White Sox Preaching Patience At Every Level

(CBS) While it’s still late January, White Sox director of player development Chris Getz already knows where he’s going to be spending much of his time in 2017.

Charlotte, home of the the Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the White Sox. As Chicago has embarked on a rebuild, some of its top young talent — including second baseman Yoan Moncada and likely right-hander Lucas Giolito — will open the season at Triple-A. As they do, Getz plans on being around Charlotte plenty, and the White Sox will have a keen eye on when it’s time to move their prospects along to the next level.

Past that, what’s the key? Patience, Getz reminded. That’s a point general manager Rick Hahn kept making over the weekend at SoxFest and one that’s a refrain throughout the organization.

“It’s something we’re all going to have to get behind and be open and transparent as possible,” Getz said Tuesday on the Spiegel and Parkins Show on 670 The Score. “It’s going to be a process. You’re going to have to be patient with things. Some guys are going to perform right away, some aren’t. Some of these guys may not even pan out. We hope they do, but it’s just kind of the reality of the whole deal. That’s why we need to continue to develop, continue to draft well. We need to continue to show up every day and get better.”

“It’s a very tight pyramid at the top, and if you’re not continually trying to be competitive and getting better in all different areas, you’re going to have a tough time at long-standing success.”

Listen to Getz’s full interview below.

Chris Getz on the Spiegel and Parkins Show

670 The Score

playpause

from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2jrYoBA

Winter Weather: How To Survive In Hazardous Conditions

Photo Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Clinton Emerson, retired Navy SEAL, spent 20 years conducting special ops all over the world while attached to SEAL Teams (including the elite SEAL Team SIX) and the National Security Agency (NSA). His security company, Escape The Wolf, works with international organizations, such as the Wall Street Journal, to decrease exposure to crisis and increase survivability.

Emerson’s book 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition, is on sale now from our sister company, Simon & Schuster.

As winter approaches, it is important to be prepared for all of the hazardous conditions created by snow and ice. Retired Navy SEAL Clint Emerson shares his tips for surviving blizzard conditions while on the road and surviving an avalanche while participating in winter sports.

Related: The Two-Day Hike: What To Bring And Why To Bring It

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Surviving A Blizzard While Driving

Winterize Your Vehicle

In regions where extreme winter weather conditions are common, be prepared. Stash emergency blankets, a wool hat and pocket heaters in the trunk of your car.

Have your car winterized, making sure your mechanic checks your exhaust system for leaks and crimped pipes. Your mechanic should also replace air filters; check brakes for wear and fluid levels; install good winter tires with adequate tread; check oil; ensure the heater, defroster, and thermostat are working properly; check antifreeze; clean and check the battery and ignition system; replace worn-out windshield wipers; and assess all lights.

Know When To Go

To avoid getting stranded on the road, err on the side of caution when making the decision to drive in a blizzard. Avoid driving on unplowed roads. If conditions look questionable, they probably are. A vehicular death caused by driving in low-visibility conditions is most often a death that would have been preventable through the use of one simple tool: human judgment.

If conditions rapidly worsen while you’re already on the road, don’t feel the need to soldier through. Though emergency conditions set off a kind of fight-or-flight response that launches drivers into frenzied attempts to drive through or away from storms, sometimes the safest course of action is to do nothing—i.e., pull over and wait out the storm.

Wait Out The Storm

If you do become stranded in a remote area, do not attempt to hike your way to safety unless you know the area well and have on appropriate clothing. Remain in your car. Blizzard conditions will severely reduce visibility and increase the chances of your getting lost while being completely exposed to the elements.

To avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and conserve your battery, only run your engine and heater for ten minutes of every hour. If you aren’t traveling with a trunkful of warm layers and/or blankets, stack seat covers and floor mats on top of you as insulation. At night, leave the dome light on so that your car is visible to other drivers. Hazard lights will burn up your battery.

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Surviving An Avalanche

Though occasional incidents involve mass casualties, avalanches claim only some 150 lives per year. But many more non-fatal incidents go unreported. To avoid landing in either category, abstain from skiing, rock climbing, or snowmobile riding on heavily powdered, backcountry slopes that haven’t been groomed or detonated in order to purposely precipitate avalanches in advance of human activity. Talk to locals in order to identify known avalanche zones and the general probability of avalanches in the area. Pay attention to the weather—a foot or more of fresh snow can pose a risk factor, as can rain.

If you are caught in the midst of an avalanche while on a steep, barren slope, quickly move to its flanks while you still can. Snow will be funneled down the center of the slope, potentially carrying less momentum and mass on its sidelines. If an avalanche starts below your feet, jump upslope of any crack you might be able to see in the top layer of snow.

If you cannot avoid the oncoming rush, grab onto any solid fixture you can reach (tree, rock formation, telephone pole), or lie down and try to “swim” with the moving snow so that you don’t receive the impact at a perpendicular angle.

Being buried in snow isn’t dissimilar to being buried in sand. You may not be able to move or breathe once the precipitation comes to a halt, so if you can, create an air pocket by placing your hands in front of your face as you’re still moving. Determine which way is up by sensing the direction of the blood flow to your head or lighting a lighter, if movement is available. Punching an air channel from your face up toward the surface of the snow will put you closer to a full breath when a rescue team starts digging.

