DDC-12-7-2013

WEEKEND EDITION

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Serving DeKalb County since 1879 Jasmine Malloy

PREP BASKETBALL • SPORTS, B1

Saturday-Sunday, December 7-8, 2013

CELEBRATE MY DRIVE • LOCAL, A3

DeKalb boys, girls split games against Yorkville

School promotes teen safe driving, earns grant

Ex-state’s attorney hit with ethics complaint

NIU FALLS IN MAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Farrell accused of faking death certificate, lying

By JILLIAN DUCHNOWSKI jduchnowski@shawmedia.com Former DeKalb County State’s Attorney John Farrell is accused of fabricating his wife’s death certificate and lying about caring for an ill sister in Iowa while attorney ethics officers were investigating him, records show.

John Edward Farrell resigned as assistant state’s attorney Oct. 12, 2012, for lying to county officials about appealing a legal matter he had actually settled without telling them, according to an ethics complaint filed by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

HELD IN CHECK

See FARRELL, page A5

Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com

Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch carries the ball in the first quarter of the MAC Championship game Friday against Bowling Green at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. The Huskies came up short in their shot at a third consecutive Mid-American Conference title.

Huskies stopped short of 3rd straight conference title Bowling Green

47 27 No. 14 Northern Illinois

By DAILY CHRONICLE STAFF sports@daily–chronicle.com

DETROIT – Northern Illinois’ quest for a third consecutive Mid-American Conference title ended with a 47-27 loss Friday to Bowling Green at Ford Field in Detroit.

The Falcons jumped out to a big lead in the first half and held off the Huskies in the second half to win their first conference championship since 1992.

NIU allowed a season-high 31 points in the first half and struggled offensively. The Falcons were able to beat NIU’s defense for big plays in the passing game. Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson

threw for 393 yards and five touchdowns in the victory.

Jordan Lynch threw two interceptions and was largely held in check by Bowling Green’s defense.

With 135 rushing yards, Lynch broke his own record for most rushing yards in a single season by a Football Bowl Subdivision quarterback.

NIU’s dreams of going to another Bowl Championship Series bowl game also were dashed. It was the first loss for NIU since the Huskies’ 31-10 defeat to Florida State in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Huskies will find out Sunday which bowl game they will play in.

Local residents recall life after Pearl Harbor

By DEBBIE BEHRENDS dbehrends@shawmedia.com On the anniversary of the “date which will live in infamy,” three DeKalb residents remember how they spent the months after Dec. 7, 1941, the day that catapulted the United States into World War II. Patricia Woods was a sophomore at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and struggling with chemistry. Fay Stone was a teen whose family had moved from Wisconsin to Tacoma, Wash., because her father took a job there. Mil Misic was a young teen in Minnesota who watched three brothers go to war.

All three women’s lives were changed because of events of that day.

“I lived with my grandmother in Urbana,” Woods said. “I called my father, who was in the Army, and he said, ‘Honey, why don’t you join the Navy?’ ” She and a friend saw the recruiter and joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. The WAVES,

For full coverage turn to SPORTS and visit Daily-Chronicle.com.

A2 A3-4 A4

Patricia Woods

Patricia Woods 1945

Voice your opinion Did any of the women in your family serve in World War II? Vote online at Daily-Chronicle.com.

See PEARL HARBOR, page A3

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Inside today’s Daily Chronicle Lottery Local news Obituaries

John Ferrell Former DeKalb County state’s attorney

National and world news Opinions Sports

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Page A2 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

8 DAILY PLANNER Today

Weight Watchers: 7:15 a.m. weigh-in, 7:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. meetings Weight Watchers Store, 2583 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.

Hinckley Area Food Pantry: 8 to 9 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 324 W. McKinley Ave. Overeaters Anonymous Walkand-Talk meeting: 8 to 9 a.m. at The Federated Church, 612 W. State St., Sycamore. www.oa.org; Call Marilyn at 815-751-4822.

NICE Food and Clothing Center: 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, by appointment other days, at 346 S. County Line Road in Lee. Serves the southwest part of DeKalb County and the southeast area of Lee County. 815-824-2228.

It Is What It Is AA(C): 9 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Church, 340 S. Stott St., Genoa. 800-452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com.

As Bill Sees It AA(C): 9:30 a.m. at DeKalb Area Alano Club, 312 E. Taylor St., DeKalb. 800-452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com.

Learning to Live Al-Anon group: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Newman Catholic Center annex, Normal Road, DeKalb. llc904@ hotmail.com.

Narcotics Anonymous: 10 to 11 a.m. at United Church of Christ, 615 N. First St., DeKalb. www. rragsna.org; 815-964-5959.

Knights’ Saturday Burgers and More: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at DeKalb Knights of Columbus Club, 1336 E. Lincoln Highway. Open to the public.

Burger buffet: Noon to 2 p.m. at Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St. Open to the public.

Group Hope: Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 511 Russell Road, DeKalb. Free support and discussion meeting is for NIU students and DeKalb residents.

Volunteer community facilitators are sought. Call Charles Smith at 815-398-9628. www.grouphope. org or www.dbsalliance.org.

Lightning games: 1:30 p.m. at Genoa Veterans Club, 311 S. Washington St. www.genoavetshome.us or contact Cindy at crmcorn65@ yahoo.com or 815-751-1509.

Monthly community family-style dinner: 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. seatings at Kingston United Methodist Church, 121 W. First St. Dessert is included. Donation is $9 for adults and $4 for children. Call Kingston UMC at 815-784-2010.

Back to Basics AA(C): 6:30 p.m. at Cortland Methodist Church, 45 Chestnut St., Cortland. Last Saturday is open meeting. 800-4527990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com.

AA Speaker Open Meeting: 8 p.m. at DeKalb Area Alano Club, 312 E. Taylor St., DeKalb, 800-4527990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com.

Saturday Night AA(C): 10 p.m. at 312 E. Taylor St., DeKalb. 800452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub. com.

Sunday 24 Hours a Day AA(C): 9:30 a.m. at DeKalb Area Alano Club, 312 E. Taylor St., DeKalb. 800-4527990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com.

Memories of DeKalb Ag: 2 to 4 p.m. at Nehring Gallery, Suite 204, 111 S. Second St., DeKalb. Free and open to all. www.dekalbalumni. org.

Sandwich Swings!: 4 to 6 p.m. at Plano American Legion Post 395, 510 E. Dearborn St., Plano.

Singles Welcome. Casual dress.

Cash bar available. Admission is $5 a person. 815-570-9004.

Society for Creative Anachronism armored fighting practice: 4:30 p.m. behind Stevenson North at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. For Middle Ages-Renaissance history re-enactors. Visit www.carraigban.org/ or call 815739-5788 or 815-986-5403.

Bread & Roses women’s chorus practice: 5:45 to 8 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb. For information, call Patty Rieman at 815-758-4897 or visit www.breadandroseschorus.org.

DeKalb County Illinois NAACP Adult Chapter: 6 to 7 p.m. at New Hope Church at Twombly and Annie Glidden roads in DeKalb.

Contact Kevin at tiger39217@ yahoo.com or 815-501-7583.

Steps And Traditions AA(C): 6 p.m. at Masonic Hall, Route 23, Genoa. 800-452-7990; www. dekalbalanoclub.com.

No Longer Hopeless AA(C): 7:30 p.m. at DeKalb Area Alano Club, 312 E. Taylor, DeKalb. 800452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub. com.

Any Lengths AA(C): 8 p.m. at Federated Church, 612 W. State St., Sycamore. 800-452-7990; www.dekalbalanoclub.com.

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

8 WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DAILY-CHRONICLE.COM? Yesterday’s Reader Poll results:

Today’s Reader Poll question:

Has your family visited Santa yet this holiday season?

Yes: 3 percent Not yet, but will soon: 19 percent No: 67 percent Don’t celebrate Christmas: 11 percent Total votes: 199

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8 TODAY’S TALKER

Permits help to protect wind farms from bald eagle deaths The ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON – Under pressure from the wind-power industry, the Obama administration said Friday it will allow companies to kill or injure eagles without the fear of prosecution for up to three decades.

The new rule is designed to address environmental consequences that stand in the way of the nation’s wind energy rush: the dozens of bald and golden eagles being killed each year by the giant, spinning blades of wind turbines.

An investigation by The Associated Press earlier this year documented the illegal killing of eagles around wind farms, the Obama administration’s reluctance to prosecute such cases and its willingness to help keep the scope of the eagle deaths secret. President Barack Obama has championed the pollution-free energy, nearly doubling America’s wind power in his first term as a way to tackle global warming.

But all energy has costs, and the administration has been forced to accept the not-so-green sides of green energy as a means to an end.

Another AP investigation recently showed that corn-based ethanol blended into the nation’s gasoline has proven more damaging to the environment than politicians promised and worse than the government acknowledges.

These examples highlight Obama’s willingness to accept environmental trade-offs – pollution, loss of conservation land and the deaths of eagles – in hopes that green energy will help fight climate change.

The new rule will provide legal protection for the lifespan of wind farms and other projects if companies obtain permits and make efforts to avoid killing protected birds.

Companies would have to take additional measures if they killed or injured more eagles than they had estimated they would, or if new information sug-

gested that eagle populations were being affected. The permits would be reviewed every five years, and companies would have to submit reports of how many eagles they killed. Now, such reporting is voluntary, and the Interior Department refuses to release the information.

“This is not a program to kill eagles,” said John Anderson, the director of siting policy at the American Wind Energy Association. “This permit program is about conservation.”

But conservation groups, which have been aligned with the industry on other issues, said the decision by the Interior Department sanctions the killing of an American icon.

“Instead of balancing the need for conservation and renewable energy, Interior wrote the wind industry a blank check,” said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold in a statement. The group said it would challenge the decision.

Freezing rain, wind slam Southwest

WASHINGTON – Happy or sad? Content or bored? And how many times did you smile yesterday? A panel of experts thinks Uncle Sam should be more in touch with our feelings.

By gauging happiness, there’d be more to consider than cold hard cash when deciding matters that affect daily lives, according to a report this week from the National Academy of Sciences, which advises the government.

The panel of economists, psychologists and other experts assembled by the academy recommended that federal statistics and surveys, which normally deal with income, spending, health and housing, include a few extra questions

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8CORRECTIONS

AP photo

Taffic on Interstate 30 traffic moves slowly Friday because of ice that accumulated overnight in Fort Worth, Texas. Winter storm and ice warnings are in effect through much of today for parts of six states in the Midwest, including Texas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

A look at the wintry weather in Illinois Forecasters say parts of southern Illinois could get as much as a foot and a half of snow by the time a wintry storm moves through the region. A quarter inch of ice also is expected.

Classes were canceled at dozens of schools,

including the 18,000-student Carbondale campus of Southern Illinois University.

Jackson County in southern Illinois declared a state of emergency and Illinois State Police have responded to dozens of vehicle accidents.

Experts urge feds to measure our happiness The ASSOCIATED PRESS

Copyright 2013 Published daily by Shaw Media.

REGIONAL PUBLISHER AND GENERAL MANAGER Don T. Bricker dbricker@shawmedia.com

The ASSOCIATED PRESS DALLAS – Freezing rain and stinging winds slammed the Southwest Friday and made a strangely blank landscape out of normally sun-drenched North Texas: mostly empty highways covered in a sometimes impassable frost, closed schools and businesses, and millions of residents hunkered down by icy conditions expected to last through the weekend.

Earlier this week, many in Texas were basking in spring-like temperatures that hit the 80s. But by Thursday, Texas was facing the same wintry blast that has slammed much of the U.S., bringing frigid temperatures, ice and snow.

The weather forced the cancellation of Sunday’s Dallas Marathon, which was expected to draw 25,000 runners, some of whom had trained for months.

A quarter of a million customers in North Texas were left without power, and many businesses told employees to stay home to avoid the slick roads.

Rob Yates, 44, of the Dallas suburb of Rowlett, had trained for four months to participate in the half-marathon Sunday – his first time competing at that distance. His wife and three children were going to attend the race to volunteer and cheer him on, he said.

Now, “I’ll probably be catching up on some work,” Yates said, laughing.

Yates spent Friday at home with his children, who were outside pulling off icicles and wishing more snow had fallen. But Yates, originally from near Manchester, England, said he stayed inside with his wife.

“It’s kind of unusual weather for Dallas, so they’re just having fun with it,” Yates said. “Me and my wife – adults are not particularly impressed with it.”

Friday’s storm stretched from South Texas, where anxious residents bagged outdoor plants to protect them from the cold, through the Midwest and Ohio Valley and up into northern New England and the Canadian Maritimes.

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on happiness.

“You want to know how people are doing?” said panel chairman Arthur Stone, a professor of psychology at New York’s Stony Brook University. “One of the things you may want to do is ask them.”

Asking how people feel can be as important as how much they are spending, Stone said.

For example, economists have what they call the “misery index,” which adds the unemployment and inflation rates but doesn’t include how people feel. If you want to know misery, the question to ask is “how much suffering is going on,” he said.

The panel suggests a series of questions to measure daily happiness and general well-being, asking how often you

smiled, were stressed, laughed or were in pain. Example questions ranged from a simple yes-no question to a more complex 1-10 rating for “Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?”

Over the past decade, these types of questions have shown to be valid scientifically, said Carol Graham, a Brookings Institution economist on the panel.

The report said the answers can help governments shape policy on basic benefits, such as retirement age and pensions, unemployment and working conditions. It cited a study by one of the Nobel Prize-winning panelists that showed people’s feelings about commuting problems helped officials decided whether or not to create commuter toll lanes on highways.

A caption in a photograph at Ellwood House on page A3 of Thursday’s edition of the Daily Chronicle contained incorrect information about the annual holiday open house. It was from 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m. today and Sunday.

Another article on page A3 of Thursday’s edition of the Daily Chronicle contained incorrect information about Darius Spencer. He is a student at Kishwaukee College.

The Daily Chronicle regrets the errors.

••• Accuracy is important to the Daily Chronicle, and we want to correct mistakes promptly. Please call errors to our attention by phone, 815-756-4841, ext. 2257; email, news@daily-chronicle.com; or fax, 815-758-5059.

8DID YOU WIN? Illinois Lottery Friday Pick 3-Midday: 4-7-5 Pick 3-Evening: 0-0-1 Pick 4-Midday: 3-0-3-7 Pick 4-Evening: 7-6-0-2 Lucky Day Lotto-Midday: 10-14-15-27-39 Lucky Day Lotto-Evening: 21-28-36-37-39 Lotto jackpot: $7 million

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LOCAL

Saturday, December 7, 2013 • Page A3

DeKalb school fights distracted driving, earns $25K grant

By FELIX SARVER fsarver@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Even though DeKalb High School earned a $25,000 grant for drawing thousands of commitments to safe driving, the mission to encourage youths to practice safe driving isn’t over.

At Friday’s girl’s basketball game between DeKalb and Yorkville, school officials announced DeKalb was one of the top 100 schools eligible for a grant awarded by State Farm. Last year, the company created Celebrate My Drive, a campaign to raise awareness about teen driving safety.

More than 3,000 schools participated.

Tricia Maxwell, who contacted the school about participating in Celebrate My Drive, said the school is going to continue promoting safe driving in the community.

“Even though it’s over … we still need to think about driving safe,” she said.

The campaign encouraged people age 14 and older to sign pledges online to drive safely between Oct. 18 and Oct. 26.

High schools that secured the most pledges were eligible to win $100,000 and a concert by Kelly Clarkson. Runners-up were eligible for $25,000 grants.

Portions of the $25,000 grant will be given to each school in DeKalb School District 428 for educational pur-

poses while $10,000 will be used to continue reinforcing safe driving among teens.

“I think it says something about the people in our community,” said Mark Sykes, DeKalb High School driver’s education teacher. “It was really getting the message out there and that our community makes good decisions behind the wheel. I was just pleased.”

Sykes and the high school’s faculty was counted by State Farm Agent Scott Zeimet as one of the reasons for the high school’s success with the initiative. Several State Farm representatives attended Friday’s announcement, along with district staff and the school’s principal, Tamra

Ropeter.

“Winning a prize is good,” Ropeter sad. “But really, pushing safe driving is even more important.”

The school received support from sponsors such as KishHealth System and Brian Bemis Automotive Group.

Sykes said gathering commitments from the district wouldn’t have been possible without the help of sponsors and even Sycamore High School.

“That was the big reason why we won because we publicized this through the paper but then through the banners around town,” he said, “through the street signs around town.”

Erik Anderson – For the Daily Chronicle

State Farm Insurance Agents and DeKalb High School faculty present the $25,000 check Friday during the intermission between the girls/ boys varsity basketball match-ups at DeKalb High School.

Debbie Behrends – dbehrends@shawmedia.com

Fay Stone of DeKalb reminisces Monday about life on the West Coast and what it felt like being in the middle of a war in the months after the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor.

‘We were fortunate, because all three [brothers] came back alive’ • PEARL HARBOR Continued from page A1 created in August 1942 to provide additional military personnel, were an official part of the Navy, and its members held the same rank and ratings as male personnel.

Woods said she remembered the first meal she had at boot camp at Hunter College in New York.

“They had these heavy trays with dividers, but they didn’t bother to use the dividers,” Woods said. “They just poured everything on your tray.”

Later that night, she was allowed to make one phone call. She placed it to her father and told him, “I want out of this place,” she said. “I don’t like the food here.”

Along with her duties in the hospital corps, which she said were similar to a certified nurse’s aide, Woods was able to travel, escorting troops to various bases. She also had an opportunity to sell war bonds on the Good Ship Hope when it docked at Navy Pier in Chicago.

“I met a lot of nice people,” Woods said. “Money was tight, but people were enthusiastic and quite generous.”

Even through all the good experiences, Woods said occasionally she and her fellow WAVES talked about the men they replaced, often sending them to the front.

“We felt sadness, guilt maybe, taking their places so they could go to war,” Woods said.

As a teenager, Stone was too young to enlist, but felt as if she was dropped into the middle of the war.

“We arrived in Tacoma just after Pearl Harbor was bombed and housing was almost nonexistent,” Stone said.

She and her parents and older brother lived in a oneroom apartment for months.

“I could have gone to the moon and been less traumatized,” Stone said.

With shipyards and a naval base on the Washington coast, Stone said the population in general was scared.

“We felt like sitting ducks,” Stone said. “The only thing between us was distance and open water. We felt very involved in the war, very quickly.”

Rationing, blackouts and scrap metal drives were part of daily life.

Stone said her father was an air raid warden, her mother went to work at Fort Lewis and she and her brother joined the Civil Air Patrol to watch for threats to the local airports.

“We were doing the job that older men would have done,” she said.

Her volunteer efforts weren’t all about work, however. Stone said she had plenty of chances to fly in small planes and learned to love flying.

Stone remembered asking about the people who ran the small Japanese grocery store in her neighborhood.

“One day the store was boarded up and they were just gone,” Stone said. “It sounds terrible now, but we didn’t know them either individually or as a people, and we were relieved.”

As a result of the mass internment of Japanese Americans, Stone said she spent a lot of summer days harvesting fruits and vegetables.

“Farmers would just come into town and say they were picking peas that day,” Stone said. “Kids would pile into the back of his truck and spend the day harvesting his crops.

“That killed my summer vacations,” she said with a laugh.

Although she was only 13 when Pearl Harbor was bombed, Mil Misic remembers it vividly.

After enjoying Sunday dinner, her mother was listening to a religious service on the radio while her father dozed in his favorite chair. She played jacks, and her three older brothers were doing whatever they did on winter Sunday afternoons.

“Around 2 p.m., hurried footsteps were heard on the front porch. My three brothers came bounding into the house,” Misic wrote in an email. “ ‘Mom, Dad, change the radio station. The [Japanese] bombed Pearl Harbor.’ ” She said they all huddled around the radio, listening intently while she returned to her jacks.

By April 1942, her oldest brother, who had just turned 21, was drafted into the Army.

The second brother received an invitation from Uncle Sam in August. That November, her third brother turned 17 and enlisted in the Naval Reserve. He soon joined the regular Navy with his parents’ consent.

“We were fortunate, because all three came back alive,” she wrote.

All three brothers were plucked from their young, innocent daily lives in Minnesota and taught to shoot and kill, Misic said in a phone interview.

“I’ve often thought about the millions of young men that happened to,” she said.

“I was young when Pearl Harbor was bombed, but it’s still such a vivid memory.”

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Page A4 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

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S. Africa awakes to day without Mandela The ASSOCIATED PRESS JOHANNESBURG – What next for South Africa?

This racially charged country that, on Nelson Mandela’s watch, inspired the world by embracing reconciliation in all-race elections in 1994 is again in the global spotlight after the loss of such a towering historical figure.

It is a time not just for grief and gratitude, but also a cleareyed assessment of national strengths and shortcomings in a future without a man who was a guide and comfort to so many.

“It’s a new beginning,” said Kyle Redford, one of many outside the home of the anti-apartheid leader who became the nation’s first black president. “The loss of a legend is going to force us to come together once again.”

He acknowledged that there is a “sense of what next: Where do we go? What do we do? And how do we do it?”

Mandela’s resolve rubbed off on many, although such conviction tempered by the reality that his vision of a “rainbow nation” failed to meet the heady expectations propelling the country two decades ago. Peaceful elections and relatively harmonious race relations define today’s South Africa; so do crime, corruption and economic inequality.

Mandela remained a powerful symbol in the hopeful period after apartheid, even when he left the presidency, retired from public life and shuttled in and out of hospitals as a protracted illness

By SOPHIA TAREEN The Associated Press

AP photo

Floral tributes to former president Nelson Mandela pile up Friday beneath a statue of Mandela on Mandela Square at Sandton City in Johannesburg. Mandela died Thursday at his Johannesburg home after a long illness. He was 95. eroded his once-robust frame.

He became a moral anchor, so entwined with the national identity that some South Africans wondered whether the country would slide into chaos after his death.

“Does it spell doomsday and disaster for us?” retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu asked rhetorically Friday before declaring that no, the country will not disintegrate.

“The sun will rise tomorrow and the next day and the next,” said Tutu, who won the

Nobel Peace Prize for fighting apartheid and promoting reconciliation. “It may not appear as bright as yesterday, but life will carry on.”

Violent events since last year intensified worries over the state of the nation. The August 2012 shooting deaths of 34 striking miners by police at the Marikana platinum mine recalled, for some, state killings under apartheid. In February, a Mozambican taxi driver was dragged from a South African police vehicle

and later died in a jail cell.

At the same time, tourism surged. Despite labor strife and credit-rating downgrades, resource-rich South Africa hosted Brazil, Russia, India and China at the “BRICS” summit in March. It has the biggest economy in Africa and aspires to continental leadership.

Mandela’s death will not destabilize race relations in the country, contrary to some fears, according to the South African Institute of Race Re-

lations.

“For many years now, South Africans have got along with one another largely peacefully without Mr. Mandela having been active in the political sphere,” Lerato Moloi, the institute’s head of research, said. “In fact, Mr. Mandela’s passing may be cause for many to reflect on the remarkably peaceful and swift racial integration of many parts of society, including schools, suburbs, universities, and workplaces.”

Sycamore Park District tweaks long-term plan

By FELIX SARVER fsarver@shawmedia.com SYCAMORE – Sycamore Park District leaders expect to make the final tweaks in the coming weeks to their long-term plans to improve the district.

Last year, district officials set out to address several issues affecting the park district such as the golf course losing money, growing deficits and an absence of long-term planning. They developed a shortterm plan to resolve immediate issues and a long-term plan – dubbed Vision 2020 – to make other improvements starting in 2015.

The park commissioners anticipate adopting that longterm plan at their next regular meeting Dec. 17, which comes after gathering public

Rob Winner – rwinner@shawmedia.com

Sycamore resident Rich Barnes works out on a recumbent exercise bike Thursday at the Sycamore Park District Community Center. input through several public hearings and community surveys.

“We’re coming to a final direction on where we’re going to head based on all the infor-

mation collected and what the community wants,” said Ted Strack, board president.

Dan Gibble, the district’s executive director, said the issues the Vision 2020 plan

8OBITUARIES SAMUEL JONES III Born: Sept. 22, 1940, in Chicago, Ill. Died: Dec. 3, 2013, in DeKalb, Ill. DeKALB – Samuel Jones III, 73, of DeKalb, Ill., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb.

