End of an Era: Base Stores Will No Longer Accept Pogs

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AFGHANISTAN End of an era: Base stores will no longer accept pogs

BY J.P. LAWRENCE Stars and Stripes KABUL, Afghanistan — The paper coins, or pogs, that troops have used at stores and collected as souvenirs on overseas bases for the last 20 years are being phased out as the U.S. military leaves Af- ghanistan. Some stores have already stopped using pogs, which were given as change instead of nickels, dimes and quarters since 2001 at Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores. Signs at the seven AAFES stores that are still open on bases in Af- ghanistan encouraged people to turn in or use their pogs before JOHN VANDIVER/Stars and Stripes they are no longer accepted, An artillery team from Spain fires a round Wednesday during U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Dynamic Front drill in Grafenwoehr, Germany. The spokesman Chris Ward said. exercise is part of the overarching Defender Europe-21 program. SEE POGS ON PAGE 4 Fine-tuning firepower 15 countries, 1,800 troops demonstrate NATO’s reach in US-led fires exercise in Germany

Stars and Stripes BY JOHN VANDIVER “This, right now, is about fine-tuning our The few Army and Air Force Stars and Stripes ability to work together and working out the Exchange Service stores that are GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — The ground “This, right now, is about bugs now, so that in a crisis or conflict, we’ve still open on bases in Afghanistan shook in northern Bavaria as Spanish artillery- fine-tuning our ability to got that behind us,” said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. are encouraging people to turn in men fired rockets under the orders of Amer- Roger Cloutier, head of NATO Allied Land or use their paper coins, or pogs. ican soldiers, who are using a makeshift com- work together and working Command. “Fires is going to be a critical part mand post this week to test the Army’s ability out the bugs now, so that of any crisis or conflict if it gets to that end.” RELATED to coordinate attacks across large distances. The Army’s 41st Field Artillery Brigade is at At the Army’s sprawling ranges in Grafen- in a crisis or conflict, we’ve the center of the action as it coordinates C-130 crew honored woehr and a separate site in Poland, U.S. Army strikes. The brigade was stood up three years for evading fire, aiding Europe and Africa’s Dynamic Front drill is got that behind us.” ago after years of U.S. unit cuts in Germany, in bringing together dozens of howitzers and a push to bring long-range artillery back to Eu- airman in Afghanistan multiple launch rocket systems in a showcase U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Roger Cloutier Page 3 of allied reach. head of NATO Allied Land Command SEE FINE-TUNING ON PAGE 3 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER

EUROPE GAS PRICES EXCHANGE RATES

Country Super E10 Super unleaded Super plus Diesel Military rates South Korea (Won) 1129.94 Germany $3.303 $3.715 $3.963 $3.524 Azores .. .. $3.863 .. Switzerland (Franc) .8996 Euro costs (May 21) $1.19 Change in price +6.7 cents +6.8 cents +6.4 cents +6.3 cents Change in price .. .. +6.4 cents .. Thailand (Baht) 31.37 Dollar buys (May 21) 0.7988 Turkey (NewLira) 8.3658 Netherlands .. $4.166 $4.470 $4.139 Belgium .. $3.058 $3.332 $3.081 British pound (May 21) $1.38 Japanese yen (May 21) 106.00 Change in price .. 0.5 cents 0.5 cents 0.4 cents Change in price .. No change No change No change (Military exchange rates are those available South Korean won (May 21) 1104.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the U.K. .. $3.614 $3.862 $3.423 Turkey .. .. $3.748 $4.030* Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger Change in price .. +6.8 cents +6.4 cents +6.3 cents Change in price .. .. +6.4 cents No change many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) .3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur Britain (Pound) 1.4144 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2075 your local military banking facility. Commercial China(Yuan) 6.4345 rates are interbank rates provided for reference PACIFIC GAS PRICES Denmark (Krone) 6.0898 Egypt (Pound) 15.6800 when buying currency. All figures are foreign Country Super E10 Super unleaded Super plus Diesel Euro .8190 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Japan .. $3.749 .. $3.319 South Korea $3.109 .. $3.769 $3.329 Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7632 pound, which is represented in dollarsto pound, and the euro, which is dollarstoeuro.) Change in price .. +6.0 cents .. +7.0 cents Change in price +7.0 cents .. +7.0 cents +6.0 cents Hungary (Forint) 286.45 Israel (Shekel) 3.2609 Okinawa $3.089 .. .. $3.319 Guam $3.099 $3.519 $3.759 .. Japan (Yen) 108.84 INTEREST RATES Kuwait(Dinar) .3007 Change in price +6.0 cents .. .. +7.0 cents Change in price +6.0 cents +7.0 cents +6.0 cents .. Norway (Krone) 8.3212 Prime rate 3.25 Philippines (Peso) 47.77 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 *DieselEFD **Midgrade Poland (Zloty) 3.69 Federal funds market rate 0.09 Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7502 3month bill 0.01 For the week of May 2127 Singapore (Dollar) 1.3310 30year bond 2.40 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 56/52

Kabul Seoul 74/55 72/54 Baghdad 109/73 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 71/55 72/62 93/65 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 62/45 70/59 51/49 Iwakuni Kuwait City Bahrain 65/61 Brussels Zagan Sasebo Guam 107/86 92/85 Ramstein 63/45 68/61 60/50 56/50 84/82 Riyadh Lajes, 106/85 Doha Azores Stuttgart 111/80 61/57 63/50 Pápa Aviano/ 68/42 Vicenza 62/47

Naples 70/52 Okinawa Morón 80/76 91/62 Sigonella Rota 76/50 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 74/64 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 92/80 66/62 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 36 Classified ...... 46 Comics ...... 38-39 Crossword ...... 38-39 Faces ...... 35 Opinion ...... 40 Sports ...... 41-48 Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY C-130 crew honored for combat heroism

BY PHILLIP WALTER said. WELLMAN Upon landing at Bagram, anoth- Stars and Stripes er C-130J Super Hercules was KABUL, Afghanistan — A pilot prepared and the remaining crew who escaped enemy ground fire finished the mission, the state- and flew a quick reaction force to ment said. Bagram Airfield has received one “The teamwork aspect of the of the military’s highest awards squadron was awesome,” Ri- for heroism in flight, the Air Force chardson said. said. “I told them we were on our way C-130J pilot Maj. Christopher back with a problem and the Richardson received the Distin- whole squadron jumped into ac- guished Flying Cross at a ceremo- tion.” ny in Little Rock, Ark., on May 10. The previously unreported inci- Fellow pilot 1st Lt. Christian Gro- dent occurred during a period chowski, and loadmasters Senior which the U.S. military said was Airman Dimitrious Carden and largely free of Taliban attacks Staff Sgt. Jade Mori received Air against foreign forces. The insur- Medals, a statement said Wednes- gents pledged to stop targeting day. foreign troops as part of a U.S.-Ta- The 61st Airlift Squadron crew liban deal signed in February was flying a team of service mem- 2020. bers to an unnamed forward base While it hasn’t been confirmed on Sept. 19, 2020, when enemy fire whether the Taliban were respon- crippled the plane and injured a sible, the incident was raised with crew member, the statement said. the group through a military coor- Richardson tried to approach dination channel in Qatar, United PHOTOS BY AARON IRVIN/U.S. Air Force the base but was hindered by dam- States Forces-Afghanistan said. Air Force Col. John Schutte, 19th Airlift Wing commander, presents the Distinguished Flying Cross to Maj. aged controls. The Distinguished Flying Cross Christopher Richardson, 61st Airlift Squadron pilot, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., on May 10. He decided instead to return to is awarded for singular acts of he- Bagram Airfield. roism or extraordinary achieve- “For me, it was a continual ba- ment while in flight. lancing of priorities,” Richardson The Air Medal is awarded hero- said in the statement. ism or meritorious achievements “First was to get the crew and in flight. the plane out of harm’s way. Sec- “I certainly would not have suc- ond was assessing if the mission ceeded alone — we all worked to- was worth the risk.” gether and relied on each other Meanwhile, Carden and an on- that night,” Carden said. “Every- board combat control team tended body on that plane played a signif- to the injured crew member’s icant role in carrying out the mis- wounds, it said. sion and bringing everyone home “Everything happened quickly, safely.” and adrenaline makes decision- making difficult, but having my Schutte presents the Air Medal to Schutte presents the Air Medal Schutte presents the Air Medal Senior Airman Dimitrious Carden, to Staff Sgt. Jade Morin, 61st to 1st Lt. Christian Grochowski, previous training to lean on [email protected] helped me incredibly,” Carden Twitter: @pwwellman 61st Airlift Squadron loadmaster. Airlift Squadron loadmaster. 61st Airlift Squadron pilot. Fine-tuning: Dynamic Front drills showcase allied reach FROM PAGE 1 Fires Shock falls under the Defender Eu- rope. rope-21 drill, which is now in its second year More than 70 different allied artillery and includes about 30,000 troops. The ef- systems, 15 different countries and 1,800 fort, designed amid concerns about a more troops — 800 of them American — are tak- aggressive Russia, focuses on improving ing part in the exercise, which is part of the the ability of the U.S. and allies to move Army’s new “Fires Shock” series that in- large numbers of troops and gear quickly in volves events from the Arctic to North Afri- a crisis. ca. For the Army, the role of long-range artil- The aim of Dynamic Front is to ensure lery in drills coincides with a broader push that, in the event of conflict, Army artillery- to step up such capabilities by making im- men in Germany can coordinate fire mis- provements a top service modernization sions with any number of allied land forces priority. anywhere in Europe, said Brig. Gen. Chris- German troops also are among those topher Norrie, who commands the 7th Army launching artillery in Dynamic Front, Training Command in Grafenwoehr. which is due to wrap up Monday. The drills also involve “shoot and scoot” 7TH ARMY TRAINING COMMAND “For us, non-U.S. NATO allies, I person- tactics, where once a rocket is launched the Soldiers with the Spanish army's 63rd Field Rocket Launcher Artillery Regiment fire ally think the U.S. is always setting the artillerymen move to another location during Dynamic Front 21 on Wednesday at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. benchmark so we have to see where we ahead of possible return fire. Unlike the are,” said Germany’s Lt. Gen. Andreas wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, any conflict through the technical difficulties of getting rie said, as he watched artillery fire from a Marlow, commander of 1 Corps, a multina- with Russia in Europe would involve facing different weapons systems to synchronize, lookout point. “We’ll never know exactly tional division of German and Dutch troops, off with an adversary capable of launching all in austere conditions, as soldiers live out what a future conflict might look like. But who was on hand for the events. long-range precision strikes of its own. of tents in the field. all our efforts are to ensure the distance be-

Norrie said there is no substitute for such “Those challenges are getting smaller as tween where we are and where we need to [email protected] rehearsals, which require forces to work we continue to act and train together,” Nor- be is as short as possible.” Twitter: @john_vandiver PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WAR/MILITARY Pogs: Paper coin phaseout part of larger Afghanistan withdrawal

FROM PAGE 1 “As closure of operations in Af- ghanistan continues, Exchange facilities in the country are transi- tioning to a cashless system,” Ward said. The exact day when pogs will no longer be used anywhere in the country was unknown, he said. The B&S Central Store at the coalition base at Kabul airport has already stopped accepting the paper coins, a sign at the shop’s entrance said last week. Many shelves were bare inside the store, which once sold items like energy drinks, protein powder and action figures. The few items available were discounted by 75% or more. B&S stopped accepting pogs when it could no longer exchange them for dollars through AAFES and the U.S. finance office, Mi- chiel Kampers, head of retail support for the Netherlands-based chain, said by email. The airport store, which was the Stars and Stripes last B&S shop in Afghanistan, was A cashier sorts paper coins, or pogs, with regular cash and coins in a store register on a U.S. military base. set to close Thursday, he said. Pogs started being phased out be out of Afghanistan no later than press. from 2005 was offered on eBay for — metal tokens of appreciation early this month as the U.S. mili- Sept. 11. AAFES began issuing the card- $450, and a single 5-cent pog from from military leaders for a job tary’s finance office began its Af- The drawdown from Afghanis- board coins at exchange stores in 2003 with the image of a dolphin well done, she said. ghanistan drawdown, Ward said. tan is “between 13-20%” complet- Afghanistan in November 2001, was going for $13. Pogs were “a weird staple of de- The finance office at Resolute ed, Central Command said Tues- saying at the time that pogs are The paper coins were “one of ployed life” that left a lasting im- Support Headquarters was no day in a statement. lighter than metal coins and those unique little details from de- pression on former public affairs longer accepting pogs, Maj. Ni- Troops and contractors still in cheaper to ship overseas. ployment,” said Kristen Rouse, a soldier Francis Horton, who de- cholas J. Long, commander of the Afghanistan have been discussing At first, pogs were intended to logistics officer who served in Af- ployed to Afghanistan in 2004. 93rd Financial Management Sup- what to do with their paper coins, be temporary and simply carried ghanistan in 2006, 2010 and 2012. But with the paper coins being port Unit, said in an email Mon- they said. information saying how much During her first tour, Rouse col- phased out in Afghanistan, “you day. Pogs can continue to be used at they were worth. But they evolved lected a pile of pogs with a face find yourself a little astonished The end of the pog in Afghanis- locations outside of Afghanistan, over the years to feature photos of value of around $20. She got most when one of the last things con- tan comes as U.S. and coalition but “I think the majority are just troops or aircraft, pictures of of them as change from the Green necting you to that era is gone,” he troops continue to withdraw after calling it a loss and throwing them NASCAR drivers and comic book Beans coffee shop at Bagram Air- said. nearly 20 years of war. out,” said one soldier, who asked characters. field.

President Joe Biden said last to remain anonymous because she Collectors now buy and sell One of the pogs is now part of [email protected] month that the U.S. military would was not authorized to speak to the pogs. This week, a set of 13 pogs her collection of challenge coins Twitter: @jplawrence3 VA to review thousands of ‘Blue US authorizes release for Water’ Navy claims automatically oldest Guantanamo prisoner Associated Press with Pakistan for his return. Pres- BY NIKKI WENTLING known as “Blue Water” Navy vet- ans became eligible for VA bene- WASHINGTON — A 73-year- ident Joe Biden’s administration Stars and Stripes erans, to government benefits. fits in 2019, the department has old from Pakistan who is the ol- has said it intends to resume ef- WASHINGTON — The Depart- The U.S. District Court of the processed more than 45,000 dest prisoner at the Guantanamo forts to close the detention center, ment of Veterans Affairs is re- Northern District of California de- claims and paid nearly $900 mil- Bay detention center was notified a process that former President viewing thousands of rejected cided in November that the VA lion in retroactive benefits. on Monday that he has been ap- Donald Trump halted. claims from Vietnam War veter- must reevaluate claims from vet- It remained uncertain Tuesday proved for release after more Paracha’s attorney said she ans who were denied benefits, but erans who were rejected. how many of the 60,000 rejected than 16 years in custody at the thinks he will be returned home may now be entitled to retroactive “This review provides an entire claims would gain approval dur- U.S. base in Cuba, his lawyer said. in the next several months. compensation. generation of veterans with anoth- ing the review. VA officials esti- Saifullah Paracha, who has “The Pakistanis want him back, Under court order, the VA starter shot at getting the health care mated the review would last at been held on suspicion of ties to and our understanding is that ed reviewing last week the 60,000 and benefits they’ve earned,” said least through the summer. al-Qaida but never charged with a there are no impediments to his claims for Agent Orange exposure Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., chair- The agency has been tackling a crime, was cleared by the prison- return,” she said. from veterans who served off- man of the Senate Veterans’ Af- large backlog of claims that accu- er review board along with two A Pentagon spokesman had no shore during the Vietnam War. fairs Committee. mulated during the coronavirus other men, said Shelby Sullivan- immediate comment. These former sailors served In a letter last week, Acting VA pandemic. Murphy told Congress Bennis, who represented him at The prisoner review board also aboard ships in the open waters off Undersecretary for Benefits Tho- last week that the backlog was his hearing in November. informed Uthman Abd al-Rahim the coast of Vietnam and have long mas Murphy wrote that Blue Wa- likely to “hit an apex” in August, in As is customary, the notifica- Uthman, a Yemeni who has been contended they were exposed to ter Navy veterans would automat- part because of the large volume tion did not provide detailed rea- held without charge at Guantana- chemical herbicides through the ically have their rejected claims of Blue Water Navy claims. soning for the decision and con- mo since it opened in January ships’ water systems. The dioxin- re-adjudicated if the reason for In its budget request to Con- cluded only that Paracha is “not a 2002, that he had been cleared, laden herbicides have been found their denial was their lack of in gress, the VA asked for more full- continuing threat” to the United according to his attorney, Beth to cause respiratory cancers, Par- country service in Vietnam. time employees to help review States, Sullivan-Bennis said. Jacob, who spoke to him by kinson’s disease and heart dis- “VA is working as quickly as these claims. It does not mean his release his phone. ease, as well as other conditions. possible to review these claims,” imminent. But it is a crucial step “He was happy, relieved and

Congress passed legislation in the agency said Tuesday. [email protected] before the U.S. government nego- hopeful that this will actually lead 2019 that entitled these veterans, Since Blue Water Navy veter- Twitter: @nikkiwentling tiates a repatriation agreement to his release,” Jacob said. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY US Navy destroyer passes through South China Sea

BY JOSEPH DITZLER ations past the Paracels and the face-to-air missile sites and com- Stars and Stripes Spratly Island chain about 250 plementary structures, according The USS Curtis Wilbur steamed miles west of the Philippines to to the Asia Maritime Transparen- past the Paracel Islands to assert demonstrate a right of “innocent cy Initiative. free navigation, the Navy said passage.” The USS John S. On Tuesday, the Curtis Wilbur Thursday, just days after the guid- McCain steamed through the Pa- made a trip through the Taiwan ed missile destroyer passed racel archipelago on Feb. 5. Strait, the 110-mile-wide body of through the Taiwan Strait. The South China Sea, particu- water that separates China from The Paracels, a cluster of is- larly, is overlaid with claims and Taiwan, which Beijing regards as lands in the South China Sea about counterclaims. China uses the is- a renegade province. 180 miles southeast of Hainan, lands as baselines to extend its Chinese President Xi Jinping in China, are claimed by Vietnam, claim of territorial seas beyond 12 January said China expects Tai- Taiwan and China. All three ex- nautical miles of the mainland wan’s peaceful return to the peo- pect either permission or advance coast, according to a 1996 State U.S. NAVY ple’s republic, but it reserves the notice before a warship cruises Department report. The guidedmissile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur steams through the right to use force to make that hap- through the area. “Regardless of which claimant South China Sea on Thursday. The Chinese military’s South- has sovereignty over the islands in pen, the BBC reported. ern Theater Command said the the Paracel Islands, straight base- In February, President Joe Bi- U.S. warships “have repeatedly ment to freedom and openness, Curtis Wilbur entered the waters lines cannot lawfully be drawn den said the U.S. under his admin- flaunted their prowess in the Tai- but rather deliberate disruption near the Paracels without permis- around the Paracel Islands in istration would maintain its wan Strait, provoking and stirring and sabotage of regional peace sion, and that Chinese ships and their entirety,” according to a Na- heightened pace of innocent-pas- up trouble,” Zhao Lijian, spokes- and stability,” Zhao said. “The in- planes followed the U.S. ship, ac- vy statement on the Curtis Wil- sage operations and trips through man for China’s Ministry of For- ternational community sees this cording to Reuters news service. bur’s operation Thursday. the Taiwan Strait. eign Affairs, said on Wednesday. crystal clear.” The United States periodically China has also expanded the is- China views U.S. passage China is resolved to uphold its sends a warship, often a destroyer, lands by dredging and building an through the strait as a bold provo- territorial integrity, he said. [email protected] on freedom-of-navigation oper- airfield, helipads, harbors, sur- cation. “This is by no means commit- Twitter: @JosephDitzler

US, Russia at odds over Vietnam War hero who protected military activity in Arctic REYKJAVIK, Iceland — The fellow service members dies at 74 Biden administration is leading a campaign against Russian at- BY SETH ROBSON Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in wounded, according to the cita- tempts to assert authority over Stars and Stripes Vietnam’s Binh Dinh province tion. Arctic shipping and reintroduce a An Army medic who received during an attack on the night of “Hagemeister’s repeated hero- military dimension to discussions the Medal of Honor for picking up March 20, 1967. ic and selfless actions at the risk of over international activity in the a fallen soldier’s rifle and using it Hagemeister’s platoon came his life saved the lives of many of area. to protect his wounded comrades under heavy fire from three sides his comrades and inspired their As Russia assumed the rotating during the Vietnam War has died, by an enemy force occupying actions in repelling the enemy as- chairmanship of the Arctic Coun- according to the Congressional well-concealed, fortified positions sault,” the citation states. cil on Thursday, the U.S. rallied Medal of Honor Society. and supported by machine guns Stars and Stripes ran a front- other members to oppose Mos- Charles Hagemeister, 74, died and mortars, according to his page photograph on May 16, 1968, cow’s plans to set maritime rules Wednesday in Leavenworth, medal citation. of Hagemeister and three others in the Northern Sea Route, which Kan., the society announced that Seeing two of his comrades seri- receiving the nation’s highest JOE GROMELSKI/Stars and Stripes runs from Norway to Alaska, and day. It did not state a cause of ously wounded, Hagemeister awards for valor two days earlier Charles Hagemeister its desire to resume high-level death. raced through the deadly hail of from President Lyndon Johnson military talks within the eight-na- The youngest of four siblings, fire to help. After learning that the in the Hall of Heroes at the Penta- made of. If you do your job and a tion bloc. Hagemeister was born in Lincoln, platoon leader and several other gon. little bit for somebody else, you’ll The effort reflects growing con- Neb., on Aug. 21, 1946. He gradu- soldiers had been wounded, he “As we meet here other men in usually come through.” cerns in Washington and among ated from Lincoln’s Southeast crawled forward under fire to ren- Paris are beginning the very hard Hagemeister retired from ac- some NATO allies about a surge in High School and was drafted into der aid, the citation states. negotiations that we hope will one tive duty as a lieutenant colonel in Russian military and commercial the Army in May 1966 while on a At one point in the battle Hage- day silence the guns in a free Viet- June 1990 and served on the board activity in the region. break from the University of Ne- meister seized a rifle from a fallen nam,” Johnson said at the ceremo- of the Congressional Medal of Russian Foreign Minister Ser- braska, according to the society’s comrade, killed a sniper and three ny. Honor Society. He is survived by gey Lavrov had earlier this week statement. other enemy soldiers who were at- In a July 1968 interview with his wife, Barbara, two children dismissed the U.S. criticism be- Spc. 4th Class Hagemeister was tempting to encircle his position, Army Digest cited by the Medal of and two grandchildren. cause the Arctic “is our territory, a medic with Headquarters and and silenced an enemy machine Honor Society, Hagemeister said: our land.”

Headquarters Company, 1st Bat- gun before securing help from a “The pressure of a crisis situation [email protected] talion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st nearby platoon to evacuate the makes you realize what you’re Twitter: @SethRobson1 From The Associated Press PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 PACIFIC ‘I think it’s a story that needs to be told’ Racism he endured drove 1st Vietnamese-born Army general’s passion for diversity, inclusion BY ERICA EARL With help from one of his father’s Stars and Stripes American friends, the family TOKYO — For the Army’s first made plans to move to the United Vietnamese-born general officer, States. the trauma of escaping to America Luong recalled staying in hotels with his family during the Viet- around Vietnam and at a refugee nam War was a call to foster a compound with nothing but docu- more inclusive military. mentation and a few articles of Maj. Gen. Viet Luong, com- clothing. On April 27, 1975, the mander of U.S. Army Japan, was 9 family were corralled on a hot tar- years old when he fled Vietnam mac at Son Nhat Airport when, he with his family in 1975. He shared said, “all hell broke loose.” his story during a U.S. Army Ja- Luong saw mortars and artil- pan Facebook Live event on Tues- lery fire. He said he could hear day as part of Asian American and small-arms fire surrounding the Pacific Islander Heritage Month. airport, and then the enemy Luong faced racism as a young bombed the airstrip. immigrant growing up in Los An- Luong recalled cowering, lying geles, he told Stars and Stripes via face down, hearing his father yell- U.S. Army email Wednesday. The coupling of ing to stay down in between trying Maj. Gen. Viet Luong, commander of U.S. Army Japan, shares his family’s story at an immigration and his family’s harrowing ordeal in to soothe and reassure him that naturalization ceremony in 2018. Vietnam and the discrimination everything would be alright. he faced drove his passion for di- “People close by were getting him to become a leader. versity and inclusion, he said. hit,” Luong said. “I remember “Just to be honest, the scars their screams and cries. I did pret- ‘Doors open’ from that event are indelible,” he ty much the only thing a 9-year- In 1993, Luong became one of said during the Facebook Live in- old could do at that moment and only 27 battalion commanders of terview. “I don’t like to retell that said my Hail Marys and recited Asian descent in the history of the story all that much, but I think it’s my prayers.” 82nd Airborne Division. a story that needs to be told be- The U.S. Marine Corps helped At the time, he said, he felt a cause it’s part of who we are as evacuate survivors via aircraft, need to outperform his white Americans.” and, in what Luong says is some- counterparts to earn equal recog- Luong’s father was the South what of a hazy memory, led them nition. Vietnamese marines’ executive aboard the aircraft carrier USS “Maybe I was too naïve, but I officer just before the height of the Hancock to America. thought if we all just do our jobs war. One night, Luong said, he He said watching his father and do well, everything will work overheard him telling his mother guide his family through such a out,” Luong said Tuesday. “But it that their country was doomed. traumatic experience encouraged doesn’t work like that. In order to be successful, you need a lot of support, you need mentorship, and you need advocacy. “I’m not bitter about it, but as I look back, I realize there were op- Viet Luong portunities and doors open for my Luong, far left, was 9 years old when he fled Vietnam with his family in peers as far as advocacy that were 1975. He’s pictured here with his father and siblings in 1973. available at nearly every turn that I didn’t have. To correct that, it’s Luong said that not all acts of the U.S. with his Vietnamese going to take a little bit of time.” racism are aggressive. Internal bi- mother during the war. His father, About 4% of active-duty enlisted as can be much subtler and, even an American Vietnam War veter- personnel and 8% of commis- if not explicitly harmful, create a an, was evacuated from the em- sioned personnel in the U.S. mili- toxic work environment, he said. bassy roof just before the fall of tary are of Asian descent, and only That includes comments about Saigon. about 3% of all active-duty person- the stereotypical “good Asian,” as- “We lost all of our stuff, but most nel are Pacific Islander, according suming one race is quieter or importantly, we remained togeth- to a December report from the De- more hardworking than another er,” he said. “That was not the case partment of Defense Board on Di- and other sweeping judgments. for a lot of people.” versity and Inclusion. Edwards co-leads the American White officers represent 73% of ‘Global by nature’ Asian and Pacific Islander compo- all active-duty officers, the report Another Vietnamese-born lead- nent of a diversity and inclusion said. er, Air Force Brig. Gen. John Ed- task force on Fort Belvoir. He said Luong said work still needs to be wards, said the conversation he was too young to remember done to ensure the path to leader- around diversity extends to be- much about his life in Vietnam but ship positions is not more difficult havior as ambassadors of the mil- spending some of his developing or met with more resistance for itary when overseas and making years against the backdrop of war some than others. genuine attempts to understand created a drive against racism. “In the Army, we have been the language and culture of host Fully understanding host nation having some very uncomfortable nations. communities is a key element in conversations to tackle the harm- “The military is global by na- “righting past wrongs” of the U.S. ful behavior,” he said. ture, and acceptance is critical to military, Edwards said. This year, Asian American and the mission,” he said in a video call “We are not taking our foot off Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Stars and Stripes on Wednes- the gas on this,” he said. “Our di- comes after a wave of increased day. versity is what makes us a smarter violence against Asians in Amer- Edwards, director of the Nucle- force.” ica, including the March attacks in ar Enterprise Directorate at the Viet Luong Atlanta that killed six Asian wom- Defense Threat Reduction Agen- [email protected] Luong is pictured with family members in Vietnam during the 1960s. en. cy in Fort Belvoir, Va., moved to Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 MILITARY Lawmakers mull a DC quick reaction force BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS to crisis response. force. their efforts but declaring “it’s enforcement unit, which they said Stars and Stripes Thousands of Guard troops from “This emergency supplemental time they return home and focus “improves the range of law en- WASHINGTON — With the Na- across the country deployed to appropriation addresses the direct on their core mission.” forcement capabilities, stream- tional Guard’s monthslong deploy- Washington after the Jan. 6 riot at costs of the insurrection and “Security of the Capitol complex lines operations beyond the Capi- ment to the Capitol in its final days, the Capitol building. Almost 2,150 strengthens Capitol security for must remain the responsibility of tol and would likely cost much less congressional lawmakers are con- Guard members remain in the re- the future,” DeLauro said in a federal civilian law enforcement,” than tapping the National Guard sidering whether to create a dedi- gion supporting that mission, statement Friday. “The needs are the lawmakers said in their joint for this purpose,” according to the cated force to respond quickly if which is scheduled to end Sunday, urgent, so it is imperative we swift- statement. “Use of the uniformed statement. “If Democrat leader- troops are needed again. chief Pentagon spokesman John ly pass this legislation to protect military in D.C. and the Capitol ship wants to spend an additional Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., Kirby told reporters Wednesday. the Capitol and those who work complex is subject to complex stat- $200 million on the National chairwoman of the House Appro- While the majority of the funds and visit here.” utory restrictions, and for good Guard, it would be better spent on priations Committee, introduced a would reimburse the National But Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., reason. We cannot and should not rebuilding Guard readiness that $1.9 billion Capitol-security fund- Guard, Capitol Police and the Dis- and Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., on militarize the security of the Capi- suffered as a result of this over- ing bill Friday to address costs of trict of Columbia for costs in- Wednesday announced their op- tol complex.” long deployment to Capitol Hill.” the Jan. 6 riot. The bill, in part, curred in the response to the riot, position to creating the quick-re- Instead, Rogers and Inhofe sug- would create a standing force in the bill allocates about $200 mil- action force in a statement com- gested creating a quick-reaction [email protected] the D.C. National Guard dedicated lion to create the quick-reaction mending the National Guard for force within a federal civilian law Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Biden praises global role of Coast Guard at commencement

BY SARAH CAMMARATA “The Coast Guard has always Stars and Stripes recognized the broader defini- WASHINGTON — The Coast tion of our national security,” as Guard’s importance in strength- stewards of the environment and ening global economic, trade and those who work to intercept illicit environmental security, espe- drug shipments at sea, he said. cially amid a tumultuous year of Biden also spoke about the extreme weather events and the Coast Guard’s role in keeping sea coronavirus pandemic, took cen- lanes open and secure, amid inter stage in President Joe Biden’s creasing aggression from Russia commencement address and China in the Indo-Pacific re- Wednesday at the U.S. Coast gion and the Arctic. Guard Academy. “You have an essential role in “Being here together is a victo- our efforts to ensure a free and ry in and of itself, an important open Indo-Pacific,” he said. marker in the progress we've Biden also highlighted that made to turn the tide of this pan- slightly more than one-third of demic. It's a testament of the skill the Coast Guard’s 2021 graduat- PHOTOS BY ANDREW HARNIK/AP and military discipline [and] ing class is women. He recently President Joe Biden arrives to speak at the commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in sense of responsibility you al- nominated Vice Adm. Linda Fa- New London, Conn., on Wednesday. ready embody,” Biden told the gan, the first female four-star ad- Class of 2021. miral, to serve as the service’s investigation for alleged inap- Flanked by Homeland Securi- next vice commandant. propriate sexual conduct with a ty Secretary Alejandro Mayor- “To see more women at the female cadet at the academy. kas and Commandant Adm. Karl highest levels of command, we Schultz also came under fire Schultz, Biden spoke to a crowd have to make sure that women last summer when he declined to of 240 U.S. cadets, along with have the chance to succeed and appear before a joint House seven international cadets, at the thrive throughout their careers,” Oversight and Homeland Securi- academy’s campus in New Lon- he said. ty Committee hearing to address don, Conn. Biden also reaffirmed his com- the services’ handling of system- Operating as part of the De- mitment to combat the scourge of ic racist harassment. partment of Homeland Security, sexual assault and harassment in A Homeland Security Inspec- the Coast Guard force of roughly the military and cited the impor- tor General report in early June 42,000 members has a broad tance of diversity. was the focus of the July hearing, range of missions including con- “Our national success depends which found the Coast Guard A- ducting search and rescue, drug on our capacity to harness the cademy was aware of 16 racist interdiction, law enforcement full range of ideas and experi- harassment cases between 2013 and maritime security. ences that exist in our country,” and 2018, of which 11 cases were Biden praised members of the he said. not investigated thoroughly. Coast Guard for stepping in to aid The speech comes just weeks Yet, Biden on Wednesday was 250,000 stranded cruise passen- after the Coast Guard Academy’s optimistic about the future of the gers at the start of the pandemic. senior enlisted leader, Command Coast Guard’s graduating class. Later, 500 reservists deployed to Master Chief Brett VerHulst, “You’re the most progressive, support nationwide vaccination abruptly resigned. The Coast best educated, least prejudiced, efforts. Guard Investigative Service is most open generation in Ameri- Disaster response — long a leading an investigation into al- can history. We need you badly. part of the Coast Guard’s diverse leged inappropriate conduct. You’re ready. It’s time to get un- set of missions — was vital last A news story this week written derway,” he told them. year, amid the most active hurri- by reporters from McClatchy cane season on record, Biden and its newspaper the Miami [email protected] Cadets stand during the commencement for the United States Coast said. Herald said VerHulst is under Twitter: @sarahjcamm Guard Academy in New London, Conn., on Wednesday. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK Cases wane on US bases; Okinawa may declare emergency

