You know that "research" going around saying humans are going to evolve to have hunchbacks and claws because of the way we use our smartphones? Though our posture could certainly use some work, you'll be glad to know that it's just lazy spam intended to juice search engine results.

Let's back up. Today the Daily Mail published a viral story about "how humans may look in the year 3000." Among its predictions: hunched backs, clawed hands, a second eyelid, a thicker skull and a smaller brain.

Sure, that's fascinating! The only problem? The Mail's only source is a post published a year ago by the renowned scientists at... uh... TollFreeForwarding.com, a site that sells, as its name suggests, virtual phone numbers.

If the idea that phone salespeople are purporting to be making predictions about human evolution didn't tip you off, this "research" doesn't seem very scientific at all. Instead, it more closely resembles what it actually is — a blog post written by some poor grunt, intended to get backlinks from sites like the Mail that'll juice TollFreeForwarding's position in search engine results.

To get those delicious backlinks, the top minds at TollFreeForwarding leveraged renders of a "future human" by a 3D model artist. The result of these efforts is "Mindy," a creepy-looking hunchback in black skinny jeans (which is how you can tell she's from a different era).

Grotesque model reveals what humans could look like in the year 3000 due to our reliance on technology

Full story: https://t.co/vQzyMZPNBv pic.twitter.com/vqBuYOBrcg

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) November 3, 2022

"To fully realize the impact everyday tech has on us, we sourced scientific research and expert opinion on the subject," the TollFreeForwarding post reads, "before working with a 3D designer to create a future human whose body has physically changed due to consistent use of smartphones, laptops, and other tech."

Its sources, though, are dubious. Its authority on spinal development, for instance, is a "health and wellness expert" at a site that sells massage lotion. His highest academic achievement? A business degree.

We could go on and on about TollFreeForwarding's dismal sourcing — some of which looks suspiciously like even more SEO spam for entirely different clients — but you get the idea.

It's probably not surprising that the this gambit for clicks took off among dingbats on Twitter. What is somewhat disappointing is that it ended up on StudyFinds, a generally reliable blog about academic research. This time, though, for inscrutable reasons it treated this egregious SEO spam as a legitimate scientific study.

The site's readers, though, were quick to call it out, leading to a comically enormous editor's note appended to the story.

"Our content is intended to stir debate and conversation, and we always encourage our readers to discuss why or why not they agree with the findings," it reads in part. "If you heavily disagree with a report — please debunk to your delight in the comments below."

You heard them! Get debunking, people.

More conspiracy theories: If You Think Joe Rogan Is Credible, This Bizarre Clip of Him Yelling at a Scientist Will Probably Change Your Mind

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That "Research" About How Smartphones Are Causing Deformed Human Bodies Is SEO Spam, You Idiots

Observatory Offline

The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) Observatory in Chile has been hit with a cyberattack that has taken its website offline and forced it to suspend all observations, authorities there said.

Even email services were limited in the aftermath, illustrating the broad impact of the hack.

Nested high up on a plateau in the Chilean Andes at over 16,000 feet above sea level, ALMA is one of the most powerful and advanced radio telescopes in the world. Notably, ALMA helped take the first image of a black hole in 2019, in a collaborative effort that linked radio observatories worldwide into forming the Event Horizon Telescope.

Thankfully, ALMA's impressive arsenal of 66 high-precision antennas, each nearly 40 feet in diameter, was not compromised, the observatory said, nor was any of the scientific data those instruments collected.

In High Places

What makes ALMA so invaluable is its specialty in observing the light of the cooler substances of the cosmos, namely gas and dust. That makes ALMA a prime candidate for documenting the fascinating formations of planets and stars when they first emerge amidst clouds of gas.

Since going fully operational in 2013, it's become the largest ground-based astronomical project in the world, according to the European Southern Observatory, ALMA's primary operators.

So ALMA going offline is a distressing development, especially to the thousands of astronomers worldwide that rely on its observations and the some 300 experts working onsite. Getting it up and running is obviously a top priority, but the observatory said in a followup tweet that "it is not yet possible to estimate a date for a return to regular activities."

As of now, there's no information available on who the hackers were, or exactly how they conducted the attack. Their motivations, too, remain a mystery.

More on ALMA: Astronomers Think They Found the Youngest Planet in the Galaxy

The post Hackers Just Took Down One of the World's Most Advanced Telescopes appeared first on Futurism.

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Hackers Just Took Down One of the World's Most Advanced Telescopes

Jeff Bezos' former housekeeper is suing the Amazon founder for workplace discrimination that she says forced her to literally climb out out the window of his house to use the bathroom.

In the suit, filed this week in a Washington state court, the former housekeeper claimed that she and Bezos' other household staff were not provided with legally-mandated eating or restroom breaks, and that because there was no "readily accessible bathroom" for them to use, they had to clamber out a laundry room window to get to one.

In the complaint, lawyers for the ex-housekeeper, who is described as having worked for wealthy families for nearly 20 years, wrote that household staff were initially allowed to use a small bathroom in the security room of Bezos' main house, but "this soon stopped... because it was decided that housekeepers using the bathroom was a breach of security protocol."

The suit also alleges that housekeepers in the billionaire's employ "frequently developed Urinary Tract Infections" that they believed was related to not being able to use the bathroom when they needed to at work.

"There was no breakroom for the housekeepers," the complaint adds. "Even though Plaintiff worked 10, 12, and sometimes 14 hours a day, there was no designated area for her to sit down and rest."

The housekeeper — who, like almost all of her coworkers, is Latino — was allegedly not aware that she was entitled to breaks for lunch or rest, and was only able to have a lunch break when Bezos or his family were not on the premises, the lawsuit alleges.

The Washington Post owner has denied his former housekeeper's claims of discrimination through an attorney.

"We have investigated the claims, and they lack merit," Harry Korrell, a Bezos attorney, told Insider of the suit. "[The former employee] made over six figures annually and was the lead housekeeper."

He added that the former housekeeper "was responsible for her own break and meal times, and there were several bathrooms and breakrooms available to her and other staff."

"The evidence will show that [the former housekeeper] was terminated for performance reasons," he continued. "She initially demanded over $9M, and when the company refused, she decided to file this suit."

As the suit was just filed and may well end in a settlement, it'll likely be a long time, if ever, before we find out what really happened at Bezos' house — but if we do, it'll be a fascinating peek behind the curtain at the home life of one of the world's most powerful and wealthy men.