He was born Sept. 22, 1940, in Chicago, the son of Samuel Jones Jr. and Effie Williams-Thomas.

Samuel was a faithful member of New Hope Missionary Church in DeKalb.

His memory will be cherished by his wife, Glenda Jones; three sons; four daughters; 13 grandchildren; mother, Effie Williams-Thomas; three brothers, Jerome (Joanne), Nathaniel and Dwight (Lorraine); and many family, friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Jones Jr.; and one brother, Aubrey.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were completed by Butala Funeral Home and Crematory of Sycamore.

To write a condolence or sign the online guest book, visit www.

ButalaFuneralHomes.com.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.legacy.com/daily-chronicle.

ROBERT J. NEJEDLO Born: April 16, 1936 Died: Dec. 4, 2013 CREST HILL – Robert J. Nejedlo, 77, of Crest Hill, Ill., passed away peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 4,

Ill. House quits with no vote on tax breaks

addresses include improvements to roads, roofs, pavilions and playgrounds. The plan also addresses the needs of the Community Center, parking in the Sports Complex and park trails.

Strack said that while the survey results showed people responded favorably to the Vision 2020 plan, they were not as supportive of increased spending that might be needed.

“The community is behind the ideas, but the community struggles with funding it,” he said.

He said that response is not troubling, because board members plan to do what the community wants. During the next study session with board members Wednesday, the members plan to have more discussions about the prelim-

inary findings of the latest survey.

At a public hearing in November, Gibble said district officials heard comments about connecting the park trails and the potential creation of a dog park. Other comments were related to the question of improving the needs of the Community Center or the pool.

Gibble said the core of the short-term plan was to improve the park district’s financial position, which it has accomplished. They’ve cut costs in utilities, liabilities and staffing, he said.

“The three or four existing things we’ve done is turned the golf course from operating in the red to operating the black,” Gibble said. “We’ve paid down our deficit. We’re beginning to build reserves.”

CHICAGO – Illinois took a giant step toward fixing its biggest financial problem by putting a sweeping pension reform on the books, but legislators’ inaction on tax incentives aimed at keeping companies and creating new jobs has triggered fresh concerns about the state’s business climate.

The Senate and a House committee took up legislation this week offering tax breaks for Archer Daniels Midland Co., chemical distributor Univar and newly-merged OfficeMax and Office Depot. But the House left after Tuesday’s pension vote, pushing the issue into 2014 since lawmakers aren’t due back until January. The slowed action – an ADM official said the company needed a decision by year’s end – could frustrate companies and give other states that have already ridiculed Illinois for its unemployment and major financial problems the chance to swoop in.

“The Illinois government’s failure to act in a timely manner is a huge disappointment for business people who are trying to make decisions in a timely manner,” said Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Doug Whitley. “It’s bad form.”

Three separate bills were discussed, but all had the same idea: Give companies a reason to stay or move to Illinois with the promise of retaining and creating new jobs in a state that struggles with its financial image and has one of the highest unemployment rates.

Legislation cropped up earlier this year when agribusiness giant ADM announced it was relocating its longtime headquarters from Decatur. The company hasn’t said where it’s going, but city officials in Chicago, Atlanta and St. Louis have said they’re all in the running.

The Senate approved two bills. One would give ADM up to $30 million in tax breaks and the company would have to add hundreds of jobs in Illinois. The other calls for roughly $58 million in incentives for Univar, a Washington-state based company that wants to relocate to Illinois where it has some offices, and Naperville-based OfficeMax and Florida-based Office Depot.

8POLICE REPORTS 2013.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Robert later became a professor and counselor at Northern Illinois University. He was a past president of the American Counseling Association among other positions in the association. Robert enjoyed his retirement traveling and spending time with his family.

Robert is survived by his beloved children, Kevin Nejedlo and Amy (Josh) Bloodgood; two grandchildren, Luke and Michael Bloodgood; two brothers, William (Sharon) and Joseph (Sharon) Nejedlo, and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marie (nee Paider) Nejedlo; and daughter, Lisa Nejedlo.

Per Robert’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. The family invites relatives and friends to join them for a visitation from 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pilsen, Wis., until the time of Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Pilsen. There will be no funeral home visitation.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.

For information, call 815-7220524, or visit the obituary and tribute wall at www.tezakfuneralhome.com.

To sign the online guest book,

visit www.legacy.com/daily-chronicle.

ROY ERNEST WEST Born: July 17, 1943 Died: Dec. 2, 2013, in Sycamore, Ill. SYCAMORE – Roy Ernest West, 70, of Sycamore, Ill., passed away Dec. 2, 2013, at home.

He was born July 17, 1943, to John and Ursula West.

He attended Maple Park schools and was a longtime member of the Moose Club, where he enjoyed meeting up with friends.

He worked for Schwan’s as a warehouse manager until retiring in 2003.

He is survived by three daughters, Brenda (Mike) Harriss, Glenda (John) Davies and Amy (Marty) Norris; three sons, Jeremy (Trish) Carlson, Jeff West and John West; one sister, Dixie Petrie; 20 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Wendy; two brothers, Bob and Jim; one brother-in-law, Melvin Petrie; and one grandchild, Jacob Harriss.

The visitation will be at 10 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 9, at First Baptist Church of Sycamore, 530 W. State St., with funeral service following at 11 a.m.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.legacy.com/daily-chronicle.

Note to readers: Information in Police Reports is obtained from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and city police departments. Individuals listed in Police Reports who have been charged with a crime have not been proven guilty in court.

DeKalb County Shawnteese Esther, 20, of the 500 block of North Strack Street, Cortland, was arrested

New Year’s Eve is Coming...

Book your reservation now!

Open until 10pm!

~Hillside Restaurant~ 121 N. 2nd St., DeKalb • 756-4749

Sign and read he online guet books at www.legacy.com/ Daily-Chronicle View a complete list of Daily Chronicle obituaries by clicking on the calendar dates Send flowers, gifts and charitable contributions

Friday, Dec. 6, on a warrant for failure to appear in court on charges of underage alcohol possession and consumption.

Cameron K. Waterworth, 20, of the 44000 block of Oakshire Lane, Hampshire, was charged Friday, Dec. 6, with driving under the influence and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

Sycamore Debra J. Stewart, 44, of Syc-

amore, was arrested Tuesday, Dec. 3, on a warrant for theft and retail theft.

Dominique A. Smith, 25, of Sycamore, was charged Sunday, Nov. 24, with DUI and improper lane usage.

Shawn M. Taylor, 38, of Sycamore, was charged Saturday, Nov. 23, with DUI, having a blood-alcohol content of more than 0.08 percent and driving while license suspended.

~ 2013 ~ In Loving Memory of

BRADLEY J. SEVERSON 9/19/75 - 12/8/87 When we remember all the precious times we spent with you, Brad, we feel so lucky we had 12 wonderful years together.

It’s taken a long time to feel grateful for the time we had, instead of sad because you were taken so soon.

We would have given anything for another minute, another hug. But we now cherish our memories and thank God that He blessed us with such happiness. We’ll love you forever, and never stop missing you, our sweet boy.

- Brad’s Family

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

NEWS

Saturday, December 7, 2013 • Page A5

6 detained in Mexico theft Economy adds 203K jobs of radioactive material The ASSOCIATED PRESS

The ASSOCIATED PRESS MEXICO CITY – Six people tested for possible radiation exposure have been released from hospital but remain under detention as suspects in the theft of a truck carrying highly radioactive cobalt-60, officials said Friday.

Of the detained men, ages 16 to 38, only the 16-year-old showed signs of radiation exposure and he was in good health, a spokeswoman for Hidalgo’s Health Department said on the condition of

anonymity because she isn’t allowed to discuss the case.

The six were detained Thursday as part of the investigation and taken to the general hospital in Pachuca for testing, an official with federal prosecutors said.

After being cleared by health authorities on Friday, the men were turned over to federal authorities in connection with the case of the cargo truck stolen Monday at gunpoint outside Mexico City. The cobalt-60 it was carrying was from obsolete radiation therapy equipment.

Officials have not said what roles the six allegedly had in the theft.

Hidalgo state Health Minister Pedro Luis Noble said earlier Friday the men suffered from skin irritations and dizziness, but that none were in serious condition.

Only one was vomiting, a sign of radiation poisoning.

The theft triggered alerts in six Mexican states and Mexico City, as well as international notifications to the U.S. and the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.

WASHINGTON – The job market is showing signs of the consistent gains the nation has awaited in the 4½ years since the Great Recession.

Employers added 203,000 jobs in November, and the unemployment rate fell to 7 percent, a five-year low, the Labor Department reported Friday. Four straight months of robust hiring have raised hopes that 2014 will be the year the economy returns to normal.

The steady job growth could also hasten a move by the Federal Reserve to reduce its stimulus efforts.

Stock investors were heartened by the report. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 198 points.

A steadily improving job market could give consumers and business executives the confidence to keep spending and investing, even if a pullback by the Fed leads to higher interest rates. The Fed has been buying bonds each month to try to keep longterm borrowing rates low to spur spending and growth.

The celebration on Wall Street suggested that investors think a healthier job market, if it fuels more spending, would outweigh higher borrowing rates caused by a Fed

pullback.

“It’s hinting very, very strongly that the economy is starting to ramp up, that growth is getting better, that businesses are hiring,” said Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors.

The economy has added a four-month average of 204,000 jobs from August through November, up sharply from 159,000 a month from April through July.

“The consistency [in hiring] is actually reassuring,” said Doug Handler, chief U.S. economist at IHS Global Insight. “Slow and steady is something you can plan and build on.”

Farrell has until Dec. 24 to file a written answer to the allegations • FARRELL Continued from page A1 Farrell, a Democrat, was appointed the DeKalb County’s State’s Attorney in June 2009 to replace the previous state’s attorney, who became a judge. After Clay Campbell was elected state’s attorney in November 2010, Campbell put Farrell in charge of his office’s civil division.

The ethics complaint, which became public record this week after Farrell received a copy of it, alleged that he forged the death certificate, lied to ethics investigators, offered to settle litigation on behalf of the county without consulting county officials, and offered fake updates to county officials about an eminent domain case he never filed.

The phone number listed for Farrell’s office in Park Ridge has been disconnected; other attempts the Daily Chronicle made to reach him for comment Friday were unsuccessful.

Farrell has until Dec. 24 to file a written answer to the al-

legations, said Peter Rotskoff, chief of litigation for the attorney ethics commission. Then he could have a hearing before a board of two attorneys and a nonattorney, which ultimately could determine whether the allegations are founded and suggest a punishment to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Possible sanctions range from a reprimand to disbarment.

The ethics complaint details a series of illnesses, including possibly his own, Farrell allegedly lied about to try to get deadline extensions or to explain his mistakes.

Around Nov. 17, 2011, Farrell told then-State’s Attorney Campbell that he couldn’t go to court that day because his wife, Katherine Kamka Farrell, was dying and receiving last rites. On Jan. 31, 2012, he referenced his wife’s death in telling DeKalb County Judge Kurt Klein that he had communication issues in a pending case involving the county.

Then, when the ethics commission was investigating Klein’s allegations that Farrell lied to him about his wife’s death, Farrell told eth-

ics investigators that his wife moved to Arizona after it became clear she wasn’t going to recover, the complaint states.

“For the next two months or so, I spent significant time away with Katherine,” he wrote ethics investigators, according to the complaint.

“Sadly, that ended without me being present when she passed. I lost my best friend and soulmate. Katherine was a very spiritual person who always told me to walk in awareness.”

He gave ethics investigators a “certificate of cause of death” stating that she died Jan. 4, 2012, of cardiac arrest due to lung cancer, as a consequence of cervical cancer, the complaint states. The complaint alleges that document was fabricated.

After DeKalb County Presiding Judge Robbin Stuckert and Campbell told ethics investigators about Farrell lying to county officials about appealing a case, Farrell allegedly lied to ethics investigators again, the complaint states.

Farrell asked for more time to respond to Stuckert’s and

Campbell’s claims, stating: “Beginning Dec. 17, 2012, and through Jan. 1, 2013, I have been caring for my very ill sister in Iowa. Upon my return to Chicago, I discovered your letter. ... I therefore respectfully request 30 days to respond.”

Farrell has one sister who hasn’t seen him in about eight years, the complaint alleges.

Then, when ethics investigators asked him to appear at their Chicago office Sept. 11, he responded with a letter claiming he had emergency surgery in Iowa City while helping his daughter move back to college.

“I became seriously ill while there and was admitted to University Hospitals in Iowa City, where I underwent emergency stomach/colon surgery and was diagnosed with advanced stage cancer,” Farrell wrote in the letter, according to the complaint. “I was released from the hospital on Sept. 5, but I am too weak to travel back to Chicago and must undergo follow-up exams and chemotherapy for the next 30 to 60 days.”

He claimed his son and daughter were helping him get

to his sister’s house, where he would remain in their care, the complaint states. The address he provided for the sister was an outdated address for the sister he has not seen since 2005, the complaint states.

Current DeKalb County State’s Attorney Richard Schmack, who was involved with the case in which Farrell allegedly lied to county officials about appealing, said Farrell was a pleasant and well-respected attorney.

Schmack doesn’t have an explanation for Farrell’s behavior.

“Everybody I know liked [Farrell],” Schmack said Friday. “He displayed a good knowledge of the law and a grasp of everything he was asked to do, which is probably why this came as such a surprise and a shock to everyone.”

Campbell echoed that assessment of Farrell, describing him as an outstanding attorney with extensive litigation experience. Campbell worried that some exploited Farrell’s situation for political gain last fall.

“When you look back and you look at some of his behavior, it was clear he was suffering some issues,” said Campbell, who said he tried to offer help. “What exactly these issues were, [Farrell] is very private, so I’m not able to elaborate.”

Before Schmack was elected in November 2012, Schmack called for a special prosecutor to investigate Farrell. After he took office, Schmack asked county officials to notify his office if they hadn’t received any timely updates about matters Farrell had been working on for them.

That’s how Schmack said he found out about the eminent domain case Farrell allegedly lied about filing.

Schmack reported the case to ethics investigators and concluded a special prosecutor wasn’t needed to investigate possible criminal conduct.

“In reflecting on it after the election and knowing that the [ethics commission] was examining all of these allegations,” Schmack said, “it seemed it was better to let them do their work.”

Page A6 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

Opinions

Daily Chronicle • www.daily-chronicle.com • Page A7 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

8OUR VIEW

8SKETCH VIEW

Thumbs up to young donors

8LETTERS TO THE EDITOR and I doubt many people would want to eliminate those benefits.

Indeed, as Sen. Durbin noted To The Editor: I realize that the recent issues the health reform is expanding coverage to 40 million people surrounding the rollout of the Affordable Care Act are frustrat- who did not have it before.

In addition those who have had ing, but that is no reason to give insurance are being given access up on health care reform.

The Affordable Care Act is giv- to better quality plans – often at a lower cost. ing many uninsured Americans an opportunity to have insurance The website issues are disappointing, but they are in no that will both prevent and deal way an indictment of the entire with health issues. I recently Affordable Care Act. spent some time in the local hospital emergency room while Eileen Dubin a friend got care. It was in the DeKalb evening and so busy that every five or ten minutes families came for assistance and many without Pension reform will cost taxpayers any insurance.

To the Editor, The law also sets minimum In the news recently is the passtandards of coverage that make sure every insurance plan will ac- sage of a pension reform bill. If tually prove useful when people this doesn’t convince people that politicians are terrible stewards need health care. That has not always been the case and these of taxpayers money, I don’t know what will. cut-rate plans held by a small The problem was caused mainnumber of Americans have contributed to sky-rocketing health ly by the politicians not funding the plans over many years. They care costs.

We should take the politics out would have had to raise taxes to fund pension plans that most of the discussion and give the of us can only dream about, Act a chance to work. Social Security took many adjustments, which would not have gotten

Don’t give up on health care reform

have all become political collateral damage.

The “pension problem” created by past and current politicians is not a “pension problem.” Instead it is a revenue and spending problem.

One reason Bob gave for voting against this bill was because the annual cost savings this bill generates has not been earmarked for pension reform. Good point.

I would like to point out that the main reason we are where we are today with this pension mess, is because past and current political leaders used the pensions as a credit card. Instead of raising the necessary tax money to finance state programs and services, they used the pensions John Malec in lieu of raising taxes. And DeKalb apparently, now they want to rob pensioners again, and once again Thanks to Pritchard apparently use this stolen money for pension vote for their excessive spending To the Editor: habits. Unbelievable!

I would like to thank Rep. Bob Anyway, thanks again, Bob. I Pritchard for voting against the just wish other elected officials Madigan, Cullerton, Radogno and displayed the same courage and Durkin so-called “pension reform” integrity that you did. bill. As a result of Tuesday’s vote, the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions, Earl Shumaker the rule of law, and state retirees Sycamore them re-elected. This bill was passed to save their (politicians’) pensions and pass on some of the costs to the government workers.

Most of the costs to preserve the pension plans will be passed to us, the taxpayers. A $100 billion hole is pretty deep, and the few dollars more that the workers will contribute won’t do much to fill in that hole. We, the people, will do most of the shoveling. New taxes and fees are coming. You can count on it.

Gov. Quinn is fond of saying that he, and the legislature, are in public service. Pardon me, but the next time I hear him say that, I think I’m going to throw up.

Reality shows are destroying the tube Marketing surveys now show that when Americans come home from work, more folks turn on their computers than their television sets. That is a first.

The reason is twofold: First, you can create your own world on your PC, and second, TV is awful. Flat-out awful. For years, television has been losing viewers because the product, generally speaking, has collapsed.

Reality TV has destroyed the tube.

Cheap, mindless shows featuring people who should be deported rule the airwaves.

Don’t believe me? Well, TV Guide recently listed reality TV’s most startling moments. The choices are indeed startling.

Among them is Marie Osmond fainting on “Dancing with the Stars.” That was unforgettable, was it not? All 10 of her siblings attempted to resuscitate her.

Laurie has a breast-baring meltdown on a program called “She’s Got the Look.”

I don’t know who Laurie is, but I believe she may be overexposed. Or something Rebecca gets dentures on “Breaking Amish.” I am not fabricating this. I didn’t even know that the Amish broke anything. Hopefully, Rebecca can clean the dentures without electricity. At least she’s

VIEWS Bill O’Reilly in better shape than Laurie.

An Elvis impersonator is overwhelmed by memorabilia on the show “Hoarders.” I missed that. I’m sorry.

Tom DeLay dances to “Wild Thing” on “Dancing with the Stars.” That was why Marie Osmond fainted.

“The Osbournes” examining the aftermath of Ozzy’s ATV accident. Does it get any better than that? Does it?

Kim Kardashian weds Kris Humphries on “Kim’s Fairytale Wedding.” This was the nadir. An untalented but ambitious woman marrying a young basketball player and then divorcing him about 20 minutes later. And the guy got hurt. So why are people watching that? Disturbing question.

Monica Lewinsky hosts “Mr. Personality.” This was an actual TV show. Insert your joke here.

On a show called “The Surreal Life,” the guy who played Mini Me in an Austin

Powers movie rides a scooter naked. Why didn’t Kim Kardashian think of that?

The “Queer Eye” guys go nude. Did they have scooters, as well? I honestly don’t know.

Michelle Obama appears on “The Biggest Loser.” This is a weight loss program, not the Republican Convention.

And finally, chef Gordon Ramsay “fatshames” a “Hell’s Kitchen” contestant.

All I can say is that Jackie Gleason would have taken Ramsay out.

So it is beyond dispute that television is in deep trouble. These reality shows make “Gilligan’s Island” look like “Macbeth.” They are like unspeakable zombies destroying the entire structure of the television industry.

Thank God PBS is still on the air. But even here there is some worry. Elmo has been seen hanging with the Kardashians.

It’s just a matter of time until someone gets engaged.

• Veteran TV news anchor Bill O’Reilly is host of the Fox News show “The O’Reilly Factor” and author of many books, including the newly released “Killing Jesus.”

Letters to the Editor Karen Pletsch – General Manager kpletsch@shawmedia.com

Dana Herra – MidWeek Editor dherra@shawmedia.com

Inger Koch – Features Editor ikoch@shawmedia.com

Eric Olson – Editor eolson@shawmedia.com

Jillian Duchnowski – News Editor jduchnowski@shawmedia.com

We welcome original letters on public issues. Letters must include the author’s full name, address and day and evening phone numbers. We limit letters to 400 words. We accept one letter per person every 15 days. All letters are subject to editing for length and clarity. Email: news@daily-chronicle.com.

Mail: Daily Chronicle, Letters to the Editor, 1586 Barber Greene Road, DeKalb, IL 60115. Fax: 815-758-5059.

Thumbs up: To young donors. At least five area schools participated in the 13th annual Freezin’ for Food collection, which benefits the pantry at the DeKalb Salvation Army and serves DeKalb County families. WLBK-AM Morning Show host T.D. Ryan is camping out at the Target-Aldi shopping center in DeKalb until noon today to take donations for the drive. The schools used the drive as a lesson in giving back. “We’re always trying to teach students they belong to a larger community,” Malta Elementary School Principal Troy Miller said, “and to give back to realize some people are less fortunate than themselves.”

Thumbs up: To smart enforcement. People are often banned from the crime-plagued University Village apartment complex when they are convicted of committing a crime there. But such bans only work if they are enforced. In a little more than four hours For the record Wednesday, 13 people who had been banned from the We encourage all the complex were arrested there candidates to publicize and charged with crimitheir thoughts on local nal trespass, according to issues, just as we encourDeKalb police. “People keep age voters to learn about going back and committing both major local issues and crimes,” DeKalb Police Lt. candidates.

Bob Redel said. Police also checked for people with active warrants for their arrest.

Thumbs up: To youthful civic involvement. Sycamore Park District leaders were surprised to receive 65 suggestions for the city’s newest park through a children’s contest. Children were asked to pitch a name based on Sycamore’s history and justify their decision with a short essay. The entries include Peace Park, Wally Thurow Pumpkin Park, Orange Leaf Park, Sycamore Nature Park and Kishwaukee Park. We’re eager to hear about the winner, which park commissioners are expected to select Jan. 28.

Thumbs up: To the latest crop of local candidates.

Running for public office at the county level can be time-consuming and expensive. Candidate petitions were due at 5 p.m. Monday, revealing that some unfamiliar names likely will appear on the March 18 ballot.

We encourage all the candidates, whether or not they face a primary opponent, to publicize their thoughts on local issues, just as we encourage voters to learn about both major local issues and candidates.

Thumbs down: To state legislators for procrastinating on business tax incentives. The Senate and a House committee took up legislation this week offering tax breaks for Archer Daniels Midland Co., chemical distributor Univar and newly-merged OfficeMax and Office Depot. But this issue won’t be resolved this year, despite pleas from ADM leaders that they need a decision this month, because the House left after Tuesday’s pension vote. The state’s unemployment rate suggests workers would appreciate keeping major businesses in the state.

8 ANOTHER VIEW

Whatever happened to the rambunctious child?

There was a time – within the memory of many of today’s parents of younger children and teens – when grown-ups had to shoo kids out of the house to keep them from tearing the house apart. It was a mother’s dread if a Saturday or school vacation was washed out by rain.

A recent analysis of 50 studies on millions of children around the world show that kids today are 15 percent less fit than their parents were. While pediatricians cite several reasons for the decline in fitness, the drastic change over a 30-year period suggests one huge negative impact of technology on our lives.

But iPads, YouTube, Xboxes and Facebook can’t take all the blame.

Today, every family has to worry whenever their children are out of doors, and the LCD screen, which occupies children while adults work both inside and outside the home, protects them from some of the modern world’s more frightening creations.

Similarly, schools often don’t provide gym classes two or three times a week, offering fewer opportunities to shake children out of sedentary habits.

Finally, many families can’t afford the nutritious diets that combat the epidemic of childhood obesity.

There are good, successful efforts to bring better fitness to our children. Recent data suggests childhood obesity rates in a number of states have halted or reversed, and the first lady has made nutrition and exercise the signature priority of her husband’s time in office.

It seems that’s not enough, though.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two hours or fewer of screen time a day for children, and it’s up to parents to enforce that discipline.

