is a business structure whereby the owners aren’t personally liable for the company’s debts or liabilities. In other words, the business operates as a separate legal entity to better protect your assets. If fraud or loss does occur, all members of your LLC will share accountability. Thus, an LLC combines the attributes of a corporation with those of a partnership or sole proprietorship.
In most states, it’s relatively easy to set up an LLC. Simply complete the filing process online and visit the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) website to apply for an Employer Identification Number. Then, decide whether you want the government to tax you as a sole proprietorship, partnership, S-corporation or corporation.
Depending on which one you choose, you can save money when you go to file your taxes. However, if your state charges LLC taxes, you may possibly pay more, as they often charge a flat fee. If you’re a sole proprietor and would rather avoid these fees and extensive legal procedures, a DBA may be a better option.
What Is a DBA?
DBA means Doing Business As. This type of business structure allows your company to operate under a different name than your personal name. With a DBA, you can also change the name with minimal formalities. Plus, you can open a business bank account to separate your personal assets from your company finances.
Registering for a DBA is less expensive than filing for an LLC. With a DBA, you only have two fees — one for registering and another to cover renewal every five years or so. Moreover, you won’t have to abide by any bylaws, agreements or other formalities.
However, since there is no binding limited liability clause, your business and assets won’t receive protection. You also won’t be able to qualify for special income tax status, meaning you’ll pay taxes based on your personal filing status. Consequently, you may pay more taxes than an LLC.
Which Is Right for You?
While an LLC makes sense for some businesses, a DBA may work better for others. Thus, there is no hard and fast rule on which you should choose. Rather, you must reflect upon the direction in which you’d like to steer your business to determine the best option for you. Do you want to protect your organization and avoid a lawsuit? Choose an LLC. Are you juggling multiple projects and want to minimize expenses and paperwork? A DBA may be best.
Consult a small business attorney, an accounting professional and others within your industry if you’re still unsure which route to take. Your final decision will impact your current and future growth in major ways, so consider each option carefully. Then, pick the best one, commit to it and get that show on the road.
This week in our Release Radar we get more Smashing Pumpkins and more Elton John and both are sounding good. I think Elton John’s Jewel Box is going to be worth the investment. At eight CD’s, it’s for the hardcore collector, or maybe the person who needs to catch up on missed years of Elton’s career. Here it is, all in one neat jewel box.
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The Charlatans release an EP of Some Friendly Demos, while their lead singer Tim Burgess releases a new single, Yours. To Be.
“When my white shirt lets me down/Like one we race against the wind You said that I’ve seen better days/I wash her silver hair away.”
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I love that Tim continues to create with a new band while still working with the old one. It’s hard to believe The Charlatans’ Some Friendly is 30 years old. This means, in turn, that I’m old.
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Rainbow Kitten Surprise returns with “Our Song,” and it’s two minutes of bliss. With stops and starts, it’s full of feet-tapping rhythms that end too soon. I patiently await more great rock from these incredible artists.
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Another release that I’m really excited about is Django Django. They do some pretty progressive stuff, crossing into Stone Roses territory at times. This time on “Spirals” they sound more like Tame Impala, and 70’s psychedelia.
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The Dinner Party: Dessert album is on my #RADAR this week, including artists Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder, and Kamasi Washington, with vocal curation by none other than Snoop Double. On “Freeze Tag,” these all-stars shine together at the intersection of jazz and hip hop. This is one you want to listen to all the way through.
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Another funky entrance from Anderson.Pak. What a creator, “Jewelz” is playlist worthy.
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Your jazz cut of the week comes from Matt Ulery and his incredible band of musicians. Check out this lovely cut called “Jelly.”
It became clear at the debate between Biden and Trump. There was one moment that shook me to my core. Joe Biden used the word “smart” in a sentence. Trump seized on him in a foreboding, dark growl; similar to the tone he used in 2016 when he called Hillary Clinton a “nasty woman”. Trump said, “Don’t ever use the word “smart” with me.”