More on billionaires: Tesla Morale Low As Workers Still Don't Have Desks, Face Increased Attendance Surveillance

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Jeff Bezos' Housekeeper Says She Had to Climb Out the Window to Use the Bathroom

On Monday around lunchtime, a Facebook post circulated among musicians and vinyl collectors noting the arrival of a new record shop in the basement of the Arlington Hotel Resort Hotel & Spa, a hulk of a structure in downtown Hot Springs that opened its arms in 1875 to the upper crust who came for the towns healing thermal spring waters and libertine charms Babe Ruth and Al Capone among them. The hotels basement is a sort of precursor to the shopping mall, with a handful of ventures (Mamoos Creamery, for one) doing business among the vestiges of the bathhouse districts heyday vintage mosaic tile, an antique barbershop swivel chair.

The newest of those underground storefront enterprises is the Downtown Record & CD Emporium, a 4-day-old vinyl record shop owned by vinyl lifer Tom Coleman. Buy, sell, trade, or just come in and look around. 78s, 45s, cassettes, CDs. The shop will do a soft opening this month and a grand opening on Friday, Sept. 2, in conjunction with Hot Springs monthly First Friday Gallery Walk.

Coleman is not new to the line of work; Downtown Record is his fifth record shop since he started selling vinyl in 1981. I actually thought I was out of the business, Coleman told me, but it kept dragging me back. Hes been hooked on vinyl for decades now. He bought his first record as a kid for $4.98 at Roses Drug Store in Lubbock, Texas The Beatles 1964 release Something New. Hes a devotee to the analog medium, and listens to music at home on a McIntosh tube amp system.

His first shop Play It Again Records in Chattanooga, Tennessee was more like a High Fidelity store, he said. We were a bunch of music snobs and anybody who was listening to Madonna or anything like that at the time, we were totally against. These days, though, Coleman seems anything but narrow-minded about music. Before I and Arkansas Times photographer Brian Chilson left the building, the three of us, plus Colemans partner Beau Baize, had covered territory that ranged from The Clash to The Church to the glories of Paul Cauthen to Colemans studies of the Ars nova, a medieval treatise that rocked the music world in 14th-century France.

Nor is Coleman stranger to the vinyl shops elsewhere in the area. Hes a big fan of Bill Eginton and the Arkansas Record & CD Exchange, and spoke highly about Control Records and Been Around. Little Rock is blessed, he said. Ive been in large cities that didnt have that many good record stores.

Over the years, Coleman ran record and vinyl memorabilia shops in Knoxville and Laguna Beach, California. When Katrina hit, his mother was living in Waveland, Mississippi ground zero for the hurricanes devastation. She watched as her home and belongings washed away into the sea, and when Coleman broached the subject of where she might relocate, she said she thought Hot Springs might be nice. Hed intended to get her settled and move elsewhere, but when she got ill, he decided to stick around.

Coleman bought CDs For Less, a music shop on Hot Springs Albert Pike Road, eventually upended around 2010 when Popeyes Chicken bought the land. And Coleman went back to being a collector again. Until about a month and a half ago, that is, when the owners of Benton-based record shop Retro Rose put their Arlington storefront then a small-scale record shop called The Loud Library on the market, and Coleman grabbed it up.

The shelves in the front room of Downtown Record & CD Exchange are full a small country music shelf, loads of Rolling Stones and 70s rock and a section labeled Vapors, inspired by Hot Springs famous nightclub. By the time the grand opening rolls around in September, the back room will be stocked, too. And whats there is a fraction of of Colemans and Baizes collection, the upper echelon of which leans toward rare Rolling Stones records, white label promos for The Kinks records, and sought-after stuff from The Dickies, New Order, Joy Division. Some of Colemans collection came from his connections to the creators of Hits Magazine, one of whom decided to liquidate a choice vinyl collection during the CD era and gave Coleman first dibs. It was like walking into Tuts tomb, he said. Still, he said, he really doesnt collect anything for the sake of rarity, or by bands hes not a fan of. Im more inclined toward the things that just make me happy, he said.

All told, I left there with some Odetta, T-Rex, a copy of The Andrews Sisters greatest hits (signed by Maxene!) and a saucy-looking cabaret comedy collection from Downtown Records Sleazy Listening shelf, recorded by an English actress named Elsa Lanchester, who sang songs like If You Peek in My Gazebo, Please Sell No More Drink to My Father and Lolas Saucepan. I never even saw the CDs and cassettes he had on hand, but theyll be the first thing I look at when I get back underneath the Arlington.

Read the original here:

Buried Treasure: There's a new record shop in the basement of the Arlington - Arkansas Times

Waveland police officers took a break from catching bad guys this weekend to go fishing with kids at Buccaneer State Park.

A pole and bait was all it took for the officers to come together to create lasting memories with children and their families on Saturday morning.

Fishing with the Fuzz hosted 62 kids who got a free fishing pole for a fishing experience along with lunch.

Officers and lieutenants helped and watched as kids reeled in fish off their poles. Everyone got a free t-shirt regardless if they caught anything or not. Lt. Chad Dorn said, When they all started showing up this morning it really. Its a real thing. and just seeing the kids smile. They are already catching fish. They are having a good time. Its a joy to see that happening. Meeting and greeting with them while they are out there fishing and stuff. Kinda the same thing while were doing our meal and stuff. We will get to know the kids and they will get to know us.

The Waveland Police Department plans to host more kids for this event next year.

See the rest here:

Waveland Police host inaugural Fishing with the Fuzz event - WXXV News 25

IRVING WOODS For decades, the halls of Canty Elementary School twinkled with sparkly animal prints and glittery paper stars made by students in Alexandria Lialios classroom.

The Far Northwest Side school at 3740 N. Panama Ave. was Lialios second home for 38 years, where she taught first grade, Greek and specialized in early childhood development. The teacher died unexpectedly in February from lung cancer, her family said. She was 61.

In early June, on the last day of school before summer vacation, an honorary street designation for Lialios was posted across from the school at North Paris Avenue between West Waveland Avenue and West Grace Street. All of the students and staff joined in to celebrate the teacher and share memories.

Honorary Alexandria Lialios Way remembers the teacher and mother who impacted the school community and touched generations of students, said Canty Principal Jennifer Rath.

She was one of the longest-standing teachers here at the school, said Rath, who has been principal since 2019. One of the things that I learned initially was I have a teacher in the building who had [Lialios] as a first-grade teacher.