BY JOSEPH DITZLER ceive the first of the two-shot Pfiz- Stars and Stripes er-BioNTech vaccine. Scheduling TOKYO — U.S. commands on and sign-up details were available Okinawa reported four new cases on base and military hospital of COVID-19, the coronavirus re- Facebook pages. spiratory disease, as of 6 p.m. Okinawa prefecture reported Thursday. 203 new infections Wednesday, its Kadena Air Base had three peo- highest one-day count during the ple test positive while still quaran- pandemic, according to prefectu- tined following travel outside Ja- ral data online. Okinawa Gov. pan, according to a base Facebook Denny Tamaki was expected to post late Wednesday. Contact ask the national government to de- tracing was underway. clare a state of emergency there to One person at Camp Foster con- curb the virus’s spread, public HIRO KOMAE/AP tracted COVID-19, according to a broadcaster NHK reported on People wearing face masks walk across Tokyo's Shibuya crossing Thursday. Tokyo on Thursday reported post by Marine Corps Installa- Thursday. 843 new coronavirus patients, a drop of 167 people from the same day last week, NHK reported. tions Pacific on Thursday. Approximately 30,000 U.S. ser- Kadena has recorded 11 new vice members of all branches are which includes Tokyo and Osaka, drop of 167 people from the same ture, according to prefectural da- coronavirus cases so far this stationed on Okinawa, along with alcohol sales are curtailed, some day last week, according to NHK. ta. Osaka, however, continues to month, while the Marine Corps on another 27,000 Defense Depart- business hours are shortened and Osaka prefecture, Japan’s sec- report that its hospital beds re- Okinawa has reported 27. ment civilian employees and fam- employees are urged to telework. ond-largest metro area, on Thurs- served for severely ill patients are All U.S. military installations in ily members. Train service on some lines was day reported that 477 more people nearly at capacity. Japan and South Korea have Japan extended its state of reduced. had contracted COVID-19, a con- scheduled vaccine clinics this emergency to nine prefectures Tokyo on Thursday reported tinuing decline in the worst coro- [email protected] week for children ages 12-17 to re- Sunday. Under the emergency, 843 new coronavirus patients, a navirus wave to strike the prefec- Twitter: @JosephDitzler US jobless claims decline to 444K, a new pandemic low BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER rapid moves by nearly all the na- legislatures. million in the previous week, and ly in April, for example, as build- Associated Press tion’s Republican governors to Unemployed Americans have it suggests that some Americans ers struggled with shortages of WASHINGTON — The number cut off a $300-a-week federal un- been able to receive the federal who had been receiving aid have lumber and labor. of Americans seeking unemploy- employment benefit that they and benefit, which was included in found jobs. The shortages have caused a ment aid fell last week to 444,000, many business executives blame President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion As the economy quickly recov- spike in inflation, which led stock a new pandemic low and a sign for discouraging the unemployed financial rescue package, on top ers from the pandemic recession, markets to tumble this week be- that the job market keeps streng- from seeking jobs. Those cutoffs of their state jobless aid. consumers are showing more cause investors worry that higher thening as consumers spend free- of federal jobless aid will begin in Combined, the cutoff of federal confidence and spending at a prices will force the Federal Re- ly again, viral infections drop and June. jobless aid in the states that are healthy rate. Most economists serve to prematurely cut back on business restrictions ease. Twenty-two states, from Texas targeting it would reduce unem- think the economy could expand its efforts to stimulate growth. Thursday’s report from the La- and Georgia to Ohio and Iowa, ployment benefits for 3.5 million 7% this year, which would amount Fed officials have stressed their bor Department showed that ap- have acted to block the federal people, according to Oxford Eco- to the fastest annual growth in belief that the accelerating price plications declined 34,000 from a government’s $300 weekly pay- nomics. more than 35 years. increases are temporary. But the revised 478,000 a week earlier. ment for the unemployed, accord- About 16 million people were Yet the rapid reopening from minutes of their April policy The number of weekly jobless ing to an Associated Press analy- receiving unemployment benefits the pandemic has created a wide meeting, released Wednesday, claims — a rough measure of the sis. Two more states, Florida and during the week ending May 1, the range of supply shortages that showed that some Fed officials pace of layoffs — has declined Kansas, are also considering do- latest period for which data is have disrupted what economists support a discussion at future steadily since the year began. ing so. Those 24 states all have available, the government said had hoped would be a smooth re- meetings about dialing back their The data release coincides with Republican governors and state Thursday. That is down from 16.9 bound. Home building fell sharp- efforts. Duty-free giants offer free flights in order to lure VIP shoppers Bloomberg Seoul typically reserved for people nization said. Annual revenue for ter Lotte, is offering 114 seats on has rebounded and tax-free shop- Last month, Hyun Jung-a board- who have traveled internationally. Swiss duty-free giant Dufry, which two so-called flights to nowhere on ping zones are in place. The palm- ed a flight from South Korea’s In- Destination-less flights like these operates outlets worldwide, fell May 23 and 30 to customers who fringed Chinese island of Hainan cheon Airport. Around two hours are an attempt by duty-free oper- 71%. have spent more than $550 at its has become an even more popular later, she was back in the same air- ators to salvage an industry deci- While shoppers on flights such as stores since May 3. Lotte is putting getaway for tourists from the main- port and loading up on duty-free mated by COVID-19. Before the vi- Hyun’s won’t fill the financial void, on another five flights this month. land now starved of international shopping, despite never landing in rus, business was booming — the they at least bring in some much- Duty-free operators and other travel. That’s helped the province’s another country. global duty-free market was worth needed business. stores are among the last in South duty-free sales, which more than The Air Busan flight, organized $85 billion in 2019 and on track to “I saw a lot of people with bags Korea to recover from the pandem- doubled to $4.3 billion last year, ac- by Lotte Duty Free for its VIP cus- reach $139 billion by 2027, accord- full of duty-free items,” said Hyun, ic, with the country’s retailers and cording to the Ministry of Com- tomers, was Hyun’s first since the ing to Verified Market Research. who bought a Chanel bag, shoes wholesalers shedding 182,000 posi- merce. pandemic began and it didn’t cost Sales plunged as countries re- and cosmetics. “I tell all my friends tions in April even as the economy “The trend of visiting Hainan to her a cent. Because the route brief- stricted international travel. Glob- that it’s worth taking the flight be- added 652,000 jobs from a year ear- do luxury shopping is here to stay ly departed South Korean airspace ally, only 1.8 billion people took cause of the duty-free shopping op- lier, the statistics office reported for the Chinese,” said Jonathan and went over a Japanese island, scheduled flights last year com- portunity.” Wednesday. Siboni, chief executive officer of the 130 passengers on board qual- pared with 4.5 billion in 2019, the Hotel Shilla, South Korea’s sec- The industry is in less of a data-intelligence firm Luxury- ified to shop at duty-free stores in International Civil Aviation Orga- ond-biggest duty-free operator af- squeeze where domestic air traffic nsight. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Body cam shows deadly arrest of Black man in La.

BY JIM MUSTIAN Greene’s case has been shrouded Associated Press in secrecy and accusations of a NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana cover-up. state troopers were captured on Louisiana officials have re- body camera video stunning, buffed repeated calls to release punching and dragging a Black footage and details about what man as he apologized for leading caused the 49-year-old’s death. them on a high-speed chase — Troopers initially told Greene’s footage of the man’s last moments family he died on impact after alive that the Associated Press ob- crashing into a tree during the MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO, POOL/AP tained after authorities refused to chase. Later, State Police released Family members of Ronald Greene listen to speakers on Aug. 28 as demonstrators gather for the March release it for two years. a one-page statement acknowl- on Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. “I’m your brother! I’m scared! edging only that Greene struggled I’m scared!” Ronald Greene can with troopers and died on his way him a “stupid motherf—-—.” troopers leave the heavyset man his head and face. He is then load- be heard telling the white troopers to the hospital. Greene wails “I’m sorry!” as an- unattended, facedown and moan- ed onto an ambulance gurney, his as the unarmed man is jolted re- Only now in the footage ob- other trooper delivers another ing for more than nine minutes, as arm cuffed to the bedrail. peatedly with a stun gun before he tained by the AP from one troop- stun gun shock to his backside and they use sanitizer wipes to wash In many parts of the video, even gets out of his car along a er’s body camera can the public warns, “Look, you’re going to get it blood off their hands and faces. Greene is not on screen, and the dark, rural road. see for the first time some of what again if you don’t put your f—-—- “I hope this guy ain’t got f——— trooper appears to cut the micro- The 2019 arrest outside Monroe, happened during the arrest. hands behind your back!” Anoth- AIDS,” one of the troopers can be phone off about halfway through, La., is the subject of a federal civil The 46-minute clip shows one er trooper can be seen briefly heard saying. making it difficult to piece togeth- rights investigation. But unlike trooper wrestling Greene to the dragging the man facedown after After a several-minute stretch er exactly what was happening at other in-custody deaths across the ground, putting him in a choke- his legs had been shackled and his in which Greene is not seen on all times. At least six troopers nation where body camera video hold and punching him in the face hands cuffed behind him. camera, he appears again, limp, were on the scene of the arrest but was released almost immediately, while another can be heard calling Instead of rendering aid, the unresponsive and bleeding from not all had their body cameras on. Veteran to receive Medal of Honor Colonial Pipeline confirms for his actions during Korean War it paid $4.4M to hackers BY CATHY BUSSEWITZ of businesses and health care sys- BY NIKKI WENTLING trolled hill, Puckett was wounded tions on Hill 205. He had a 22-year Associated Press tems in the U.S. in the past year Stars and Stripes by a hand grenade but refused career in the Army, during which NEW YORK — The operator of alone. But many victims of ran- WASHINGTON — President evacuation. He directed artillery he also served in combat during the the nation’s largest fuel pipeline somware attacks, where hackers Joe Biden will award the Medal of support, moved between foxholes Vietnam War. confirmed it paid $4.4 million to a demand large sums of money to Honor on Friday to Ralph Puckett to check the company’s perimeter When he retired from active du- gang of hackers who broke into its decrypt stolen data or to prevent it Jr., a 94-year-old retired Army col- and distributed ammunition to the ty in 1971, Puckett became the na- computer systems. from being leaked online, opt to onel who led the capture and de- other Rangers. tional programs coordinator of Colonial Pipeline said Wednes- pay. fense of a hill during the Korean The soldiers were “inspired and Outward Bound Inc., and estab- day that after it learned of the May “I know that’s a highly contro- War against an overwhelming Chi- motivated by the extraordinary lished Discovery Inc., a leadership 7 ransomware attack, the compa- versial decision,” Blount told the nese attack. leadership and courageous exam- and teamwork development pro- ny took its pipeline system offline Journal. “But it was the right thing The White House announced the ple” exhibited by Puckett, the gram. He was inducted into the Ar- and needed to do everything in its to do for the country.” award Wednesday, saying Puckett White House said. my Ranger Hall of Fame in 1992 power to restart it quickly and Blount said Colonial paid the distinguished himself with “acts of As the Chinese continued to at- and served as the first honorary safely, and made the decision then ransom in consultation with ex- th gallantry and intrepidity above and tack, Puckett was told over his ra- colonel of the 75 Ranger Re- to pay the ransom. perts who previously dealt with beyond the call of duty.” South Ko- dio that supporting artillery fire giment from 1996 to 2006. “This decision was not made the group behind the attacks, rean President Moon Jae-in will was unavailable. His company He’s been described as “omni- lightly,” but it was one that had to DarkSide, which rents out its ran- join the ceremony Friday. continued to fight, and Puckett was present” within the Ranger com- be made, a company spokesman somware to partners to carry out Puckett will receive the Medal of wounded two more times by ene- munity, often volunteering as a said. “Tens of millions of Ameri- the actual attacks. Honor, the nation’s highest mili- my mortar rounds. speaker and adviser. In 2004, cans rely on Colonial — hospitals, Multiple sources had confirmed tary award for bravery, for actions “The pressure increased, so I Puckett was selected as a distin- emergency medical services, law to The Associated Press that Colo- he took more than 70 years ago. As ran back to the foxhole,” Puckett guished graduate of the U.S. Mili- enforcement agencies, fire denial Pipeline had paid the crimi- a young first lieutenant in Novem- said in an interview for an oral his- tary Academy. In the description of partments, airports, truck drivers ber of 1950, Puckett commanded tory project. “I got on the radio, Puckett’s service, the academy nals who committed the cyberat- the Eighth Army Ranger Company called force artillery and said, wrote that he could still be found and the traveling public.” tack a ransom of nearly $5 million during a mission to seize “Hill 205” ‘We’re under great pressure. We’re “walking the swamps and hiking Colonial Pipeline’s CEO, Joseph in cryptocurrency for the software and defend it against a series of crumbling. We’re being overrun. I the hills at the Ranger School, en- Blount, told The Wall Street Jour- decryption key required to un- chaotic assaults. just gave my unit the word to with- couraging and instructing the ris- nal he authorized the payment be- scramble their data network. Puckett led 51 Army Rangers draw.’ ” ing generation of American sol- cause the company didn’t know A ransom payment of 75 Bitcoin and nine Korean soldiers to cap- As the Chinese overran them, diers.” the extent of the damage and was paid the day after the crimi- ture Hill 205. He intentionally ran Puckett ordered his company to Puckett lives in Columbus, Ga., wasn’t sure how long it would take nals locked up Colonial’s corpo- across an exposed area multiple evacuate the area and told the sol- with his wife, Jean Martin. Togeth- to bring the pipeline’s systems rate network, according to Tom times to draw enemy fire away diers to leave him behind. Two of er, the couple have a daughter, one back. Robinson, co-founder of the cryp- from his soldiers, allowing them to his Rangers disregarded the order son and six grandchildren. One The FBI discourages making tocurrency-tracking firm Elliptic. destroy enemy positions, the White and carried Puckett off the hill to daughter is deceased. ransom payments to ransomware Prior to Robinson’s blog post, two House said. safety. attackers, because paying encour- people briefed on the case had

During the first of several Chi- Puckett earned two Distin- [email protected] ages criminal networks around confirmed the payment amount to nese attacks on the American-con- guished Service Crosses for his ac- Twitter: @nikkiwentling the globe who have hit thousands AP. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 NATION House OKs Jan. 6 riot commission over GOP dissent

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK Wednesday 252-175, with 35 Re- Associated Press publicans voting with Democrats WASHINGTON — The House in support of the commission, de- voted to create an independent fying Trump and House Republi- commission on the deadly Jan. 6 can leader Kevin McCarthy. insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Trump issued a statement urging sending the legislation to an un- Republicans to vote against it, SUSAN WALSH/AP certain future in the Senate as Re- calling the legislation a “Demo- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, of California — flanked by Reps. Benny Thompson, DMiss., left, and Rosa publican leaders work to stop a bi- crat trap.” DeLauro, DConn. — talks to reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday about legislation to create an partisan investigation that is op- Senate Republican leader independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol complex. posed by former President Do- Mitch McConnell is trying to pre- nald Trump. vent defections among his own spoke on the floor against it. And institution for a long, long time” Republicans have suggested they Democrats say an independent ranks, echoing McCarthy’s oppo- the handful of Republicans who and that a commission is neces- will support the legislation. investigation is crucial to reckon- sition in a Senate floor speech backed the commission spoke sary to find the truth about what Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said ing what happened that day, when Wednesday morning. Both men forcefully. happened. He recalled that he Tuesday that given the violent at- a violent mob of Trump’s support- claimed the bill was partisan, even “This is about facts — it’s not “heard the shouts, saw the flash- tack, “we should understand what ers smashed into the Capitol to try though membership of the pro- partisan politics,” said New York bangs, smelled the gas on that sor- mistakes were made and how we and overturn President Joe Bi- posed commission would be even- Rep. John Katko, the top Repub- ry day.” could prevent them from happen- den’s victory. Modeled after the ly split between the parties. lican on the House Homeland Se- In the Senate, McConnell’s an- ing again.” Louisiana Sen. Bill investigation into the Sept. 11, The January insurrection has curity Committee who negotiated nouncement dimmed the prospec- Cassidy said he doesn’t agree with 2001, attacks, the legislation would become an increasingly fraught the legislation with Democrats. ts for passage, as Democrats McConnell that the bill is slanted establish an independent, 10- topic for Republicans, with a He said “the American people and would need at least 10 Republi- toward Democrats and “I’m in- member commission that would growing number in the party the Capitol Police deserve an- cans to vote with them. But Senate clined to support it.” make recommendations by the downplaying the severity of the swers, and action as soon as pos- Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Re- end of the year for securing the worst attack on the Capitol in sible to ensure that nothing like D-N.Y., vowed to force a vote on publican, said that she supports Capitol and preventing another in- more than 200 years. While most this ever happens again.” the bill, charging that Republi- the idea of a commission but that surrection. Republicans voted against form- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., said cans are “caving” to Trump. the House bill would need adjust- The bill passed the House on ing the commission, only a few that Jan. 6 “is going to haunt this Like in the House, some Senate ments. New round of arrests announced related to breach of US Capitol BY CAROLYN THOMPSON creasingly political rhetoric over Alden, were arrested Wednesday Associated Press the past year had been driving busi- on similar charges and scheduled BUFFALO, N.Y. — A woman ness away from the restaurant to make initial appearances in fed- heard shouting at police to “Bring Bauer runs with her husband. eral court in Buffalo. Court docu- Nancy Pelosi out” to be hanged dur- Bauer, who could face up to 20 ments did not indicate whether ing the attack on the U.S. Capitol is years in prison if convicted of ob- they had retained lawyers. among those charged in a new struction, represented herself dur- Daniel Warmus, of Alden, ap- JONATHAN J. COOPER/AP round of arrests announced ing an online court hearing from peared before U.S. District Judge Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone, foreground, and other elected Wednesday by federal officials. what was labeled as an FBI facility Michael Romer in Buffalo on Tues- officials refute allegations of irregularities with the Arizona county's “They’re criminals. They need to in Pittsburgh. Her hair had been day. handling of the 2020 election, during a news conference in Phoenix hang ... Bring her out,” Pauline dyed a lighter color than it ap- The FBI began investigating on Monday. Bauer of Kane, Pa., is heard shout- peared in pictures submitted as evi- Warmus after receiving a Jan. 12 ing on body camera footage, ac- dence in the charging documents. tip that, while at a dentist’s office, he cording to a criminal complaint Wearing a gray sweatshirt with described smoking marijuana in- Arizona auditors now say charging her with obstructing Con- the words “Old school patriot” side the Capitol and refusing a po- gress and disorderly conduct. screen-printed on the front along- lice officer’s warning to leave. War- In the series of complaints an- side a graphic of a coiled snake, mus also played a video he had tak- no election data destroyed nounced Wednesday, Bauer is Bauer was contentious with the en inside the Capitol, which an uni- Associated Press came a day after Maricopa County charged with the most serious federal judge overseeing the initial dentified tipster heard but did not PHOENIX — Firms hired to run officials released a scathing letter counts from among two Pennsylva- appearance, repeating her desire to see, according to a criminal com- a partisan audit of the 2020 election saying the auditors couldn’t find the nia residents and five from upstate represent herself instead of an- plaint. for Senate Republicans in Arizona data because they didn’t know New York charged with being part swering his questions about wheth- “We’re not interested” in com- said Tuesday that data was not de- where to look. of a mob of former President Do- er she had had any legal training or menting, a woman who answered stroyed, reversing earlier allega- He spoke at a hearing called by nald Trump’s supporters who education in the law. the phone at Warmus’ home on tions that election officials in the Republican Senate President Ka- pushed past police officers and William Blauser Jr., of Ludlow, Wednesday said. state’s most populated county elim- ren Fann to demand answers from broke through windows and doors Pa., also appeared on charges of il- A complaint unsealed in Arizona inated evidence. county officials about the allegation on Jan. 6. legally entering a restricted build- on Tuesday charges Micajah Jack- The claim of deleted databases of deleted data and improper docu- More than 400 people have been ing and violent entry and disorderly son, of Arizona, with entering a re- was amplified by former President mentation of ballot storage. charged so far in the siege. conduct. stricted building and violent entry Donald Trump and his supporters, The GOP-controlled county A witness told authorities Both he and Bauer were released and disorderly conduct. The com- who believe conspiracy theories Board of Supervisors refused to Bauer’s husband recently revealed on bond. plaint alleges Jackson appears in about election irregularities. show up, instead holding a blister- that his wife had entered the Capi- In New York, John Juran, of Wil- photographs walking with mem- Ben Cotton, founder of a comput- ing meeting of their own Monday to tol building but said she had not liamsville; Traci Sunstrom, of Am- bers of the far-right Proud Boys ex- er forensics firm working on the au- refute the allegations. They called been violent, according to the com- herst; Michael Sywak, of Ham- tremist group, but that he told in- dit, told key senators that he had re- the audit a “sham” and said Fann’s plaint. The witness said Bauer’s in- burg; and his son William Sywak, of vestigators he is not affiliated. covered all data. The revelation auditors are incompetent. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 WORLD

Spain, Morocco Israel fires rockets concentrate on young migrants as expectations for stuck at border Associated Press CEUTA — With border crossings of migrants apparently under con- cease-fire increase trol, Spain and Morocco turned their attention Thursday to the Associated Press Explosions shook Gaza City and plight of hundreds of teenagers and GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Is- orange flares lit up the pre-dawn children stranded on both sides of rael unleashed another wave of sky, with bombing raids also re- their frontier amid one of the big- airstrikes across the Gaza Strip ported in the central town of Deir gest diplomatic spats between the early Thursday, killing at least one al-Balah and the southern town of two countries in recent years. Palestinian and wounding sever- Khan Younis. As the sun rose, res- In Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on al, and Hamas fired more rockets, idents surveyed the rubble from at the northern African coast at the even as expectations rose that a least five family homes destroyed MAYA ALLERUZZO/AP center of the dispute, hundreds of cease-fire could be coming. in Khan Younis. There were also An Israeli soldier walks at a staging ground near the border with the unaccompanied minors were Prime Minister Benjamin Neta- heavy airstrikes on a commercial Gaza Strip, in southern Israel on Thursday. crammed into charity-run ware- nyahu has pushed back against thoroughfare in Gaza City. houses for a 10-day compulsory cor- calls from the United States to The Israeli military said it termined to continue this oper- Khalid Okasha, director of the onavirus quarantine under police wind down the Gaza offensive, ap- struck at least three homes of Ha- ation until its aim is met.” It Egyptian Center for Strategic watch. Some climbed onto the pearing determined to inflict max- mas commanders in Khan Younis marked the first public rift be- Studies, which has close ties to the buildings’ roofs to escape. imum damage on Hamas in a war and another in Rafah, targeting tween the two close allies since the government, also said a cease-fire Looking for some extra clothes to that could help save his political “military infrastructure,” as well fighting began and poses a diffi- was likely in that timeframe, as protect against the evening’s cold, a career. Still, officials close to the as a weapons storage unit at a cult test of the U.S.-Israel relation- did Osama Hamdan, a senior Ha- 14-year-old boy who had left the negotiations say they expect a home in Gaza City. ship early in Biden’s presidency. mas official. poor conditions in the warehouse truce to be announced in the next With hundreds already killed in Still, an Egyptian intelligence Visiting the region, German explained that his attempt for a life 24 hours. the worst fighting since Israel and official said a cease-fire was likely Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in Spain had been agreed to by his In another possible sign of pro- Hamas’ 2014 war, U.S. President late Thursday or early Friday, af- Israel has “the right to defend it- parents. gress, Netanyahu scheduled a Joe Biden told Israel on Wednes- ter the U.S. appeal bolstered Cai- self against such unacceptable at- “They see that if I come here, I meeting later Thursday with his day that he expected “a significant ro’s own efforts to halt the fight- tacks.” But he also expressed con- can have a future,” said the boy, who Security Cabinet, where the issue de-escalation today on the path to ing. The official spoke on condi- cern about the rising number of ci- had traveled from Tetouan, a city of a cease-fire was likely to be de- a cease-fire” — but Netanyahu tion of anonymity to discuss the vilian victims and voiced support about 25 miles south of the Spanish bated. pushed back, saying he was “de- delicate talks. for truce efforts. border. PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 Iranian president upbeat on nuke talks Associated Press TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s president on Thursday offered his most optimistic assessment yet of ongoing talks to resuscitate his country’s nuclear deal with world powers, claiming there had been “major” agreement among diplomats even as other nations involved suggested challenges remain. The comments by President Hassan Rouhani come as Iran pre- pares for a June 18 election to determine who will replace the relatively moderate cleric. Saving his sig- nature atomic accord before the vote could boost reformist and moderate candidates backing Rou- hani’s agenda in an election in which many believe hard-liners already hold an edge. Speaking at a ceremony inaugu- rating several petrochemical pro- jects, Rouhani asserted that solu- tions to “major issues like sanctions” had been agreed to by diplomats, while other issues remained under discussion. “We have taken a major and big step and the main agreement has been done,” Rouhani said. That comment came just as Mik- hail Ulyanov, a Russian diplomat involved in the talks, tweeted that it “is obvious now that the Vienna talks on (deal) will not be completed by May 21 as the participants hoped.” He described the situation as “regrettable but not dramatic.” “May 21 wasn’t a deadline but a target date. It helped us not to forget about time pressure,” Ulyanov wrote. “The talks will continue until successful outcome.” That mirrored comments Wednesday by Enrique Mora, the European Union official who chaired the talks between Russia, China, Germany, France, Britain and Iran. He said told reporters “we have made substantial progress” though there were “still things to be worked out.” Chinese diplomat Wang Qun was paraphrased by the state-run Xin- hua news agency as saying “there is still some distance away from the goal of reaching an agreement.” European diplomats involved said after the talks that they were “beginning to see the contours of what a final deal could look like” but that “success is not guaranteed.” Diplomats agreed to resume the talks in Vienna next week. Specifics have been few from weeks of talks in Vienna, which aim Are you in the picture? to see Iran return to the limits the deal imposed and the U.S. drop the sanctions it imposed after then- Reading Stars and Stripes gives you a better handle on issues that aﬀect you most. President Donald Trump unilater- No one covers the bases the way we do. ally withdrew America from the In print • Online at stripes.com • Mobile for Android, iPhone & iPad deal in 2018. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 Reintroducing WEEKEND Ratchet and Clank Video games, Page 19

To play a character going through emotional hell in the chase film ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead,’ Angelina Jolie had to go through physical hell. And she ‘loved every minute of it.’

Profile on Page 16; Review on Page 17

WARNER BROS. PHOTOS/Stars and Stripes illustration

Movies — 15-18 Travel & Food — 20-26 Music — 28-29 Health — 32 Crossword — 34 PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: GADGETS & TECHNOLOGY

GADGETS Air purifier for allergy season

BY GREGG ELLMAN Tribune News Service If there was ever a timely gadget to provide some relief for the spring allergy season, the Scosche FrescheAIR portable HEPA air purifier/deodorizer is it. Measuring 2.6-inches round by 6.9- inches deep and weighing 1.42 pounds, the FrescheAIR is made with rugged aluminum alloy. It’s not only portable to fit in a backpack or such, but also fits perfectly in a vehicle’s cup holder for use on the road. It’s perfect for eliminating smoke, food and pet odors, germs and pollens from the air. Inside the FrescheAIR are dual-speed fans that pull in the dirty air from all directions. A three-stage HEPA filter on the bottom third of the cylinder collects 99.5% of the PM2.5 pollen and dust. PM2.5 is defined as fine inhalable parti- cles with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers or smaller. After the air is HOLLIE ADAMS/Bloomberg filtered in the FrescheAIR, fresh air is A smartphone displays the Apple App Store page for the Twitch streaming app. Female streamers “just chatting” are gaining released as negative ions and deodorized popularity on the Amazonowned livestream site that was once dominated by gamers livestreaming their gameplay. air. Using it is as easy as waving your hand over the touchless controls to have it quietly and efficiently eliminate unwant- ed odors at most any location. A top display shows the current temperature, Popularity of ‘just chatting’ humidity and air quality. A 4-foot USB power cable is included, which can be used at home or with the Female streamers are conquering Twitch with live video diaries included dual 12W USB car charger. An extra replaceable high flow HEPA filter BY OLGA KHARIF ments, a company that provides video tools Twitch performers has been another win- is included. More filters can be pur- Bloomberg for streamers and which represents Higa. ning strategy for some female streamers, chased for $14.99 each. uring a recent livestream, The number of top female streamers is including Higa. For years, streaming www.scosche.com $99.99 Maya Higa, 22, ate guacamole growing now, in part, due to changing houses only invited gamers. But lately, With a lot of us starting to work from and chips while bantering with preferences on the platform. During the “just chatting” streamers have joined in. the office again, the Moshi Muto gives Dtwo of her housemates as they third quarter of last year, a relatively new Higa credits her rise up the rankings in the you the perfect reason to clean out your cooked quesadillas. Over the next 90 min- genre of livestreaming videos known as past year to moving into her boyfriend’s old backpack and make the switch to a utes, Higa grilled some vegetables and “just chatting” — essentially live video house in Texas. The house is home to six new and more stylish one. consulted on which pan ought to be used diaries — eclipsed gaming-related content streamers in addition to Higa’s pet falcon With dimensions of 11.02-by-3.94- for frying. At one point, she provided her to become the most popular category on and emu. “It is kind of like reality TV,” said by-16.14 inches and a 29-ounce weight, online viewers with an update on her Twitch. In the first quarter of 2021, “just Higa. don’t let the compact size be deceiving. young pet emu. “Stompy is good,” said chatting” videos accounted for 12% of all The life of a female streamer does have Even if I remove less than half of what I Higa. “I had her on stream yesterday.” content watched on Twitch, according to its drawbacks. “The negative side of all of found I didn’t need to be carrying around She wasn’t sure, she explained to one of tracker Streamlabs. it, of course, there’s harassment,” Higa in my existing backpack, the Moshi Muto her kitchen buddies, how much Stompy Imane Anys, 24, who goes by the nick- said. “People get banned through our chan- was a perfect transition. now weighed. But the lovable emu was name Pokimane, has 7.7 million followers nels all the time. If you go through my ban Moshi describes it as a modern-looking definitely growing fast. on Twitch. She typically splits her per- appeals, it’s just disgusting, ‘Take your backpack, which instantly goes from The same could be said of Higa’s live- formance time between “just chatting” shirt off.’ It’s a bit of a problem, but over- backpack to crossbody to briefcase to streaming audience. In February, Higa videos and playing games like Valorant. whelmingly positive.” match your commuting needs. The Quik- burst into the top 200 most popular cre- Twin sisters Alexandra and Andrea Botez, It’s also easy to get burned out when Flip strap gives you access in any posi- ators on Twitch. She now has 420,000 sub- aka BotezLive, have amassed 791,000 fol- living and working in a streamer house. tion and the Airmesh back ensures all- scribers on the livestreaming site owned lowers on Twitch, teaching and playing About a year ago, Anys moved out of the day comfort along with padded back by Amazon, making her something of an chess. Offline TV streaming house to try and straps. anomaly in an industry known for male “You see more games at the top of achieve a better work-life balance. She It holds a 13-inch laptop and an 11-inch streamers playing video games and, to a Twitch that rely less on competitive value now shares a house with three fellow fe- tablet in padded compartments as a back- lesser extent, female streamers nicknamed and more on the entertainment value of male streamers, but their interactions are pack or briefcase angles. An intelligent “hot-tub girls,” who woo Twitch viewers by social dynamics,” said Doron Nir, chief private and not being shared with viewers. zipper system keeps the contents in place wearing skimpy swimwear and lounging in executive officer of StreamElements. “When you live where you work, the lines whether opening horizontally or vertical- bathtubs. “What propels them to the top is the exact get blurred very easily, and it’s hard to take ly. Higa, by contrast, is part of a new wave same thing that propels male streamers to proper breaks because there’s always The Muto is constructed with a water- of female streamers who are gaining prom- the top — they are very, very entertain- something going on in person,” Anys said repellent and abrasion-resistant exterior inence on Twitch and elsewhere in the ing.” in an email. in coastal beige or slate gray. A side zip- industry while staying well clear of the The growing popularity of group games Now, it’s the brands that are hoping to pered pocket is built with RFID Shield jacuzzi scene. Recently, YouTube creator like Among Us has allowed streamers to move in. These days, lots of advertisers — protection to keep personal items such as Rachel “Valkyrae” Hofstetter became the share their fan bases, said Hana Tjia of pitching everything from food-delivery credit cards, passports and anything else co-owner of 100 Thieves, an esports gam- United Talent Agency, which represents services to phone plans — are looking to needing protecting from data skimming. ing organization and brand. In April 2021, several top female streamers, including cozy up to female streamers. An external sleeve holds a water bottle there were eight women in the top 200 Pokimane, Valkyrae and Leslie Fu, aka “Ad agencies generally pitch me as pret- and inside hidden compartments are streamers on Twitch up from just three a Fuslie. “They uplift one another,” said Tjia. ty brand friendly,” said Higa. “The only integrated to hold accessories. year earlier, according to StreamEle- Moving into a group house full of fellow thing I need to watch out for is swearing.” www.moshi.com $149.95 Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 WEEKEND: MOVIES

‘A Quiet Place Part II’ (May 28) The original “A Quiet Place,” back in 2018, freaked me the hell out, to put it mildly. ‘The Dry’ (Do not watch this film in an empty house; every subsequent noise will terrify you.) (May 21) Now the sequel to John Krasinski’s very Based on a wonderfully atmospheric novel effective horror movie, in which he stars by Jane Harper, Robert Connolly’s film with Emily Blunt as a couple who must stars Eric Bana as an Australian federal fend off apocalyptic monsters who are agent who reluctantly agrees to investi- triggered by sound, is coming up, with gate a crime in his hometown. even more silence. Yikes.

