Author: staff
At the end of the CTA Blue Line, a refuge of sorts has taken shape for homeless riders with few other places to go.Once a week,…
“I am seeing grass growing in my garden beds with perennials and groundcovers and am finding it frustrating to get rid of it. The grass may have gotten a start in my beds after I seeded my lawn last fall. It is difficult to pull out and seems to consistently come back. What is the best way to get rid of it? It seems to be spreading.”— Alfredo Ramirez, EvanstonAdvertisementGrass is difficult to eradicate once it gets established in the crowns of perennials and in beds of groundcovers. One option is to keep pulling out the grass, beginning early in spring when you first see it and continuing throughout the entire growing season. The best time to do this is when the soil is moist, as it will be easier to get the roots out, and the more roots that are removed, the better the results. This will take lots of patience and persistence to be successful. In time, the grass should weaken and eventually disappear. A weeder with a forked end or a trowel is a good tool to help get the roots out. A weeder will work better when space is more constricted and will do less damage to surrounding plants.AdvertisementAnother option is to lift all the perennials infested with grass out of the bed and carefully remove any grass from the root balls of the plants. Then dig the remaining clumps of grass out of the bed and replant the perennials. Monitor for any grass that was missed during this process that sprouts again over the coming weeks. This work can still be done now with most perennials, though the window of time is closing. You can also wait until the weather is cooler in early September or next spring before using this technique to reduce stress on the plants. If you decide to wait, then pull the grass as best you can and do not allow it to go to seed.Grass is difficult to eradicate once it gets established in the crowns of perennials and in beds of groundcovers. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)There are herbicides that will selectively kill grass in mixed plantings. Ornamec is an example of an herbicide that selectively kills grasses and can be applied over some ornamentals. Read the label to determine if it can be used safely with the plants in your garden. If any of the plants are not listed on the label, it is best to avoid using this product for the area. Or, you can test it first on a small section to make sure it will not kill or damage desirable plants. The best time to apply this product is when the grass is actively growing in spring and fall. These products will be less effective in the heat of summer, when the grass is not actively growing.Glyphosate, a broad-spectrum, nonselective herbicide will kill the grass, as well as your garden plants. You can treat the grass growing the farthest away from your desirable plants by spraying the grass carefully on a calm day. To treat the grass growing close to the garden plants, put on rubber gloves first and then a cheap cotton glove second. Using two fingers on the cotton glove, dip into the herbicide and carefully wipe the blades of grass, avoiding any drips on adjacent garden plants.It is important to read and follow all instructions on labels whenever applying any chemical treatments.For more plant advice, contact the Plant Information Service at the Chicago Botanic Garden at plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Dear Amy: I have a 12-year-old daughter who belongs to a youth group at church. When she joined, the leaders asked for her cell number so they could contact her about activities.Our daughter does not have a cellphone because we believe she is too young. The leaders then added my cell number (without my permission).AdvertisementThey send out a couple of text messages each week, which then end up with 15 to 20 replies because the girls use it to comment, talk, joke, etc, – completely off topic.Each time this happens, I ask the leaders to remove my number, which they do, and then a few weeks later I am back on their list and getting the group texts again.AdvertisementI have complained and asked them to stop adding me, but their most recent reply was that this is how they communicate, and they are concerned that my daughter will miss out.Their activities are weekly and are always held at the same time.My daughter has not missed out yet, and I am getting frustrated with having my cellphone blow up every time they start a new chain.How do I get these leaders to show some common text courtesy without pulling my daughter from a group of friends she wants to be with?What is appropriate texting in these situations?– Fed UpDear Fed Up: Given that this is the way they notify the group about meetings, it seems prudent for you to receive texts from the youth leaders. You might want to hand your phone to your daughter for a period of time so she can participate in these conversations – or at least to confirm that she has received the message.(Personally, I would also have a (limited) interest in what these kids were talking about – but I take it as a given that you don’t.)AdvertisementYou have many options. You could “block” the originating phone number (and you would not receive any calls or texts from the number).It is very easy to turn off notifications altogether (the texts will arrive, but your phone won’t ping or vibrate); you can also “mute” texts from a specific phone number.You could also receive the first text, take in the information, and then “leave the conversation” by clicking on that option.Ways to perform these functions vary based on the kind of phone you use. Use an internet search to see how to reset the notifications on your specific phone.Dear Amy: My wife and I were invited to my youngest brother’s wedding.Due to a major age difference between us, we’ve never been close.AdvertisementThere’s no animosity or issues, we’re just borderline strangers to one another (I don’t even have his phone number).If we decline the invite, my father will be extremely upset.In order to avoid that, my wife and I have decided that we’ll attend the ceremony and leave before the reception.My question is: How do we RSVP in this situation?We’re not attending the reception and I don’t want them to waste money buying us a dinner we won’t be there to eat.It may even open up a couple more spaces at the reception for friends with whom the couple is better acquainted.AdvertisementThoughts?– Elder BrotherDear Elder: You state that you are not close to this brother, but only because of the age gap between you. And now this family member has invited you to celebrate an important milestone in his life.The way to get close – or closer – is to show up for him, to become acquainted with his wife and her family, and to meet their friends.You don’t seem to want to do any of this, however, and so you should respond: “My wife and I will be at the ceremony, but unfortunately we will have to leave before the reception. We hope you have a great time, and wish you all the very best for a wonderful celebration.”Dear Amy: “From the Heartland” wondered how to respond to her fat-shaming friends.AdvertisementDue to a chronic illness, I am underweight at five-foot-three and a hundred pounds.Ask AmyDailyNo-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. For a limited time, sign up for the Ask Amy newsletter and get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.Several years ago, I was with my sister-in-law at a restaurant. She ordered her lunch, and I ordered soup.The server commented, “Sure, skinny-mini will just have soup.” To this day, I regret not speaking with her supervisor.– Donna in ColoradoDear Donna: I hope your response is posted on employee bulletin boards: It is never appropriate to comment on a person’s body.Got a question for Amy? Enter it here and we’ll send it to her.AdvertisementSign up here to receive the Ask Amy newsletter to get advice e-mailed to your inbox every morning, and for a limited time — get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.©2021 Amy Dickinson.