Lialios, a first-generation Greek American, grew up on the Northwest Side and lived in Arlington Heights. She devoted her life to teaching and always put others before herself, said her brother, Chris Lialios. She joined Cantys staff in 1984.

She loved teaching. She loved being around children, Chris Lialios said. She started teaching at a very young age, whether it was at our church, parish or Sunday school. She was fluent in both English and Greek, so she loved [teaching] that, as well.

Known for her polished look, Lialios always wore patterned animal outfits and was decked out with sequined jewelry, dresses and high heels. She was always dressed for work, and her makeup was perfect Rath only saw her in tennis shoes once, she said.

In Lialios decades at Canty, she created traditions at the school that will continue, Rath said. During the winter holidays, Lialios and her students would make large, white paper glittery star ornaments to wear while singing Do You Hear What I Hear? for the winter concert she organized.

Lialios also loved reading Corduroy, a classic 1968childrens bookwritten and illustrated byDon Freeman, to all of her students, and she tried her best to make sure no student fell behind, Rath said.

She understood the value of a neighborhood school that it should be the heart of a community, she said. That she dedicated her entire teaching to Canty really says a lot about her.

When Lialios wasnt in the classroom, she enjoyed spending time with her two children and caring for her elaborate flower garden, her family said. Neighbors would stop to admire the plants and shed often talk with them about her favorite flowers, relatives said.

Lialios was at Canty in late January when she didnt feel well and fainted, said her son, Demetri Verros. She was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.

Verros said Lialios told the family her news, and her instinct was to comfort everyone else, he said.

When we got the diagnosis, we were all sitting there crying and she was looking at me trying to make me smile, Verros said. She had just received the worst news of her life probably and she was trying to comfort me.

Lialios died three weeks later, Verros said. It all happened so fast that Lialios never got a chance to say goodbye to her school community. With remote teaching because of the pandemic, there were students she never saw again and families with whom she lost touch.

With the honorary street designation, its almost as if she came back for a final adieu, her family said. Canty families came out in droves for her wake and the street dedication, and they reached out to the Lialios family to remind them of her impact on their lives, Chris Lialios said.

She never really got to say goodbye to all of the people she touched here so the street sign, I think, is her way and a blessing of saying, I love you guys. I was not able to say goodbye, but dont forget me,' he said.

That makes the street designation even more important, Chris Lialios said. The family is grateful to Ald. Nick Sposato (38th), who pushed the designation through City Council to make it in time before the school year ended.

Although Sposato never met the first-grade teacher, he said it was important to honor her.

She was loved by many. It was a very a nice thing for the family, said Sposato, who attended the unveiling ceremony.

After Lialios death, Canty created a committee to determine other ways to remember the teacher, Rath said. The committee, along with the family, has raised almost $10,000 in Lialios honor. The money will be used to build two benches near the schools playground that will be installed in September, the principal said.

The school also hosted a Ms. Lialios Spirit Day after she died, where all of the students and teachers dressed in sparkly animal prints and some received cheetah keychains as gifts.

Inside the school, a copy of the street sign hangs below Lialios picture, framed with sequins to match her style, the principal and the Lialios family said. The school also gifted the family with a sequined and framed photo.

The brown street signs, which border the back of the school on both sides of North Paris Avenue, can remind people of how deeply an educator can influence a community, Rath said.

Sometimes people dont think about the power of a first-grade teacher, she said. How wonderful that we have a street named after a teacher.

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Far Northwest Side Teacher Alexandria Lialios Remembered With Honorary Street Title - Block Club Chicago

Posted in Indiana Nature April 12, 2022by Tori Jane

Snuggled about 17 miles outside of Crawfordsville, Indiana, is a little state park that if you ask us does NOT get the attention it deserves. You might recognize it; weve covered hiking trails at this particular state park a few times before. But the park itself is absolutely worthy of a look, too, and once you see these photos well you just might find yourself needing to pay a visit to Shades State Park in Indiana.

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.

Indiana isn't exactly known for its rainforest vibes - it is, after all, one of the states that makes up the American Midwest - but Shades State Park is a place that feels like a rainforest SO much more than it feels like Indiana.

You'll feel like you've traveled to some mysterious, far-away destination somewhere in, say, Middle Earth, as opposed to Waveland, Indiana.

Be sure to wear your good hiking boots, though, especially if you do end up coming after a rain event; the trails can be quite muddy at times, and you'll need to cross some streams and ravines a few times depending on which trail you choose.

You'll meander within small gorges created by a winding ravine. You'll climb ladders, and scale boulders. You'll feel like you're somewhere exotic and wild.

More than 15 million visitors enjoy Indiana's state parks every year, but only a small portion of those folks ever come to Shades. Maybe it's because the park was once known as "Shades of Death" park, because that's the only reason we can think of as to why folks wouldn't be clambering to come see this paradise within our own backyards.

But, we digress. Shades State Park in Indiana is the ultimate warm-weather getaway destination if you prefer to tolerate fewer crowds than more popular state parks will attract.

Be sure to explore many more of Indianas hiking trails while youre here and if you live here, well, theres just no excuse: you gotta get out and enjoy this amazing state for all its got.

What are your favorite state parks to visit in Indiana? Tell us about your picks in the comments!

Address: 7751 S 890 W, Waveland, IN 47989, USA

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Shades State Park Is An Otherworldly Destination In West-Central Indiana - Only In Your State

On the night the Cubs finalized Marcus Stromans three-year, $71 million contract, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer called Seiya Suzukis agent, Joel Wolfe, with a reminder before Major League Baseball imposed a lockout: Dont forget about us. We will be waiting for you on the other side.

While Stromans decision-making process appeared to be rushed, the Cubs used the unstructured time to reassess their scouting and R&D evaluations of Suzuki and focus on the personal touches in the next phases of their recruiting efforts. Like Suzuki, Stroman had mentally prepared to sign after the lockout until the Cubs saw they were running out of options for their rotation and realized they couldnt afford to be so patient and passive. Stroman needed to board a red-eye flight from Los Angeles International Airport to reach Chicago in time to close the deal before the Dec. 2 transactions freeze.

Staggering those signings and shutting down the industry for 99 days created zero momentum for the Cubs business operations department and MLB as a whole. The Cubs announced 35,112 as their Opening Day attendance and that number dropped to 30,369 and 32,858 for the seasons first weekend at Wrigley Field. Casual fans must be wondering: Who are these guys? Nine Cubs made their first appearance on an Opening Day roster, and 11 of those 28 active players were not with the club last season.