12new movies to be the most excited about this summer

Paramout Pictures BY MOIRA MACDONALD Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and Marcus (Noah Jupe) brave the unknown in “A Quiet Place Part The Seattle Times II,” the sequel to director John Krasinski’s breakout hit from 2018. ood luck planning ahead to see movies this ‘Cinderella’ (July 16) summer; the schedules (and the theatrical Billy Porter as Fairy Godmother? Sign me up. This musical version of the fa- versus streaming strategies) are still changing miliar fairy tale also stars recording artist Camila Cabello (in her first fea- rapidly. But here are a dozen movies I’m keeping ture film) and Idina Menzel as her G wicked stepmother. an eye on, and hoping to see on the biggest screen I can find. ‘Old’ ‘Vivo’ ‘Blue Bayou’ (July 23) M. Night Shyamalan’s output has been (June 4) (June 25) decidedly uneven since “The Sixth It’s the Summer of Lin-Manuel Miranda at The latest from filmmaker/actor Justin Sense,” but what the heck, we’ve all the multiplexes! (After the year we’ve Chon (“Gook”) sounds timely and mov- been missing movies so let’s give this been through, we deserve all the L-MM ing; let’s hope it doesn’t get lost in a sea one a go. Gael Garcia Bernal and Vicky we can get.) First: this animated family of higher-profile films. Chon plays a Krieps (“Phantom Thread”) play a comedy about an adventurous kinkajou Korean adoptee living in Louisiana with couple who are horrified when their who travels from Havana to Miami. Mi- his wife (Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, children begin rapidly aging on a re- randa wrote the songs; his “In the “The Danish Girl”) who learns that he is mote tropical beach. OK then! Heights” collaborator Quiara Alegría facing deportation. Hudes wrote the script with director Kirk ‘Respect’ DeMicco. ‘F9’ (Aug. 13) (June 25) Jennifer Hudson was personally chosen ‘In the Heights’ Inject this movie into my veins immedi- by Aretha Franklin, years before the ately, please. Dwayne Johnson may (June 11, also streaming on HBO Max) Queen of Soul’s death in 2018, to play have left this fast-driving, insanely fun See above! A year after it was originally her as a young woman in this biopic, Disney franchise, but Vin Diesel, Charlize The- scheduled to be in theaters, the film of which also stars Forest Whitaker, Audra Emma Stone stars as the young villain ron, Michelle Rodriguez and the rest of Miranda’s hit Broadway musical about a McDonald and Mary J. Blige (the latter Cruella de Vil in “Cruella, ” the origin story the gang return — along with Helen Washington Heights bodega owner is as Dinah Washington). And yes, of of the baddie from “101 Dalmations.” Mirren, who according to the trailer finally hitting the multiplexes. Jon M. Chu course Hudson does her own singing. (“Crazy Rich Asians”) directs; expect gets her own car this time. Bring it on! ‘Cruella’ dancing in the streets. (May 28, also on streaming on Disney+ ‘Black Widow’ Premier Access) ‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Do we really need an origin story for “101 Decided To Go For It’ (July 9, also on Disney+ Premier Access) Dalmatians” villain Cruella de Vil? Appar- The 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic ently we do! Two always-splendid Emmas (June 18) Universe has at its center one Natasha — Stone and Thompson — appear in this You might know Moreno from “West Side Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), a former live-action Disney comedy, with Stone as Story,” or maybe from growing up with KGB assassin and present Avenger; it the young title character who dreams of “The Electric Company,” or maybe more takes place after the events of “Captain being a fashion designer. The costumes recently from her delightful work on “One America: Civil War.” It’s been delayed alone, by the great Merchant-Ivory veter- Day at a Time” — regardless, the EGOT three times due to the pandemic, but final- an Jenny Beavan, look to be a treat. Craig (Emmy/Grammy/Oscar/Tony) winner is a Marvel Studios ly hits theaters in midsummer. And sure, Gillespie (“I, Tonya,” “Lars and the Real legend in show business, and has long Scarlett Johansson stars in the much you could stream it, but don’t you want to Girl”) directs. deserved a documentary of her own. delayed “Black Widow.” see this one big? PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: MOVIES ‘What I needed’ Jolie says she related with her character’s journey in ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’ BY JAKE COYLE Associated Press aylor Sheridan, initially brought on to rewrite the mountain thriller “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” Tgradually got more invested in the movie. When another filmmaker drop- ped out, he called the studio with an offer. “I said if I can get Angie to do this with me, I’ll direct it for you,” Sheridan says. “They said, ‘Great. You’ll never get An- gie.’” The skepticism on the part of Warner Bros. executives was warranted. Angelina Jolie, whose priorities have centered on WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT PHOTOS/AP filmmaking, international work and fam- Angelina Jolie appears in a scene from “Those Who Wish Me Dead.” Jolie, who also appeared in action films like “Salt” and “Lara ily, hasn’t starred in a live-action film in Croft: Tomb Raider,” performed many of her own stunts for the film, which was shot in New Mexico in May and June 2019. six years. Over the last decade, her only leading performances have been two “Ma- leficent” movies and “By the Sea,” which “I like characters she directed and starred in alongside then-husband Brad Pitt. whose physical But Sheridan’s timing was right. Jolie, going through a painful and protracted journey parallels the divorce, was more interested in a quicker, simpler role on set. And the part of a Mon- emotional journey tanan smoke jumper haunted by trauma and guilt, was potentially cathartic. they’re going “We all have times in our lives where we are broken. And we grieve and we’re through.” not sure we have anything left in us,” Jolie said in an interview by Zoom from Los Taylor Sheridan Angeles. “I identified more with a part of director, “Those Who Wish Me Dead” her that didn’t feel she could do a lot, and hadn’t done this in a long time. To be in boy (Finn Little) in the wilderness who’s this situation and have a director that is fleeing two assassins. It was shot in New both sensitive and aware of the human Mexico in May and June 2019 — a month experience, to go there and to feel it, but after Jolie and Pitt were ruled legally also to push you to find your strength and single by a court. (A custody battle over move forward.” their six children is ongoing.) “It was really what I needed at that Snow was still falling in the mountains. Director Taylor Sheridan, left, chats with Jolie on the set of “Those Who Wish Me Dead.” time,” Jolie says. Aside from the natural environs, Sheridan Sheridan was initially brought on to rewrite the film, which is based off of a 2014 book. “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” now play- erected a faux forest and set it aflame. ing in theaters and streaming on HBO Jolie, an action star in “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” Killed My Father.” only worsening, especially as countries Max, is an anomaly for other reasons, too. “Salt” and “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” “I prefer directing, but acting gives me struggling from the pandemic pull back on It’s a star-led genre film not based on performed many of her stunts. Sheridan, more time at home,” Jolie says. “It’s less foreign aid. well-known intellectual property made by accustomed to making films close to the of a commitment.” “In the last decade, we saw numbers a major studio. (The film is based on Mi- land, had little luxury to offer beyond Yet, if anything, the chances of such double. We’re looking at 80 million dis- chael Koryta’s 2014 book.) Like Sheridan’s space heaters in tents and lavish, overbud- performances are getting slimmer. The placed people. A lot of those people are previous films — “Hell or High Water,” get craft services. He cheerfully recalls pandemic, says the 45-year-old Jolie, has displaced because of the climate and the “Sicario” (both of which he wrote) and the experience as miserable. been a time of reevaluation — and movies way that’s changing, and that’s going to “Wind River” (which Sheridan wrote and “You know, the character sort of drags are a diminishing priority. keep changing,” Jolie says. “If we don’t directed), it’s a tale of blood and justice Angie through emotional hell, and then I “I was kind of spending more time at take it seriously, we’re going to see a com- across a vast and violent American land- drug her through physical hell,” Sheridan home regardless because of different plete breakdown of some many things for scape. says from a remote lakeside quarantine in family reasons. But if I was before spend- so many people. Or this can be the turning “To sound like a millennial, it’s very Ontario. “That’s how we be made the ing half my time on my international point where we all pull together.” on-brand for me,” says Sheridan, chuck- movie.” work, I think I’ll now be spending 80% of In juggling global inequity and personal ling. “But what’s unique is we made this at “And I loved every minute of it,” Jolie my time on this other work. I’ll be doing turmoil, it’s easy to see how the straight- a studio. This is a studio film and they says, smiling. less film work. Not quitting anything but a forward, physical demands of “Those Who trusted us to go do this. We made it like a Jolie will next be seen in Marvel’s lot less,” Jolie says. “I’ve mentally shifting Wish Me Dead” would appeal to Jolie. ’70s movie. They promoted it like a ’70s “Eternals,” by “Nomadland” director into a different time in my life.” “I like characters whose physical jour- movie. The biggest 21st century element is Chloé Zhao — another filmmaker drawn Jolie has been a special envoy to the ney parallels the emotional journey the fact that you’ll be able to stream it or to fresh tales on old American frontiers. United Nations High Commissioner for they’re going through,” Sheridan says. go to the theater.” It’s been an unexpected break from di- Refugees since 2012. She applauds Presi- “She was game. It was cold. I’d be like, In “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” Jolie’s recting for Jolie, who last helmed 2017’s dent Joe Biden’s recent expansion of U.S. ‘Get in the river’ and she’d be like, ‘OK, Hannah Faber encounters a 12-year-old Cambodian genocide drama “First They refugee admissions but sees a global crisis I’m getting in the river.’” Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 WEEKEND: MOVIE REVIEWS

‘The Woman in the Window’ fails to deliver on its promise

BY ANN HORNADAY Something’s not quite right with The Washington Post the Russells, and Adams begins to The pedigree of “The Woman in study them from afar, cued by a the Window” is so impressive that mixture of compassion, clinical it looks like a no-lose proposition: In interest and garden-variety curi- this twisty psychological thriller, osity. But her addled state, exacer- based on A.J. Finn’s bestselling bated by her intake of alcohol and novel, Amy Adams plays an ag- pills, blurs her perceptions. Is she oraphobic child psychologist whose seeing what she thinks she’s see- voyeuristic obsession with her new ing? And is it as bad as it looks? neighbors leads her into an in- Reportedly, “The Woman in the creasingly perilous labyrinth of lies Window” has been in progress for a and distorted identities. few years now, rewritten and re- Throw in a supporting cast that filmed to accommodate confused includes Gary Oldman, Julianne test audiences. It’s now gone direct- Moore and Tracy Letts — working ly to streaming at a time when, like with Letts’ own adapted screenplay Anna, many of its viewers are and under the directorial hand of cooped up, stir crazy and drinking Joe Wright — and “The Woman in more than they probably should. the Window” promises to be the Had Wright brought his gift for kind of elegant, atmospheric, scene-setting to bear on the story, locked-room mystery that made its that might have made “The Wom- most obvious literary and cine- an in the Window” at least a visual matic inspirations such classics. escape. Instead, he doubles down Indeed, Wright makes sure to on Anna’s sepulchral interior life, WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT/AP toss in plenty of brief film clips making Adams look as puffy and Angelina Jolie and Finn Little appear in a scene from “Those Who Wish Me Dead.” from the likes of Alfred Hitchcock dowdy as possible and filming her and Otto Preminger (“Laura”), and in dreary, dimly lit rooms that have the shadowy Harlem townhouse all the appeal of a grimy aquarium. that Adams pads around in would (Between this movie and her recent no doubt prompt Agatha Christie to appearances in “Hillbilly Elegy” A story told with bumps, poke around its most tantalizing and HBO’s “Sharp Objects,” it’s corners. But even with all this past time for Adams to bring the promise, “The Woman in the Win- catatonia phase of her career to a dow” falls apart, devolving into close; it has done her no favors.) tawdry body horror and tiresome, When Moore shows up in a pro- bruises, cuts and tears talky exposition. vocative cameo, she injects a wel- Things get off to an alarmingly come jolt of destabilizing brio into cliched start during the movie’s the otherwise dull proceedings; Chase film ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’ keeps viewers on first moments, when the camera Oldman, for his part, is criminally pans across a creepy doll house underused. The cinematic refer- the edge of their seats but doesn’t have lasting impact belonging to Anna Fox (Adams). ences of the original novel here are Trapped in her gentrified Harlem telegraphed in quick clips, which BY LINDSEY BAHR “Sicario,” “Hell or High Water” sells it with her steely gaze and pad for the past several months, feels like a missed opportunity for Associated Press and “Wind River,” which he also cool swagger. Yes there probably Anna has spent most of the time the visual style Wright brought to t would be an understate- directed. aren’t many firefighters who look chasing a variety of medications such films as “Atonement” and ment to say that Angelina This outing is not quite as grim like Jolie, but there also aren’t with copious glasses of red wine. “Anna Karenina”; a late scene of Jolie is put through the as “Wind River” but it’s still very many people who look like Jolie. Her therapist, played by Letts with magical realism is perfunctory and Iwringer in writer-director much in that vein. And like his At least here everyone acknowl- his usual dry humor, stops by for tonally out of place. Taylor Sheridan’s new film, folksy-poetic dialogue or not, he edges her otherworldly beauty. occasional sarcastic banter with “The Woman in the Window” is “Those Who Wish Me Dead.” knows how keep a film moving and And she gets her chance to help Anna, who is resolute in her inertia. the kind of film that could go places, In just 100 minutes, she is beaten give his actors juicy moments to another young boy when she spots That is, until the Russell family but sadly never manages to get out and bruised by nature, men and chew on. (It should be no surprise Connor running through the moves in across the street, and the door. even some of her own choices — that he too cut his teeth acting.) woods. their adolescent son Ethan (Fred like a crazy stunt involving a para- He’s populated this film with solid “Those Who Wish Me Dead” Hechinger) stops by for an im- “The Woman in the Window’ is rated R for violence and strong language. Running time: 101 chute and a pickup truck. Jolie has talent including Jon Bernthal as a doesn’t hold up to much scrutiny. promptu meet-and-greet. minutes. Now streaming on Netflix. always thrown herself into phys- local sheriff, and Aidan Gillen and There are too many threads left ically demanding roles, but her Nicholas Hoult as the hitmen. Finn dangling and characters left un- Montana firefighter Hannah Far- Little, who plays Connor, can turn explored, including Hannah her- ber may take the cake for most on the waterworks and internal- self. We get to see her as one-of- cuts and shiners sustained in 24 ized trauma as effectively as Jolie. the-boys at the beginning with as hours. This is a film in which she’s The film is a little scant on key much ego as a test pilot and a few running from hitmen, raging forest details — the whole chase is set off flashbacks to the tragedy that fires and past traumas. Apparently by Connor’s dad discovering some seems to define her, but otherwise her face and body are the physical criminal conspiracy big enough to she’s an enigma. Some of the forest representation of that. Even so, it’s warrant blowing up the district fires are also distractingly digital. always a pleasure to see her back attorney’s home (yes, with the And yet, it’s an effective and on screen, which has become rarer family inside). But because there watchable chase film that keeps and rarer lately. was only one team sent to kill off you on the edge of your seat “Those Who Wish Me Dead” the two people with knowledge of enough to make it worthwhile. And was adapted from a novel about the conspiracy, Connor and his dad it’s a great breakout role for Medi- Connor, a 12-year-old boy on the get a few days’ head start to drive na Senghore, who gets to play a run from a pair of assassins who from their Florida home to Monta- kick butt survival expert who’s also killed his dad. Screenplay credits na to seek help from his brother- six months pregnant. It’s just not a go to the author Michael Koryta, in-law sheriff (Bernthal). film you’re going to be thinking Charles Leavitt (“Blood Dia- Jolie’s Hannah meanwhile has much about five minutes after it mond”) and Sheridan, who seems been relegated to tower duty after ends. to be cornering the market on she failed to save three boys in the “Those Who Wish Me Dead” is rated R for “strong Netflix bleak and bloody Western thrillers. woods during a massive fire. It violence and language throughout.” Running time: Sheridan wrote the screenplays for might be a bit of a stretch, but she 100 minutes. Now streaming on HBO Max. Amy Adams appears in a scene from “The Woman in the Window.” PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: MOVIE REVIEWS Never-ending ‘spiral’ of pain Police abuse-driven plot of 9th ‘Saw’ film timely for franchise starting to show its age

BY MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN someone who has adopted the The Washington Post methods of the “Saw” movies’ f after eight movies in the antagonist: the now deceased “Saw” franchise — the new John Kramer, aka Jigsaw “Spiral” makes nine — (played by Tobin Bell). Iyou’re still unfamiliar with The film opens with the death or (harder to believe) undecided of Banks’ pal, a detective who has on the concept, let me get this out been lured onto a subway track, Lionsgate of the way: The movies center on where he is strung up, essential- Chris Rock, foreground, stars in “Spiral” with Max Minghella, right. The film, the ninth in the “Saw” the gruesome infliction of pain, ly, by his tongue, in the path of a franchise,” follows Rock and Minghella as they investigate the murders of corrupt police officers. perpetrated as a means of teach- speeding train. If he’s willing to ing a lesson, though more often sacrifice that organ — a meta- police officers. Police officers father (Samuel L. Jackson), the fans humming in the background the “student” just ends up dead, phor for the lies he’s told in who lie, abuse their authority, former police chief. Everyone of every other scene, like a movie often minus a body part or two. court, according to the message shoot innocent people and cover else seems to openly hate Zeke. made before air conditioning. Typically referred to as from a man in a pig mask playing up for them. That makes it ... Half of them are suspects, and But the story itself is kind of “games,” the scenarios are elab- on a nearby TV — he lives. good? It certainly gives it a bit of the rest potential victims. atavistic, too. You may find that orate and theatrically violent, Things don’t quite work out much-needed urgency anyway, Stylistically, the film looks you have pegged the killer early though usually shorter in dura- that way, in the first of a series of this deep into a franchise that good, shot in a palette of grimy on, which means there’s some- tion than one would find in grisly demises, all involving was starting to show signs of age. browns that give it the patina of thing wrong with the plot, struc- torture porn, a genre into which police officers or former officers, Zeke is, presumably, one of the sweat-stained leather. The rare turally — the twist isn’t much of some have lumped the films, and entailing, among other good ones. He turned in a corrupt pop of color is delivered via a a twist — or you’ve seen too though that isn’t exactly right. things, flaying, a hailstorm of officer once, which has made him series of Tiffany-blue packages many of these things. Possibly “Spiral,” which involves the broken glass shards, hot wax and a pariah. As the film opens — containing clues, and the bright both are true. hunt for a serial killer by the finger avulsion. (Look it up. On with an undercover job incorpo- red spray-painted spirals left by This inevitable decline raises police force of a nameless me- second thought, don’t.) rating a riff on the movie “For- the killer — a symbol of growth, the question: If you’ve managed tropolis, is a thriller, a mystery, a So the film, directed by Darren rest Gump” that plays like a change and evolution, we’re told, to avoid 17 years worth of “Saw” police drama, but it hews closely Lynn Bousman (“Saw II” Rock stand-up routine — he’s that is ironically largely missing movies so far, why start now? to “Saw’s” grisly curriculum. through “Saw IV”) from a assigned a rookie (Max Minghel- from the film. Yes, the killer Detective Zeke Banks (Chris screenplay by Josh Stolberg and la) to mentor, as a way of making leaves taunting clues, making the “Spiral” is rated R for sequences of grisly, bloody Rock) has stumbled onto a series Pete Goldfinger, and executive him more of a team player. film feel like something of a violence and torture, pervasive crude language, some sexual references and brief drug use. of murders that appear to be produced by Rock, has a topical Further backstory: Zeke has a throwback — a sense that is Running time: 93 minutes. Now playing at select copycat killings perpetrated by jolt: Someone is punishing rotten complicated relationship with his underscored by all the electric theaters. ‘Profile’ a well-acted cautionary tale of online terrorist recruitment

BY MICHAEL ORDOÑA The acting by the two leads is very good. Los Angeles Times Apart from playing their sides of the “Profile,” based on a journalist’s under- game, they must convince us that a sophis- cover investigation of an Islamic State ticated, intelligent English journalist could recruiter, is inventive, well-acted and one be swayed and perhaps even seduced by a of the most tense movies of the year so far. homicidal terrorist. Amy is well aware of British investigative reporter Amy what really happens to these girls; she has Whittaker (Valene Kane) is writing about seen the notorious videos and studied the the phenomenon of European women and organization. Yet the actors pull off the girls being recruited to join Islamic State. magic trick of making her wavering seem She crafts a fake Facebook profile as credible. “Melody Nelson,” a 19-year-old recent Latif has got to be charming, smart and convert to Islam, and shares a jihadist’s believable as an enthusiastic romancer video. With alarming suddenness, he who happens to be a deadly zealot. He makes contact with her. What follows is an pulls it off. His rare moments of venom increasingly taut game of deception with sting all the more bitterly because of all life-or-death stakes as the recruiter, Abu the honey he has poured in her ear. Bilel Al-Britani (Shazad Latif), insists on It’s with impressive skill that Kane video chatting with her and digs into her BAZELEVS/Focus Features executes her emotional and intellectual background over dozens of daily conversa- “Profile” makes use of the “screenlife format,” only allowing the viewer to see what’s onhigh-wire act. Her performance is lay- tions — and the lines between professional journalist Amy Whittaker (Valene Kane)’s computer screen. ered, complex, reactive. We sense her and personal blur. panic when things happen too fast. We feel “Profile” is based on the nonfiction book or “Unfriended,” which he also produced. God’s-eye view. It’s akin to effective use of her shifting gears among her editor, boy- “In the Skin of a Jihadist” by a French Rather than playing as a gimmick, it in- an extended unbroken take: You’re friend or quarry-hunter. We believe it journalist who actually did this; a fair creases tension as Amy conducts in-char- trapped in the protagonist’s experience. when she starts to feel something for Bilel amount of dialogue comes verbatim from acter Skype sessions with Bilel while get- The choice even reveals character, as the and cringe when she starts to slip up. her account. ting calls and notifications from friends, speed with which Amy rejects calls be- “Profile” works on several levels — as a Director and co-writer Timur Bek- colleagues and her boyfriend. Things get trays stress and the way she grabs needed cinematic feat, dual character study, grip- mambetov (the “Night Watch” trilogy) particularly hairy when Bilel demands she information or learns processes on the fly ping thriller … and as a cautionary tale. uses what’s being called the “screenlife share her screen with him. displays intelligence. Even the hesitance format”: We see only what is shown on The screenlife format traps the viewer with which she types, then deletes, mess- “Profile” is rated R for language throughout and some dis- Amy’s computer screen, as in “Searching” in Amy’s predicament. There’s no exit, no ages conveys emotion. turbing images. Running time: 105 minutes. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 WEEKEND: VIDEO GAMES Evolution of Ratchet and Clank Insomniac Games creative director, lead writer discuss ‘Rift Apart,’ the latest release in the 19-year franchise

BY GENE PARK Station icons. This year, Rift Apart is one ings, Ratchet is moving between univers- shoulder as the last surviving member of The Washington Post of the few big budget, next-gen console es. For Smith, it’s important that players his alien species, the Lombax. The new apper and record producer releases (coming June 11). Insomniac enjoy every second and moment while character, Rivet, is Ratchet in an alternate Large Professor used to say rap Games wants to take advantage of the new moving. dimension, and shows what would happen lyrics should not include years interest early in this console generation, Smith said the first Insomniac game he to this same character if they lived under R— it dates your song. It’s why A which means having to reintroduce the played before getting hired was Spyro the different circumstances. Tribe Called Quest dedicated one of its two characters to new players, all while Dragon, a beloved early 3D platformer “Rivet, unlike Ratchet, has been on her songs “to eternity.” appeasing longtime fans, who have played that nailed mixing snappy movement with own her entire life. She’s never had a best I couldn’t help but think of that as In- every entry since the PlayStation 2. luxurious, high-quality animation work. friend to help her through her struggles, somniac Games creative director Marcus Rift Apart also comes after Insomniac “Even when you’re not actively involved no one to celebrate her wins with,” said Smith talked to me about the evolution of has attained much broader cultural cachet in the gameplay, it’s just fun to move Insomniac senior animator Lindsay the Ratchet and Clank series, from its and name recognition thanks to its suc- around in these worlds,” Smith said. “That Thompson. “Has her time spent alone incredibly referential humor and satire in cessful “Marvel’s Spider-Man” and “Mar- to me has been the through-line for every made her a little awkward?” its early PlayStation 2 titles to the more vel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales” games, game we ever make. It has to feel good. The weapons are another key compo- capricious adventures in the past decade. nent of the Ratchet games. Insomniac The first and second games lambasted previously made the PlayStation-exclu- consumer culture, while the third game The new character, Rivet, is Ratchet in sive first-person shooter series Resist- depicted the dangers of pop idolatry. ance, which also dabbled in strange, out- Smith also served as creative director an alternate dimension, and shows what of-the-box guns like the Mutator, which for Sunset Overdrive, an Xbox One launch would turn enemies into moving proximi- title from 2013, and one of the last In- would happen to this same character if they ty mines. Ratchet, being a more G-rated somniac Games titles before Sony ac- affair, has previously fired guns that turns quired the studio. That game was filled to lived under different circumstances. enemies into sheep. the brim with satirical portrayals of cap- Smith said the team tries to “hit a 10” on italist culture, driven by an energy drink both PlayStation exclusives. But Smith With Rift Apart, we’re capitalizing on a lot one of the three pillars that make fun that turned people into monsters. said they’ve learned a lot from the heroes, of that experience.” weapons to shoot: strategy, spectacle and “Not all of those held up particularly as well as “Sunset Overdrive,” which was The dimensional rifts also give the sto- humor. It was the same formula used in well!” Smith told The Washington Post. basically a Ratchet game that allowed for rytellers an ample runway to reintroduce the original Ratchet games, created by “So I understand and the studio under- grinding and bouncing across an open- story concepts to new players. former Insomniac chief creative officer stands that anything that’s referenced can world city. “Players will have the opportunity to see Brian Hastings. often times make your work of art dated. The new dimensional rift mechanic familiar faces from previous entries in the “It held up during all these other games Our main point was to make stories that seems to accomplish both in the rein- franchise, while also giving us an entirely we were making too. Even when we were are universally relatable, and there’s little troductions, as well as representing an new version of the dimension’s cast,” said designing gadgetry for Spider-Man, hu- things here and there that you can draw a evolution of Insomniac’s design philoso- Lauren Mee, the game’s lead writer. “This mor might not be part of that equation, but line to now. But hopefully, five years from phy. Ratchet games are always about fun lets players meet fan-favorite characters, we certainly looked at strategy and specta- now, it will still be entertaining on its weapons and gadgets, and in Rift Apart, with a twist.” cle,” Smith said. “So those lessons are own.” players can use the “Dimensionator” to Most notably, they’re reintroducing the what we bring forward into all of our This tactic isn’t unwise. Despite a 19- jump between alternate realities. From star of the show. Not everyone may be games.” year history and millions of units sold what we’ve seen of the gameplay, this kind familiar with Ratchet’s past ornery atti- across several titles, Ratchet and Clank of works like Spider-Man’s web-swinging, tude and his early hot-and-cold friendship Platform: PlayStation 5 have largely avoided the spotlight as Play- except instead of moving between build- with Clank. Ratchet has a big chip on his Online: insomniac.games/game/ratchet-clank-rift-apart

Sony Interactive Entertainment Rift Apart is a bigbudget, nextgen console release. It features a new dimensional rift mechanic called the “Dimensionator,” allowing players to jump between alternate realities. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: TRAVEL