Cubs center fielder Christopher Morell, right, shortstop Nico Hoerner (2) and second baseman Andrelton Simmonscelebrate a 5-1 victory against the White Sox on May 28, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. Hoerner went 3-for-4 and Siimmons and Morel each had a hit. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
A body recovered from Lake Michigan in Wilmette was identified Saturday as a man who had been missing since May 11 in Chicago, officials said.Daniel Sotelo,…
Johnny Cueto didn’t allow a run in his first two starts with the Chicago White Sox.The Cubs got to him early Saturday with two runs in the first and didn’t look back, beating the Sox 5-1 in the City Series in front of a sellout crowd of 37,820 at Guaranteed Rate Field.AdvertisementBoth first-inning runs came with two outs.Patrick Wisdom’s bloop landed just out of the reach of Sox first baseman José Abreu in a shallow right field for an RBI double. Wisdom scored on a Frank Schwindel single.AdvertisementNico Hoerner led off the second with a single, moved to third on a single by Rafael Ortega and scored when Andrelton Simmons grounded out to shortstop Tim Anderson.The Sox tried to cut into the deficit in the bottom of the second when Yasmani Grandal attempted to score from second Jake Burger’s single to right. Ortega threw him out at the plate to end the inning.Burger took matters into his own hands in the fifth with a solo home run to left, making it 3-1.Adam Engel smoked a one-hopper that Simmons, the Cubs shortstop, couldn’t handle and turned it into a double. But Keegan Thompson got Anderson to ground out to third, and Josh Harrison to fly out to right to minimize the damage.Thompson (5-0) allowed one run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk while matching a career high with five innings in his third start of the season.Wisdom and Schwindel helped the Cubs add runs in the seventh. Batting with the bases loaded, Wisdom hit a grounder deep in the hole between second and short. Anderson made a nice backhanded stop and threw to second for a force. Wisdom beat Harrison’s throw to first and a run scored.Schwindel followed with an RBI single to right, stretching the lead to 5-1 and ending Cueto’s outing.Cueto (0-1) — who entered Saturday with 12 consecutive scoreless innings since the Sox purchased his contract from Triple-A Charlotte on May 16 — allowed five runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 6⅔ innings.AdvertisementWhite Sox starting pitcher Johnny Cueto delivers against the Cubs on Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)The Sox came up empty in another scoring chance in the seventh. Burger and Engel had back-to-back singles with one out. But Rowan Wick got Anderson to ground into a double play.The Sox went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring positon and fell one game under .500 at 22-23.
TORONTO — Alejandro Pozuelo scored in the 71st and 78th minutes to give Toronto FC a 3-2 comeback victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.Pozuelo returned after missing three games because of a lower-body injury to help Toronto (4-7-3) snap a six-game winless streak. Deandre Kerr also scored for Toronto.AdvertisementKacper Przybylko and Carlos Teran scored for the Fire (2-7-5) — both on assists from Xherdan Shaqiri.The Fire, whose winless streak reached 10 games, finished with a franchise-record 33 shots, according to their website.