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The Cubs need stars at Wrigley Field, where Marcus Stroman and Seiya Suzuki are making a strong first impression - The Athletic

Every teams got a bullpen catcher. Hes not a player, but he does help with player-type duties, specifically catching in the bullpen, but also warming up players and being a quasi-member of the coaching staff.

Chad Noble was brought on to the Cubs staff in 2014. And now, hes departing:

Congratulations to Noble thats now an official coaching position. And you can see the connection, as John Baker was a Cubs player in 2014 and served in the Cubs front office as a special assistant and member of the mental skills department from 2015-20. Baker is now the Pirates director of coaching and player development. (Which, in my opinion, was a big loss for the Cubs and I hope they can bring him back someday.)

Noble was the Cubs 37th round pick (back when the draft had that many rounds!) in 2010 out of Northwestern. He played four years in the system from 2010-13, mostly in the lower levels with a handful of games at Double-A and Triple-A, and posted a .211/.266/.269 slash line in 221 minor league games before joining the Cubs as their bullpen catcher.

Why am I writing this article? Because Noble was a character well known to many fans and well-liked by Cubs players, much more so than any other bullpen catcher I can remember. There was a year or so where he wore a hoodie on the field for pregame warmups no matter how hot it was.

Here, Noble snags a foul ball in the on-field bullpen in 2014:

And you can see him in the hoodie here in 2016, when Cubs relief pitchers made a game of sitting motionless when foul balls came their way:

Then there was this, after the Cubs won the NLCS in 2016:

Over the last couple of years and now I wish I had taken video of this so I could show you when Cubs relievers came out to left field toward the bullpen, Noble would throw three baseballs onto the rooftop at 1032 W. Waveland, every single game. He loved engaging with fans and the feeling was mutual. Twelve years is a long time to spend in a baseball organization in these sorts of roles and I wish Noble nothing but the best in his new role with the Pirates. Hell be missed.

Lastly, the Cubs made another organizational move Wednesday that you should know about:

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Bullpen catcher Chad Noble has left the Cubs - Bleed Cubbie Blue

Waveland paves the way for a fresh look, the city will spend 2022 rehabilitating its streets in a $2.5 million paving project.

The first of the three phases will be finished during the first half of the year as crews tackle small reclamation projects on more than 50 streets around town.

Phases two and three will cover Kiln-Waveland cutoff road and Central Avenue.

The process began a year-and-a-half ago when the state of Mississippi approved the citys bond.

City Clerk Mickey Lagasse described the Kiln-Waveland cutoff project as a total overhaul. All thats based upon a study that was done about three years ago. We had a study that evaluated every road in the city, and we took those roads that were worse and put them on that list. And its based on traffic counts, households, how many people there and those kinds of things.

The Kiln-Waveland cutoff project alone will cost about one million dollars.

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Waveland Paving Project: City reclaims streets with $2.5 million - WXXV News 25

Robert "Bob" Kramer, Sr. January 5, 1936 - November 10, 2021 Diamondhead, Mississippi - Robert "Bob" Kramer, Sr., age 85, a resident of Diamondhead, passed away Wednesday, November 10, 2021, in Gulfport. He was preceded in death by his parents, John, and Margaret Kramer; his sons, Richard Kramer and James Kramer; his brother, Kenneth Richard Kramer; and his grandson, Jeffery Kramer. Bob is survived by his wife of 29 years, Barbara Burks Kramer; his son, Robert W. (Dawn) Kramer, Jr.; his stepdaughters, Stacey (Philip) Sunseri, and Suzette Hyde; his grandchildren, Zachary Kramer, Amber Kramer, Jana Heinrichs, Rydder Kramer, Madison Kramer, Ethan Kramer; his step grandchildren, Rachel Sunseri, Helen Hyde; his great-grandchildren, Vanessa Kramer, William Heinrechs; and his step great-grandchildren, Dean Savoie, Scarlette Stroud. Bob was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and moved to the mainland at 18 yrs old. He served in the U.S.A.F. at Hamilton Air Force Base in California. Bob was a machinist, when he retired from Los Angeles Water and Power in 1993, he then moved to Diamondhead and built his retirement home. Bob was proud of his "shop" where he did all of his woodworking. Private services will be held at a later date. Riemann Family Funeral Home, 141 Hwy 90, Waveland is serving the family.

Published by The Sun Herald on Nov. 14, 2021.

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Robert Kramer Obituary (1936 - 2021) - Diamondhead, MS - The Sun Herald - Legacy.com

MINNEAPOLIS Clay Tennis courts have long been a staple in professional tennis and private clubs.

"I tell you what, its like a dream come true, says Charles Wood, President of the Board of Minneapolis Community Clay Courts.

"They did a fantastic job in organizing," says clay court enthusiast Tom Haeg.

Now, players in the Twin Cities can enjoy their own clay tennis experience for free at the Minneapolis community clay courts in the Waveland Triangle Park in Minneapolis finished last month.

"'At the beginning it didnt seem like it was going to happen," says Wood. "But you just keep trying, you do different things. You just keep talking to people

It worked. And the project had no shortage of support. From private donors, to companies employee match programs and the USTA.

"Its so gratifying," says Wood. "You cant do it all by yourself. And when people step up and say, thats a great idea how can I help, it sort of gives you the idea that you can keep going.

The courts are more than just a cool attraction. They are easier on players joints, and they have an environmental effect as well. The surface reduces runoff.

"Its a permeable surface. So there is not this runoff. The city becomes nothing but runoff, and so this just absorbs into the clay," says Wood.

Absorbed into the clay, as the court has been absorbed into the hearts of those who use it.

"We all take care of it," says Wood. "And that gives the community investment into the court itself."

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Community clay tennis court in Minneapolis changing the game for local players - KARE11.com

As part of ongoing improvements on Grand Avenue between Skokie Highway and Waveland Avenue in Gurnee, the Illinois Department of Transportation will close Grand for nearly a week, weather permitting, beginning Dec. 1.

The closure is necessary to demolish the Union Pacific Railroad temporary bridge.

Starting at 7 p.m., Grand Avenue will be fully closed at the railroad bridge, just east of Skokie Highway, until 5 a.m. Dec. 7, weather permitting. A detour will direct traffic to Skokie Highway, Washington Street and Green Bay Road. Temporary pavement will be constructed between Skokie Highway and Waveland Avenue.