Likewise, neighborhoods can work together to create safe spaces for both formal and informal community fitness activities. And in schools, teachers can find ways to work physical activity into their curricula.

Good habits of physical and mental fitness won’t get started by themselves, but they are needed if we want our children to be better off than their parents.

The (New Bedford, Mass.) Standard-Times

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

– U.S. Bill of Rights, First Amendment

WEATHER

Page A8 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

7-DAY FORECAST TODAY

TOMORROW

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Mostly sunny and bitterly cold

Mostly cloudy and warmer; light snow late

Mostly cloudy, brisk and colder

Partly sunny and very cold

High pressure will bring plenty of sunshine to start the weekend, but northwesterly winds will continue to drive down temperatures. Wind chills will be in the single digits for much of the day. Light snow will move through early Sunday night with light accumulations around 1-2 inches. Another blast of cold air will arrive Monday night through Wednesday.

ALMANAC

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

17

25

22

20

18

24

29

11

20

6

8

6

15

24

Winds: NW 5-10 mph

Winds: E 10-15 mph

UV INDEX

Winds: W 10-20 mph

Winds: NW 10-20 mph

Winds: NW 5-15 mph

Winds: S 10-15 mph

Winds: S/SW 5-10 mph

REGIONAL CITIES

REGIONAL WEATHER

DeKalb through 4 p.m. yesterday

Temperature High ............................................................. 17° Low .............................................................. 12° Normal high ............................................. 35° Normal low ............................................... 20° Record high .............................. 65° in 2001 Record low ................................. -7° in 1977

Precipitation 24 hours through 4 p.m. yest. ......... 0.00” Month to date ....................................... 0.08” Normal month to date ....................... 0.49” Year to date ......................................... 32.94” Normal year to date ......................... 35.32”

Last

Dec 17 Dec 25

Lake Geneva 18/7

8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m.

The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. 0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme.

AIR QUALITY TODAY

Rockford 18/7

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Dixon 19/8

Q:

Where on Earth is the wind always from the north?

Joliet 19/13

La Salle 19/12

New

WEATHER HISTORY

Jan 1

On Dec. 7, 1982, San Francisco, Calif., maintained a constant temperature of 52 degrees. This tied the record for the least amount of temperature change in 24 hours.

Streator 20/12

Peoria 20/12

Hammond 21/14 Gary 22/15 Kankakee 22/14

City Aurora Belleville Beloit Belvidere Champaign Elgin Joliet Kankakee Mendota Michigan City Moline Morris Naperville Ottawa Princeton Quincy Racine Rochelle Rockford Springield Sterling Wheaton Waukegan Woodstock Yorkville

Hi 18 22 16 18 22 18 19 22 18 21 16 20 19 20 18 18 16 16 18 22 18 19 20 18 19

Today Lo W 10 s 11 pc 10 s 8 s 12 pc 8 s 13 s 14 s 11 s 16 pc 11 s 13 s 9 s 12 s 11 s 12 pc 12 s 8 s 7 s 13 pc 10 s 11 s 10 pc 9 s 11 s

Tomorrow Hi Lo W 27 19 sn 27 18 sn 24 17 sn 26 18 sn 28 20 sn 27 19 sn 27 20 sn 28 22 sn 27 18 sn 27 24 sn 26 16 sn 28 21 sn 27 20 sn 29 20 sn 28 17 sn 27 16 sn 27 20 sn 24 16 sn 26 18 sn 27 19 sn 24 17 sn 27 19 sn 26 20 c 26 17 sn 27 19 sn

RIVER LEVELS

Pontiac 20/13

NATIONAL WEATHER

Evanston 20/14 Chicago 19/13

Aurora 18/10

WEATHER TRIVIA™

Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Waukegan 20/10

Arlington Heights 19/12

DeKalb 17/11

Main ofender ................................................... N.A.

The South Pole.

Dec 9

Full

Kenosha 19/8

A:

Sunrise today ................................ 7:09 a.m.

Sunset tonight ............................. 4:23 p.m.

Moonrise today ......................... 10:50 a.m.

Moonset today .......................... 10:09 p.m.

Sunrise tomorrow ........................ 7:10 a.m.

Sunset tomorrow ........................ 4:23 p.m.

Moonrise tomorrow ................ 11:25 a.m.

Moonset tomorrow ................. 11:17 p.m.

First

Janesville 16/7

0-50 Good, 51-100 Moderate, 101-150, Unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 Unhealthy 201-300 Very Unhealthy, 301-500 Hazardous

SUN and MOON

Cloudy with some rain and snow

Partly sunny Partly sunny and bitterly cold and not as cold

Watseka 23/14

Location

7 a.m. yest.

Kishwaukee Belvidere Perryville DeKalb

1.36 5.63 2.61

Flood stage

9.0 12.0 10.0

24-hr chg

-0.04 -0.02 -0.07

DRAW THE WEATHER Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

-10s -0s 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 100s 110s

Cold Front

Warm Front

Stationary Front

T-storms Rain Showers Snow Flurries

City Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Boston Bufalo Charleston, SC Charlotte Chicago

Hi 54 43 44 39 29 74 60 19

Today Lo W 47 r 30 c 28 pc 26 sf 16 sf 51 sh 37 r 13 pc

Tomorrow Hi Lo W 50 47 r 38 36 sn 34 33 sn 35 29 s 30 27 pc 57 51 sh 38 38 r 28 20 sn

Ice

City Cincinnati Dallas Denver Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles

Hi 26 24 14 39 24 16 44 58

Today Lo W 17 c 20 c 4 sn 35 r 13 pc 12 c 31 sf 42 sh

Tomorrow Hi Lo W 31 29 sn 33 28 c 19 0 sn 46 40 c 28 24 sn 25 11 sn 42 27 pc 58 39 pc

City Louisville Miami Minneapolis New Orleans New York City Philadelphia Seattle Wash., DC

Hi 26 82 4 47 42 43 29 44

Today Lo W 21 c 72 s 0 s 45 r 28 pc 28 pc 18 s 31 pc

Legend: W-weather, s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow lurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

Tomorrow Hi Lo W 34 31 sn 83 73 pc 15 6 sn 61 54 t 35 33 sn 35 33 sn 32 21 pc 32 32 sn

Partly sunny Carson, Jefferson Elementary School Mail your weather drawings to: Geoff Wells, 1586 Barber Greene Road, DeKalb, IL 60115

Forecasts and graphics, except WFLD forecasts, provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2013

You Are Invited To The You Are Invited

19th ANNUAL 18th ANNUAL

CHRISTMAS TREE WALK AND OPEN HOUSE “A Musical Treasures” Christmas” “Christmas Sunday, December December 9, 8th, 1:00-4:30P.M. p.m.

Sunday, 1:00-4:30 1:30 p.m. DeKalb High School Madrigal Singers Refreshments and Entertainment 2:30 p.m. Northern Illinois Cello Ensemble withdel Santa and Mrs. Claus 3:30 p.m. Visit Rayitos Sol of Conexion Comunidad Dancers

Oak Crest

',88 *#33<A996 4:#3! .#DC3 $ .3;>@=0 ?7+ 2)((5 &/(5% 152-/82( $ AAA+9>B:#3!E63B>@=+9#" DeKalb Area Retirement Center

Sports

BEARS GAMEDAY

SECTION B

Hub Arkush, Kevin Fishbain and Tom Musick break down the Bears’ Week 14 matchup with the Cowboys. PAGES B4-5

Saturday, December 7, 2013 Daily Chronicle

Sports editor Ross Jacobson • rjacobson@shawmedia.com

8MORNING KICKOFF

YORKVILLE VS. DEKALB BASKETBALL DOUBLEHEADER

Hawks lose 3rd straight

AP file photo

Cano would be anchor for Mariners’ lineup SEATTLE – Even as the Seattle Mariners were remaining silent about a potential deal with free-agent second baseman Robinson Cano, the New York Yankees were ready to move on.

“He was a great Yankee. He was a great player. I think everybody tried hard to get the deal done. We just never got close enough obviously.

We wish him the best. We hope he has a long, healthy career,” Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said Friday. “We’re going to keep going. We’re still looking at all the same guys that we were looking at a week ago or two ago. We’re going to continue to improve.

We’re not done spending.”

Goodbye New York. Hello Seattle?

The Mariners weren’t saying much of anything Friday, only issuing a statement in response to an ESPN report that Cano and the team had reached agreement on a $240 million, 10-year contract pending a physical. It would be tied for the fourth-richest contract in baseball history and a striking blow from a franchise that’s done little to get noticed for the past decade.

The reported deal would blow away the Yankees’ last offer of $175 million over seven years.

Only the two deals signed

by Alex Rodriguez – first with Texas and then the Yankees – and Joey Votto’s contract with Cincinnati were worth more. Albert Pujols also signed a $240 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

Cano’s representatives and Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik did not return messages seeking comment Friday.

“We are not able to confirm any news regarding Robinson Cano at this time.

If and when an agreement is completed and finalized, we will announce,” the Mariners’ statement read.

– Wire report

8WHAT TO WATCH College football Ohio State vs. Michigan State, 7 p.m., FOX No. 2 Ohio State comes into the Big Ten Conference championship game with its trendy, up-tempo offense and a powerful old-style ground game that has been virtually unstoppable.

No. 10 Michigan State counters with its typically stout defense, which doesn’t allow many opposing offenses to get in sync.

To the winner goes an all-expenses paid bowl trip to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.

• The rest of the weekend TV sports schedule on Page B2.

8KEEP UP ONLINE Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Want the latest from the area’s prep sports scene?

Follow our coverage on Facebook by searching for DC Preps or on Twitter at twitter.com/dc_preps.

Follow our NIU athletics coverage on Facebook by searching for Huskie Wire or on Twitter at twitter.com/HuskieWire.

DUCKS 3, BLACKHAWKS 2 (SO)

3-game skid Hawks’ 1st in regular season since February 2012

By JAY COHEN The Associated Press

Erik Anderson for the Daily Chronicle

DeKalb’s Jasmine Malloy passes the ball around a Yorkville defender under the basket in the first half of Friday night’s game in DeKalb. The Barbs won, 61-46.

Barbs split with Foxes Girls jump out to 17-0 lead in win; boys show youth in loss

By ANTHONY ZILIS sports@daily-chronicle.com DeKALB – Plenty has changed on the defensive end of the court for the DeKalb girls basketball team this season after losing a pair of Daily Chronicle All-Area guards, More online Courtney Patrick and Rachel Torres, and a 6-foot-2 center, For all your prep Courtney Bemis. sports coverBut for one quarter age – stories, against Yorkville on Friday, the Barbs looked every bit features, scores, photos, videos and the defensive stalwart they were over the previous few more – log on to seasons, at least on the scoreDaily-Chronicle. board. com/dcpreps.

The young Barbs led 17-0 after the first quarter of Saturday’s doubleheader with the boys team before Yorkville found its groove in a 61-46 DeKalb win.

Erik Anderson for the Daily Chronicle “We were a step ahead – we knew what they were going to throw at us,” junior Maddy Johnson DeKalb’s Riley Brown stumbles driving the lane and loses the ball as Yorkville’s

See BARBS, page B3

King Davis tries to make the steal during Friday night’s in DeKalb. The Barbs lost, 66-58.

CHICAGO – Jonas Hiller and the Anaheim Ducks finally grabbed another shootout win.

Against a good team, too.

Hiller stopped Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane in the tiebreaker, leading the Ducks to a 3-2 win Friday night and sending the Blackhawks to their third consecutive loss.

Anaheim was coming off consecutive shootout losses to Los Angeles and San Jose. It had lost four tiebreaker games in a row since it beat Phoenix, 3-2, on Oct. 18 in its first shootout game of the season.

Next “It’s been a while,” said Hill- vs. Florida, 6 er, who had 23 p.m. Sunday, saves in regula- WGN, AM-720 tion and overtime.

After Jonathan Toews scored for the Hawks on the first shootout attempt, Nick Bonino responded for Anaheim.

Hiller then stopped Sharp, and Kyle Palmieri beat Antti Raanta with a backhand to give the Ducks the advantage.

When Hiller made the save on Kane at the other end, it was over.

“Once the Bonino, the fluky one, went in, it was, ‘OK, the monkey’s off our back. We’re good to go. We’re going to start scoring again, because we missed about 18 in a row.’ ” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said.

Raanta had 24 saves in his first home game. It was the first NHL shootout for the rookie, who won each of his first two starts. He looked as if he could have stopped Bonino’s attempt in the tiebreaker, but it trickled under him for the score.

“Now I know how the shootout’s going to be in the NHL, so we’ll have to keep on working with those also,” Raanta said.

It’s the first three-game losing streak for the Hawks during the regular season since February 2012. They also lost three in a row against Detroit in the Western Conference playoffs last year, but managed to advance in seven games on their way to the title.

“Frustrating. You can’t overreact to it,” Toews said of the slide. “You just have to keep improving on the little things we do well as a team, and know that if keep working, we’ll eventually get the breaks.”

Ben Smith and Kris Versteeg scored for the Hawks, who trailed 1-0 and 2-1, but rallied each time. The Hawks (20-6-5) still lead the NHL with 45 points.

Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf scored in regulation for Anaheim (19-7-5), which has won five in a row against the Hawks.

See BLACKHAWKS, page B2

2014 WORLD CUP DRAW

U.S. lands in daunting group

By RONALD BLUM The Associated Press The U.S. drew a daunting task for next year’s World Cup: difficult opponents, tropical venues and a wearying 9,000-mile zigzag journey across Brazil.

The Americans wound up with the potentially punishing group they feared and will play Ghana, Portugal and Germany in June as they try to achieve a U.S. first: reaching the knockout phase twice in a row.

Although Ghana eliminated the Americans in 2006 and

city Manaus. The Americans have only three off days to recover before closing Group G United States on June 26 in Recife against Ghana three-time champion Germany.

Portugal “I think we have the qualGermany ity, if we play our best ball, to get out of the group,” U.S. 2010, the Black Stars won’t do captain Clint Dempsey said it again. The U.S. opens its after Friday’s draw set the seventh straight World Cup eight four-nation groups. “You appearance against Ghana on can’t think about, ‘Am I the favorite? Am I the underdog?

June 16 at Natal.

AP photo The U.S. meets Portugal and What’s it going to be like play2008 FIFA Player of the Year ing in the heat? What’s it going FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke shows the ticket of “USA” during the draw ceremony for the 2014 World Cup on Friday in Costa do Cristiano Ronaldo six days later in the Amazon rain forest See WORLD CUP DRAW, page B8 Sauipe near Salvador, Brazil.

Group G

SPORTS

Page B2 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

8PREP SCHEDULE TODAY Boys Basketball Hinckley-Big Rock vs. Stockton at Eastland Shootout, 8 a.m.

Indian Creek vs. West Carroll at Eastland Shootout, 12:30 p.m.

Peoria Richwoods at DeKalb, 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball Hinckley-Big Rock vs. Immaculate Conception at Amboy Shootout, 1:30 p.m.

Antioch at Kaneland, 2:30 p.m.

Peoria at Sycamore, 6 p.m.

Wrestling DeKalb at Fenton Weiss Invite, 9 a.m.

Kaneland at Lemont, 9 a.m.

Sycamore at Sycamore quad, 10 a.m.

Boys Bowling DeKalb at Vernon Hills tournament, 11 a.m.

Girls Bowling Kaneland at Dundee-Crown tournament, 9 a.m.

Sycamore at Palatine tournament, 9 a.m.

DeKalb at Fremd tournament, 9 a.m.

MONDAY Girls Basketball Indian Creek at Earlville, 6:45 p.m.

Hinckley-Big Rock at Hiawatha, 7 p.m.

Wrestling Genoa-Kingston at Mendota triangular, 5:30 p.m.

Boys Bowling Dixon at Sycamore, 4 p.m.

Girls Bowling IMSA at Kaneland, 4:15 p.m.

8SPORTS SHORTS

AP Source: Notre Dame headed to Pinstripe Bowl

Notre Dame plans to accept a bid to the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Friday.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not become official, said Notre Dame officials have informed bowl organizers that the Fighting Irish will play in the Dec. 28 game in New York against a team from the American Athletic Conference.

CBS.com first reported Notre Dame’s decision.

Bryant to return to Lakers’ lineup Sunday SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Kobe Bryant will make his long-awaited return from a torn left Achilles tendon when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.

In a dramatic video posted on his Facebook page before the Lakers played at Sacramento on Friday night, Bryant set his much-anticipated comeback date.

The video, which also was uploaded to the team’s Facebook page, was titled: “Seasons of Legend.

Lakers announce Kobe’s return.”

Texans fire coach Kubiak HOUSTON – Gary Kubiak pulled the Texans out of the NFL basement and remains the only coach to take them to the playoffs.

That wasn’t enough to save his job, not with the Texans mired in an 11-game skid that has dropped them back to the bottom of the league.

Houston fired Kubiak on Friday, one day after the Texans lost at Jacksonville and continued their stunning fall for a team that expected to make a Super Bowl run. Houston (2-11) was flagged 14 times for a franchise-record 177 yards.

AP sources: Beltran, Yanks agree at $45M, 3 years NEW YORK – Carlos Beltran is coming back to New York, this time to the Bronx.

The All-Star outfielder and the Yankees agreed Friday to a $45 million, three-year contract, two people familiar with the deal said. Beltran’s agreement came hours after second baseman Robinson Cano decided to leave for Seattle and on the same day pitcher Hiroki Kuroda agreed to return for 2014.

Beltran’s deal was detailed to the AP on the condition of anonymity because it was subject to a physical and had not yet been announced.

– Wire reports

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

BULLS

NFL

Bulls find a starting point Thursday’s win their ‘most consistent’

By JOE COWLEY jcowley@suntimes.com Finally, a starting point.

A game that the Bulls can point to and understand that’s what they have to be with Derrick Rose once again sidelined for the season.

Game film that coach Tom Thibodeau can rewind at almost any point and find good. No easy task in the world of Next Thibodeau.

Bulls 107, Mivs. Detroit, ami Heat 87 on 7 p.m. Sat- Thursday night.

S o o f urday, WGN, course FriAM-1000 day there was a new sense of optimism. Well, almost.

“From start to finish, probably so,” Thibodeau admitted after the late afternoon practice, when asked if it was his team’s most complete game of the year in all aspects, “but there are still a lot of things that we have to do better. [Miami] missed a lot of shots that they normally make, so for us, we have to continue to build. I thought the first half offensively I thought that was our best half of basketball. The second half was OK. But we can do better.”

Asked to go into further details about what needed to be better, Thibodeau said, “I thought the first half we made quick decisions, the ball moved, and then the second half, we hit a segment in the third quarter where we didn’t and then we got back to the movement in thefourth quarter, so that part was good.

That’s it? A segment in the third quarter when the ball movement was a bit stagnant?

AP photo

Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich passes the ball against the Miami Heat during the second half of Thursday night’s game at the United Center. The Bulls won, 107-87.

Considering some of the disastrous showings since Rose was lost for the year with a torn right meniscus Nov. 22, the Bulls players will sleep well knowing they had a lapse in making sure the ball was hopping for a few minutes in the third.

“Every game is different, but yeah, I think so,” veteran guard Kirk Hinrich said, when asked if he felt that was the best effort of the season. “I think it was our most consistent defensive game, our most consistent rebounding game, our most consistent offensive showing,

high-energy, just moving the ball, making it hop.

“That’s who we are. The last three games we were great offensively, but not so much defensively. We defend, rebound, low turnovers, that’s our M.O.” And in an Eastern Conference where a .500 record has a team sitting as the No. 3 seed, the 8-9 Bulls know that if they can bottle that blueprint from the Miami game, it won’t take very long to climb back to the high ground of the standings.

“The last four or five games, I think we’ve played well, unfortunately we didn’t have much to show for it,’’ Thibodeau said. “Now I think we’re moving in the right direction.

There’s still a lot of work to be done, but the important thing is to come out with the right mindset [tonight against the Pistons] to know how aggressive we have to be against a team like that with their size and their quickness.

“We’re going to have to be ready for the speed and intensity of the game and it’s important for us to follow up and have an edge to our game when that ball goes up in the air [Saturday] night.”

As far as the one player that can help bring that edge, it remained Joakim Noah. Another reminder of that was on display in the Heat win, as Noah finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds. His second consecutive impressive game after a disappointing first month-plus of basketball.

“Well, there’s three parts to it,’’ Thibodeau said of Noah.

“The most important part is the mental and physical part, along with emotional. So I think you have to get yourself ready to play, but I think the big thing with Jo was he missed all of training camp [with a groin strain]. You can’t miss all of training camp and expect to play well in the NBA, so the big part, he’s starting to get his timing back.”

Versteeg’s power-play goal snaps Ducks’ kills streak • BLACKHAWKS Continued from page B1 “We continue to know how to play against these guys,” Perry said.

“We have a lot of great teams in the West, and they’re one of them.”

Getzlaf snapped a 1-1 tie at 10:05 of the second, using a screen by Perry to send a slap shot through Raanta’s legs. Getzlaf’s 15th goal came with Johnny Oduya in the penalty box for closing his hand on the puck.

Anaheim remained in front until Bryan Allen was sent off for boarding Toews. The Hawks made the most of the power-play opportunity, with Versteeg beating Hiller in the upper right corner with 2:12 to go in AP photo the second.

Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya (front) and center Versteeg’s second goal since he Jonathan Toews (back) knock Anaheim Ducks right wing Co- was re-acquired in a trade with Florrey Perry off the puck during the first period of Friday night’s ida on Nov. 14 stopped a streak of 26 consecutive kills for the Ducks. game at the United Center.

Each team had ample opportunities to move in front in the third, but Hiller and Raanta took turns turning away prime chances. Hiller denied a streaking Sharp right in front of the goal, and Raanta grabbed a slap shot by Matt Beleskey.

Hiller also made a terrific kick save on Toews about 35 seconds into overtime, and the Ducks had a potential winning goal waved off.

“That was a tight game,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “Had a couple good chances late in the game that were dangerous and a couple big stops.”

Notes: Hawks C Michal Handzus returned to the ice after missing two games with an illness. C Andrew Shaw (upper body) could return as soon as Sunday against Florida, while LW Bryan Bickell (lower body) is expected to begin skating again in the next week.

Forham at St. John’s, 12:30 p.m., WPWR-50 Clemson at Arakansas, 1 p.m., CSN Bowling Green at Xavier, 1 p.m., FS1 Marquette at Wisconsin, 1:15 p.m., BTN Kansas at Colorado, 2:15 p.m., ESPN2 Illinois-Chicago at Loyola, 3 p.m., CSN Florida Gulf Coast at Florida International, 3 p.m., FS1 Central Connecticut St. at Ohio St., 3:30 p.m., BTN Virginia at Wisconsin-Green Bay, 4 p.m., ESPNU UNLV at Arizona, 4:15 p.m., ESPN2 North Dakota at Butler, 5 p.m., FS1 UNC Greensboro at North Carolina, 6 p.m., ESPNU North Florida at Indiana, 6:30 p.m., BTN Dayton at Illinois St., 7 p.m., CSN Alabama at South Florida, 8 p.m., ESPNU New Mexico St. at Gonzaga, 10 p.m., ESPNU Golf PGA Tour, World Challenge, third round, noon, TGC; 2 p.m., NBC Men’s hockey Massachusetts at Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m., NBCSN

Detroit Bears Green Bay Minnesota Dallas Philadelphia N.Y. Giants Washington New Orleans Carolina Tampa Bay Atlanta Seattle San Francisco Arizona St. Louis

North W L T 7 5 0 6 6 0 5 6 1 3 8 1 East W L T 7 5 0 7 5 0 5 7 0 3 9 0 South W L T 9 3 0 9 3 0 3 9 0 3 9 0 West W L T 11 1 0 8 4 0 7 5 0 5 7 0

Pct .583 .500 .458 .292

PF 326 323 294 289

PA 287 332 305 366

Pct .583 .583 .417 .250

PF 329 300 237 269

PA 303 281 297 362

Pct .750 .750 .250 .250

PF 312 285 217 261

PA 230 157 285 340

Pct .917 .667 .583 .417

PF 340 297 275 279

PA 186 197 247 278

AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF 9 3 0 .750 322 6 6 0 .500 252 5 7 0 .417 189 4 8 0 .333 267 South W L T Pct PF Indianapolis 8 4 0 .667 285 Tennessee 5 7 0 .417 264 Jacksonville 4 9 0 .308 201 Houston 2 11 0 .154 250 North W L T Pct PF Cincinnati 8 4 0 .667 292 Baltimore 6 6 0 .500 249 Pittsburgh 5 7 0 .417 263 Cleveland 4 8 0 .333 231 West W L T Pct PF Denver 10 2 0 .833 464 Kansas City 9 3 0 .750 298 San Diego 5 7 0 .417 279 Oakland 4 8 0 .333 237 Thursday’s Result Jacksonville 27, Houston 20 Sunday’s Games Atlanta at Green Bay, noon Minnesota at Baltimore, noon Kansas City at Washington, noon Buffalo at Tampa Bay, noon Miami at Pittsburgh, noon Detroit at Philadelphia, noon Indianapolis at Cincinnati, noon Cleveland at New England, noon Oakland at N.Y. Jets, noon Tennessee at Denver, 3:05 p.m.