Creek are paralyzed by a staff shortage. Stephen Villa, Zaca Creek’s general manager, says the new venture had to put an expansion on hold because it didn’t have enough people. “We simply do not have the necessary staff members to sustain a consistent level of service,” he says. “While we’re grateful for the applicants we do have, numbers are sparse and mostly without any mea- ningful service experience, and it continues to be a struggle to find anyone nearing the right fit that has the availability for the times we need.” The King and Prince Beach & Golf Re- sort in St. Simons Island, Ga., normally hires some of its housekeepers from abroad, but last year the pandemic forced it to recruit staff locally. Bud St. Pierre, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing, says that has forced the management team to get creative, often coaxing housekeepers with jobs in other hotels to accept part-time work at his property. “It will allow us to stay fully open and staffed this summer,” he says. Help is needed everywhere, according to experts. Tracey Jenkins, senior vice president for human resources at Sodexo Sports & Leisure, which handles ticketing, food service and logistics for large sporting events, said the labor shortage is a nationwide issue. During the pandemic, it set up a program to retain its employees by shifting them to other divisions. “We The hospitality industry has a staffing are also extending benefits as much as possible,” she says. problem that may affect summer travel But smaller companies didn’t have that ELLIOTT luxury, and now they are paying the price. CHRISTOPHER BY “With fewer workers, the quality of ser- Special to The Washington Post vice in hospitality is likely to be affected in the coming months,” says Roland Rust, a business professor at the University of Maryland. “And there’s not much that travelers can do about it.” Or is there? “Planning is crucial,” says Brian Marks, executive director of the University of New Haven’s entrepreneurship and in- iStock novation program. “It will be important to perform your due diligence to ensure that your destination is properly staffed.” hen Mark Beales noticed normally major in hospitality and tourism If planning doesn’t come easy to you, that his favorite coffee shop have reconsidered their career choices. consider finding a travel professional who in Kona, Hawaii, had closed “It’s having a drastic effect on the hospi- can call ahead to make sure your favorite Wearly, he didn’t have to look tality labor force,” he says. attractions and restaurants are open. If far for the reason. The “Help Wanted” How bad is the “help wanted” problem? “Even before the you do it yourself, keep one thing in mind: sign out front told him everything he need- Narendra Khatri, CEO of travel insurance Days of operation and opening hours will ed to know. He saw the same signs at company Insubuy, says the industry pandemic, be volatile and subject to change. grocery stores, hotels and gift shops “hasn’t faced this severe shortage of job If you are thinking of eating in a restau- around the Big Island. applicants in the past two decades.” hospitality rant, get a reservation. If the place doesn’t “A few employees I’ve spoken with said The Refuge Brewery in California’s take reservations, then avoid peak times. they’ve had to work long hours because of Temecula Valley had to cut its hours be- organizations Even then, prepare for what may be a long the staffing shortage,” says Beales, a re- cause it could not find enough staff to stay wait, says Kay Maghan, a spokeswoman tired mortgage banker from Mill Creek, open. Owner Curt Kucera says he would struggled with for Alabama’s Gulf Shores and Orange Wash. get hundreds of applications for an open Beach region. Beales’ problem could become your position in a typical year; now, he’s lucky attracting and In her area, even the fast-food restau- problem this summer. The hospitality if he receives more than 10. rants can’t handle the influx of demand. industry is facing a historic staffing short- “Other restaurants have started to offer retaining a “They’re closing their dining rooms and age. After aggressively downsizing during signing bonuses and retention bonuses,” only operate the drive-through because the pandemic, many companies are he says. “We haven’t taken that step yet qualified they can’t get enough workers to fully staff scrambling to hire new employees to meet but are certainly considering it if the chal- the restaurant,” she says. demand. The sluggish staffing recovery lenges continue into the summer.” workforce. This isn’t going to be an easy summer could result in major service disruptions. In Solvang, Calif., just up the coast, the for the tourism industry. After a year of “Even before the pandemic, hospitality picture is similar. Aaron Petersen, co- COVID-19 has lockdowns, it finally has a shot at recover- organizations struggled with attracting owner of several restaurants in the area, ing some lost business, only to find that it and retaining a qualified workforce,” says he has had to close on Mondays and only exacerbated doesn’t have the staff to handle the de- explains Michael Sheridan, an associate Tuesdays because of a staff shortage. mand. professor of tourism and hospitality man- Many of his workers said they would stay this challenge.” “Be patient,” says Elizabeth Squillante, agement at Temple University. “CO- if he agreed to pay them in cash. Others Michael Sheridan a travel adviser with New Canaan Trav- VID-19 has only exacerbated this chal- have retained part-time status so they can elWorld. “There’s no industry that wants lenge.” collect unemployment. “Most restaurants Temple University to see people on the move more than the Sheridan says many industry profes- are begging for help,” he says. travel industry. It will just take some time sionals decided to leave the travel industry It’s not just restaurants. In the nearby to get things back to where they used to after losing their jobs. Students who would Buellton, Calif., the tavern and inn at Zaca be.” Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 WEEKEND: TRAVEL A coffee-shop conversation in Amsterdam Here’s a reminder of the fun many choices on the menu, and that awaits us in Europe at the that’s just the wiet (marijuana). other end of this crisis. Hashish selections fill the bottom half of the menu. andering around When I marvel at how open- Amsterdam, every minded the Dutch are, Pieter few blocks you pass explains, “We’re not open-mind- Wa window full of ed, just tolerant. plants displaying a red, yellow There’s a differ- and green Rastafarian flag — ence. Wiet is not both indications that the coffee legal ... only toler- shop doesn’t sell much coffee. ated.” These days, “coffee shop” refers I ask, “Does this to a place where the Dutch gath- tolerance cause a er to buy and smoke marijuana. I problem?” duck into one of these coffee Rick Handing a two- shops to get the latest. foot-tall bong and A round table at the front win- Steves a baggie of leaves dow is filled with a United Na- to a woman whose huge dog is tions of tourists sharing travelers’ tied to the bike rack outside, Rick Steves tales stirred by swizzle sticks of Pieter says, “My grandmother In the Netherlands, pot users go to coffee shops — not jail. A varied menu faces those desiring to indulge. smoke. From the looks of the has an old pipe rack. It has a ashtray, they’ve been here a sign: ‘A satisfied smoker creates I ask about a sign with a deliv- “America’s two most famous pot “Actually, it’s not legal here,” while. The table is a clutter of no problems.’” ery boy on it. smokers told me all about Amer- he reminds me, “just tolerated. teacups, maps and guidebooks. “That was tobacco, wasn’t it?” “In Holland, we have pot deliv- ica.” Officially, we can’t legalize any- Taking a seat at the bar next to “Yes, it’s from the 1860s. But ery services,” Pieter explains, The kid chimes in. “Hollanders thing because your country made a leathery 40-something biker this still applies today.” “like you have pizza delivery in — even those who don’t smoke — these world treaties.” and a college-age kid with two I ask the guy with all the holes America. Older people take out they believe soft drugs ... you “The French complain about holes in his body for each one in why he smokes here. or have it delivered.” know, pot, hash ... it shouldn’t be Holland’s popularity with drug mine, I feel more like a tourist Speaking through the silver “We have lots of states where a crime.” users, but they have a worse than I have all day. The bartend- stud in his tongue, he says, recreational pot is legal, but a “What do your parents think?” problem with illegal hard drugs,” er, Pieter — sporting a shaved “Some young people hang out at coffeeshop like this is not pos- I ask. Pieter adds. “Here, the police head and a one-inch goatee — coffeeshops because their par- sible yet,” I say. “They think the youth have a know exactly what’s going on and greets me in English and passes ents don’t want them smoking at “I know,” Pieter agrees. He problem. My dad says, ‘Holland where.” me the menu. home, others come here to smoke shows me snapshots of Woody will get the bill later on.’” Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes Europe- Swarte Marok, Blond Marok, pot with their parents. I come Harrelson and Willie Nelson, “And other countries ... doesn’t an guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. You can White Widow, Northern Light, here for the coffee shop ambi- each hanging out in this obscure legal pot in Holland cause them a email Rick at [email protected] and follow his Stonehedge, Grasstasy… so ence.” little coffee shop, and continues. problem?” I ask. blog on Facebook. Live music returning to Europe slowly but surely

On May 13, a live audience of 4,000 gathered in the O2 Arena in London to watch the BRIT Awards, the British Germany version of the Grammys. London’s first indoor live music In the summer of 2020, large festivals were canceled event in more than a year was staged as part of the Brit- across the board, and the news hasn’t been much better ish government’s pilot scheme to determine how to safely for those scheduled in 2021, with Rock am Ring, Rock im hold large-scale events in closed environments without Park, Hurricane, Southside and countless others pushed the need for social distancing. back for another year. The prospects are much better for Concerts in Barcelona and Amsterdam, along with a small-scale events in which all visitors sit in preassigned rave in Liverpool, are among other events recently staged spaces and provide their contact details. in order to determine how rapid testing Strandkorb Open Air is a series of open-air concerts and various hygiene and distancing con- making clever use of the popular two-seater wicker chair cepts might allow festivals and similar with a striped awning so popular along Germany’s sea- events to be organized going forward. coast. These summery seats, properly distanced from one Europe’s glitzy and garish, often-mocked another, will be set up in outdoor arenas in Augsburg, but much beloved musical competition is iStock Cham, Hamburg, Mönchengladbach, Nuremberg, Re- also returning to the scene following its gensburg, Rosenheim, St. Wendel, Zweibrücken and a cancellation in 2020. The Ahoy Stadium in handful of other cities. Up to 3,200 spectators can be Karen Rotterdam, Netherlands, will host the accommodated thanks to precautions including zoned Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Con- England spaces, one-way streets and delivery service for food and Bradbury test on May 22. The scaled-down event will Last year’s summer festival season was a non-starter, drinks. Acts on stage include Alice Merton, Element of have a live audience of 3,500, which represents some 20% but the outlook for 2021 is slightly greener, thanks to high Crime, God Save the Queen, Fury in the Slaughterhouse, of the venue’s capacity. All viewers will be required to vaccine uptake and the availability of mass testing. While Smokie, Spider Murphy Gang and other predominantly present a negative Coronavirus test before entering. the country’s most famous festival, Glastonbury, has been German acts. Online: strandkorb-openair.de Meanwhile, performers and their delegations have been canceled, a handful of events scheduled for later in the Picknick Konzerte, or picnic concerts, mark a return to staying in their so-called “bubbles,” only leaving hotels summer remain on the docket for now. As many of the a concept successfully launched last summer. Cities stag- for rehearsals, program-related activities and socially country’s largest festivals tend to sell out in a flash, hope- ing these concerts include Berlin, Cologne, Dresden, distanced outdoor exercise. In the event of an act testing ful concert-goers might wish to turn their sights to small- Erfurt, Hamburg, Ladenburg, Paderborn, Rostock and positive, a backup recording of its performance will stand er events. Family-friendly festivals taking place in the Wiesbaden. Again, acts are overwhelmingly German. in. TV viewers, whose numbers reached some 182 million Midlands include the Bigfoot Festival in Alcester on June Online: picknick-konzerte.de in 2019, can tune in at 9 p.m. European Central time to 18-20 (top acts include Primal Scream, Fat White Family, Those in Kaiserslautern can look forward to a series of watch the kitschy contest. Hot Chip Megamix, Baxter Dury and Dinosaur Pile-Up), small concerts to be held in the garden of the Kammgarn Although ongoing restrictions might well disrupt travel Let’s Rock Shrewsbury in Shrewsbury on July 17 (Adam concert venue between June 17 and Sept. 11. The events, plans abroad, it’s encouraging to observe the tentative Ant, Howard Jones, Go West, Nik Kershaw, others) and held on Thursdays through Saturdays, can be accommo- comeback of live music. Here's a look at scheduled events Splendour in Nottingham on July 24 (Richard Ashcroft, dated in the casino in the event of bad weather. Entrance that remain contingent, of course, upon what might tran- Supergrass, Rick Astley, The Vamps, Belinda Carlisle, tickets for most events will range between 6 and 18 euros. spire with COVID-19 in the weeks and months to come. others). Online: tinyurl.com/97e6brw PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: QUICK TRIPS

On the QT Address: Woburn Safari Park Bedfordshire, Woburn, MK 43 0TU Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Costs: Adults 16 and over: 27.50 pounds ($36.70); Children 3-15 20 pounds ($28.20); 2 and under free; VIP experience 349 pounds ($492.) Food: Restaurant open from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; hot food served until 4:45 p.m.. You can bring food as well. Information: https://www.woburnsafari.co.uk/; +44 1525 290407. Kyle Alvarez

Woburn Safari Park in Woburn, England opened in 1970 and is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest wild animal parks, taking PHOTOS BY KYLE ALVAREZ/Stars and Stripes care of around 1,000 wild and exotic ZMeetebras eat and lounge around at the Woburn Safari Park, established by the 13th Duke of Bedford to focus on animal conservation. the wildlife animals on more than 300 acres of land. Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire brings you inches from lions, tigers, bears and more BY KYLE ALVAREZ guins, wallabies, red pandas, sea lions, Stars and Stripes lemurs, tortoises and a variety of others. ’ve always wondered what it would The park also offers shows featuring be like to be a few feet away from a birds, sea lions and elephants, but I’d wild animal like a black bear or recommend checking when the shows IAfrican lion, and after visiting the start in advance if you’re interested in Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire I them. now have my answer: awestruck. Other attractions I came across in- My family and I drove a little more than cluded a giant slide open during fair an hour from nearby RAF Mildenhall to weather and lots of playground equip- the park, which adheres to all of En- ment. There’s also the Go Ape Experi- gland’s coronavirus guidelines. My ence, full of zip lines, rope bridges and daughter is a huge animal lover, and the swings among the trees. Acting like an Road Safari, which allows you to drive ape isn’t cheap at 25-33 pounds per per- through acres of parkland reserves where son for ages 10 and up, but it discounts the large wild animals roam freely, was an park tickets down to 10 pounds each. experience she’s been talking about for Ape life with small children wasn’t for weeks since. us. But the Great Woburn Railway ride We came face to car window with ele- was my daughter’s favorite of the day. phants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, The train took us through sections in the Woburn Safari Park lets you drive through the Barbary macaque enclosure, which allows lions, tigers and bears. The Road Safari zoo, almost like a daily recap minus the for some interesting interactions between the visitors and the macaques. took less than an hour to finish, but pa- Road Safari enclosures. The train cuts trons can have as many go-arounds as through the alpaca area. The furry, llama- they like for the day. like animals came surprisingly close to us. One of the funniest parts of the Road On our way back to the train station, I Safari was the Barbary macaque enclo- noticed a Land Rover with a zebra pat- sure. Visitors get a close-up encounter tern. It was part of the VIP experience, when the monkeys jump on your vehicle where anyone can get a more personal for a little joyride. Some monkeys use the look at the zoo. This option includes up to cars as portable grooming stands. four people, and is something my wife After the Road Safari, it was time for wants to do, since you can feed some of the Foot Safari. We parked our car at the the animals. main restaurant and gift shop for a bite. I see us purchasing annual passes for The menu had your usual assortment of my tenure in the U.K., something I know park food: burgers, chips, drinks, coffee my daughter will love. The park delivers a and desserts, and since this is in the U.K., great experience that anyone stationed The miniature railway at Woburn Safari some fried fish options. here should try at least once. Park runs every 30 minutes starting at We then checked out the smaller ani- [email protected] Black bears climb as onlookers pass by in noon. The train runs past an alpaca herd mal enclosures. We were able to see pen- Twitter: Kalv2931 cars at Woburn Safari Park. and toward attractions explored on foot. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 WEEKEND: FOOD & DINING Worth every star Mother’s Day dinner from Langwieden Farmers Restaurant lived up to the hype

BY KARIN ZEITVOGEL Stars and Stripes AFTER hen a restaurant gets five stars from a dozen review- HOURS ers, including one who de- GERMANY Wscribes the chef as a magician, it has a lot to live up to. But the Farmers Restaurant in the tiny village of Langwieden, near Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, meets the expectations the glowing reviews set it up for. And it has a moving back story. I was looking for a Mother’s Day treat when I found Farmers. It was offering a three-course set menu for around $25, including a bottle of sparkling French wine and a complimentary rose. And it had all those five-star reviews. The menu featured asparagus soup or salad to start; beef with red wine gravy, The Farmers Restaurant, which opened in chicken supreme or baked salmon served 2018, could soon have a food truck rolling with a side of roast or mashed potatoes, across the base at Ramstein. rice or fries; and chocolate cake for dessert. Beverage options were sodas or bub- The Farmers Restaurant bly wine from France’s Alsace region. That was the easiest decision to make — Location: Hauptstrasse 5c, 66894 Langwieden. we ordered two bottles of crémant d’Al- Fifteen minutes from Ramstein, 30 minutes from sace. Kaiserslautern, 40 minutes from Baumholder, five minutes from LRMC. I asked if they could do a vegetarian PHOTOS BY KARIN ZEITVOGEL/Stars and Stripes Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, closed Wednes- main course for my guest and something day; also open for lunch from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Baked salmon served with mashed potatoes was one of the main courses offered on the instead of cake, which I can’t eat. They — Saturday and Sunday. Hours may vary, so check special Mother’s Day menu at the Farmers Restaurant in Langwieden, Germany. or as it turns out, he, because Farmers is ahead. pretty much a one-man show — suggest- English menu: A la carte is in German, special ed either ratatouille or pasta with a veg- menus in English on Facebook. Owner speaks gie sauce, and a fruit platter for dessert. English. We chose asparagus soup to start, rata- Cost: The Mother’s Day menu was 22.50 euros, touille for one main course and salmon or about $25. Prices on the small a la carte for the other, both with mashed potatoes; menu range from about $5.50 for a salad to $21 for Farmers Cordon Bleu. Irish stout is available and one piece of chocolate cake and a when COVID restrictions allow deliveries. U.S. fruit platter for dessert. In early May, the credit cards accepted, except American express. restaurant was only doing takeout be- Restaurant is takeout only until coronavirus cause of coronavirus restrictions, so I restrictions are lifted. arranged to pick up our meals at 7 p.m. Information: +49 (0)6372 991-9190; on Mother’s Day. www.facebook.com/TheFarmersLangwieden Irish music was playing when I walked Karin Zeitvogel into the small indoor dining area, fes- tooned with shillelaghs, green hats and the youngest of his four sons, then 16- beer steins. German and American flags year-old Matthew, and headed back to hung on the wall next to a door that led to Romania. But on the way, they stopped in the kitchen area, where I saw two men the Kaiserslautern area to see relatives, working over a stove. and Cracut ended up staying, opening the One of them, the chef-magician, who Farmers Restaurant in 2018. The ratatouille from the Farmers introduced himself as Ovidiu Cracut, “The owner said to me, ‘It’ll never Restaurant, made with grilled eggplant, emerged after a few minutes with three work. Nothing has ever worked here,’” peppers, tomatoes and zucchini, topped bags. One contained two full-sized bottles Cracut told Stars and Stripes. “Three with herbs, a light tomato sauce and melted cheese, was crazygood. A slice of chocolate cake was offered for of crémant d’Alsace — for the price, I was years later, he loves me so much. ‘You dessert on the Mother’s Day menu. expecting single-serving bottles — and brought this place back to life,’ he tells the others, our food. me. It’s crazy.” tiful. The ratatouille, made with grilled Originally from Romania, Cracut came Since Matthew went back to Ireland eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and zucchini to Germany in 2017 from Ireland where just before Christmas 2018, Cracut has drizzled with a tomato sauce and herbs he had lived for 20 years and worked his thrown himself into the restaurant “so I and topped with melted cheese, was cra- way up from kitchen porter to business don’t feel alone.” zy-good. owner and chef. One of the highlights of He sold 60 meals on Mother’s Day, Last week, Cracut met with Ramstein his career, he said, came in the early including ours which included enough officials to get clearance to operate a food 2000s when he rubbed shoulders at the asparagus soup for four people, two good- truck on base. He expects the truck to be Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin with former sized slabs of salmon with bechamel up and running in about a month. U.S. President Bill Clinton and former sauce, ratatouille and a dozen scoops of “It’s crazy,” he said. “Americans could Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, mashed potato. The fruit platter — melon, be eating Farmers burgers and fish and who were in town for a meeting. raspberries, strawberries, grapes, kiwi chips at Ramstein soon.” But in 2016, the floor fell out from un- fruit, orange slices and small orange ber- And ratatouille — Cracut said he would A delicious mixed fruit platter from the der Cracut when his 35-year marriage ries that I think were seaberries — was so add it to the menu. Farmers Restaurant was suggested as ended abruptly. good, the cake went untouched. [email protected] a substitute for chocolate cake for a After floundering for a while, he took The salmon was simple, tasty and plen- Twitter: @StripesZeit customer with food intolerances. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: QUICK TRIPS Blast from the past Retro vending machines dispense tastes of yesteryear at Used Tire Market outside Tokyo

BY AARON KIDD scribing its familiar taste as Stars and Stripes “comfort food.” n a dirt and gravel Less impressive, for me any- road outside Tokyo, way, were the instant noodles. not far from the U.S. You’ll likely find better quality at OArmy’s Camp Zama any Japanese convenience store, and Sagami General Depot, you’ll though those won’t come close to find a battalion of rusty vending matching the Used Tire Market machines waiting to dispense experience. food and fond memories. My colleague and I tried the AKIFUMI ISHIKAWA/Stars and Stripes Some people are drawn to the udon with deep-fried tofu (350 Some people are drawn to the Used Tire Market in Sagamihara, Japan, for a set of retreads or discounted Used Tire Market in Sagamihara yen) that, unfortunately, proved rims. Others come for the hot noodles, toasted sandwiches, glassbottle Cokes and odd knickknacks for a set of retreads or discount- to be a “blah” experience. The offered by scores of vintage vending machines surrounding the shop. ed rims. Others come for the hot noodles were soggy, the soup was noodles, toasted sandwiches, bland, and I couldn’t even bring glass-bottle Cokes and odd knick- myself to touch the tofu. A bowl nacks offered by scores of vin- of chashu ramen (also 300 yen) I tage vending machines surround- shared with my 10-year-old son ing the shop. on a subsequent visit was superi- “We started this service so that or by leaps and bounds. customers who come to the store Speaking of my son, he’s a big to change tires can enjoy the fan of the freshly popped Amer- waiting time,” says a note on the ican Popcorn (150 yen), which shop’s website. “May your wait- comes in three flavors: salt, bar- AARON KIDD/Stars and Stripes ing time be filled with nostalgia becue and chocolate. The ma- These retroinspired bottles of and fun.” chine keeps you entertained with mixed juice are among the On my first visit, I spotted a an infectious ditty while you wait scores of items for sale in the grinning old man enthusiastically for a microwave inside to do its vending machines at Used Tire popping coins into a 1960s-era thing. The same machine sells a Market in Sagamihara, Japan. Japanese curry machine. Near- Japanese version of Pop Rocks by, a young couple leaned against (30 yen) that my son likes to a wooden railing, slurping steam- shake into the popcorn bag be- ON THE QT ing ramen from the same yellow fore munching away. Directions: 2666-1 Shimomizo, Mina- AARON KIDD/Stars and Stripes plastic bowl. Other options include tiny but mi Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa My fellow diners on a later meaty hamburgers served in a Candy cigarettes are just one of the nostalgic items you’ll find in the 252-0335. About a 15-minute drive scores of vintage vending machines outside Used Tire Market. visit included a pair of Japanese box, hot dogs with mustard, from Camp Zama and Sagami General celebrities — a comedy duo shrimp tempura, fried rice and Depot. known as Wagyu — filming a something called “bread in a Times: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. segment for television. can.” No Michelin Star candi- Costs: Most hot food items can be had When eating my way through a dates here, but all are cheap, fast for about 300 yen. portion of the shop’s seemingly and fun. Information: 042-714-5333; countless offerings, I was partic- Hot food isn’t all you’ll find at www.tire-ichiba.co.jp/retro.html ularly taken with the toasted the used tire shop. There are also Aaron Kidd sandwiches (300 yen or about rusty machines selling candy $2.75) that, after a 60-second cigarettes, AA and AAA batter- Need coins? You’ll find a countdown, pop out tightly wrap- ies, medical masks, umbrellas, change machine inside a small ped in piping hot aluminum foil. toy robots, plastic models and room near the tire shop’s office Tongs are available to keep you photos of teen singing sensations crammed with classic arcade from burning your fingers. whose fame has long faded. games. Many of the machines

There are two kinds available, My favorite is a cardboard box were inoperable during my vis- AARON KIDD/Stars and Stripes AARON KIDD/Stars and Stripes corned beef and ham and cheese. that dispenses green apple-fla- its, though several classics were A large, steaming bowl of chashu The toasted sandwiches from a I enjoyed the corned beef’s pep- vored gumballs with the push of up and running, including Pac- ramen from one of the vintage retro vending machine outside pery flavor so much, I decided to a plastic button. If you’re lucky, Man, Donkey Kong and Frogger. vending machines outside Used Used Tire Market in Sagamihara, have another. A colleague pre- you’ll get the one red gumball [email protected] Tire Market in Sagamihara, Japan, pop out wrapped in piping ferred the ham and cheese, de- waiting inside. Twitter: @kiddaaron Japan, can be had for 300 yen. hot aluminum foil. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 25 WEEKEND: FOOD & DINING

Lamb curry takes no time to cook

BY LINDA GASSENHEIMER Tribune News Service For this quick meal, I used curry powder from the super- market spice section. Strictly speaking, prepared curry powder doesn’t really exist in India. Good cooks prefer to make their own blend of spices using the freshest ingredients. The curry powder found in the markets should be used within three to four months. After that it loses some of its flavor. You can use a Golden Deli- cious apple instead of the Gran- ny Smith. Look for minced garlic in the produce section of the market. Add another ¼ teaspoon curry powder if you like it spicy hot. Lamb Curry Ingredients 2 teaspoons canola oil PHOTOS BY DANIEL BETANCOURT/Stars and Stripes 2 tablespoons curry powder The egg curry from Matchpoint Restaurant and Bar near Yokosuka Naval Base boasts a beautiful balance of heat and flavor. 1 cup sliced onion 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ pound lamb cubes cut from the leg ¼ pound green beans, Beautifully balanced flavor trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (about 1 cup) 1 tablespoon flour Matchpoint near Yokosuka Naval Base specializes in Japanese curry 1 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth BY DANIEL BETANCOURT ¼ cup raisins Stars and Stripes AFTER 1 medium tomato cut into short train ride from small wedges Yokosuka Naval Base HOURS 1 package microwave brown and a five-minute walk JAPAN rice (to make 1 cup cooked rice) Afrom Zushi Station ¼ cup low-fat, plain Greek- brings you to Matchpoint Restau- style yogurt rant and Bar, a quiet yet rustic 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon spot in bustling Zushi that spe- Matchpoint Salt and freshly ground black cializes in Japanese curry. pepper But even if you drive there, as Restaurant and Bar Directions I did, you’ll find parking at a Location: 5-1-13 Zushi, Kanagawa, Heat oil in a large nonstick nearby 24-hour lot. 249-0006. skillet over medium-high heat. The welcoming staff at Match- Directions: About a 30-minute drive Add the curry powder, onion, point showed me immediately to from Yokosuka Naval Base, or a 5- and garlic. Saute 2 minutes. a table hung with plastic sheets minute walk from Zushi Station. Add the lamb and green for protection against the coro- Hours: Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to beans and sauté 3 to 4 minutes. 9:00 p.m. navirus. The double-sided menu Stir to make sure lamb touches Prices: Dishes range from 500 yen to lists food and drink selections in 1,500 yen. bottom of skillet. Sprinkle in the English and Japanese. Dress: Casual flour and stir until it is absorb- Lunchtime entrees are curries Information: 046-873-0371 ed about 30 seconds. only, but a menu of sides features Daniel Betancourt Add the broth and simmer salads, seafoods and meat dishes, The ginger fried pork from Matchpoint Restaurant and Bar is served until broth thickens, 2 minutes. some large enough to make a me back to my Latino roots. The atop a salad with a delicious dressing and string carrots. Stir in the raisins and tomatoes. meal. flavor profile provided a mix Simmer 2 to 3 minutes. For the main event, I went with between sweet and bitter and sesame seeds. Even if you are not Microwave rice. Measure 1 the egg curry (800 yen, or about brought the whole meal to the a seafood fan, that dish will sur- cup and reserve remaining rice $7.30) followed up with a home- finale it deserved. prise you. for another time. Remove from made custard pudding for dess- From the side menu I ordered The garlic fried potatoes were heat and stir in the yogurt, cin- ert (550 yen). the ginger fried pork, Japanese- a huge hit with the children in namon and add salt and pepper The curry had a beautiful bal- style calamari with butter sauce the restaurant. to taste. ance of heat and flavor with two and garlic fried potatoes. The The Matchpoint lunch menu is Serve on two dinner plates. exceptionally large and runny pork was served atop a salad amazing, so I can only assume Serves 2. boiled eggs on top. Other lunch- with a delicious dressing and the dinner menu will not dis- From “Delicious One-Pot Dishes” by Linda Gassen- time curry options include beef, string carrots. The portions were appoint, either. There’s another heimer, published by the American Diabetes chicken, pork, shrimp, seafood, bigger than I expected, which location in Kamakura, as well as Association. Reprinted with permission from The American Diabetes Association. Gassenheimer’s tomato, mushroom and seasonal was a nice surprise. a roving food truck, according to latest book is “Simply Smoothies: Fresh & Fast vegetables. The calamari came thinly the restaurant’s Facebook page. Diabetes-Friendly Snacks & Complete Meals,” published by the American Diabetes Association. The pudding, which resembles sliced with fried onion rings [email protected] The homemade custard pudding To order either book call 1-800-232-6733 or at caramel-custard flan, brought topped with butter sauce and Twitter: @Beta_Stripes resembles caramel flan. www.shopdiabetes.org. PAGE 26 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: TRAVEL The geometry of an illusion Reality depends on your angle at the ‘super steep’ Eshima Ohashi Bridge

BY AYA MATSUURA ment from the end of 2013. People soon The Japan News-Yomiuri after started flocking to the area, which hen viewed from the right prompted a temporary parking lot to be angle, the “betabumi-zaka” set up nearby. ramp for the Eshima “We still get inquiries about shooting WOhashi Bridge looks like it’s locations, and it seems to have piqued shooting straight up into the sky. people’s curiosity,” said a representative Betabumi-zaka means “a pedal-to-the- of the Sakai Port Authority, which man- metal slope” in Japanese and the re- ages the bridge. nowned insane-looking bridge connects The optical illusion of making the Esh- Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture and ima Ohashi Bridge ramp look like a Matsue in Shimane Prefecture. surreal tower in photos is done by put- Matsue is my hometown and my fam- ting distance between the bridge and the ily and I had crossed the bridge once camera and using a telephoto lens. before with my father behind the wheel. The Matsue side of the bridge can be But I decided to cross the bridge with seen from Daikon Island, as there are no myself in the driver’s seat, so I rented a objects obstructing it, which makes it an car and set off from Matsue Station to easier area to find a good vantage point. the bridge that looks like a roller coaster And the farther away the photographer for cars. is from the bridge, the steeper the slope I chose an approximately 30-minute can appear in their photographs. route that wound through Daikon and With a modest gradient of 6.1%, the Eshima islands on brackish Lake Nakau- slope in actuality is nowhere near as mi. I rolled down the windows a bit and steep as it is in the famous perspective- a pleasant mid-March spring breeze jarring photographs. accompanied me as I drove clockwise I searched the internet and found be- around the perimeter of Daikon Island tabumi-zaka in Tokyo and Osaka as well. until I found a spot where I could see However, there are many tall structures the bridge almost head-on across the in such cities, which makes such slopes lake. difficult to photograph from a distance. I got out of the car, pulled out my The bridge’s height adds another ele- camera and scrutinized the bridge ment as to why the slope can look so through the viewfinder — the distant bewilderingly impressive. The bridge ramp looked like a vertical wall. was constructed with an apex of 146 feet, I got back in the car, drove across so that large ships can pass underneath Eshima Island, turned at an intersection and, for example, enter Matsue Port. and stopped near the 1.4 kilometer-long After the bridge’s completion in 2004, bridge. Up close I could indeed see a it replaced the Nakaura Watergate, somewhat impressive incline, but it was which was used for land reclamation and a far cry from the bulwark that I had desalinating brackish Lake Nakaumi. The observed only moments before on Dai- top of the watergate was used as a road kon Island. and as it was equipped with a draw- As I drove up the ramp, I could feel bridge to let ships pass through, traffic the car moving up a slope of sorts, but I had to be stopped every time the draw- PHOTOS BY AYA MATSUURA/Japan News-Yomiuri was able to keep my rental moving for- bridge was up. Furthermore, vehicles The Eshima Ohashi Bridge, connecting Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture and Matsue in ward without having to stomp on the gas over 14 tons were not allowed on the Shimane Prefecture, appears to rise into the sky when viewed from the Daikon Island. pedal. I crested the bridge in what felt bridge and this led to the occasional like the blink of an eye and then smooth- inconveniencing of passengers on large ly coasted down into Sakaiminato. tourist buses who were sometimes asked It turned out that to cross the bally- to disembark and walk across the bridge. hooed Betabumi-zaka ramp, a driver “That bridge sometimes made me late needed only to pump the gas pedal gent- when it was up,” said Tatsuya Abe, 54, a ly. civil servant, who used to ride his bicy- I returned to the Matsue side and cle to school in Sakaiminato from his noticed a few people had gathered to home on Daikon Island. “But it’s really look at the bridge. convenient now.” Rieko Kimura, 55, a company employ- The Eshima Ohashi Bridge has con- ee from Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, nected two cities and made it much who was traveling with a friend by car, more convenient for people to come and said she wanted to check out the bridge go. It would be fair to say that it has after she saw a picture on the internet. bridged the gap between the Sanin re- “I was skeptical about the extremity of gion with the rest of Japan. the incline,” she said. “But seeing that I heard that the view from the bridge’s [the slope was not that steep] is kind of a apex is well worth a gander. Next time, letdown.” I’ll stroll across the not-so-steep slope The bridge became a national legend that is famously framed as being just when it was featured in a TV advertise- way too steep. The slope of the bridge doesn’t look as steep or impressive when viewed from Matsue. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 27 WEEKEND: BOOKS