Related: How To Turn Strangers Into Friends

Clinton Emerson, retired Navy SEAL, spent 20 years conducting special ops all over the world while attached to SEAL Teams (including the elite SEAL Team SIX) and the National Security Agency (NSA). His security company Escape the Wolf works with international organizations, such as the Wall Street Journal, to decrease exposure to crisis, and increase survivability. Emerson’s book 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition, is on sale now from our sister company, Simon & Schuster.

from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2kRvN4T

Emma: Kopech, Giolito Are 2 Faces Of White Sox Hope Amid Rebuild

By Chris Emma–

CHICAGO (CBS) — Walking through the streets of this great city as the newly acquired star prospect, being recognized as the guy whose powerful arm produced a 110-mph throw on a viral video, Michael Kopech is a long way from his home in small-town Texas.

The new fame, the high hopes, the pictures, the autographs, the selfies, it’s all different for the 20-year-old Kopech.

“It’s something I’ve had to adjust to,” Kopech said.

Kopech’s new status as a face of the White Sox’s future was on display this past weekend at the annual SoxFest convention, which gathered diehard fans at the downtown Hilton to welcome in a new season. Only this SoxFest was different, with the fan base instead more focused on celebrating its now-promising future rather than this 2017 season.

Rick Hahn owns the White Sox’s new direction

Even general manager Rick Hahn was transparent enough to admit struggles could be headed the White Sox’s way as they build for the future. Judging by the reception for a young player like Kopech, the fans are re-energized by a new direction.

The White Sox started their busy offseason with a blockbuster deal in December that sent ace left-hander Chris Sale to the Red Sox for a return headlined by Kopech, a right-hander and the No. 16 prospect in the new MLB.com rankings, and second baseman Yoan Moncada, the second-rated prospect. Then, Hahn pulled a mega deal for outfielder Adam Eaton that returned right-hander Lucas Giolito (No. 11 prospect) and right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (No. 46) as the headliners.

Now, the White Sox boast six of the top 100 prospects in the game, per MLB.com rankings. Should they find the right package for left-hander Jose Quintana — Hahn is holding out for the right price — they could have even more.

Kopech and Giolito were two of the stars at the SoxFest, the arms of the White Sox’s future. They were two of the major returns from these blockbuster deals, two pitchers who inspire hope for the organization. Kopech will start the season at high Class-A or Double-A, Hahn has said. Giolito is likely to start at Triple-A.

“The talent’s amazing,” Giolito said. “Just look at all these guys. We’re all here, we’re ready to work, we’re ready to put it all together.

“I’m excited that we’re all going to develop together and put a good team together here in Chicago.”

Giolito wasn’t too surprised when his name was included in the deal for Eaton — certainly not nearly as surprised as most in Chicago were. Hahn caught the Nationals pressed in win-now mode, looking at a possible future without superstar Bryce Harper after the 2017 season. In Giolito, the White Sox landed another potential top-end starter two days after landing Kopech.

The 22-year-old Giolito has an imposing frame on the mound, standing at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds. His big league debut didn’t go as planned this past season, with the rookie posting a 6.75 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. That doesn’t concern the White Sox, who plan on starting him in Triple-A Charlotte and developing him to their liking.

As for Kopech, his viral video was the talk of SoxFest. It’s rare to see a radar gun hit 110 mph. Driving that fast in Illinois is a Class-A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison. Kopech downplayed it, explaining he was working in the “overload phase” of his arm-training program. Essentially, it was a max-out session for velocity with an underload phase ball.

“It’s not something I really thrive to do, throw a certain number,” Kopech said. “Velocity’s always cool, and I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to throw extremely hard. That’s great for me. But my main focus is pitching. If I can use that tool to help me get somebody out, that’s all it’s for.”

Still, it caught the attention of the White Sox in attendance. Top catching prospect Zack Collins has faced Kopech once before.

“Thank God he walked me,” Collins joked. “Don’t tell him I said that.”

Pressed to give a date for when the White Sox will be poised for perennial contention, Hahn hinted at 2019 while acknowledging the many variables in play. In the meantime, the developmental phase of the organization will bring great work. Unlike what the rival Cubs did on the north side of town, the White Sox’s rebuild largely revolves around the progress of young pitching, not hitters.

The White Sox have many candidates for their rotation of the future — Kopech, Giolito, Lopez, Carlos Rodon, Carson Fulmer, Zack Burdi, Spencer Adams and more. Scouting is an inexact science,and rebuilding comes with a risk, but the reward could be great. If the White Sox hit on half their pitching prospects, they could have one of the best rotations in baseball.

Becoming one of the faces of a rebuild takes some getting used to, but Kopech and Giolito are eager for what’s ahead, even if it means getting stopped on the street.

“It’s a good opportunity for the White Sox as a team,” Kopech said, “because we’re going to have a chance to be good for a long time.”