Seattle at San Francisco, 3:25 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at San Diego, 3:25 p.m.

St. Louis at Arizona, 3:25 p.m.

Carolina at New Orleans, 7:30 p.m.

Monday’s Game Dallas at Bears, 7:40 p.m.

Thursday’s Game San Diego at Denver, 7:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 15 Philadelphia at Minnesota, noon Washington at Atlanta, noon San Francisco at Tampa Bay, noon Seattle at N.Y. Giants, noon Chicago at Cleveland, noon Houston at Indianapolis, noon Buffalo at Jacksonville, noon New England at Miami, noon Kansas City at Oakland, 3:05 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Carolina, 3:05 p.m.

Arizona at Tennessee, 3:25 p.m.

New Orleans at St. Louis, 3:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Dallas, 3:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 16 Baltimore at Detroit, 7:40 p.m.

New England Miami N.Y. Jets Buffalo

PA 261 248 310 307 PA 274 267 372 350 PA 216 235 278 297 PA 317 214 277 300

NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Central Division W L Pct 17 2 .895 9 10 .474 8 9 .471 6 13 .316 4 15 .211 Atlantic Division W L Pct Boston 9 12 .429 Philadelphia 7 13 .350 Toronto 6 12 .333 New York 5 13 .278 Brooklyn 5 14 .263 Southeast Division W L Pct Miami 14 5 .737 Atlanta 11 10 .524 Washington 9 10 .474 Charlotte 9 11 .450 Orlando 6 13 .316 Indiana Detroit Bulls Cleveland Milwaukee

GB — 8 8 11 13 GB — 1½ 1½ 2½ 3 GB — 4 5 5½ 8

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB San Antonio 15 3 .833 — Houston 14 7 .667 2½ Dallas 12 8 .600 4 Memphis 9 9 .500 6 New Orleans 9 10 .474 6½ Northwest Division W L Pct GB Portland 17 3 .850 — Oklahoma City 14 4 .778 2 Denver 11 8 .579 5½ Minnesota 9 10 .474 7½ Utah 4 17 .190 13½ Pacific Division W L Pct GB L.A. Clippers 13 7 .650 — Golden State 11 9 .550 2 Phoenix 11 9 .550 2 L.A. Lakers 10 9 .526 2½ Sacramento 4 13 .235 7½ Friday’s Results Milwaukee 109, Washington 105 (OT) Charlotte 105, Philadelphia 88 Boston 106, Denver 98 Atlanta 108, Cleveland 89 New York 121, Orlando 83 Houston 105, Golden State 83 Oklahoma City 109, New Orleans 95 Phoenix 106, Toronto 97 Portland 130, Utah 98 L.A. Lakers 106, Sacramento 100 Today’s Games Detroit at Bulls, 7 p.m.

Denver at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Cleveland, 6:30 p.m.

Miami at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Golden State at Memphis, 7 p.m.

Brooklyn at Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m.

Indiana at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.

Sacramento at Utah, 8 p.m.

Dallas at Portland, 9 p.m.

NHL

8WEEKEND TV SPORTSWATCH TODAY’S SCHEDULE Pro basketball Detroit at Bulls, 7 p.m., WGN College football Oklahoma at Oklahoma St., 11 a.m., ABC Central Florida at Southern Methodist, 11 a.m., ESPN Conference USA, championship game, Marshall at Rice, 11 a.m., ESPN2 Southwest Athletic Conference, championship game, Southern vs.

Jackson St., 1 p.m., ESPNU Texas at Baylor, 2:30 p.m., FOX Southeastern Conference, championship game, Auburn vs.

Missouri, 3 p.m., CBS South Florida at Rutgers, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2 Pac-12 Conference, championship game, Stanford at Arizona St., 6:45 p.m., ESPN Atlantic Coast Conference, championship game, Duke vs.

Florida St., 7:07 p.m., ABC Mountain West Conference, championship game, Utah St. at Fresno St., 9 p.m., CBS Men’s basketball Houston Baptist at Michigan, 11 a.m., BTN Texas at Temple, 11 a.m., ESPNU Colgate at Georgetown, 11 a.m., FS1 UCLA at Missouri, 11:30 a.m., CBS

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Soccer Premier League, Newcastle at Manchester United, 6:40 a.m., NBCSN Premier League, Manchester City at Southampton, 8:55 a.m., NBCSN Premier League, Tottenham at Sunderland, 11:25 a.m., NBCSN MLS Cup, Real Salt Lake at Kansas City, 3 p.m., ESPN Boxing Champion Sakio Bika (32-5-2) vs.

Anthony Dirrell (26-0-0), for WBC super middleweight title; Erislandy Lara (18-1-2) vs. Austin Trout (261-0), for vacant WBA interim super welterweight title; champion Devon Alexander (25-1-0) vs. Shawn Porter (22-0-1), for IBF welterweight title; welterweights, Zab Judah (428-0) vs. Paulie Malignaggi (32-5-0), 7 p.m., SHOW Middleweights, Matthew Macklin (29-5-0) vs. Lamar Russ (14-00); junior middleweights, Glen Tapia (20-0-0) vs. James Kirkland (31-1-0); champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (12-0-0) vs. Joseph Agbeko (29-4-0), for WBA/WBO super bantamweight titles, 8:45 p.m., HBO Winter sports USSA, Birds of Prey, 1 p.m., NBC (same-day tape)

SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE Pro football Atlanta at Green Bay, noon, FOX Indianapolis at Cincinnati, noon, CBS Seattle at San Francisco, 3:25 p.m., FOX Carolina at New Orleans, 7 p.m., NBC Pro Hockey Florida at Blackhawks, 6 p.m., WGN College football Bowl Selection Show, 8 p.m., ESPN Men’s basketball North Florida at Indiana, 3 p.m., BTN Nebraska at Creighton, 5 p.m., FS1 Women’s basketball Gonzaga at Ohio St., 11 a.m., BTN Duke at Oklahoma, 3 p.m., FS1 Golf PGA Tour, World Challenge, final round, noon, TGC; 2 p.m., NBC Wrestling Wisconsin at Michigan St., 1 p.m., BTN Figure skating ISU, Grand Prix Final, 11 a.m., NBC (same-day tape) Soccer Premier League, Aston Villa at Fulham, 7:25 a.m., NBCSN Premier League, Everton at Arsenal, 9:55 a.m., NBCSN Winter sports USSA, Birds of Prey, 1 p.m., NBC; 2 p.m., NBCSN

Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Blackhawks 31 20 6 5 45 110 87 St. Louis 27 19 5 3 41 96 61 Colorado 27 20 7 0 40 81 62 Minnesota 31 17 9 5 39 74 74 Dallas 27 13 9 5 31 76 79 Winnipeg 30 13 13 4 30 80 87 Nashville 29 13 13 3 29 65 83 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA San Jose 29 19 5 5 43 100 72 Anaheim 31 19 7 5 43 96 82 Los Angeles 29 18 7 4 40 76 62 Phoenix 28 16 8 4 36 92 90 Vancouver 30 15 10 5 35 80 78 Calgary 28 10 14 4 24 76 97 Edmonton 30 10 18 2 22 83 103

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Montreal 30 18 9 3 39 82 63 Boston 28 18 8 2 38 76 57 Detroit 30 15 8 7 37 84 80 Tampa Bay 28 17 10 1 35 79 68 Toronto 29 15 11 3 33 80 79 Ottawa 29 11 14 4 26 83 95 Florida 29 8 16 5 21 66 97 Buffalo 29 6 21 2 14 49 88 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Pittsburgh 30 20 9 1 41 94 67 Carolina 30 13 12 5 31 71 84 Washington 28 14 12 2 30 83 82 N.Y. Rangers 29 15 14 0 30 65 72 Philadelphia 28 13 13 2 28 63 68 New Jersey 30 11 13 6 28 65 74 Columbus 29 12 14 3 27 72 80 N.Y. Islanders 29 8 16 5 21 75 101 Two points for a win, one point for OT loss Friday’s Results Anaheim 3, Blackhawks 2 (SO) Detroit 3, New Jersey 1 Carolina 5, San Jose 3 Columbus 4, Minnesota 0 Colorado 3, Calgary 2 Phoenix at Vancouver (n) Today’s Games Philadelphia at Dallas, 1 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Boston, 6 p.m.

Buffalo at Montreal, 6 p.m.

Toronto at Ottawa, 6 p.m.

Florida at Detroit, 6 p.m.

Winnipeg at Tampa Bay, 6 p.m.

Nashville at Washington, 6 p.m.

New Jersey at N.Y. Rangers, 6:30 p.m.

Anaheim at St. Louis, 7 p.m.

Calgary at Edmonton, 9 p.m.

N.Y. Islanders at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

PREPS

Lopez scores a team-high 20 points • BARBS Continued from page B1 said. “We did pretty well. It’s our first conference game.

We set the bar and I think we know where we’re at now.”

After struggling for the first few games of the season, Johnson continued her strong run of play, scoring 10 of her 23 points in the first quarter.

“I think I have (hit my stride),” said Johnson, who added 10 rebounds and three blocks. “We’ve clicked as a team. It was kind of getting used to each other at the beginning of the season, and I feel like we’re finally there.”

The Foxes (3-2, 0-1 Northern Illinois Big 12 East) played the Barbs (4-1, 1-0) point-for-point for the rest of the game, but they couldn’t mount more than a feeble comeback attempt. Brittney Patrick scored eight points for the Barbs, and Paige Wogen and Jasmine Malloy had six apiece.

Despite the win, Davenport sees plenty to improve upon defensively after the Barbs set a high bar for themselves during the past few seasons.

“In the first quarter, I thought we were active for the most part,” Davenport said. “Then they played us even for the last three quarters, which I wasn’t happy about. ... Varsity minutes, it’s a different speed. We’re still young, and I think that’s part of the problem.”

The DeKalb boys team is just as young, and coach Dave Rohlman thought the Barbs’ youth was evident in a 66-58 loss to the Foxes.

“I thought our inexperienced showed tonight at times,” Rohlman said. “We panicked, we just refused to get the basketball inside and we tried to shoot our way out. That’s not going to work against most teams. We’ve got guys who can shoot the

Saturday, December 7, 2013 • Page B3

ROUNDUP

Sycamore boys, girls hoops top Kaneland 2,694, in a Northern Illinois GIRLS BASKETBALL Sycamore 50, Kaneland Big 12 match.

Maddy Jouris led the Barbs 37: Sycamore got out to an

By DAILY CHRONICLE STAFF sports@daily-chronicle.com The Sycamore boys basketball team defeated Kaneland, 41-38, Friday night in Maple Park in the two teams’ Northern Illinois Big 12 East opener.

Sycamore led Kaneland, 22-19, at halftime and was able to hang on throughout the second half for the win.

early lead on Kaneland and never looked back in a home victory at home over the Knights.

THURSDAY’S LATE RESULTS GIRLS BOWLING Sterling tops DeKalb: Sterling defeated DeKalb, 2,779-

with a 532 series, including a 198 high game. Kacie Boken rolled a 494 series with a high game of 194.

Also contributing for the Barbs were Abby Kuzmanich (175 game) and freshman Taylor Mershon (160 high game).

All About EYES® Erik Anderson for the Daily Chronicle

DeKalb’s Alyssa Burgess puts up a shot as Yorkville’s Erica Cyko attempts to block it during the first half Friday night in DeKalb. The Barbs won, 61-46. ball, but day-in and day-out, when you’ve got guys shooting 3s, and they’re shooting layups, it’s not going to be a good result for us.”

The Barbs (2-3, 0-1 NI Big 12 East) hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter and led 15-12. DeKalb took a 24-21 lead in the second after sophomore Ethan Conroy hit a 3-pointer before heading into the half tied at 25.

But Yorkville (3-2, 1-0) began the third quarter with a 13-2 run to take a 38-27 lead.

Junior point guard Rudy Lopez scored 15 of his teamhigh 20 points during the game’s last 11 minutes as the Barbs closed to within four, but it wasn’t enough. DeKalb couldn’t overcome the slow start to the half.

“It was just bad defense, really bad defense,” Lopez said. “That killed us in the third quarter.”

The DeKalb roster is loaded with juniors and a few sophomores, so the Barbs have gone through growing pains throughout the early part of the season, even after winning two games at the Boylan Tournament.

“It’s just going to take us a little bit longer,” Rohlman said. “I thought we were very fundamentally sound and played good defense when we made our run to get back into it, but we just couldn’t sustain it tonight. ... With guys who are younger and have less experience, that’s going to happen from time to time.”

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Saturday, December 7, 2013 • Page B5

Page B4 • Saturday, December 7, 2013 *

BEARS GAMEDAY

PRESENTED BY

Bears vs. Cowboys 7:40 P.M. MONDAY, ESPN, AM-780, 105.9-FM Shaw Media sports writer Kevin Fishbain breaks down this week’s Bears game:

3

Bears’ rushing offense vs. Cowboys’ rushing defense Dallas defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s defense is allowing 4.8 yards a carry and 126.7 rushing yards a game. Dallas does get linebacker Sean Lee back, which will help immensely. But Bears RB Matt Forte has run extremely well over the past three games (4.9 yards a carry, 93.3 yards a game). The Bears are productive running in the directions the Cowboys struggle to cover, over right guard and left tackle.

Edge: Bears

3

Bears’ passing offense vs. Cowboys’ passing defense Dallas is 31st in the NFL, allowing 294.4 passing yards a game. That pass defense has given up a league-high 54 passes of 20 yards or more and opposing quarterbacks are completing 64.3 percent of their passes for a passer rating of 91.7. Corners Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne have struggled, although the Bears will have to keep DeMarcus Ware from taking over.

Edge: Bears

BEARS

H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@shawmedia.com

Bears defensive back Tim Jennings heads to the locker room after the game against Baltimore was suspended Nov. 17 because of weather.

STEADY & READY

COWBOYS

kfishbain@shawmedia.com

T

im Jennings might have just known the second question coming his way.

“I’d have a better sense if we were winning,” he said when asked to evaluate his 2013 campaign. “It’s been up and down. I could have made a few more plays. I think every guy in this locker room feels the same way, that’s just the nature of this game.”

Question No. 2 was, as you might suspect, whether it is difficult to appreciate individual success when the defense has struggled this season?

“That’s just a competitive nature. Everybody feels the same way, you can make a play here or there, but if you don’t get that ‘W’ at the end of the day, it just doesn’t bring as much excitement as you wanted to,” Jennings said.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of guys in here that just wish they could make one or two more plays a game to help the team win.”

Coming off a career year and his first Pro Bowl selection, Jennings has been consistent in the midst of an inconsistent, banged-up and struggling defense. Heading into Monday night’s game against the Cowboys, he has the highest grade based on Pro Football Focus’ metrics for any Bears defender who has played in every game (+1.0).

“It’s a positive in my mind to know that you have a guy at

Weather conditions a factor?

1 3

In the Cowboys’ five losses this season, their opponents have averaged 35.6 points and have scored fewer than 30 just once, a 17-16 loss at Kansas City. Dallas also lost by one point to the Lions, 31-30 and by three points to the Broncos, 51-48. In addition to the 51 Denver hung on it, Dallas gave up 49 points in a 49-17 loss to the Saints.

2

The Cowboys have averaged 28.1 points in their seven wins this year and scored 31 or more four times. It is reasonable to assume the Bears will need to score at least 32 points to win.

Dallas is averaging 27.4 points a game and the Bears are allowing 27.7 while the Bears are scoring 26.9 points a game

that position that you can count on,” defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said.

In coverage, Jennings has allowed 34 catches on 65 targets (52.3 percent completion percentage) according to PFF, and quarterbacks have a passer rating of 64.8 throwing at him, which is the ninth-lowest in the league. Jennings has been penalized only once this season, but he would also be the first to tell you the season hasn’t been perfect.

and the Cowboys are allowing 25.3.

These teams are eerily similar statistically, suggesting the weather and conditions could be more of a factor than usual. Bitter cold favors no one, but will it hurt Tony Romo the most? Dallas backup running backs Phillip Tanner and Joseph Randle are players to watch. Dallas had its best rushing game last week against Oakland, but half of its yards came from Lance Dunbar backing up DeMarco Murray. Dunbar is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

– Hub Arkush, harkush@shawmedia.com

“I’m my worst critic when we don’t win games,” he said.

At 5-foot-8, Jennings has answered questions about what type of defense he can play in, and how good he can be at that size.

“He has the skill set of what you’re looking for in a corner,” said Tucker. “Change of direction, balance and body control, ball skills, the ability to play the ball in the deep part of the field, the ability to play man to man, press man, to tackle. Those are

all traits you need to play in any defense.”

Jennings has three interceptions, 10 passes defensed and two forced fumbles this season on the field, and off it he has had to play a larger role with the cornerbacks with Charles Tillman sidelined.

“I’ve got to be more vocal, be more of a leader,” he said. “I have more guys watching me now because Peanut’s not out there. I have to be mindful of that.”

Like many starters on both sides of the ball, Jennings is in the final year of his contract, and turns 30 later this month.

He said he has a more patient view of the process this time around.

“I think that’s when I kind of got sidetracked with the first deal, trying to get another contract, always thinking about what’s going to happen,” he said. “As I’ve gotten older and seen a lot, seen a lot of things, seen people come and go, I realize it’s a business and I can control only what I can control.”

Phil Emery has a host of decisions to make, but in a year to forget for the Bears’ “D,” Jennings has been a bright spot each Sunday. The eighth-year corner has two touchdowns, and wouldn’t mind playing in Chicago next season.

“Oh yeah, most definitely,” he said when asked about finishing his career with the Bears. “You don’t want to keep bouncing around from team to team. I’ve had my most success here, why not finish here?”

The Dallas Cowboys will visit the Bears this Monday Night at Soldier Field in front of a national television audience.

After jumping out to a 4-2 start, the Bears have lost four of their past six, including division games to the Lions and Vikings. The Cowboys come in at 7-5 and winners of five of their past seven.

While the Bears are running away from the playoffs, the Cowboys just might be running into them.

The Bears will once again be without Jay Cutler, but the Cowboys will have Tony Romo at quarterback. Is that good or bad for the Bears?

Romo is the fifth-most efficient quarterback in NFL history with a 95.8 passer rating, trailing only Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Steve Young and Tom Brady.

But he is famously bad in December and big games. Romo is 62-43 as the Cowboys starter and particularly good in November, when he’s 24-5. But Romo’s December record is 11-15, and he’s 1-6 in the playoffs and season-ending games to make the playoffs.

Definitely good news for the Bears is Dallas’ struggles to run the ball all season, ranking just 27th in the league.

It is 15th in passing, Romo is second in the league avoiding interceptions and the Cowboys are eighth protecting the passer and fourth in the league in scoring just ahead of the sixth-ranked Bears.

On defense, the Cowboys have been awful, dead last in the league

BEARS INSIDER Hub Arkush in yards allowed, 27th against the run, 31st against the pass and 22nd in points allowed.

Statistically, the Cowboys and Bears have a lot in common.

They also have a lot in common on the defensive line, where each has one of the best players in the game, DeMarcus Ware for the Cowboys and Julius Peppers with the Bears. Beyond those two, both clubs have been devastated by injuries.

Dallas has had 19 different players get reps on their D-line this season.

One constant for the Cowboys, though, has been Romo. He has taken every snap at quarterback this season and has completed 64.8 percent of his 440 attempts for 3,140 yards, 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. His passer rating of 97.3 is currently eighth in the NFL, right behind Josh McCown, who is seventh at 103.6.

DeMarco Murray is the bell cow of the Cowboys challenged run game and he did have three touchdowns in addition to 17 carries for 63 yards against the Raiders last week.

The Cowboys only have two receivers who scare you, but Jason Witten is a future Hall of Famer at tight end, and at 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds, Dez Bryant is one of the only receivers in the league who can match Brandon Marshall’s production.

Dating to the beginning of 2011, Bryant has caught 223 passes for 3,206 yards with 30 touchdowns.

Marshall has 277 catches for 3,712 yards with 26 touchdowns.

Dallas’ offensive line features left tackle Tyron Smith, who is athletic enough to battle Julius Peppers.

Former Northern Illinois lineman Doug Free, a right tackle, could be too much for Shea McClellin.

Dallas has been without their second best defensive player, linebacker Sean Lee, who’s been out the past three weeks with a hamstring injury but he plans on returning against the Bears.

Brandon Carr is very solid at one cornerback spot but Morris Claiborne, who Dallas traded up to draft in the first round last year, is suffering a bit of a sophomore slump.

Dallas has also really struggled at safety, where J.J. Wilcox and Barry Church are the starters.

Cowboys special teams are among the league’s best in all categories and Bears special teams and assistant head coach, Joe DeCamillis coached most of their special teamers until this year.

This game has all the makings of a shootout, much like the Cowboys’ 31-30 loss to Detroit five weeks ago, and it’s one the Bears absolutely have to have to retain any semblance of hopes for a trip to the playoffs.

Cowboys’ rushing offense vs. Bears’ rushing defense Even though the Cowboys are 27th in rushing offense, they have two things working for them: DeMarco Murray is a heck of a runner (when healthy) and they’re playing the Bears, the worst rush defense in the league. In their past six games, the Bears’ run defense has allowed 205.2 yards a game at 5.9 a pop. It looked better at times last week, but is still far from where it needs to be.

Edge: Cowboys

3

Cowboys’ passing offense vs. Bears’ passing defense This is a matchup the Bears would love to have cornerback Charles Tillman back for. Cowboys QB Tony Romo has thrown 24 touchdowns and only seven picks this season, but is still prone to getting sacked. The Bears need to create turnovers in this area, especially because covering wide receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten will not be easy for this defense. If Vikings QB Matt Cassel lit it up, think of what Romo could do.

Edge: Cowboys

3

Monday’s edge Bears games all year have pointed toward a shootout, and this one is screaming it with two bad defenses and two prolific offenses. Both teams have playoff aspirations, with the Bears firmly in must-win mode. The Bears are at home and 3-0 in primetime this season, but without Lance Briggs and Jay Cutler for another week, it’s hard to pick the Bears to get the “W” on Mike Ditka night.

3 Forte ‘humbled’ to be Bears’ No. 2

Cowboys 35, Bears 27

Jennings lights up Bears’ otherwise dim defense

By KEVIN FISHBAIN

Romo never as good in December

AP file photo

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo looks to pass under pressure by Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs during the first half of a game Oct. 1, 2012, in Arlington, Texas.

HubArkush.com is online Check it out, bookmark it and make it your homepage for Bears coverage going forward. Shaw Media’s Bears coverage has reached a new level and we hope you enjoy it.

We’ll be on top of every minute of the season on your new 24/7 home for Bears football, led by one of the most trusted names in both Bears and pro football coverage.

LAKE FOREST – Congratulations, Matt Forte.

You’re No. 1 … times two.

Which is to say, you’re No. 2.

In another city, for another team, at another position, No. 2 might not be a big deal. But when you are a running back for the Bears, it’s an enormous accomplishment.

Because Walter Payton is the No. 1 running back in franchise history, and that will never change. Some day, we’ll have flying cars, but “Sweetness” still will be No. 1. We’ll have a cure for hiccups and chips in our brains, but Payton will remain on top.

Therefore, the best Forte could achieve is No. 2.

He’s done it.