Atlas urging skinny kids to become the “hero of the beach.” “Oh, to be self-sufficient! Hard as a Fitness rock! An island!” Bechdel’s avatar says in the book, admitting that she’s come “to accept the unavoidable fact of my ultimate dependence” despite still gauging her “self-worth, to a disturbing degree, by my philosophy physical strength.” Her commitment to fitness, though, becomes about questing for transforma- Cartoonist discusses tion and transcendence — from her college years, when she comes out amid a her latest graphic novel, supportive lesbian community and en- dures her closeted father’s sudden death, ‘Superhuman Strength’ which she comes to believe was a suicide, to the dawn of middle age, when she be- BY MICHAEL CAVNA gins documenting changes in her body. The Washington Post “When I hit the 40-year mark — that lison Bechdel once believed in was an intense transition — I started to striving for a “lone wolf” style really get it: Self-sufficiency is impossible. of self-reliance. Now, when she So I’ve been working on that,” says Bech- Awalks in the woods of her north- del, who also notes how menopause is ern Vermont home, a fair distance from “such a great window into the whole aging neighbors or the nearest town, she feels process because you age very rapidly in a especially tethered to the world. short period of time — it gives you a sense “You can’t ask for a more vivid example of what you’ve been doing your whole life of that than this pandemic,” the bestselling long.” cartoonist said earlier As “Superhuman Strength” became a this month, upon the heavier lift as a creative journey, Bechdel release of her new — who had earlier discovered yoga and book about the rela- Zen beliefs — was drawn to the climbing tionship between mind adventures of Beat writers Jack Kerouac and body. The global and Gary Snyder as described in the novel spread of the coro- “The Dharma Bums.” Soon she was read- navirus “demonstrates ing about the mental and physical lives of how vulnerable we all 19th century writers such as Ralph Waldo are — how completely Emerson and Margaret Fuller (“That connected we are to woman needs a Netflix series!” Bechdel each other — with the says). intense contagion of this thing. It’s really “I just kept getting pulled onto this kind of stunning.” metaphysical path,” she says, toward “the Speaking by phone from her home and Transcendentalists, who I’d always been studio outside Burlington, the 2014 Mac- curious about but not understood. So that Arthur Fellow says she has had a safe and was a fun kind of rabbit hole to go down, privileged place to weather the pandemic, and that led me to the British Romantics,” at peace and staying on “an even keel.” such as William Wordsworth, sister Do- Last year, she had her graphic novel to rothy Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor focus on, and her wife, Holly Rae Taylor, a Coleridge. Soon she was not only tracking painter and colorist, to help her make her connections between these British and book’s deadline last December — a shared American writers but also “seeing paral- project that was “very absorbing and lels between them and my own life. They distracting from the craziness outside.” were making their way into my work.” Now, as an immunized author, she is As Bechdel’s avatar shifts while pursu- starting to make professional and personal ing fitness, she examines what she might travel plans: There’s family in Pennsylva- be running from, and what she might be nia to see, and possible trips to New York trying to transcend. And as the action and Florida. moves to modern day, she challenges her “Life is starting to resume full force in a own views. way I have very mixed feelings about,” “One trend of the book is about the self she said. and the other — the tension that we feel Yet Bechdel’s new work illustrates the with others — and my belief, at least the degree to which she has spent her life in belief I’m trying to talk myself into it, is motion — getting into “almost every new that people really are profoundly intercon- fitness fad to come down the pike,” she nected,” Bechdel says. “If I really believe writes, as well as activities with long histo- that, that means I’m profoundly intercon- ries. Karate to Pilates. Hiking to biking. nected with anti-vaxxers and Trumpers. And scaling mountains, perhaps “to better This is my challenge: How do I stop mak- plumb my own depths.” Elena Seibert ing them into others and see some kind of “The Secret to Superhuman Strength” is commonality with them?” her first new graphic novel in nearly a In the book’s concluding pages, Bechdel decade, after her twin memoirs about her short, fun, light book about my exercise ade of her life. — the same writer who grew up in a fu- parents: the 2006 smash “Fun Home: A life. It just immediately became compli- “The book took a long time in part be- neral home — sheds the goal of transcend- Family Tragicomic,” which was adapted cated by other thoughts — by mortality,” cause of the way I set it up,” she says, ence and extols exercise for exercise’s into a Tony-winning musical, and the 2012 says Bechdel, who launched her long- noting with a laugh: “I couldn’t finish the sake, saying: “Onward to the grave!” follow-up “Are You My Mother?: A Comic running comic “Dykes to Watch Out For” last decade until I’d actually lived through “I really did labor under the delusion Drama.” nearly four decades ago. “I was getting it. Thank God I lived through it.” for a long time that these workouts were Bechdel didn’t set out to write and draw older and I was noticing that I couldn’t do The book explores Bechdel’s many somehow going to keep me from dying,” another labor-intensive work, but the the same things I used to be able to do — motivations for living a life of aerobic pain Bechdel says wryly. “I didn’t think it creative intellectual who has a penchant at least not as well or as quickly.” and gain. Growing up in a family that got through that clearly.” for solo endurance sports found herself Bechdel turned 60 while completing into skiing, she was struck early on by Today, though, she is no evangelist for a wrestling with weighty themes — pressing “Superhuman Strength,” which is struc- images of muscled men who promised fitness regimen. “I don’t exercise in order on to examine what happens when the tured into six chapters — each focusing on physical results, from Jack LaLanne flex- not to die. I exercise because I am on my physical meets the metaphysical. the sports and relationships and influen- ing in a onesie on TV to the cartoon ads of way to dying, and it’s just a fun thing to “I really did have an intention to write a tial ideas that dominated a different dec- leopard-print-Speedo bodybuilder Charles do.” PAGE 28 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: MUSIC

Q&A Working mom going strong After 2-plus decades in music and 2 kids, Pink still a rock star

BY ALICIA RANCILIO Associated Press ink is grappling with the fact that her 9-year-old daughter, Willow, with husband Carey Hart, is on Pthe cusp of the tween years. “It’s still the salad days, she’s still my baby,” said Pink in an interview over Zoom. “But she’s starting to ask me questions about deodorant and bras.” As if on cue, a siren blares in the background. “And there’s my ambulance,” she dead- pans. Willow Sage and her son, Jameson Moon, are a huge creative inspiration for the singer, whose real name is Alecia Moore. Earlier this year she released a single called “ Cover Me In Sunshine “ featuring Willow’s vocals, which Pink says happened organically. “She was in the room when I was recording. She liked the song and was humming, and she has such a cute, pretty little voice. I was like, ‘You want to sing on it?’ She’s like, ‘Sure.’” In the new documentary “Pink: All I Know So Far,” debuting May 21 on Prime Video, viewers go back to 2019 for Pink’s Beautiful Trauma world tour with Hart, AMAZON PHOTOS/AP Willow and Jameson in tow. The kids join Pink performs in a scene from the documentary “Pink: All I Know So Far,” which debuts May 21 on Amazon Prime Video. The film her for rehearsals, she wrangles them for takes viewers back to the singer’s 2019 tour, on which she was joined by her husband, Carey Hart, and their two children. bedtime and feels guilty when Willow vents that Jameson, a toddler at the time, silks in your performances and doing gets all the attention. acrobatics. Do you foresee a time you’d “I wasn’t sure anybody would want to want to give that up? see that,” said Pink of the concept of cap- Pink: I’ll always want to. It’s just if peo- turing mom life on camera, but her direc- ple are going to want to see that stuffed tor, Michael Gracey, convinced her it was into a leotard. I mean, that’s the real ques- something to see. tion, isn’t it? (Laughs.) “He thought it was fascinating that You costarred with Gwyneth Paltrow, someone that was headlining stadiums Josh Gad and Mark Ruffalo in the 2012 would be a full-time mom. He had never movie “Thanks for Sharing.” Would you seen that before and thought it was a story ever want to act again? worth telling. After I thought about it, I No, it’s excruciating. I mean, I would do was like, ‘Well, there’s not a lot of women Broadway, that kind of acting, even headlining stadiums and there’s certainly though that’s also excruciating, but no. I not a lot of women touring the world with don’t want to see this (points to face) in their family.’ I just thought it was a time hi-def any more than I have to (laughs.) stamp... and something for the kids to Speaking of Broadway, you worked watch one day when they’ve built this with the “Dear Evan Hansen” songwriters narrative in their head about how they — Benj Pasek and Justin Paul — on the weren’t loved or cared for.” “All I Know So Far” single. What was that It’s a busy time for Pink, who also has a like? new song called “ All I Know So Far,” and They’re freaking awesome. I loved “The will accept the Icon Award at the Bill- Greatest Showman” so much, and “Dear board Music Awards. Past recipients in- Evan Hansen” and “La La Land.” They’re clude Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson and Pink kisses her son, Jameson Moon, in a scene from “Pink: All I Know So Far.” such good storytellers and I’m a theater Mariah Carey. geek. “I wish I could feel it more,” said Pink Pink says she’s “horrible” at acceptance of authenticity and not conforming to There’s talk of a “Lady Marmalade” of the honor, adding she’s too self-depre- speeches because she feels “awkward” conventional standards of beauty. The rerecord with names including Miley cating to keep from poking fun at herself. and says her “jokes get bad,” but she speech is included on the live album “All I Cyrus and Halsey singing your part. What “I’m like, ‘Oh, it’s the old lady award,’ made a pretty memorable one in 2017 at Know So Far Setlist.” do you think of that? because Cher gave it to Garth Brooks last the MTV Video Music Awards. While In an interview with The Associated It would be amazing. Why not? I saw year. I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m 41, not accepting another prestigious award, the Press, Pink talks about her aerial silks Miley do “Silent Night.” That girl could 70.’ But at the end of the day, I guess two Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, routine, acting and what she thinks of a sing the phone book to me. She’s so good. decades (in music) is a big deal and I want she spoke to Willow, who was in the audi- possible “Lady Marmalade “ redo. Her voice is so soulful and Halsey’s rad, to be able to take it in.” ence with her dad, about the importance AP: You’re known for performing aerial too. I think it’d be cool. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 29 WEEKEND: MUSIC

COMMENTARY Rock & Roll Hall of Fame needs to clean up its act

BY JON BREAM In an interview with Billboard- Star Tribune .com, Sykes explained that the he Grammys are trying Rock Hall is “constantly refresh- to do it. The Golden ing” the ballot with “young vot- Globes are talking ers,” citing that as a “balance of Tabout doing it. The power” with the nominating Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should committee. do it. It’s time for the Rock Hall How’s that? If artists aren’t to clean up its act regarding how even on the ballot, there is no artists get chosen for induction. way to balance the power of the On May 12, the Hall announced omnipotent nominating panel. six inductees — including Tina Sykes explained that this year Turner, Jay-Z and Foo Fighters Rock & Roll Hall of Fame there were three special boards — who were elected by 1,200 LL Cool J has been rejected six (with seven members each) who TNS voters (including me). times by voters, but was chosen chose inductees for “early influ- Miranda Lambert has teamed up with fellow Texans Jack Ingram and It announced seven other infor the Musical Excellence Award ence,” “musical excellence” and Jon Randall on the intimate "Marfa Tapes." ductees — including two who had by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Ahmet Ertegun Award for a been on the ballot for multiple nonperformer. years — chosen by anonymous year there were 16 nominees. Gil Scott-Heron and Kraftw- executive committees. There has never been a write-in erk, both of whom I voted for Lambert & friends’ How does the Rock Hall proc- opportunity on the ballot. when they were on the ballot in ess work? No idea. The music Why did it take so long for such previous years, were chosen this world needs transparency. deserving names as Tina Turner year as early influences. LL Cool Thanks to recently announced and Neil Diamond to get on the J, who was on the ballot this year ‘Marfa Tapes’ is an changes to the Grammys proce- ballot? for the sixth time and rejected by dures (eliminating blue-ribbon Diamond has never been hip, voters once again, was tapped for nominating panels), we know and the late Atlantic Records “musical excellence.” unpolished marvel how the oft-maligned awards will chief Ahmet Ertegun, co-founder When asked if induction by work next year. We have long of the Rock Hall who controlled executive fiat felt like a consola- known how the Baseball Hall of it for years, apparently had an tion prize for the rapper/actor, BY DAN DELUCA Fame voting operates, and the old business beef with him. Mr. Sykes said “not at all.” He point- The Philadelphia Inquirer totals are reported. Some years Sweet Caroline waited 19 years to ed out that Hall of Famer Darryl Miranda Lambert and her no one garners enough votes McDaniel of Run-D.M.C. buddies Jack Ingram and Jon for enshrinement. advocated for LL Cool J. Randall first headed to remote The only thing that’s clear In an industry once Well, one voice outweighs Marfa, Texas, together in 2016. about the Rock Hall is that the votes of 1,200. Did the That initial retreat yielded a hit an artist is eligible 25 years plagued by payola and judge overrule the jury? Did for Lambert in the devastating after releasing their first one autocrat overturn the heartache song “Tin Man,” and recording. That’s it. still poisoned by will of the people? the trio penned “Tequila Does,” a There is a nominating cronyism, there needs Of course, some people crowd-pleasing staple of Lam- committee that chooses who question why the Rock and bert’s arena-size country con- goes on the ballot. Who are to be transparency Roll Hall of Fame inducts certs on a return trip. the nominators? Don’t know. hip-hop artists, pop stars and So with a pandemic putting a The select members are about the Rock Hall country singers. Because, as stop to the music business, what Jack Ingram, never disclosed, though over Sykes wisely pointed out, were the three Lone Star State Miranda Lambert, the years we’ve heard that process to insure rock ’n’ roll is an attitude, it’s friends to do but head back to the Questlove and Tom Morello about youth culture. high-desert home of sculptor and Jon Randall have been added. credibility. This all boils down to a Donald Judd’s Chinati Founda- The Marfa Tapes The late producer Phil question of integrity because tion and the atmospheric phe- (Vanner Records/RCA Nashville) Spector used to be on board. I land on the ballot — and got being inducted into the Rock and nomenon of the Marfa Lights? knew a couple of industry exec- elected on his first try. Roll Hall of Fame should be one Last September, Ingram, Lam- utives and a critic or two who How could the Hall overlook of the pinnacles in the music bert and Randall gathered Does” are reprised, but the other participated for a bit. We hear Turner, rock’s ultimate come- world. In an industry once around the campfire, seeking to 13 loosely performed songs are that Jon Landau, Bruce Spring- back story? She had been eligible plagued by payola and still poi- recapture the in-person intimacy all new traditional country tunes steen’s longtime manager and as a solo artist since 1999 (she soned by cronyism, there needs that COVID-19 has robbed so of a high order. producer, chairs the panel of was inducted with Ike & Tina to be transparency about the many musicians of. Lambert is the focal point, and about 30 members. Turner in ’91) but this was her Rock Hall process to insure cred- Documenting their endeavors it’s a big deal for an artist of her I’ve heard that each member solo debut on the ballot. ibility. on an iPhone voice notes app, magnitude to take a legitimate gets to make a nomination. In Rolling Stone founder Jann But, let’s be honest: ultimately “The Marfa Tapes” is a marvel- musical risk. But while she han- 2013, Questlove spoke up for his Wenner has been a Rock Hall the Rock Hall of Fame is more ous off-the-cuff success. It’s in- dles most lead vocals, Ingram hometown Philly favorites Daryl kingmaker for 35 years. Cross concerned about two things — tentionally unpolished: Logs and Randall are also showcased, Hall & John Oates, and they got him for whatever reason, and attracting fans to its fabulous crackle, the wind howls, border and their musical camaraderie is on the ballot — and elected the apparently harm your chances of facility in Cleveland and creating patrol helicopters fly overhead. unmistakable. first time they faced voters. being nominated. Thankfully, he a widely watched TV show for Giggles and miscues are not When Randall sings lead on I have voted for the Rock Hall stepped down as Hall chairman a the annual induction ceremony. edited out. “Homegrown Tomatoes” (not the for more than three decades. couple of years ago. The Hall pooh-bahs know that Of course, that lack of polish Guy Clark song), Lambert’s con- Some years, we voters — in- Now longtime industry exec Tina Turner isn’t going to per- could come across as perform- centration on her harmony vocal cluding previous inductees, crit- John Sykes, a co-founder of MTV form at the Oct. 30 event, but LL ative authenticity-flaunting. But is evident. “Nailed it!,” she comics and industry workers — now at iHeartMedia, leads the Cool J certainly will. “The Marfa Tapes” avoids such pliments herself, before the mo- ranked our top five choices (if we board. He’s trying to make some Jon Bream has been a music critic at the Star pitfalls, thanks to quality song- ment passes. opted for that many). Now we changes in the Hall’s nominating Tribune since 1975, making him the longest writing. “Tin Man” and “Tequila Yep, you sure did. just check up to five picks; this and voting procedures. tenured pop critic at a U.S. daily newspaper. PAGE 30 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: LIFESTYLE

Colored pencils, sharpened and at the ready, rest in a container on Seaman’s desk. As interest in the artist’s doodles grew, he began selling them on Etsy and giving half the proceeds to charity. 365 days of ‘COVID Doodles’ 88-year-old creates

PHOTOS BY CHARLES KRUPA/AP an intricate illustration Artist Robert Seaman works on one of his daily doodles in his room at an assisted living facility May 10 in Westmoreland, N.H. Seaman, who moved into the facility weeks before the COVID19 pandemic shut down his outside world in 2020, recently completed for each day of 2020 his 365th daily sketch, or what he calls his “COVID Doodles,” since being isolated due to the virus outbreak.

BY HOLLY RAMER were created by this pandemic,” he said. Associated Press “Then it just started to grow, and I uch like the round clock thought it would be interesting to do one a faces, gears and planets that day.” often populate his artwork, He started sending the doodles to his MRobert Seaman has come daughter, Robin Hayes, and other friends full circle. and family. Hayes then shared them on Seaman, 88, has been drawing since he Facebook, and as interest grew, began was a boy, and at age 60, left a real estate offering the originals and prints for sale career to pursue his hobby professionally. on Etsy.com, with half the proceeds going But it took the coronavirus pandemic to to charities, including a COVID-19 relief fully return him to his passion. fund, a homeless shelter and an orga- “As a kid, I kept lurching between be- nization that helps refugees. ing a loner and being an extrovert,” he As the days passed, Seaman’s art got a said. “But in my introvert phase, I would bit brighter in both theme and appear- love to go up to my room where I had a ance. drawing table kind of desk and I’d spend Some pieces showcase his fascination hours up there drawing pictures. That’s with science fiction, while others portray what I’m doing now.” whimsical animals or sly humor — #131, May 11 marked one year since Seaman “Portraits of a Shy Family,” depicts started churning out “daily doodles” from framed paintings of the backs of heads. his small, one-room apartment at the Robots carrying purple flags march Maplewood Assisted Living facility in across the page. Blackbirds burst from a Westmoreland, N.H. He spends about six pie. A squiggly-lined brain is sandwiched Seaman holds up his 365th daily doodle in his room May 10. hours a day working on his intricate, between two burger buns. A much-loved fanciful illustrations, starting with pencil cat, Piper, shows up in all kinds of scenes. “During the pandemic, a lot of our half an hour and see many, many things. sketches and finishing with ink, colored Seaman, who has been fully vaccinated normal ability to get out and have contact I’ll catch another color or something in a pencil and watercolor. since January, says he’ll “probably kick with people was diminished, so to be able corner I never even noticed before.” “After a long life, I’m back doing what I the bucket” before he runs out of ideas. to get some output or something that isn’t Doodle #365, titled “Potpourri” in- did when I was 11 years old,” he said. “I might be watching something on an advertising flier or newsletter on a cludes the Earth looming behind a jumble “And it’s great; I love it. I’m so lucky that television, and someone will have a pic- daily basis was cool,” Craig Fox said. “I of objects that include the aforementioned I can do this.” ture on the wall that will give me an idea. collect books by people I know. If some- cat, a wind-up bird Seaman keeps on his Seaman moved into Maplewood just Or things just pop into my head. When I one I know writes a book, I buy it and ask desk, a horse and a man wearing an avia- two weeks before the pandemic restric- go to sleep at night, for a few minutes I for an autograph ... and by watching the tor cap and googles. It’s framed by a se- tions cut residents off from the outside try to think of some new ideas,” he said. doodles come by, I started to feel like I ries of shapes that evoke calligraphy but world. For many months, they couldn’t “When I get stuck, I’ll just start drawing know him.” aren’t actual letters. leave their rooms. It wasn’t until the first an object and it’s like word association. Sandra Fox, who once stared at a paint- Though he accomplished his goal of a week of May that they were allowed to I’ll draw a hand, and all of a sudden that ing in a museum so long that a guard year of daily doodles, Seaman said he has interact in hallways and other common suggests something else, so it just grows teased her about “casing the joint,” said no plans to stop. areas without masks. from there.” she loves how much there is to see in “It’s selfish. It keeps me occupied, and I “The first thought I had was to just do Craig and Sandra Fox, of Deerfield, Seaman’s drawings. love doing it, but it also does help some some kind of dark stuff that reflected the N.H., bought Doodles #13, 271 and 274 “They are what they are to me, I have other people, which is kind of nice,” he nature of the confinement that we were after hearing about Seaman on the radio the same feelings, but I see more every said. “Maybe I’ll get so shaky I can’t do experiencing and the difficulties that and getting added to his daily email list. time,” she said. “I could look at them for anything, but as long as I can, I will.” Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 31 WEEKEND: TELEVISION

Reclaiming their voice

PEACOCK PHOTOS/TNS From left: Sara Bareilles (Dawn), Busy Philipps (Summer), Ashley Park (Ashley), Erika Henningsen (young Gloria) and Renée Elise Goldsberry (Wickie) appear in a scene showing the early days of the titular group in “Girls5eva.” The Peacock comedy series follows a fictional girl group’s rise to stardom, fade to obscurity and popculture comeback. ‘Girls5eva’ mocks the ‘misogynistic’ culture behind the rise of female pop stars of the ’90s and early ’00s

BY AIDA YLANAN awful song Musik has written for them. Los Angeles Times “I’ve been in those rooms with the pro- he catchy, syrupy-sweet tunes ducer who has a bad idea, and it’s sort of like from the female pop stars of the the push-and-pull of wanting to be amenable, late ’90s and early ’00s were once but also checking in with, ‘Is this a good idea? Tdescribed by some as a major step Should we say these things on the micro- toward female empowerment: Britney phone? Probably not,’” Bareilles recalled. Spears showing the world how a young wom- “A lot of [these groups] are just kind of an could own her sexuality, or the Spice Girls churned out by a factory and just handed a championing the power of female friendship. song and didn’t really have a voice in the But in retrospect, these acts’ shiny surfac- equation,” Scardino said. Girls5eva’s es can also read as a slick repackaging of “Dream Girlfriend,” crafted in much the sexist tropes. And the ongoing reconsider- same fashion, is about “being the ideal wom- ation of American culture from that era, an, but for a certain kind of man — like it was which has included everyone from Spears to clearly not written by them.” Monica Lewinsky, is allowing those who Another nod from the show to the girl lived through the years of over-plucked group industry is that many weren’t formed eyebrows, low-rise jeans and Destiny’s Child from friendship but from money and circum- to look at it again, even as Generation Z de- stance. The show’s biting lyrics work, Rich- lights in experiencing those bygone trends “‘Girls5eva” members Summer, Wickie, Dawn and Gloria reunite in the present day. mond said, to shed light “on the music indus- for the first time. try, how it operated, and how misogynistic it Bring in “Girls5eva,” the new Peacock about whale-tail thongs and stylish birth reality. was to have a girl group that was created by comedy from executive producers Tina Fey control, might sound like a stretch, but the “The writers and I kind of bought every men and written by men.” (“We’ve been best and Robert Carlock. The series follows the show makes a point that it’s only a stone’s book that was written. We have one from, friends ever since we auditioned for a man in titular girl group, which years ago shot to throw from real-life examples like “I’m a like, Beyoncé Knowles’ father, everyone who amotel in New Jersey,” says Wickie Roy, the stardom and then quickly faded into obscuri- Slave 4 U” and “Cater 2 U.” wrote a book in the late ’90s about that era,” superstar of the group, played by “Hamil- ty, as its members seize the spotlight once “Everything is an amalgamation of [turn- said showrunner Meredith Scardino. Other ton’s” Renée Elise Goldsberry.) more after being sampled on a trap artist’s of-the-millennium pop music]. It’s Spice reference materials include the TV series But while “Girls5eva” sharpens its comic new single. Girls, it’s Destiny’s Child, En Vogue, Britney “Making the Band” and the Lou Pearlman knives for the ways in which pop culture The show jumps back and forth in time, Spears. It’s kind of like a pastiche of a kind of documentary “The Boy Band Con.” exploits young women and then quickly casts juxtaposing the present with the group’s genre that I think is even wider than what It also helped that the show is about an era them off — “For ladies, 35 is checkout time,” music videos, grainy camcorder footage and Girls5eva were doing,” Sara Bareilles, who the writers and actors remember vividly, says the group’s manager, played by Jo- “Total Request Live” appearances of yore: plays the group’s “chill” member, said via Scardino added. “When I was thinking about nathan Hadary — Scardino said the series is We see Y2K through 2021 eyes, as the women videoconference. (Even this is a reference to developing the show, the girl group idea kind rooted in affection for the girl groups of that —now in their 40s — grapple with the ques- that moment in music history: Jeff Rich- of popped in my head as a cool way to be able era. “We have nothing but love for every pop tionable artistic choices they made, often mond, the show’s executive producer and to talk about being a woman in her 40s now, star that’s out there and went through this.” with less autonomy than they first thought. composer, noted how group members of the and also look back at when I came of age,” And in our own nostalgia-obsessed culture, “Have you ever wanted the perfect girl to era were branded to fit different personality she said. it’s not even a stretch for Girls5eva to get fit in your world?” croons Gloria, played by types so fans could be a “Posh Spice” or The show’s riffs on the music industry back together in hopes of making it big — on former “Saturday Night Live” head writer “Sporty Spice” kind of girl.) certainly passed the test for the musicians on its own terms, a second time around. After Paula Pell, in the song “Dream Girlfriend.” In borrowing so much from that period, set. The third episode, in which Stephen all, the Spice Girls are teasing a reunion tour “Well, don’t make a wish, because we’re the team behind “Girls5eva” (so named Colbert plays an inscrutable but revered pop later this year. already real.” because “4 eva’s 2 short”) has tried to ensure, songwriter named Alf Musik, finds the

This ridiculous anthem of male fantasy, through meticulous research, that any exag- group’s members in an uncomfortable spot ‘Girls5eva’ is rated TV-MA (may be unsuitable for children which launches into more pointed satire gerations depicted in the show are rooted in when they’re compelled to turn down an under age 17). Now streaming on Peacock. PAGE 32 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: HEALTH & FITNESS

Author, Harvard-trained neuroscientist says minor forgetfulness is normal Forget what you think you BY LAURIE HERTZEL Star Tribune hat, you lost your glasses — again? And you have no idea where you parked your car? know about your memory WAnd the name of your favorite sitcom — it’s on the tip of your tongue, but you just can’t quite remember it? Fear not. Such minor forgetfulness is pretty normal, neuroscientist Lisa Genova told an audience of more than 750 people at a recent Zoom event, hosted by the Friends of the Hennepin County (Minn.) Library. Genova, a Harvard- trained neuroscientist, is the author of five bestselling novels, all center- ing on people with brain maladies. “Still Alice,” her bestselling novel about a woman with early-onset Alzheim- er’s disease, was made into an Academy Award-winning film. Her new book, “Remember,” her first book of nonfiction, delves into why we remember, why we forget and how the brain works. Here are highlights from her recent talk. This has been edited for space; you can watch the full talk at support- hclib.org/lisa-genova On why she started writing: Becoming a novelist was really acciden- tal. My interest in Alzheimer’s began in a very personal way: My grandmother had it. I was the neuroscientist in my big Ital- iStock ian family, and I figured I would learn everything I could about Alzheimer’s. I read everything, the scientific research something is hit “play.” That is not memo- overwrites the old memory. So if you want to prevent Alzheimer’s papers, and the clinical texts, and a lot of ry. We think that those memories are accu- disease, one thing you can do is get enough the caregiving manuals, and everything You’re only going to keep what you pay rate, but they’re probably not. sleep. was helpful — to a point. What was mis- attention to. So when your keys go missing sing for me was the perspective of the or your phone or your glasses — and we On memory games: On how to sleep more restfully: person who had it. do these things every day — this likely The way to improve your memory is not Our body temperature needs to go down I thought, fiction is a place where you doesn’t involve your memory at all. This is through brain games and crosswords. by 2 degrees for us to fall asleep. Maybe get to walk in someone else’s shoes. I wish a symptom of distraction — you did not You’ll get better at doing those brain your room is too warm. Are you worried there were a story written about someone pay attention to putting your glasses here. games, and you’ll get good at crosswords, through the night? Write down everything with Alzheimer’s told from her perspec- You’re texting, you’re thinking about the but it doesn’t translate. You don’t then get you need to do tomorrow before you go to tive. And then I thought, well, someday I’ll 12 things you need to do, and you’re not a better memory in your day-to-day life. bed. write that book. paying attention to what you’re doing. You Caffeine is a big deal. Caffeine is actual- can’t create a memory of what you don’t On the importance of sleep: ly great for memory — it wakes your brain On ‘normal forgetting’: pay attention to. Sleep is super important for your mem- up. But you want to be careful about when I have been talking about Alzheimer’s ory. Events are being consolidated into a you have this last latté of the day because for over a decade, and I found that the On the distinct kinds of memory: lasting memory while you sleep. If you the half-life of caffeine is five hours. That conversation invariably drifts from Alz- There’s the memory for the stuff we don’t get enough sleep, the hippocampus means that five hours later, half of the heimer’s to normal forgetting — but peo- know, the facts and information, like the might not have enough time to do its job. caffeine is still in your body. ple don’t know what’s normal. We have stuff you learn in school. And there’s the You go and try to retrieve them [the me- this conception that memory is a perfect memory for the stuff that happens, the mories] later and you’ll have a tough time On stress and memory: thing. It wasn’t even when we were 20, but episodic memory. This is the story of your and they won’t be fully retrievable. Stress will inhibit your memory to re- I don’t think we even noticed or cared life. There’s muscle memory, which If you have a horrible night’s sleep, do member. Chronic stress is super bad for when we were 20. But when we’re 50, doesn’t actually live in your muscles but you have a hard time paying attention the memory. Exercise, even a brisk walk people start getting really scared and lives in your brain. This is the stuff you next day? What do you need to form a new every day, can save our hippocampus. anxious. can do — ride a bike, brush your teeth, memory? Attention. So you won’t have Yoga, meditation, deep breathing. So with this [nonfiction] book, I could drive the car. There’s also the memory for formed the memories of the stuff you If you close your eyes and breathe in to reassure them and explain why they are what you plan to do later. learned yesterday and you’re not going to the count of four, through your nose, it really normal — how we remember and For something that I remember that be able to form the memories of the stuff calms everything down. You can do this how we normally forget and what we can happened, that will change over time with you learned today because you won’t be several times throughout the day. do to improve our memory. every time I retell it. Every time I recall it, able to pay attention. I have an opportunity to add something to While you sleep, the glial cells, the jan- On giving in and using Google: On why we forget things: it, subtract something. Maybe my mood is itors of your brain, they do their job while If you can’t remember something, peo- The No. 1 first ingredient for creating a different now, maybe I can interpret it you sleep. And they clear away the metab- ple think if they google it, it’s cheating. It’s memory that’s going to last beyond the differently. Maybe I heard something on olic debris that accumulated during the not. It does not make your memory stron- moment is attention. You cannot remem- the news related to this thing that hap- business of being awake. And one of the ger by forcing yourself to remember it, ber something if you don’t pay attention. I pened. I can slide that in, as well. This is things it clears away is amyloid beta. And and you do not make your memory weak- think a lot of us think of memory as a vid- not necessarily consciously done. if amyloid beta isn’t cleared away, it’ll er by googling it. eo camera and it’s recording a constant When I go to restore that memory, the stick to itself and form plaque. That is the A normal glitch in your memory doesn’t stream and all you have to do to retrieve new memory is what gets stored and it beginning of Alzheimer’s disease. mean you’re getting Alzheimer’s. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 33 WEEKEND: FAMILY

Post-commencement cuckoo’s nest still full

During the early days of 2020, my husband and I received an odd email from our middle child, Anna, who was, at the time, in her last semester of college. Just like her mother, Anna had earned the title “Class Clown” in high school, so we knew from the first line that her email had been written tongue-in-cheek. It went a little something like this:

