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Volume 80 Edition 5 ©SS 2021 FRIDAY,APRIL 23, 2021 $1.00 Air Force to court-martial a general for the first time

BY CHAD GARLAND Stars and Stripes Former Air Force Research Laboratory commander Maj. Gen. William Cooley will face a court- martial on sexual assault charges, making him the first general offi- cer to be prosecuted by the ser- vice. Cooley is accused of making un- wanted sexual advances by kiss- ing and touching a civilian woman during an off-du- ty incident in Al- buquerque, N.M., in August 2018. The wom- an is not a ser- vice member or Cooley Defense Depart- ment employee. Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr., head of the Air Force Materiel Com- BRITTAINY NEWMAN/AP mand, referred one charge A New York City police officer watches as protesters march down Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Following the guilty verdict against against Cooley under the Uniform former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, the White House is pushing for changes to U.S. policing laws. Code of Military Justice, includ- ing three specifications of sexual assault under Article 120, the com- mand said in a statement Wednes- day. “I can assure you this was not a Reform at the forefront decision made lightly, but I be- lieve it was the right decision,” Bunch said in the AFMC state- ment. Both the research laborato- Chauvin verdict injects a fresh jolt of momentum into police overhaul efforts ry and the materiel command are headquartered at Wright-Patter- The Washington Post wrap up in the “next week or two” tentially fleeting moment of op- son Air Force Base in Dayton, WASHINGTON — The guilty as he sketched out potential areas portunity on policing revisions, a Ohio. verdict in the murder of George of compromise, particularly on priority that the president has em- The court-martial of an Air Floyd has injected momentum in- the sensitive matter of whether of- braced but that has often taken a Force general is unprecedented in to efforts by the White House and ficers can be sued for misconduct. back seat to others. The White the service’s 74-year history, Don Congress to overhaul policing Democrats and civil rights activ- House is strategizing with civil Christensen, president of the or- practices, with bipartisan talks ists, meanwhile, said they would rights groups and police organiza- ganization Protect Our Defenders picking up speed as President Joe push to pass legislation by the first tions, and Attorney General Mer- — which advocates for victims of Scott Booker Biden prepares to highlight the anniversary of Floyd’s death on rick Garland on Wednesday an- sexual assault in the military — topic in his address to a joint ses- issue, Sen. Tim Scott of South Car- May 25. nounced the Justice Department told the Dayton Daily News. sion of Congress next week. olina, said Wednesday that his dis- The flurry of talks came as the The chief GOP negotiator on the cussions with Democrats could White House sought to seize a po- SEE REFORM ON PAGE 9 SEE GENERAL ON PAGE 4 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER

EUROPE GAS PRICES EXCHANGE RATES

Country Super E10 Super unleaded Super plus Diesel  Military rates South Korea (Won) 1118.57 Germany $3.130 $3.542 $3.792 $3.399 Azores .. .. $3.692 .. Switzerland (Franc) .9174 Euro costs (April 23) $1.18 Change in price +0.6 cents +0.8 cents +0.7 cents ­0.5 cents Change in price .. .. +0.7 cents .. Thailand (Baht) 31.36 Dollar buys (April 23) 0.8082 Turkey (NewLira) 8.3080 Netherlands .. $4.053  $4.354 $3.985 Belgium .. $2.989 $3.258 $3.011 British pound (April 23) $1.35 Japanese yen (April 23) 105.00 Change in price .. +8.6 cents +9.0 cents +4.5 cents Change in price .. No change No change No change (Military exchange rates are those available South Korean won (April 23) 1087.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the U.K. .. $3.441 $3.691 $3.298 Turkey .. .. $3.577 $4.026* Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ Change in price .. +0.8 cents +0.7 cents ­0.5 cents Change in price .. .. +0.7 cents No change many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) .3769 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ Britain (Pound) 1.3848 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2512 your local military banking facility. Commercial China(Yuan) 6.4900 rates are interbank rates provided for reference PACIFIC GAS PRICES Denmark (Krone) 6.1814 Egypt (Pound) 15.6992 when buying currency. All figures are foreign Country Super E10 Super unleaded Super plus Diesel  Euro .8313 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Japan .. $3.579 .. $3.189 South Korea $2.929 .. $3.599 $3.199 Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7598 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Change in price .. No change .. ­1.0 cents Change in price No change .. +1.0 cents ­1.0 cents  Hungary (Forint) 302.57 Israel (Shekel) 3.2586 Okinawa $2.919 .. .. $3.189 Guam $2.929 $3.339 $3.589 .. Japan (Yen) 108.50 INTEREST RATES Kuwait(Dinar) .3012 Change in price No change .. .. ­1.0 cents Change in price No change No change No change .. Norway (Krone) 8.3490 Prime rate 3.25 Philippines (Peso) 48.36 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 *DieselEFD **Midgrade Poland (Zloty) 3.79 Federal funds market rate 0.07 Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7503 3­month bill 0.03 For the week of April 23­29 Singapore (Dollar) 1.3288 30­year bond 2.26 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 51/37

Kabul Seoul 64/41 69/57 Baghdad 94/73 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 67/56 63/43 87/51 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 47/34 61/57 55/32 Iwakuni Kuwait City Bahrain 59/56 Brussels Zagan Sasebo Guam 95/71 81/76 Ramstein 46/36 69/60 54/37 52/35 83/80 Riyadh Lajes, 96/67 Doha Azores Stuttgart 99/69 61/58 53/43 Pápa Aviano/ 56/43 Vicenza 56/46

Naples 56/52 Okinawa Morón 71/68 75/58 Sigonella Rota 64/44 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 66/50 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 88/75 62/55 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 36 Classified ...... 11 Comics ...... 38-39 Crossword ...... 38-39 Faces ...... 35 Opinion ...... 40 Sports ...... 41-48 Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Senate confirms Indo-Pacific Command chief

BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY 2019 Indo-Pacific strategy report standing mili- fiscal year 2021, which ends Sept. Aquilino to lead INDOPACOM. Stars and Stripes issued amid simmering tensions taries and five 30. Aquilino supported addition- “He is the right leader to de- WASHINGTON — Adm. John with China. nuclear-armed al funding for the initiative for fend against China and imple- Aquilino was confirmed by the “[China] seeks to reorder the nations. 2022. ment our National Defense Strat- Senate on Wednesday to be the region to its advantage by lev- During Aqui- Aquilino also warned during egy. I am grateful for his ser- next commander of Indo-Pacific eraging military modernization, lino’s confirma- the hearing that China’s nuclear vice,” he wrote. Command, making him the top influence operations, and preda- tion hearing, he stockpile is “increasing at a rate Aquilino is a Naval Academy military officer in the strategical- tory economics to coerce other agreed the Unit- that is faster than anyone previ- graduate and naval aviator who Aquilino ly important region. nations,” then acting Defense ed States need- ously believed,” but he down- spent his early career flying the Aquilino, who is now the com- Secretary Patrick Shanahan ed to bolster its funding for the played the concern over the num- F-14 Tomcat and the F-18 Hornet, mander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, was wrote in the report. “We will not region, including for the Pacific ber of warheads that the Chinese according to his Navy biography. confirmed by unanimous consent accept policies or actions that Deterrence Initiative, in order to possess. The Defense Depart- His resume also includes time as for the role. Adm. Phil Davidson, threaten or undermine the rules- challenge Chinese influence and ment has estimated the Chinese the Pacific Fleet’s director of who is now commander of INDO- based international order.” increase cooperation with allies stockpile is “in the low-200s” maritime operations, deputy PACOM, is expected to retire. The region is “a vital driver of and partners. compared to the U.S. inventory of chief of naval operations for op- The Indo-Pacific Command the global economy and includes The Pacific Deterrence Initia- nuclear warheads at 5,800. erations, plans and strategy and covers 36 nations in a region that the world's busiest international tive is designed to enhance bud- Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, 5th Fleet commander. the Defense Department deemed sea lanes and nine of the 10 large- get oversight and funnel re- the ranking Republican on the its “priority theater” and “the st ports,” according to the INDO- sources to key military capabili- Senate Armed Services Commit- Stars and Stripes staff writer Caitlin Doornbos contributed to this story. single-most consequential region PACOM website. It also is home ties to deter China. Congress tee, tweeted Wednesday that he [email protected] for America’s future” in a June to seven of the world’s 10 largest funded $2.2 billion for the PDI in was glad the Senate confirmed Twitter: @caitlinmkenney Anthony’s ‘World’s Greatest Pizza’ to close last Europe location BY JENNIFER H. SVAN when it was developed in 1984, Stars and Stripes Brumfield said. At one point, RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Ger- there were about 40 Anthony’s many — A familiar, if not univer- Pizza shops in Europe and more sally popular, fast-food staple at than 185 worldwide. U.S. military bases worldwide is The shop perhaps does some of ending its long run in Europe and its best business on open base possibly worldwide. days in places like Yokosuka Na- Anthony’s Pizza at Ramstein val Base in Japan, where Japa- will soon turn off its ovens after nese visitors have in some years more than 30 years of dishing out lined up by the dozens for pizzas, thick-crust pizza for troops and which are normally much more their families. expensive and smaller off base. The Exchange-brand pizzeria Thirteen Anthony’s remain in inside the base mall is scheduled the Asia-Pacific region and seven to close May 1, said Army and Air are in operation stateside, Brum- Force Exchange Service officials. field said. It’s the last one remaining in “To better reflect customer Europe. Two locations at Spang- preferences, the Exchange, dahlem Air Base and Kleber Ka- where possible, intends to convert serne closed last year as AAFES these locations to name-brand of- PHOTOS BY JENNIFER H. SVAN/Stars and Stripes looks to phase out the product ferings,” Brumfield said in an A few customers wait in line for lunch at Anthony’s Pizza inside the food court at Ramstein Air Base, worldwide, said Loyd Brumfield, email. Germany, on Wednesday. an AAFES spokesman in Dallas. Customer demand for a slice of Anthony’s Pizza was the Ex- Anthony’s, whose AAFES slogan was lukewarm at lunchtime come here at least four times a minutes in line because I hadn’t change’s first signature brand is “The World’s Greatest Pizza,” Wednesday. When a line formed, week,” said Kaitlyn Banque, 21, had pizza in a month,” he said it was usually no more than three an Army spouse. “I like it better Wednesday, after arriving at people long. But at the busy Ram- than Pizza Hut.” Ramstein on temporary duty. stein food court, that was a draw Jamie Royalty, 37, also an Ar- Spudz, a relative newcomer to for Marvin Mens, 51, an Air Force my spouse, said her family usual- the military food court scene with civilian. ly hits up Anthony’s when shop- its lineup of loaded baked pota- He was at Anthony’s “because ping at the base exchange. “We’re toes, tater tots and salads, will re- there’s no line,” he said, describ- pizza people,” she said. “We’re place Anthony’s Pizza at Ram- ing his sausage and pepperoni piz- not snobby pizza people. If it’s piz- stein, said Jennifer Jordan, za as “edible.” za, it works.” KMCC general manager. It’s slat- Staff Sgt. Kyla Blackshear was The pizzeria sells an average of ed to open in late May or early familiar with Anthony’s but not a about 60 pies a day, most sold by June, she said. fan. She tried it at Landstuhl Re- the slice, said Willie Bristow, the People are nostalgic for Antho- gional Medical Center, where she Kaiserslautern Military Commu- ny’s since it’s been around for so works, but the pizza “was always nity Center food court manager. long, she said. But the trend “has cold and the wings were not that Pepperoni is the most popular gone more and more toward the good,” she said, while passing topping, followed by cheese only. name brand” and AAFES is com- through the food court Wednes- Capt. Jesse Tyler, 34, a national mitted to offering restaurant day. guardsmen from Illinois, said he’s “brands that people recognize re- Some loyal customers, sad- eaten at Anthony’s at bases states- gardless of where they are,” she dened to see it go, spoke up for ide but remembers it fondly in Ja- said. their go-to pizza while they picked pan, where he ate after spending

Tina Klassen, a worker at Anthony’s Pizza at Ramstein Air Base, up slices for lunch. several weeks in the field while [email protected] Germany, prepares pizzas Wednesday. “Ever since I got pregnant, I training last summer. “I waited 20 Twitter: @stripesktown PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 MILITARY Pastor aids homeless near Yokota base

BY ERICA EARL of food and injuring her toe, she Stars and Stripes and her mother said. FUSSA, Japan — A small, Her mother wants Eleanor to church-run organization is trying feel empowered to do big things to help a seemingly invisible pop- and recognize the effects they ulation in the Little America have. neighborhood outside the gates of “When she has an idea, it’s not a Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. fleeting thought,” Danielle Pier- Marcel Gadsden, pastor of the son said in an email Wednesday to Japan Kingdom Builders Church Stars and Stripes. “She gives it in Fussa, said the local homeless wings and allows it to grow.” population is often overlooked by Gadsden said he has big goals programs founded by churches Akiramenai. and community members at Yo- “I want to permanently end the kota to assist service members cycle of homelessness for our par- and their families. He said he ticipants and friends, not just give wants to change that. them temporary fixes,” he said. A resident of Japan more than The church purchased an apart- 20 years, Gadsden and Yokota ment in the nearby city of Ome for community members founded the three people, providing them a church and homeless program in permanent address for welfare 2018. He named the program Aki- screenings and potential job THERON GODBOLD/Stars and Stripes ramenai, which translates to placement, Gadsden said. Girl Scout Eleanor Pierson, 9, of Yokota Air Base, Japan, helps Marcel Gadsden, pastor of the Japan “don’t give up.” Kingdom Builders Church in Fussa, sort hundreds of nonperishable food items Tuesday for the homeless. He checks in on the occupants The church is in a basement that twice a month and helps them host was once a bar and club, then sat who get into unfortunate situa- port in the Mainichi newspaper. do more. game nights and social activities. vacant for nearly a decade, Gads- tions, like losing their jobs after The Advocacy and Research Cen- The group has between 12 and In the meantime, Gadsden said den said. becoming older and no longer be- tre for Homelessness has been 20 active members, mostly from his wife, Chiaka, helps him run the A space inside, the Kingdom ing seen as valuable to their com- conducting its own surveys since Yokota, he said. Two of them, Da- program and navigate Japanese Garden Community Center, offers panies.” 2016 to show the reality of Japan’s nielle Pierson, a military spouse at culture so they can best serve in a a place for homeless people to use Japan has a homeless popula- homeless plight, the report said. Yokota, and her daughter Elea- way that is sensitive to people who the internet, shower, do laundry, tion of 3,992 people, according to a Many homeless people are over nor, 9, heard of Akiramenai are at a low point in their lives. eat and relax. Volunteers hand out 2020 survey by the Ministry of age 60, Gadsden said. Once em- through their Catholic community “I want the outreach to have vis- clothing, canned goods, small gas Health, Labor and Welfare. The ployed by Horizons magazine at at the base chapel. ibility, but I also want to be care- cans for stoves cans and bottled majority are men, and their high- the air base, Gadsden said he de- Eleanor has organized canned ful,” Gadsden said. “Also, even water. est numbers are in Osaka and To- livered care packages to the goods drives at her Girl Scout though I’m a Christian pastor, I “When people think of Japan, kyo, according to the ministry homeless around Tokyo and Troop, her church and at Yokota don’t want to push it on others. Ul- especially Tokyo, they think of website. forged strong friendships with West Elementary, where she is a timately, it’s about love and help- technology and big businesses and However, a homeless advocacy them. After hearing of homeless third-grader. ing other people and keeping your a thriving city,” Gadsden told group found more than double people committing suicide along This month, Eleanor collected heart in the right place.” Stars and Stripes on Tuesday at that number during a nighttime the Tama River and seeing some more than 500 bottles of water and the church. “The reality, though, count of the capital’s 23 wards in of those friends die in unfit condi- over 400 cans of food, working on [email protected] is that there are homeless people 2019, according to a February re- tions, Gadsden said he decided to crutches after dropping two cans Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl Russia orders troops back General: Cooley fired from research lab after huge drills in Crimea last year after report of sexual misconduct Associated Press ons deployed to western Russia to MOSCOW — Russia’s defense remain as part of the drills for an- FROM PAGE 1 ber, Bunch appointed Lt. Gen. in Germany from 2000 to 2002 and minister on Thursday ordered other massive military exercise . “I think the external pressure Gene Kirkland to independently a 2005 deployment to Afghanis- troops back to their permanent Shoigu said they should remain that has been put on the military to review the evidence. Kirkland tan. As head of the Air Force Re- bases following massive drills in at the Pogonovo firing range in the take sexual assault more seriously recommended the evidentiary search Laboratory, he oversaw a Crimea that involved dozens of na- southwestern Voronezh region. is one of the reasons, probably the hearing on the charge with and 6,000-person workforce and a vy ships, hundreds of warplanes The sprawling range is located sole reason, this case has gone to specifications. multibillion-dollar budget fo- and thousands of troops in a show about 100 miles east of the border trial,” he said. “They knew they Cooley’s accuser has said that cused on science, technology, re- of force amid tensions with Uk- with Ukraine. couldn’t just let another general he kissed her without her consent search and development. raine. The Russian troop buildup near walk.” “with an intent to gratify his sex- Since his dismissal from com- After watching the drills, Rus- Ukraine that came amid increas- Bunch said he informed Cooley ual desire,” but the general’s at- mand, Cooley had been serving as sian Defense Minister Sergei ing violations of a cease-fire in Uk- of his decision after a “compre- torney says the kiss was consen- a special assistant to Bunch. Shoigu declared the maneuvers raine’s east has raised concerns in hensive review of all the evi- sual and there was no unwanted The Air Force trial judiciary over and ordered the military to the West, which urged the Krem- dence” from an Air Force Office of touching. He told the Dayton Dai- will identify a senior military pull the troops taking part in ma- lin to pull its forces back. Special Investigations inquiry ly News in November that the evi- judge and set a time and place for neuvers in Crimea and western The Russian military hasn’t re- completed last year and a prelimi- dence against his client was too the court-martial, the base said. Russia back to their permanent ported the number of additional nary hearing held in February. weak for a trial. The jurors or court members must bases. troops that have been moved to The Feb. 8 hearing, similar to a It’s not easy for victims of sex- be senior to Cooley, either by rank “I consider the goals of the snap Crimea and parts of southwestern civilian grand jury, was presided ual assault to come forward, Ryan or date of rank. check of readiness fulfilled,” Shoi- Russia near Ukraine, and it wasn’t over by a senior military judge Guilds, an attorney for Cooley’s If convicted, Cooley could face gu said. “The troops have shown immediately clear from Shoigu’s who weighed the charges and tes- accuser, said in a statement last penalties including confinement their defense capability and I de- statement if all of them will now be timony to determine if there was year. But “she is strong, and in the and dismissal, which is the equiv- cided to complete the drills in the pulled back. probable cause for the case end the truth will confirm her alent of a dishonorable discharge South and Western military dis- The Russian Defense Ministry against Cooley. bravery and the righteousness of for officers. tricts.” said the maneuvers in Crimea in- The two-star general was fired her actions.” Shoigu said the troops should volved more than 60 ships, over from command of the research lab Cooley was commissioned in return to their bases by May 1, but 10,000 troops, around 200 aircraft in January 2020 following the ac- 1988 through the ROTC program. [email protected] he also ordered the heavy weap- and about 1,200 military vehicles. cusations of misconduct. In Octo- His assignments included a stint Twitter: @chadgarland Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Coast Guardsman is first to sail for Olympic team BY SETH ROBSON Coast Guard has helped my sail- Stars and Stripes ing,” Barnes said during a tele- A member of the Coast Guard is phone interview Monday that in- chasing Olympic sailing glory in cluded Dallman-Weiss from Por- Japan, 230 years after the U.S. tugal, where Revenue Marine began hunting they’re prepar- smugglers in wind-powered, ing for the 470 wooden cutters. Open European Lt. j.g. Nikki Barnes, 27, of St. Championship, CAROL BAREUTHER Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, April 30-May 7. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Nikki Barnes, right, and teammate Lara Dallman­Weiss will sail for the United States at became the first Coast Guards- Stationed in the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer. man to make an Olympic team in Miami, Barnes’ any sport when she and crewmate job involves co- gawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. rity liaison officer based in the Ja- “We are on the edge at that Barnes Lara Dallman-Weiss, 32, of Shore- ordinating re- Races are scheduled in nearby Sa- panese capital. speed,” she said. view, Minn., qualified last month sponses to oil spills, she said. gami Bay, where Mount Fuji can “The Coast Guard is a small ser- At sea, Barnes steers and plots at the 470 World Championship Coast Guard service and sailing be spotted looming over the waves vice, so it’s extremely special to strategy while Dallman-Weiss Regatta in Vilamoura, Portugal. require determination when the on clear days. see one of our own rise to this level trims the sail, watches for wind Today’s steel-hulled, diesel- going gets tough, problem-solving The area isn’t far from Yokosu- of athletic accomplishment,” she and uses her body weight to move powered Coast Guard cutters car- skills and the ability to adjust to ka Naval Base, home of the U.S. said. the craft over waves. ry out an array of missions, from changing conditions, she said. 7th Fleet, also in Kanagawa. The Olympics, which begin in “People say, ‘Oh you are going drug interdiction to search and Dallman-Weiss also has a mili- Enoshima is only about an 80-min- late July, will be the second time sailing, where is the wine and rescue. But the service, which be- tary connection. Her late grandfa- ute drive from Yokota Air Base in Barnes and Dallman-Weiss have cheese?’ Dallman-Weiss said. gan as the Revenue Marine in ther, Col. Howard Dallman, flew western Tokyo, which is home to been in Japan. They spent 50 days But the sport is very physical; 1790, hasn’t forgotten its sailing- B-17 bombers over Italy in World U.S. Coast Guard Activities Far sailing out of Enoshima in 2019 in the pair have personal trainers era roots. War II and survived being shot East. Its mission includes ship in- preparation for last year’s post- and hit the gym to build muscle for The Coast Guard cutter Eagle, a down and held as a prisoner of spections, environmental stew- poned games. competition, she said. They hope training vessel for future officers, war. He flew a C-130 Hercules ardship and port security. “Whenever a typhoon was com- to race among a fleet of 21 boats for is one of only two active commis- with the 345th Tactical Airlift Barnes and Dallman-Weiss said ing, we had incredible wind and the gold medal on Aug. 4. Auspi- sioned sailing vessels in the U.S. Squadron in the Vietnam War and they are eager to meet service waves,” Barnes said. “We only ciously, that’s Coast Guard Day in military today, along with the received the Air Force Cross for members while they’re in Japan. had a couple of days when we the United States, which cele- world’s oldest commissioned na- gallantry during the siege of Khe Coast Guard members in Tokyo couldn’t sail.” brates the founding of the Reve- val vessel, the frigate USS Consti- Sanh in February 1968. will be watching Barnes closely The two-person dingy that the nue Marine on that date in 1790. tution. Japan’s Olympic sailing venue and “rooting for her all the way,” pair races in is 15½ feet long. In