“I’m just humbled by it,” Forte said Friday at Halas Hall.

Lost in the Bears’ maddening second-half skid is the fact that Forte has seized the silver medal in almost every career rushing category in franchise history. In the past few weeks, he has climbed to No. 2 in rushing yards (6,298), receiving yards by a running back (2,770), total yards from scrimmage (9,068), games with 150-plus yards from scrimmage (15), and yards from scrimmage a game (104.2).

On the way, Forte has passed great running backs with names such as Gale Sayers, Neal Anderson, Rick Casares and Matt Suhey.

Forte now trails only Payton, who has a 10,428-yard lead in rushing and a 12,196-yard lead in yards from scrimmage.

“It’s an individual type of statistic, but it takes the whole team,” said Forte, who needs 29 rushing yards to reach the 1,000yard milestone for the fourth time in his career. “The offensive line has to block, and the receivers, tight ends, all that stuff. So it’s kind of a team goal, as well. …

BEARS INSIDER Tom Musick “Neal Anderson had a lot of great years here, so to be able to surpass that and be second behind Walter Payton – I’m a ways away behind him – but it’s still something cool to think about.”

It is cool.

There is no shame in being second.

Ever heard of Buzz Aldrin?

That’s you, Matt.

John Adams?

Take the oath, my friend.

Pennsylvania?

It’s lovely this time of year.

First things first, and second things second, Forte deserves high praise for what he has achieved in six seasons on the lakefront. When the Bears drafted him out of Tulane with the No. 44 overall pick in 2008, he seemed like someone who could develop into a productive running back a la Thomas Jones.

But Forte, who will turn 28 years old next week, has exceeded “productive” status. He has been a Pro Bowl player, and he deserves to make his second trip this season.

Forte also deserves credit for his durability, especially during an era in which the majority of running backs have the shelf life of spinach. Although Forte has battled plenty of nagging injuries throughout his career, he has not allowed them to keep him sidelined for long. Since entering the NFL, he has missed five games out of 92.

This season has been no different, as Forte has worked hard to recover from several setbacks. He missed zero games despite his latest injury, a hyperextended right

• Hub Arkush covers the Bears and the NFL for Shaw Media and Hubarkush.com. He can be reached at harkush@shawmedia.com.

knee.

We might not see the work that Forte puts in during his days off from practice, but you can bet that the hours are long and the exercises are grueling.

“It’s funny,” Forte said. “A lot of people say, ‘Oh, it’s your day off.’ But it’s never really a day off. You have to work and continue to try to get your body back before the games, leading up to the games. It’s all day, every day, really. …

“At running back, besides talent, speed, power and burst and all that stuff, durability is one of the main factors. If you’re not on the field, you can have all of those characteristics, but if you’re not playing, then it doesn’t matter.”

Forte has mattered since the day he stepped on to the field.

Ever heard of Pope Linus?

He took the keys from Peter.

K2?

It would defend Mount Everest in a basketball game.

How about the “Model A”?

It followed the “Model T,” which makes one question Henry Ford’s alphabet.

Speaking of wheels, Forte has them.

He’s under contract with the Bears through 2015, which means that he could tack on another few thousand yards to solidify his second-place perch.

As for No. 1, Forte laughed at the thought of catching Payton on the all-time list.

“I hope so,” Forte said. “Hopefully, I don’t have to play till I’m 40.”

Understandable.

How about 39½?

• Shaw Media sports columnist Tom Musick can be reached at tmusick@shawmedia.com and on Twitter @tcmusick.

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Page B6 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

COWBOYS AT BEARS, 7:40 P.M. MONDAY, ESPN, AM-780, 105.9-FM

Cowboys want to finish in December this time

By SCHUYLER DIXON The Associated Press IRVING, Texas – Jerry Jones sees a healthy and productive Tony Romo taking the Dallas Cowboys into December in playoff contention – same as the past two years.

If the Dallas owner gets another ending without a postseason trip, he’s going to feel as if someone is piling on.

“I don’t know of but one or two other things I could put on a hand that matches the disappointment that I’ve had the last two years,” Jones said.

“I’ve often said it is one of the biggest disappointments of my entire time to have Romo as quarterback and not be in better shape for the playoffs as we’ve looked at his career. We need to change that.”

The Cowboys get December started Monday night in Chicago, where Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will be sidelined again and Dallas should see the return of linebacker Sean Lee, who was a full participant in practice Thursday after missing two games with a hamstring injury.

Dallas (7-5) and Philadelphia are tied atop the NFC East, and those teams play the season finale on the Cowboys’ home field. Before that, the Cowboys get Green Bay at home and Washington on the road.

The 2011 and 2012 seasons ended for the Cowboys away from home in chilly playoffsor-bust finales against the other division rivals, the New York Giants and the Redskins.

That’s probably why Dallas cornerback Orlando Scandrick thinks of the December failures as “a bunch of road games.”

“We couldn’t set it up much better,” said Scandrick, who has been strong as a starter

AP photo

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo walks off the field after a game against the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 28 in Arlington, Texas.

The Cowboys won, 31-24. with injuries sidelining 2012 top 10 pick Morris Claiborne.

“Two road, two home. This feels like as good an opportunity as you could ask for.”

The chances the past two seasons were good, too. The Cowboys were 8-6 each time, although they had a bad December two years ago before losing to the Giants 31-14 in a night game on New Year’s Day. Last year, Romo led the Cowboys to three straight December wins before losses to New Orleans and Washington extended their playoff drought to three years.

The past two Decembers sum up Romo’s career pretty well: spotty overall and an 11-15 record as a starter with three trips to the playoffs and three early tickets home.

“We’re not even looking back, last December to the December before that,” Scandrick said. “None of that’s even been discussed. We’re looking forward and we’re focused.”

The Cowboys are healthier as well. Last December they were missing their two best linebackers in Lee (toe injury) and Bruce Carter (dislocated elbow).

Safety Barry Church was long gone by then with a ruptured Achilles tendon, and pass rushing star DeMarcus Ware wasn’t himself because of a shoulder injury that required surgery in the offseason.

So Dallas basically couldn’t stop Drew Brees from throwing or Alfred Morris from running in the back-to-back losses.

This time, Claiborne is the only significant defender sidelined, not counting the early season loss of end Anthony Spencer to knee surgery or the release of tackle Jeremiah Ratliff after he didn’t play a down in Dallas because of a groin injury and signed with Chicago, where he made his season debut last week.

“There’s no question we were rendered almost really helpless as the last part of the season came along to really be what we wanted to be defensively,” Jones said. “We’re not that way this year. We’ve got a chance.”

Jason Garrett is talking to his players about finishing.

“And there are so many things that you finish,” the coach said. “You finish plays, you finish drives, you finish games and you certainly emphasize finishing the season.

That’s where our attention’s going to be.”

So is the owner’s.

Notes: Besides Lee, two other Dallas LBs were full participants in practice after missing multiple games. Justin Durant was out two games with a hamstring injury, and rookie DeVonte Holloman has missed the past six games with a neck problem.

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Saturday, December 7, 2013 • Page B7

BIG TEN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

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By MICHAEL MAROT The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS – Urban Meyer has No. 2 Ohio State in a seemingly perfect spot.

The Buckeyes are 12-0, have won 24 straight and are likely one win away from making their fourth appearance in the BCS title game. They have a potential Heisman Trophy finalist in Braxton Miller, the first 1,000-yard runner of Meyer’s coaching career in Carlos Hyde, an offensive line that fits with the Ohio State tradition and an underrated defense that makes all the big plays.

This is a team that heads into the Big Ten title game with flaws and questions and down a starting right guard after Meyer benched Marcus Hall on Friday with tonight’s showdown against No. 10 Michigan State looming.

“He won’t start the game,” Meyer said. “Other than that, we’ll see what happens. But that’s where it’s at.”

It’s the latest twist for a team that has been anything but perfect this season.

Last week, Hall and kick returner Dontre Wilson were ejected after getting involved in a fight with archrival Michigan. Hall responded by throwing his helmet to the ground on the sideline and making an obscene gesture at the Wolverines fans as he walked through the tunnel. On Friday, Meyer said he benched the lineman and will start freshman Pat Elflein.

That’s not all.

The doubters contend Ohio State’s imperfect resume is filled with victories over mostly bad teams and won a conference in which Top 25 matchups have been rare. This year, the Buckeyes faced only two ranked teams – beating usually strong Wisconsin by a TD at home and a Northwestern squad by 10 on the road, a team that never lived up to the ranking. Some say tonight’s game will be the biggest challenge of Meyer’s two-year tenure in Columbus.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio doesn’t see things quite the same way.

A year ago, the Spartans (11-1) fell 17-16 to Ohio State in East Lansing, and this year, Dantonio insists the Buckeyes are improved.

“What you see is an extremely productive offensive football team that is capable of a big play at any point in time, at any given moment, from anywhere on the field,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to control that, work through that. ... They’re a very wellcoached football team with tremendous players with an X-factor, the X-factor being Braxton Miller, quarterback. That’s what makes it so difficult.”

Meyer knows better than anyone things don’t always go according to the script. Twice at Florida, he won national championships with one-loss teams. Twice, he’s finished a season 12-0, at Utah in 2004 and last year with the Buckeyes, and didn’t win a title.

What the Buckeyes have done better than most, though, is improvise.

Miller sprained his left knee in Week 2 and missed the next two games. Watching Kenny Guiton, Meyer said, helped Miller figure out what he had to do better to prepare for games.

Hyde, meanwhile, was suspended for Ohio State’s first three games after allegedly confronting a woman in a Columbus bar. Yet the Buckeyes continued to win.

“Against Wisconsin, I saw some toughness in our defense that I was concerned about,” Meyer said Friday before the Buckeyes held a walkthrough at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. “The offensive line, last year I was concerned about our toughness as an offense.

This year, pretty much week in, week out, we’ve shown it. It’s going to be a physical, hard, tough game. We’ll find out if the Buckeyes are a tough team [tonight].”

While Meyer may simply be playing the politically correct game of lowering expectations, but with the stakes get-

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Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer listens to a question during a news conference for the Big Ten Conference championship game Friday in Indianapolis. Ohio State is to play Michigan State today. that’s not something the Buckeyes want to give away now.

It’s enough to keep the Today light-sleeping Meyer awake a No. 1 Florida State vs. No. 20 few more hours before SaturDuke, ACC championship at Charday night. Then again, Meyer lotte, N.C., 7 p.m. has seen all this before, with No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Michi- his 2006 national championgan State, Big Ten championship at ship winning team at Florida.

Indianapolis, 7 p.m.

“I just remember there No. 3 Auburn vs. No. 5 Missouri, were a bunch of close games SEC championship at Atlanta, 3 p.m. that (Florida) team won,” MeyNo. 6 Oklahoma State vs. No. 18 er said. “It seemed like every Oklahoma, 11 a.m. time you heard about that No. 7 Stanford at No. 11 Arizona team it was what they couldn’t State, Pac-12 championship, 6:45 p.m. do, not what they could do.

No. 9 Baylor vs. No. 23 Texas, 2:30 They played with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, so I’m p.m. hoping we continue to see that.

No. 15 UCF at SMU, 11 a.m.

I think this team does that.

No. 24 Fresno State vs. Utah Meyer added: “It’s going State, MWC championship, 9 p.m. to be a physical, hard, tough game. We’ll find out if the ting higher each week, Ohio Buckeyes are a tough team State has continually found [Saturday] night.” ways to get the job done.

Note: Meyer expects midMaking a two-point con- dle linebacker Curtis Grant to version stop to win last week- play against Michigan State. end and Alabama’s stunning Grant has missed the past stumble at Auburn, gave them three games with a high ankle a shot at a national title, and sprain.

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Page B8 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

WORLD CUP SOCCER

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

Defending champ Spain gets repeat of ’10 final

By JOHN LEICESTER The Associated Press COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil – One of the worst finals in World Cup history – Spain vs. the Netherlands – will be reprised in one of the first games of the 2014 edition.

Friday’s draw proved kind for host nation Brazil.

It also put three former winners – Italy, Uruguay and England – together in one daunting group.

The United States drew one of the shortest straws. Its game schedule will send Jurgen Klinsmann’s team pinging

around on a 9,000-mile trip across the world’s fifth-largest country.

Having only squeezed into the tournament via a playoff, 1998 winner France hardly could believe its luck, drawing a manageable group of Switzerland, Ecuador, and Honduras.

Two-time champ Argentina first plays Bosnia-Herzegovina, the only World Cup newcomer among the 32 teams.

After that game in Rio de Janeiro, four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi and his teammates play Iran and Nigeria. In six previous World Cup encounters, Nigeria has

2014 World Cup Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras Group F: Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, United States Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea

beaten Argentina just once.

Argentina will be heavily favored to win Group F. If so, it could play Switzerland or France in its first knockout game.

Defending champion Spain

and the Netherlands, a threetime finalist, open against each other June 13. Hopefully, it won’t be a repeat of the horror show that was the 2010 final, when referee Howard Webb showed a record 14 yel-

low cards. The Netherlands was blamed for most of the dirty play.

“The history of the final is also a challenge to do it better,” Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said.

The second-place team in Group B, which also includes Chile and Australia, is likely to meet Brazil in the first knockout game.

Spain coach Vincent del

Bosque warned against underestimating Chile: “Their style of play is very impressive, they make it very uncomfortable for opponents.”

England’s first match will be in the heat and humidity of the Amazon basin, which coach Roy Hodgson was anxious to avoid. That night game in the Amazon city of Manaus pits the 1966 champion against Italy, a four-time winner.

U.S. team will be doing a Find the Perfect lot of traveling in Brazil Christmas Tree • WORLD CUP DRAW Continued from page B1 to be like with the travel?’ Those are factors that come into it, but at the end of the day both teams have to deal with it.”

After having the shortest group-play travel in South Africa, the U.S. will have the longest in Brazil. The Americans will be based in Sao Paulo and face trips of 1,436 miles to Natal, 1,832 miles to Manaus and 1,321 miles to Recife. They will play all three games in the tropics, with the second and third matches in the afternoon.

“I think guys who have played in MLS are used to taking 3,000-mile trips across the country to play,” midfielder Sacha Kljestan said.

The U.S. group has the best average FIFA world ranking.

Odds on the Americans winning their first World Cup more than doubled after the draw, from 60-1 to 150-1.

“It’s definitely one of the tougher groups, if not the toughest, but at the same time, this is what the World Cup’s all about.

’14 U.S. Cup schedule Monday, June 16 vs. Ghana at Natal, Brazil, 5 p.m.

Sunday, June 22 vs. Portugal at Manaus, Brazil, 2 p.m.

Thursday, June 26 vs. Germany at Recife, Brazil, 11 a.m.

You go there to play against the best,” American forward Jozy Altidore said during a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “I think the boys will be excited, will be up for it.”

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who replaced Bob Bradley 2½ years ago, played for Germany’s 1990 World Cup championship team and coached his native country to third place at home in the 2006 tournament, commuting to Europe from his California house in Orange County.

“It couldn’t get any more difficult or any bigger,” he said at the draw in Costa do Sauipe, Brazil. “It’s a real challenge.

And we’ll take it. We’ll take it on, and hopefully we’re going to surprise some people there.”

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Lifestyle

SECTION C Saturday, December 7, 2013 Daily Chronicle

Features editor Inger Koch • ikoch@shawmedia.com

gamer gifts

Top video games for kids’ wish lists

n

By TOM HAM

Special to The Washington Post

as they venture to an alien world to save their home planet from starvation. Once again, you’ll be in charge of hordes of Pikmin that you must use to solve puzzles and take out enemies.

New Pikmin include a Rock Pikmin, which can break through obstacles, and a Winged Pikmin that can fly over hazards. Challenging and fun, this game will definitely make you think.

ow that you’ve had your fill of turkey and stuffing, it’s time to focus on the holidays. And you know what that means: our annual roundup of the hottest video games of the year! It’s been a long time since we’ve had this much excitement surrounding the industry. With two new consoles and a host Inside: of new games, this year is a gamer’s dream.

Battling robots So why didn’t we reand jewelry kits view the Xbox One or the are among top PlayStation 4? Simple. toy picks | C4 There isn’t a “must have” game for either system.

Sure, there are new titles for both, but they’re nothing to write home about. All of the games you will want to play are available on currentgeneration systems (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3). Our advice: Save your money.

We will review each system next year when there is something worthwhile to play on them.

Until then, here are 10 games that are sure to keep you occupied.

Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U and PC Rating: Teen for violence and mild swearing Price: $59.99 Details: Ever wondered what would happen if Batman fought Lex Luthor? What about Superman vs. Green Lantern? DC Comic fans get to test their might in this amazing fighting game, in which they can do battle as their favorite hero or villain. Brawls go down in such familiar locales as the Batcave, the Fortress of Solitude and Wayne Manor. With more than 24 characters to choose from at the start and plenty more to download later (you have to pay for those), it will take your whole holiday break to master them all.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes

Super Mario 3D World

Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, 3DS and PC Rating: Everyone Price: $39.99 to $59.99 Details: Players can jump into the shoes of their favorite Marvel hero (or villain) in the latest game set in the Lego universe. When Doctor Doom and the evil Loki take down the Silver Surfer in space, his board shatters all over Earth, and it’s up to Nick Fury and the Marvel heroes to gather up the powerful pieces. With more than 100 playable characters, there is plenty for you to do in this addicting adventure.

Publisher: Nintendo of America Platform: Wii U Rating: Everyone Price: $59.99 Details: This latest version of the famed franchise takes players to a world where the evil Bowzer has invaded the peaceful Sprixie Kingdom, and it’s up to Mario to save the day.

In previous games, Mario usually had to go about it alone, but in this game you can play with three other friends - a first for a Super Mario game. Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad all have unique skills and abilities. The levels are beautiful, and the platforming has never been better. Without question, this is the definitive Mario game, and it’s glorious.

Pikmin 3 Publisher: Nintendo of America Platform: Wii U Rating: Everyone Price: $59.99 Details: The latest in the “Pikmin” series puts players in charge of a small group of explorers

Injustice: Gods Among Us

Price: $74.99 for starter kit, various prices for additional characters Details: Part action platformer and part sandbox experience, Disney’s ambitious game is truly unique. Gameplay is split into two modes: Play Set and Toy Box. Play Set utilizes physical toys (figurines) that allow players to engage in the respective worlds of the characters. Toy Box is where the game truly shines. Here, players are encouraged to experiment and create their own levels and games. These can be saved and shared online as well. If you’ve ever wanted to find out what would happen if you put Disney characters in a Pixar world, now’s your chance.

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time Animal Crossing: New Leaf Publisher: Nintendo of America Platform: 3DS Rating: Everyone Price: $34.99 Details: If you’re into discovering new things, making new friends and building a town to your liking, this will be your favorite title of the season. As mayor of your fictional town, you have full control of how it develops. Whether you’re raising money to help build your town’s stores, planting a variety of fruit trees or donating pieces of rare art to your museum, all of your actions have an impact on your townspeople.

Fair warning: This game is incredibly addicting.

Rayman Legends Publisher: Ubisoft Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC and Wii U Rating: Everyone Price: $54.99-$59.99 Details: With more than 120 levels of 2-D platforming combined with some of the most stunning visuals we’ve seen in a game this year, Rayman is back in his best adventure to date. When the 10 princesses are kidnapped by Bubble Dreamer’s nightmares, its up to Rayman and his crew to set things right. Helping you on your journey is your sidekick Murfy. With his help, players can access hard-to-reach areas, activate switches and take down enemies. Cool.

Disney Infinity Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii,Wii U and 3DS Rating: Everyone

Price: $29.99 Details: In this truly wonderful role-playing game, players become Oliver, a boy who ventures into a parallel world in hopes of finding his mother’s soul twin. Standing in his way is the evil Shadar. Players must defeat him to save the world and hopefully bring back Oliver’s mom. Along the way, Oliver meets new friends who help him fight against Shadar’s creatures. Players are treated to beautiful anime visuals similar to those in such films as “Spirited Away” and a musical score worthy of a top Hollywood film. Truly spectacular.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Publisher: Namco Bandai Games Platform: PlayStation 3 Rating: Everyone

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Platform: PlayStation 3 Rating: Everyone Price: $19.99 Details: When the pages of the Thievius Raccoonus (the comprehensive account of the Cooper clan’s exploits) start to go missing, Sly and his gang band together to figure out who is trying to wipe his family from history.

Players must travel though five places in time to help preserve his family tree. From feudal Japan to prehistoric ages, Sly will come across lots of challenging enemies and a handful of tricky bosses. Players who love to find things will be pleased about the number of collectibles that are in the game. A solid adventure through and through.

Need for Speed: Rivals Publisher: Electronic Arts Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PC Rating: Everyone Price: $59.99 Details: We all like to drive fast (in video games, of course), and the latest “Need for Speed” puts players in the most exotic sports cars in the world. Players pick a side – street racers or the police – and then engage in epic races where you utilize cutting-edge car modifications, technology and your wicked driving skills to win. We also love how single- and multiplayer games are seamlessly combined: no more leaving a game and joining a public lobby.

Now while you’re racing alone, friends can join your game instantly.

LIFESTYLE

Page C2 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

Daily Chronicle / daily-chronicle.com

FAMILY TIME | Keeping pets healthy, happy this winter

Tip of the week Dry skin, winter weight gain and the common cold – humans aren’t the only ones to struggle with winter woes.

Cold weather can affect our pets’ health, too. While you can put in some extra time on the treadmill and layer up for the cold weather, pets rely on their human companions to help them stay healthy all year long. As temperatures drop and snow starts to fall, keep these simple safety tips in mind to help keep your pets safe and healthy this winter: • Dress to impress ... and stay warm. With thick coats and hardy

constitutions, some animal breeds are made to stand up to Old Man Winter.

But most domestic dogs will feel the cold, so it makes sense to outfit them for the weather. Sweaters, booties and other winter essentials aren’t just fashionable, they’re functional; they can help protect your four-legged friends from extreme cold, snow and ice. Keeping ID tags up to date and secure on your pet’s collar also is a crucial part of any pet’s winter wardrobe. Dogs especially can lose their way in snow-covered landscapes that mask familiar scents and scenery.

It’s best to keep your dog on a leash and ensure it is wearing an ID tag at all times to keep Fido safe and secure all season.

• Avoid toxic temptations. Common products around your house can sometimes pose a threat to pets. For example, antifreeze can keep your vehicle running when temperatures drop, but it can stop your pet in its tracks if even a small amount is ingested. Be sure to keep all jugs of antifreeze, and other household chemicals, tightly sealed and stored on a high shelf away

from pets. Clean up spills as soon as they happen to avoid accidental ingestion. Always keep an eye on your pet’s behavior. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, consult a veterinarian immediately.

• Get safer sidewalks and happy paws. Ice and snow can make winter walks anything but wonderful. It’s essential to keep sidewalks clear of ice and snow to prevent dangerous slip and fall accidents. While salted sidewalks and streets are important for winter safety, they can irritate pets’ paws. Using a pet-friendly ice melter can clear the way but still be safer for our furry friends.

• Take a bite out of winter weight.

Like people, pets are less active in winter and burn fewer calories. Keep up a regular schedule of outdoor excursions – weather permitting and assuming your pet is properly dressed for the cold. In addition, consult your veterinarian about proper diet during “hibernation” season and adjust your pet’s diet accordingly to avoid winter weight gain.

– Brandpoint

Family movie night “Frozen” Rated: PG Length: 108 minutes Synopsis: Fearless optimist Anna teams up with Kristoff in an epic journey, encountering Everest-like conditions, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf in a race to find Anna’s sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter.

Violence/scary rating: 2.5 Sexual-content rating: 1.5 Profanity rating: 1 Drugs/alcohol rating: 1 Family Time rating: 2. A great family film, and the buzz is that it will win multiple Oscars.

(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)

Book report “My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish,” by Mo O’Hara Ages: 7 to 10 Pages: 192 Synopsis: When Tom’s big brother

8MILESTONES

decides to become an evil scientist, his first experiment involves dunking Frankie the goldfish into toxic green gunk. Tom knows that there is only one thing to do: Zap the fish with a battery and bring him back to life! But there’s something weird about the new Frankie. He’s now a big zombie goldfish with hypnotic powers – and he’s out for revenge! – Feiwel & Friends

Did you know?