Dear Mother and Father, Today I have met with the harsh reality that I am almost out of college. Thoughts and emotions have flooded my mind, SUSAN STOCKER, SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL/TNS body and soul. Lindsay Beattie works on her computer as her new dog, Moose, stays by her side at home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Soon, I will have to stop mooching off my parents. I only have a few months left of free laundry, a constant supply of lunch meat, and access to your cars at my leisure. Soon, I will enter the real world. More questions bombard my confused conscience. How does health insurance work? How much do gym memberships cost? How do I file my tax Separation anxiety returns? Where will I live? How will I afford it? Do I still call grown ups “Mr.” and “Mrs.”? Soon, my whole world will be flipped upside down. What Pet owners are nervous about leaving their pets when they return to work does this mean for us? Should I move out, struggle financial- ly and mentally, then resent you for it? Should I come home BY LOIS K. SOLOMON “Research shows animals have a calming effect on us. If so often that you begin to resent me? Should I start butting South Florida Sun Sentinel your animal is your companion, you are going to miss heads with Hayden and Lilly because it seems like adults f you’ve been home with your pet during the pan- them when you leave the house.” enjoy having emotional turmoil with their siblings? Are you demic, you know what’s coming. For those leaving their canines home while they go to going to kick me off of our phone plan and leave me out to Separation anxiety. work, Jeff Nelson of Palm Beach Dog Academy offers dry? Will I have to live at home one day? I We can’t stay home forever. Soon we’ll start these transition tips: Soon, all of these questions will be answered whether I like heading back to the office and taking vacations. Our pets ■ Keep your dogs mentally stimulated when you’re it or not. Soon, I have to dive head first into adulthood. Soon, will wonder where we went. And we will get that pit in with them. Give them lots of attention. Take them out in I will have to start buying my own lunch meat. our stomach, like when we left our kids at school for the public. Teach them to sit and stay. For now I will enjoy the little things in life, like being able first time, because we have become so attached to our ■ Make sure they get at least several good walks or to walk over to the health center when I have a cold. Attend- faithful animals. playtime in the yard each day. Nelson says take them ing frat parties. Sleeping until my class at noon. Reminding Calls from uneasy dog owners are starting to come out first thing in the morning, feed them, then walk them my parents to send me rent money. into Dogstown University in Deerfield Beach, Fla., before work. When you come home, take them on a Because soon, it will all be gone. which has a dog day care center and offers overnight 10-minute walk that includes training to obey com- — A creative writing piece by Anna Lynn Molinari. Enjoy. boarding. Owner Adam Feingold tries to cheer them up. mands, have some dinner and take them out again. “We are getting lots of calls from people going back to “The more short walks, the better,” he said. My husband and I chuckled at our daughter’s silly email. work,” Feingold said. “People want to be reassured that ■ Leave the television or radio on when you’re gone I filed the email in my “Miscellaneous” Gmail folder, fully their dogs will not be alone. They have been attached at so the dogs are comforted by human voices and hear intending to access it in May 2020 when Anna would gradu- the hip for a year. We work it through with them.” less outside noise. ate from college. I envisioned reading it to relatives at a big Lindsay Beattie of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is among ■ Keep an interior camera on in the house so you can graduation party, where we would all be toasting Anna’s those getting ready to enter the post-COVID work watch what your pets are doing. There are even cam- success in college, and wishing her well in her first job as a world, but now she has two pets to consider. When the eras now that allow “two-way conversations” and will junior fashion designer. pandemic hit last year, she took in a foster puppy to keep throw your dog a treat. But, thanks to the pandemic, none of that happened. her and her 12-year-old shih tzu mix, Doc, company. ■ Don’t leave them for more than eight hours. If The Class of 2020 was sent home early to finish their edu- She fell in love with Moose, a purebred shih tzu who is you’ll be out longer, hire someone to give the dog a mid- cations virtually. The fashion show where Anna’s capstone now 18 months old, and decided to keep him. Now comes day walk. senior collection would’ve been presented was canceled, her the hard part. She’s a sales manager for a multinational Many pet owners who are heading back to work are graduation ceremony was canceled, hotel rooms were can- company who is about to start traveling again. To ease heeding these suggestions. celed, and parties were canceled. Job openings were can- the transition, she’s been making arrangements with Kim Serota of Coral Springs, Fla., a reading coach for celed, and the retail industry tanked. dog-sitters who will stay at her house while she’s gone. Broward County schools, went back to the office in Instead of flying the coop, Anna found herself cooped up in “The older one is happy when I leave,” Beattie said. October after getting a Bernedoodle puppy, Murphy, our cuckoo’s nest, with no career opportunities, working a “The younger one is like, ‘How dare you?’ That creates four months earlier. lousy part-time job, and driving a beat-up 2000 Ford Focus. anxiety for me. He is so spoiled.” “Our puppy was accustomed to having us 24-7,” Sero- No matter how many times we said, “stay positive, the indus- Lisa Laufman of Deerfield Beach also went back to ta said. “We weren’t going places. No one was coming try will recover, you’ll make it,” Anna believed that being the office recently, and can’t stop thinking about her over.” “institutionalized” with her parents at this pivotal moment in kitten, Missy, adopted on Jan. 25. When she went back to work and her kids back to her life meant that she had arrived on the threshold of hell. “I put off going back to work as long as possible,” said school, Serota hired a dog walker, who walked Murphy But just when Anna resigned herself to sleeping on a trun- Laufman, a commercial insurance manager. “When I and stayed with him for an hour. Now, the walker stays dle bed in her parents’ home asylum for the rest of her adult knew I had to go back, I would leave the house for a few with him for a half hour, and in the coming months, life, opportunity (now fully vaccinated) came knocking. In hours at a time to get her ready. Now I go home at lunch- Serota believes Murphy will no longer need the mid-day two weeks, Anna will pack up her belongings and fly the time to check on her. I don’t even want to go out at night exercise. coop to New York City to her first real fashion design job. because I want to be with her.” No matter how nervous pet owners feel, they should With her sense of normalcy (and humor) finally restored, Some pet owners may have gotten overly attached rest assured the animals will be just fine, therapist Ka- Anna thanked us for supporting her through her delayed during quarantine. But these connections are healthy, ryn Hoffman said. transition to the “real world” and admitted, “But I still don’t pandemic or no pandemic, said Karyn Hoffman, a Boca “We’ve all gone so long without socializing and travel, understand how health insurance works.”

Raton, Fla., social worker and therapist. the benefits to us will outweigh the separation anxiety,” Read more at themeatandpotatoesoflife.com, and in Lisa’s book, The Meat and Potatoes of “As a dog lover, I understand this,” Hoffman said. she said. Life: My True Lit Com. Email: [email protected] PAGE 34 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 WEEKEND: CROSSWORD AND COMICS

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

MOTHER’S DAY CONCERT 123 4567 8910 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 BY BRAD WIEGMANN / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ 2212029181 Brad Wiegmann is a national security lawyer for the Department of Justice in Washington. He dedicates this puzzle to his mother, ‘‘a voracious reader, talented knitter, mahjong maven and all-around supermom.’’ He says he’s never personally seen 62524232 any of the musical artists named in the puzzle’s theme clues, but he did once attend a 23-Across concert. Brad’s last Times puzzle, ‘‘Crossword Buff,’’ appeared in February. — W.S. 928272

ACROSS 44 Henley Royal ____ 88 Briskly 5 Beginning that leads to 63534333231303 1 Computer file, (annual July event) 90 Actress in eight Bond a sum? informally 49 Mom’s reaction films 6 Singer with the 1968 hit 1404938373 4 Wound up on top? to her first mild 92 Like sea horses that ‘‘Think,’’ familiarly contractions? [John give birth 7 Nibble 84746454443424 8 Feels it the next day, Cougar, 1982] 93 Beast with a humped 8 ‘‘Oh, no!’’ 453525150594 say 54 Midwife’s advice to shoulder 9 X Mom in the delivery 13 Things served in 94 Utah ski resort 10 Drink with the flavors 16069585756555 room? prison 95 Cable news anchor Poppin’ Lemonade [Salt-N-Pepa, 1987] 56463626 18 Shout at a Greek Cabrera and Grabbin’ Grape 55 Cause of wear and 11 Wyoming’s National wedding tear 98 Prey for a 96867666 formicivorous ____ Refuge 19 Country singer 56 Wanna-bees, e.g.? creature 12 Spill clumsily McKenna 7767574737271707 57 ____ of Maine 99 Simple life? 13 ‘‘Bye!’’ (toothpaste) 20 ‘‘Whoa, settle down’’ 103 Nurse’s remark after 14 Food-delivery route? 2818089787 61 Sport whose 21 More than half of Mom delivers the 15 Piece of equipment participants call 7868584838 humanity first twin? [Britney for a biathlete ‘‘Pull!’’ Spears, 1998] 23 ____ state 62 Pet sound 16 Oscar ____ 2919099888 108 Spanish archipelago, 17 Bad thing to do in 63 Tennis star with 24 Mom’s comment to with ‘‘the’’ class 897969594939 her child during the highest career 110 Touches winning percentage 22 Figure (out) prenatal bonding? 111 Witty saying 70160150140130120110100199 [Frank Sinatra, in singles matches 25 Aesthete’s interest (89.97%) 112 Doctor’s comment 26 Complete 111011901801 1954] after Mom delivers 64 Stress test? 31 Hilarious sort 27 Hot state the second twin? 711611511411311211 65 ‘‘Whoa boy, settle [The Who, 1965] 32 U.S. city whose name 28 Bishop’s hat down’’ is composed of two 117 Director DuVernay 121021911811 66 Mom’s remark as state abbreviations 29 They’re used mostly 118 Quiet on corners contractions grow 33 Struck out 521421321221 stronger? [The 119 Settle down, say 34 Poorly 30 What Mom is Ramones, 1978] 120 Pacific crop obligated to do 35 Toothpaste option 70 Org. that delivers 121 Something you might 41 Solicit sales (for) as her due date gloss over 57 Quaint contraction 71 It’s broken off 90 Little bit 102 Competes on a approaches? [The 73 Unenthusiastic 42 Fishing bait British cooking show 122 Mother’s Day 58 Rule for trick-or- 72 Olympic athlete 91 Ron who played Beatles, 1969] 74 Went sniggling category delivery 43 Keeps the beat with treaters Tarzan 104 ‘‘Same here’’ 75 Vaporize, say one’s foot 75 Lions and tigers and 36 ‘‘____ the deal . . . ’’ 123 Apologetic remark 59 Improvised 95 Boundaries 105 Lead-in to trumpet 78 Empire 45 ‘‘Who ____ you?’’ bears during a breakup 60 Wind down? 96 Part of a Milky Way or drum 37 Yes, in Yokohama 80 Roughly 46 Woman’s name 76 Raw footage? 124 Hang it up 64 Janet Yellen’s former bar 106 Legally foreclose 38 Bran material 81 Be crazy about meaning ‘‘goddess’’ post, with ‘‘the’’ 77 Davidson of ‘‘S.N.L.’’ 125 Consult 97 Joint: Prefix 107 Tour de France stage 39 Part of a drivetrain 82 Sappho’s ‘‘____ to 47 Relations 66 Site of offshore 79 Stick in the Aphrodite’’ 48 J.D. holder: Abbr. banks? refrigerator? 99 Book that’s the source 109 The 13th or 15th 40 The Renaissance, DOWN of the line ‘‘It is 83 Mom’s reaction as 50 What a shaken soda 67 Life, briefly 84 Sun follower? 113 Mobster’s undoing for one more blessed to give delivery draws 1 Kind of column bottle will do when 68 Garr of ‘‘Tootsie’’ 85 Loving 42 Team ____ (late-night than to receive’’ 114 Places to take closer? [Usher, 2012] 2 Venue for trill seekers? uncapped 69 Setting for a scene in 86 Last name in shoes host’s following) breaks, for short? 85 Child’s response to 3 TV reporter’s 51 Capital of Fiji the Sistine Chapel 87 Exam for some 100 Host of HBO’s ‘‘Real aspiring C.E.O.s Time’’ 115 Inoculation location 43 Cancer fighter, for Mom’s actions? entourage 52 Not dismissive of 70 Major part of the short [Diana Ross, 1980] 4 Like snails’ trails 53 Earn night sky? 89 Go down the ____ 101 Año starter 116 Cleaning solution

GUNSTON STREET RESULTS FOR ABOVE PUZZLE

E E S P O T S E M S T I S E S O R

P I L O R A T Y R R A M E N E R E S

A V A T H G I R L A E R A S D I K E H T

T O M S T U B A S E I R A N A C

E M I T E R O M E N O Y B A B A B E M A

T N A A N A A T L A U N G

E L A M H C N E D T O R T A T A

T U O G N I M O C M I M A E R C S

E D O E R O D A O S R O M L A E R

P A Z D E L E E D I P E T S P S U

D E T A D E S E B A N N A W I

Y S A E L A N I F T R E V E W E M

T E E K S S M O T E A P U P E S U

T I H S U P D O O G O S S T R U H

A T T A G E R L L E C T O C O C

“Gunston Street” is drawn by Basil Zaviski. Email him at [email protected], and online at gunstonstreet.com. A R E E L X A T A O I A H

S E R E H T H G I E W T A H T Y R R A C

S R E L P A T S R E T I M E R I

U O Y F O T U O K C I K A T E G I M E R

S N A I S A L L I H C I R O L A P O S M R E T S E H C A B A C S C O D Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 35 FACES

HBO Max, TBS to air ‘Harry Potter’ specials We’re going back to Hogwarts. Becoming Twenty years after “Harry Pot- ter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” pre- miered in theaters, WarnerMedia announced two new unscripted Wizarding World specials Aretha Wednesday: a fan quiz competition series and a film retrospec- tive. Jennifer Hudson reveals The competition show, which will be four one-hour episodes, will the person behind the include an at-home component for fans, the network said. Queen of Soul in ‘Respect’ Both programs will be the first official TV versions of J.K. Row- BY ADAM GRAHAM ling's expansive universe, al- The Detroit News though a live action series is re- Jennifer Hudson says playing Aretha Fran- portedly in the works at HBO Max. klin took more than the simple flip of a switch. QUANTRELL D. COLBERT/MGM “To celebrate the dedicated fans “Let me say, you ain’t just gonna wake up one Jennifer Hudson stars as Aretha Franklin in the film “Respect.” old and new who have passionately day and think you’re gonna be Aretha. Do not be kept the Wizarding World magic fooled, OK?” Hudson said Tuesday during an voice,” says Tommy, the theater director turn- “I made the film to be seen on the big screen,” alive in so many forms for decades, online chat with reporters tied to the release of ed filmmaker who makes her feature film de- Tommy said. “It shows our lavish locations we these exciting specials will cele- the new trailer for “Respect,” which debuted but with “Respect.” “I pitched that story and chose, our costumes are lush, and the sound, we brate their Harry Potter fandom in online Wednesday. they loved it, and that’s the story that I shaped.” labored over the design of that sound. It all has a must-see multiplatform TV Hudson said playing Franklin meant reeval- Tommy said her experience as a Black wom- to live up to Ms. Franklin, she embodied excel- event,” Tom Ascheim, President, uating everything she knew about music, as an was integral to telling Franklin’s story. lence and taste, and so our movie has to live in Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young well as learning to play piano. “I felt strongly that we have been at the mer- that same place. Adults and Classics, said in a state- “Aretha sent me back to music school, which cy of the white male gaze telling us who we are “And I think there’s something glorious ment. Iam in Aretha Music School,” the Oscar winner for a very long time,” Tommy said. “(Franklin) about her journey, and I don’t know about y’all, “All Potter fans can gear up for said. “I still get on the piano every day. And I always knew who she was, and she always but I need a little glory in my life right now after this ultimate one-of-a-kind cele- feel as an actor, if I am going to portray some- loved Black people, and I felt that this movie COVID,” she said. “I want to share the highs bration by embracing their inner one who played, especially to the extent that was going to be about that as well. That it was and lows, I want to share joy, I want to share Hermione Granger and studying she did? Oh Jennifer, you better get over here going to be a movie that you could see all music with a community. We have been isolat- their Wizarding World knowledge. on this piano and figure out something.” shapes, colors, dimensions and nuance of this ed, and the amazing thing about movies is you For fans who have always wanted Hudson — who says while she’s gotten better Black woman. Not just somebody strong, some- can be in community and have a shared experi- to discover what it might be like to on the piano, “I will never be on Franklin’s lev- body sassy, all the things that we’ve been told, ence that can transform you, that can be tran- take the O.W.L. exams, this is as el, let me be clear” — and “Respect” director ‘that’s the only part of us that’s interesting.’ She scendent. That’s what she did, she was tran- close as they are going to get!” Liesl Tommy talked about bringing Franklin’s can be fragile, she can be scared, she can be un- scendent, and I feel people will be healed by The specials will air over five life to the big screen and the importance of pre- sure, and she can be strong, and she can be pow- this film.” nights on HBO Max, Cartoon Net- senting not just the legend of the Queen of Soul, erful, and she can be intimidating. She’s a hu- Hudson said she’s already waiting to grab work and TBS later this year. but the person behind the persona. man being, a woman, who has so much to her, her popcorn and watch the movie on the big “I pitched the journey of becoming Aretha and that was the part that I was interested in: screen. HBO Max adds Franklin as we know her, and all of the parts of complexity.” “It’s Aretha Franklin, and we all love her,” her life that were so powerful: her faith, her re- After various delays due to the COVID-19 she said. “She’s a world treasure, not a national ad-supported option lationship with her family, her journey from a pandemic, “Respect” will be released nation- treasure, a world treasure, and what better way For the low, low price of $9.99, person who sang standards to a person who wide on Aug. 13, and Tommy spoke to her desire to bring people back to the theaters than you too can enjoy all HBO Max has sang her own music, and finding that authentic for audiences to experience it on in theaters. through the Queen of Soul?” to offer — if you’re OK with ads, that is. WarnerMedia announced a new pricing option for viewers CBS bets on ‘CSI’ revival, ‘NCIS,’ ‘FBI’ franchises in fall Wednesday, an ad-supported version for $5 less than its original BY LYNN ELBER Midseason shows will include price, following in the footsteps of Associated Press the medical drama “Good Sam,” similar structures at Hulu and CBS is reviving its hit “CSI: with Sophia Bush and Jason Peacock. Crime Scene Investigation” Isaacs; the comedy “Smallwood,” “HBO Max with Ads will bring brand with a series that brings starring Pete Holmes, Katie Low- our beloved entertainment brands original cast members William es and Chi McBride and based on and franchises to even more con- Petersen and Jorja Fox back pro bowler Tom Smallwood’s sec- sumers at this new, lower price home. ond-act career, and the reality point while, for the first time, ele- “CSI: Vegas” will debut this fall show “Come Dance With Me.” gantly connecting brands to the alongside the network’s expan- An unusual entry is “The Activ- premium, iconic IP that defines sion of its “NCIS” and “FBI” dra- ist,” described as a competition in this service,” Tony Goncalves, ma franchises, CBS said Wednes- which teams try to bring “mea- EVP and Chief Revenue Officer day in unveiling its 2021-22 sched- ningful change” in the areas of for WarnerMedia, said in a state- ule for advertisers and media. health, education or the environment. “NCIS: Hawai’i,” starring Va- ment. The goal: to seek funding The advertising department nessa Lachey, will be paired Mon- and awareness from world lead- promised “the lightest ad load in day night with “NCIS,” entering ers at an international summit. the streaming industry,” but did its 19th season with star Mark SONJA FLEMMING/AP The drama “All Rise” and com- not specify any times or percent- Harmon. “FBI: International” William Petersen reprises his role as Gil Grissom in “CSI: Vegas,” the edy “The Unicorn” have been ages. will be bookended on Tuesday by sequel to CBS’ global hit “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” canceled. Among HBO Max’s most pop- family members “FBI” and “FBI: Two CBS series will be making ular offerings are Kaley Cuoco’s Most Wanted.” “We’re very excited to have Another fall newcomer is the the jump to streaming on Para- “The Flight Attendant,” “Love- Peterson and Fox’s characters, three new franchise shows come comedy “Ghosts,” about the new mount+, the network’s Via- craft Country,” Succession,” who were based in Las Vegas in on, which we know are going to owners (Rose McIver, Utkarsh comCBS corporate sibling. Dra- “Search Party” and “The Undo- the original 2000-2015 “CSI” that help the schedule everywhere” Ambudkar) of a country estate mas “Evil” and “Seal Team” will ing,” as well as the upcoming “In spawned a trio of spinoffs, will they’re placed, said Kelly Kahl, that comes with spirits described be available only on the service, The Heights,” “Space Jam: A New join ranks with a new team of fo- president of CBS Entertainment. as “eclectic.” It’s based on a epo- although the latter will air four Legacy and “The Suicide Squad.” rensic crime-busters led by Paula A freshman series with a family nymous British series, a critical episodes on CBS this fall before Newsome (“Chicago Med”). pedigree gets a leg up, he said. darling. its time slot goes to another series. From wire reports PAGE 36 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Cocaine worth more than $1M found on beach GULF SHORES — Late- AL night beachgoers found nearly 70 pounds of cocaine pack- aged in bundles washed up on the Alabama shore in an area popular with tourists, and police said they probably would never determine where the drugs came from. Authorities said packages wrapped in plastic began coming in with the surf Monday night, and 30 were eventually collected. Drug traffickers sometimes use boats and airplanes to cross the Gulf of Mexico, and a police spokesman said officials typically get calls about once a year about smaller amounts of drugs being found along the shore. Valued at more than $1 million, the cocaine was turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Sgt. Jason Woodruff told WALA-TV , and police increased patrols along the stretch of beach where the bundles were found in case additional packages wash up. Father charged after 2-year-old fired handgun WEST BATH — A ME Maine man was charged with endangering the wel- fare of a child after his 2-year-old CHRIS DILLMAN, VAIL (COLO.) DAILY/AP son discovered a loaded handgun and fired a single shot, hitting his parents and injuring himself in the Rapid progress process. Erika German, right, and Bella Borski compete in the Vail Recreation District's first Whitewater Series of the season Tuesday, in Vail, Colo. Ian Carr, 25, of West Bath, was ar- There are five races that make up weekly Tuesday series, ending in June. rested Monday and and released on bail, the Times Record reports. making it the second-largest pack in THE CENSUS the first time after being arrested Police said Carr’s son fired one the U.S. after Point Defiance Zoo following a March incident in which round from a 9 mm semiautomatic and Aquarium in Tacoma, Wash., The weight, in pounds, of marijuana seized by the Nebraska he was accused of trying to entice handgun that struck both parents according to the North Carolina Zoo. 186 State Patrol during a traffic stop Saturday. A trooper stopped a girls at a park. while they were sleeping. The recoil Zoo officials said only 15 to 20 red car that failed to signal a turn and drove onto the shoulder as it exited Interstate He was arrested again in July of the weapon injured the child. All wolves remain in the wild, all in 80 at Giltner in south-central Nebraska, the patrol said in a news release. Dur- when police said he tried to lure a three went to the hospital on May 12. eastern North Carolina. They’re ing the stop, a patrol dog indicated the presence of drugs in the car, the patrol young boy into his car and exposed “The seriousness of this incident considered the most endangered said, and a search of the car turned up 186 pounds of marijuana in heat-sealed himself to the boy. must be underscored,” Sagadahoc canid in the world. packages. Two people in the car — a 30-year-old man from Suffolk, Va., and a Following his failure to appear in 25-year-old woman from Virginia Beach, Va., who was a passenger — were County Sheriff Joel Merry wrote in court in December, local and feder- arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking crimes, the patrol said. a statement Monday. “This situa- Officers pull dog to safety al authorities determined Hawhee tion could easily have been fatal. from septic tank had fled to Nicaragua, where he was The carelessness is astounding.” stitutions that make significant and chete-like object and they used pep- taken into custody on immigration The loaded handgun was left on a BEDFORD — Two po- exceptional contributions to their per spray to escape. violations and extradited to Miami nightstand where the boy found it, NH lice officers successful- communities,” the program’s Police said nobody was display- on May 7. Merry said. The boy’s mother was ly rescued a German shepherd that website says. ing any symptoms, but six officers shot in the leg and bullet fragments had fallen into a 500-gallon septic Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said who entered the apartment and the Improved water allows for hit Carr in the back of the head, the tank as it was being serviced, police Tuesday he nominated the library four people who had been inside expanded quahogging newspaper reported. in New Hampshire said. for the award for its service to the were taken to a hospital to get The boy and a 3-week-old sibling The 85-pound dog was about 6 community during the pandemic. checked out. WARWICK — Rhode Is- who was in the room are currently feet down in the tank Monday, po- The facility has provided wireless RI land regulators have in the custody of family members. lice in Bedford said. The officers internet access from the exterior of Most wanted fugitive is opened up an area in the lower and the homeowner used a catch the building to help students during returned to face charges Providence River to quahogging for Endangered red wolves pole to pull the dog to safety. remote learning. the first time in decades. born at zoo, doing well The dog was doing well, and was OMAHA — Douglas The Rhode Island Department of given a bath. 6 police officers, 4 others NE County’s most wanted Environmental Management an- ASHEBORO — Three exposed to pepper spray fugitive has been brought back to nounced last week that improve- NC litters of American red Library honored with Omaha after being held by officials ments in water quality in Narragan- wolves, which are critically endan- top national award PHOENIX — Ten people in Miami, the Douglas County Sher- sett Bay will gradually allow for gered and number less than two AZ including six police offi- iff’s Office said. more shellfishing further up the dozen in the wild, have been born at HUNTINGTON — A cers were taken to a hospital as a The sheriff’s office said in a news bay, the Providence Journal the North Carolina Zoo, officials an- WV public library in West precaution Monday after they were release that Adam Hawhee, 29, was reported. Department staff could nounced Monday. Virginia was honored as one of six li- exposed to pepper spray and an un- picked up by Douglas County depu- not find any records of shellfishers The zoo said in a news release that braries and museums nationwide known substance in the air. ties and returned to Omaha on being allowed in the waters that far the litters, which total 12 pups, were that made great contributions to Police said officers were called Tuesday to face two counts of child north in at least 75 years. born over three days at the end of their communities. about an unknown trouble at an enticement and 26 counts of child The water improvements are the April. According to zoo officials, all Cabell County Public Library in apartment complex. When they ar- pornography. result of advances in stormwater the pups and their mothers are Huntington received the 2021 Na- rived, police said several people Hawhee became a fugitive in De- management that prevent tainted healthy and doing well. tional Medal for Museum and Li- were running from an apartment. cember when he failed to appear in runoff from overwhelming sys- The newest pups bring the total brary Service. The award from the Two men and a woman told police court on the charges, authorities tems. number of red wolves currently in Institute of Museum and Library that they were being held against said. He had twice posted bond to be the zoo’s breeding program to 36, Services is the highest honor for “in- their will by a man wielding a ma- released from jail earlier in the year, From wire reports Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 37 PAGE 38 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS DOWN 23 Charitable 1 — de deux 1 “Wham!” donation 4 Flightless birds 2 St. crosser 25 Vicinity 8 Apple mogul 3 Dressing 26 Train driver Steve ingredient 27 Reply to Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Eggs 4 Follow “Shall we?” 13 Forbidden act 5 Castle 28 Misplace 14 “Yeah, right” defense 30 From the start 15 “Nicely put!” 6 Half of bi- 33 Andean 17 Arizona river 7 Turf critters 18 Summer month 8 Interlocking 34 Winter in Paris puzzle blanket 19 School paper 9 Kimono sashes 36 Staffers 20 Military group 10 Composer 37 Shredded 22 Fancy party Bartok cabbage dish

Non Sequitur 24 Crucifix 11 Remain 38 Forum wear 25 “Things are 16 Byron or 39 “Gilmore Girls” okay ...” Tennyson daughter 29 Singer DiFranco 19 “Frozen” snow 40 Turns 30 Bakery lure queen sharply 31 Prefix with natal 20 Gullet 42 Dog’s warning 32 Good health 21 Top-notch 43 Thai language 34 Pvt.’s superiors 22 Shiny lip 44 Vinyl records 35 Meadows application 45 Long. crosser 36 Ouzo flavor Answer to Previous Puzzle

Candorville 37 Scarecrow stuffing 40 Utah national park 41 Weaving frame 42 “The Tipping Point” author Malcolm 46 Taj Mahal site 47 Fury 48 Ecol. watchdog Carpe Diem 49 Methods 50 Colonial flag maker 51 Trio after Q Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 39 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 54 Mensa stats 22 Without — in 1 Doorframe piece 55 Genesis garden the world 5 Worn-down 56 Unravel 24 Lustrous gems pencils 25 U.S. Army bases

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 9 Buddhist sect DOWN 26 Cartesian 12 Slanted type 1 Leprechauns’ conclusion (Abbr.) dances 27 Soul, to Camus 13 Norway’s capital 2 At the summit of 29 Knight’s address 14 — -de-France 3 Poet Angelou 30 PTA session 15 Spanish artist 4 #1 2014 Taylor 31 Utter 16 Bump into Swift song 35 Categorized 17 Prohibit 5 Deli request 36 Bat’s home 39 Actress 18 Bridge 6 Secondhand

Non Sequitur 7 Isn’t colorfast Hatcher 19 Citrus drink 8 Drunkard 40 Persian Gulf land 20 Ella’s style 9 Galvanizing 41 Atlas pages 21 Jay follower matter 43 New York canal 23 Homer’s cry 10 Director Kazan 45 Always 25 Debacle 11 On deck 46 Nursery cry 28 Tics 20 #1 2014 Taylor 47 Broadway show 32 Florida city Swift song 49 Lamb’s dam 33 Curly-tailed dog Answer to Previous Puzzle 34 Fingerpaints Candorville 36 Group of priests 37 Corp. boss 38 “Do — say!” 39 Marathoner’s stat 42 Gun the engine 44 Office part-timer 48 Epoch 49 To be, in Tours