“Sailing has helped my Coast is at Enoshima, a small island link- said Lt. Cmdr. Brierley Ostran- 35-knot wind, they’ve gone as fast [email protected] Guard career and serving in the ed by a bridge to the coast in Kana- der, 43, an international port secu- as 21 mph, Dallman-Weiss said. Twitter: @SethRobson1 Third fast-response Coast Guard cutter heads to Guam BY WYATT OLSON The trio of fast-response cutters replace guns and a remote-controlled 25 mm can- ple’s Republic of China and the increasing- Stars and Stripes the service’s 110-foot patrol boats previous- non, the cutters can be used for drug inter- ly aggressive behavior of the Russian Fed- The Coast Guard’s newest fast-response ly stationed on Guam and possess ad- diction, defense operations, maritime law eration,” the report said. cutter sailed out of Key West, Fla., early vanced technology in communications and enforcement, search and rescue and envi- China’s strategy hinges on the use of a Wednesday, beginning a roughly 70-day surveillance systems, the Coast Guard said ronmental protection. multipronged deployment of ships from its voyage to its future homeport on Guam. in a statement in February when it took de- The Coast Guard’s beefed-up fleet in the navy, coast guard and maritime militia “to The 154-foot Sentinel-class cutter Fre- livery of the Frederick Hatch from the Pacific is aimed in part at countering Chi- subvert other nations’ sovereignty and en- derick Hatch is expected to arrive at the builder, Bollinger Shipyards. na’s growing sea power. force unlawful claims.” U.S. island territory in early July, accord- The fast-response cutters are designed In December, the Navy, Marine Corps The report suggested that a more robust ing to a Coast Guard statement provided to for missions beyond the traditional search- and Coast Guard issued “Advantage at Coast Guard presence in the Western Pa- Stars and Stripes. It will join two similar and-rescue work for which the Coast Sea,” a tri-service naval strategy respon- cific could provide joint force commanders cutters — Myrtle Hazard and Oliver Henry Guard is best known. They can reach ding to China’s “revisionist approach that greater flexibility in responding to China’s — that arrived there in the latter half of speeds up to 28 knots, remain at sea for five aims at the heart of the United States’ mar- “gray zone” confrontations that remain be- 2020. days and cover over 2,500 nautical miles itime power.” low the threshold of armed conflict. The Frederick Hatch will make port calls during that time, according to the Coast “Since the beginning of the 21st Century, along the way for maintenance, refueling Guard. our three services have watched with [email protected] and resupplying, the Coast Guard said. Armed with four .50-caliber machine alarm the growing naval power of the Peo- Twitter: @WyattWOlson PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 MILITARY Records: Little done to find soldier for 48 hours

BY ROSE L. THAYER said the top priority was to find alongside the release of a report with the soldier and his medical Stars and Stripes Fernandes from the first missed by the Fort Hood Independent Re- providers during his hospitaliza- AUSTIN, Texas — Within min- formation. view Committee, a civilian-led re- tion to develop a care plan, accord- utes of learning that Sgt. Elder “In addition to the initial at- view board that found at Fort ing to the CID documents. In that Fernandes was missing from his tempts to reach Sgt. Fernandes by Hood that “no one recognized the meeting, the unit informed Fer- unit at Fort Hood, Texas, Army in- phone and through visits to his slippage in accountability proce- nandes he was being involuntarily vestigators began making calls home to attempt to locate him, the dures” and there was an “unwil- separated from the Army for a and identifying leads to locate the unit conducted exhaustive lingness or lack of ability of non- “pattern of misconduct.” soldier. However, Fernandes had searches of the unit area and coor- commissioned officers to keep “All service members are dis- been missing for 48 hours before dinated with local law enforce- track of their subordinates.” charged with a plan articulating anyone contacted the Army Crim- ment,” he said. “Additionally, the Without any formal protocols how the commander and unit inal Investigation Command, set- unit immediately attempted to re- for soldiers who fail to report, leadership can support the sol- ting agents far behind in the race U.S. Army ach out to his spouse, his brother- leaders and military police at Fort dier’s treatment plan to maximize to find Fernandes, who had spent Sgt. Elder Fernandes in-law/roommate, and his close Hood took “an ad hoc approach to recovery and ensure soldier safe- the previous week hospitalized for disappeared from Fort Hood, friends to try to locate him.” effectively address instances of ty,” officials said. contemplating suicide. Texas, in August 2020. When Ailina Fernandes ar- missing soldiers during the criti- Someone “dropped the ball,” Upon his release Aug. 17, the rived, she went first to the Fort cal first 24 hours, again with ad- Kesten said. soldier’s chain of command knew Fernandes never made it inside Hood Military Police station, verse consequences.” “Somebody was in charge of re- that he had been sleeping in his and was not heard from again. which sent her to the Killeen Po- McCarthy appointed the com- leasing him,” he said. “I mean, you car, acting out of character and lice Department, Kesten said. mittee in July to review Fort Hood guys are getting together to make preparing to file for divorce and AWOL or missing Eventually, CID was notified. after the disappearance and death a plan for his care once he gets out, had recently reported he was the The Fernandes family recently Within 45 minutes, CID investi- of Spc. Vanessa Guillen. The 20- what happened?” victim of unwanted sexual con- received the investigative file gators called a company com- year-old was killed by a fellow The day after his hospital re- tact. Yet, he was dropped off at the from Army Criminal Investigative mander within the 553rd Combat Fort Hood soldier on base. It took lease, Fernandes was supposed to home of a friend, without confir- Command, known as CID, which Support Sustainment Battalion, investigators more than two have a safety-check appointment mation that he made it inside. confirms what they previously who was preparing to deploy to months to find her body buried with his unit’s embedded behavior When he missed a medical safety said — from the time Fernandes Kuwait the next day. The captain along a river miles from the base. health team, according to the CID check the next day, no one alerted was dropped off at 3 or 4 p.m. Aug. had the wrong hospital release The committee arrived at Fort documents. Investigators were authorities, allowing precious 17 until CID was notified of his ab- date for Fernandes and was “not Hood to begin its work five days first told that Fernandes checked time to slip by as his family called sence around 4:45 p.m. Aug. 19, lit- sure” whether he had been as- after Fernandes was found dead. in at 7:43 a.m., but upon following the unit for help and got none. tle was done to locate the soldier. signed to rear detachment. The Fort Hood committee re- up, they learned Fernandes never The 23-year-old Fernandes was All names, except for the names Efforts increased the next day viewed all case files of the 53 sui- checked in. found dead Aug. 25 in Temple, of members of the Fernandes fam- with Fernandes’ unit assisting cides recorded at Fort Hood be- If a high-risk patient is a no- Texas, about 30 miles from the ily, were redacted from the 166- CID with searching the base, call- tween fiscal year 2018 and August show for a scheduled appoint- central Texas Army base where page investigation file, which in- ing local hotels, businesses and 2020. Of those, 34 soldiers died off ment, clinic personnel “must at- he served as a chemical, biologi- cluded interviews and summar- homeless shelters before expand- base and “these files were gener- tempt to contact the patient the cal, radiological and nuclear spe- ies, results of vehicle and phone ing farther to Waco, Dallas and ally sparse,” stated the report. On- same day,” according to the state- cialist in the 1st Cavalry Division’s searches and a timeline of paths San Antonio, according to the CID ly one file for an on-post suicide ment from Fort Hood health offi- sustainment brigade. An investi- investigators followed to try and report and the division. death included a postmortem be- cials. If they don’t reach the sol- gation by the Temple Police De- find Fernandes between Aug. 19 After days without much pro- havioral assessment. dier, they “should contact the unit partment and autopsy results and when a railroad employee gress, the soldier’s father, Euge- “The case file review also re- commander to help arrange con- show he hung himself from a tree found him dead Aug. 25. nio Fernandes, the national direc- vealed that off-post suicides and tact and create an appropriate fol- near the railroad tracks about When Fernandes didn’t show up tor of police in the country of Cape deaths were not fully investigated low-up plan.” three days after he left the hospi- for morning formation Aug. 18, the Verde, pleaded on a call for inves- by CID to determine whether For Fernandes, that didn’t hap- tal. staff sergeant who had dropped tigators to find his son. there were contributory causes pen. “It’s appalling,” said Lenny him off said he called Fernandes’ “I ask with all of my heart that such as lifestyle issues, locations Two more investigations look- Kesten, an attorney working with phone, which went to voicemail, you take good care of this case be- or other influences that would in- ing into the Fernandes case are Fernandes’ family to gather infor- and drove to the Killeen home sev- cause I want to know the truth form the command about certain pending. The House Committee mation on the soldier’s death. about what happened to my son,” activities, people and places off- “He’s a high-risk individual, they eral times. A sergeant first class on Oversight and Reform’s sub- who was acting as the company’s he said through a Spanish transla- post that may be higher risk for panel on national security and the know it. He needs support and he’s tor. “I trust that you, [NAME] will their soldiers,” the report stated. dropped off on the curb, and when first sergeant said he took the House Committee on Armed Ser- same measures. The CID docu- do a good job so that I feel better. I The Army announced Friday vices’ subpanel on military per- he doesn’t show up the next morn- am very ill with the news of my that CID policy now requires “a ments do not state whether either sonnel announced a joint investi- ing for work, his sergeant is not son. I’m not doing well.” full investigation of all suspected noncommissioned officer gation in September to review the connected to any network to say, soldier suicides occurring on or knocked on the door or spoke to Changing policy policies and practices at Fort ‘Red alert.’” off the installation.” Before that, anyone in the area. Hood with a focus on seven sol- Fernandes had spent a week at In December, the Army an- CID conducted joint investiga- When Ailina Fernandes, the sol- diers, including Fernandes and Fort Hood’s Carl R. Darnall Army nounced changes to its policy and tions with local law enforcement dier’s mother, called Aug. 18, the Guillen. Medical Center, where he protocols for missing soldiers that or collected the information from unit told her he was listed as The oversight committee hopes checked himself in for suicidal focus on acting within the first 48 civilian agencies for CID files. AWOL and they wouldn’t begin to make its findings public by the ideations. He asked his leadership hours. The new directive included The Fort Hood committee said looking for him for 30 days, ac- end of the year, according to a con- for permission to go home to his “clear expectations and respon- it was not clear why CID didn’t cording to the documents and gressional aide. family in Brockton, Mass., to re- sibilities of unit commanders and conduct these postmortem assess- Kesten. Dissatisfied with the re- The Army also has an adminis- cover, but the request was denied, Army law enforcement author- ments. sponse, she flew to Texas next day trative investigation, which is and he was told to return to his Ar- ities,” then-Army Secretary Ryan “Failure to perform and refer to to ask for help in person. standard process following any my life, Kesten said. McCarthy said. a postmortem behavioral assess- However, an Aug. 23 press re- soldier’s death, and those results “There’s an absence of any evi- The service created the desig- ment is a wasted opportunity to lease from the 1st Cavalry Division also are pending release. Informa- dence of coordination as they let nation of “absent-unknown” as a learn more about soldier suicides stated, “Within hours of Sgt. Fer- tion gathered in that investigation him out,” Kesten said. “He said he 48-hour transitory duty status. In that can help lead to better pre- nandes’ disappearance, soldiers will be provided to the Fernandes was living in a parking lot, so what that time, commanders must de- vention strategies,” the report from his unit on Fort Hood initi- family through the casualty assist- did they think was going to hap- termine whether a soldier’s ab- stated. pen?” ated a thorough search for him, sence is voluntary and therefore ance process. On the afternoon of his release, both on and off post, which will classify them as AWOL, or if the Missed safety check “You’re not going to solve the a staff sergeant from Fernandes’ continue until he is located.” soldier is missing. If the latter, the Kesten said if the Army did a problem without analyzing what company drove him from the hos- “That’s obviously not true,” Army will simultaneously initiate postmortem review of Fernandes’ went wrong and the effects of it,” pital to his car, which was parked Kesten said. “What the family has a “duty status whereabouts un- case, it would show that the med- Kesten said. “That’s important to at the motor pool. The BMW, a said was always true, which is that known,” known as DUSTWUN. ical system at Fort Hood also our service men and women, so loaner from Fernandes’ brother, when they got there that nothing Opening a DUSTWUN casualty failed him and that someone that something like this never hap- wouldn’t start, so the staff ser- had happened.” case provides the family with a li- should be held accountable. pens again.” geant drove Fernandes, at his re- Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam, aison officer while attempting to As part of the routine to release st quest, to a friend’s home in Kil- spokesman for the 1 Cavalry Di- locate the missing soldier. soldiers from in-patient care, Fer- [email protected] leen. vision, disputes that claim. He These changes were announced nandes’ chain of command met Twitter: @Rose_Lori Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK Overseas military medical recipients get more vaccine

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS Stars and Stripes “We’re WASHINGTON — By June 1, 80% of all U.S. military medical committed and AKIFUMI ISHIKAWA//Stars and Strip beneficiaries overseas who The daughter of a service member stationed at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo receives the Moderna want a coronavirus vaccine will working COVID­19 vaccine at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Wednesday. have received the shots, Army Lt. Gen. Ronald Place, the di- diligently to rector of the Defense Health Agency, said Wednesday. ensure that they USFJ leader touts vaccine as 17 That rate was deemed achievable after the Pentagon can get the cases pop up in Japan, S. Korea announced Friday that the De- fense Department would real- vaccine if they BY JOSEPH DITZLER commercial flights on April 8 and close on weekends and refrain locate additional doses of the Stars and Stripes 16, according to the release. from serving alcohol. Moderna vaccine to overseas choose it.” TOKYO — The U.S. military Nine of the new patients came up At Yokota Air Base in western bases “for the next several commands in Japan and South Ko- positive on a test required before Tokyo, Command Chief Master weeks,” after the DHA halted Dr. Terry Adirim rea reported that another 17 people entering quarantine, and five test- Sgt. Richard Winegardner, speak- distribution of the Johnson & Acting assistant secretary of defense had contracted the coronavirus as ed positive before ending their ing on American Forces Network Johnson vaccine in accordance for health affairs of 6 p.m. Thursday. mandatory isolation period, the re- Radio, encouraged eligible service with recommendations from Meanwhile, the senior enlisted lease said. All 14 have been isolated members, family members and ci- Federal Drug Administration “just a small impact” on the de- leader for U.S. Forces Japan urged at either Osan, Kunsan Air Base or vilian employees to travel to mili- and Centers for Disease Con- partment’s vaccination rate troops to get the COVID-19 vaccine Camp Humphreys. tary bases other than their own if trol and Prevention, he said. “because of the small number and travel to a shot clinic at a near- South Korea reported 735 new the COVID-19 vaccine is available “We’re sensitive to the fact of J&J vaccine allocated to by base if they’re unable to sched- infections on Thursday, according elsewhere. that military hospitals and clin- DOD.” ule a vaccination on their own in- to the Korea Disease Control and Yokota, for example, postponed ics represent the only source of The news comes after the stallation. Prevention Agency. The country’s its plan to start inoculating all eligi- FDA-approved vaccine among Pentagon on Monday deemed Fourteen people affiliated with pandemic total sits at 116,661 cases ble adults due to a vaccine shortage our population outside the all overseas military medical U.S. Forces Korea tested positive with 1,808 deaths. caused when DOD ordered a pause United States,” Place told re- beneficiaries eligible for the for the coronavirus after arriving In Japan, the number of new in administering the one-shot porters at the Pentagon. coronavirus vaccine, canceling on the peninsula between March cases remains at a pandemic high Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Yoko- The FDA and CDC recom- the prior phased approach to 29 and April 19, the command an- in the country’s second-largest ta on its Facebook page this week mended the pause following eligibility. nounced Thursday. The same day, metro area, Osaka, and are grow- encouraged is population to sign up concerns that the J&J vaccine, “We have great empathy to the Marine Corps on Okinawa had ing steadily in Tokyo. for a shot clinic Friday at Yokosuka which the Defense Department our service members and fam- three people contract COVID-19, On Thursday, Osaka announced Naval Base. intended to prioritize for use in ilies deployed overseas be- the coronavirus respiratory dis- another 1,167 infections and eight The shot is voluntary, Wine- its overseas populations, might cause they do not have the ease, according to an official Face- deaths; Tokyo reported 861 new gardner said, but declining the in- be linked to a rare but severe same options as here in the book post. cases, according to NHK. oculation prolongs the day when form of blood clotting. United States to receive vac- Eight of USFK’s new coronavi- The Japanese government de- life returns to normal. “Each service will now direct cines in our local communi- rus patients are service members clared an emergency Thursday in “When we start talking, ‘How a total of approximately 30,000 ties,” Adirim said. “So, we’re who arrived at Osan Air Base on both prefectures, along with Osa- come we don’t have the freedoms additional doses of Moderna committed and working dili- the Patriot Express, a government- ka’s neighboring prefectures Hyo- that we used to have?’ talk to those throughout the month of May,” gently to ensure that they can contracted passenger service, on go and Kyoto, NHK reported. people who are not getting their Pentagon spokesman John Kir- get the vaccine if they choose March 29-30 and April 12, 14 and Unlike emergencies declared shots and look at them and say, by told reporters Monday. it.” 19, a command news release said. January through March, this one is ‘Hey, you’re part of the problem at “That’s around roughly 10,000 As of Tuesday, the Defense A civilian Defense Department expected to bring tougher mea- this stage,’” he said. “We have per week, beginning May 10, to Department had administered employee and two family mem- sures, Kyodo News reported shots ready to go at most of the in- overseas locations in European about 2.6 million coronavirus bers also tested positive from those Wednesday. Osaka Gov. Hirofumi stallations, so I can’t stress it Command, Indo-Pacific Com- vaccines to service members flights. Yoshimura may temporarily close enough, please get out there and mand and Central Command.” and other eligible beneficiar- The other new cases are a ser- department stores and amusement get that shot in the arm.” Still, Dr. Terry Adirim, the ies, according to its website. vice member, a civilian employee parks during the Golden Week ho- acting assistant secretary of and a contractor who flew into In- lidays through early May. He may [email protected] defense for health affairs, said [email protected] cheon International Airport via also call on restaurants and bars to Twitter: @JosephDitzler Wednesday that the pause had Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos US jobless claims fall to 547,000, another pandemic low Associated Press a week earlier. Weekly jobless which data is available, up from 16.9 economy has strengthened in re- the pandemic, the numbers have be- WASHINGTON — The number claims are down sharply from a million in the previous week. cent weeks, millions of people — dis- come a less reliable barometer. of Americans applying for unem- peak of 900,000 in early January. At The overall job market is making proportionately low-income work- Many states have struggled to ployment aid fell last week to the same time, they’re still far above steady gains. Last month, the na- ers and people of color — continue to clear backlogs of unemployment 547,000, a new low since the pan- the roughly 250,000 level that pre- tion’s employers added 916,000 endure a loss of a job or income and applications, and suspected fraud demic struck and a further encou- vailed before the viral outbreak jobs, the most since August, in a sign have struggled to pay bills or rent. has clouded the actual volume of job raging sign that layoffs are slowing ripped through the economy in that a sustained recovery is taking The weekly data on applications cuts. In addition, a supplemental on the strength of an improving job March of last year. hold. The unemployment rate fell for unemployment benefits is gen- $300-a-week federal jobless pay- market. About 17.4 million people were from 6.2% to 6%, well below the pan- erally seen as a rough measure of ment, on top of regular state unem- The Labor Department said continuing to collect unemploy- demic peak of nearly 15%. layoffs because only people who ployment aid, might have encour- Thursday that applications de- ment benefits in the week that end- Yet the still-high number of ongo- have lost their jobs through no fault aged more people to apply for bene- clined 39,000 from a revised 586,000 ed April 3, the latest period for ing recipients shows that even as the of their own are eligible. But during fits. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 NATION Summit draws climate vows from leaders