Many toys are unsafe despite growing awareness, cites a “Trouble in Toyland” report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Some toys – like the Marvel Super Hero Squad Soft Shield – contain 29 times the legal amount of lead. Some contain other harmful chemicals, and others are just plain too loud, such as the LeapFrog Chat & Count Smart Phone, the LeapFrog Lil’Phone Pal and the Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Remote. Read the report on toy safety at www.uspirgedfund. org/reports/usf/trouble-toyland-2013.

– More Content Now

8NEW ARRIVALS Bivins Danelle and Matthew Bivins of Esmond announce the birth of a daughter, Hallie Ruth Bivins, born Oct. 25, 2013, at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb. She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and was welcomed home by Kyra, 8, and Hunter, 5.

Grandparents are Royal and Debra Johnson of DeKalb, Carol Bivins of Big Rock and Robert Bivins of Lexington.

Great-grandparent is Alverta Vangundy of Plano.

Smith Sean and Laurel Smith of Sycamore announce the birth of a daughter, Phoebe Elizabeth Smith, born Nov. 10, 2013, at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb. She weighed 7 pounds and was welcomed home by Jake, Abigail and Abe.

Kerbel-Piane

65th anniversary

50th anniversary

Happ

Jill Kerbel and Paul Piane of Chicago Ridge are engaged to be married Feb. 1, 2014, in Countryside.

The daughter of Sally and Bruce Kerbel of Sycamore, the bride-to-be graduated in 2009 from Sycamore High School and from Kendall College in 2011. She is employed as a pastry chef’s assistant at Lula Cafe in Chicago.

The son of Carol and John Piane of Oak Lawn, the groom-to-be is a 2009 graduate of Richards High School in Oak Lawn and a 2011 graduate of Kendall College. He works as a cook at Tinley Park Convention Center.

Mr. and Mrs. Allyn Ritzman of DeKalb will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary with their family.

Allyn Ritzman and Otta Rygh were married Dec. 4, 1948, at First Lutheran Church in Lee. Otta is retired from General Electric and Allyn is retired from McCanns Mobil Station.

The couple has six children, Linda Ritzman of Crestwood, Roger (Barb) Ritzman of Wheaton, Carol (Jon) Victor of Wheeling, Nancy (Mike) Wayman of Cherry Valley, Diane (Allen) Bark of Hinckley, and Susan (Chris Wolfert) Sokolowski of Rochelle. They also have 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Sexton will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary by taking a trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Lee Sexton married Deanna Deatherage on Dec. 6, 1963, at Victory Baptist Church in DeKalb.

They have two sons, Trent (Joelle) Sexton of DeKalb, Barry Sexton of Doha, Qatar; and three grandchildren, Blake, Sarayna and Coby.

Kyle Happ and Shelby Hetter of Waterman announce the birth of a son, Camdyn Charles Happ, born Nov. 13, 2013, at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and was welcomed home

by Landon, 4.

Grandparents are Joan and David Bobson of DeKalb, Chuck Hettel of Ottawa, Kim Happ of Paw Paw and Bill Happ of Compton.

Great-grandparents are Barb and Gibb Iverson of Paw Paw. Lauretta Iverson of Paw Paw is a great-great-grandmother.

——— To submit Milestones to the Daily Chronicle, email information to news@daily-chronicle.com or fill out a form online at www.daily-chronicle.com/forms.

8BRIEFS Adoption information meeting scheduled Children’s Home + Aid Society will host an informational meeting about domestic and international adoption for prospective adoptive parents from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at its Sycamore office at 1430 DeKalb Ave. The society assists with an average of between 35 to 45 adoptive placements each year. Over the past 13 years, the agency has placed more than 500 children, including more than 100 international children, more than 200 infants and almost 200 waiting children from the foster care system.

Refreshments will be served.

Walk-ins are welcome. For reservations or more information, call 815-962-1043.

Marlyn Majorettes to perform at Elks party The Marlyn Majorettes will entertain the children at the Sycamore Elks annual Christmas Party at 2 p.m. Dec. 15.

The Marlyn Majorettes have choreographed an exciting show of flashing batons, high flying flags, a hot pink ribbon dance and sparkling lighted batons.

The Colness sisters, Kelsey and Kendall, will open the show with

their color guard flag duet.

Next, the Junior Majorettes, Brianna Dobbestien, Gina Misitano, Atalie Rapp and Justine Binder, will present a lighted baton demonstration to the music of a Sousa march.

Senior Girls Kelsey Boddy, Savana Brito, Natalie Calfa, Lia Mathey, Maggie Nanfria and Cailin O’Higgins will perform their precision marchtwirl routine followed by the hot pink ribbon dance number.

The highlight of the party will be the grand entrance of Santa Claus with his bag full of gifts for every boy and girl.

The Marlyn Majorettes will join all the children for cookies and punch

after the show in the Elks lodge room.

Scouts selling Christmas trees in Sandwich Sandwich Boy Scout Troop 45 has opened its Christmas Tree lot.

The lot carries Fraser and balsam fir trees, decorated wreaths and roping. All proceeds go directly to the troop to help support camping expenses during the year.

The lot will be open daily from 4 to 7 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The lot is located at the H&R Block building in Sandwich at 116 Dayton St., one block west of Latham on Route 34.

Unusual number of Arctic snowy owls seen in US

By MARY ESCH The Associated Press ALBANY, N.Y. – Snow-white owls with luminous yellow eyes are thrilling bird-watchers as the magnificent birds set up winter residence at airports, fields and beaches far south of their normal Arctic range.

Snowy owls, familiar to children as Harry Potter’s pet, made a noticeable appearance in the northern half of the U.S. in 2011.

Bird-watchers recently report on eBird.org snowy owl sightings in dozens of locations across the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states as far south as Cape Hatteras, N.C. The owls live in the Arctic, but when their population spikes or lemmings are scarce, young ones fly south.

“Snowy owl populations are synchronized with their food source, lemmings,” wildlife photographer Lillian Stokes, who

AP photo

A snowy owl is seen at the Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Galloway Township, N.J. co-authors the Stokes bird guides, said Thursday. “If the lemming population crashes, the owls have to go south in search of food.”

A few snowy owls are seen in the U.S. every year, Stokes said.

“But this year is phenomenal.

People believe this could be historic numbers.”

It’s too early to say how large this year’s snowy owl invasion will be, said Denver Holt,

a researcher in Charlo, Mont., who has been studying the owls in Alaska for 22 years. “In 2011, it was enormous, nationwide, with sightings in 35 states,” Holt said.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology website says that winter irruptions, or large numbers appearing outside their normal range, occur in snowy owls about every four years. During irruptive years, snowy owls may winter as far south as California, Texas and Florida.

They’re easy to see because they’re big and white, are active during the day, and hang out in flat, open areas such as airports, farm fields and coastal dunes and marshes, where they hunt for mice, rabbits, waterfowl and other prey.

Jessie Barrie, a scientist at the Cornell lab in Ithaca, agrees it’s too early to say how this year’s irruption compares to the one in 2011.

“We’re just at the beginning

of the invasion,” Barrie said. “It certainly is at a level that is pretty intense and exciting for birdwatchers, though. There are multiple birds in many locations, an indication of a strong irruption.”

Six snowy owls have been hanging out on one dock at Braddock Bay on Lake Ontario near Rochester. Stokes said she and her husband spotted nine on the New Hampshire coast last weekend.

Barrie said reporting by spotters in the eBird database provides researchers with valuable information that will help them better understand the movements of snowy owls and other species.

Because the snowy owl, with a wingspan of 5 feet, is so impressive, its appearance in an area can inspire people to get involved in bird-watching and citizenscience projects, she said.

“It’s a magical bird that gets people really excited about seeing birds and engaging with the natural world,” Barrie said.

Olson Eric and Kate Olson of Sycamore announce the birth of a daughter, Avery Ryann Olson, born Dec. 4, 2013, at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb. She weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces, and was welcomed home

by Alayna, 8, and Allyson, 5.

Grandparents are Ken and Marryann Green of Eau Claire, Wis., and Nick and Sue Olson of Elgin.

Great-grandparents are Gladys Green of Eau Claire, Wis., Jean Valenta of Schaumburg and Harlan Olson of River Forest.

Bakaturski Josh and Krystina Bakaturski of Sycamore announce the birth of a daughter, Ellie Jo Bakaturski, born Nov. 22, 2013, at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb. She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and was welcomed home by Luke, 4, and Addy, 2.

Grandparents are Scott and JoAnn Pumroy of Sycamore and Kelli Cotrell of Sycamore.

Great-grandparents are Barb Stevens of DeKalb, Russ and Barb Pumroy of Kouts, Ind., Frank and Betsy Smith of Rochelle and Sam Bakaturski of Riverwoods.

Schroeder Matt and Lindsay Schroeder of DeKalb announce the birth of a son, Casen Warner Schroeder, born Sept. 7, 2013, at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb. He weighed 7 pounds, 7.5 ounces.

Grandparents are Scott and Debbie Chilton of DeKalb, and Dennis and Jane Schroeder of DeKalb.

Great-grandparents are Bonnie Abbott of DeKalb and Anne Warner of Watertown, Wis.

Tracy Michael and Sarah (Ewing) Tracy of Dubuque, Iowa, announce the birth of a son, Colin Michael Tracy, born Nov. 14, 2013, at Unity Point Health-Finley Hospital in Dubuque. He weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and was welcomed home by Hannah, 6, and Maddie, 4.

Grandparents are Robert and DonnaRae Ewing of DeKalb and Craig and Kay Tracy of Bellevue, Iowa.

Great-grandparents are Robert and Arlene Ewing of Cortland, Gene and Mary Susan Thomas of Orient, Iowa, and Bill Tracy of Clive, Iowa.

LIFESTYLE

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

Saturday, December 7, 2013 • Page C3 Pay-ItForward House volunteers Phyllis and Marlin Anderson are pictured holding the house’s AdoptA-Day Calendar.

Give a holiday gift that pays it forward With the holiday and shopping season in full swing, now is the time that many of us ask: “What do you give to the person who has everything?” Pay-It-Forward House, DeKalb County’s only healthcare hospitality house, suggests giving a gift that pays it forward.

A $100 donation adopts the House for a day in honor or in memory of that special someone and it helps a family far from home have a place to call their home-away-fromhome.

Board President Mary Lou Eubanks explains: “To ‘pay it forward’ is to do a good deed,

not to pay back a favor, but to help others in their time of need. Pay-It-Forward House got its name from the desire of local community members to help out people living through the stress and fatigue of having a loved one in the hospital far from home.”

Pay-It-Forward House provides temporary accommodations, on a drop-in and overnight basis, for family members of patients receiving medical treatment in DeKalb County, especially at Kindred Hospital, in a comfortable, home-like setting.

Donors can choose their own date and gift recipients

will receive a letter thanking them.

For more information on Adopting-A-Day, call 815-762-4882 or email info@ payitforwardhouse.org. For more information on Pay-ItForward House, visit www. payitforwardhouse.org.

Candlelight service honors loved ones Members of the Sycamore High School orchestra played at a candlelight vigil held Nov. 14 at Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., Quiram Sycamore Chapel where more than 20 recently deceased community members were honored.

Bruce Olson, president and fourth generation funeral home owner opened the ceremony by sharing a personal grief story of when he was 17 and lost both his brother and sister in a plane crash.

Pastor Stephen Persson from First Baptist Church of Sycamore shared remarks and Danessa Carter from Ben Gordon Center talked about handling grief, especially during the holidays.

Following are tips for grieving during the holidays:

Provided photo

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• Be gentle with yourself and protect yourself from stress.

• Don’t do more than you want, allow some down time.

• Allow time for feelings – laugh and cry.

• Let your grief out with a prayer before dinner, light a candle by their picture or share favorite stories about them.

• Allow others to help you – it’s OK to ask and accept help from others.

• Help others who also are grieving – invite them over, send a card or call them – and pay extra attention to grieving children.

More than 100 participants passed a single flame to light a candle in memory of their loved one. Olson staff then presented each family with a memorial gift.

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Page C4 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

Battling robots, jewelry kits among top toy picks

By MOIRA E. McLAUGHLIN The Washington Post About the time that you headed back to school, we started contemplating something really fun: toys.

We started contacting Santa’s little elves – actually, toy companies – to see what they were dreaming up for the holidays.

They sent us more than 100 toys, and we sent the coolest-looking ones to 10 schools.

Kids there tested them and told us which were the best.

Our testers really liked the toys that inspired them to make something, whether it was a purse or a pair of funny glasses. Kids also really liked games, the kind that require family, friends and laughter.

Check out the winners, and see what you like. After all, fun is the name of the game this time of year.

Bendastix Tested by fourth-graders.

Fibre-Craft, $6.99-$19.99.

Age 6 and older.

“It was so much fun!” one tester wrote. “I loved it!”

Bend them, stretch them, squish them, make whatever you want with them. The colorful strips of squishy material are meant to inspire you to think creatively. Wrap one or two around your wrist as a bracelet or, using multiple Bendastix, create a funny little monster with one eye.

It’s all what you make of it.

Style Me Up! Wrap a Jewel and Style Me Up! Shambala Style Bracelets Tested by fourth-graders.

Wooky Entertainment, each $9.99.

Age 8 and older.

“What I like best is that you get to style yourself,” one tester wrote. The beads and thread make colorful bracelets and necklaces. The girls who tested the kits liked them a lot, not only because it was fun but also because it was stylish.

I Love Laces Shoelace Purse Tested by third-graders.

Creativity for Kids, $15.

Age 7 and older.

Make a bright and beautiful purse out of shoelaces.

“Our favorite thing about the toy was weaving and picking out the colors,” a group of testers wrote. The kids really enjoyed making a purse by themselves, and they all agreed that they would spend their own money to buy it. “It is so much fun,” they wrote.

Glow Crazy Pattern Painter Tested by third-graders.

Techno Source, $19.99.

Age 3 and older.

Now you’ll have something to do the next time the lights go out. In a dark room, slide the painter stick across a page and watch as it automatically draws patterns that glow in the dark for a few seconds. Push a button to change the pattern to one of 50 choices, including fish, trucks and hearts. The tester said that he would spend his own money on it because it’s “fun and awesome!”

That’s Gross Science Lab Tested by fourth-graders.

SmartLab Toys, $24.99.

Age 8 and older.

A motorized toilet-bowl mixer, a garbage can and some (fake) barf are just a few things you will find in the box. The lab book contains recipes for making such things as “potty putty” and “stink bubbles.” Testers liked that there were many experiments they could do, but they wanted more ingredients. “I like how it’s really fun science,” wrote one tester, who said she would still want to play with it in six months.

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Kindness Kingdom Tested by third-graders.

Marvelously Well-Mannered, $35.

Age 5 and older.

Do you know your manners? If you answer the questions about manners correctly, you can move your piece on the board and make it to Queen Grace’s Tea Party.

Testers found it fun and challenging. They also liked that it took a while to play the game. “It’s fun, and when it’s a holiday or a sleepover, you can play it,” they said.

Hedbanz Act Up! Tested by fifth-graders.

Spin Master, $19.99.

Age 8 and older.

Testers for this game used the words “funny” and “awesome.” Put a card in your headband so you can’t see it, and then watch everyone around you silently act out what the card says. Figure

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out what your card says before your time is up! The testers said the acting was tough at times but also fun.

Laser Maze Tested by sixth-graders.

ThinkFun, $29.99.

Age 8 and older.

This is a quiet, solo puzzle challenge. Move the pieces on the puzzle board so that the laser beam hits the right targets. You may need to add a mirror or a beam blocker to get the beam to go to the right place. “It’s fun seeing the laser somehow make it to the goal,” one tester said.

Make ‘n’ Break Party Tested by sixth-graders.

Ravensburger, $30.99.

Age 10 and older.

Build the tower that’s on the card before the time runs out. Okay, now build the tower blindfolded with

Playmobil Pop Stars Stage Tested by third-graders.

Playmobil, $39.99.

Ages 4 to 10.

Turn on one of two songs built into the stage and move your mini musicians around to the beat of the drums. Or make the four band members play your favorite songs by plugging in your MP3 player and pretend they are jamming out.

FurReal Friends Cuddles My Giggly Monkey Pet Tested by second-graders.

Hasbro, $74.99.

Ages 4 to 8.

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Tested by third-graders.

Hasbro, $29.99.

Age 6 and older.

With your marble blaster, try to knock down the wall between you and your opponent. Topple all of the red blocks to win. “It’s the best game ever,” said the tester.

Battroborg Tested by fourth-graders.

Tomy, $79.99.

Age 6 and older.

It’s a battle of the robots.

Each player uses two controllers to win the fight in the

ring. Use your right controller to get the little robot to jab right, and use your left controller to get him to jab left.

Try not to get hit five times, though! That will make your robot turn off, and you lose.

“You get to box your friends,” said one tester, who beat both of his opponents. “It’s fun to play with.”

Switch & Go Dinos Tested by second-graders.

VTech, $12.99-$69.99.

Ages 3 to 8.

Is it a car or is it a dinosaur? It’s both! Change your Giganotosaurus into a car and then turn on the sound effects to hear your car go; then turn him back. Different dinosaurs turn into different things, such as a helicopter and a crane. The testers liked it so much that they agreed that they would still like to play with it in six months.

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LIFESTYLE

Meals on Wheels grant

Saturday, December 7, 2013 • Page C5

Scouts help tornado victims

Provided photo

The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently awarded a grant to the Voluntary Action Center in the amount of $7,200 for the purchase of a minivan to be used for the delivery of Meals on Wheels throughout DeKalb County. Pictured (from left) are Ron Mullen of VAC, Kevin McCartor of DCCF and Leah Jordal of VAC. Photo provided

Kirkland police receive grant

Cub Scouts from St Mary’s Sycamore Pack 140 have prepared cards for the tornado victims in Washington, Ill. They began their meeting with their eyes closed trying to visualize exactly how they would feel to lose their home or a favorite toy or even their pet. They spent the entire meeting creating vibrant cards to lift the spirits of those who have been challenged by the recent weather. In addition to the cards, the students at their school are collecting donations to be delivered to the Washington area.

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DeKalb County Community Foundation board member Marcy Billington is shown here presenting a grant check to Kirkland Chief of Police Paul Lindstrom. The Kirkland Police Department will use the money to purchase new bulletproof vests for 12 of its officers. The department appreciates the support of the foundation to provide safety to its officers.

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Somonauk Summer Recreation received a grant from DeKalb County Community Foundation. SSR will use the money to help repair the “Old Gym” roof and create paths to the varsity softball and baseball fields.

There is a possibility that both projects could be completed this year with funding from various entities.

Pictured is Patricia Foster of DCCF and Mike Jump of SSR.

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ADVICE & PUZZLES

Page C6 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

8ASTROGRAPH

By BERNICE BEDE OSOL Newspaper Enterprise Association

TODAY – Embrace and experience personal change, but do so with moderation and restraint. Sticking to a budget or doing things on a shoestring will bring you far more satisfaction and less stress in the end. Honesty and integrity must be withheld. Rid yourself of negative influences.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) – Get back to basics and go over past experience in order to avoid making a repetitious mistake. Use your intelligence and initiate the changes you need to make.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) – Show how passionate you can be regarding a cause or belief you embrace. Your attention to detail and determination to reach a goal will leave an imprint.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) – Forget about your problems and take time out to enjoy friends, colleagues or family. Make positive personal physical changes that will help improve your health and your happiness.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) – Your greatest rewards will come from helping those less fortunate. New relationships will develop through your selfless actions. Others will notice and appreciate your generous spirit.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) – Don’t overspend on luxury items. Keep life simple and focus more on what you can do to improve your position, reputation and future. Question your beliefs and your direction.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) – Make plans to spend time with people you find uplifting. Harmony will make up for any dilemmas or losses that you face. Put home and family first.

Entertain the ones you love.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) – Take part in a crusade or event where you feel you can offer your services.

Your sociable nature will make a difference to those you encounter. A partnership looks encouraging.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) – Make a difference to the people around you. Offer insightful suggestions and make a point to do your part to bring peace and happiness to those less fortunate.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) – Quickly handle any problem you face. Don’t take over; just offer suggestions.

You don’t want to be labeled as a meddler. A short trip or meeting will lead to a big change.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) – Spend time with people who mean a lot to you. Participate in joint ventures, and you’ll acquire better insight into how you can help others. The benefits will be worth your while.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) – Take part in social activities that encourage greater communication. Find solutions to problems that face a core group, community or cause you want to help.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) – Fix up your place or look for ways to spice up your life. Small, unique alterations to the way you live will grab attention and give your love life a boost.

8SUDOKU

Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

Mom is slow to address girl’s excessive weight Dear Abby: I’m 12 and weigh 204 pounds. I feel really fat and I want to go on a diet, but my mom won’t let me. I’m getting bad grades in gym class and need your help. – Sad Girl in New Hampshire Dear Sad Girl: By recognizing that you have a problem that you can’t deal with on your own, you have already taken an important first step in resolving it. The next is to talk to your gym teacher about this and enlist her aid in convincing your mother to give you the help you need.

Childhood obesity is rampant in this country, and all those extra pounds could negatively affect your health – not only now, but in the future. If you have a pediatrician, the doctor may be able to discuss the importance of a healthy diet and exercise program for you with your mom. You will need the help of other adults to make her understand if she can’t see that you need help now.

Dear Abby: I ran into an old high school friend a while ago. “Jan” and I are both single moms. We want what’s best for our kids. She has no family living here, and she doesn’t have many friends.

Jan has low self-esteem, high anxiety and, I believe, she mismanages her finances. Her house is extremely unkempt.

DEAR ABBY Jeanne Phillips She calls me in tears often, asking for advice and help. I have tried to help her, but it is becoming overwhelming.

I asked my boss for two days off over the holidays.

Jan called me shortly after and asked me if I can take care of her son on any days I have off over the holidays so he won’t have to go to his day care facility. I feel bad and want to help, but I took the time off to spend much-needed time with my family. I don’t want to have to bring her son to my family festivities. Is this wrong of me?

Needless to say, this relationship has added a lot of stress to my life. I tried breaking off the relationship over the summer, and I’m not even sure why it still continues. I feel mean and rude, but I don’t want to be – and can’t be – this girl’s only means of support. – Trapped in Buffalo Dear Trapped: It is neither mean nor rude to draw the line when someone’s neediness is more than you can cope with. It is OK to say no, and you needn’t feel guilty about it. It is also OK to advise someone that low-

cost counseling is available in most communities if the person appears unstable or unable to cope with life. When you do, tell her that her needs are more than you are able to handle. If you do, you may not need to end the friendship – she may do it for you, but you’ll be doing her a favor.

Dear Abby: I am in my late 20s and recently became engaged to my boyfriend of more than a year. He is in his early 30s. His parents live on the other side of the country, and we see them only twice a year. We plan on visiting them for the holidays, and some friends of theirs will be throwing us a bridal shower.

I was married before. I was 18 and it lasted three years. I was devastated when it ended.

Am I obligated to tell them about my previous marriage?

My fiance knows, of course.

This is not something I like to discuss. I was raised in a very religious household where divorce is looked down upon. My fiance’s parents are not particularly religious, however. – Uncomfortable in St. Louis Dear Uncomfortable: While this may not be something you like to discuss, disclose it to your fiance’s parents before the wedding. This trip would be a good time to do it, so you can answer any ques-

tions that might arise.

Tell them that it’s not something you usually talk about, but you and their son didn’t want them to think you are hiding anything. If the subject comes up in the future, tell them that it is in the past and you do not wish to discuss it further.

Dear Abby: As a teacher, I open my doors every year to at least one student who has low self-esteem. I spend the school year searching for ways to show that child he or she has value. I feel there is no more important lesson for me to teach.

These children’s parents don’t mean for this to happen.

They want their children to be “perfect.” The children, though, know they aren’t perfect and feel that who they are isn’t enough.

Parents, does this sound familiar? If so, then love your children as you did when they first learned to walk.

Love them unconditionally when they fail and encourage them to try again. When they make a mistake, celebrate the strength it took to try. When they mess up, let them know you love them even when they aren’t at their best.

Remember, feelings stay with children forever. When things get hard, allow your children to fail and to fix it

themselves. Celebrate who your children are. Unconditional love is the greatest gift parents can give their children. – Kathy in Elk Grove, Calif.