Carpe Diem 50 Cameo shape 51 Knock 52 Dam 53 Disaster aid org. Beetle Bailey Bizarro PAGE 40 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Prioritize equality for LGBTQ+ troops BY JEREMY BUTLER not hiding who you were. A recent study by the butions of the dedicated individuals who Special to Stars and Stripes Palm Center confirmed that the transgender serve, those protections must apply both in- EDITORIAL s a Black man and Navy veteran, I service member ban had eroded the military’s side and outside the military. Congress has the Terry Leonard, Editor know firsthand that legal provi- effectiveness in battle, limited its recruiting power to ensure that transgender service [email protected] sions and legislative changes are pool and lowered morale among transgender members, veterans and their families are pro- not enough to address the systemic people who had been grandfathered into ser- tected from discrimination in civilian life. If Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor A biases, inequalities and discrimination that vice. passed, the Equality Act will bring our federal [email protected] are socially ingrained within the military. For Fortunately, there’s newfound hope on the civil rights laws into the 21st century by in- Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content example, despite the U.S. Air Force’s internal horizon. On Jan. 25, President Joe Biden is- cluding explicit provisions for the LGBTQ [email protected] findings in 2016 that it had “consistent” and sued an executive order lifting the transgen- community and expanding protections for Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation “persistent” racial disparities in the prosecu- der military ban and instructed the Pentagon women, people of color, and people of all reli- [email protected] tions of Black service members, the service to issue guidelines for returning to an inclu- gious backgrounds. It will grant every citizen reportedly focused more on covering up the sive service policy within 60 days. With these the freedom to be their authentic selves, pro- Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital findings than fixing them. As a Black veteran, measures, Biden and Defense Secretary vide explicit protection from discrimination [email protected] these disparities were no surprise, but I also Lloyd Austin have shown a commitment to and harassment in housing, employment, know that veterans I work with and other lead- protect those who serve and honor the funda- health care, public accommodations and BUREAU STAFF ers of color are continuing to fight to make the mental military principle of valuing people for more, and bring us one step closer to equality armed services more inclusive. the sacrifices they make to serve their coun- and opportunity for all. Europe/Mideast But it can be difficult to talk about progress try. While it’s clear that progress has been Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] when it tends to be overshadowed by giant History has shown time and again that our made, there is still work to do within the mil- +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 steps backward. Nearly four years ago then- military is stronger when it includes every- itary to ensure fair treatment for all and create Pacific President Donald Trump banned transgen- one. And the reality is that it already does in- a truly inclusive place for LGBTQ service Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief der people from serving in the military, quick- clude everyone — but not everyone has been members. The military community must pri- [email protected] ly eroding the progress made for LGBTQ indi- able to serve openly as their true selves. So oritize equality and equity to address the +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 viduals with the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” throughout the years, the military has worked needs of LGBTQ service members. Veterans Washington and Obama administration provisions allow- to abolish discrimination based on race, na- and service members are respected leaders in Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief ing transgender service members to serve tional origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation our communities. We can make a change in [email protected] openly. Transgender service members had and transgender status. In honor of Military how our society treats LGBTQ service mem- (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News been proudly and bravely risking their lives Appreciation Month, I urge everyone to offer bers by both supporting the call for Congress [email protected] on the front lines for centuries. Now these pa- their respect and gratitude to those who serve to pass the Equality Act and setting our own triotic transgender Americans, many with on the front lines to protect our country. example now. Something as simple as taking a CIRCULATION whom I served, were being told that the De- Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, little time to read educational resources about partment of Defense didn’t want them and the veteran service organization in which I transgender issues, or practicing using lan- Mideast they didn’t belong. I couldn’t help feeling like serve as CEO, has always championed for guage that’s not gendered can make a big dif- Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] the veteran community had failed our service equal rights for women, people of color, and ference in creating an inclusive community. [email protected] members under this ban. LGBTQ service members. IAVA has support- With strong federal protections in place and DSN (314)583-9111 Iserved in the Navy during the reversals of ed groundbreaking legislation including the I military values to guide us, together we can Europe both “don’t ask, don’t tell” and the transgender Am Vanessa Guillen Act, the Military Justice create an environment of acceptance and pro- Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager military ban, and each time, opponents Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act tection, from the barracks to the homeland [email protected] warned of the impending weakening of our and more, to ensure that service members and and everything in between. [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 military. Not surprisingly, the opposite oc- veterans receive equal protection and re- curred and our strength increased because sources under the law. Pacific Jeremy Butler is CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of the focus could now remain on readiness and For our country to truly respect the contri- America. Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 CONTACT US Washington CDC has failed in its COVID communications tel: (+1)202.886.0003 BY DAVID ZURAWIK before, keep your mask on. And then all of sud- tion so inexact that it is ripe for TV satire? 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 The Baltimore Sun den, they’re saying now you can take them Walensky went on the Sunday morning Reader letters ou can’t blame the messenger for off,” Adams said Monday on CNN. shows to try to walk back last week’s oh-hap- [email protected] not being clear if the message is a He was being kind. NBC’s “Saturday Night py-day announcement. She tried to explain Additional contacts mishmash. And last week, the Cen- Live” was not so kind in the show’s opening, the abrupt change to no masks for those who stripes.com/contactus Yters for Disease Control and Pre- mocking the CDC for the confusion it generat- are vaccinated as the result of the CDC follow- vention offered such a messed-up message ed. ing the science as it “evolved.” She found some OMBUDSMAN about unmasking that its director still has not “It’s your boy, Fauci, the patron saint of support for the “science” part, at least. Ernie Gates been able to clean it up. As a result, many of us Purell,” Kate McKinnon, playing Anthony I am not saying the CDC’s guidance last are more confused than ever about masks, and Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of week is as dangerous as the information that The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow we have a right to be angry about that. Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in greet- came out of the COVID briefings starring for- of news and information, reporting any attempts by the military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s “Anyone who is fully vaccinated can partic- ing viewers. “The CDC announced that people mer President Donald Trump. Who can forget independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns ipate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or that are vaccinated no longer need to wear the session in which he stood at the White and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman small, without wearing a mask or physical dis- masks, outdoors or indoors. Pretty great, House podium and suggested injecting one- welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by tancing,” Rochelle Walensky, director of the right? But a lot of people had questions, such self with bleach would kill the virus? But this email at [email protected], or by phone at 202.886.0003. CDC, said at a White House briefing on May as, what does that mean? What the hell are you failure is on President Joe Biden’s CDC and 13. “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start talking about? Is this a trap?” Walensky, and I think it suggests a cultural Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- doing the things that you had stopped doing It was a funny opening with actors from the problem that has become a serious public days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and because of the pandemic. We have all longed “SNL” troupe playing CDC doctors acting out health issue during the pandemic. Ours is a Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals for this moment, when we can get back to some scenarios for when or when not masks should media-saturated culture with an overload of postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, sense of normalcy.” be worn. But there is nothing funny about the highly sophisticated information and disinfor- APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Really? No masks? No physical distancing? deeper truth it suggested: that the public mation streams competing for our attention. If Department of Defense for members of the military services overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are As I wrote two days before the directive was health and medical professionals who are di- you can’t communicate your message clearly unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views announced, we in the media were at a point in recting our COVID-19 response efforts are not and effectively, you might as well not have one. of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official covering the pandemic where clarity and ex- very good at communicating with us. Medical, government and public health of- channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to actitude were needed as much or more than Now I’m being kind. By and large, they have ficials must put as much thought, money and remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in this publication does ever because of the confusion that was already been awful at communicating, and that has expertise into communicating their messages not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or out there about masks, vaccines and how best been a huge problem throughout the pandem- as they do into formulating them. Not being Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised shall be made available for to stay safe. ic. Last week, I urged my media colleagues to clear, getting it wrong or not reaching the audi- purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical But what did we get from the CDC? strive for clarity and exactitude in reporting ence at all can be a matter of life and death for handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of “Whiplash,” according to Jerome Adams, a and analyzing the best information on mask- members of that intended audience. There is the purchaser, user or patron. former surgeon general. ing. But what can media do if the primary gov- no excuse for that kind of failure. © Stars and Stripes 2021 “It was a little bit of whiplash for the Amer- ernment agency charged with providing in- stripes.com ican public in terms of them saying just a week formation and guidance is offering informa- David Zurawik is The Baltimore Sun’s media critic. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 41 SCOREBOARD/NFL

PRO SOCCER PRO BASKETBALL TENNIS MLS WNBA WTA Belgrade Wednesday EASTERN CONFERENCE EASTERN CONFERENCE At Novak Tennis Center WLTPts GF GA WLPct GB Belgrade Purse: $235,238 New England 3 1 2 11 7 6 New York 3 0 1.000 — Surface: Red clay Women’s Singles Orlando City 2 0 3 9 6 2 Connecticut 3 0 1.000 — Round of 16 NYCFC 2 1 2 8 10 4 Chicago 2 0 1.000 ½ Ana Konjuh, Croatia, def. Yulia Putintse- Atlanta 2 1 2 8 6 4 Washington 0 2 .000 2½ va (2), Kazakhstan, 6-3, 6-4. Montreal 2 2 2 8 8 7 Atlanta 0 2 .000 2½ Rebecca Peterson (7), Sweden, def. Ajla Tomljanovic, Australia, 4-6, 6-2, 2-1, ret. Philadelphia 2 2 2 8 5 5 Indiana 0 3 .000 3 Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Belarus, def. Inter Miami CF 2 2 2 8 8 9 Cristina Bucsa, Spain, 6-4, 5-7, 6-0. WESTERN CONFERENCE Women’s Doubles Nashville 1 0 4 7 6 4 Quarterfinals WLPct GB New York 2 3 0 6 7 6 Aleksandra Krunic and Nina Stojanovic D.C. United 2 4 0 6 5 10 Dallas 1 0 1.000 — (4), Serbia, def. Lidziya Marozava, Belarus, and Cristina-Andreea Mitu, Romania, 6-2, Columbus 1 2 2 5 3 4 Phoenix 2 1 .667 — 3-6, 10-6. Toronto FC 1 2 2 5 7 9 Las Vegas 1 1 .500 ½ Vera Zvonareva, Russia, and Timea Ba- Chicago 0 4 1 1 3 10 bos, Hungary, def. Natela Dzalamidze and Seattle 1 1 .500 ½ Irina Khromacheva, Russia, 6-1, 6-4. Cincinnati 0 3 1 1 4 13 Minnesota 0 2 .000 1½ Los Angeles 0 1 .000 1 Lyon Open WESTERN CONFERENCE Wednesday WLTPts GF GA Tuesday’s games At Parc de la Tete d’Or New York 86, Minnesota 75 Lyon, France JOHN RAOUX/AP Seattle 5 0 1 16 13 2 Phoenix 91, Washington 70 Purse: Euro 419,470 LA Galaxy 4 1 0 12 10 8 Las Vegas 96, Seattle 80 Surface: Red clay Men’s Singles Tim Tebow speaks to Florida fans after he was inducted into the Ring Wednesday’s games Sporting KC 3 2 1 10 9 7 Round of 32 of Honor at Florida Field on Oct. 6, 2018 in Gainesville, Fla. The Colorado 3 1 1 10 8 6 Connecticut 88, Indiana 67 Jannik Sinner (6), Italy, def. Aslan Karat- former Florida star and 2007 Heisman Trophywinning quarterback San Jose 3 3 0 9 10 8 Chicago 85, Atlanta 77 sev, Russia, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4. Thursday’s games Round of 16 signed a oneyear contract to play tight end in Jacksonville. Houston 2 2 2 8 7 8 Lorenzo Musetti, Italy, def. Sebastian Real Salt Lake 2 1 1 7 6 4 Seattle at Minnesota Korda, United States, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. Vancouver 2 3 1 7 5 7 Friday’s games Karen Khachanov (8), Russia, def. Kamil Majchrzak, Poland, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Portland 2 3 0 6 6 8 Atlanta at Indiana Aljaz Bedene, Slovenia, def. David Goffin Austin FC 2 3 0 6 5 7 New York at Washington (4), Belgium, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Connecticut at Phoenix Minnesota 2 4 0 6 5 10 Men’s Doubles Los Angeles at Las Vegas Round of 16 FC Dallas 1 2 2 5 6 6 Saturday’s games Artem Sitak, New Zealand, and Joao Tebow inks 1-year LAFC 1 2 2 5 5 6 Seattle at Dallas Sousa, Portugal, def. Marc Lopez, Spain, and Fabrice Martin, France, 6-4, 6-7 (6), Note: Three points for victory, one point AUTO RACING 11-9. for tie. Matthew Ebden and John-Patrick Smith, Wednesday, May 12 Australia, def. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Pe- NASCAR Cup Series schedule tros Tsitsipas, Greece, 7-6 (3), 6-3. Toronto FC 2, Columbus 0 May 23 — EchoPark Texas Grand Prix, Aus- Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico, and Marce- New England 1, Philadelphia 1, tie lo Demoliner, Brazil, def. Albano Olivetti deal with Jaguars tin, Texas Montreal 2, Miami 0 and Gregoire Barrere, France, 4-6, 6-2, 10-6. Houston 1, Sporting Kansas City 0 May 30 — Coca-Cola 600, Concord, N.C. June 6 — Toyota / Save Mart 350, Sono- Tommy Paul, United States, and Lorenzo Minnesota 1, Vancouver 0 Musetti, Italy, def. Andrei Vasilevski, Bela- Seattle 1, San Jose 0 ma, Calif. BY MARK LONG ing from baseball in February. He June 13 — NASCAR All-Star Race, Fort rus, and Andre Goransson, Sweden, 7-5, Thursday, May 13 Worth, Texas 6-1. Associated Press worked out for the Jaguars the fol- D.C. United 1, Chicago 0 June 20 — Ally 400, Nashville, Tenn. June 26 — NASCAR Cup Series Race at Geneva Open JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tim lowing week, the first of two explo- Saturday, May 15 Pocono, Long Pond, Pa. Wednesday Tebow and Urban Meyer are to- ratory sessions that came to light Toronto FC 1, New York City FC 1, tie June 27 — NASCAR Cup Series Race at At Tennis Club de Geneve Eaux-Vives LA Galaxy 2, Austin FC 0 Pocono, Long Pond, Pa. Geneva gether again, this time in the NFL hours before the start of the NFL Atlanta 1, Montreal 0 July 4 — Jockey Made in America 250 pre- Purse: Euro 419,470 and with Tebow playing a new po- Draft on April 29. Philadelphia 1, New York 0 sented by Kwik Trip, Elkhart Lake, Wis. Surface: Red clay July 11 — NASCAR Cup Series Race at At- Men’s Singles Minnesota 1, FC Dallas 0 lanta, Hampton, Ga. sition. Meyer raved about Tebow’s Colorado 3, Houston 1 July 18 — Foxwoods Resort Casino 301, Round of 16 The former Florida star and workouts, saying assistants were Nashville 0, Real Salt Lake 0, tie Loudon, N.H. Casper Ruud (3), Norway, def. Tennys Portland 2, San Jose 0 Aug. 8 — Go Bowling at the Glen, Watkins Sandgren, United States, 7-5, 6-2. 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning surprised to see the 235-pounder Sunday, May 16 Glen, N.Y. Dominik Koepfer, Germany, def. Felicia- Aug. 15 — NASCAR Cup Series Race at In- no Lopez, Spain, 7-5, 6-7 (1), 6-3. quarterback signed a one-year in such great shape. Ultimately, Sporting Kansas City 3, Vancouver 0 dianapolis, Speedway, Ind. Dominic Stephan Stricker, Switzerland, contract with the Jacksonville Jag- Tebow’s ability to pick up a new po- Miami 3, Cincinnati 2 Aug. 22 — FireKeepers Casino 400, def. Marton Fucsovics, Hungary, 7-5, 6-4. New England 1, Columbus 0 Brooklyn, Mich. Grigor Dimitrov (4), Bulgaria, def. Ilya uars on Thursday and will attempt sition — a number of college QBs Orlando City 1, D.C. United 0 Aug. 28 — Coke Zero Sugar 400, Daytona Ivashka, Belarus, 6-4, 6-4. Seattle 2, Los Angeles FC 0 Beach, Fla. Men’s Doubles to revive his pro career as a tight have made the transition look Round of 16 Saturday’s games Sept. 5 — Cook Out Southern 500, Dar- lington, S.C. Nikola Cacic, Serbia, and Tomislav Brkic, end. The move also reunites two of seamless — will determine wheth- Cincinnati at Montreal Sept. 11 — Federated Auto Parts 400, Bosnia-Herzegovina, def. Oliver Marach, college football’s most polarizing er he makes the team. LA Galaxy at Portland Richmond, Va. Austria, and Mate Pavic (1), Croatia, 7-6 Miami at Chicago Sept. 18 — Bass Pro Shops Night Race, (6), 6-2. figures over the past 15 years. Just getting a chance after such a Toronto FC at Orlando City Bristol, Tenn. Columbus at New York City FC Sept. 26 — South Point 400, Las Vegas GOLF The 33-year-old Tebow is re- lengthy layoff has stirred debate New York at New England Oct. 3 — YellaWood 500, Talladega, Ala. turning to the NFL after five years about preferential treatment. Oth- Real Salt Lake at FC Dallas Oct. 10 — Bank of America ROVAL 400, LPGA money leaders Vancouver at Houston Concord, N.C. (2016-20) in the New York Mets’ ers insist it’s merely the result of a Sporting Kansas City at San Jose Oct. 17 — Autotrader EchoPark Automo- Through May 16 Colorado at Los Angeles FC tive 500, Fort Worth, Texas Trn Money organization and he’ll be playing decades-long relationship that Sunday’s games Oct. 24 — Hollywood Casino 400, Kansas 1. Jin Young Ko 4 $1,667,925 for Meyer for the first time since now includes Meyer and Tebow City, Kan. 2. Sei Young Kim 9 $1,416,993 Atlanta at Seattle Oct. 31 — Xfinity 500, Ridgeway, Va. 3. Inbee Park 13 $1,377,799 his senior year in 2009. being neighbors in Jacksonville. Philadelphia at D.C. United Nov. 7 — NASCAR Cup Series Champion- 4. Danielle Kang 13 $897,872 Austin FC at Nashville ship, Avondale, Ariz. “I know it will be a challenge, but “This Tebow deal just shows DEALS it is a challenge I embrace," Tebow that personal relationships go fur- said in a statement released by the ther at this level than actual abili- Wednesday’s transactions Smith from Tampa Bay for cash consider- DETROIT LIONS — Signed T Penei Sewell team. "I am dedicated to taking the ty,” Carolina Panthers defensive ations. Activated LHP Grant Dayton from to a four-year contract. BASEBALL the 10-day IL. Designated C Jeff Mathis for HOUSTON TEXANS — Signed QB Jeff Dris- direction of our coaching staff and tackle DaQuan Jones posted on Major League Baseball assignment. Optioned LHP Tucker David- kel to a one-year contract. American League son to Gwinnett (Triple-A East). INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed TE Kylen learning from my teammates. I ap- Twitter last week. KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Sent SS Adal- CHICAGO CUBS — Selected C P.J. Higgins Granson and QB Sam Ehlinger. preciate everyone’s support as I Former Dallas receiver Dez berto Mondesi to Omaha (Triple-A East) from Iowa (Triple-A East). Designated C MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Signed DE Jana- on a rehab assignment. Tony Wolters for assignment. rius Robinson. embark on this new journey.” Bryant, current Pittsburgh line- LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Selected the NEW YORK METS — Sent RHP Noah Syn- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Signed RB contract of LHP Dillon Peters. Optioned dergaard to St. Lucie (Low-A Southeast) Rhamondre Stevenson. He was on the field with his new backer Devin Bush and Denver RHP Jaime Barria to Salt Lake (Triple-A on a rehab assignment. Selected OF Cam- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Signed OT Le- team Thursday for a voluntary, safety Kareem Jackson were West). eron Maybin from Syracuse (Triple-A ’Raven Clark and DE Ryan Kerrigan. MINNESOTA TWINS — Placed RHP Mi- East). Placed RHP Taijuan Walker on the TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Signed WR closed workout. Tebow is not ex- among a number of others who chael Pineda on the 10-day IL, retroactive 10-day IL retroactive to May 18. Placed Jaelon Darden to a four-year contract. to May 16. Selected the contract of RHP RHP Sam McWilliams and LHP Stephen WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM — pected to have any media availa- criticized the move. Luke Farrell from St. Paul (Triple-A East). Tarpley on the IL. Signed LB Joe Walker. Released LB Josh Sent LF Alex Kirilloff to St. Paul (Triple- PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Selected the Harvey-Clemons. bility until training camp, at the “So Tebow haven’t played an East) on a rehab assignment. contract of 3B T.J. Rivera from Long Island HOCKEY earliest, in hopes of minimizing the NFL game in damn near a decade NEW YORK YANKEES — Activated SS (Atlantic League). National Hockey League Gleyber Torres from the COVID-19 list. SAN DIEGO PADRES — Activated SS Fer- CALGARY FLAMES — Recalled C Mat- media circus that follows the de- and it’s that simple … no hate but Placed INF Rougned Odor on the paternity nando Tatis Jr. and 1B Eric Hosner from the thew Phillips from minor league taxi list. IL. Optioned INF/OF Tucupita Marcano to squad. vout Christian who has received you got to be kidding me,” Bryant SEATTLE MARINERS — Recalled INF Jack El Paso (Triple-A West). Returned OF John NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Named Meghan rock star treatment at every NFL posted on Twitter. Mayfield from Tacoma (Triple-A West). Andreoli to elite level prospects (ELP). Duggan manager of player development. Placed INF/OF Dylan Moore on the 10-day SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Returned INF TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Recalled D stop. Added Jackson: “I love Tebow IL. Donavan Solano from rehab assignment Martin Marincin from Toronto (AHL). TAMPA BAY RAYS — Optioned 3B Kevin and activated from the 10-day IL. Placed VANCOUVER CANUCKS — Recalled RW His comeback is an unprece- too but gahh damn he got more Padlo and RHP Chris Mazza to Durham INF Wilmer Flores on the 10-day IL. Kole Lind from minor league taxi squad. dented one because of his age, his lives than a cat.” (Triple-A East). Activated CF Kevin Kier- WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Placed SOCCER maier from the 10-day IL. Placed RHP Luis RHPs Erick Fedde and Tanner Rainey on Major League Soccer new position and the fact that he Tebow, who grew up in Jackson- Patino and LHP Cody Reed on the 10-day IL. the IL. Recalled RHPs Paolo Espino and MINNESOTA UNITED FC — Signed LW Recalled RHPs Louis Head and Trevor Ri- Kyle McGowin. Franco Fragapane to a four-year contract, last played in a regular-season ville and remains a popular figure chards from Durham. FOOTBALL pending a physical and receipt of his P1 Vi- TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Selected the National Football League sa and completion of league-mandated game in 2012, with the New York in his hometown, could fill a huge contract of RHP Casey Lawrence from ATLANTA FALCONS — Claimed OT Wil- quarantine. Jets. hole for Meyer. The Jaguars decid- York (Atlantic League). liam Sweet off waivers from Dallas. NEW YORK CITY FC — Signed F Talles National League CHICAGO BEARS — Signed OL Adam Red- Magno to a contract through 2026. Several teams suggested Tebow ed not to pick up a team option in ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Activated mond. Waived OL Gage Cervenka. COLLEGE IINF Ketel Marte from the 10-day IL. Op- DENVER BRONCOS — Announced WR BROWN — Named Peter Quaweay foot- make the position change years veteran Tyler Eifert’s contract and tioned OF Nick Heath to Reno (Triple-A DaeSean Hamilton cleared waivers and ball assistant coach. ago, but he declined. traded oft-injured 2019 draft pick West). was reverted to the non-football injury ST. JOHN’S — Promoted Van Macon to ATLANTA BRAVES — Acquired C Kevan list. men’s basketball associate head coach. He finally switched after retir- Josh Oliver to Baltimore in March. PAGE 42 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 AUTO RACING

COMMENTARY Andrettis adapting Famous family’s legacy winding down

BY JENNA FRYER doesn’t know where things went Associated Press off course in Marco’s career. INDIANAPOLIS It certainly had a promising he day after Marco An- start when as a 19-year-old rookie dretti put his car on the he passed his father for the lead at pole for the Indianapolis Indy with two laps remaining and T500 — 51 years after his the checkered flag in sight. But grandfather scored the only An- Marco was caught before the fin- dretti win in the only race that ish line by Sam Hornish Jr., victo- matters to the iconic family — the ry snatched away in the final sec- third-generation racer dismissed onds as his grandfather could only any idea of a curse at the historic shake his head in disbelief from track. pit lane. He said all the right things about Marco scored a win later that being an Andretti at Indianapolis 2006 season, and a second victory Motor Speedway, the hallowed DARRON CUMMINGS/AP came in 2011, but that was it. Mario grounds where seven different Sam Hornish Jr., above, caught ranks second on IndyCar’s all- family members have raced with rookie Marco Andretti in the final time wins list and is considered only that one win, by patriarch straightaway to win the 2006 one of the greatest racers ever, Mario Andretti in 1969. Indianapolis 500. and Michael ranked third on the Marco had suffered his own wins list when he retired. heartbreak in his Indy 500 debut, a ultimately trivial. But it just doesn’t come easy for crushing 2006 loss when the roo- “As long as this is what’s good Marco, not even last year. He was kie was passed just 100 yards from for him, that’s all I care about,” the final driver to make a qualify- CARLOS OSORIO/AP the finish line. He had just two Michael said. ing attempt on a windy afternoon Mario Andretti, back, rides with his grandson, driver Marco Andretti, wins to show for a 15-year career, Marco Andretti returned to the at Indy and bumped six-time se- to the pits before practice for the IndyCar race on Belle Isle in Detroit and a year ago, with an Andretti speedway Tuesday to begin prep- ries champion Scott Dixon from on June 1, 2012. Marco made the decision this year to step away about to lead the field to green at arations for the Indy 500, the only the top of the board to put an An- from fulltime racing, essentially ending three generations of racing. Indianapolis with the spotlight at race on his IndyCar schedule this dretti on the pole for the 500 for last all to himself, Marco was do- year. He will be part of Tony Stew- the first time in 33 years. Mario told AP. “Last year he not brought him immediately into ing his best to convince anyone art’s six-race Superstar Racing On race day, though, Marco proved something to me — I al- the top-tier team team he owned. who asked that he very much still Experience All-Star Series that failed to lead a single lap, some- ways felt that he had the talent and His first job was as a rookie team- loved racing. If he didn’t, he insist- begins next month, and he will thing that had not happened to a just putting the car on pole under mate to Dario Franchitti, Bryan ed, he’d walk away. likely join the Andretti Autosport pole winner since 2001. He fin- those conditions last year, he beat Herta and Tony Kanaan. His only Just five months later, he did sports car program later this year ished 13th. the very best that day. So he’s ca- boss was his father. just that. and drive alongside his cousin, Ja- His grandfather won’t attempt pable. Why he’s not more consis- Bobby Rahal, meanwhile, sent It wasn’t so much a surprise, at rett. to explain why Marco walked tent? I can never answer that. But his son out to learn in other orga- least not to his father. Michael An- Michael will reunite with Marco away from full-time racing. Marco’s a good kid. That’s the nizations. Graham Rahal had dri- dretti had heard rumors through as his race strategist at Indy, an- “Only Marco can answer that main thing for me.” ven for both Newman-Haas and the grapevine. Andretti Autosport other chance for them to break the and I can’t say it’s not disappoint- Michael can’t help but wonder if Chip Ganassi when, six seasons was having a difficult time selling Andretti curse together. Like so ing for me because I live for the he should have taken a different later at 24 years old, he finally sponsorship for the 34-year-old, many others in the sport, Michael fact that he was out on the track,” approach with Marco’s career and went to drive for his father. but Michael Andretti was not giv- “People say that maybe I should ing up, not until his oldest son him- have done what Bobby did and self called off the hunt. have him go race for somebody There was maybe enough mon- else and all that stuff, I don’t know, ey for a partial season, Michael maybe I should have,” Michael Andretti told The Associated said. “Maybe because people Press, but when father and son fi- think, you know, the silver spoon nally connected in a telephone and all that crap. I don’t know. I recall, Marco wasn’t interested. ally don’t.” “I think he was worried about The youngest of his five chil- talking to me about it,” Michael dren is a twin 7-year-old boy they told AP. “And when he saw that I call Rio, named for his grandfa- agreed with him, the weight was ther but with enough of an age gap just lifted off of him. I could hear between Mario Andretti that Mi- the change in his voice immedi- chael didn’t worry about the pres- ately. It’s been so good for him be- sures of being a namesake. Rio has cause he’s so much more relaxed recently caught the racing bug, and happy.” but Michael doesn’t really know The IndyCar season began this what to do with him. year without an Andretti on the “He’s not out there doing it ev- track for the first time since 2006. ery week and it’s partly my fault There had been stretches before because I’m not going to be out — Michael retired from full-time there doing it every week. I’m not racing after the 2002 season — but that type of dad who is going to sit Marco’s decision to scale back down and school him on every- puts the brakes for now on the thing,” Michael said. “And sec- most famous name in motor- STEVE NESIUS/AP ond, well, I don’t think I want him sports, which Michael himself ac- Andretti Autosport’s Michael Andretti says he could hear the relief in son Marco’s voice when he finally toldto be doing it just yet. It’s too early. knowledges is disappointing but his dad he was ready to step away from racing. I want him to see other stuff.” Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 43 NHL

ROUNDUP Hurricanes blank Predators, take 2-0 lead in series

Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. — Sebastian Scoreboard Aho scored twice and Alex Ne- deljkovic was sharp in net to lead First Round a perfect showing for Carolina’s (Best-of-seven; x-if necessary) penalty kill, helping the Hurri- Carolina 2, Nashville 0 canes beat the Nashville Preda- Carolina 5, Nashville 2 tors 3-0 on Wednesday. The win Wednesday: Carolina 3, Nashville 0 Friday: at Nashville gave Carolina a 2-0 series lead. Sunday: at Nashville x-Tuesday: at Carolina Nedeljkovic finished with 32 x-Thursday, May 27: at Nashville saves for the shutout in his sec- x-Saturday, May 29: at Carolina ond playoff start. And he was un- Tampa Bay 2, Florida 0 Tampa Bay 5, Florida 4 der plenty of pressure consider- Tampa Bay 3, Florida 1 Thursday: at Tampa Bay ing the Hurricanes were called Saturday: at Tampa Bay for nine penalties. x-Monday: at Florida PHOTOS BY CHARLES KRUPA / AP x-Wednesday, May 26: at Tampa Bay Warren Foegele also scored for x-Friday, May 28: at Florida Above: Bruins center Brad Marchand, right, scores on Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov Carolina. Boston 2, Washington 1 during the third period of Game 3 of the Bruins’ 32 firstround playoff win Wednesday in Boston. Below: Washington 3, Boston 2, OT Samsonov looks back at the puck after giving up the gamewinning goal to Boston right wing Craig Smith. Game 3 is is Friday night in Boston 4, Washington 3, OT Nashville. Wednesday: Boston 3, Washington 2, 2OT Jets 4, Oilers 1: Connor Hel- Friday: at Boston Sunday: at Washington leybuyck made 32 saves on his x-Tuesday: at Boston 28th birthday, Dominic Toninato x-Thursday, May 27: at Washington broke a tie midway through the Pittsburgh 1, N.Y. Islanders 1 Capsized: Bruins win in 2OT N.Y. Islanders 4, Pittsburgh 3, OT third period and Winnipeg won at Pittsburgh 2, N.Y. Islanders 1 Thursday: at N.Y. Islanders Edmonton in Game 1. Saturday: at N.Y. Islanders Playing just his third game for Monday: at Pittsburgh Smith’s goal gives Boston 2-1 lead in x-Wednesday, May 26: at N.Y. Islanders the Jets, Toninato tipped in Logan x-Friday, May 28: at Pittsburgh first-round playoff with Washington Stanley’s blast from the blue line, Toronto vs. Montreal Thursday: at Toronto BY JIMMY GOLEN but the puck flew out so quickly it Saturday: at Toronto wasn’t immediately signaled a Monday: at Montreal Associated Press Tuesday: at Montreal goal. The 27-year-old Toninato x-Thursday, May 27: at Toronto BOSTON — Craig Smith has a mantra that he x-Saturday, May 29: at Montreal made his debut in the second-to- x-Monday, May 31: at Toronto pulled out after scoring the winning goal against last game of the regular season. Winnipeg 1, Edmonton 0 Washington on Wednesday night: “I love winning, but Tucker Poolman tied it midway Wednesday: Winnipeg 4, Edmonton 1 I hate waiting.” Friday: at Edmonton through the second, and Kyle Sunday: at Winnipeg The Bruins forward took care of the first part after Connor and Blake Wheeler added Monday: at Winnipeg he’d had plenty of the second, scoring 25:48 into over- x-Wednesday, May 26: at Edmonton empty-netters for Winnipeg in its x-Friday, May 28: at Winnipeg time to give Boston a 3-2 victory over the Capitals and at Edmonton first playoff meeting with the Oil- x-Sunday, May 30: a 2-1 lead in their East Division first-round playoff se- Vegas 1, Minnesota 1 ers since 1990. Edmonton’s Jesse Minnesota 1, Vegas 0, OT ries. Puljujarvi scored in his postsea- Vegas 3, Minnesota 1 Smith outraced Washington defenseman Justin Thursday: at Minnesota son debut. Saturday: at Minnesota Schultz to a puck that Capitals goalie Ilya Samsonov Monday: at Vegas Game 2 is Friday night in Ed- x-Wednesday, May 26: at Minnesota left behind his net. The Bruins forward swept it monton. x-Friday, May 28: at Vegas around before Samsonov could get back in position to Avalanche 6, Blues 3: Nathan Colorado 2, St. Louis 0 end the third straight overtime game in the series. ington, which lost the home-ice advantage after split- Colorado 4, St. Louis 1 MacKinnon finished his first ca- Wednesday: Colorado 6, St. Louis 3 “I just tried to jump on it and see if I could create a ting the first two games at home. Friday: at St. Louis reer playoff hat trick with an Sunday: at St. Louis little bit of a turnover there. They gave me just “I think we’ve got to be hungrier, and we all know empty-net goal to help host Col- x-Tuesday: at Colorado enough time,” said Smith, who also had an assist. “It that,” Capitals defenseman John Carlson said. “It’s x-Thursday, May 27: at St. Louis orado pull away late after St, x-Saturday, May 29: at Colorado just worked out. He was still out of his net trying to get going to be our best effort next game.” Louis avoided a pregame virus back in, and I just snuck it in there.” Dowd had to limp off the ice and head to the dress- scare that nearly sidelined sever- Brad Marchand and Taylor Hall also scored for ing room after blocking a shot with his right knee mid- al players. thew Tkachuk scored twice and Boston, and Tuukka Rask stopped 35 shots. The way through the second period. He was back and Joonas Donskoi scored twice host Calgary beat Vancouver in Bruins fell behind 1-0 and 2-1 before twice tying it, charging the net when Garnet Hathaway kept the and Brandon Saad added an emp- the NHL’s regular-season finale. taking their only lead on Smith’s game-winner. puck in at the blue line and fed him for the goal that ty-netter as the Avalanche took a The game was the third in a “We had a lot of good looks and then obviously got a made it 2-1 with less than two minutes to go in the pe- 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff row between the teams to close break at the end,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. riod. series. Since moving to Denver, the season after the Canucks’ “It’s a second-effort league and that’s how you score. But it was Dowd who was called for high-sticking to Colorado is 13-1 all-time in best- schedule was pushed back by a That’s the way goals go in when goalies are on. You set up the power play that led to Marchand’s tying of-seven postseason series when COVID-19 outbreak. need to get two or three whacks at it.” goal. The puck bounced from Charlie McAvoy to Pa- capturing the first two games. Dillon Dube, Andrew Mangia- It was the 11th straight one-goal playoff game be- trice Bergeron before Marchand swiped it into the Philipp Grubauer finished with pane, Brett Ritchie and Connor tween the the teams since 1998. net with 8:28 left in regulation to make it 2-2. 32 saves. Mackey, with his first career Game 4 is Friday night in Boston. Marchand, who had two penalties in Game 2 before MacKinnon, who also had an NHL goal, also scored for the “I would imagine that the next game is probably go- scoring the winner just 39 seconds into overtime, was assist, had the first hat trick by an Flames, and Jacob Markstrom ing to be the same type of game,” Washington coach whistled for the penalty that led to Ovechkin’s goal Avalanche player in 24 years. stopped 19 shots. At 26-27-3, they Peter Laviolette said. “You hope at the end of the after the Bruins dominated the scoreless first period. Sammy Blais, Brayden Schenn ended up four points behind night your number on the scoreboard is bigger than Boston still had a 15-9 advantage in shots when and Mike Hoffman scored for the Montreal for the final playoff the opponent’s.” Ovechkin scored on the power play with 11:39 left in Blues. Jordan Binnington had 29 spot. Alex Ovechkin scored his 800th combined regular- the second. It was his first goal of the series but the saves. Bo Horvat and J.T. Miller season and postseason goal, and Nic Dowd returned 70th of his postseason career, giving him a total of 800 Game 3 will be Friday in St. scored for Vancouver. They fin- from a slap shot off the knee to add a goal for the Cap- for the regular season and playoffs. Louis. ished last in the seven-team itals. Samsonov returned from the COVID-19 list to That lead lasted less than a minute before Smith Flames 6, Canucks 2: Mat- North, a point behind Ottawa. make his playoff debut, stopping 40 shots for Wash- slid the puck to Hall in the slot. PAGE 44 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 NBA PLAYOFFS Holiday eager to help Milwaukee take the next step in playoffs