Xi, Putin tell Biden they’ll tin said. Russia by some measures is the world’s fourth-biggest emitter of cooperate, but don’t offer climate-damaging fossil fuel fumes. However, Russia and China an- specific emissions cuts nounced no specific new emissions BY ELLEN KNICKMEYER cuts themselves. AND AAMER MADHANI The pandemic made gathering Associated Press world leaders for the climate sum- WASHINGTON — President Joe mit too risky. That didn’t keep the Biden convened leaders of the White House from sparing no effort world’s most powerful countries on on production quality. The presi- Thursday to try to spur global efforts dent’s staff built a small set in the against climate change, drawing East Room that looked like it was commitments from Chinese Presi- ripped from a daytime talk show. dent Xi Jinping and Russian Presi- Biden and Vice President Kama- dent Vladimir Putin to cooperate on la Harris addressed the summit cutting emissions despite their own from separate lecterns before join- sharp rivalries with the United ing Secretary of State Antony Blin- States. ken and White House climate envoy “Meeting this moment is about John Kerry at a horseshoe-shaped more than preserving our planet,” table set up around a giant potted Biden declared, speaking from a plant to watch fellow leaders’ live- TV-style set for a virtual summit of streamed speeches. 40 world leaders. “It’s about provid- The format meant a cavalcade of ing a better future for all of us,” he short speeches by world leaders, said, calling it “a moment of peril but some scripted, some apparently im- amoment of opportunity.” EVAN VUCCI/AP promptu. “This is not bunny-hug- “The signs are unmistakable. the President Joe Biden speaks to the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate from the White House on Thursday. ging,” British Prime Minister Boris science is undeniable. the cost of in- Johnson said of the climate efforts. action keeps mounting,” he added. Japan announced its own new shaled an impressive display of the the environment is to boost produc- “This is about growth and jobs.” Biden’s own new commitment, 46% emissions reduction target world’s most powerful leaders tivity. It’s as simple as that,” Xi said. Biden, a Democrat, campaigned timed to the summit, is to cut U.S. Thursday, and South Korea said it speaking on the single cause of cli- Putin, whose government has partly on a pledge to confront cli- fossil fuel emissions up to 52% by would stop public financing of new mate change. been publicly irate over Biden’s mate change. He has sketched out 2030. marking a return by the U.S. to coal-fired power plants, as the U.S. China’s Xi, whose country is the characterization of him as a “killer” some elements of his $2 trillion ap- global climate efforts after four and its allies sought to build momen- world’s biggest emissions culprit, for Russia’s aggressive moves proach for transforming U.S. trans- years of withdrawal under Presi- tum via the summit. followed by the United States, spoke against its opponents, made no men- portation systems and electrical dent Donald Trump. Biden’s admin- The coronavirus pandemic com- first among the other global figures. tion of his feuding with Biden in his grids in his campaign climate plan istration is sketching out a vision of a pelled the summit to play out as a cli- He made no reference to noncli- own climate remarks, a live present- and in his infrastructure proposals prosperous, clean-energy United mate telethon-style livestream, lim- mate disputes that had made it un- ation that also saw moments of dead for Congress. His administration in- States where factories churn out iting opportunities for spontaneous certain until Wednesday that he air among production problems. sists the transformation will mean cutting-edge batteries for export, interaction and negotiation. The would even take part in the U.S. “Russia is genuinely interested in millions of well-paying jobs. Repub- line workers re-lay an efficient na- opening was rife with technological summit, and said China would work galvanizing international coopera- licans say the effort will throw oil, tional electrical grid and crews cap glitches, including echoes, random with America in cutting emissions. tion so as to look further for effective gas and coal workers off the job. abandoned oil and gas rigs and coal beeps and off-screen voices. “To protect the environment is to solutions to climate change as well They call his infrastructure mines. But the U.S. summit also mar- protect productivity, and to boost as to all other vital challenges,” Pu- proposal too costly. DC statehood OK’d by House as Senate fight looms Associated Press statement Tuesday calling Wash- simple act of Congress. He argued WASHINGTON — A decades- ington’s current status “an affront to that the federal district was a theo- long movement to reshape the the democratic values on which our retical concept when first con- American political map took a fur- Nation was founded.” ceived, not a community with a high- ther step Thursday as the House of The White House praised Wash- er population than two U.S. states. Representatives approved a bill to ington as worthy of statehood, with “When the Constitution was writ- make the nation’s capital the 51st “a robust economy, a rich culture, ten, this place didn’t exist,” he said. state. and a diverse population of Ameri- “When people say this is not about Voting along party lines with mi- cans from all walks of life who are race and partisanship, you can be nority Republicans in opposition, entitled to full and equal participa- sure it’s about race and partisan- the House approved the bill 216-208. tion in our democracy.” ship.” That’s likely the easy part, though. The bill is certain to face GOP During a March hearing by the The proposal faces a far tougher J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP pushback, given that the proposed House oversight committee, GOP fight in the Senate, where simple Del. Eleanor Holmes­Norton, D­D.C., left — shown with House 51st state would be overwhelmingly representatives claimed D.C. was Democratic control of the chamber Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D­Calif. — applauded the House for passing a Democratic. That opposition was on unfit for statehood while calling the won’t be enough. bill Thursday that provides for statehood for Washington, D.C. display during Thursday morning’s entire effort a cynical Democratic The legislation proposes creating floor debates in advance of the vote. power play. Opponents proposed a a 51st state with one representative An identical statehood bill passed was a culmination of a life’s work. The country’s Founding Fathers, variety of alternatives, from absolv- and two senators, while a tiny sliver the House in 2020, but it quickly died “My service in the Congress has “never wanted D.C. to be a state and ing Washingtonians of federal taxes of land including the White House, in the then-Republican-controlled been dedicated to achieving equali- then specifically framed the Consti- to “retroceding” most of D.C. back the U.S. Capitol and the National Senate. Now, with the 2020 elections ty for the people I represent, which tution to say so,” said Georgia Re- into Maryland. Mall would remain as a federal dis- leaving Democrats in control of both only statehood can provide,” Norton publican Rep. Jody Hice. “This is D.C. has long chafed under its re- trict. Instead of the District of Co- chambers and the White House, Re- said at a Wednesday news confer- absolutely against what our foun- lationship with Congress, which has lumbia, the new state would be publican senators may resort to a fil- ence. “My life as a third-generation ders intended and it ought to be the power to essentially veto or alter known as Washington, Douglass ibuster to stymie the statehood bill. Washingtonian has marched to- soundly rejected.” any local laws. Its estimated 712,000 Commonwealth — named after For lifelong statehood proponents ward this milestone.” But Virginia Democratic Rep. residents pay federal taxes, vote for famed abolitionist Frederick Dou- like Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.’s The measure has received strong Gerald Connolly pointed out that president and serve in the armed glass, who lived in Washington from long-serving and nonvoting dele- support from President Joe Biden’s Kentucky was once a part of Virgin- forces, but they have no voting rep- 1877 until his death in 1895. gate in the House, Thursday’s vote White House, which released a ia, and was carved out as a state by a resentation in Congress. Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Reform: Lawmakers sense urgency for revising policing practices FROM PAGE 1 White House would bar the use of vise the qualified immunity stan- chokeholds, ban most no-knock dard. But influential civil rights would launch an investigation into warrants and outlaw carotid holds leaders in close communication the practices of the Minneapolis — a policing tactic used to restrict with the administration signaled Police Department. blood flow to the brain — by feder- that it could be a red line. Much of the activity is unfolding al law enforcement. It would also Derrick Johnson, the president behind the scenes. create a national database to track of the NAACP, said provisions to “There are times — and this is police misconduct while making it change qualified immunity for of- true in diplomacy, but also true in easier for officers to be held both ficers was “nonnegotiable.” legislation — that ... the best strat- criminally and civilly liable. Warnock — who, along with egy is to provide the space for The Republican version, writ- Scott and Booker, is one of the those conversations to happen pri- ten by Scott, addresses the same three current Black senators — vately, and that’s part of our objec- issues in different ways. said the disincentive of potential tive,” White House press secreta- For instance, it would withhold lawsuits is critical to sending a ry Jen Psaki said Wednesday. federal grants to state and local message about the limits of ac- The result is a sense of move- law enforcement agencies that do ceptable police conduct. ment not seen since the immedi- not proactively bar the practice of “I just think that it’s really im- ate aftermath of Floyd’s murder chokeholds, rather than banning portant that police understand last year by former Minneapolis GERRY BROOME / AP them outright. that they cannot kill, maim Black police officer Derek Chauvin, a People speak with Elizabeth City, N.C., Police Chief Eddie M. Buffaloe It also would withhold funding and brown bodies with impunity,” killing captured on video that Jr., outside the municipal building after at least one sheriff's deputy to local police agencies that don’t Warnock said. spurred a nationwide reckoning shot and killed a Black man, Andrew Brown Jr., while executing a report their use of no-knock war- Scott also said there are about on racial injustice against Black search warrant, the sheriff's office said Wednesday. rants to the Justice Department. four or five outstanding issues in men and women. Most Republicans have said they the negotiations, such as how to “There’s an urgency in this den has taken a different ap- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-N.J., would support the legislation address the chokehold issue and country now. There’s an urgency proach in this area than he has on one of the attendees at last week’s drafted by Scott, as well as the the practice of transferring mili- last month. There’s been an ur- coronavirus relief or infrastruc- meeting, paraphrased Biden’s House version introduced by Rep. tary equipment to local police gency since I was a young Black ture — where he has hosted bipar- message this way: “I came in [as Pete Stauber, R-Minn., a former agencies, which Democrats want man, in my teens getting pulled tisan groups of lawmakers with president], I wanted to heal the police officer. to limit. over by the police and scared for much fanfare in an effort to tangi- country, that we have so many Republicans have especially Senate Majority Leader Charles my life,” said Sen. Cory Booker, D- bly portray efforts at a compro- sides and divisions — and police balked at dumping the “qualified Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Mi- N.J., who was been working quiet- mise. reform is the bedrock of that.” immunity” standard, which they nority Leader Mitch McConnell, ly with Scott and Rep. Karen Bass, The lower-profile strategy is de- Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., say allows police officers to do R-Ky., have given Scott and Book- D-Calif., on a potential compro- liberate, White House officials another attendee, added: “I can their job without the threat of po- er broad latitude to negotiate, as mise bill. “So we definitely have to have said, as a way to give breath- tell you that it is high on the presi- tentially frivolous lawsuits. the two Black senators are trusted get something done.” ing room for sensitive negotiations dent’s agenda.” Scott said Wednesday one po- figures within their parties on the Still, similar efforts to revise to take place without the president White House officials have also tential compromise is holding po- politically fraught issues of race policing practices last summer appearing to apply undue pres- been in frequent contact not only lice departments liable rather and police accountability. fell victim to election-year poli- sure or take credit for any pro- with civil rights organizations than individual officers. Underscoring the sensitivity of tics. And it is far from clear that gress. Instead, Biden has dis- such as the Leadership Confer- “I think that is a way that we can the discussions, Booker on the policy differences that have cussed the issue in private with ence on Civil and Human Rights make progress toward a bill that Wednesday repeatedly declined stymied lawmakers can be the Congressional Black Caucus, — whose former leader, Vanita actually has the kind of impact to weigh in on the specifics on his bridged, including how aggres- while his senior aides on the White Gupta, was confirmed as the No. 3 that I think is helpful,” Scott said. negotiations with Scott. Booker is sively to restrict the type of choke- House Domestic Policy Council Justice Department official on Democrats say immunity close to a number of GOP senators hold used by Chauvin on Floyd and Office of Public Engagement Wednesday — but also law en- shields officers from accountabil- through his past efforts on crimi- and whether to revise the “quali- have kept tabs on the legislative forcement groups. ity for potentially serious miscon- nal justice legislation, and he fied immunity” standard that efforts. Biden plans to use his address to duct or brutality. called Scott an “honest broker.” broadly protects police from law- In a meeting with Black law- a joint session to Congress next Booker declined to say whether “I will do nothing to jeopardize suits. makers last week, Biden under- week, the rough equivalent of a Scott’s proposal would be accept- the good faith, good energy, of all And some activists worried that scored that he supports the Demo- State of the Union address that has able to him. Bass, the chief House the conversations trying to get lawmakers would take the Chau- cratic policing legislation named been delayed because of the pan- negotiator, said that while “there’s something done,” Booker said. He vin verdict as evidence that the for Floyd, which passed the House demic, as “as an opportunity to a lot of room for discussion around and Scott met with members of the system works and no change is in early March mostly along party elevate this issue and talk about qualified immunity ... we need the bipartisan Problem Solvers Cau- needed, rather than as a sign of lines. Reps. Jared Golden, D- the importance of putting police individual officers and the agen- cus on the issue last week, accord- broad problems with policing. Maine, and Ron Kind, D-Wis., op- reform measures in place,” Psaki cies to be accountable.” ing to people familiar with the For all his emphatic rhetoric posed it, while one House Repub- said. The White House declined to gathering, one of the informal con- about the need to pass legislation lican, Rep. Lance Gooden, Texas, The legislation named for Floyd say whether Biden would support versations that have been ongoing on the use of force in policing, Bi- backed it. that has been endorsed by the a bill that did not significantly re- for months. Sheriff: Deputy fatally shot Black man while serving warrant Associated Press Williams said after hearing one Brown was 42 years old and had a than 200 blocked traffic on a main identify the officer or say how ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — A gunshot, she ran outside, where history of drug charges and a mis- thoroughfare of the city, forcing many shots he fired, citing a pend- North Carolina deputy shot and she saw other shots being fired at demeanor drug possession con- cars to turn around. ing review by the State Bureau of killed a Black man while serving a the car. viction. “The police didn’t have to shoot Investigation. Wooten also did not search warrant Wednesday, au- “When they opened the door, he Dozens of people gathered at my baby,” said Martha McCullen, say what the warrant was for. thorities said, spurring an outcry was already dead,” Williams told the scene of the shooting in Eliza- an aunt of Brown who said she The State Bureau of Investiga- from community members who The Associated Press. “He was beth City, a municipality of about raised him after his parents died. tion will turn the findings of its re- demanded law enforcement ac- slumped over.” She said officers 18,000 people 170 miles northeast McCullen stood on the stoop of view over to District Attorney An- countability and the immediate tried to perform chest compres- of Raleigh, where they expressed Brown’s rental home, her eyes drew Womble, who pledged a release of body camera footage. sions on him. their anger and rallied around moist with emotion. thorough and deliberate inquiry. Authorities wouldn’t provide A car authorities removed from Brown’s family members. A large “Andrew Brown was a good “What we are looking for at this details of the shooting, but an eye- the scene appeared to have multi- crowd later stood outside City person,” she said. “He was about time will be accurate answers and witness said that Andrew Brown ple bullet holes and a broken rear Hall while the City Council held to get his kids back. He was a good not fast answers,” Womble told a Jr. was shot while trying to drive windshield. an emergency meeting, some father. Now his kids won’t never news conference. “We’re going to away, and that deputies fired at The Pasquotank County Sher- holding signs proclaiming “Black see him again.” wait for the full and complete in- him multiple times. The car skid- iff’s deputy was placed on leave Lives Matter” and “Stop killing Wooten said the deputy shot vestigation ... and we’ll review that ded out of Brown’s yard and even- pending a review by the State Bu- unarmed Black Men.” As the eve- Brown at about 8:30 a.m. The dep- and make any determinations that tually hit a tree, said Demetria reau of Investigation, Sheriff ning wore on, a group gathered in uty was wearing an active body we deem appropriate at that time. Williams, who lives on the same Tommy Wooten II said at a news the parking lot of the sheriff’s of- camera at the time of the shooting, This will not be a rush to judg- street. conference. Court records show fice and a crowd that grew to more said the sheriff, who declined to ment.” PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WORLD US: Iran’s return to nuke talks can ease sanctions

BY MATTHEW LEE of dollars in sanctions relief in ex- Associated Press change for curbs on its nuclear pro- WASHINGTON — A senior U.S. gram. But that relief largely evapo- official said Wednesday that the Bi- rated after Trump pulled out of the den administration has laid out ex- deal and began a self-styled “maxi- amples of the kinds of sanctions on mum pressure” campaign against Iran it’s willing to lift in exchange Tehran by reimposing the earlier for Iran’s return to compliance with sanctions and adding new ones. the 2015 nuclear deal. While the agreement allowed The official said the U.S. through countries to continue to impose intermediaries has presented Iran sanctions on Iran for non-nuclear ANUPAM NATH/AP with three baskets of sanctions: reasons, such as support for terror- A woman receives the COVAXIN vaccine for COVID­19 in Gauhati, India, on Thursday. India is experiencingthose it’s prepared to lift, those it’s ism and human rights abuses, some the world’s fastest pace of spreading infections and the highest daily increase in coronavirus cases. not prepared to lift and those that of the additional U.S. sanctions will require further study to deter- would have to be removed if Wash- mine if they are in fact appropriate ington is to return to the deal, ac- for relief under the nuclear deal. cording to the official. Low on beds and oxygen, The official briefed reporters on The official said the Trump ad- condition of anonymity because of ministration had designated some the confidential nature of the dis- nuclear sanctions as terrorism India adds 314K virus cases cussions. sanctions. That makes it more diffi- The official declined to specify cult for a future president to return Associated Press reporting acute shortages of beds ment has increased the quota of ox- which sanctions fall into which bas- to the deal. NEW DELHI — India reported a and medicine and are running on ygen for the seven worst-hit states. kets but said the third group is the Many of the sanctions that global record of more than 314,000 dangerously low levels of oxygen. Lockdowns and strict curbs have most problematic. That’s because it Trump imposed on Iran were clear- new infections Thursday as a grim The New Delhi High Court on brought pain, fear and agony to includes measures that current of- ly related to the nuclear program, coronavirus surge in the world’s Wednesday ordered the govern- many people in New Delhi and oth- ficials believe may have been im- including those that targeted com- second-most populous country ment to divert oxygen from indus- er cities. posed by the previous administra- panies and officials working on sends more and more sick people trial use to hospitals to save people’s In scenes familiar across the tion simply to complicate any po- atomic matters, and would have to into a fragile health care system lives. “You can’t have people die be- country, ambulances are rushing tential return to the deal that former be removed if the U.S. returned to critically short of hospital beds and cause there is no oxygen. Beg, bor- from one hospital to another, trying President Donald Trump withdrew the deal. But others, ostensibly im- oxygen. row or steal, it is a national emer- to find an empty bed. Grieving rela- from in 2018. posed on terrorism and human The 314,835 infections added in gency,” the judges said, responding tives line up outside crematoriums Any sanctions relief offered by rights grounds, are less clear cut, in- the past 24 hours raise India’s total to a petition by a New Delhi hospital where the number of dead bodies the administration will be strongly cluding those on Iran’s financial, past 15.9 million cases since the seeking the court’s intervention. has jumped several times. opposed by Republicans in Con- shipping, manufacturing and ener- pandemic began. It’s the second- The government is rushing ox- The Health Ministry said that of gress, who on Wednesday unveiled gy sectors. highest total in the world next to the ygen tankers to replenish supplies the country’s total production of draft legislation to codify the The official said there is not yet United States. India has nearly 1.4 to hospitals. 8,300 tons of oxygen per day, 7,275 Trump-era sanctions in law. Relief any sanctions relief agreement be- billion people. Indian Health Minister Harsh tons was being allocated for medi- will also likely be opposed by Israel, tween Iran, the U.S. or other parties Fatalities rose by 2,104 in the past Vardhan said on Thursday that “de- cal use. It also said that 75 railroad which regards Iran as an existential in the indirect negotiations taking 24 hours, raising India’s overall mand and supply is being moni- coaches in the Indian capital have threat, as well as Gulf Arab states place in Vienna on reviving the nu- death toll to 184,657, the Health tored round the clock.” He said in a been turned into hospitals provid- wary of Iran’s increasing aggres- clear deal. Those talks are in recess Ministry said. tweet that to address the exponen- ing an additional 1,200 beds for CO- siveness in the region. but are expected to resume next A large number of hospitals are tial spike in demand, the govern- VID-19 patients. The 2015 deal gave Iran billions week. Relics seized from smugglers are returning to Afghanistan Associated Press Manhattan District Attorney’s of- country outside of Kabul amid said the U.S. would remove all its WASHINGTON — Precious rel- fice and Homeland Security Inves- stalled talks with the government troops by Sept. 11, the 20th anniver- ics of Afghanistan’s ancient past tigations, which recovered the arti- and the looming withdrawal of U.S. sary of the attacks that prompted are returning home as the nation facts as part of a larger investiga- and NATO forces after two dec- the American invasion to dislodge confronts deepening uncertainty tion into the trafficking of antiqui- ades of war. Rahmani concedes it’s the Taliban in 2001 for allowing al- about its future. ties from a number of countries. a delicate time. Qaida to operate from Afghanis- Acollection of 33 artifacts seized Now, after briefly being dis- “However, what I know is that tan. from a New York-based art dealer played at the embassy in Washing- our security forces are determined Before the Sept. 11 attacks, the who authorities say was one of the ton, the masks, sculptures and oth- to defend our people,” she said in Taliban had already become inter- world’s most prolific smugglers of er items, some from the second and an interview with The Associated nationally notorious for enforcing antiquities was turned over by the third centuries, are en route to Ka- Press. “The government is com- a harsh form of Islamic law that U.S. to the government of Afghan- bul, where they are expected to go mitted to do its part for peace and kept women out of public view and istan this week. on display at the National Museum. stability in a way that would bring ANDREW HARNIK/AP for destroying — with rockets, “The significance of the material It’s the same museum where durable peace.” Afghan Ambassador to the U.S. shells and dynamite — the famed is huge,” Roya Rahmani, the coun- members of the Taliban destroyed They may get a chance earlier Roya Rahmani shows looted and giant, sixth century sandstone try’s ambassador to the U.S., said artifacts in 2001 as part of a cultural than expected. Germany’s De- stolen Afghan religious relics and Buddha statues built into a cliff in Wednesday. “Each one of these rampage rooted in a fundamental- fense Ministry said Wednesday antiquities recovered by U.S. Bamiyan province. pieces are priceless depictions of ist version of Islam in which depic- that discussions are underway government authorities. In contrast, the items are “re- our history.” tions of the human form are consid- among military planners with the turning to a government and peo- Rahmani formally took control ered offensive. NATO-led Resolute Support Mis- from Afghanistan as early as July ple who cherish their past” and will of the collection in a ceremony The Taliban are now out of pow- sion in Kabul for a possible with- 4. make sure they are preserved for Monday in New York with the er. But they control much of the drawal of international troops President Joe Biden has already future generations, Rahmani said. Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 WORLD Officials search for missing Indonesian sub

Associated Press tism in the area, and that officials JAKARTA — Indonesia’s navy hope it’s the submarine. ships on Thursday were intensely The navy believes the subma- searching for a submarine that rine sank to a depth of 2,000-2,300 likely fell too deep to retrieve, feet — much deeper than its col- making survival chances for the lapse depth estimated at 656 feet 53 people on board slim. Author- by a firm that refitted the vessel in ities said oxygen in the submarine 2009-12. would run out by early Saturday. Ahn Guk-hyeon, an official from The diesel-powered KRI Nang- South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuild- gala 402 was participating in a ing and Marine Engineering, said training exercise Wednesday his company upgraded much of when it missed a scheduled re- the Indonesian submarine’s inter- porting call. Officials reported an nal structures and systems, but it oil slick and the smell of diesel fuel lacks the latest information about near the starting position of its last the vessel. dive, about 60 miles north of the Indonesia’s military said Thurs- resort island of Bali, though there day that more than 20 navy ships, has been no conclusive evidence two submarines and five aircraft that they are linked to the subma- were searching an area where the rine. submarine was last detected. A “Hopefully we can rescue them hydro-oceanographic survey ship before the oxygen has run out” at 3 equipped with underwater detec- a.m. on Saturday, Indonesia’s na- tion capabilities was also en route. vy chief of staff, Adm. Yudo Mar- Margono said the oil slick may gono, told reporters. have been caused by a crack in the He said rescuers found an uni- submarine’s tank after the vessel dentified object with high magne- sank. PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13

Outriders is worth owning, WEEKEND if only that were an option Video games, Page 26

COVID (mostly) closed down the theaters ■ A capsule look at the best picture nominees, Page 15 and completely jumbled the movie business. ■ AP film critics predict the winners, Page 16 Studio tentpoles were replaced by smaller, ■ The disabled want to tell their own stories, Page 18 ■ streaming films with lots of heart. And, in the ‘Chicago 7’ became a film for these times, Page 19 ■ Soderbergh ready to shake up the telecast, Page 20 best shuffle of them all, awards season looks ■ Songsmith Diane Warren wants a special win, Page 29 a whole lot more diverse than ever.