Dear Kathy: I’m glad you wrote. You have a wise head and a caring heart, which is an unbeatable combination in an educator. The lessons your students are learning in your classroom will influence their lives long after they are out of school.

Dear Abby: My partner and I were happy to be married two weeks ago, now that same-sex couples can marry here in California. During the 25 years that we have been together, we have introduced each other simply as “my partner.”

Is it now socially correct to introduce each other as “my husband”? It sounds right to us, but would it make straight people uncomfortable? – Ron in San Diego Dear Ron: Because gay marriage is new to many people, it may do that initially. But to call your spouse “husband” is correct, so go ahead and do it.

As more gay and lesbian couples officially tie the knot, the less unusual it will be. Trust me on that.

• Write Dear Abby at www.

DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Weight-loss drugs are not for mildly overweight Dear Dr. K: Should I take a weight-loss drug to help me lose weight?

Dear Reader: If you are only mildly overweight or just want to lose a few pounds to improve your appearance, then weight-loss drugs are not for you. On the other hand, if your health is at risk and you haven’t been able to lose weight through diet and exercise, drug therapy may increase your chance of success.

There are a handful of FDA-approved weight-loss drugs on the market today.

One is available over-thecounter; the others are prescription only. When I was a medical student, virtually none of them were available.

The growing epidemic of

ASK DR. K Anthony L. Komaroff obesity has led to the development of many drugs that can be helpful. None is a “magic bullet”; none melts the fat off of you while you’re watching TV. These drugs promote weight loss in different ways.

A drug called orlistat reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs from the food you eat.

Other drugs suppress your appetite, help you feel full and ramp up your metabolism.

The drugs that work this way have long, hard-to-pronounce medical names: lorcaserin,

phentermine, diethylpropion, benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, bupropion, topiramate, zonisamide.

Several drugs for Type 2 diabetes appear to also help with weight loss, when combined with lifestyle changes: metformin, pramlintide, exenatide, liraglutide.

It’s ironic that the names of each of the drugs that can help with weight loss are themselves quite a mouthful.

When deciding whether to recommend weight-loss drugs to my patients, I consider their body mass index (BMI). BMI estimates a healthy weight based on height. (Refer to the BMI chart I’ve put on my website, to determine your BMI.) You should consider tak-

ing a weight-loss drug only if you: • Have a BMI of 30 or higher, or • Have a BMI of 27 or higher and also have one or more weight-related health problems, such as Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

Before you start a weightloss drug, consider why you overeat. For example, do you overeat because of stress, bad habits or emotional issues? If so, you may benefit less from medication and more from psychotherapy or behavioral therapy. On the other hand, if you overeat because of hunger, then weight-loss drugs are more likely to help.

Over the years, several weight-loss drugs have been

taken off the market because of safety concerns. It can take time, and lots of people taking a new drug, before any safety issues become apparent. Most of the drugs now available have not been on the market very long, so talk to your doctor about your individual risks and benefits.

Finally, bear in mind that you should use weight-loss drugs only in combination with diet and physical activity. To lose weight over the long term, you need to recognize and change the behaviors that led to your weight gain.

Otherwise, any weight you lose is likely to return.

• Visit www.AskDoctorK. com to read more.

8TODAY’S WEEKEND PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Jockey 6 Throbbed 11 Town near Madrid 16 Diver’s find 21 Consolidate 22 Big Dipper neighbor 23 Incisor or molar 24 Aboveboard 25 Softened 26 Bricklayer 27 Darnell or Hunt 28 Prince Valiant’s wife 29 Morsel 30 Hagiologist’s study 32 Ancient calculators 34 Show — 36 — de guerre 37 Ion source 39 Spooky noise 41 Take — — (plop down) 43 Yellow fruit 45 Wanted-poster word 47 Cod relatives 49 Actress Dianne — 51 More gusty 54 Brubeck and Barry 55 Prima donna 56 Shuck peas 60 Festoons 61 Blast furnace fuels 62 Long-faced 64 “Crocodile” Dundee’s girl 65 Like some communities 66 Sleight-of-hand 67 Rally creators 68 Miffed, plus 70 Codgers’ queries 71 Travels like Tarzan 73 Spurns a lover 74 — counter 75 Gloom’s partner 77 Mixed bag 78 Money drawers 79 Happy outcome 80 German sub (hyph.)

82 Vaguely 83 Check endorser 84 Puffed up 87 Microbes 88 Roy Rogers’ wife 89 House component 93 Tilapia go-with 94 Island or rabbit 95 Destroys documents 97 Sorority letter 98 British Museum’s — Marbles 99 Arranges 100 Bandies words 101 Ordeal 103 Tooth-fillers’ org.

104 Sporty cars 106 Mild cheese 107 Part of a legion 108 Hong — 110 Graph paper pattern 111 It’s northwest of Oahu 112 Heifers 113 Blender output 115 Woods insects 116 Fluff feathers 117 Face 120 Condo luxury 122 “Iliad” beauty 124 Fixes a squeak 128 Electric bridge 129 Film speed ind.

131 Elegant coiffures 133 Brewer’s supply 135 Pen brand 136 Commit to memory 138 Rocky debris 140 Rookie surfer 142 Ticket info 144 Got through 145 Rains ice pellets 146 Start the day 147 Globe feature 148 Physicist Nikola — 149 Orlando attraction 150 Money-hunger 151 Because

DOWN 1 Latin dance 2 Mukluk wearer 3 “Same here!”

4 Riviera summer 5 Lipstick shades 6 Beau 7 Stretched to see 8 “— luego!”

9 Environmental prefix 10 Portuguese lady 11 Map collections 12 Alto and tenor 13 Where Ephesus was 14 British inc.

15 Jezebel’s spouse 16 Shopping centers 17 Underwater

shocker 18 Booster rocket 19 Squeal (2 wds.)

20 Pack animal 31 Crowning points 33 Swelters 35 Girder (2 wds.)

38 Sierra — 40 Army duds 42 Herringbones, e.g.

44 Extreme degree 46 Cheese coatings 48 With, to monsieur 50 Currier’s partner 51 Made war 52 Wyoming neighbor 53 Untrue (2 wds.)

54 Lie — (go to earth) 55 Airheads 57 Meter reading 58 Kin of sitars

59 Wolfish looks 61 “Oh, shut up!” (2 wds.)

62 Tarnish 63 Brother’s child 66 La Scala’s home 67 Unwelcome mail 69 Kitchen tool 72 Suitor 73 Force open with a crowbar 74 Teased 76 Prefix for “media” 78 Car parts 79 Mall attractions 81 Chamonix’s Mont — 82 Dimples 83 Turn aside 84 Ribeye 85 Emerson’s middle

name 86 Bodily structure 87 Injured at Pamplona 88 Abu — 90 Hunter constellation 91 Midwest airport 92 Loses feathers 94 Clones 95 Play in the pool 96 Range 99 “You bet!”

100 Moroccan market 102 Horned animal 105 Man-eating giants 106 Tree with pods 107 Joel and Ethan 109 College stat 111 Gentlest 112 Like fish sticks

114 Kenya neighbor 115 Elvis’ birthplace 116 Gratify 117 Parking attendant 118 Castle that danced 119 Truckloads 121 Mr. Goldfinger 123 Singer — Gorme 125 “Peer Gynt” dramatist 126 Fragrant shrub 127 Public tiff 130 Late tennis great 132 Layered haircut 134 New Mexico art colony 137 Shinto or Zen (abbr.)

139 Mushroom morsel 141 Bruin ice great 143 Here, to Henri

COMICS

Daily / Daily-Chronicle.com Page Chronicle XX • Day, Date, 2012

Pickles

Brian Crane Pearls Before Swine

For Better or For Worse

Non Sequitur

Saturday, December • Page C7 Northwest herald7, /2013 nwherald.com

Stephan Pastis

Lynn Johnston Crankshaft

Tom Batiuk & Chuck Hayes

Wiley The Duplex

Glenn McCoy

Beetle Bailey

Mort Walker Blondie

Dean Young & Denis LeBrun

Frank & Ernest

Bob Thaves Dilbert

Scott Adams

Monty

Jim Meddick Zits Hi and Lois

Rose is Rose

Pat Brady & Don Wimmer Arlo & Janis

Soup to Nutz

The Family Circus

Rick Stromoski Big Nate

Bill Keane

The Argyle Sweater

Scott Hilburn

Stone Soup

Grizzwells

Brianand & Greg Jim Borgman JerryWalker Scott

Jimmy Johnson

Lincoln Pierce

Jan Eliot

Bill Schorr

Saturday, December 7, 2013 “Happy Holidays!”

Photo by: kathy

Upload your photos on My Photos – DeKalb County’s community photo post!

Photos on My Photos are eligible to appear in print in Daily Chronicle Classified.

Go to Daily-Chronicle.com/myphotos

ACCOUNTING CLERK DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center has a part time position available for an Accounting Clerk.

BUS DRIVERS WANTED ASAP DAILY TAKE HOME PAY! 30 drivers wanted ASAP. Training provided. $12.50/hour with benefits. Clean MVR/background required. Exciting opportunity with steady income. Apply at: MV Transportation 6230 W. Gross Point Rd, Niles, IL 60714

www.mvtransit.com

Experience helpful, but will train the right candidate.

Knowledge of computer programs such as Word & Excel necessary.

Apply at:

DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center 2600 North Annie Glidden Rd DeKalb, Illinois 60115

EOE Driver

CDL-A Semi Driver FT, dependable semi-driver needed for bulk oil delivery. CDL-A (tank endorsement, airbrakes & 3 yrs driving exp req). Morris, IL based. Call 815-416-1421 between 9a-4p or email: sbrk216@gmail.com

Early Childhood Teachers Little Friends Academy, in DeKalb, is seeking teacherqualified candidates who have completed at least 60 hours of college credits with a minimum of 6 hrs in early childhood coursework, have a valid driver's license, submit to a full bckgrnd check and have a strong desire to work with early learners from 6 weeks to 12 years of age. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Call Heather: 815-758-2856

14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Ring $190, valued at $249 815-793-1473 Ladies Slacks – New Sag Harbor Slacks - Woolrich Blend Beautiful! – Tags still on, Charcoal color, Size 16 Petite – Retails $79, Asking $49. 815-762-0919

Dishwasher – Maytag Built-in, White, Works Great, Out & Ready To Install - $75 815-757-2329 G.E. Self Cleaning Electric Stove White/Black – Great Condition. $50. 815-739-3030 “Showtime” Rotisserie + BBQ Never Used – In Box w/books & recipes, for indoor use $50, 815-762-0919

Antique Wood Clamps; Notch 4” Wooden, Metal marked w/ The Black Brass Co. Mendota, IL $65 pair 815-761-8121

Betty Boop Bowling Art “Perfect Strike” framed cartoon cell.

Hand painted, autographed, mint cond, $275. 815-756-1281 Child-size Ice Cream Parlor Table & 2 Chairs Set. Vintage – Antique, Tabletop & Seats are medium finish wood, Legs are sturdy, twisted metal. This is not a cheap set – made solid & strong $175 OBO 815-762-0919

Make Your Holiday Special Call Rent-A-Santa. For Parties, Events or Home Visit.

815-501-4005

LOST WEDDING GIFTS!!!

Lost wedding gifts placed in a different car on Saturday night.

Keys worked in someone else's car!!! Reception held at old towne in Geneva.

Please contact Dana Czajkowski at 630-669-4559

High Chair - Oak- Old w/tray in front. $85.

847-515-8012

Longaberger Basket Sale

December 7, 9am - 3pm 330 E State Street Betsy Smith Realty Building Retired Longaberger baskets & misc Tap & Die Set – Little Giant by Wells Brothers Corp., patent date 1885, use it or display it - $50 815-757-2329

Wash Stand ~ Antique, Oak

3 drawers, 1 door, and towel bar, great piece for foyer or bathroom. $125 815-899-2145

Girl's Disney Princesses Two Wheel Bike, 12.5" Wheels, $18, DeKalb, 815-739-1953 Food Service

Chartwells, a member of Compass Group, seeks a dedicated individual for

Kenosha, WI

DeKalb School District SUPERVISOR Hourly Fast paced, school environment that offers great quality of life with no weekends! F/T shift between 6am-2:30pm Previous mgmt. exp. preferred.

Full benefits avail.

Apply in person at 501 W Dresser Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115 or call 815-754-2299 EOE/AA/M/F/D/V MAINTENANCE TECH DEKALB CLINIC Experienced Maintenance Tech needed. Must live within 30 minute radius for on call. Must have valid license. Email resume to lmurphy@dekalbclinic.com or apply within.

SAT ONLY 10-4 1329 43rd St BODY SHOP/REPAIR Snap On tools, chests, wall cabinets, work benches, air compressors, spray booth, hydraulic jacks, go kart/mini bike, 3 1950's tow trucks, '51 Rolls Bentley, '99 Suzuki.

Real Estate for Sale/Lease Owner will finance

Need customers?

We've got them.

WOODSTOCK Fri, Dec 6 & Sat, Dec 7 9AM - 2PM

4409 Gee Rd. 60098

Large Indoor Estate Sale Collectibles, Tools, Vintage Furniture, Jewelry & MORE! See details on Craigs List

Call your classified advertising representative today!

800-589-8237

Sink – Briggs Whitman, New In Box, No. 6619130, White, 19 x 17 x 4 - $35 815-757-2329

Precious Moments Dated 1987 Club Figurine, "Love Is The Best Gift Of All", Great Condition, No Box, $8, DeKalb. 815-739-1953 Precious Moments Wedding Figurine "The Lord Bless & Keep You" E-3114, Great Condition, No Box, $8, DeKalb. 815-739-1953

FURNITURE

Bamboo Furniture from Pier One five pieces - 2 chairs, 2 end tables & ottoman, $40 for all five pieces 815-758-0982 Kitchen Set & 4 Chairs $50. 815-784-2857 Kitchen/Dining Room Set Round table, 4 chairs, All wood, 2 extension leafs - $50.

815-522-6607 9a-9p Recliner Chair. Very Clean w/arm covers. Non smoking. Light Blue & Grey color. $40 847-515-8012 Recliner – Clean, Comfortable, Light Army Green Color - $40 630-956-0243 8am-8pm Waterbed – California, King Size Includes: Headboard w/Mirror, Rails, Heater Pad, Mattress & Frame, Dark Brown Color - $300 815-531-9082 Rochelle Area

CLOSE CONTACT SADDLE

Henri De Rivel + stirrups, leathers.

Asking $375. 815-748-2797

Cake Plate & Server - New

By Madison & Max, Cardinal Bird Porcelain $8, Sycamore, 815-895-5373 Singer Sewing Machine Zig-Zag, Model 457, In Nice Wood Cabinet. $30. 815-739-3030 Stoneware Accessory Set - 5 Piece New, Royal Seasons Snowman Print, Includes 2 Candlesticks, Napkin Holder, Gravy Bowl & Saucer, $10, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

Stoneware Dinnerware Set, Royal Seasons, New, 32 Pieces, Snowman Print, 8 dinner plates, 8 salad plates, 8 soup bowls & 8 mugs, $25, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

Vintage Motorola Solid State AM/FM & Turntable. All in 6' Long Wooden Cabinet. Great Condition - $50 815-739-3030 Wine Entertainment Set, Napa 7-Piece New Hand Painted, Includes 4-12oz. Goblets, 9" Cheese Dome 2-pc. Set & Decanter, $20, Sycamore.

815-895-5373.

COMPACT RADIAL ARM SAW On steel frame and caster base. $35 815-793-1963 Conduit Bender – 1/2” $15. 815-757-2329 Conduit Bender 1/2", $20, Sycamore.

815-895-5373 DRILL - Makita Drill w/ Battery, Charger & Case, $25, Sycamore, 815-895-5373 DRILL - Milwaukee 4' Right Angle Drill, $190, Sycamore.

815-895-5373 Miter Saw – 10” Dewalt Great Shape - $40 815-757-2329 WIRE RACK - Ideal 25 Spool Heavy Duty Wire Rack, $160, Sycamore.

815-895-5373

CLEATS SHOES - Boy's Men's Nike Cleats Shoes. Size 5.5, $5, DeKalb, 815-739-1953

Pics at estatesales.net

By Kathy's Estate Sales 847-363-4814

Advertise in print and online for one low price.

HELMET - Child Bike Helmet w/Blue Strap, White In Color & has picture of Kangaroo on front & says Kangaroo, $5, DeKalb.

815-739-1953 Radio Flyer Red Scoot About Ride On Kids Toddler Bike w/Bell & Seat That Adjusts As Child Grows Best For 1-2 Year Old, $18, DeKalb.

815-739-1953 TRICYCLE - Radio Flyer Child Bike Red & Blue In Color, $22, DeKalb, 815-739-1953

Full/Double Bed frame dark wood, plain w/no carving 4'8”wide X 6'6”long $75.00 815-756-1095

Advertise here for a successful garage sale!

Call 815-455-4800

POWERSTATION

Like New! 815-764-9184

NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTION ACI Midwest is seeking qualified applicants for full and part-time positions to assist in the distribution of local newspapers in Kane, DeKalb & McHenry counties.

District Contract Manager (DCM) The DCM will manage the distribution within a geographic area for ACI Midwest, LLC responsible for negotiating contracts with Independent Contractors, managing delivery fees, and achieving service targets. This is a salaried position. Market salary provided commensurate with experience. Previous supervisory experience required. Previous newspaper distribution experience is a plus.

Must have reliable transportation, proof of insurance and valid driver's license. Typical work schedule begins at 1 am.

District Assistant District Assistant will assist in all aspects of the daily distribution of the newspaper, including the delivery of open routes, ride-alongs with Independent Contractors and assisting with service issue.

Typical work schedule begins at 1 am. This is an hourly position with mileage reimbursement. Must have reliable transportation, proof of insurance and valid driver license.

ACI Midwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please submit resume and work history to: dstamper@acicirculation.com

New Boombox, Turn Anything Into A Speaker, $15, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

Bowflex Motivator 2 Excellent Condition – Would Make a Great Gift - $75.

815-739-3030

BAG - New Fiskars Blue Canvas Zippered Bag w/Handle & Inside Compartments for Individual Storage. Great For Crafting, Scrapbooking or other - $15, Sycamore 815-895-5373 BIN - New Green or Red Small Canvas Storage Organizational Bin 10"w x 7.5"h x 12.75"d, $5, Sycamore, 815-895-5373

5 Drawer Vintage Chest Style Dresser w/Oval Mirror Attached $60. 815-739-3030

BINS - Large Canvas Storage Organizational Bins, New, Green or Red, 14" x 17" x 10", $8, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

www.HuskieWire.com

Daily Chronicle Classified

All NIU Sports... All The Time

CAGE - Dog Crate Kennel Cage Collapsible w/ Removeable Tray For Small Dog, $22, Sycamore, 815-895-5373 Cherished Teddies Christmas Ornaments $2.50 each. 815-895-5732 CLEATS - NFL New Black & White Reebok FGT Cleats w/Anti-Friction Lining, Size 10.5, $25. Sycamore.

815-895-5373 Decorative Pine Cones & Red Ribbon. For Decorating Wreaths or Crafts $6. 815-895-5732 Encyclopedia Set – Walt Disney Sport – Goofy – 22 volumes of all sports children like, Brand new, In box - $20 DeKalb/Sycamore 815-762-0919 Furry Magic Scarfs - New, Black & Red, Interchangeable, 11 Ways To Wear It, Can Be A Hat, Gloves, Scarf, Etc., Great For Tailgating Or Cooler Weather, $7. Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

HANGERS - Huge Lot Of 250 Metal Hangers From Dry Cleaners, Organized In 10 Bundles Of 25 Each, $10, DeKalb, 815-739-1953 SHOES - Boy's Men's Diadora Cleats Shoes, Size 8, $5, DeKalb.

815-739-1953 SHOES - Boy's/Men's Adidas Everyday Shoes Size 7.5, $5, DeKalb. 815-739-1953 SHOES - Boys/Men's Adidas Cleats Shoes, Size 6, $5, DeKalb. 815-739-1953 SHOES - DRESS SHOES - Boy's Men's Cherokee Black Casual Dress Tie Shoes Size 6, $5, DeKalb 815-739-1953 Slot Machine Complete with Tokens, Excellent Shape – MUST SELL $175 OBO. 815-761-5843 SNEAKERS - Men's Boy's Sneaux Black Sneakers Size 7 Everyday Shoes, $5 DeKalb. 815-739-1953

8 Track Tapes 109 Tapes of Various Music w/4 Cases – Best Offer 815-757-2329

Xmas Pathway Holographic Lights, New, Indoor/Outdoor Use, 5 Pack $10, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

2007 FORD FOCUS SE

We Pay The Best!

Metallic gray, 57K miles.

Automatic/power windows and lock. Great condition and very clean!

For Junk Cars, Trucks and Vans No Title, No Problem. Same Day Pick-Up. 630-817-3577

$9,250/obo

John Deer Snow Blade – Blade w/ hydraulics off a 318 lawn mower – Fits a 14” Chassis – Model 023454M - $390 815-286-3502 8am - 8pm

For More Details Call

815-701-3301

Goodyear Wrangler RTS Tire 265-75-16 on Chevy 6 Bolt Wheel, Was a Spare $35. 815-757-2329

Leather Jackets ~ Men's

(1) cognac color, (1) black.

Both genuine lambskin leather, large size, $65/ea/obo.

815-761-6770

Truck Bed Topper

Fits 8' bed on a Ford F-250. $400/obo. 815-508-7121

FIESTA BOWL 8 tickets together section 127, row 24 (on main level), GREAT SEATS! Call Dale 503-540-5507

!!!!!!!!!!!

I BUY CARS, TRUCKS, VANS & SUVs

Child Vanity & Pink Chair - Little Tikes Vanity Has White Lift Up Lid w/ "Mirror" Underneath That Child Can See Themselves In & Compartments Of Different Sizes For Storage.

Can Be Used As A Desk Also. $22, Sycamore. 815-895-5373 FIRE TRUCK CAR - Child Little Tikes Red Fire Truck Ride In/On Car, Has Face In Front, Very Cute! $30, Sycamore. 815-895-5373 Fisher Price Toddler/Child Musical Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony Ride On. Yellow/Tan Horse On Green Platform. Like New $20. Sycamore. 815-895-5373

Will beat anyone's price by $300.

RIDE ON - Little Tikes Teal Coupe, Car Has Floor Board & Handle For Parent To Push Smaller Child & Floor Board Can Be Taken Out & Child Can Move The Car Around With Their Feet. Car Has Steering Wheel & A Beeping Horn, $25, DeKalb, 815-739-1953.

Will pay extra for Honda, Toyota & Nissan

815-814-1964 or

815-814-1224 EXERCISE BIKE

!!!!!!!!!!!

In good condition.

815-756-1377

WANTED!

4 - 3 Pack Candy Canes 4' Lighted Length For Indoor/Outdoor Use New, $7, Sycamore, 815-895-5373

I Buy

4 Pack Of Large assorted Glass Bulbs New, $3.50, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

9 Count Of Bronze Glass Ornaments New In Package, $3.50, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

Animated Musical Angel With Harp That Plays Harp Melody New, $10, Sycamore, 815-895-5373

Christmas Tree ~ Blue Spruce

With white lights with remote control. Beautiful and very full tree!

Excellent condition, $150/obo.

630-934-4040

DeKalb. Sharp, Like New Ranch! $114,900!! Location!!! Adolph Miller RE 815-756-7845 Must see!

SYCAMORE - PRICE REDUCED 2 Bedroom with fully enclosed carport with garage door and opener.

All appliances stay. Call 815-7618790 or 262-339-6237 Edgebrook Mobile Home Court, Sycamore

1990 & Newer

Radio Flyer Inchworm Bouncing Caterpillar Ride On, Red Hat & Red Seat & Green Body On Four Wheels, $15, Sycamore. 815-895-5373

24" Holographic Train - New 330 Light Yard Or Home Decoration Indoor/Outdoor Use, $22, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

1995 Polaris XLT extra 12; 4000 miles, very clean $1400 815-761-4748

A-1 AUTO

Will BUY UR USED

Old Envelopes Stamps Collections

CAR, TRUCK, SUV,

MOST CASH

815-758-4004

WILL BEAT ANY QUOTE GIVEN!! $400 - $2000 “don't wait.... call 2day”!!