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.

from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2kowINh

Bomb Threat At Jewish Community Center Camp In Lake County

CHICAGO — A Jewish center in the area was targeted by an apparent bomb threat Tuesday. Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the JCC Apachi Day Camp in unincorporated Lake Zurich.

The students in attendance at the camp were transported to a different location. Lake County Sheriff’s Office reports that no students or staff were injured during the incident and all are safe and accounted for.

This threat remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2knV4ax

Employee Charged With Striking Disabled Adult At Elmhurst Group Home

CHICAGO (CBS) — A woman has been charged with striking a disabled adult at a group home where she worked in west suburban Elmhurst.

Lasonya T. Butler, 43, faces one count of aggravated battery, according to Elmhurst police.

Management of the group home in the 100 block of South Monterey Street in Elmhurst, operated by UCP Seguin, became aware of the incident when they were shown a video of an employee striking a seated, disabled adult several times on Jan. 18, police said.

The incident was reported to Elmhurst police, who went to the home. The victim was taken to a hospital for an examination as a precaution.

Elmhurst police also alerted Illinois Adult Protective Services and the Illinois Department of Healthcare.

Butler, of the 900 block of North Drake in Chicago, was taken to the DuPage County Jail.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2017. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2knU6Lz

Pop-Up Pizza Exhibit Opens At Niles Public Library

CHICAGO (CBS) — Warning: This story might make you hungry. It’s about pizza…and an new exhibit.

The Niles Public Library opens Wednesday a temporary ‘U.S. Pizza Museum’ exhibit, which will run through March 31st.

The U.S. Pizza Museum is an online museum that hosts pop-up exhibitions showcasing a collection of pizza items. Founded by Kendall Bruns in 2015, the museum’s mission is to “inspire curiosity and new ways of thinking about the rich history and recent developments in the world of pizza by collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting pizza-related items.”

The exhibit at Niles Public Library will allows guests to learn about the history of pizza in both Chicago and beyond. WBBM’s Bernie Tafoya reports.

“I love pizza. It’s a common sentiment,” says Kendall Bruns, curator of the online USPizzaMuseum.com.

The library’s exhibit will explain Chicago style pizzas and how they compare to styles nationwide.

Bruns said the exhibit “goes over the history of pizza in Chicago specifically, but also a little bit of context at how that fits in with pizza in America.”

New and vintage items from the U.S. Pizza Museum collection will help bring the history to life. Items will include, vintage menus from Chicago pizzerias such as Pizzeria Uno’s and Father and Son; and pop culture items such as pizza-related toys and video games and posters from the movie Mystic Pizza.

There will be special events as well, including a pizza box art contest, a pizza dough demo day and two talks on the history of pizza. A full list of special events are below with their designated dates and times.

The exhibit will hold Friday an opening celebration at 6:30 p.m. The first 200 people in line will get a free piece of pizza from Home Run Inn.

“I LOVE PIZZA” events:

I LOVE PIZZA Kickoff Event
Friday, Feb. 3
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Pizza Box Art Contest
Feb. 4 – Feb. 28

History of Pizza
Thursday, Feb. 9
7:00-8:15 p.m.

Pizza Dough Making
Saturday, Feb. 18
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bedtime Pizza Math
Wednesday, Feb. 22
7:00-7:45 p.m.

Pizza Snack Food Taste-off
Saturday, March 4
12-4 p.m.

Explore Southern Italy
Monday, March 6
7:00-8:30 p.m.

Pizza Pi Day
Tuesday, March 14
4:00-4:45 p.m.

Senior Coffee Hour: The History of Pizza
Wednesday, March 22
10:30-11:30 a.m.

from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2kR8WGT

Conservative Policy Group Pitches State Budget Plan With No Tax Hike

CHICAGO (CBS) — A conservative lobbying group has outlined a plan for ending the state’s budget standoff without a major income tax increase.

The Illinois Policy Institute’s budget plan would move all new employees and as many current workers as it can persuade into a 401(k)-style retirement plan, instead of defined pensions.

The proposal also would make most able-bodied people without children ineligible for Medicaid, impose the state’s most recent contract offer to unionized state workers, reduce state payroll by 10 percent, and freeze property taxes for five years.

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman said it also would end state revenue sharing with larger local governments, which he claimed spend more money than they should.

“We want to end that charade. We want to create local accountability. If a local school district wants to engage in pension spiking at the end of a teacher’s career, they can do that. If they want to give administrators excessive compensation packages, they can do that. But they won’t be able to send the bill to other taxpayers anymore,” he said.

Tillman said state mandates on local government would be reduced, but he acknowledged there would be skepticism and resistance to much of the IPI budget plan.

“Every single political actor at the local level will want to hold on to every penny they can, and it won’t be until the public demands these reforms that we really see the political will,” he said.

State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) said she thinks the public will press for approval of the IPI budget plan.

“That four-person family where the dad’s working his tail off, and maybe has a second job, and they know that they’re funding the Medicare for an able-bodied single adult who doesn’t want to get a job; I’ll tell you what, they’re all in on this plan, sir. All in,” she said.

from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2kOz9tv