STARS AND STRIPES ILLUSTRATION/AP photo

Gadgets — 14 Travel & Food — 21-25 Music — 28-29 Health — 32 Crossword — 34 PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: GADGETS & TECHNOLOGY Surf’s up High-tech robotic surfboards could change what we know about Gulf Stream’s effects

BY MATTHEW CAPPUCCI The Washington Post he Gulf Stream, the warm water current that weaves a serpentine path from the west Atlan- tic to the United Kingdom, routinely brews Tsome of the most extreme winter storms in the northern hemisphere, disrupting shipping and marine commerce while affecting weather throughout the globe. The Gulf Stream is also an enormous absorber of car- SAILDRONE INC./The Washington Post bon dioxide, trapping greenhouse gases and preventing Saildrones are being launched into the North Atlantic to study the effects of the Gulf Stream on climate and weather. the pace of climate change from accelerating further. Scientists are now hoping to gain a better understand- motivated Saildrone to work with partners to explore the the Atlantic largely bereft of weather buoys. That could ing of what makes the Gulf Stream tick by launching current’s role in the sequestration and release of CO2. prove enormously beneficial in improving the accuracy “saildrones” — or surfboard-like “uncrewed surface They’re partnering with National Oceanic and Atmo- of weather forecasts. vehicles” — that will ride the waters and transmit obser- spheric Administration, along with Palter, to analyze the The European Centre for Medium-range Weather vations for up to a year. Developed by the Saildrone findings once obtained. Forecasts, or ECMWF, hosts the most powerful weather company in Alameda, Calif., they are used to survey “We need a more accurate global carbon budget, and model in the world and is often considered the most weather and ocean observations and can cover thou- missions like this one will support that and help test our accurate. It hopes that data provided by the Saildrones sands of square miles with no carbon footprint. assumptions,” Miglarese said. will improve forecasts made for Europe. “We had a competition where we asked what people With the help of a roughly $1 million investment from “We will ingest some of the data from the Saildrones, would do if they had a Saildrone for a month,” said Anne Google, Saildrone will be launching a half dozen of its but not all,” Philip Browne, a data scientist at the Miglarese, Saildrone’s program executive officer for drones to roam the North Atlantic. The company has ECMWF, wrote in an email. “In particular we will use impact science. Jaime Palter, a professor of oceanog- three sizes of drones and is choosing its 23-foot Explorer the surface pressure data operationally, and that will go raphy at the University of Rhode Island, said she would model for this mission. straight into the weather forecasts we produce.” “stick it in the Gulf Stream,” Miglarese recalled. The drones resemble enormous surfboards with fins That could bring model improvements as soon as the Saildrone was enthusiastic about the proposal. It and have a 16-foot sail on top that is used as a mast for data starts flowing. loaned Palter a unit that was launched from Newport, weather instruments, solar panels and a camera. It can Ocean current data from the Gulf Stream will be vet- R.I., on Jan. 30, 2019. Palter’s aim was to better under- travel at speeds of three knots on missions lasting up to a ted and used only internally at first because scientists at stand how currents like the Gulf Stream fit into the glob- year at a time. the ECMWF need to make sure the data is processed al carbon cycle and how much of a net carbon sink, or The drones are powered by sunlight and wind and and handled by computers correctly. absorber, they are. Humans routinely emit more than 35 wirelessly transmit compressed data back to shore. “The many other sensors and observation types car- billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, about a third of Some Saildrones are equipped to monitor populations of ried by the Saildrones have different routes into the which is believed to immediately end up in the oceans. sharks and other fish and algae. system,” Browne said. “For example, the sea surface Recent Saildrone missions in the Antarctic have shown The design builds upon the last iteration of the Sail- temperature measurements will end up in our fore- that the ocean’s role in the carbon cycle may not be as drone Explorer, which was used in Palter’s 2019 study. casts.” well understood as once believed, which could result in During that mission, a strong gust of wind tore the wing He explained that sea surface data is first taken in by significant changes in how scientists model and research from the Saildrone — but that didn’t halt the project. the United Kingdom Met Office, which produces a global the dynamics of climate change. “The wing ripped in half, but the drone continued to sea surface temperature analysis, which is fed into the “We circumnavigated the Antarctic last year on anoth- operate for about 10 days,” said Miglarese. “They got ECMWF model. er philanthropic mission focused on monitoring carbon,” more data than they’ve ever gotten before. After that “The data should be available for all weather centres Miglarese explained. “The scientific consensus [at the mission, Richard [an engineer] redesigned the wing. to use if they can,” Browne wrote. time] was that the Antarctic was a sink for carbon. Our Now they are meant specifically for this work.” In the meantime, Miglarese said she is excited for science showed it was a source part of the year.” The new “hurricane wings” will be added to Sail- what’s ahead for Saildrone and is looking to the rollout of According to the paper published with the data, “ob- drones that NOAA will place in the tropics during hurri- its biggest model yet — the Saildrone Surveyor. serving the Southern Ocean is challenging due to its size, cane season as part of a later project. “We just launched a 72-foot drone that does bathy- remoteness, and harsh conditions,” a problem that is also Saildrone’s latest endeavor will investigate more than metric measurements,” she said. Bathymetry describes inveterate to the North Atlantic during winter. just dissolved carbon concentration. The drones will the shape, depth and topographic features of the sea The challenges of collecting data from the Gulf Stream collect weather and water temperature data in a part of floor. “It’s a big vessel. It’s pushing a lot of power.”

GADGETS Desktop stand elevates tablets for easier viewing

BY GREGG ELLMAN use it with any brand tablet with a maximum molecules lock together to form a barrier that Tribune News Service screen dimension of 13 inches. disperses the energy across the entire sur- The first thing you notice about the well- And while the tablet is secured in the Sa- face of the screen, protecting it from damage. built and solid Satechi aluminum desktop techi aluminum desktop stand, ports for What it means to you is the crystal-clear stand for iPad is the weight. At 1 pound and 10 charging are easily accessible through slots protection with the D3O additive makes the ounces, the bottom-heavy stand is perfect for on the bottom of the mount. screen protectors more than 20 percent keeping a tablet in place without worrying Online: satechi.net; $44.99 stronger, with more impact and shatter pro- about it tipping over. tection compared to the original GlassFusion. Most of the weight is in the base of the Invisible Shield, a Zagg Brands company The GlassFusion+ with D3O ($49.99) stand, which holds and elevates the iPad to a and the industry leader in smartphone dis- provides users with a complete edge-to-edge better viewing angle with the adjustable play protection, has announced that the screen and contains anti-microbial proper- mount. Its protective padding prevents GlassFusion VisionGuard+ with D3O and ties. scratching or damage to the iPad, and it is GlassFusion+ with D3O is now available for With the GlassFusion VisionGuard+ with collapsible for storage or portability. the iPhone 12 family. D30 ($59.99), the screen protector is engi- The height cannot be modified, but the The hybrid screen protectors have D30, neered to be unbreakable and features an SATECHI/TNS base hinge is adjustable up to 135 degrees described by the company as a non-New- eye-safe technology layer that blocks HEV The Satechi aluminum desktop stand is and the mount is adjustable up to 180 de- tonian fluid. In its raw, flexible form, D3O is blue light without distorting the screen color. perfect for any tablet. grees. Even with iPad in the name, you can fluid, but when it experiences impact, the Online: zagg.com Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 WEEKEND: ACADEMY AWARDS The nominees are ... Snapshots of the 8 films nominated for best picture at the 2021 Oscars

BY MOIRA MACDONALD The Seattle Times t’s Oscar season, and ... meh. That’s not a “meh” for the quality of the nominees this year; some terrific films are in the race, and the lack of big-studio tentpoles has given more visibility to smaller, interesting Imovies. But for those of us who fell in love with movies because of their immersive, larger- than-life-ness, the year’s been a big cinematic sigh. With cinemas shuttered for much of 2020, and many potential moviegoers still waiting for vaccinations before venturing out, it’s been a time of watching movies at home, wondering what the experience might feel like in their proper size. And Sunday's Oscars feel weirdly off-kilter; pushed out two months from their usual late- February slot, and decidedly unfestive this year (no Oscar parties, alas). However, let us look on the bright side: This year’s nominees are as accessible as they have ever been, with all of the best picture nominees currently available for streaming. And they’re a fresh and compelling lot. Catching up with a few of them, I was struck anew by what it feels like to watch a crowd of people, or even a small maskless group. Movies are always time capsules — this year, more than ever. So, as I anxiously await a return to movie theaters, let’s take a look at this year’s eight best pic- ture candidates, viewed virtually. ‘Nomadland’ ‘Sound of Metal’ “Nomadland” has dominated the best­picture category Two of the front-runners are films I reviewed earlier “Sound of Metal,” from first-time feature filmmaker thus far during awards season — earning best film at the this year. Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland,” which won the Darius Marder, likewise shows us a central character BAFTA Awards, best picture drama at the Golden Globes, Producers Guild Award on March 25 (often a harbinger trying to find his way through a best picture at the Critics Choice Awards and best film at of Oscar gold), showcases a brilliant Frances McDor- major life change. Ruben (best the Producers Guild Awards. mand as a woman for whom home isn’t a place, but some- actor nominee Riz Ahmed) is a thing you carry. It’s a quiet, meditative film of often stun- punk-metal drummer who is hor- shriek of a film, it stars Carey Mulligan (nominated for ning beauty (the gorgeous cinematography, by Joshua rified one day to realize that he best actress) as a woman determined to seek vengeance James Richards, is also nominated, as is Zhao herself for has experienced significant hear- for an act that the movie takes its time revealing, putting director, screenplay and editing) and while I watched it ing loss. I loved how this movie herself in danger by pretending to be drunk in bars and wishing I could have seen McDormand work her magic uses sound, letting us hear things going home with strange men. “Promising Young Wom- on a larger-than-life screen, it nonetheless has pleasantly the way Ruben hears them: the an” is fierce, feminist and not perfect; I struggled with its haunted me thereafter. (Streaming on Hulu.) eerily vibrating silence, the fara- ending, and its playful tone occasionally slips off the pre- way quality of the voices, the way cipice on which it dances. But I love that there was room ‘Minari’ he flails away on his drums, des- in the Academy’s list for this film, particularly for Mulli- perately trying to make a noise he “Minari,” a delicate drama from Lee Isaac Chung, gan’s sly, heartbreaking performance. (Available to rent can hear. Unfolding slowly and deliberately, the film follows a South Korean immigrant family in pursuit of on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu.) becomes a showcase for a beautifully nuanced perform- their American dream; it’s a deep- ance by Ahmed, and a reminder of the importance of ly personal film for Chung, who ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ finding moments of stillness. This is another one I would drew on memories of his own ’80s have loved to have seen in a theater, letting that sound Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” like typical Arkansas childhood. In another wrap around me, but I’m happy to have seen this film in Sorkin fare, is a) crammed full of rapid-fire dialogue, to year, a film this quiet might have any way — and that the Academy recognized its quiet such an extent that watching it is easily been overlooked, but luckily power. (Available on Amazon Prime Video.) occasionally exhausting, b) longer we can call “Minari” a pandemic than it needs to be, and c) slyly gift. The film received six nomi- ‘Mank’ entertaining. Some of it feels all nations (including a best actor nod too scripted (the rousing final for Steven Yeun, the first Asian It’s been several months since I watched “Mank,” Da- speech by Eddie Redmayne’s Tom actor ever nominated in the cate- vid Fincher’s black-and-white tale of Old Hollywood (its Hayden is a Sorkin invention), but gory) and an ever-growing audi- title character, Herman J. Mankiewicz, is the screenwrit- a lot of it is an accurate repre- ence; it’s a gentle love letter both er of “Citizen Kane”), but I remember very clearly how I sentation of a remarkably theat- to Chung’s family, and to ours. (Available for rental on felt when I finished it: simultaneously impressed and rical event: the aftermath of anti- Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu.) disappointed. I wanted to love it; I didn’t. The film is war demonstrations during the clearly a labor of love for Fincher, whose meticulous 1968 Democratic National Conven- ‘The Father’ devotion to the period (World War II-era Hollywood) is tion, when eight defendants were evident in every soft-gray frame — and the more you The British film “The Father,” directed by Florian put on trial. The cast, particularly Sacha Baron Cohen as know about old movies in general and “Citizen Kane” Zeller (based on his play), is a different kind of family Abbie Hoffman, is skilled, the subject matter feels timely specifically, the more you’ll enjoy spotting the many af- drama — a devastating, artful portrait of a man slipping and the movie works well on a small screen — the dimi- fectionate references Fincher throws in. But ultimately, away. Anthony (a masterful Anthony Hopkins, nominated nution calms things down a bit. (Available on Netflix.) for me, “Mank” felt like an overlong exercise in style, for best actor), struggling with early stages of dementia, never quite making the case for its central character has moved in with his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman, (played by a nominated Gary Oldman) being worthy of ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ nominated for supporting actress) and we watch as he such a tribute. Maybe I need to watch it a few more times. desperately tries to impose order and control on a life that A.O. Scott of The New York Times called Shaka King’s The Academy disagrees with me; “Mank” received 10 increasingly seems unfamiliar. Zeller puts us directly “Judas and the Black Messiah” a “tense, methodical his- nominations, more than any other movie. Not sure I’d put inside Anthony’s confusion: Familiar faces suddenly seem torical drama,” in which LaKeith Stanfield (nominated money on it winning any of them, but we’ll see. (Stream- to be strangers (literally, due to clever casting changes for supporting actor) plays real-life character Bill O’Neal, ing on Netflix.) that keep us confused as well) as his life becomes a fright- at once head of security for the Black Panther Party in ening hall of mirrors. By its heartbreaking ending, “The ‘Promising Young Woman’ Chicago and paid informant for the FBI. Stanfield will be Father” has taken us on a painful journey well worth up against castmate Daniel Kaluuya, who plays Illinois taking, and reminded us that Hopkins — making his char- The audacious, candy-bright and wicked-dark thriller Black Panthers head Fred Hampton; the film is also nom- acter vulnerable yet lionlike, fading away yet fighting to “Promising Young Woman,” written and directed by inated for best screenplay, cinematography and original stay visible — is among the greatest of screen actors. Emerald Fennell, is the sort of movie — unlike “Mank” — song. (Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple (Available for rental on Amazon Prime Video.) that the Academy usually would never honor. A metallic TV, Google Play, Vudu.) PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: ACADEMY AWARDS BEST PICKS Ahead of Sunday’s 93rd Academy Awards, Associated Press film writers share their predictions for a ceremony that is forging on in the midst of the pandemic

BY JAKE COYLE AND LINDSEY BAHR Associated Press Best actress Best supporting actress THE NOMINEES: Carey Mulligan, THE NOMINEES: Maria Bakalova, “Promising Young Woman”; Frances “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”; Glenn McDormand, “Nomadland”; Viola Davis, Close, “Hillbilly Elegy”; Olivia Colman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”; Vanessa “The Father”; Amanda Seyfried, “Mank”; Kirby, “Pieces of a Woman”; Andra Day, Yuh-Jung Youn, “Minari” “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” BAHR: In a category where Amanda BAHR: The best actress race is perhaps Seyfried started out seeming like a lock, the biggest wild card of the night. Viola the tide has shifted toward Yuh-Jung Davis won the Screen Actors Guild Youn for her performance as the uncon- Award, Andra Day won the Golden Globe ventional grandmother Soonja in “Mina- and Frances McDormand won the BAF- ri.” It’s a difficult task to be both the comic TA. It’s chaos! Day still seems like a long relief and the heart of a film, but she pulls shot, and McDormand’s last win still it off effort- seems fresh enough that it might push lessly, which voters who would’ve otherwise went for is why she her Fern elsewhere. This year I’m in- probably will clined to believe that Davis will walk away and should with the trophy for her raw portrayal of win (although blues singer Ma Rainey, but I can’t help Maria Bakalo- Searchlight Pictures but think that perhaps Mulligan should va could Frances McDormand stars in “Nomadland,” which is expected to rise to the top of the win for “Promising Young Woman.” As sweep in with pack of eight best picture nominees. Also shown: David Strathairn. for who should’ve been a contender, there a possible are so many, but two of my favorites in- upset). Both clude Aubrey Plaza in the criminally un- Best picture women ele- derseen “Black Bear” and Han Ye-ri, who THE NOMINEES: “The Father,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Mank,” vated their gave my favorite performance in “Minari” “Minari,” “Nomadland,” “Promising Young Woman,” “Sound of Metal,” “The respective as the long-suffering, steadfast mother Trial of the Chicago 7” A24 films and Monica. COYLE: A contemplative character study made for $5 million and populated by Yuh­Jung Youn in “Minari” deserve all COYLE: Chaos indeed! I think this is a non-professional actors, Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” is not your typical Oscar the attention toss up between Davis and Mulligan, with heavyweight. And yet it’s overwhelming the favorite, a roundly acclaimed movie they’re getting. And Seyfried will abso- the edge going to Davis after her SAG win. from an exciting auteur that has already ruled at the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs lutely get her Oscar sometime. I would Davis has won before, for her titanic per- and, most crucially, the producers and directors’ guilds. The weirdness of this have liked to see Talia Ryder recognized formance in “Fences.” But that came unending pandemic awards season adds a drop of uncertainty to everything. But for “Never Rarely Sometimes Always.” (somewhat debatably) as supporting ac- as much as I’d like to see “Sound of Metal,”“Promising Young Woman” or “Mina- COYLE: This has been a shape-shifting tress. And there is justice in Davis — very ri” sneak in for an upset, “Nomadland” is a near-lock, and an eminently worthy race, but Youn is definitely in the lead. I’d possibly the greatest actor alive — taking winner. But it’s udder madness that Kelly Reichardt’s lyrical “First Cow” never like to see more love all around for “Mina- the top award, especially when you factor contended here. And how much better would the season have been if Steve ri,” but it’s kind of fitting that Lee Isaac in the category’s history. Just once before McQueen’s explosive “Small Axe” film anthology (which instead will vie at the Chung’s film be celebrated through the has a Black woman (Halle Berry in 2002 Emmys) had somehow been in the mix? Old Oscar traditions are eroding, but not minari-growing matriarch of the movie. for “Monster’s Ball”) won best actress. quickly enough. Two other names that I wish were here, Still, the race would have been all the BAHR: You had to bring up “Small Axe,” didn’t you? I would have liked to see both for disarmingly funny, natural per- more interesting if it hadn’t overlooked “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” go the distance too, but I guess this year there formances: Cristin Milioti, MVP of “Palm two of the year’s best performances: Rad- was only room for one contemplative character study made for under $5 million — Springs,” and Dylan Gelula of the indie ha Blank (“The Forty-Year-Old Version”) and the one about the rural Pennsylvania teens on a bleak road trip wasn’t it. But it college romance “S----house.” and Carrie Coon (“The Nest”). would still be “Nomadland’s” year, and that’s only cause for celebration. SEE PICKS ON PAGE 17

Best actor THE NOMINEES: Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal”; Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”; Anthony Hopkins, “The Father”; Gary Old- man, “Mank”; Steven Yeun, “Minari” COYLE: After some ho-hum years, the best actor category is really strong this time around. I loved all of these performances. Still, this award has — rightly — belonged to Boseman throughout an award season that has dou- bled as tribute and wake for the late “Ma Rainey” actor. His greatest per- formance was his last. Some see a chance of Hopkins (who won at the BAF- TAs) pulling off an upset for his devastating portrait of a man stricken with dementia. But I don’t. Expect Boseman to become the third actor to win an Oscar posthumously, following Heath Ledger (“The Dark Knight”) and Peter Finch (“Network”). I wouldn’t swap any of these nominees out, but Sacha Baron Cohen’s high- wire guerrilla performance in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” is in a cate- gory by itself. BAHR: Could you imagine if Boseman didn’t win? The grit and commit- ment in all these performances are worth singing about, though. Netflix There were so many others that could have fit in here too, like Delroy Netflix Chadwick Boseman in his final film, Lindo for “Da 5 Bloods,” Mads Mikkelsen for “Another Round” or, while Viola Davis in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” we’re bending categories, even Hugh Jackman for “Bad Education.” Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 WEEKEND: ACADEMY AWARDS Picks: ‘Nomadland’ should take awards for film, filmmaker