New Sports Christmas Stockings, $7, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

New Sports Christmas Stocking Hats, $5, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

SLED - Little Tikes Baby Infant Child Red Sled w/ Back Support & Carrying / Pulling Rope, Like New, $20, DeKalb. 815-739-1953

* 815-575-5153 *

DEKALB 1 BEDROOM Available Dec/Jan. Close to NIU, Free heat & water, quiet lifestyle. Varsity Square Apts.

815-756-9554 www.glencoproperties.com

Autumn Creek Management 2BR, 2BA, W/D, DW in Cortland. AVAILABLE NOW! Call Amy 815-756-1988 or George 847-912-0504 BIG APARTMENTS, LESS MONEY! Rochelle: 15 minutes from DeKalb 1 BR & 2BR Starting at $530 Recently updated!

Affordable heat.

Walk to shops!

(815) 562-6425 www.whiteoakapartments.net Now accepting Visa, M/C, Discover Find. Buy. Sell.

All in one place... HERE! Everyday in Daily Chronicle Classified

JOBS ANNOUNCEMENTS STUFF VEHICLES REAL ESTATE SERVICES Daily Chronicle Classified and online at: www.Daily-Chronicle.com

FOR SALE – GREAT PRICE

Stoneware Table Top Set, 6 piece, Royal Seasons Snowman Print, New, Includes Salt & Pepper Shakers, Creamer, Sugar Bowl & Covered Butter Dish, $10, Sycamore, 815-895-5373.

2001 Buick Century, 35MPG, V6, A/C, PS, PB, PW, P Seat, new front brakes & radiator, $1450/OBO 815-895-3733

Vintage Wooden Sled - 36” Perfect for Christmas craft decorating - $15 815-827-3692

Daily Chronicle Classified 877-264-2527 www.Daily-Chronicle.com

WE'VE GOT IT!

*

3 Bdrm plus NEWER Furnace, C/A, Siding, Roof, Windows, Electric, Plumbing, Appliances, Driveway, Garage Door, Etc., Full Basement.

All for $115,000

877-264-2527

CALL NEDRA ERICSON, REALTOR 815-739-9997

REPORTER Shaw Media is looking for a motivated reporter to join our award-winning staff of journalists in Chicago's suburbs.

This reporter will be expected to cover breaking news, features and meetings for our print and online editions. Our reporters are expected to generate their own story ideas and field assignments from editors. Our focus is local news. We cover the communities in our markets better than anyone.

FOR SALE: COUNTRY LIVING

FOR SALE

We are looking for someone who can tell the stories that help our readers understand why these events and people are important to their lives. Ability to shoot photographs and video when necessary is needed, as is an understanding of the importance of the Web and mobile in serving our audience.

At least one year of professional experience is preferred, but recent graduates with outstanding internship experience are encouraged to apply. Solid knowledge of AP Style and grammar required, as is ability to write clear, concise copy. Must have a valid drivers license, dependable transportation and proof of insurance.

Shaw Media offers an extensive benefit package.

Please send a cover letter that explains your journalism credentials and philosophy, along with a resume to: Email: Recruitment@shawmedia.com or Apply now at: www.shawsuburbanmedia.com/careers Shaw Media is a Drug Free Employer.

Pre-employment background check and drug screen required. This posting may not include all duties of position.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR A GROWING BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR – INVESTOR

3-4BR, 2 Baths, Rehabbed Home on an Easy Care Country Lot. DeKalb Schools.

Great views!

Over 22,000 sq. ft. -- 2 Phase Building – Loading Docks & Parking. Sycamore

CALL NEDRA ERICSON, REALTOR 815-739-9997

CALL NEDRA ERICSON, REALTOR 815-739-9997

CLASSIFIED

Daily Chronicle / daily-chronicle.com

Cortland Estates $300 1st Month's Rent 3 BR Apartments Dishwasher On-Site Laundry Facility Playground Washer & Dryer Connection 6 months free cable if you sign a lease by 12/31/13 230 McMillan Court Cortland, IL 60112

815-758-2910 income restriction apply

DeKalb – 1148 ½ Market St. 2 BD residential upper apt. 1st/sec dep. $600 month 815-756-6201 DeKalb – 3BR / 1BA Lower Apt Washer/dryer hook-up $925 1st/lst/sec.

Sec 8 welcome 815-739-6170 DEKALB ADULT, QUIET, REFINED Building. 2 Bedroom Apt with homey environment. Car port. For mature living. Excellent Location!

No pets/smoking. Agent Owned.

815-758-6712 DEKALB for Rent 2 & 3 BD Apts w/garage $550, $650, & $700 5 BD House $1100/mo.

815-739-4536

2BR, 2BA APT. Washer & dryer, central air, fireplace, exercise center.

Cat friendly. Private fishing. $765/mo.

A/C, W/D hook-up, no pets.

Available Dec 1st, $700/mo.

847-683-3442 GENOA ~ 2 BEDROOM Appl, gas heat, W/D No pets/smkg. $675/mo.

815-509-9137

Laing Mgmt.

Stove, fridge, D/W, W/D. NO PETS. $755/mo + sec. Water sewer, garb incl. 815-739-1250

MALTA 1 Mo Rent FREE!

DeKalb Quiet Studio 1, 2, 3BR

SYCAMORE - (two) 2 bedroom 1 bathroom available. lower unit $800 mo. upper unit $650 mo. text/call 815-501-2284 SYCAMORE 2room +kit Upper quiet parking close in $450/mo + util + security. 815-566-7747

Sycamore Meadows Apt. 1705 Longwood Dr., Sycamore, Il. 60178 815-289-8263

DEKALB ~ 217 N. 1st

DeKalb 1 & 2BR Starting $605

Hillcrest Place Apts.

220 E. Hillcrest. 815-758-0600 hillcrestplaceaptsdekalb.com DEKALB - 3 bedroom 12th St. Garage, lots of storage. Small pets ok. $860/month. 815-758-4539 DEKALB - ONE BEDROOM Spacious one-bedroom on Pleasant Street in DeKalb. Cats allowed with pet deposit. Upstairs unit. Wood floors. $650/month.

815-793-3313. Available in Dec.

We have a 2BR Available

Large 2BR, Carport, A/C, Laundry.

Clean, quiet and secure. $750/mo.

J&A RE. 815-970-0679

OREGON, IL 1 & 2BR APT.

DEKALB, NEW DELUXE 2BD APTS

ROCHELLE ~ 2 BEDROOM

Laundry in units. Free water, NO PETS, Appliances. Ready NOW. Free move in help. $1025 - $1075/month.

815-757-5546

Clean, no pets, $400-$435.

815-973-8290

Remodeled, available now.

Clean and quiet, $550/mo.

815-758-6580 ~ 815-901-3346

Near the heart of NIU. Incl gas and forced air heat. Off street parking, lush grounds, on site laundry room. Outdoor pool, tennis and basketball courts, patios and balconies. Cats OK.

University Village Apts.

722 N. Annie Glidden Rd. 815-758-7859

Daily Chronicle Classified 877-264-2527

All Newer Flooring Air Conditioning Wash/Dryer on Site Security Building Maintenance Staff Water, Trash, Sewer Incl.

Rental Assistance

Available If Qualify

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Page C10 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

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DAILY CHRONICLE | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2013

MAC CHAMPIONSHIP NO. 14 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 27

BOWLING GREEN 47

FIESTA FOILED

Northern Illinois tight end Luke Eakes misses a pass in the second quarter of the Mid-American Conference Championship Game against Bowling Green on Friday night at Ford Field in Detroit. The Huskies, No. 14 in the BCS standings, lost 47-27.

Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com

NIU suffers stunning loss in MAC Championship BCS dreams dashed

By STEVE NITZ snitz@shawmedia.com DETROIT – Northern Illinois’ dream season has ended.

The Huskies’ hopes of going to the Fiesta Bowl are gone after a stunning 47-27 loss to Bowling Green in Friday’s Mid-American Conference Championship Game at Ford Field.

An NIU defense that had kept improving as the season went on could not stop the Falcons (10-3), specifically in the first half, and the Huskies (12-1) couldn’t rally from an 18-point halftime deficit.

Jordan Lynch, who looked like he would be in New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation, might now be on the outside looking in when it comes to getting a trip to the Big Apple.

Matt Johnson, Bowling Green’s sophomore quarterback, was the star Friday. He finished the game 21 of 27 for 393 yards and five touchdowns, throwing for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone.

“You guys are all shocked,” Bowl-

ing Green coach Dave Clawson said to the group of assembled media after the game. “We thought we were going to win. We really did. We would have been absolutely crushed if we didn’t win this game.”

Johnson got the Falcons on the board on Bowling Green’s first drive, with a 28-yard pass to Tyler Beck. NIU answered when Juwan Brescacin caught a one-handed, 14-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Lynch on the Huskies’ first drive.

However, the Falcons added three more Johnson touchdown passes and a 26-yard field goal from Tyler Tate before the teams went into the locker room at halftime.

The only other first-half scoring for the Huskies came with two field goals

by Mathew Sims – from 51 and 45 yards out.

NIU took the ball to start the second half and drove at will, with the drive ending in a Lynch 8-yard touchdown run.

The Falcons added a 52-yard field goal by Tyler Tate, which tied a MAC

Championship record, and the game effectively was put out of reach on a 6-yard shovel pass from Johnson to running back Travis Greene early in the fourth quarter. A Greene 16-yard score all but ended the game. Lynch would score on a 2-yard run with 14 seconds left.

Greene’s first score came off of a rare turnover by Lynch. Facing a second-and-13 from NIU’s own 31, he had Tommylee Lewis down the sideline, but underthrew him and the pass was picked off by Aaron Foster. Lynch, who had not thrown an interception since NIU’s win against Central Michigan on Oct. 19, had two interceptions Friday.

Bowling Green’s win gave the Falcons their first MAC championship since 1992.

NIU will have some regrouping to do.

The Huskies will find out which bowl they’re heading to Sunday.

“One game doesn’t define a season in any way, shape or form,” NIU coach Rod Carey said. “And we’re not going to let it. We’ve got another game yet, don’t know where that is yet, but we do have another game. Still a lot to play for.”

DETROIT – One is larger than 12.

It took just a single bad Friday night to overshadow all that Northern Illinois had built over the previous three months in a 47-27 loss to Bowling Green in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game on Friday.

Fiesta Bowl dreams dashed.

Third consecutive MAC title, gone. Undefeated season, over.

Jordan Lynch’s trip to New York, likely no more.

It was an unimaginable way for NIU’s regular season to finish and for the Huskies’ lofty postseason hopes to come crashing down. Bowling Green seemingly did whatever it wanted on offense, gashing NIU’s secondary with big play after big play in the passing game.

Apparently, NIU coach Rod Carey was right, Bowling Green certainly looked like

VIEWS Ross Jacobson the best team the Huskies had played all season.

Going through an entire year without a loss never is easy, no matter the perceived strength of schedule or conference affiliation. There’s a reason college football’s regular season is the most unpredictable in sports and the state of a conference race or national championship picture can change in an instant Ask Alabama, which lost to Auburn last week.

Talk to Oregon, a consensus favorite to get to the national championship before November falls at Stanford and Arizona.

See JACOBSON, page 3

MAC CHAMPIONSHIP: BOWLING GREEN 47, NO. 14 NIU 27

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MAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: BOWLING GREEN 47, NO. 14 NIU 27

Page 2 • Saturday, December 7, 2013

HUSKIE SCOREBOARD 7

6

7

7 – 27

MAC CHAMPIONSHIP NOTEBOOK

Sims’ kicking struggles continue

17 14 0 16 – 47

goal was the fifth-longest in NIU history.

However, Sims missed a 58-yard attempt late in the second quarter and failed to convert on a 44-yard kick midway through the third quarter. The 58-yard attempt came with NIU facing 4th-and-13 from the Bowling Green 41-yard line and down 11 points.

“He made a 51-yarder with room to spare,” Carey said of the decision to kick, “and in a game like that points are critical.”

Huskie gamblers: After cutting the Bowling Green lead to four in the second quarter, NIU attempted a surprise onside kick. The Huskies recovered the kick, but were called for two penalties – offsides and ille-

By ROSS JACOBSON rjacobson@shawmedia.com

SCORING SUMMARY First Quarter BG – Beck 28-yard pass from Johnson (Tate kick), 12:27 NIU – Brescacin 14-yard pass from Lynch (Sims kick), 9:08 BG – Tate 26-yard field goal, 6:49 BG – Moore 36-yard pass from Johnson (Tate kick), 2:32 Second Quarter NIU – Sims 51-yard field goal, 5:39 NIU – Sims 45-yard field goal, 11:22 BG – Jackson 22-yard pass from Johnson (Tate kick), 5:39 BG – Bayer 12-yard pass from Johnson (Tate kick), :13 Third Quarter NIU – Lynch 8-yard run Fourth Quarter BG – Tate 52-yard field goal, 14:50 BG – Greene 6-yard pass from Johnson (PAT blocked), 10:17 BG – Greene 16-yard run (Tate kick), 2:44 NIU – Lynch 2-yard run (Sims kick), :14

Daily Chronicle / HuskieWire.com

DETROIT – Mathew Sims’ struggles have been well-documented.

The senior kicker missed three consecutive kicks against Toledo and failed to convert on another short field-goal attempt against Western Michigan.

But coach Rod Carey said before Friday’s game against Bowling Green that his confidence in Sims never wavered.

Sims rewarded Carey’s trust by nailing a 51-yard field goal early in the second quarter to pull NIU within seven points, 17-10, and then converting on a 45-yard kick on the next NIU possession. The 51-yard field

gal block.

“We had practiced it all week, we knew we had a look in there where we could get it,” Lynch said. “Sometimes in games those situations don’t present themselves, but in this case it presented itself, so we pulled the trigger.

“The call is irrelevant, we just didn’t make enough plays in the game.”

Brown doesn’t play: Da’Ron Brown, one of NIU’s top receivers all season, did not play against Bowling Green because of a hamstring injury.

Brown came into the contest with 689 yards and nine receiving touchdowns, both of which led the team.

“We tried to get him healthy the

whole time. He’s a little bumped and bruised,” Carey said. “We took him out, warmed him up, he just couldn’t go.”

Lynch breaks records: Jordan Lynch continued to make history by breaking his own single-season rushing record for a Football Bowl Subdivision quarterback.

Lynch set the record last year with 1,815 rushing yards, but surpassed that mark with an 8-yard touchdown run at the beginning of the third quarter.

The senior quarterback now has 1,881 rushing yards on the year with a bowl game still to play. His 46 total touchdowns are also a school record, surpassing his mark from last year as well.

ATTENDANCE – 21,106

TEAM STATS NIU BG First downs 29 27 Rushes-yards 42-235 40-181 Passing 219 393 Comp-Att-Int 21-40-2 21-27-0 Return Yards 132 42 Punts-Avg. 1-42 1-48 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1 Penalties-Yards 4-20 8-60 Time of Poss.

25:34 34:26

INDIVIDUAL STATS HUSKIES

FALCONS

PASSING Lynch 21-40-2 219

Johnson 21-27-0 393

RUSHING Lynch 26-126 Stingily 12-74 Lewis 4-35

Greene 26-133 Johnson 10-33 Moore 1-11 Hopsgood 1-5 Houston 1-1 Team 1-(minus 2)

Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com

Northern Illinois wide receiver Matt Williams is wrapped up by Bowling Green’s Aaron Foster after catching a pass in the second quarter Friday in the MAC Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit. The Huskies lost, 47-27.

RECEIVING Brescacin 6-71 Lewis 6-37 Spencer 5-63 Williams 2-23 Beebe 1-20 Stingily 1-5

MAC CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-BY-QUARTER REPORT

Bayer 7-124 Jackson 6-58 Moore 4-145 Greene 2-23 Beck 1-28 Joplin 1-15

MAC STANDINGS West Division MAC Overall Northern Illinois 8-1 12-1 Ball State 7-1 10-2 Toledo 5-3 7-5 Central Michigan 5-3 6-6 Eastern Michigan 1-7 2-10 Western Michigan 1-7 1-11

East Division Bowling Green Buffalo Ohio Akron Kent State Massachusetts Miami (Ohio)

MAC Overall 8-1 10-3 6-2 8-4 4-4 7-5 4-4 5-7 3-5 4-8 1-7 1-11 0-8 0-12

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Key stat: Bowling Green scored on all three of its first-quarter possessions while running just 14 plays. The Falcons racked up 223 total yards in the quarter.

Key play: After Northern Illinois had tied the game, 7-7, Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson found wide receiver Ronnie Moore down the left sideline with room to run. Defensive back Paris Logan swooped in to bring him down, but not before Moore had gained 61 yards to set up a Falcon field goal.

Analysis: The NIU secondary looked lost early. Bowling Green receivers found themselves wide open multiple times, allowing Johnson to go 6 for 7 for 181 yards through the air.

Key stat: NIU gave up 31 points in the first half, the most it had allowed all year. The 18-point halftime deficit was the largest of the season.

Key play: Moments after dropping a near interception, Bowling Green succeeded in picking off Huskies quarterback Jordan Lynch. His pass was tipped into the air by Brian Sutton and reeled in by Ted Ouellet at midfield. The Falcons would turn that interception into a touchdown right before halftime.

Analysis: Bowling Green completely bottled up Lynch and kept him from being productive in the rushing attack. While Lynch struggled, the NIU offense stalled, forcing the Huskies to settle for two long field goals.

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

Key stat: Lynch added 50 rushing yards in the quarter to bring his total to 85.

The most important run was his 8-yard touchdown scamper.

Key play: With a chance to cut the NIU deficit to eight, Mathew Sims missed a 44-yard field goal. The miss was his second of the game, and the Falcons proceeded to eat up the clock after they got the ball back, scoring a field goal to start the fourth quarter.

Analysis: The opening drive of the quarter was huge, as the Huskies stuck mainly with the ground game to cut seven points off the deficit. They weren’t able to do much more, however.

Key stat: Bowling Green’s 47 points in the game is the most given up by the Huskies all season, and the 20-point final deficit they faced in the quarter matched the largest all year.

Key play: Down 34-20, Lynch tried to throw a bomb into double coverage to wide receiver Tommylee Lewis, and it was picked off by Aaron Foster. Foster took it back 37 yards to the NIU 20-yard line and set up the Bowling Green touchdown that put the game away for good.

Analysis: A rough day for the NIU defense fittingly ended with a 16-yard Travis Greene touchdown run on fourth down. Whether it was through the air or on the ground, the Huskies couldn’t do enough to give their high-powered offense a chance to win.

– Luke Srodulski – sports@daily-chronicle.com

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MAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: BOWLING GREEN 47, NO. 14 NIU 27

Saturday, December 7, 2013 • Page 3

Falcons QB feasts on Huskies

By LUKE SRODULSKI sports@daily-chronicle.com

Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com

NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch is stopped in his tracks Friday in the fourth quarter against Bowling Green at Ford Field in Detroit.

Not Lynch’s night Bowling Green hems in Heisman hopeful

By STEVE NITZ snitz@shawmedia.com DETROIT – All season, opposing coaches and defensive coordinators have talked about how it’s impossible to stop Jordan Lynch.

Defenses were just hoping to contain him. Through 12 games, teams couldn’t even do that.

In Friday’s 47-27 win at the Mid-American Conference Championship, Bowling Green didn’t necessarily solve Lynch. The senior quarterback still ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 219 yards and a score. But for once, he actually looked human. He wasn’t the same Superman Huskies fans had watched all year.

His average of 4.8 yards a carry was nothing compared to the 7.1 yards he averaged heading into Ford Field.

He never broke off that highlight-reel run – his longest scamper was 23 yards.

“They had a good game

plan coming into the game,” Lynch said. “They were fast.

They were physical.”

Before NIU took the field Friday, it looked like that with a victory, Lynch was a lock to head to next week’s Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City. A lot of polls had him finishing second behind Florida State’s Jameis Winston, who now looks like he may have a ceremony dedicated all to himself in Manhattan.

After Bowling Green’s stunning upset, Lynch could be on the outside looking in when it comes to getting an invite.

The Falcons’ defense has been tough on opposing teams all year. They came into the contest allowing just 13.8 points a game. It’s also an experienced unit.

Three years ago, the Falcons went 2-10. Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson said people were calling that defense, which featured a number of players who went

up against the Huskies on Friday, the “Swiss Cheese 11.”

In Friday’s upset, Bowling Green finally held the Huskies’ juggernaut in check.

NIU’s 27 points tied a season-low, but seven of those points were thanks to a Lynch 2-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds remaining.

“We limited the plays over our head,” Clawson said.

“We made them drive. We’re a tough defense to drive it a long ways against.”

Lynch had not thrown an interception since the Huskies’ Oct. 19 win against Central Michigan. Against the Falcons, he had two. One was off of a tipped ball in the first half while the other came in the second half when Lynch had Tommylee Lewis down the right sideline but underthrew him. The ball was picked off by Aaron Foster.

“Two turnovers, you know, it’s unacceptable,” Lynch said. “I expect a lot out of myself. I didn’t live up to my expectations.”

DETROIT – Northern Illinois may have had the bigname quarterback coming into the Mid-American Conference Championship, but it was Bowling Green’s gunslinger who grabbed the glory.

Matt Johnson threw for a title game-record five touchdowns and gashed the Huskies’ defense for 393 yards on the way to a 47-27 win, and in the process snatched the attention away from NIU’s Heisman Trophy candidate, Jordan Lynch.

“They have a great quarterback that deserves all the accolades he’s gotten,” Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson said, “but we have a really good quarterback, too.”

Right from the start, John-

son was on fire and consistently found wide-open receivers for big plays. His first three completions went for a total of 112 yards, and NIU had no answer.

And the Huskies didn’t do much to make him look bad.

With busted coverage after busted coverage, they showed why they came into the game ranked 108th in the nation (out of 123) in pass defense. It was because of this that NIU coach Rod Carey didn’t look at the performance as a particularly poor one.

“We’ve had busted coverages before this year, and the quarterback doesn’t see them, so he doesn’t throw it to them,” Carey said. “Give [Bowling Green] a lot of credit. The quarterback found it when we did have a bust here and there.”

So while Carey and his team certainly weren’t proud of the defense, it was more about what Johnson did well than what the Huskies did poorly. They were exposed for mistakes they’ve made all year, mistakes that may have caused them to give up 274 passing yards a game.

It’s an area of concern as the Huskies head into bowl season.

Should they face a talented quarterback like Johnson, this type of secondary play could continue to haunt them.

Against Eastern Illinois’ Jimmy Garoppolo, an NFL Draft prospect, they allowed 450 yards through the air.

It’s not a one-time thing.

The play of the secondary has been an issue all year, and on the biggest stage so far, it showed.

Bowling Green had right formula • JACOBSON Continued from page 1 Even ask Fresno State, which was the front-runner to earn the Bowl Championship Series non-AQ spot until its tumble at San Jose State last week.

The BCS talks weren’t a distraction or a factor in Friday’s loss. How could they be when NIU players weren’t allowed to talk to any media before Thursday’s mandated news conference?

Bowling Green simply possessed the formula to beat NIU. They caught the Huskies on an off night and executed almost to perfection when the previous 12 NIU opponents before them had so often folded in pressure situations with chances to win.

The upset bug finally bit NIU after the Huskies had avoided it time and time again with comeback victories and consistent second-half dominance.

The 12 victories – tying the

Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com

A Northern Illinois fan watches Friday as a pass is intercepted by Bowling Green in the fourth quarter at Ford Field in Detroit. program record set during last year’s run to the Orange Bowl – NIU has accumulated this season won’t disappear.

And as Carey pointed out in the postgame news conference, a chance will be had to get to 13 with a victory in a bowl game, assuming NIU remains motivated enough to compete after a trip to Detroit, Mobile or Boise when Phoenix was so clearly the dream destination.

But the one loss now looms even larger for NIU and forever will be the lasting memory of a 2013 season that unfortunately will be remembered more for what could’ve been than what was.

• Ross Jacobson is the sports editor of the Daily Chronicle. He can be reached via e-mail at rjacobson@shawmedia.com or follow him on Twitter @RossJacobson.

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