The week of Dec. 7 until early spring, Grand Avenue will be two lanes in each direction. In early spring, it will return to one lane in each direction to accommodate work.

The overall project consists of removal and replacement of the bridge, new sidewalks, curbs, retaining walls and storm sewers. It also includes widening Grand Avenue and is anticipated to be completed in the summer.

See the article here:

Grand Avenue in Gurnee to temporarily close beginning Dec. 1 - Chicago Daily Herald

Im still trying to get my feet under me after yesterday, and the weeks that preceded it. I know we can get a little overwrought and maudlin in these situations its just sports, folks but, first of all, its OK to feel what you feel. Thats just a life thing. Dont ever let anyone tell you that your feelings are bogus, and also dont do that to yourself. It only makes it worse. Second of all, for me, once I get past thefeelings, it still takes me a hot minute to actually plant my feet in whatever new world has sprung up around me. Doing a set of normal Bullets, for example, just feels so bizarre when theres so much changing in this organization, and the way we fans will experience it. To say nothing of, you know, the pandemic that is still a thing.

All right lets try this out

Maybe there are some lessons to be learned from how things played out with Albert Almora, the first draft pick of the Theo Epstein era, who was non-tendered this week. Bryan dropped a note on Almoras adjustments in the big leagues or, more precisely, his inability to adjust to the pitchers clearly making a very obvious adjustment and it got me digging in a little more:

That is, of course, not a bizarre situation most hitters come up better prepared to hit fastballs than MLB-caliber breaking stuff. Whats striking with Almora is just how extreme and linear and obvious the leagues adjustment was and how Almora never improved. Consider his whiff rate and his expected wOBA against breaking pitches:

2016: 34.0%, .2152017: 39.0%, .2122018: 39.3%, .2232019: 35.3%, .2142020: 40.9%, .158

Those are just such terrible numbers (particularly the xwOBAs), and completely stagnant despite the fact he was seeing those pitches more and more each year. Almora could always hit fastballs and changeups, but as pitchers learned (1) how to better locate those pitches to take advantage of his contact ability and poor pitch recognition, and (2) to just throw him more curves and sliders, his offensive trajectory tanked. Maybe theres a one-neat-trick to helping him better recognize and attack breaking pitches, but thats outside the scope of my knowledge, especially when its five years in a row that look like that. The Cubs had reasons to keep Almora up with the big league team because of his glove and because they convinced themselves he was a righty bat who could hit lefties, but you just wonder if he could have been developed better.

Compare Almora, for example, to Javy Bez another righty Cubs hitter people think of when talking about crushing fastballs and struggling against breaking pitches who was just as brutal against breaking pitches in his first few years, but who eventually started abusing them in his breakout 2018 and 2019 seasons. Maybe thats just a credit to Bez, specifically, and a debit to Almora. But, again, I just wonder if there was something else in the way the two were developed as prospects (Bez got a taste of big league pitching in 2014, and then was sent to AAA in 2015 to work on things before returning to the big leagues for good).

Oh, and your early look at a guy who fits that Almora profile? Its Nico Hoerner, who has destroyed fastballs (and never, ever misses them) in his first two partial big league seasons, but has been humbled by breaking pitches. He didnt whiff a ton against them, but his expected wOBAs were atrocious. Heck, his average launch angle against breaking pitches in 2020 was NEGATIVE 3 degrees. When he got a breaking pitch this year, if he swung, Hoerner was pretty likely to put it into play on the ground. Thats not good, and its another example of pitchers taking advantage of his contact ability. Now, will he get a chance to go work on it more in the minor leagues, or are the Cubs going to risk the Almora route? Also, a reminder that Hoerner has had almost no minor league experience. He got a taste in 2019 because of injuries (and, I suspect, because the Cubs wanted him to see how big league pitching would attack him), and then he stuck with the team in 2020 because there was no minor league season. Hoerner starting the year at AAA should be the expectation right now, not a surprise.

As for Kaspers replacement, all the talk yesterday from the Cubs and Marquee was about a search process, and despite rumors to the contrary, Marquee is denying that Chris Myers already has the job (though he does have *A* job with Marquee):

Jed did a good trade 10 years ago:

Seriously, though, I still remember when that trade happened (BN was about two years old at that point), and Kelly was the big name by far. And Fuentes was this huge upside youngster. Rizzo, by contrast, was viewed as a possible solid future bat at first base, but hed been a 6th rounder out of high school three years earlier, and had yet to set the minor leagues on fire. Yet we now know from Theo Epstein that it was Jed Hoyer who insisted that Rizzo be in the deal, instead of the guy Epstein was pushing. That guy, Lars Anderson, was actually a consensus top 100 prospect at the time (Rizzo was not), who *had* been lighting up the minor leagues at the time. Yet Hoyer insisted on Rizzo. Thats a win, eh?

Watches, writing utensils, baby gear, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon. #ad

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I wont embed all of this thread because its so long, but its worth going over to Twitter to check out the calls if you want to have some memories:

The White Sox got Kasper, but also, theres still this:

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What It Looks Like When a Cubs Position Player Stagnates, Jed's Good Trade, and Other Cubs Bullets - bleachernation.com

This article also ran in the Chicago Reader.

Look, I get it. Aside from the usual Seasonal Affective Disorder difficulties, there are plenty of other reasons for Chicagoans to be bummed about the coming of winter in the time of the coronavirus.

As the temperatures dropped this fall and residents gathered indoors again, COVID-19 cases spiked once more. Infectious disease experts say spending time indoors with people you dont live with for nonessential purposes is generally a bad idea during this airborne respiratory pandemic. But the colder, wetter weather is making spending time outside less attractive. Its easy to get discouraged by the situation.

But lets get real: Those of us who are enjoying good physical and mental health and are relatively young; who have the privilege of working from home; and/or arent facing immediate financial difficulties, should stop whining. The Chicagoans dealing with the greatest challenges this winter will be the elderly and people with underlying conditions whose freedom of movement will be limited; residents facing housing and food insecurity; and the essential workers holding society together.

We should also spare a thought for struggling Chicago hospitality employees and business owners at a time when indoor service is banned and many establishments are closing for good. In a more civilized country like New Zealand, theyd be paid a fair stipend to close their establishments during the crisis.

But enough gloom and doom. Im here to give you a pep talk.