FROM PAGE 16 Best supporting actor THE NOMINEES: Sacha Baron Cohen, “The Trial of the Chicago 7”; Daniel Kalu- uya, “Judas and the Black Messiah”; Leslie Odom Jr., “One Night in Miami”; Paul Raci, “Sound of Metal”; LaKeith Stanfield, “Judas and the Black Messiah” COYLE: This seems certain to go to Daniel Kaluuya. For his mighty perform- ance as Black Panther leader Fred Hamp- ton, Kaluuya (a nominee for “Get Out”) has racked up wins at the SAGs, Globes and BAFTAs. A little wrinkle came when Stanfield was unexpectedly nominated Warner Bros. Pictures here despite being campaigned for as a Daniel Kaluuya should get his due for his leading actor — and that could split some portrayal of Black Panther Fred Hampton of the vote between the two “Judas and in “Judas and the Black Messiah.” the Black Messiah” stars. Stanfield, for StudioCanal me, is the best actor in this bunch. But this Documentary “Another Round,” a Danish movie starring Mads Mikkelsen, is one of the international is Kaluuya’s year. Stanfield will be back, THE NOMINEES: “Collective,” “Crip feature frontrunners. Director Thomas Vinterberg is also nominated for the film. as will some of the performers who missed Camp,” “The Mole Agent,” “My Octopus out, like Kingsley Ben-Adir, terrific as Teacher,” “Time” Malcolm X in “One Night in Miami.” COYLE: With increasing frequency, this BAHR: Oh, Kingsley Ben-Adir! If I’m is the best Oscar category, and it’s the one being perfectly honest, I would have been with the most snubs. Some of the very best happy if the supporting slate was simply movies of the year — including “Dick the cast of “One Night in Miami,” plus Johnson Is Dead” and “The Truffle Hun- Kaluuya. I do think Paul Raci has a shot as ters” — didn’t make it through the crowd- the Cinderella story of awards season, but ed shortlist stage. And still the films that it’s time to get Kaluuya up on that stage. did get nominated are sensational. Prob- Director ably the only one that I wouldn’t pick — “My Octopus Teacher” — is going to win. THE NOMINEES: Chloé Zhao, “No- Little noticed at its debut last fall, the madland”; Lee Isaac Chung, “Minari”; film’s audience swelled on Netflix, turning David Fincher, “Mank”; Emerald Fen- it into an out-of-the-blue Academy Awards nell, “Promising Young Woman”; Thomas contender. I would cheer loudest, though, Vinterberg, “Another Round” if “Crip Camp” were to win. It would be a BAHR: The directing category is Chloé triumph for a warm-hearted film, and for Zhao’s to lose, and I think she both will the disability community. win and BAHR: Even the shortlist itself was Netflix DENISE SHERER JACOBS/Netflix should win for brutal, leaving out “The Dissident” and The documentary nominee “My Octopus “Crip Camp” argues that a summer camp the transcend- “Acasa, My Home,” but the documentary Teacher” got a big boost from its wide in the Catskills contributed to the disability ent “Nomad- category has long left out some of the availability on Netflix. rights movement of the 1970s. land,” even if medium’s best work (hi “Hoop Dreams”). it’s become a It is odd that a late-game Netflix sensation foregone like “My Octopus Teacher” somehow conclusion at became the frontrunner, but I’m trying not this point. In to judge what people connect to this year an awards even if I would prefer an urgent piece like season as “Collective” take the prize. endless as this one, it’s hard International feature TAYLOR JEWELL, INVISION/AP not to be THE NOMINEES: “Quo Vadis, Aida?”, Chloe Zhao is director of skeptical of Bosnia and Herzegovina; “Another “Nomadland.” any film and Round,” Denmark; “Better Days,” Hong filmmaker Kong; “Collective,” Romania; “The Man that has thus far swept most awards. But Who Sold His Skin,” Tunisia that this tiny movie has had such an ascent BAHR: This category seems to be a race is something of a miracle and well de- between Denmark’s “Another Round” and served. The bonus is that (hopefully) we’ll Romania’s “Collective,” both of which finally have more than one best director- were nominated in other prominent cate- winner who is a woman. That said, it gories (director and documentary, respec- would have been nice had Miranda July tively). I think this one will veer towards (“Kajillionaire”) been among the conten- “Another Round” simply because its di- Disney/Pixar ders as well. recting nod gave it a brighter spotlight and Jamie Foxx voices main character Joe Gardner in the animation front­runner “Soul.” COYLE: I like imagining the Dynes of a bigger audience and voters have a “Kajillionaire” getting all dressed up and chance to honor “Collective” in another Ahumannimated rights feature tragedy. released their most enchanting and ambi- taking multiple bus transfers to the Os- category. Another film that would have tious film yet. Tomm Moore and Ross cars. But Zhao will win, and it should be a been a worthy contender here is Italy’s THE NOMINEES: “Onward,” “Over Stewart’s “Wolfwalkers,” the culmination great moment. Not just because she’ll be “Martin Eden.” the Moon,” “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: of a triptych of Irish folklore, is impossibly only the second woman to win the award, COYLE: “Another Round” is a lock. But Farmageddon,” “Soul,” “Wolfwalkers” stunning. Every hand-drawn frame is a but because she’s an exceptional — and “Quo Vadis, Aida?” is really good, too. COYLE: Pixar, like always, seems to work of art. It’s the Kilkenny-based stu- exceptionally humble — filmmaker with a Jasmila Žbanic dramatizes the lead-up to have this in the bag. The studio’s “Soul” is dio’s fifth Oscar nomination, and it’s time lot of movies ahead of her. More often, this the 1995 massacre of Bosnian Muslim men the clear favorite. There’s so much that’s they won one. award goes to someone who’s been around and boys by the Bosnian Serb army in wondrous in Pete Docter’s film that its BAHR: Disney and Pixar are hard to a while. Pretty soon, we’ll be wondering Srebrenica. Following a fictional trans- Oscar victory is hardly something to la- beat. Since 2010, they’ve won eight times, how it’s possible that David Fincher — lator (Jasna Duricic) working for the Unit- ment. But you couldn’t find a better un- and the other two were not exactly indies maybe the very best Hollywood director of ed Nations, the film devastatingly probes a derdog than the plucky Irish animation (“Rango,” “Spider-Verse”). I’m rooting for his era — hasn’t ever won. studio Cartoon Saloon, which last year “Wolfwalkers,” but betting on “Soul.” PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: ACADEMY AWARDS

DOUG ROLAND FILMS/AP Steven Prescod as Tereek, left, and Robert Tarango as Artie, appear in a scene from “Feeling Through.” Tarango is the deaf­blind star of the nominated short. ‘Not just the flavor of the year’ Actors, actresses with disabilities are finally getting a moment in the Oscar spotlight that they hope becomes a movement BY ANDREW DALTON asked that he direct “Crip Camp” with her. Associated Press She wanted a disability-led perspective ight down to its production de- after he suggested she make a documentary sign, the Oscars have not always about his summer camp and its essential felt like the most welcoming role in the birth of the disability rights Rplace for the disabled. movement. “I’ve always seen that stage with its stairs “If we just realize that the stories around as a symbol that they don’t expect people disabilities aren’t just about overcoming who had mobility issues to be nominated or adversity or tragedy,” he said, “then I think to win an award,” said Jim LeBrecht, the we could see kind of the beginning of a co-director and co-star of the Oscar-nomi- golden age where finally people with dis- nated documentary “Crip Camp.” “It’s abilities show their true lives, their real life always been this kind of negative tacit state- experiences.” ment.” The disabled have long been among the This year shows signs of change. Le- least represented groups in film and televi- Brecht, who has spina bifida and uses a sion. Last year, USC Annenberg’s annual wheelchair, will attend the April 25 ceremo- inequality report found that, only 2.3% of all ny. So will Robert Tarango, the deaf-blind speaking characters across the 100 top- star of the nominated short, “Feeling grossing films of 2019 were even depicted Through.” with a disability, much less played by a The victors’ podium will be accessible for disabled actor. both. And LeBrecht hopes that will become “Feeling Through” director Doug Roland a permanent change, both literally and called stats like that “abysmal,” but said his figuratively. CHARLES SYKES, INVISION/AP determination to cast a deaf-blind actor in The two films, along with “Sound of Met- Co­directors Jim LeBrecht, left, and Nicole Newnham, center, from the documentary the film based on a real chance encounter al,” nominated for six awards including “Crip Camp,” pose with film subject Judith Heumann during the 2020 Sundance Film he had on the street, was not made from any best picture, have the people behind them Festival in Utah. LeBrecht, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, says a golden sense of inclusion. hoping their Oscar moment can become a age for disabled films could come if Hollywood lets them tell their own stories. “I wasn’t even thinking from what I now catalyst for Hollywood to stop using the know is the conversation around authentic disabled as sources of inspiration, objects of pushed for greater race and gender in- year, that it goes beyond, and that this is a representation, which I’ve had like a real pity, or twisted villains. clusion in recent years. The disabled can trend that will continue.” master class in over the last three years,” “I think that the goal is to alleviate the too often be forgotten in that discussion. Traditionally in Academy Award-nomi- Roland said. “I was just thinking, you know, fear,” Tarango said through a translator, “to “It’s time that people need to recognize nated movies, disabled people appear only I think this would just be a lot more impact- open the doors so that executives don’t look that diversity should include the disabled, when an actor seeking an Oscar-worthy ful if we have someone from the community at our ability to hear or not to hear and to the deaf-blind and the deaf community,” role plays one on screen. be a part of this.” see that somebody who is blind, deaf-blind, Marlee Matlin, an executive producer on That has led some disabled people to feel His search led him to the Helen Keller who has any kind of disability, is just part of “Feeling Through” and the only deaf actor like “they’re stealing our stories,” said National Center, which helped him find the world and can be part of these films.” to win an Oscar, said through a translator. LeBrecht, a sound designer whose friend, The academy, under pressure, has “I hope that it’s not just the flavor of the documentary director Nicole Newnham, SEE CATALYST ON PAGE 19 Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 WEEKEND: ACADEMY AWARDS Catalyst: Inclusion on the way, actor says FROM PAGE 18

Tarango, who was working in their kitchen. The center then helped him extensively through every step of the process. “We bring a culture to this,” Tarango said. “We bring our inde- pendence that people don’t often see. I was excited, excited and grateful honestly to Doug for pick- ing someone who was deaf-blind, because I think that has helped in the success of the film.” When Matlin won her 1987 Oscar for “Children of a Lesser God,” it felt like a major break- through. But a flood of roles and nominations didn’t follow for deaf or other disabled actors. “I thought, ‘OK, it will break barriers,’” Matlin said. “But then, the focus moved away.” She said the lack of social media Netflix at the time made it very difficult to Director and writer Aaron Sorkin speaks with members of the cast on “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” The film, which follows the Vietnam War apply pressure and build mo- protesters accused of inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention, has been nominated for six Academy Awards. mentum for a cause the way the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag did for Black actors. Now, she says disabled people and their advocates are “able to More relevant than ever speak out from wherever they are. They are able to lend their voice, their opinions, their views, their visions, their imaginations.” ‘Trial of the Chicago 7’ director, writer Sorkin reflects on the film, which took 14 years to complete “Sound of Metal” has been praised for its authentic exam- BY KELLY GILBLOM creator of the TV series “The West Wing,” notion of turning the story into a Broadway ination of the world of the deaf, AND LUCAS SHAW over to his house on a Saturday morning in musical or play. He rewrote the screenplay and its use of deaf actors in sup- Bloomberg 2006 and said he wanted to make a movie dozens of times and the film went through porting roles. It has also received aron Sorkin has seen a lot over more about the Chicago Seven. Sorkin enthusiasti- numerous iterations, first with Spielberg set to some deaf-community criticism than 30 years in Hollywood, but cally agreed to write it without admitting he direct, then with different actors including for casting a hearing actor, Riz even he couldn’t have predicted didn’t know what Spielberg was talking about. Seth Rogen and Dane Cook, before eventually Ahmed, in the lead role of a drum- Ahow neatly a Vietnam War-era film “I left his house, called my father and asked going into production at ViacomCBS Inc.’s mer who must reckon with losing would fit the political climate of 2020. who the Chicago Seven were,” Sorkin recalled. Paramount Pictures with the current cast and his hearing. “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” the second The Chicago Seven (there were initially Sorkin as director. Paul Raci, a child of deaf par- movie directed by the famed screenwriter, eight) were from different factions of the anti- Last spring, it was clear the coronavirus was ents who is nominated for best follows the Vietnam War protesters who were war movement that rallied thousands of young going to disrupt Paramount’s plans for a theat- supporting actor for his role as a accused of inciting riots at the 1968 Democrat- people to come to Chicago in the summer of rical release. Market research indicated the leader of a sober house for the ic Convention. The film has been nominated 1968 to protest the Democratic Party’s expect- first customers to come back to theaters would deaf, understands the criticism, for six Academy Awards, including for Sor- ed nomination of Vice President Hubert Hum- be people who thought COVID-19 was a hoax. but said “for the most part, deaf kin’s screenplay, and represents Netflix Inc.’s phrey to succeed President Lyndon Johnson. And they might not have been sympathetic to people have accepted this movie latest shot at the industry’s top prize. They were met by 12,000 Chicago policemen, the film’s message, studio Chairman Jim Gia- with open arms.” Reflecting on the film, which took about 14 5,600 members of the Illinois National Guard nopulos and the filmmakers agreed. “It shows a deaf sober house, years to make from conception to completion, and 5,000 U.S. Army soldiers. “We didn’t have much confidence the Idaho deaf people as addicts, which is a Sorkin marveled at how little things have The trial began more than a year later, militia was going to show up opening week- totally new idea to show deaf peo- changed in the 60 years since Tom Hayden, pressed by President Richard Nixon’s Justice end,” said Sorkin, who won an Oscar in 2011 ple as people that have the same Abbie Hoffman, Bobby Seale and the others Department. Sorkin did some firsthand re- for adapting the Facebook story “The Social foibles you and I have, the same went on trial for their roles in the riots. The search through conversations with Hayden, a Network” to the big screen. challenges, the same journeys,” anti-racism movement of last summer helped leader of Students for a Democratic Society at Tyler Thompson, a producer at Cross Creek Raci said. audiences connect with its message about the the University of Michigan in the 1960s. Hay- Pictures who worked with Sorkin on the mo- And he believes the larger con- importance of protest in a democracy, he said. den, who’s played by Eddie Redmayne, gave vie, said the transition to streaming went versation the movie has helped “We thought the movie was plenty relevant Sorkin a sense of the tension between himself smoothly and may ultimately have been a good open will mean even more. last winter when we were making it,” Sorkin, and Hoffman, a prominent antiwar activist thing. The film cost about $35 million to make “You’re going to see more in- 59, said in a phone interview from his home in who is played in the film by Sacha Baron Co- and would have eaten up a similar amount in clusion in casting in this town, in Los Angeles. “We didn’t need it to get more hen. Hoffman took his own life in 1989. Hay- marketing. Netflix bought the picture for $56 Hollywood,” he said. “You’re going relevant, but it did, obviously. I’ve been asked den, who later had a long career in California million and released it to home audiences on to see a lot more differently-abled a lot if I changed the script to reflect events in politics and was married for 17 years to actress Oct. 16. people, people that use wheel- the world. And I didn’t ever. The world Jane Fonda, died in 2016 after a lengthy ill- “It’s interesting to watch the Netflix big chairs, blind, deaf, there’s going to changed to reflect the script.” ness. machine,” Thompson said. “They reach 600 be a lot more of those kind of pro- The idea for the movie came from Oscar- The drama between the two became an million people. It’s pretty fantastic, to say the tagonists. And you’re going to winning director Steven Spielberg, who has important part of the script, along with the least. It was definitely a lifeboat that was an watch those journeys unfold on the made a few of his own historical pictures, police confrontation early in the film and the unlikely possibility, but they saw what we screen.” including “Lincoln.” He called Sorkin, the courtroom fireworks, after Sorkin dropped the saw.” PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: ACADEMY AWARDS ‘It needs to evolve’ Oscars co-producer says the COVID pandemic provided an opportunity to tweak, rethink this year’s telecast

BY JAKE COYLE Associated Press inety seconds. That’s how quickly Steven So- derbergh believes the Academy Awards will convince viewers that this year’s telecast is Ndifferent. The concept for the show, which Soderbergh is produc- ing with Stacey Sher and Jesse Collins, is to treat the telecast not like a TV show but a movie. And he’s con- vinced he’s got a doozy of an opening scene. “We’re going to announce our intention immediately,” Soderbergh says. “Right out of the gate, people are going to know: ‘We’ve got to put our seatbelt on.’” Changing the Academy Awards, a 93-year-old Amer- CHRIS PIZZELLO,INVISION/AP ican institution, has typically proven an exercise in futil- When the Oscars broadcast begins April 25 on ABC, there won’t be an audience. The base of the show won’t take ity. Tweaks have been tried along the place in the Academy Awards’ usual home, but will be held at Union Station, pictured here March 23 — the airy, Art way, yet the basic format has been stub- Deco­Mission Revival railway hub in downtown Los Angeles. bornly immutable. But this year, the pandemic has shak- regulations are in effect in some countries and cases are “mind-numbing,” Soderbergh says. The egos, a whole en the Oscars like never before. When persistently high in Europe and elsewhere — leading to other fascinating component. the broadcast begins April 25 on ABC, compromise. There will be a hub for nominees in London, “Oh, it’s a chapter for the memoir, for sure,” he says. there won’t be an audience. The base of and, as of late last week, about a dozen remote satellite But the show is coming together. “I’m feeling pretty the show won’t be the Academy Awards’ hook-ups. Some material will be pre-taped; every nomi- amped.” usual home, the Dolby Theatre (though nee has spent 45 minutes with the producers. The role of Academy Awards savior is an unlikely one Soderbergh the Dolby is still a key location), but Soderbergh envisions the broadcast as a three-hour for Soderbergh, who dramatically bid Hollywood goodbye Union Station, the airy, Art Deco-Mission Revival railway movie, not a webinar. But what does that mean, exactly? eight years ago. His criticism then was that the studios hub in downtown Los Angeles. If the Oscars are a movie, what kind will it be? From the weren’t innovating and that movies had drifted from the For the producers, the challenges of COVID are an director of “Ocean’s 11” and “Logan Lucky,” should we cultural center. But after returning to moviemaking in a opportunity to, finally, rethink the Oscars. expect a heist film? restless sprint of adventurous, conceptually daring films “At any step in the creative process of making a movie, “It’s going to feel like a movie in that there’s an over- (some shot on iPhones, one made on an ocean liner ), when I ask a question about why something is being done arching theme that’s articulated in different ways Soderbergh helped lead the industry back to production a certain way and the answer is, ‘Because that’s the way throughout the show. So the presenters are essentially the during the pandemic, mapping out safety protocols — it’s always been done’ — that’s a real red flag for me,” storytellers for each chapter,” Soderbergh says. “We including the kinds of testing and quarantining that will Soderbergh said in a recent Zoom interview with Collins want you to feel like it wasn’t a show made by an institu- be in effect for attending nominees next week. and Sher. “All of us this year have taken advantage of the tion. We want you to feel like you’re watching a show that The Oscars are an annual meeting, of sorts, for Holly- opportunity that’s been presented to us to really challenge wood — a moment of reflection, aspiration and backslap- all the assumptions that go into an award show.” ping for the industry. This year’s awards, postponed by No matter how good a job they do, ratings are all but “The cliche when you ... two months, follow a punishing pandemic year for the certain to fall from last year’s 23.6 million viewers. Award industry that saw movie theaters shuttered and streaming show viewership has cratered during the pandemic, and pitch a movie is to say it’s services proliferate. Soderbergh hopes the Oscars will be this year’s Oscar nominees — while widely streamed and cathartic, and a shot in the arm for Hollywood. more diverse than ever — lack the kind of buzz generated about hope and scope. That “The cliche when you ... pitch a movie is to say it’s in a normal year. Soderbergh praises the best-picture about hope and scope,” he says. “That is kind of what we nominees as “one of the most auteur-driven set of films.” is kind of what we want to want to do, to show what’s possible.” “If the teams in the Super Bowl are from small mar- That includes an affectionate celebration of each cate- kets, it’s still a great game; people still care,” says Collins, do, to show what’s possible.” gory’s craft and nominees. who produced The Weeknd’s halftime show at this year’s “Snark is something that we didn’t want,” says Sher, Super Bowl. Steven Soderbergh the veteran producer of “Get Shorty,” “Django Un- Collins was also a producer of last month’s Grammy Filmmaker, Academy Awards co-producer chained” and Soderbergh films like “Out of Sight” and Awards, a telecast that drew praise for its personal, jam- “Erin Brockovich.” “Instead of looking at it from the session feel. That sense of community is something the was made by a small group of people that really attacked outside in with a high degree of cynicism and snark, Oscars want to exude, too. everything that feels generic or unnecessary or insincere. we’re pulling the curtain back and letting them into our “My big thing has always been: It’s not intimate. It That’s the kind of intention when I watch shows like this community. There are a lot of misperceptions about the doesn’t feel personal,” Soderbergh says. “We’re in a CO- that is missing for me. A voice. It needs to have a specific business. It’s a predominantly blue-collar industry, with VID world. It has to be that way. Nominees, guests, pre- voice.” unions.” senters. That’s it. Those are the only people in the room. Technically, the broadcast will have a more widescreen On Oscar night, Soderbergh — who typically serves as That was just a weird alignment of catastrophe and my look and a more cinematic approach to the music. (Ques- his own cinematographer under the alias Peter Andrews personal preoccupation.” tlove is music director.) Presenters are considered the — plans to be in the production truck alongside the The Oscars, most assuredly, will differ greatly from ensemble cast. One thing you won’t see, says Collins, is show’s director, Glenn Weiss. February’s largely virtual Golden Globes. The producers standard banter before an award is handed out. “There’s been so much resistance to make any big have made a stand against both Zoom and casual wear. “When you see cast members go up to give awards, moves, but at least what we’ll have done, coming out the This is the Oscars, after all; there will be no acceptance you’ll see a connection,” Collins says. “It won’t be two other end, is give the academy, the network and the view- speeches made in a hoodie. The producers pressed the people walking up that just met in the greenroom who are ers some real information about what they like and what nominees to attend in person, with appropriate safety struggling to stick with the teleprompter.” they don’t like because we made some big moves,” Soder- precautions. It’s undeniably a lot to pull off, with ever-fluctuating bergh says. “That means it will evolve, and it needs to Some bristled at the academy’s stance — lockdown COVID-19 conditions and restrictions. The logistics are evolve.” Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Dangling from some cliffs in Switzerland