Suddenly, I felt the violence of countless other men who abuse their children, wives, partners and loved ones. I wasn’t in the grip of a narcissist. I was in the grip of an emotional abuser; a man who uses his narcissism and sociopathy to get under people’s skin and embed himself in their consciousness. He has been doing it to Americans who love him and Americans who hate him since day one.
Now we can look at how he employs abusive tactics to steal our narrative. We must reclaim it. By doing that, we can disrupt the hold he has on our collective spirit and health. We can change this horror story.
One way I’ve taken back control is to detach from the news about him. I ended the doom scrolling and refreshing my browser because my spirit was breaking. Still, it was hard to avoid the images of him striding across the lawn removing his mask then standing on a balcony for a photo opportunity. I know he told the American people that Covid is not so bad and it shouldn’t dominate our lives.
To hear him dismiss this virus and have no humility at the degree in which his circumstances have expedited his supposed recovery is unbearable. Knowing he is getting the best treatments; the treatment that has been elusive to so many has triggered a sense of detachment and numbness that swings to sudden rage. It’s been a dark night of my soul having to face the limits of my empathy and humanity.
It is my deepest wish that we only have three more weeks until we can exercise this man out of our collective spirit. And while we’ll have to endure him refusing to leave and wreaking havoc I have to believe that we will ultimately end his story.
He cannot win. The country is at stake. Our spirits are at stake. Please vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Tania Richard is an actress, writer, teacher, wife, and mother of four but not necessarily in that order. She is the owner and lead trainer of Improv Delivery-Improvisation Training for Professionals. www.improvdelivery.com
Her book “My So-Called Unexpected Life: 10 Things I Did to Meet and Marry My Man, Be A Stepmom, Have Babies, and Embrace The Life I Never Knew I Wanted is available at Kindle Direct Publishing and Smashwords. She likes Doritos.
For archived posts please go to http://trichard3.blogspot.com/
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”.
You know you are old when you start out a post with the words…
“Let me tell you about the olden days”
and in this case, it is about the first cell phones that were so big that you needed a backpack to schlep them around. My first cell phone provider was US Cellular. I was a loyal customer until it was bought out by Sprint in 2012. I looked around at other companies and decided that Sprint had the best rates, so I stayed with them.
My husband, Martin, and I purchased our first smart phones in 2012; Samsung 3s. We decided to give our then 12 year old son his first phone, a flip phone which only received incoming calls. Not long afterwards, we got him a Samsung 3, as well.
Neither Martin nor I have any brand loyalty nor are we interested in having the latest cellphones. In fact, until the pandemic kept us inside so much, Martin really never used his phone very much other than using his email account for his voiceover business and for making calls to me and our son.
Once live football was cancelled….and when I say football, I am actually referring to the sport which involves a ball and feet, known to Americans as soccer, Martin figured out how to watch old games on YouTube. He REALLY needed his “football fix” to get him through the pandemic. He was absolutely elated when European football leagues figured out how to keep their players free from the virus and games resumed. BTW, not one player has tested positive because they aren’t selfish idiots who kept breaking quarantine. It took American sports teams many more months to figure it out, because Americans ARE selfish idiots who kept breaking quarantine. But I digress….
Fast forward to July 31, 2020. I receive an email from T-Mobile, formerly known as Sprint, telling me that I will have to upgrade two of my phones by August 31, 2020. Because of their age, T-Mobile’s network’s MAY NO LONGER BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM after that date.
They had no problem doing this DURING A PANDEMIC AND THE BIGGEST ECONOMICAL DOWNTURN SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION…
Granted that Martin REALLY needed a new phone since he still had a Samsung 5 which came out in 2014. The screen has lots of small cracks but it is still serviceable. Our son had a Samsung 8 which came out in 2017, which didn’t strike me as terribly old. Last March, I had to upgrade from a Samsung 6, which I had managed to damage to the point that I could no longer charge it, to the LG Tribute Royal, which absolutely sucks, BTW. Don’t get one. Half the time I can’t make phone calls when I am outside, either because the connection breaks up or the person on the other end can’t hear me while I can hear them.