The sports world responded to the tragic grade-school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in various ways this week, from Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s emotional news conference to San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler’s decision to remain in the clubhouse during the national anthem.The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays provided statistics on gun violence instead of posting batting averages and game highlights on their Twitter accounts during a game Thursday. And on Saturday, Chicago’s five most prominent professional teams — the Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Bears and Bulls — banded together with the McCormick Foundation to donate $300,000 to the Robb School Memorial Fund and the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation.AdvertisementEveryone agrees something must be done to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring. Unfortunately, not everyone wants to state the obvious — that America’s gun laws need to change to prevent an 18-year-old kid from purchasing an assault rifle and committing mass murder.The five teams, which call themselves Chicago’s Sports Alliance, should be lauded for donating money to families of the victims and to an anti-gun violence advocacy group.AdvertisementI just wish they would have taken it one step further and called for sensible gun reform, as other organizations have done.“Our focus on this gift was empathy for the victims and support for an agency that works to reduce these instances in the future, hopefully,” White Sox executive vice president Scott Reifert said. “And that decision (on delivering a message on gun laws) was left to individual organizations in the course of their giving.”Cubs vice president Julian Green said the Sports Alliance has addressed gun violence in Chicago in the past and added it “made sense to leverage the power of this organization to try to make an impact on these issues.” But neither of the spokesmen would commit to sending a message about gun reform, which could make an even bigger impact.The NBA, as usual, has led the way. Before a playoff game against the Boston Celtics last week in Miami, the Heat public-address announcer told fans: ”The Heat urges you to contact your state senators by calling 202-224-3121 to leave a message demanding their support for common sense gun laws.” And before Thursday’s Warriors-Dallas Mavericks playoff game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, an announcement was made advocating “sensible gun laws in America.”That came on the heels of Kerr’s speech Tuesday in which he rhetorically asked: “When are we going to do something? I’m so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there. I’m tired of the excuses. I’m tired of the moments of silence. Enough.”Kapler responded with an angry blog post stating American is “not the land of the free nor the home of the brave right now” and followed by announcing he would not stand for the anthem “until I feel better about our country.”It’s a sensitive topic, to be sure. In fact it was so sensitive Saturday that White Sox manger Tony La Russa said he would only give his reaction to Kapler’s stance if the media members on hand promised “everything I say gets reported, not anything taken out of context.”It was an unnecessary request — not to mention insulting — but we agreed nevertheless.AdvertisementLa Russa said he “respects” Kapler as a person and manager and that he was “exactly right to be concerned” about the issues confronting the country.“Where I disagree is that the flag and the anthem are not appropriate places to try to voice your objections,” La Russa continued. “I think you go to the cause of what really bothers you about the direction of the country.”La Russa called it a “mistake” by Kapler to draw attention to the anthem and flag while protesting the incident in Texas. He advised people to “understand what the veterans think when they hear the anthem or see the flag and the cost they paid and their families paid” during wars.“But it’s not the flag, and it’s not the anthem,” he said before recalling his pride in watching a documentary on the Dream Team draped in American flags after winning the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.“I thought, ‘Man, that’s what the anthem is, that’s what the flag is,’ ” he said. “And it’s all that’s right in this country, and it’s you’re right to dislike or protest all you want. … I agree with (Kapler) — there’s a lot wrong — but I would never not stand up for the anthem or salute the flag.”Several White Sox players, however, did just that in 2020 to protest the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez and Lucas Giolito, along with coaches Joe McEwing and Daryl Boston, took a knee before a game against the Minnesota Twins at Sox Park.AdvertisementWhite Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) takes a knee during the national anthem before a game against the Twins on July 24, 2020 ,at Guaranteed Rate. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)And, like Kapler, they were not disrespecting veterans with their stance. They were sending a message against racism and police brutality. It was a moment many of us will always remember.Cubs President Jed Hoyer, who also has known and respected Kapler for years, said he was “proud” of the manager for taking a stance. Hoyer said baseball, like other sports, could make a difference in changing society.“What the Rays and Yankees did the other night on social media was great,” he said. “The (five) Chicago teams making their donation and their statement was great. I think we’re seeing that, whether it’s MLB as a whole or individual teams or individual people, there’s definitely a place for it.“I do think sports in general have a large audience and therefore can make a difference. … It’s a good start.”Yes, it was a good start, and kudos to Chicago’s teams for helping the victims.But unless more organizations follow the path of the Heat and Warriors and advocate for sensible gun laws in this country, we’re probably right back where we started.AdvertisementDonating money is all well and good, but it’s time for everyone to take a stand.