Here’s a reminder of the fun that awaits the cliff, like tiny window-washers on a us in Europe at the other end of this crisis. geological skyscraper. As I make my way along the “trail,” I alternate my two cara- angling from a sheer cliff a biners from segment to segment along the thousand feet above the Lau- sturdy steel cable. For me, terbrunnen Valley floor, I physically, this is the max. I Dpause and look down at my am almost numb with fear. boots, each clinging to a rebar step — After one particularly har- which, like giant staples, are tacked across rowing crossing — gingerly the rock face. Between my legs, like little taking one rebar step after specks on the valley floor, I see tiny cows another — I say to the doing their part for the Swiss cheese in- guide, “OK, now it gets dustry. To my left, my mountain guide Rick easier?” patiently waits, keeping a wary eye on me. Steves “No,” he says. “Now To my right, my Swiss friend Simon comes die Hammer Ecke!” Rick Steves laughs, saying, “Hand me your camera.” Translated into English, this means “the Rick Steves clips in as he and his guide embark on the via ferrata in Switzerland. I know I need a photo to capture this hammer corner.” This name does not amazing scene. But I don’t want to have calm my fears. emerged: the clear impact of climate the permafrost thaws, there are more anything to do with grabbing my camera For a couple hundred yards, we creep change on their world. To people like falling rocks, and mountain guides are or posing. I am terrified. across a perfectly vertical cliff face — feet Simon, who live so close to nature, the abandoning once-standard ascents that I’m back in my favorite corner of Swit- gingerly gripping rebar steps, hands tight physical changes resulting from strange are no longer safe. zerland: the Berner Oberland. When I on the cable. Miniature cows and a rush- and changing weather is an increasingly Back up on the via ferrata, I reach the arrived, it occurred to me that I’d already ing river are far below me, the cliff face troubling reality. Glaciers are shrinking, end of my terrifying journey. Taking that ridden the lifts and hiked all the trails in rockets directly above me, and a follow- ski lifts come with snow-making gear last step, I triumphantly unclip my cara- the area. But there was one experience the-cable horizontal path bends out of plumbed in, and freak rainstorms — like biner and hug our guide like a full-body that I had yet to do: traverse the cliffside sight in either direction. alpine monsoons — batter flower gardens. high-five. Vivid experiences like this one cableway called the via ferrata. So Simon As I inch along the cliff, my mind flash- On a hike during one of my visits, as we are a hallmark of travel in the Swiss Alps. and I pulled on mountaineering harnesses es back to some other adventures with gazed up at the north face of the Eiger, I only hope that future generations can and clipped our carabiners onto the first Simon over the years. Living high on the Simon told me of speed climbers leaving enjoy this glorious landscape, too. stretch of a nearly two-mile-long cable, peaks of Europe, the Swiss are experts at Interlaken on the early train to the base, setting off with a local guide on the “iron living with nature — and Simon is always scaling this Everest of rock faces, and Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes way” from Mürren to Gimmelwald. eager to share with me the Alps in all their getting back to Interlaken in time for a European tours. You can email Rick at [email protected] and The route takes us along the very side of moods. On recent visits, a new theme has late-afternoon business meeting. But as follow his blog on Facebook. Tourists flock to these towns that Shakespeare never saw Happy birthday, Wills! William Shakespeare came into Helsingør, Denmark the world in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in April 1564. Although his exact date of birth is disputed, April 23 is Shakespeare set his 1599 play Hamlet in Elsinore, the the day the world celebrates the gift of his words, which anglicized name of a port town on the northeastern coast continue to inspire and delight. of Denmark. On this strategic location overlooking a nar- The setting of Shakespearean plays against the most row straight vital to shipping, the business of collecting evocative of European backdrops could lead readers to tolls proved lucrative. From 1574, King Frederick II of believe he was a well-traveled gentleman; however, from Denmark had a pre-existing fortress rebuilt into the mag- most accounts of the Bard’s life, it is as- nificent Kronborg Castle. It’s believed that three mem- sumed he never left England. His use of bers of Shakespeare’s acting company visited the castle to foreign cities as locales appears as a litera- perform for the theater-loving Frederick; their firsthand ry device to inject exoticism and perhaps knowledge would explain how Shakespeare was able to even to avoid appearances of critiquing pepper his tale with such detail about the castle and its politics and society close to home. court life. With four centuries separating the works iStock In 1816, to mark the 200th anniversary of Shakespeare’s of Shakespeare from the present day, Visitors to Verona, Italy, grab the breast of this statue of death, Hamlet was performed at Kronborg Castle for the Karen there’s been plenty of time for associations Juliet, hoping it will bring them luck. Or at least a selfie. first time. This marked the beginning of a Shakespeare of place to have taken on lives of their own. theater tradition. Sir Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Bradbury In this time of no travel, we too can pay In 1905, the city of Verona purchased the house men- Richard Burton, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, virtual visits to some of the places mentioned in his works tioned by Dickens, the former property of a family by the Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench and Jude Law are just a and examine the intersections between culture, legend, last name of Cappello. A local restorer recognized the few of the great actors to have performed at Kronborg fantasy, marketing and tourism. property’s value as a sort of Shakespearean museum, and Castle through the years. he was granted permission to begin renovations. In the The Danish Shakespeare tradition remains strong to Verona, Italy late 1930s, some marble remains from a local museum date. HamletScenen, Scandinavia’s largest Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet opens with a prologue: “Two house- were repurposed to build a balcony onto the 14th-century theater company, actualizes and adapts Shakespeare’s holds, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay Gothic mansion, and a bronze statue of Juliet was erected eternal dramas to bring them to a diverse audience, and our scene ...” With its pretty riverside setting and wealth in the courtyard in 1972. The custom of touching her right The Shakespeare Festival at Hamlet’s Castle Kronborg of archaeological monuments including a colossal Roman breast for luck in finding true love caught on, Juliet’s own takes place under its aegis each year in August. Interna- amphitheater, fair the city was, and fair the city remains. tragic fate notwithstanding. tional artists and audiences assemble in a purpose-built In 1846, Charles Dickens penned a travelogue titled Tourists in Verona continue to drink up the city’s asso- theater perched above the castle’s moat. And at any time “Pictures from Italy” in which he describes a visit to ciation with the universally known tragedy through visits of the year, visitors to the castle can enjoy a 45-minute Verona’s sights associated with the star-crossed lovers’ to Juliet’s House, a museum displaying paintings, ceram- tour titled “In Hamlet’s Footsteps.” Hamlet’s friend Ho- tale. He termed the House of the Capulets, at that time a ics, period furniture and costumes; stops at Romeo’s ratio retells the drama as it could have played out in the low-class hotel, “a most miserable little inn,” but delight- House, Juliet’s Tomb and other alleged scenes of the grand halls and corridors of the imposing Renaissance ed in the ancient convent garden in which Juliet’s tomb famous drama. structure. languished, nearly forgotten. Online: verona.com/en/verona/casa-di-giulietta Online: tinyurl.com/xnbvuat9 PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: QUICK TRIPS

The moat in Salvi Gardens and a majestic weeping willow enhance the view of one of two buildings inside the park.

PHOTOS BY NANCY MONTGOMERY/Stars and Stripes Salvi Gardens in downtown Vicenza dates to a wealthy local family’s purchase in the 16th century. The city bought the gardens at the turn of the 20th century and they’ve been open to the public ever since. The Valmarana Loggia inside Salvi Gardens in downtown Vicenza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its The pleasure of green space Palladian architecture. It was built in the 16th century. Salvi Gardens in Vicenza has been welcoming the public for centuries

BY NANCY MONTGOMERY Stars and Stripes alvi Gardens packs a lot into a small space in the heart of Vicenza’s old town. A mansion with a moat is a UNESCO Heritage SSite, but some of Salvi Gardens’ less-heralded pleasures, including statuary, fountains, rose gardens and giant conifers, make it a place to return to often. It’s usually occupied in temperate weather by lovers, dog walkers, people having lunch and others. They sit on benches in the sun, lie on the grass or amble alongside the moat. A few read the signs with the names of the many tree and flower species. Once on a Sunday I caught a Among the many entertaining sculptures at Salvi Gardens concert there. in downtown Vicenza is this horse fountain. The garden In a city where yards are unknown, the garden pro- park gives city dwellers a place to relax. vides a free green space. It has been especially welcome during the coronavirus pandemic, and along with other parks is among the few places open. Women gather at Salvi Gardens in Vicenza on a sunny An hour or two at Salvi Gardens can also be an opportu- day. The park is a popular place to relax downtown. nity to reflect among nature on the passage of time and vicissitudes of fortune. The Vlamaranas, one of the re- Salvi Gardens gion’s wealthiest families, bought the land and planned the gardens in the 16th century. Address: Corso SS. Felice and Fortunato, 3, 36100 Vicenza VI It was opened to the public in 1592 by order of the will Hours: Daily 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. of Leonardo Valmarana, the youngest of 10 sons who Cost: Free Food: Plenty of to-go snack bars nearby made his fortune by outliving the other nine. He sired 18 children, one of whom closed the gardens to the public for Nancy Montgomery a couple of centuries. By the 19th century, the property, now owned by the ed to Venetian architect Baldassare Longhena and erect- Salvi family, had been turned into an English garden. It ed in 1645. was sold by the last Salvi descendant to a charitable orga- The garden has been redeveloped many times over the nization and bought in 1907 by the city of Vicenza. It centuries, including in 2008, when a path for people with opened to the public once again two years later. disabilities was built and a rose garden was added. The mansion includes a loggia, or covered exterior But it’s not necessary to know all that to enjoy strolling gallery. Its Palladian architecture earned it the UNESCO under the junipers, cypresses, cedars, magnolias and designation in 1994. The Valmarana Loggia was probably elms, or just to relax and watch the ducks. built in 1591, supposedly as a meeting place for the local elite. [email protected] Salvi Gardens in downtown Vicenza is a green, serene The main gate is also of architectural interest, attribut- Twitter:@montgomerynance respite for people and dogs. Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 WEEKEND: FOOD & DINING A journey for your taste buds Casa Algarve in Griesheim delivers delicious Iberian cuisine for the homebound culinary traveler

BY MICHAEL ABRAMS Stars and Stripes AFTER e recently took a journey to the Iber- HOURS ian Peninsula for GERMANY Wsome of its wonder- ful cuisine. Well, to be accurate, Iberia came to us, courtesy of the Casa Algarve restaurant in Griesheim, Germany. With the coronavirus keeping restaurants open only for takeout or delivery, it has been a while since we visited one of our favor- ite restaurants. So, at a small family gathering we had our meal delivered by the restau- rant’s friendly staff. Casa Algarve is in the club- house of a local soccer team, a mile from the U.S. Army’s Dag- ger Complex. Over the years, restaurants offering various cuisines have come and gone there. The last one was a Spanish restaurant and The Casa Algarve restaurant at when it changed hands, a Portu- the SV Sankt Stephan club guese family took over. One of grounds in Griesheim, Germany. the former owners stuck around to help, so they now serve both Casa Algarve PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ABRAMS/Stars and Stripes Spanish and Portuguese special- Dinner delivered from the Casa Algarve in Griesheim, Germany, included three tapas, a starter and three ties. Location: Suedring 2, 64347 Griesh- main courses that featured a grilled fish platter for two with salad. Portions were more than adequate. Being at a German soccer club, eim, about 1 mile northwest of the they also offer schnitzel, pizza U.S. Army’s Dagger Complex. Hours: 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and pasta. But we chose dishes through Friday; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from the Iberian Peninsula. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday. The food arrived still quite hot Dress: Casual and smelled delicious. We or- English menu: No dered three tapas, those small Prices: Tapas 4.50 euros to 14 euros, Spanish dishes that you tradition- starters 9.50 euros to 26 euros, main ally eat with sherry after work courses 6 euros to 48 euros. and before dinner. We tried the Information: In German online at crabmeat croquettes, clams in casa-algarve.com; Phone: 06155- white wine with garlic and fried 3262; WhatsApp: 0171-9971739. anchovies. Michael Abrams We chose one starter, mainly Cogumelos casa, fried because the ingredients piqued monkfish, plus shrimp and squid. mushrooms served with chicken our curiosity: cogumelos casa, It comes with rice and salad. and feta, is a starter from Casa fried mushrooms served with Let it be said, all the dishes Algarve in Griesheim, Germany. slices of chicken and feta. were delicious. For the main course, we had One of the diners was Spanish If you can find a good vinho bacalhau no forno, paella de and he gave the paella a thumbs- verde — Portugal’s “green,” or conejo and grelhada de peixe. up. But a rabbit is small, and young, wine — it goes well with Paella, the popular saffron rice there are a lot of bones to pick to all the dishes. We were unsure of specialty, is Spanish but often enjoy the meat. Many people the quality at the supermarket, so also found in southern France. would probably feel more com- we enjoyed a good Spanish white The three tapas we enjoyed from Casa Algarve in Griesheim were, clockwise from top, crabmeat croquettes, clams in white wine with This version was with rabbit, but fortable ordering one of the other from the Rioja region instead. garlic and fried anchovies. Rabbit paella is at top left. Casa Algarve also offers it with versions. Although better known for its seafood, as a mix of chicken and The bacalhau is one of my reds, the whites and roses from seafood, or for those who won’t favorites. The cod is meaty and here are worth trying. eat anything with a face, vegetar- the sauce with the potatoes is My only disappointment with ian. mouthwatering. Casa Algarve has nothing to do Bacalhau is dried and salted The fish platter was more than with quality or taste. It’s that they cod. A specialty of Portugal and big enough for two and was very don’t have one of my Portuguese other seafaring nations (it is easy satisfying. Although the choice of favorites on the menu: porco a to transport and doesn’t spoil), it fish might be a bit monotonous, alentejana, or pork with clams. is first rehydrated, then cooked. the shrimp and squid made up I’ve never tried the schnitzels, This version is baked with pota- for it. but they are popular, and all the toes, tomatoes, onions and olives We all enjoyed the tapas, espe- portions here are more than in a white wine sauce. Served at cially the crabmeat croquettes adequate. After all, they normal- the restaurant, it comes on a clay and the mushrooms. They were ly have to feed hungry soccer plate in the shape of a rain gutter. not overcooked, the chicken players. Bacalhau no forno, baked cod, is Paella de conejo, rabbit paella as Grelhada de peixe is a grilled wasn’t dry and the feta was soft a Portuguese specialty made served by Casa Algarve. They from dried and salted cod that also offer seafood, mix (chicken fish platter for two. It’s a mix of and tangy. It was a good mixture [email protected] white fish, including hake and that will be ordered again. Twitter: @stripes_photog has been rehydrated and cooked. and seafood) and vegetarian. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: QUICK TRIPS

ON THE QT Address: 279-25 Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanaga- wa, 231-0023 Times: Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays. Costs: About $15.14 for adults and $10.10 for children; the tower view is $30.29 Food: Café restaurant and popcorn cart Information: 0120-158-686; gundam-factory.net/en Jonathan Snyder

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN SNYDER/Stars and Stripes The pilot view experience is linked to the full­size robot The centerpiece of Gundam Factory Yokohama is a Mobile Suit Gundam standing nearly 60 feet tall that comes to outside and shows you what it would be like to be at the mechanical life several times a day with various poses, smoke, lighting and sound effects. controls inside the cockpit of a real Gundam. Anime brought to life See what it’s like to pilot a 60-foot Gundam robot in Yokohama

BY JONATHAN SNYDER adults and 1,100 yen for children, when purchased to- Stars and Stripes gether. For an additional 3,300 yen per person, you’ll be hen it debuted in 1979, the anime show able to enter the Gundam dock tower for a much closer “Mobile Suit Gundam” captured the world’s look. imagination with its giant, weaponized, I suggest saving that 3,300 yen for the Gundam Café Wmechanical robots fighting in a space opera. inside the dock area. The café serves a variety of burg- With the show’s popularity came the sale of model kits, ers, pasta dishes and beverages. Food prices range from of which toymaker Bandai Co. has produced more than about $5 for snacks to more than $16 for entrees. The 700 million as of May, the 40th anniversary of the kit drink prices range from more than $3 for soda and tea, launch. nearly $7 for lattes and more than $12 for a unique col- Now it’s possible to experience the Gundam phenom- lector’s bottle filled with your choice of two different enon in life size. sodas or lemonade. Gundam Factory Yokohama, an entertainment com- If you’re not hungry, you could always spend that mon- plex at Yamashita Pier, opened its doors in December. ey at The Gundam Base store, which has a large selec- Its centerpiece, a Mobile Suit Gundam, stands nearly 60 tion of model kits, gifts and souvenirs. feet tall and comes to mechanical life several times a day The closest parking is the Yamashita Koen Parking lot. with various poses, smoke, lighting and sound effects. Prices vary from the weekday and weekend; expect to The giant robot moves for several minutes every half- spend about $11 for two hours on the weekend. hour. While you’re waiting for the next show to start, You can also take a train to Motomachi-Chukagai Sta- check out the Academy Room, where you’ll find displays tion. From there, it’s an easy eight-minute walk to the — some of them interactive — that detail the Gundam’s Gundam Factory. construction. For those stationed in the Tokyo area, this attraction is Here’s where you’ll find the Gundam pilot view experi- an easy day trip worth checking out. The Gundam is ence, which is linked to the full-size robot outside and easily seen from the pier if you choose not to pay the shows you what it would be like to be a pilot in the cock- admission for a closer look. pit of a real Gundam. Augmented reality technology adds A 60­foot Mobile Suit Gundam robot stands outside the Gundam Factory Yokohama, an entertainment complex at some enemy Gundams for more excitement. [email protected] The price of admission is 1,650 yen (about $15.14) for Twitter: @Jon_E_Snyder Yamashita Pier. The complex opened in December. Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 25 WEEKEND: FOOD & DINING Delightful bites Eight offers 8 delicious varieties of takoyaki near Yokosuka Naval Base

BY DANIEL BETANCOURT Stars and Stripes AFTER 10-minute drive from Yokosuka Naval Base, south of Tokyo, will HOURS land you at an eatery serving up JAPAN Avariations of takoyaki from a small and homey shop. Eight is a humble eatery in the Yokosu- EIGHT ka neighborhood with flavors packed in little bites. The name is a wonderful play Location: 3-13 Uwamachi, Yokosuka, Kanagawa off of an octopus having eight limbs, but 238-0017 it’s also the number of takoyaki variations Directions: A 10-minute drive from Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. available on the menu. Hours: Open daily, except Mondays, from noon Takoyaki, or grilled octopus balls, are a to 6 p.m. PHOTOS BY DANIEL BETANCOURT/Stars and Stripes popular street food in Japan made of Prices: 450 yen to 500 yen deep-fried batter filled with chopped octo- Takoyaki, or grilled octopus balls, are a popular street food in Japan made of deep­fried Dress: Casual batter filled with chopped octopus. Every bite of the takoyaki at Eight is a unique blend pus. Information: 046-823-7190 of creamy and crunchy with just the right amount of octopus. The space at Eight is small enough for Daniel Betancourt one family to dine in. Takeout is also an gantly presented, there was no better option. tion is not bad, but it can be a bit lumpy. option for my first introduction to takoya- The owner is a friendly woman who This shop was also my first experience ki. manages it on her own. No English menu with takoyaki in Japan, and I was not The takoyaki is served three pieces to a was available on my first visit, but the disappointed. The light crispy texture on stick and each order comes with two or second time around, she handed me one the outside with the gooey center delight- three sticks. Prices range from 450 to 500 completely translated. ed all my taste buds. Depending on the yen (about $4.15 to $4.60). Tea and drinks Over both visits I sampled seven of the type I was eating, I was getting added are available as well. eight varieties: plain octopus, bacon and crunchy or creamy textures mixed in, so The shop provides hand sanitizer at the cabbage, ginger garlic poke, Chinese chive every bite was unique. entrance with outside seating for those and dried shrimp, kimchi and cheese, corn The octopus was just the right amount, who wish to wait patiently while enjoying and bacon, and lastly, tofu. and was chewy and fresh. The various the weather or keeping their distance. I highly recommend kimchi and cheese, sauces with a topping of either bonito Eight is a humble eatery near Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, with eight flavors of corn and bacon, and ginger garlic poke as flakes or sesame seeds further enhanced [email protected] they were delightful bites. The tofu selec- the basic flavors. Well-seasoned and ele- Twitter: @Beta_Stripes takoyaki on its menu.