Anywho, I decide to bite the bullet and I spent several hours on the phone with T-Mobile, purchasing new phones that I really cannot afford. I am none too happy about the situation and I definitely let the poor sod who happened to answer my call know that I was not a happy camper. At one point, I thought he was going to hang up on me but I apologized because what was I supposed to do? You can’t not have a phone these days.
The new phones came. August 31st came and went. And guess what? The phones that weren’t supposed to work are still working. It’s a miracle, Jesus!
Then, I received a second email on September 30 that truly sent me over the top….
Hello,
Sprint and T-Mobile came together earlier this year….blahdy-blahdy-blah blah
We recently discovered we sent you the following message in error. It does not apply to your account. We apologize for any confusion the message may have caused.
Are you fucking kidding me? We are sorry for any confusion? That’s it…after you lied to me and forced me to buy phones I didn’t need. A “we apologize email.” To describe me as enraged, infuriated, livid, pissed off and thoroughly outraged would be an understatement. I attempted to communicate with some sort of supervisor to voice my displeasure. I tried an online chat and after 2 hours of being dicked around, I gave up. I told them I expected them to contact me. They probably got a good laugh out of that one. Never happened. A couple of days ago, I risked my health and went to my local T-Mobile office. The supervisor told me, through the poor schmuck who was stuck trying to calm me down, that there was nothing he could do. Seriously? Of course, there is something you could do. Give me some money off my monthly bill for all the time and money I wasted. He said that I could send the old phones back and get a credit on my account. Said supervisor refused to even talk to me. Nice. Great customer service. Apparently, as is the story of my life, nobody else on the planet received such an email. Just me. 7 billion people on earth and it is always me. Yup.
I have a message for the new CEO of T-Mobile, Mike Sievert….
Dear Mike,
You and your company suck. I will tell everyone I know not to use your company. You lied to me, forced me into buying 2 new phones that I didn’t need and then told me it was a mistake and you are sorry???? And now I am beholden to your horrible company for another 2 years. Not to mention the fact that the list price for my son’s phone is $650???? Really? It probably actually costs $1.47. You most likely will not see this post but perhaps others will who might think twice about using your company.
I have recently found a new calling and have become a medical marijuana activist. I am constantly learning about the wonders of the cannabis plant with its endless ability to relieve symptoms of diseases and even cure illnesses such as cancer, epilepsy, ALS, Crohn’s disease and many more. Please join me on this journey and share this information.
Below is a press release from The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.
MILWAUKEE – Today, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a Mike Pence Fly bobblehead. The bobblehead commemorates the viral moment from the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. The fly spent a little over two minutes on Vice President Pence’s hair during the debate setting the internet abuzz and even inspiring a special fly swatter that was available from the rival Biden/Harris campaign.
The bobbleheads are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. They are $25 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order and are expected to ship in January. On a base bearing his name, the bobblehead features Pence in his debate-night suit, wearing a white shirt and red tie, with a fly on his head. The bobblehead also incorporates a plexiglass-like barrier and includes a removable mini fly swatter.
Political bobbleheads were some of the earliest bobbleheads available for purchase starting in 1960. John F. Kennedy was the first politician captured in bobblehead form and bobbleheads of presidents, candidates, and other political figures have remained bobblehead ever since. Bobbleheads of all 45 United States Presidents have now been produced with the “Neglected Presidents” Series filling in the missing president bobbleheads.
“Social media has been abuzz with talk of the fly at last night’s debate, and when we received several requests for a bobblehead with Pence and the fly, we knew we had to get to work,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “We think this will be another fun bobblehead to put a smile on people’s faces as they look back at 2020.”
This is the second bobblehead featuring Vice President Mike Pence that the Hall of Fame and Museum has released. Bobbleheads featuring Pence and Harris were recently added to the 2020 Presidential Candidate Bobblehead series and are expected to ship in November. Bobbleheads featuring President Donald Trump and Joe Biden are also available in both the traditional series for $20.20 each as well as a special caricature series. The caricature bobbleheads are available for $25 each or $45 for the interlocking set.
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