While we all have a responsibility to behave in ways that dont put ourselves and others at risk, that doesnt mean you have to be miserable this winter. You might even have more fun than usual if you really embrace the season.

After living through the spring quarantine, youve probably got a whole repertoire of indoor activities. But to keep your spirits up when days are short and skies are gray, remember that fire is your friend. I buy candles that smell pleasantly like whiskey and tobacco and light them on overcast days for instant mood elevation. Warm drinks, cinnamon-laden baked goods, thick knit socks, and all that otherhygge(Scandinavian-style coziness) jazz will be helpful too.

But the real key to staving off the blues this winter will be to stay active and spend as much time outside as possible, as comfortably as possible. If you dont normallydress for the weather, nows the time to start. Make sure you have some decent boots, long johns, and layers of clothing that wont be a drag if they get wet, made of wool, synthetics, or cotton-poly blends. That doesnt require spending a fortune at REImuch of this stuff can also be found at thrift or Army-Navy surplus stores. Maybe invest in a good breathable raincoat or a stylish woolen jacket. Snow suits are also going to be popular this winter.

As for activities, I ran the following ideas by Dr. Richard Novak, head of the division of infectious diseases at UIC, to make sure theyre reasonably corona-kosher.

Novak says spending time around a backyard fire pit or bonfire, preferably with face masks and 6-feet distancing, is a definitely reasonable way to socialize with nonhousehold members. And, again, open flames are sure to lift your spirits on a chilly night. A patio with heaters or grilling on your back porch are great options too. Invite your friends to Bring Your Own Blanket for extra coziness.

Regarding the safety of dining or drinking inopen-air, heated restaurant and bar patioswith a few friends, Novak said this is probably OK as long as the tables are well separated.

Its also been fun to see businesses getting creative about using pedestrianized roadways for weatherproof socially distanced service. For example,The Darlingon West Randolph has adorable little greenhouses adorned with roses sitting on a grassy lawn thats normally diagonal parking. And a whole car-free block of Fulton Market, home to eateries likeThe PublicanandDuck Duck Goat, is filled with clear huts and geodesic domes, along with a groovy street mural.

Novak cautioned me about these kinds of shelters, Airflow is important: the more enclosed a space, the greater the risk. So if the idea of dining or drinking in a transparent igloo or yurt appeals to you, its best to do it with household members only. Moreover, for worker safety, employees should avoid entering these structures while customers are present if possible, or at least everyone should be wearing masks when they do.

For a simpler cold-weather COVID pleasure, try a new outdoor physical activity. Winter biking is an ideal pastime for releasing endorphins and warding off depression. Its also a handy form of socially distanced transportation thats easier and more comfortable than it looks. Just make sure the bike youre riding has fenders and lights. (Divviesare great on both counts.) But dont worry about what kind of tires it hasever since Mayor Michael Bilandic lost reelection afterthe 1979 blizzard, the city of Chicago has donea great job of plowing the roads.

Im also a big fan of urban cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Pick up your gear atViking Ski Shopin Humboldt Park, the citys only dedicated winter sports store, in business for over half a century. When theres sufficient snow, my go-to route is the gravel road that runs along the lakefront from Montrose Avenue to the Waveland Clock Tower, with a breathtaking skyline view, followed by a downhill run at nearby Cricket Hill.

That knoll is also great for sledding. Other good destinations include the Dan Ryan Woods, Palmisano Park, Humboldt Park, and the dedicated sledding hill next to Soldier Field.

Theres sure to be a huge demand for ice skating this winter, so the Maggie Daley Park skating ribbon will be requiring reservations this year and charging a $5 entry fee. (Unfortunately, the Millennium Park rink will be closed.) Eight other Chicago Park District rinks are fairly well-distributed around the city. But it would be great if pop-up facilities were installed in ice deserts like Englewood and Garfield Park, including free loaner skates and lessons, so more people could discover this fun, healthy activity. Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, after spending $56.5 million to kill Governor Pritzkers graduated income tax plan, which would have helped lower-income and working-class Illinoisans, how about doing something constructive with your wealth and sponsoring a couple of rinks?

Taking an outdoor stroll at Lincoln Park Zoos ZooLights festival is another great COVID-safe option. (The zoo will be closed after New Years for the rest of the cold season.) And Ill probably head to the Osaka Japanese Garden in Jackson Park this winter to check out Yoko Onos 2016 installation Sky Landing. TheSkokie Northshore Sculpture Parkand theMorton Arboretum, populated by giant wooden troll sculptures (reservations required), also spring to mind as fun winter walking destinations.

As an amateur musician, Ive had a blast playingsocially distanced porch showsthis fall. Novak says this kind of thing is probably OK if audience members social distance and wear masks. So Im looking forward to bundling up and taking in whatever outdoor concerts, theatrical productions, dance performances, and comedy shows talented Chicagoans cook up this winter.

The bottom line is that, despite the COVID threat and a long list of things wecantdo for fun this winter, theres no need for Chicagoans to lose hope and hibernate. Limited options can be a recipe for creativity, and you may find good times in unexpected places.

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Make biking part of your plan to take on the challenges of a COVID-19 winter - Streetsblog Chicago

Andrew Raven Thompson of Waveland passed away Sunday night, Sept. 27, 2020, after an auto accident. He was 13.

Born June 1, 2007, at Crawfordsville, he was a seventh grade student at Southmont Jr. High. He loved video games, riding his bike, playing with his brother and sister, going to grandpas, riding tractors and four-wheelers, and had just learned to do a back flip on the trampoline.

Surviving family include: parents, Andrew and Kynda Thompson; brother Odin Thompson; sister Audry Thompson; grandparents, Brad and Yvonne Jones and James and Lisa Bailey; great-grandparents, Ed and Donna Priebe and Keith Brock; uncle Kory Jones; and aunts, Rebecca Jones and Katie Bailey.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Tyrina Cronk; great-grandparents, Beverly Brock and Clyde and Carolyn Jones; and uncle James Bailey.

Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Waveland Christian Church, 212 W. Main St., Waveland. Services will begin at 5 p.m., led by Pastor Dave Keesee. Arrangements were made through Burkhart Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at http://www.BurkhartFH.com.

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Andrew Raven Thompson - Journal Review

Brenda Pickens lost her husband, Howard, to Covid-19 in March.

Source: Brenda Pickens

Brenda Pickens' life changed dramatically this past spring, when her 63-year-old husband, Howard, died from Covid-19 complications.