McDonald’s, BTS pair up for S. Korean-inspired menu item

BY KARU F. DANIELS stage, uniting people across the New York Daily News globe through their music,” McDonald’s has something McDonald’s USA marketing “Dynamite” lined up for the chief Morgan Flatley said with spring. the announcement. The fast-food giant has part- “We’re excited to bring cus- nered with K-pop group BTS. tomers even closer to their be- On Monday, McDonald’s an- loved band in a way only McDo- nounced its latest celebrity meal, nald’s can — through our deli- which is inspired by the seven- cious food — when we introduce member, platinum-selling music the BTS signature order on our act that has taken the world by menu next month.” storm with their slick fashion Also known as the Bangtan aesthetic, R&B-styled dance Boys, the Grammy nominated moves and positive messages. group’s hit song “Dynamite” was Rolling out in the United States recognized by Guinness World on May 26, the BTS meal will Records for staying at No. 1 on consist of a 10-piece order of Digital Song Sales chart for the chicken nuggets, medium fries, a most weeks and spending maxi- medium Coke and new sweet mum time on the Billboard Hot chili and cajun dipping sauces 100. inspired by recipes from McDo- Like with previous celebrity- nald’s locations in South Korea. inspired meals, this one will only The signature menu item will be available for a limited period, debut in the U.S. and 11 other reportedly through June 20 in the countries, before rolling out in U.S. other places around the world. The company’s celebrity meal With scheduled releases in 49 program, which basically takes countries, this marks the first existing menu items and packag- celebrity meal launch of such es them as a star’s signature global scale for the Chicago- order, has been a success for the headquartered burger chain. company since it debuted last “BTS truly lights up the world year. PAGE 26 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: VIDEO GAMES

COMMENTARY

Out to lunch

Square Enix Outriders is probably the most smartly designed looter game at launch because it keeps the action simple, mimicking Gears of War and the Diablo games. Outriders is too tasty, and too expensive, for makers to keep it online only BY GENE PARK my run, because like most people, I’ve had ter; nothing about its presentation will more powerful gear. The Washington Post trouble matchmaking with anyone, even convince you otherwise. It’s completely Looter games always struggle when it utriders is probably the most when I removed the cross-play option. derivative. comes to story, and Outriders might ap- delicious looter game at launch (The developer advised to turn that feature But People Can Fly keeps its ambitions pear to be a mixed bag. It has a strong, to date. off for now.) But this only speaks to the grounded, and the gameplay runs as clear premise: Earth is destroyed, so hu- O There’s a potato chip-like precariousness of the game’s online-only smooth as butter. (Again with the food mans run off to another faraway planet crunchiness to the audio design, from the nature, especially when the game can be metaphors; it can’t be helped. Every piece called Enoch, only to find that it’s ravaged click-clacking of your gun reloads to your enjoyed completely and totally by yourself. of this game goes down like a tasty mor- by a reality-bending storm called the boots sloshing through the mud. Gunfire Franchises like Destiny seem to exist sel.) The prominence of chest-high wall Anomaly. This Anomaly creates superpow- crackles like popcorn, and enemies ex- just fine in an online-only universe. But covers belies the game’s real ambition as a ered beings such as yourself, while also plode in a fizzy blue mist, leaving the arena here’s the rub: Destiny 2 is now a free-to- true successor to Diablo. Unlike other destroying the precious few resources stickier than the floor next to the McDo- play game, so looter games, Outriders has an expressed rescued from Earth. This sparks — of nald’s soda machines. Maybe I should eat there’s no focus on dealing damage by using your course — a civil war on another planet. before long sessions of Outriders, but why cover charge abilities to heal yourself. Each player After 30 years, you are tasked with finding eat when this game offers so much tasty for mere “ac- chooses three abilities among several to the source of a mysterious radio signal that brain candy? cess to soft- use with freely — save for some cool- was received when the humans first reac- It’s not all empty calories either. Far ware.” A game downs. hed Enoch. from it, this is probably the most smartly like Fortnite Outriders clicks when it pairs this with The tale unfolds like a buddy road trip designed looter game at launch because it can be online some stunning level and audio design that across an alien world, complete with quir- keeps it simple. It apes combat and move- only because give the impression of huge battlefields. ky memorable characters with distinctive ment mechanics from Gears of War, while it’s free, and Dozens of enemies can be firing upon me, personality traits like “young” and “old.” cribbing the progression and game flow of it’s a true live moving to my left and right to ensure that I With inexplicable character motivations the Diablo games. Basically, you move like service with never stay in cover for more than a few and sudden fades to black, the story pre- a big beefy soldier, and throw yourself into daily updates. seconds. But as the Trickster class, I’m sentation and writing can feel a bit like hordes of enemies as your attacks heal you It lives and able to target an enemy in an encampment, James Cameron’s “Avatar” adapted by so you can keep attacking. dies by these updates, so always being teleport behind him and punch the back of Tommy Wiseau. Characters say non sequi- It’s too bad, then, that People Can Fly connected makes sense. A game like Fall his head so it explodes in a bloody mess. tur lines to each other, and we’re supposed and Square Enix insisted that Outriders be Guys make sense for connectivity since it’s Immediately after the punch, I activate a to pretend it all makes sense. an online-only game, despite being a com- primarily a multiplayer game, and it’s also force field that slows time all around me, It almost does. The game’s environ- plete product from beginning to end with a half the price of a standard AAA title. stopping all incoming bullets like I’m Neo. mental storytelling does most of the heavy rewarding and complex loot system, a full As it stands, when you pay for Outriders, I swipe toward a huge group of soldiers lifting. You’ll be taken on a kaleidoscopic story and a variety of enemies and levels. you are only paying for a license to access with a telekinetic knife from my hands, journey through wide-open arenas, castles The developers have stated that in these software. That’s too bad, because even aging them with my time-warping abilities and mud huts. Unlike Square Enix’s other ways, Outriders isn’t a live-service game. though I’m not quite done with its cam- so quickly that they turn into skeletons. looter attempt in Avengers, Outriders And yet, after its April 1 launch, the game paign, I can already tell that Outriders is a Meanwhile, the brains of the guy I comes packed at launch with more than a was plagued with server problems so bad, beefy experience worth owning outright. punched a few seconds ago are only begin- dozen beautiful and different levels to the entire service had to be taken down for This isn’t an argument to make the game ning to settle on the ground as my slow- stomp through. Even if the story left me hours on April 2 just to roll people back free-to-play; the studio has mostly deliver- motion force field wanes. What a dynamic dumbfounded in its writing, I never shook online. ed on the promise of a complete AAA and beautiful experience, all packed into the feeling that I was actually on a journey So yes, this is yet another article asking package. 15 seconds or less. with a clear goal in mind. why this game needs to be online only. It’s Despite all the issues, Outriders has Each class comes with multiple skill People Can Fly made something special an important question, and we need to enjoyed a surprisingly healthy playerbase trees, all of which can be reassigned at any here. keep asking it, especially in light of recent with more than 100,000 concurrents on time. It’s paired with a generous modding Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlaySta- discussion around Sony’s decision to dis- Steam at most times. The selling point system that meaningfully boosts your tion 5, Xbox Series One, Xbox Series X/S, continue its stores for its older PlayStation definitely hasn’t been the game’s sense of abilities, enhancing your playstyle in pow- Stadia platforms. style. It’s easy to dismiss Outriders as er and sometimes even visual panache. Online: outriders.square-enix- I’ve been playing by myself for most of another generic, third-person cover shoo- These mods can later be reassigned to games.com Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 27 WEEKEND: BOOKS

Not alone

Broadway star publishes book to empower children CHARLES SYKES, INVISION/AP Ali Stroker accepts an award for her performance in “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!” at the 2019 Tony Awards in New York. with disabilities like her own Stroker teamed up with middle grade author Stacy Davidowitz for a new children’s book, “The Chance to Fly,” released this month.

BY BROOKE LEFFERTS view with The Associated Press, Stroker overwhelming. But I wanted to write it needs to happen is that actors with dis- Associated Press talked about the challenges of writing a because whether you have a disability or abilities are cast in roles where the story- roadway star Ali Stroker says story similar to her own, representing you’re in a wheelchair or not, you have line is not about disability and that we are she always felt like her “most people with disabilities, and naming her those self-conscious and really difficult able to just exist in stories and have dis- powerful self” when onstage, wheelchair. moments in your life, especially as a teen- abilities and have that not be the storyline. Band now as the co-author of a Associated Press: Nat loves musicals ager, when you just want to be like every- Because that’s one of the ways in which I new book for kids, she’s trying to empower and performing. How did performing body else, but you’re not like everybody believe some of the change can happen. I others. make you feel at her age? else. And the reason it needed to exist in think that we are in a diversity movement, Stroker teamed up with her friend and Stroker: On stage, I felt like I was my this book is because I want young people but oftentimes disability is not included in middle grade author Stacy Davidowitz and most powerful self because people were to know that they’re not alone in feeling that movement because there is an opin- set out to create a familiar char- looking at me and staring at me. But it like that. ion that in order for disability to be in- Q&A acter: a young girl in a wheel- wasn’t just because of my wheelchair, and The adult directors of the show cast cluded, it has to be addressed. And I am chair named Nat who wants to it was a safe place to be different kinds of Nat but tell her she doesn’t have to here to say that you can cast somebody — perform in a local musical. people. For a long time, I felt like I had to dance, which upsets her because she like what happened with “Oklahoma!” I “The Chance to Fly” — published this be, you know, like happy and OK and doesn’t want special treatment. Why was can play Ado Annie — my wheelchair is month — was a way for the actor to share inspirational for other people. And when I that important to include? never addressed in the entire show. And her own experiences as a person with a was on stage and I was playing a character What’s so beautiful about living with a yet we get to live this experience with a disability and big dreams. Stroker, who who was going through something, I got to disability is that your creativity to solve character who has a disability and we get has used a wheelchair since a car accident express all those other things that were problems is so accessible. It’s so height- to watch it and we are there with it, but we paralyzed her when she was 2, says she living inside of me. Writing this book as ened because this is a part of your every- don’t have to talk about it. wanted to help kids with disabilities recog- well and going back to those really vul- day life. Nat is really disappointed, but Nat names her wheelchair Peaches. nize themselves in the book. nerable, scary, first-time moments was so then she goes away and she shares with Have you named your chairs? Even before winning a Tony in 2019 for healing. And I think teenage Ali was just her friends, her peers, what’s going on, It’s just this really beautiful way to per- her role in the Broadway revival of “Okla- really brave and really tough. And I feel so and then they offer to help her and they sonalize this thing. You know, my wheel- homa!”, Stroker served as an example of a proud of where I am now. are going to not wait for the adults to solve chair is a part of my every moment; every person who doesn’t let limitations prevent Nat sometimes feels embarrassed the problem, but they are going to come day my wheelchair sits right next to my her from achieving her goals. She made about her wheelchair. Was it hard to write up with the answer. That’s an ideal sit- bed when I sleep. My wheelchair is my history as the first actor in a wheelchair to about that? uation when you can ask your home team, access to the world. And I like to have a win the award and dedicated it to all kids It was a challenge for me to go back to the people that you trust the most for help, good relationship with my chairs. And so a with disabilities waiting to be represented those moments. One of the ways I describe and then you can come up with a creative really fun way of doing that is for me to in theater. it is just like you feel like you’re like so hot solution. name them. And sometimes there are days Stroker said she was driven to write and you feel like people are looking at you There are more opportunities recently that you just want to use those names “The Chance to Fly” because she didn’t for the thing that you are most self-con- for stories about people with disabilities. instead of talking about your equipment. have any stories like it to read when she scious of, and maybe the thing that you Is that encouraging? My last chair was Twilight Flake — that was in middle school. In a recent inter- have the most shame about. And it’s just I really believe that one of the shifts that was her racing name. She had sparkles! PAGE 28 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: MUSIC Grunge greatness Pearl Jam guitarist McCready proud of 30 years of ‘Ten’

BY DAN GELSTON he even has a “59” tattoo on his left Associated Press wrist. he Pearl Jam songs that would end up Not so fast. “It was a psychological rug being as tracks on the “Ten” album were pulled out from under my feet,” McCready said on a Zoom with The played live at clubs along the West Associated Press. “I still love the gui- Coast for months leading into the tar. It doesn’t matter. But it was a T crazy surprise.” band’s first recording session. The potential was McCready played his Strat on al- there for Pearl Jam to serve as more than an most 800 shows and just about every record — including Temple of the opening act for bigger bands at the time — like Dog’s hit “Hunger Strike” — and said Alice in Chains — and it needed an album to he accidentally picked up the replica three times to play before he realized support the songs that defined the grunge scene. it wasn’t the real deal. He’s getting “Ten” would soon be born. Fender to make him a 1959 model. He might even get to play it live “This is my first real recording session with a next year. budget of a record company, and the pressures, On a break because of the pandem- ic, Pearl Jam’s postponed European all that stuff,” guitarist Mike McCready said. “I tour was rescheduled for June and July 2022. The delay not only put any didn’t really know about it. I was just stoked to plans to celebrate “Ten” on hold, Pearl be doing this. I thought our band was great.” Jam has still yet to tour in support of last year’s release, “Gigaton.” Pearl Jam started recording sessions in late “We’ll get out there again. We’ll March 1991 and the album that launched the play,” McCready said. “I want to see what songs work on the ‘Gigaton’ re- band’s meteoric rise was released five months cord. That’s the thing about playing later. For McCready, 30 years of “Ten” has gone live. We were just rehearsing, all of it, four days before we canceled the by as quick as a lightning bolt. tour.” McCready and Ament only recently “That was the first time I went, all of was driving everybody crazy. Jeff ran saw each other in person for the first us were all firing on all cylinders out and got mad and shot baskets. We time in more than a year. And Pearl here,” he said. “These are cool songs; finally ended up getting the take. I’m Jam spent its downtime working on its we have a great singer. I feel confident not sure if Stone even loves the take voting campaign, releasing streams of in playing with these guys that we that we got.” classic performances, and plugging could go out and do really well. I didn’t Pearl Jam fans loved the take — and up-and-coming bands that need sup- know what that meant. We were just the album, and most everything else port (McCready named the Black starting. I’m seeing old pictures of us the band has produced over three Tones) more than a veteran, financial- from when we first started around that decades. They hoped to celebrate 30 ly-set band like themselves. time. We looked very disjointed on years of “Ten” with a tour. McCready, 55, credited 18 years of stage. What are we doing? We hadn’t McCready played on Pearl Jam’s sobriety to keeping him energized coalesced yet. But I knew the energy biggest hits with a Stratocaster he about Pearl Jam and whatever lies was there.” splurged on as his first vintage guitar ahead. McCready, bassist Jeff Ament, gui- purchase. He recently teamed with “I don’t why I’m still here, I’m just tarist Stone Gossard and singer Eddie Fender and master builder Vincent happy I am,” he said. “We still need to Vedder (and drummer Dave Krusen Van Trigt to re-create the 1960 Strato- work on our communication. But in his lone Pearl Jam album) spent caster for sale to collectors down to we’re aware of all that, so I think we two months recording the album that the last scratch. McCready was star- try to do that to the best of our ability. sold more than 13 million copies in the tled to learn during the process that We’ve been through a lot of different U.S. alone. his beloved Strat was from 1960 — not highs and lows. But we’ve been “I remember we recorded ‘Even 1959. McCready owned the Stratocas- through it together.” Danny Clinch Flow’ like 50 times, or 40, something ter since 1991 and it was part of his Mike McCready and the rest of Pearl Jam crazy like that,” McCready said. “We collection of vintage 1959 guitars. He hope to be back on the road in 2022. could never get the groove right. It loved the era of guitars so much, that

“I remember we recorded ‘Even Flow’ like 50 times, or 40, something crazy like that. We could never get the groove right. It was driving everybody crazy. Jeff ran out and got mad and shot baskets. We finally ended up getting the take. I’m not sure if Stone even loves the take that we got.”

Mike McCready Pearl Jam’s debut album, “Ten.” Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 29 WEEKEND: MUSIC/ACADEMY AWARDS REVIEW Seeking a sweet victory 12-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren hopes for ‘awesome’ win

BY LYNN ELBER seen,’ she said, breaking briefly into an a cappella performance. Associated Press “It’s so simple but it’s so profound, because we all want to be or a dozen and more reasons, Diane Warren would be seen.” overjoyed to win a best original song Oscar for her work The song became an integral part of the movie, heard in its in “The Life Ahead” starring Sophia Loren. translated version over the closing scene. Filmmaker Ponti gladly Greta Van Fleet F A trophy for the Italian-language film’s song, “Io Si gives credit to Warren, who approached him in 2019 before “The (Seen),” would be Warren’s first after 11 previous Academy Life Ahead” went into production with Ponti’s legendary mother. The Battle at Garden’s Gate (Lava/Republic) Award nominations came up short. “I hadn’t even considered having a song in the movie,” he said. Greta Van Fleet are back and they’re “Yeah, it would be great to win. It would be (expletive) awe- “She had gotten ahold of the script and something clicked for her. doubling down. The young Michigan rock- some,” Warren said. “I feel like a team that’s gone to the World So when something clicks for Diane Warren, you just say, ‘Abso- ers whose sound and classic look is remi- Series for decades and decades, and never wins.” lutely, I would love a song in my movie because Diane Warren is niscent of Led Zeppelin have returned A triumph would be especially sweet for the veteran songwrit- a great artist.’” with “The Battle at Garden’s Gate,” an er whose first Oscar bid was in 1988 (for the rom-com “Manne- When Warren came to his Los Angeles-area home early last album not just rooted in classic 1970s rock quin”). The Academy Awards ceremony, originally set for Febru- year to introduce her creation, she was wearing a cast from a but gloriously pounded into it. ary and delayed by the pandemic, airs April 25, the birthday of household accident, recalled Ponti, a writer as well as stage and This sophomore full-length effort from her late father, David Warren, and a coincidence that she calls screen director. the Grammy winners marks an evolution “so cool.” “With her broken hand and her guitar, she sang the song in my to a more expansive approach, with pro- gressive, mystical and psychedelic ele- “He believed in me so much he would take me to music pub- living room,” he said, recalling it as a “a very bright day” in the ments. Many songs roar past the three- lishers when I was 14 or 15,” Warren said. “My mom would be up-and-down experience of bringing a movie to fruition. minute mark, as the band jams and doo- saying, ‘Why are you doing it? Why are you encouraging her? She It’s a cliché, but Warren says being nominated truly is an hon- dles unrushed. There’s a bit more Rush can’t make a living off that.’” or. Of the many songs introduced in movies each year, she said, a this time mixed in with the Zeppelin. Warren, who grew up in Los Angeles, recounted her dad’s mere five are singled out by the academy’s music branch with The band has teamed up with super- reply: “She has talent. She really, really wants this.” “the best composers on the planet, the best songwriters, the best producer Greg Kurstin and under his Her gifts and drive led to success in a range of pop music of the best of the best.” guidance this collection has more elab- genres and in film, with her past Oscar contenders including “I The other contenders include “Speak Now” from “One Night in orate arrangements, layers and chord Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” by Aerosmith and featured in 1998’s Miami...” written by Leslie Odom Jr., a supporting actor nominee progressions, lots of instrumental sections “Armageddon.” It was a hit tune, one of Warren’s many that for the film, and Sam Ashworth. and strings. It goes right to the edge of include “If I Could Turn Back Time” by Cher. Toss out a big Whatever happens on Oscars night, Warren believes “Io Si bombastic without falling over, with lyrics name — Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Adele — and Warren (Seen)” is destined to become an evergreen covered about nature, armies massing and weird has likely worked with them. by other artists. She’s seen it happen often medieval imagery. She’s a confessed workaholic who typically enough, but remains far from jaded by her The Kiszka brothers — singer Josh, writes solo but joined with Common on the 2019 work’s influence. guitarist Jake, bassist Sam — and drum- Oscar-nominated “Stand Up for Something” for “I sit in my little room all by myself (writ- mer Danny Wagner sound strong this time “Marshall,” a biopic about the late U.S. Supreme ing), and somehow the song touches people around, their musicianship deeper, their Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. and makes them cry and makes them feel confidence high. This is music that will “The Life Ahead” brought a new form of something,” she said. “It’s always amazing.” inspire you to put on some bell bottoms, collaboration. Warren had written the music and grow your hair long and go barefoot into words for the song when director Edoardo Ponti the forest at twilight. — Loren’s son — realized the Italian-language “Built By Nations” uses a Zeppelin film needed lyrics to match. Italian pop star- Diane Warren is nominated “Black Dog”-like riff as a spine but then songwriter Laura Pausini was brought in for the for an Oscar for best original song opens into something else entirely. “Bro- task and shares the Oscar nomination. for her work in “The Life Ahead,” starring Sophia Loren. The ceremony falls ken Bells” allows the band to breathe, Warren’s music and lyrics are “amazing,” said Pausini, who recorded “Io Si” for the film. The song on the birthday of her late father, who jamming for more than three glorious helped the veteran songwriter break into and the movie carry the same message, “and that’s minutes in a “Stairway to Heaven” way the music business as a teen. that seems more like respect than theft. the goal.” CHRIS PIZZELLO, INVISION/AP The ballad “Tears of Rain” allows Josh In “The Life Ahead,” Loren plays the aged Kiszka the chance to turn his voice into a Madame Rosa, a former prostitute hurricane, and “Stardust Chords” is more and Holocaust survivor who helps than a little Jethro Tull-ish. The album’s sex workers by taking in their second half drags a bit, especially with the children. She reluctantly adds an messy, indulgent “The Barbarians.” But it orphaned, street-tough Senega- shows a new path forward for the band, lese youngster known as Momo less and less aping their musical heroes. to her small brood, and the pair The album ends with “The Weight of move gradually from distrust Dreams,” which is Greta Van Fleet at its to love. Impressive newcomer most prog-rock, a gut-busting eight-min- Ibrahima Gueye, himself an ute rollercoaster of ambition that’s near immigrant to Italy from operatic. “We stole from her a cloak of Senegal, plays the boy. studded majesty / The queen is dead we The third movie adap- robbed her grave,” go the lyrics. tation of the 1975 Romain Perhaps that’s a nod to the band gener- Gary novel “The Life ating criticism for sonic robbery, but that Before Us” is a sniping is more than a little snobby and wrenchingly tender misguided. “The Battle at Garden’s Gate” story of those who might not change anyone’s mind, and live on the margins Greta Van Fleet will remain polarizing. of — and largely But dismissing them has never made are invisible to — much sense. You love the sound of classic society, which ’70s rock? Then why hate a band steeped prompted Warren’s in it and celebrating it? Give the album a approach to the song. spin and try not to rock out. “The first thing I came up — Mark Kennedy with, sitting at my piano, was, ‘I Associated Press want you to know that you’re PAGE 30 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: MOVIE REVIEWS Partners in silence ‘We Broke Up’ is a rom-com light on romance and comedy