BY STEVE MEGARGEE son. Milwaukee says he’s been Associated Press even better than expected. MILWAUKEE — The price the “As the season’s played out, cer- Bucks paid to add Jrue Holiday to tainly we appreciate what he their roster and the amount they brings to the game on both ends of invested to keep him underscores the court,” Bucks coach Mike Bu- how much Milwaukee believes the denholzer said. “Just the more guard can help them end a half- great two-way players you have, century of NBA postseason frus- the better your team is going to tration. be.” Holiday gets his chance to hold Holiday missed 10 games this up his end of the deal this weekend season due to COVID-19 but aver- when the Bucks begin a first- aged 17.7 points, 6.1 assists and 4.5 round series with the Miami Heat, rebounds while ranking fifth in who eliminated them in the sec- the NBA in steals (1.63). He shot ond round last year. 50.3% overall and 39.2% from “I think for somebody who just three-point range — both career wants an opportunity to win and highs — and stepped up his play do the best they can, to come to a after the All-Star break. team like this and try to make “I knew he was a good and com- TONY GUTIERREZ/AP something happen, I’m ready for plete player,” Middleton said, The Toronto Raptors’ Freddie Gillespie, left, and Jalen Harris, center, defend as the Dallas Mavericks’ this,” Holiday said. “I’m excited to “but I didn’t know he was this Kristaps Porzingis works to the basket. The Mavs are seeded third, their highest seed since 2011. get going.” good.” Milwaukee posted the NBA’s Holiday’s presence helped Mil- best regular-season record in waukee average 120.1 points per 2018-19 and 2019-20 but fell short game and become the first team in the playoffs both times. The since the 1984-85 Denver Nuggets Mavs look to end 10-year Bucks responded by overhauling to finish a regular season averag- their roster and putting a new ing at least 120 points. group around two-time reigning The Bucks believe they upgrad- MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo ed by having Holiday take over at and two-time All-Star forward point guard for Bledsoe, who per- playoff series win drought Khris Middleton. formed well in the regular season No change was bigger than the but struggled in Milwaukee’s BY SCHUYLER DIXON name of salary cap flexibility after addition of Holiday, who is playing playoff losses. Associated Press the 2011 lockout. Three years lat- for a legitimate title contender for Holiday is making just his fifth DALLAS er, a trade with Boston for Rajon the first time in his NBA career. playoff appearance in 12 NBA sea- sked about the decade Rondo blew up on the Mavericks. Milwaukee gave up guards Eric sons and never has advanced be- without a playoff series It took a year, but the ill-fated Bledsoe and George Hill, first- yond the second round. victory since coaching Rondo deal triggered the rebuild. round draft choice R.J. Hampton The Bucks expect much more Athe Dallas Mavericks to Dallas missed the playoffs three and two future first-round picks to than a second-round exit. their only championship, Rick straight seasons after qualifying acquire Holiday and Sam Merrill Milwaukee guard Pat Con- Carlisle quickly mentioned the re- 15 of the previous 16. Hopes from the New Orleans Pelicans as naughtonwas playing for Portland building phase that accompanied brightened after the Mavericks part of a four-team trade. The in 2018 when his Trail Blazers the drought. traded up two spots to get Doncic Bucks also gave New Orleans the were swept by Holiday’s Pelicans. When a similar question came in the 2018 draft. right to swap two future first- “His ability to control the game up a day later, the Dallas coach Dallas missed the playoffs with round picks. offensively, always be in control showed he might be ready to quit the 2019 Rookie of the Year, but Holiday, who turns 31 on June on offense in attack mode but then answering them. his dazzling Game 4 buzzer-beater 12, signed a four-year contract ex- defensively to take away another “I keep getting asked about is against the Clippers last August tension last month that would be team’s best player, that’s what there pressure to advance, hell was the most tangible sign that worth at least $134 million if he ex- playoff basketball is,” Connaught- yeah there’s pressure to ad- playoff success might be near. ANDY CLAYTONKING/AP ercises his option for the final sea- on said. vance!” Carlisle said, his voice ris- Now comes the rematch, with Dallas Mavericks head coach ing. “But we’re a championship the fifth-seeded Mavericks as un- Rick Carlisle said there’s plenty organization. We’re not just look- derdogs again. of pressure on him and the Mavs ing to advance one round in the “It helps carry that momentum since the team hasn’t advanced playoffs.” moving forward, not only in that in the playoffs in 10 years. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks playoffs,” said Tim Hardaway Jr., will seek the franchise’s elusive one of four players on the roster to going the distance in 2006, losing series victory starting Saturday at play for a team that won a playoff in six games to Wade and the Heat. the Los Angeles Clippers in a first- series. “If you end up losing, car- “When you’re part of an organi- round rematch from the Florida ries that momentum into next sea- zation like the Dallas Mavericks bubble last year, when Kawhi Le- son, knowing that your guys have and there’s a game scheduled, onard, Paul George and company expectations to move forward and there’s pressure to win that won in six games. be better.” game,” said Carlisle, in his 13th Dirk Nowitzki, Doncic’s prede- If Doncic can get Dallas past the season with Dallas. “When you cessor as the Euro superstar in Clippers this time, he will match come to work for this organization Dallas, led a six-game series victo- Nowitzki by getting his first play- and you work for Mark Cuban, ry over Miami’s LeBron James off series victory in his third sea- you’ve got to be somebody that and Dwyane Wade in the 2011 son. The comparisons will only loves pressure.” NBA Finals. Nobody could have grow from there. The Mavs have not had home- imagined the franchise would go Nowitzki’s postseason debut court advantage in the first round this long without at least returning with a first-round win over Utah in since winning the title. This year’s AARON GASH/AP to the second round. 2001 was the first of 12 straight seeding is the highest since they Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday drives to the basket as the First, owner Mark Cuban playoff trips. Two years later, the were third in 2011. They’ve had Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal, right, and Russell Westbrook changed the makeup of the title- Mavs lost to San Antonio in the five first-round losses: 2012, 2014- defend. Holiday was a key newcomer for the Bucks this season. winning team significantly in the Western Conference finals before 16 and last year. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 45 NBA PLAYOFFS

Scoreboard

Playoffs LeBron’s 3 lifts Lakers past Warriors Playin Playin First Round Eastern Conference Play-in victory means LA Tuesday, May 18 Indiana 144, Charlotte 117 Boston 118, Washington 100 advances to play Phoenix Western Conference Wednesday, May 19 Memphis 100, San Antonio 96 in first round in the West L.A. Lakers 103, Golden State 100 BY JOE REEDY Playin Second Round Eastern Conference Associated Press Thursday, May 20 Indiana at Washington LOS ANGELES — LeBron Western Conference James persevered through an in- Friday, May 21 Memphis at Golden State jured ankle, a big first-half deficit First Round (Bestofseven) and being poked in the eye late in xif necessary the fourth quarter to add another Eastern Conference Philadelphia vs.Washington/Indiana highlight to his impressive résu- Sunday: at Philadelphia mé. Wednesday, May 26: at Philadelphia Saturday, May 29: at Washington/Indi James made a long, go-ahead ana Monday, May 31: at Washington/Indi three-pointer with 58.2 seconds ana remaining, rallying the Los An- xWednesday, June 2: at Philadelphia xFriday, June 4:at Washington/Indiana geles Lakers to a 103-100 victory xSunday, June 6: at Philadelphia Brooklyn vs. Boston over the Golden State Warriors in Saturday: at Brooklyn a Western Conference play-in Tuesday: at Brooklyn Friday, May 28: at Boston tournament game Wednesday Sunday, May 30: at Boston xTuesday, June 1: at Brooklyn night. xThursday, June 3: at Boston “After the finger to the eye, I was xSaturday, June 5: at Brooklyn Miami vs. Milwaukee seeing three rims and shot at the Saturday: at Milwaukee Monday: at Milwaukee middle one. By grace, I was able to Thursday, May 27: at Miami knock it down,” said James, who Saturday, May 29: at Miami xTuesday, June 1: at Milwaukee finished with 22 points, 11 re- xThursday, June 3: at Miami xSaturday, June 5: at Milwaukee bounds and 10 assists for his sixth New York vs. Atlanta triple-double of the season. “I’ve MARK J. TERRILL / AP Sunday: at New York Wednesday, May 26: at New York been poked in the eye before. Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Juan ToscanoAnderson de Friday, May 28: at Atlanta “It is going to be sore tonight and fends during the Lakers’ 103100 playin victory Wednesday in Los Angeles. Sunday, May 30: at Atlanta xWednesday, June 2: at New York tomorrow, but we got a big-time xFriday, June 4: at Atlanta xSunday, June 6: at New York win.” slated for Sunday afternoon. combined to go 14-for-22 in the Western Conference “It is going to be Utah vs. Golden State/Memphis James was poked by Draymond “It’s a great shot,” Curry said of second half. Sunday: at Utah Green while driving to the basket James’ three. “Broken play ... “We were very lackadaisical in Wednesday, May 26: at Utah Saturday, May 29:at Golden State/Mem with 2:07 remaining. But he made sore tonight and thinking he was kind of out of the the first half. We were playing hes- phis the biggest shot when the defend- play, they found him, he got his itant because of the situation. Monday, May 31: at Golden State/Mem phis ing NBA champions needed it the tomorrow, but balance just in time and knocked it There is a next game, but there is xWednesday, June 2: at Utah xFriday, June 4: at Golden State/Mem most. His 34-foot, three-pointer down. That was a tough one be- no next game,” Davis said. “We phis over Stephen Curry as the shot we got a cause you don’t really expect it to had to remind ourselves to get go- xSunday, June 6: at Utah Phoenix vs. L.A. Lakers clock was winding down is his go in. You expect us to get the re- ing and play our style of basket- Sunday: at Phoenix big-time win.” Tuesday: at Phoenix longest make of the season. Ac- bound and have a possession to ball. We had to find our swagger Thursday, May 27: at L.A. Lakers cording to ESPN Stats and Infor- take the lead. But everything knowing we were the defending Sunday, May 30: at L.A. Lakers LeBron James xTuesday, June 1: at Phoenix mation, it is also the longest go- changed when it goes in. All-time champions.” xThursday, June 3: at L.A. Lakers After he was poked in the eye xSaturday, June 5: at Phoenix ahead shot in the final three min- great players make great shots, The Lakers trailed by 13 at half- Denver vs. Portland utes of any game in his career. that’s what happens.” time and were down by 12 midway Saturday: at Denver Monday: at Denver “He proved why he is the best league scoring champ Curry. The Warriors host Memphis, through the third quarter before Thursday, May 27: at Portland player in the world. Just add it to Golden State had a chance to which defeated San Antonio in rallying. They didn’t get their first Saturday, May 29: at Portland xTuesday, June 1: at Denver the list of great plays and accom- send it into overtime, but Kent Ba- Wednesday’s other play-in game, lead until Kyle Kuzma’s layup 56 xThursday, June 3: at Portland xSaturday, June 5: at Denver plishments,” Los Angeles coach zemore had a bad inbounds pass for the eighth seed on Friday. The seconds into the fourth quarter put L.A. Clippers vs. Dallas Frank Vogel said. and sealed the victory for Los An- winner of that game will face top- them up 81-79. Saturday: at L.A. Clippers Tuesday: at L.A. Clippers Anthony Davis scored 13 of his geles — which earned the seventh seeded Utah. “This is a bitter pill to swallow. Friday, May 28: at Dallas Sunday, May 30: at Dallas 25 points in the fourth quarter, as seed for the playoffs and a first- James and Davis were 3-for-19 This was our game and we couldn’t xWednesday, June 2: at L.A. Clippers the Lakers won their sixth straight round matchup with second-seed- from the field in the first half be- get it done,” Golden State coach xFriday, June 4: at Dallas xSunday, June 6: at L.A. Clippers and overcame 37 points from ed Phoenix. The series opener is fore getting back on track. They Steve Kerr said. Grizzlies end Spurs’ season, advance

BY TERESA M. WALKER take the No. 7 seed and a first-round spot 11 assists. Keldon Johnson added 11 and Ja- Associated Press against Phoenix. cob Poeltl 10. MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The young Mem- Memphis is trying to snap a skid of three San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said phis Grizzlies finally have a play-in victory straight seasons without a postseason berth he told his team he didn’t know if he’s ever to their credit, yet they’re nowhere near sat- with last season ending with a loss to Por- been more proud of a team that just doesn’t isfied. tland in the NBA’s first play-in game. quit. Dillon Brooks scored eight of his 24 “We still have one more in front of us,” “No matter what the mistakes, no matter points in the fourth quarter to put Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas said. what the circumstances are, they really ahead to stay and the Grizzlies eliminated “Really important. The same importance as fight,” Popovich said. “That’s a good base. the San Antonio Spurs 100-96 on Wednes- tonight. It’s going to be do or die. That’s how So, I’m really proud of the way they con- day night in the first Western Conference we build our confidence. That’s how we ducted themselves and played to win.” play-in game. build our experience.” The Spurs last led 83-81 on Johnson’s “It feels good, but I mean we’re not in the Valanciunas had a season-high 23 re- three with 6:55 left. Brooks started his scor- playoffs yet,” Memphis guard Ja Morant bounds and 23 points for Memphis. Morant ing spurt with the Grizzlies trailing 80-79, said. “Just have to turn the page.” added 20 points and six assists. Jaren Jack- and his driving 5-footer with 5:57 to go put BRANDON DILL / AP The Grizzlies will play at Golden State on son Jr. had 10 points. Memphis ahead to stay at 85-83. Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, left, and center Friday night for the No. 8 seed and a first- DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay each “We put ourselves in a hole early, but we Jonas Valanciunas react during the team’s round series starting Sunday against top- scored 20 points as the Spurs lost their fifth fought all the way back, and had the game,” 10096 playin defeat of San Antonio on seeded Utah. The Los Angeles Lakers beat straight. Dejounte Murray had his fifth tri- DeRozan said. “Let a couple of possessions Wednesday in Memphis. the Warriors 103-100 on Wednesday night to ple-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and slip away from us, and that kind of hurt us.” PAGE 46 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Closing stretch will test players’ approach BY BEN NUCKOLS Players get eight downwind “When you stand on 16 and it’s Associated Press holes before they ascend a dune at 608 (yards), it’s playing like 750,” KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Lee the western edge of the property to Scott said. “It’s probably numbers Westwood stood on the back tee of the tiny back tee box on 14. The se- that we’ll never see on golf cours- the par-3 17th hole at the Ocean vere, elevated green has been de- es. But that’s what it’s playing Course and ripped a low 3-iron in- scribed as a tortoise shell, a cam- like.” to the two-club wind barreling el’s back or , perhaps most accu- Champ’s mood appeared dour down the Kiawah Island coastline. rately, an upside-down saucer. by the time he reached the 17th The ball cleared the water in front Cameron Champ, Sam Hors- late Tuesday afternoon. He hit a of the green with a few yards to field, Justin Rose and Willett — all low hook with a long iron that spare and settled 20 yards short of pupils of swing coach Sean Foley splashed just short of the green. the putting surface. — opted to use a forward tee for Then he pulled a hybrid from his “I don’t have a club for that. I’m their money game on Wednesday. bag and muttered, “This ain’t get- not hitting 3-wood into it,” West- DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP Champ, one of the longest hitters ting there.” He pushed it to the wood said. Justin Rose tees off on the 15th hole during a practice round at the in golf, had played the back tee a right — no chance. Another splash. The five-hole closing stretch of PGA Championship on W ednesday. Wind on the closing five holes of day earlier. Until the wind changes, the architect Pete Dye’s Ocean Course the course has players hitting different clubs to the green than usual. “Smoked a 3-wood,” he recalled. challenge is just reaching the is forcing players in the PGA “Barely got to the front.” green. Joel Dahmen led his prac- Championship to pull out the long- Rory McIlroy made the closing that comes to mind of just surviv- “And that 3-wood is about a 300- tice-round foursome to the back est clubs in the bag in situations stretch irrelevant when he ing was when Geoff Ogilvy won yard carry,” Foley said. “So [Tues- tee on 14 during their money game when they’re rarely needed — ap- romped to an eight-shot victory the U.S. Open. He was the only guy day] it was playing 300 yards into on Wednesday, but when he got proach shots into par 3s and 4s. nine years ago in the previous to play the last four holes in par the wind.” there, he pulled the headcover off The holes are long — No. 14, 238 PGA Championship at Kiawah Is- that day, I believe, and it could be The 15th would be a relatively his 3-wood with a resigned look on yards, par 3; 15, 466 yards, par 4; land. But that event was played in something similar for anybody benign par 4 in neutral or helping his face. 16, 608 yards, par 5; 17, 223 yards, August, when it was softer, more kind of near the lead.” wind but becomes a stern test into “I just don’t have a club. I can’t par 3; 18, 505 yards, par 4 — but the humid and — except for the sec- Each nine on the Ocean Course the wind. The par-5 16th presents hit my hybrid that far into the wind raw distance isn’t the biggest prob- ond round — less windy. has an out-and-back routing along another situation the world’s best and 3-wood’s too much,” Dahmen lem. It’s the east wind that’s been “If the wind blows this way for the coastline. With the wind blow- players aren’t accustomed to. said, “so I don’t know what I’m blowing a consistent 10-20 mph the rest of the week, it’s going to be ing east, most holes are either They can rip driver, rip 3-wood supposed to do.” and isn’t forecast to change direc- a battle to just get in the club- straight downwind or straight into and still have a full swing for their He hit the 3-wood. It wasn’t too tion until Saturday at the earliest. house,” Adam Scott said. “One the wind. third shots. much. Friday, May 21, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 47 MLB

Scoreboard American League No-hitter for second straight day East Division WLPct GB Boston 26 18 .591 _ Kluber follows Tigers’ Turnbull with gem for Yanks; Tampa Bay 25 19 .568 1 Toronto 23 18 .561 1½ Rangers’ bats silenced for second time this season New York 24 19 .558 1½ Baltimore 17 25 .405 8 Central Division BY STEPHEN HAWKINS marking the first no-hitters on Associated Press WLPct GB consecutive days since 1969, ARLINGTON, Texas — Corey when Cincinnati’s Jim Maloney Chicago 26 16 .619 _ Cleveland 23 18 .561 2½ Kluber stopped for a moment be- threw one on April 30 and Hous- Kansas City 20 22 .476 6 fore his first pitch of the ninth in- ton’s Don Wilson on May 1. There Detroit 17 26 .395 9½ ning. were two no-hitters on June 29, Minnesota 14 27 .341 11½ “I had to take a breath after the 1990, by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ West Division warmups and calm myself down a Fernando Valenzuela and Oak- WLPct GB little bit,” said the pitcher nick- land’s Dave Stewart. Oakland 26 18 .591 _ named Klubot for his robot-like Kluber (4-2) struck out nine. Houston 25 18 .581 ½ Seattle 21 23 .477 5 demeanor. The two-time AL Cy Young Los Angeles 18 24 .429 7 Kluber then finished the sixth Award winner threw 71 of 101 Texas 19 26 .422 7½ no-hitter in the majors this season pitches for strikes in his ninth National League and second in two nights, leading start for the Yankees, lowering East Division the New York Yankees over the his ERA to 2.86 and winning his WLPct GB Texas Rangers 2-0 on Wednes- fourth straight decision. New York 20 17 .541 _ day. This was the fifth no-hitter Philadelphia 22 21 .512 1 “It was a lot of fun, I think it was against the Rangers, who also Atlanta 20 23 .465 3 a special night,” Kluber said. were at home April 9 when San Miami 19 23 .452 3½ “I’ve never been part of one, wit- Diego’s Joe Musgrove threw the Washington 17 22 .436 4 Central Division nessed one, let alone thrown one.” first no-hitter in Padres history. There have been four no-hitters “It stinks. It’s baseball. No-hit- WLPct GB in a 15-day span. The six total is ters happen. There’s been a lot so St. Louis 25 18 .581 _ the most this early in a season. far this year. Unfortunate for us Chicago 21 21 .500 3½ Milwaukee 21 22 .488 4 Kluber came within a four- that we’ve been a part of two of Cincinnati 19 22 .463 5 pitch walk to Charlie Culberson in them,” Culberson said. “It just Pittsburgh 17 25 .405 7½ the third inning of throwing a per- shows you how good these pitch- West Division fect game. ers are, these teams are and what WLPct GB “I don’t really do too much with they’re doing.” San Francisco 27 16 .628 _ what-ifs. Obviously I would’ve The four no-hitters in May are San Diego 27 17 .614 ½ like to not walk a guy on four the most in a month since June Los Angeles 25 18 .581 2 Arizona 18 26 .409 9½ straight pitches,” Kluber said. 1990. It is also the first time three Colorado 15 29 .341 12½ “That being said, at that point in teams have been no-hit twice in Wednesday’s games the game, it’s still 0-0, so my one season, with the Rangers join- Chicago White Sox 2, Minnesota 1 thoughts after that walk were try ing Cleveland and Seattle. Tampa Bay 9, Baltimore 7 N.Y. Yankees 2, Texas 0 to get out of the inning without al- Given the drama, even Amanda Boston 7, Toronto 3 Cleveland 3, L.A. Angels 2 lowing a run.” Kluber took a look. Kansas City 6, Milwaukee 4 TONY GUTIERREZ/AP Houston 8, Oakland 1 The 35-year-old right-hander “She doesn’t like to watch too Detroit 6, Seattle 2 pitched his gem a night after De- much,” the pitcher said of his San Diego 3, Colorado 0 New York starting pitcher Corey Kluber celebrates after the final out San Francisco 4, Cincinnati 0 of his nohitter against the Rangers on Wednesday in Arlington, troit right-hander Spencer Turn- wife, “but she turned it on in the Miami 3, Philadelphia 1 Atlanta 5, N.Y. Mets 4 Texas. The Yankees won 20. bull threw one against Seattle, last inning to watch the end of it.” Washington 4, Chicago Cubs 3 St. Louis 8, Pittsburgh 5 L.A. Dodgers 4, Arizona 2 Thursday’s games Tampa Bay at Baltimore Whiff: Hits have rarely been harder to come by N.Y. Yankees at Texas Houston at Oakland Minnesota at L.A. Angels, Game. 2 Boston at Toronto FROM PAGE 48 ters have been more common. these no-hitters, and that might be San Francisco at Cincinnati Washington at Chicago Cubs Remarkably, there wasn’t a sin- There were seven each in 2012 part of the reason pitch counts we- Miami at Philadelphia gle no-hitter in 1909 and only two 5 and 2015. ren’t out of control. The average Pittsburgh at Atlanta in 1907. But there were six in 1908 “Over the last few years, every- number of strikeouts in this year’s Arizona at L.A. Dodgers Total no-hitters thrown betwen 2002- Friday’s games and five in 1968. body’s trying to hit homers,” As- no-hitters had been 9.2 through Baltimore (López 1-4) at Washington 2006. In 2006, MLB teams averaged Boston (Pérez 1-2) at Philadelphia (Nola 3-3) The highest hits per game aver- 9.28 hits per game, a number which tros manager Dusty Baker said. Turnbull’s masterpiece against Chicago White Sox (Rodón 5-1) at N.Y. age since 1900 was in 1930, when it “And if you hit homers, you’re go- the Mariners . Carlos Rodón of the Yankees (Montgomery 2-1) has fallen steadily in the years since, Minnesota (Maeda 2-2) at Cleveland was 10.37 per team. Next were with an according rise in the number ing to foul back pitches, you’re go- Chicago White Sox had only seven (McKenzie 1-2) Tampa Bay (Glasnow 4-2) at Toronto 1925, 1921, 1936 and 1929. There of no-hitters. Entering Wednesday, the ing to swing and miss on balls, in his no-hitter against Cleveland Houston (Ivey 0-0) at Texas (Gibson 3-0) average game included 7.83 hits per Detroit (Ureña 1-4) at Kansas City (Minor 3-2) were only two no-hitters com- there’s very little bunting going on last month. Oakland (Kaprielian 1-0) at L.A. Angels bined in those five seasons. team. Only one season has ended with for hits. The unorthodox defenses Chapman insists more players (Quintana 0-3) a lower figure — 1908, which saw six Seattle (Flexen 4-1) at San Diego (Pad- “My instincts tell me the pitch- take away a lot of hits up the mid- are trying to hit home runs since dack 1-3) ing is getting better,” said Cincin- no-hitters thrown as teams scratched dle.” the base hits have become so Milwaukee (Houser 3-4) at Cincinnati out just 7.75 hits per game. (Hoffman 2-3) nati Reds manager David Bell, In this era of hard-throwing re- tough to come by. N.Y. Mets (TBD) at Miami (López 1-3) Pittsburgh (Anderson 3-3) at Atlanta whose team produced one of this SOURCE: Associated Press lievers and fewer complete “There’s not many singles left,” (Anderson 3-1) Chicago Cubs (Hendricks 3-4) at St. year’s no-hitters when Miley games, you might expect more he said. “So I think that’s why you Louis (Martínez 3-4) threw his May 7. “The hitting is stretch, the hits per game num- combined no-hitters, but each one see guys trying to swing for more Arizona (Weaver 2-3) at Colorado (Már- quez 2-4) too, but I do think that the way the bers stayed between 8.62 and 8.75 this has been a solo effort. power because most of the hits are L.A. Dodgers (Bauer 4-2) at San Francis- co (Wood 5-0) arms are, the velocity the pitchers every season, but the number of “I think the surprising thing is over the outfielder’s head or over Saturday’s games are throwing, the ability to spin no-hitters varied widely. There that, you know, maybe in the age the fence, which leads to bigger Chicago White Sox at N.Y. Yankees Baltimore at Washington the ball incredibly well, it’s just a was one in 1988, followed by zero of pitchers not going 100 pitches, swings and more swings and mis- Houston at Texas tough combination. And you get a in 1989, then seven each in 1990 that they’re actually being able to ses. I think that’s kind of the way Detroit at Kansas City Minnesota at Cleveland guy on a good night when he’s and 1991. Then it was back to just finish these games off,” Wood- the game’s trending right now.” Boston at Philadelphia Tampa Bay at Toronto locked in, the scouting reports one in 1992. ward said. “Because typically Perhaps the trend will subside a Seattle at San Diego have gotten more exact, and it can From 2002-2006, there were on- nowadays it’s hard for a guy to get bit, but as long as hits are this hard Oakland at L.A. Angels Arizona at Colorado make for a tough night.” ly five no-hitters. In that 2006 sea- through six innings with less than to come by, a no-hitter will be a Milwaukee at Cincinnati N.Y. Mets at Miami One of the more unusual son, teams averaged 9.28 hits per 100 pitches.” constant possibility. The question Pittsburgh at Atlanta stretches for no-hitters came be- game. That number has steadily The number of strikeouts hasn’t is whether these feats will still Chicago Cubs at St. Louis L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco tween 1988 and 1992. During that decreased since then, and no-hit- really been out of the ordinary in draw as much attention. PAGE 48 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, May 21, 2021 Still the King SPORTS LeBron’s late three gives Lakers play-in win over Warriors ›› Page 45

MLB The big whiff

Amid soaring strikeouts and plummeting averages, no-hitters almost seem routine

BY NOAH TRISTER Associated Press NONO NO. 6 ometimes, the simplest explanation is the valid one: The number of hits per game in the major leagues Yankees’ Kluber latest to throw has plummeted, so no-hitters are on the rise. S Even so, this season has been a bit extreme. no-hitter; Second time Rangers’ Yankees right-hander Corey Kluber pitched the majors’ sixth no-hitter Wednesday against the Rangers, just a night bats silenced this season after Spencer Turnbull’s gem, and 2021 is on pace to obliter- Page 47 ate the modern record of seven no-hitters in a season. Cle- veland, Seattle and Texas have already been no-hit twice, and of the 21 complete games that have been pitched this season, more than a quarter of them have been no-hitters. been All-Stars — Kluber three times, John Means in 2019 It’s hard to separate all these no-hitters from the context “It’s definitely getting harder to hit. The pitchers are only and Wade Miley back in 2012. It’s enough to make these no- of what baseball looks like in 2021. Entering Wednesday, getting better and I think their plans of attack against hit- hitters feel almost ... routine? the average game included 7.83 hits per team. Only one sea- ters are getting better,” Oakland Athletics third baseman “I think it’s still really hard,” said Texas manager Chris son has ended with a lower figure, according to SportRadar. Matt Chapman said Wednesday. “The shifts play a big part Woodward, who was on the losing end when Joe Musgrove That was 1908, during the dead ball era. The other seasons in that as well. It seems like there’s not many hits out there. threw the first no-hitter in San Diego Padres history last when hits were the scarcest were 1968 — the famous “Year The way guys pitch, there’s a lot of power arms and guys month then again Wednesday. “It’s one of the hardest of the Pitcher” — and two more dead ball seasons, 1909 and have high spin rates and they don’t leave the ball over the things to do in sports. Any time it’s happening, any game I’m 1907. middle of plate very often.” watching ... if a guy has a no-hitter through four, I’m always Of the six pitchers who have thrown one, only three have kind of like intrigued.” SEE WHIFF ON PAGE 47

The Cleveland Indians’ Austin Hedges strikes out swinging against the Mariners on Sunday in Seattle. Batters across MLB are struggling at the plate this season, and the results are eyepopping — six nohitters, including Wednesday’s by the Yankees’ Corey Kluber, a pace which all but guarantees that the alltime season record of seven will be broken. ELAINE THOMPSON/AP

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