His death, which occurred a month after the couple's 28th wedding anniversary, was something they never really planned for.

"We didn't think either one of us would be alone so early in our lives," said Pickens, 62, who also contracted the virus and spent months recovering.

With only a small life insurance policy payout and some retirement savings, she contemplated selling her home in Waveland, Mississippi, and her husband's barbershop, Fade 1, in nearby Bay St. Louis. Pickens was also furloughed from her job at a naval base barbershop.

More from Invest in You:Are you prepared? This is the financial first-aid kit you need to stockHome-rich but cash-poor? What to know about reverse mortgagesHow pandemic has upended the financial lives of average Americans

These days, she's seen some temporary financial relief, including a grant from the state of Mississippi that will keep the barbershop running for about six months. However, Pickens is now battling new health concerns. Since contracting the coronavirus, she has developed heart issues and is seeing a number of specialists.

Fortunately, she has good insurance and is receiving paid time off from her job while on medical leave.

"I'm trying to hang in there, but if push comes to shove, I'll file for disability," she said.

While she has a support system, she is still grieving the loss of her husband.

"It still gets kind of lonely," Pickens said. "He was my best friend."

However financially prepared, or unprepared, you may be, losing a loved one is overwhelming. Not only are you dealing with grief, but there are financial decisions that must also be made. Here are seven steps you can take to help ease the transition.

"It might be tempting to make a lot of decisions all at once," said certified financial planner Stacy Francis, president and CEO of Francis Financial in New York and a member of the CNBC Financial Advisor Council.

That may mean moving to a new place, selling a house, going right back to work and taking a new job.

Her advice: Don't do it.

"Give yourself a little bit of a pause so that you have time to allow yourself to start the grief process and that you give yourself time to navigate this new normal for yourself," she said.

"When you have been through trauma, it is very hard to think clearly."

damircudic | E+ | Getty Images

Finding professional support through, for example, a grief counselor or therapist can help you navigate the mourning process. A financial expert, meanwhile, can help you through money issues concerning insurance, wills, debt and the like.

"Put yourself on a path of not only recovery, but to eventually be able to rebound," said Francis, who specializes in working with widows and widowers and is a certified grief recovery specialist in The Grief Recovery Method approach.

Once you are ready, you can review your finances and reset.

The first thing to do when it comes to finances is to take a look at what money is coming in and how that may have changed since your loss.

You may be facing lower income without your spouse's salary, or you may have some additional funds through a life insurance payout or inheritance.

It is really important to see where you are and to then, once you have all of that information, start to create that new road map for your family

Stacy Francis

president and CEO of Francis Financial

If you have children under age 18, be sure to apply for spousal survivor benefits from Social Security, Francis said. Also, make sure you are collecting any life insurance money you may be entitled to, so reach out to your loved one's employer to see if there was coverage, as well as any private insurers.

Another potential source of money may come from any unclaimed funds. Do a search on your state's online unclaimed funds site for both you and your loved one.

The coronavirus pandemic has already hit people's expenses. Losing a spouse will add to that.

You may need extra childcare or therapy sessions. On the other hand, you may see a decrease in some expenses, like a payment for a second car.

List everything and compare it to what you have coming in and see what needs to be adjusted.

If you have outstanding credit card bills, check with your creditor. Many are already offering programs, like payment deferments or a reduction in interest rate, to help people get through the pandemic.

filadendron | E+ | Getty Images

If you are left with high medical bills in the wake of your loved one's death, talk to a medical billing and health insurance expert, Francis advises.

That can help you truly understand if these are bills you need to pay or if your health insurance wasn't billed properly, with the proper medical coding.

"We've also seen some individuals be able to negotiate with their health insurance," she said. "They just want to get paid.

"The last thing they want to do is have you declare bankruptcy."

Get an understanding of what your finances look like now.

That includes retirement and brokerage accounts, your home's value, your mortgage and any other loans you may have.

Taken together with your expenses and cash flow, it will help you form a plan for your near-term and long-term future and could impact college, retirement and the rest of your life, Francis said.

If you lost your spouse and have children, appoint guardians as soon as possible, even if you aren't ready to take a look at your overall will and estate plan, said New York-based estate-planning attorney Robert Steele.

When things settle down, you can then update your will and beneficiaries on any retirement plans or insurance policies.

"Your will, your estate plan is going to most likely need to change, especially if you have younger children," Steele said.

That includes creating a trust for your kids if they are young, so they don't receive the money outright, and naming a trustee to oversee it.

Additionally, if you lost your spouse, he or she was likely your health-care proxy and had power of attorney. You'll have to choose another person "who you trust and value," Francis said.

In the end, coming up with an overall plan will help you move forward both emotionally and financially.

"While it might be frightening and scary to look at all of this, it is really important to see where you are and to then, once you have all of that information, start to create that new road map for your family," Francis said.

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Dealing with the unexpected: 7 financial steps to take after the death of a spouse or loved one - CNBC

Hundreds of drivers across the Treasure Coast were impacted by road closures and accidents caused by flooding throughout the area. Well, the rain today just seemed to sit upon us. And kept coming down at times a little heavier than others, said Jeff Stafford, Surfside Grill Employee. Continuous rain caused flooding near Jensen Beach Club north of Waveland, where more than 9 inches of rain fell in the area. Its a lot more than normal in a short period of time, I would say, Stafford said. According to the St. Lucie County sheriffs deputy on scene, low visibility and flooding cause one driver to end up in the drainage ditch in front of Surfside Grill. The accident happened despite the restaurant's efforts to alert customers of the entrance to the parking lot. Well, we purposely put the American flags there so people could see the entranceway, Stafford said. Obviously, he missed that by quite a lot.In Fort Pierce, officials closed Midway Road between 25th Street and Oleander Boulevard.With the amount of flood water, I would say be more careful when you know its raining like that and to slow down and obey the signs, Stafford said.

Hundreds of drivers across the Treasure Coast were impacted by road closures and accidents caused by flooding throughout the area.

Well, the rain today just seemed to sit upon us. And kept coming down at times a little heavier than others, said Jeff Stafford, Surfside Grill Employee.

Continuous rain caused flooding near Jensen Beach Club north of Waveland, where more than 9 inches of rain fell in the area.

Its a lot more than normal in a short period of time, I would say, Stafford said.