Injury issues are not going away for the Chicago Cubs.Some players are moving in the right direction. Right-hander Alec Mills and left-hander Sean Newcomb made rehab appearances at Triple-A Iowa on Friday while Clint Frazier was activated from the injured list Saturday before the City Series opener against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The outfielder missed 31 games because of an appendectomy. AdvertisementMichael Hermosillo was transferred back to the 10-day IL while left-hander Brandon Hughes, who was brought up from Triple-A as a substitute player during the Cubs’ COVID-19 issues, was returned to Iowa.Jason Heyward also rejoined the Cubs for their weekend series but is not ready to come off the IL. Heyward has been cleared for baseball activities and is ramping back up. He is on the IL without an injury distinction, which typically is COVID-related.AdvertisementHowever, the Cubs face looming IL decisions on left-hander Wade Miley and outfielder Seiya Suzuki.Miley told the Tribune he has been feeling “a little something” in his left shoulder and considers himself day to day. Miley, who was scheduled to start Sunday against the White Sox, described it as a knot in the shoulder. Right-hander Marcus Stroman (2-4, 4.71 ERA) will start in Miley’s place. Cubs starting pitcher Wade Miley delivers against the Diamondbacks in the first inning Sunday at Wrigley Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)The veteran said he was never able to get loose during his start Sunday at Wrigley Field, explaining how he grinded through the outing, which was more of a struggle than his quality start indicated. He was concerned initially when his arm didn’t bounce back well afterward.“I know I didn’t have a normal spring, so I’m basically four starts in,” Miley said. “That’s kind of where I feel like I am right now, in the middle of spring training. Maybe just need a couple days.”Miley played catch Saturday afternoon under the watch of pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and head trainer PJ Mainville. Miley felt better Saturday compared with when he played catch a couple of days ago.“It’s something I’ve dealt with before,” Miley said. “I don’t think it’s anything serious. I just want to get it out of there.Team President Jed Hoyer indicated Saturday some concern about Miley’s shoulder, saying “we’re working through that.”Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.“You certainly hope that this is something you can get out of quickly,” Hoyer said. “But we don’t want to creep up all year.”AdvertisementSuzuki was not in the lineup Saturday because of his sprained left ring finger. Hoyer met with him after the outfielder went through pregame baseball activities and said Suzuki’s finger is still sore, swollen and stiff. The Cubs would need to make an IL decision Sunday if they want to backdate him the maximum three days.[ [Don’t miss} Seiya Suzuki: Get to know the new Chicago Cubs outfielder ]“You hate to put a guy on the IL and on Day 5 he tells you that he feels great,” Hoyer said. “But there obviously comes that moment with the backdating you want to make that decision by.”The Cubs began a stretch Saturday of playing 11 games in nine days thanks to two doubleheaders. Playing short-handed is never ideal, especially facing a game-heavy stretch. The Cubs’ 40-man situation complicates their options.“Right now, the 40-man’s a real consideration,” Hoyer said.The Cubs have only two healthy position players on the 40-man in outfielder Nelson Velázquez, who was recently promoted to Triple A for the first time, and Double-A outfielder Alexander Canario. They have limited healthy options on the pitching side, too, led by Mark Leiter Jr., Conner Menez and Hughes.“You don’t want to mess up the 40-man or lose a really good player for something that might be two or three days, so we’ve been thinking about those things a lot,” Hoyer said. “I think we will get through these doubleheaders. We’ll get through some of these short-term ILs. I think when we do that we’ll have a better chance to make some of those decisions that might affect our 40.”
WNBA players and union leadership increased their calls for Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison on Saturday, which marked Griner’s 100th day behind bars.“Right now, on day 100 of BG’s wrongful detainment, we are calling on everyone to use their platforms, no matter the size, to bring attention to her wrongful detainment, to get (her wife) Cherelle that meeting with President Biden and to get our sister home,” the Women’s National Basketball Players Association said in a statement.AdvertisementBrittney Griner leaves a courtroom after a hearing in Khimki, just outside Moscow, on May 13. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)When Griner was detained back in February, the WNBPA and those closest to the WNBA champion and two-time gold medalist tried to keep things quiet, fearing that Griner would be treated as a political pawn.However, the U.S. State Department declared in early May that Griner was being wrongfully detained. That changed the game plan. Cherelle Griner has been campaigning to meet with Biden.Advertisement“To athletes, of any age, ability level, team, sport or country: this is OUR teammate,” the WNBPA wrote. “A member of OUR global sports community, we need to stand up and stand together to call for her release.”Several WNBA and NBA players tweeted about Griner on Saturday.A young Phoenix Mercury fan holds up a “Free Brittney Griner” sign during a WNBA game on May 6. (Darryl Webb/AP)“Brittney Griner has been illegally detained in Russia since February 17th, 2022,” wrote Kyrie Irving. “I’m urging the (White House) to prioritize Brittney’s safe return home immediately! #WeAreBG”Griner, 31, was arrested at an airport near Moscow after Russian authorities claimed she was carrying vape cartridges with hashish oil in them. She could face up to 10 years in a Russian prison.Many WNBA players compete overseas during the league’s offseason because foreign teams almost always pay better.During Griner’s detainment, U.S. negotiators successfully secured the release of another American imprisoned in Russia, ex-Marine Trevor Reed. Reed was in the second year of a nine-year prison sentence. He was exchanged for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot serving a 20-year federal prison sentence in Connecticut for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S.