According to the St. Lucie County sheriffs deputy on scene, low visibility and flooding cause one driver to end up in the drainage ditch in front of Surfside Grill.

The accident happened despite the restaurant's efforts to alert customers of the entrance to the parking lot.

Well, we purposely put the American flags there so people could see the entranceway, Stafford said. Obviously, he missed that by quite a lot.

In Fort Pierce, officials closed Midway Road between 25th Street and Oleander Boulevard.

With the amount of flood water, I would say be more careful when you know its raining like that and to slow down and obey the signs, Stafford said.

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Flooding impacts Treasure Coast drivers - WPBF West Palm Beach

UNDATED (AP) Tropical storm-force winds are spreading onshore along the northern U.S. Gulf Coast as Hurricane Sally lumbers off the coast. The National Hurricane Center said Tuesday evening that life-threatening flooding is likely as the hurricane edges toward the coast. At 7 p.m., the center of the storm was located about 75 miles south of Mobile, Alabama and about the same distance southwest of Pensacola, Florida. The hurricanes top sustained winds have been clocked at 80 mph. The hurricane is crawling northward toward the coast at 2 mph.

WASHINGTON (AP) Joe Biden is calling President Donald Trump a fool for comments hes made questioning Bidens mental acuity and suggesting Biden takes performance-enhancing drugs. During an interview with Tampas NBC affiliate Tuesday, Biden was asked about Trumps accusations that he is mentally shot and has taken drugs to boost his debate performance. Biden dismissed the presidents comments, calling them foolish and declaring, Im looking forward to the debate and hes a fool. The Democratic presidential nominee continued: Get ready, Mr. President. Here I come. The two will meet for their first presidential debate on Sept. 29 in Cleveland.

WASHINGTON (AP) A Trump health appointee is apologizing for a video in which he reportedly says scientists battling the coronavirus are conspiring against President Donald Trump and warns of shooting in America if Trump loses the election. Michael Caputo, the top spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, apologized to his staff for the Facebook video, an administration official tells The Associated Press. Separately, Caputo is accused of trying to muzzle an important publication from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the midst of the pandemic. HHS is standing by Caputo, who was not available for an interview.

WASHINGTON (AP) Israel on Tuesday signed historic diplomatic pacts with two Gulf Arab states at a White House ceremony that President Donald Trump declared would mark the dawn of a new Middle East. He also hoped to cast himself as an international peacemaker at the height of his reelection campaign. Hundreds of people massed on the sun-washed South Lawn to witness the signing of agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The agreements formalize the normalization of the Jewish states already warming relations with the two countries over Iranian aggression in the region. But they do not address the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Models released by the U.S. government suggest a future with less water may arrive sooner than previously projected for the seven states that rely on the Colorado River. After a relatively dry summer, government scientists project Lake Powell and Lake Mead are 12% more likely to fall to critically low levels by 2025 than they projected in the spring. Climate change and prolonged drought have compelled some cities and farms to conserve water to secure the river long term, but it remains overtapped. The projections could complicate already-fraught negotiations between Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Mexico over the rivers future.

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Here is the latest news from The Associated Press at 3:40 am EDT - KESQ

Wrigleyville looks different this summer than in years past. Normally, in the hours before a perfect August night game, youd see armies of Cubs fans hopping from Sluggers to The Cubby Bear to Murphys Bleachers before packing 40,000 deep into Wrigley Field. Not so much this year.

Peer behind the left-field bleachers to the corner of Waveland and Kenmore Avenues, though, and a familiar sight remains: A dozen or so people scattered around the intersection with gloves and lawn chairs, eyes cast toward the top of the wall in hopes that theyll be the first to spot a freshly smacked home-run ball sailing over.

The pandemic has forced a shortened MLB season and kept fans out of Wrigley, but for the tried-and-true ballhawks, the routine hasnt changed much, albeit it now is done with masks: Post up for batting practice about three hours before the first pitch, say hi to the regulars and catch any balls that come your way.

On a mid-August afternoon before a game against the Brewers, only one ball made it over the left-field wall during batting practice, bouncing squarely in the middle of the intersection at Waveland and Kenmore before landing in the mitt of Ken Vangeloff, a 30-year ballhawking veteran.

It was the third ball Vangeloff has caught this season. He said that while the general experience remains the same, the coronavirus has brought a few changes. The scads of pedestrians doing their pregame bar crawl are nowhere to be seen, replaced by more first-time ballhawks seeking a new way to experience the game in a season like none before.

For old-timers like Vangeloff, though, the pandemic has given this years ballhawking experience an air of nostalgia. Because there are no fans to fill the seats, there has been no reason for police to implement game-day traffic restrictions on streets around Wrigley, which were only instituted in the early 2000s. This is according to Vangeloff. This means that ballhawks may have to dodge cars as they chase down homers, much like they did when sluggers like Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were belting balls out of the park.

Not only did you have to worry about looking for the ball and catching it, you had to watch out for cars going back and forth, Vangeloff said. So thats brought back an element of risk and danger and fun into it all.

Rich Buhrke, who has been ballhawking since 1959, hasnt noticed changes brought on by the new circumstances as much as those implemented by the Ricketts family ownership over the last decade.

Theres nowhere near as many baseballs [flying over the wall] with all the junk that they put up. They raised the bleachers and moved them back, then they put all this stuff up, Buhrke said, gesturing broadly towards the neighborhood, which, among other things, has seen a hotel, an outdoor plaza and an apartment building sprout up next to the ballpark in recent years.

Most ballhawks miss having fans around, though, if only because they can gauge where a home-run ball might be headed by the reaction of the crowd in the bleachers.

No fans does not help a ballhawk, said Dave Davison, another 30-year veteran. Back in the day you could see the ball coming out of the infield, because there was just a chain-link fence. Now youre waiting for the reaction.

Jodi Swanson, for one, is glad that the ballhawks are coming out despite it all. Though she doesnt chase down balls herself, the single mother began bringing her son to the corner during the Cubs 2015 playoff run and theyve been coming back ever since. The ballhawks set up tees for her boy to practice and have even helped him with his math homework in the past.

Its a very interesting dynamic to watch over the years, they protect each other and theyre straight shooters, Swanson said. Its really kind of a beautiful thing to watch ... its like Field of Dreams, when you get to the end of the movie and you get a feeling for the old baseball you miss. Theyre the old baseball.

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Ballhawks at Wrigley Field stay on the lookout - Chicago Sun-Times