BY KATIE WALSH Tribune News Service e proposes. She upchucks. Not a very auspi- cious start to a beautiful engagement. Indeed, VERTICAL ENTERTAINMENT/TNS the vomit is the beginning of the end for Doug Lori (Aya Cash) and Doug (William Jackson Harper) are exes headed to a relative’s wedding in “We Broke Up.” H(William Jackson Harper) and Lori (Aya Cash), but it’s only just the beginning of “We Broke Up,” nal relationship under the roof at Camp Arrowhead. It’s a Taking on a leading man role, Harper is tasked with a sweet, sad little story of love lost, and transformed. One low-stakes conflict, but deeply felt. carrying the heavier emotional weight, but he more than would be tempted to call it a “rom-com,” but the film is Lori and Doug’s awkward energy is instantly thrown proves his charm and chops, even though he’s left spin- light on the romance, more poignant than funny. Un- into sharp relief by the bubbly bride, Bea (Sarah Bolger), ning his wheels a bit without enough material to work fortunately, we haven’t yet come up with a pithy title for and groom, Jayson (Tony Cavalero), who are like two with. Though, as he enters a rustic cabin in this mostly the subgenre of moving and melancholy movies about human golden retrievers in love. Having met a month white enclave, you may fight the urge to shout “get out!” adults and their emotional baggage. ago, their enthusiasm and fearlessness only highlights as visions of his turn in 2019’s folk horror flick “Mid- While rom-coms tend to be wordy, “We Broke Up” is Lori’s reservations and Doug’s frustrations with said sommar” dance in your head. more about the silence between these soon-to-be exes. reservations. Some of the zanier comedy moments don’t quite match Director Jeff Rosenberg, who co-wrote the script with Rosenberg fills out the rest of “We Broke Up” with the energy and pacing of this film, which is far darker Laura Jacqmin, makes good use of visual storytelling to your standard-issue whimsical indie comedy score and than it is funny, despite some of the scripted jokes. While highlight the irony afoot, which is that 12 hours after their wacky supporting characters. The secret weapon, howev- “We Broke Up” is focused, lean and heartfelt, it does feel 10-year relationship implodes in a parking lot, Doug and er, is Cavalero as Jayson. With an outsize presence that is at times a bit insubstantial. It’s missing the “why” at the Lori have to hit the road for her sister’s wedding. Doug, as a combination of Adam Devine and Seann William Scott, center of this conflict, particularly with Lori, who remains the “king of the ushers,” insists on accompanying her, Cavalero steals the show. Jayson’s the only character with an opaque character. But perhaps, in breakups, some- and somewhere along the way, they decide to hide the any passion, and a clear, strong desire to achieve his goal times it’s better if the “whys” are left unsaid. split. But the little white lie worms its way into every dark of marrying Bea. He evolves from the weird future broth- “We Broke Up” is unrated. Running time: 80 minutes. Playing in theaters and available emotional crevice, threatening to upend every interperso- er-in-law to become, honestly, inspiring. on demand. Steamy weekend romance starts hot, fizzles by ‘Monday’ BY JOCELYN NOVECK including in a flatbed truck on a side street Associated Press in daylight. But fissures slowly appear. An Monday. Ugh. The very word emits a old friend of Mickey’s comes to visit and chill. Monday means back to school, or tells him, “You’re only happy when you’re work. Nose to the grindstone. Party’s over. failing.” Mickey’s ex, meeting Chloe, calls Friday, meanwhile, is the opposite vibe. him “a baby.” This concerns her, but the What’s great about Friday is that, unlike magnetic field of their attraction is appar- Saturday and certainly Sunday, it signals ently too intense to escape. the beginning of fun. Friday means you At the same time, there’s a worrying have lots of time — Monday’s a mere twin- undercurrent that maybe it’s not all about kle in the distance. chemistry — maybe these two are using Now there’s an entire movie, “Monday,” each other for reasons they’d prefer not to by writer-director Argyris Papadimitro- acknowledge. One of them actually verbal- poulos, based on this concept. The story of izes this, but it’s pretty far into the game. an intoxicating love affair slowly inching “Monday” has an artsy, improvised feel, toward some sort of reckoning with real- but also falls prey to some pretty standard ity, “Monday” should really be called rom-com tropes. Running to the airport to “Mostly Friday,” because most of what we catch someone just before they board a see transpires in that phase: the beginning plane, for example, seems right out of a of a relationship, when we willfully ignore Richard Curtis film. The same goes for any warning signals. IFC FILMS/AP someone grabbing the mic at a random “Monday” takes some patience. It’s Sebastian Stan and Denise Gough are sudden and passionate lovers in “Monday.” wedding to make a clumsy, drunken pro- arresting at times, and beautiful, even nouncement of love. seductive, mainly due to the chemistry better known for her accomplished stage The cops let them go, and Mickey gives What saves scenes like this is the fact between its leads, Sebastian Stan and work), who’s spending one last night on Chloe a lift home. It would all end here, that Gough is so genuine a performer, you Denise Gough, who spend a lot of time, the Athens club scene before returning except she lost her bag, with her keys. She really want to see how her Chloe will han- well, having sex. (Stan recently promoted stateside. Chloe is nursing a bad breakup; ends up traveling to a dreamy island with dle things. As for Stan, he has enough raw the movie by teasing a shot of his nude it’s time to go home and start a new job. him for a party. And soon, they’re hooked. appeal to make you empathize with, if not backside on Instagram. This will not hurt But then she meets Mickey, also Amer- Chloe gets as far as the security line at the totally buy, Chloe’s willingness to hang the film’s chances.) ican, a DJ and jingle writer who’s been airport, but he races there and pulls her around. But Papadimitropoulos doesn’t say a living in Athens for years. Mickey is char- back at the last moment. As the relationship goes, so goes the whole lot here or offer much of a lesson. ismatic and charming — a man-boy who’s If it’s a bit hard to believe a woman like film. The beginning is fun — for the char- This may not be a fatal problem, but it can clearly gotten by on these assets for a long Chloe — smart, with a meaningful career acters, and for us. feel trying; better to watch this film on a time. They meet on the dance floor and — would drop everything (and halfway By the time we see the word “Monday” Friday, when you have no reason to rush are kissing within seconds. through security!), well, we’re willing to appear onscreen, we’ve already felt the through life. The next morning, they wake up naked suspend disbelief. After all, it IS Friday. In oncoming chill. As Dorothy might say: Speaking of intoxicating, our setting is on the beach. The cops take them down to fact, that first chapter is called “Friday,” “Toto, I’ve a feeling it’s not Friday any- Greece. In the summer. This is where we the station. In handcuffs, they introduce as is the next, and the next, and the next. more.” meet thirtysomething American immigra- themselves to each other by name for the And these two can’t keep their hands off “Monday” is rated R for sexual content, nudity/graphic nudity, tion lawyer Chloe (Gough, an Irish actress first time. Ah, young(ish) love. each other. They have sex everywhere, drug use and pervasive language. Running time: 116 minutes.  Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 31 WEEKEND: MOVIES

New fans welcome

‘Mortal Kombat’ reboot introduces a new lead character but stays true to franchise campiness

Warner Bros. Pictures photos The character of Kano, played by Josh Lawson, has until now been portrayed as a minor villain and rival for Sonya Blade, played in this “Mortal Kombat” movie by Jessica McNamee.

BY GENE PARK Sonya Blade). In this film, he is the engine of the original movie. His sneering por- The Washington Post that keeps the story moving, as he steals trayal of Shang Tsung was so memorable, he new “Mortal Kombat” is every scene he’s in and gets the biggest the games once again retrofitted his reptil- exciting. It’s bloody, epic in laughs. And like Cole, he is the audience’s ian sliminess to match that performance. scope, and all the costuming is other surrogate in understanding “Mortal “The way that he talks and emotes can Ton point. Kombat’s” bizarre, violent, supernatural so easily fall into too much camp,” Russo The only question mark is, “I’m sorry, world, and the beings that live in it, in- said. “He’s a very over-the-top character, who is Cole Young?” Cole Young, played cluding the thunder god Raiden. so when you write him, you always put by the talented Lewis Tan, is the protago- “The point of view Kano brings to the restraint into your voice so he doesn’t nist of this movie, a hard reboot of the story is probably [that of] a lot of the audi- come across as too operatic and mustache cinematic universe for the 29-year-old ence,” Russo said. “He consistently, as the twirling.” fighting game franchise. Mortal Kombat British would say, takes the piss out of it The film is pretty heavy on the fan ser- lore is packed to the gills with charismatic, Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, is the all. He brings attention to the self-aware- vice. In the trailer, Kano holds a beating likable and iconic characters; it seemed franchise’s newest character. ness that ‘Mortal Kombat’ as a series is so heart of a beast and cackles to himself like a questionable choice to crowd the lovingly famous for. So whenever things “Kano wins!” like he’s the announcer for story with a new face. I’ve seen happen with other adaptations.” are ridiculous, like Liu Kang showing up the video game. Russo said his original “On the creative side of it, everyone Russo said his other challenge was to to throw fireballs, Kano harps on the fact, script actually packed in more references wanted to bring something new to the make sure this new character, Cole, a and then immediately wonders, ‘Wait, do I for the fans. story,” film screenwriter Greg Russo told struggling mixed martial arts competitor, get superpowers too?’” “There’s probably at least 25% more fan The Washington Post. “At no point in time fits neatly into the wacky, dimension- and The video game franchise has always service in the original script,” Russo said. did we want to remake the older films or time-spanning lore of the original fighting poked fun at itself and the many storytell- “I tried to put in a lot of stuff that people to retell a story that has been told a bunch games. True to his word, the film does ing genres it lampoons. It’s a series that loved, but we also want to bring in new before. Part of that was giving us the free- wrap a neat, narrative question mark created the “Friendship” and “Babality” fans too. That’s the purpose of these mo- dom to bring in a new perspective and around Cole’s existence that may be finishing moves, cheeky features that vies, right? To introduce these characters angle to the story that hasn’t been done enough of a carrot to lead “Kombat” fans ensure the games never take themselves and stories to a different audience. ... We before.” to the end of the story. too seriously, and a reminder that these wanted to make sure we were extending Russo said as a writer, he felt like that But there’s really one actor and charac- fighters are all cartoon caricatures. that invitation.” was one of his biggest responsibilities. He ter that very nearly becomes the beating, Kano wasn’t always Australian. But the The film’s one liners and cheesy action also saw it as his duty to not fundamental- bloody heart of the movie: Australian original 1995 movie starred the late Trevor movie tropes are all in service of the spirit ly change the backstories of known char- actor Josh Lawson’s Kano. Of the large Goddard, who chewed the scenery with of the original games, which modeled its acters. cast, Lawson has the most extensive back- his vulgar Australian portrayal, and the characters off of Bruce Lee and the Jean- “I needed a new character to help bring ground in comedy, known for his appear- games retconned the character to be Aus- Claude Van Damme films. that in, because all of the preexisting char- ances on the Australian improvised come- tralian. So the character and Lawson “The worst thing you could do to Mortal acters have all these loaded backstories dy show “Thank God You’re Here.” His needed to contend with that legacy. Kombat is overwrite it,” Russo said. “It where it would make it much more diffi- acting chops were put to full use as Kano. Russo said the hardest character to revels in its campiness. It’s a great and cult for me to bring in anything new un- In the games and the original movies, write was the main antagonist of the mo- important part of the Mortal Kombat less I changed those characters, which I Kano has always been portrayed as a vie and the series, the evil sorcerer Shang DNA.” didn’t want to do,” Russo said. “I didn’t thieving, conniving villain, and little else Tsung. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa had the “Mortal Kombat” is now playing in select theaters and stream- want to alter anyone to fit my view, which (besides a mortal rival for Kombatant other standout, role-defining performance ing on HBO Max. PAGE 32 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: HEALTH & FITNESS

BY LINDSEY TANNER close-knit family in person for months. AND MARTHA IRVINE So the doctor wrote her patient a pre- Associated Press scription that said simply: “You are al- he stranger’s call came when lowed to hug your granddaughter.” Dianne Green needed it most. The hug “was magical. It was surreal. Alone in the home where she’d We just held onto each other and we Traised four kids, grieving recent- cried,” Shaw said. Her daughter filmed ly deceased relatives, too fearful of CO- the moment in a video that was posted on VID-19 to see her grandkids and great- Twitter last month and went viral. grandbabies, she had never felt lonelier. “We don’t want to live lonely and alone Then, one day last spring, her cellphone and terrified and afraid,” said Shaw, who lit up. along with her granddaughter has gotten a The cheerful voice on the line was Ja- COVID-19 vaccine. “We all want to be able nine Blezien, a nurse from a Chicago hos- to gather with the people we love and our pital’s “friendly caller” program, created friends. We want to go back to normalcy.” during the pandemic to help lonely seniors Stewart, of the American Academy of cope with isolation. Blezien, 57, lives with Family Physicians, said loneliness came her rescue dogs, Gordy and Kasey, in a up recently with a patient during a check- suburban brick bungalow, just six miles up at her Columbia, S.C., office. from Green’s two-flat apartment in the “While I was talking to her I saw some- city. thing move in her purse,” Stewart said. It “She wasn’t scripted. She seemed like was a tiny dog and the patient told her she was genuinely caring,” said Green, 68, “this new baby has really helped me get a retired dispatcher for the city’s water through my loneliness right now. He has department. The two women started talk- been a comfort to me.” ing often and became friends without ever Stewart offered to buy her a carrier setting eyes on each other. more suitable for pets than a handbag, and “I called her my angel,” she said. to help her get approval to use her dog as a Rampant loneliness existed long before therapy animal. COVID-19, and experts believe it’s now Loneliness won’t vanish even when the worse. Evidence suggests it can damage pandemic ends, said psychologist Benja- health and shorten lives as much as obes- min Miller, a health policy analyst with ity and smoking. In addition to psycholog- Well Being Trust. Some people may still ical distress, some studies suggest lone- fear interaction, and Miller said programs liness may cause physical changes in- to help will be needed more than ever. cluding inflammation and elevated stress In Chicago, the friendly caller program hormones that may tighten blood vessels initially targeted seniors but will expand and increase blood pressure. MARTHA IRVINE/AP to primary care and pediatric practices, Yet loneliness as a public health issue Janine Blezien, left, and Dianne Green walk arm­in­arm at Rush University Medical and will continue even when the pandemic “has kind of been swept under the rug,” Center in Chicago on March 17 during their first in­person meeting. The women met last subsides, said social worker Eve Esca- said Dr. Ada Stewart, president of the year through the hospital’s “friendly caller” program for which Blezien volunteers. lante, manager of program innovation at American Association of Family Physi- Rush University Medical Center. cians. There’s no formal medical diagnosis University of Texas researchers tested a and no mandate to screen for it. similar friendly caller program with “Now the pandemic has unveiled it,” adults involved in a Meals on Wheels Stewart said. “This is real.” program. They found meaningful im- Just a month before the global pandem- ‘We need provements in loneliness, anxiety and ic was declared, a National Academies depression after four weeks. Several report showed that one-third of U.S. adults health centers have contacted the re- aged 45 and up were lonely. Surveys have searchers to learn how to launch similar surprisingly found higher rates in younger programs. adults. Even health insurers are paying atten- A British online survey in 2018 of more tion. than 55,000 people in 237 countries found each other’ Last fall, Humana Inc. posted an online that loneliness affected 40% of young loneliness screening tool for doctors and adults, compared with 27% of those older included links for referrals to programs to than 75. Rates were highest in countries help affected patients, some free and oth- including the United States that prize US surgeon general: The pandemic has ‘shed new ers covered by its health plans. individual success over collectivism. The insurer also created a “Far From The true impact from the pandemic is light’ on loneliness, long a public health concern Alone” campaign for older adults, with yet to be seen. online links to free virtual programs, in- U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Mental health support via texting for Some doctors have gone as far as writ- cluding exercise classes, cooking lessons who has called loneliness a public health young people, “garden gate” visits by ing prescriptions for loneliness. There’s no and how-to courses on gardening and crisis, points out that much of the world volunteers offering socially distanced recommended medicine, so they’ve gotten journaling. including the U.S. “was struggling with conversation outside older folks’ homes, creative. In Chicago, vaccination allowed Dianne remarkably high levels of loneliness be- and a campaign encouraging people to Evelyn Shaw’s physician knew the wid- Green and Janine Blezien to meet briefly fore COVID-19.” wear yellow socks to highlight loneliness owed grandmother had been holed up in in person recently for the first time. “The pandemic has shed new light on in teens and young adults. her New York City apartment, too fright- Amid hugs, tears and laughter, they this struggle and reminded us of an un- Claire Muhlawako Madzura, a 16-year- ened to venture out. She hadn’t seen her seemed like old friends. mistakable truth: we need each other,’’ he old from Manchester, helped design the They plan to shop and spend time to- said in an emailed statement. socks program. Madzura is Black and an gether as soon as it feels safer. Meantime, Facing troubling loneliness statistics, only child; her family is originally from they talk by phone about everything — the United Kingdom in 2018 created a Zimbabwe. She said growing up in mostly Stats on loneliness cooking, family, personal stuff. Green, a parliament position called the minister of white areas has made it hard for her to 1 Black woman, remembers one call start- ■ ⁄3 of U.S. adults aged 45 and up are loneliness, believed to be the world’s first. embrace her heritage and contributed to lonely ing with her crying over the footage of In February, after a rash of suicides, Ja- her loneliness. George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Feb. 2020 National Academies report pan appointed the second. Lockdowns made her realize how much Conversation always seems to come easy The UK’s current minister, Baroness she relied on school for socializing. Using ■ 40% of young adults, 27% of those older with Blezien, who is white. Diana Barran, says the pandemic has kept video calls to maintain friendships has than 75 are affected by loneliness “Dianne helps me as much as I help her busier than ever. been tough. Rates are highest in countries, including the her,” Blezien said. “I have quite a wide portfolio of respon- “Whenever I wear yellow socks now, I United States, that prize individual success Now Green is considering becoming a sibilities, but I think I get probably 8 or 10 wear them proudly, because I know I’m over collectivism volunteer for the friendly caller program, times as much correspondence on lone- not just representing me, I’m representing 2018 British online survey of more than 55,000 an idea that thrills Blezien. liness as I get on anything else,” she said. a massive group of people who’ve experi- people in 237 countries “Dianne,” she said, “has so much to Some of the solutions they’re trying: enced loneliness,” Madzura said. offer the world.” Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 33 WEEKEND: FAMILY

My kids are brats, and I couldn’t be prouder From the time I toddled around in droopy diapers, to the day I drove off to college in my Volkswagen Beetle, I lived in one small Pennsylvania town. The kids who picked their noses next to me in Mrs. Rowley’s kindergarten class were the same ones who walked across the stage with me at our high school graduation. I had one hometown, one high school, one brick house, one yellow bedroom, and one best friend who I gabbed with each night on one rotary phone while draped across one mock brass twin bed. By contrast, as a military child, our oldest went to three high schools. He grew up in 10 homes, in four states and two CHRIS SWEDA, CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS foreign countries. He said goodbye to seven best friends, six Speech language pathologist Jess Dieter works with Jameson Kays, 4, April 13 at CST Academy in Chicago. piano teachers and four Boy Scout troops. He played on three varsity football teams, and his academic transcripts are almost as complicated as the U.S. Tax Code. Essentially, my son, and his two younger sisters for that matter, are total brats. No, not that kind of brat. Although our When seeing mouths matters kids have definitely displayed their fair share of unruly be- havior, infuriating teen arrogance and near-juvenile delin- Parents, speech therapists wonder how masks impact speech development quency, I’m calling my kids “military brats,” which has an entirely different connotation. BY ALISON BOWEN in language through sound and listening to conversa- The colloquial term “military brat” has been used for Chicago Tribune tions. Infants are naturally inclined to imitate other many years in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, rittany Manning is a Ph.D. student study- people, for example sticking their tongue out if an Canada, Pakistan and India to refer to the children of active- ing how children learn to speak. She is adult sticks their tongue out. duty service personnel, and similar phrases have been used also a mother, wondering how masks “Babies come prewired, very ready to start imitating in other countries around the world. However, because might affect her infant daughter’s ability their caregiver,” Norton said. “It’s adorable. So babies “brat” is commonly known as a pejorative word to describe to learn language. are very good at recognizing facial expression.” spoiled or unruly children, there is often confusion as to B“I’ve been having a lot of these conversations with a For learning language, “sometimes the shape of whether “military brat” has negative undertones. lot of moms,” said the Northwestern grad student. “A your mouth can help you tell apart two sounds that Although researchers have been unable to pinpoint the lot of moms are concerned.” sound similar,” Norton added. For children with hear- exact origin of the term, credible sources indicate that it may Manning and other parents are not alone. Speech ing loss, for example, this can help. “They’re just be a centuries-old acronym for “British Regiment Attached therapists and those who work with children have working a touch harder to figure out exactly what Traveler,” used to describe dependents accompanying Brit- been closely monitoring throughout the past year the sounds are coming out. The shape of the mouth can be ish Army members being stationed abroad, or perhaps a effect of children learning to form words while living an extra clue.” contraction for “barracks rats.” in a world where most adults near them have their Manning thinks many parents might feel like they Over the years, the term expanded and evolved to become mouths covered by masks. are in an experiment nobody signed up for, looking at a universal descriptor for kids who move with their military “We know that kids pay attention to the mouth of the “how do children develop language with masks?” she parents and thereby develop unique personality character- person talking with them,” said Elizabeth Norton, an said. istics and cultural identity. Regardless of the hazy historical assistant professor of communication sciences and As the mom of an 8-month-old, Manning is both origins, the theories, research and usage of “military brat” in disorders at Northwestern University. monitoring her own baby’s milestones and in con- literature, films, documentaries, songs and on the internet, First, the good news. There are many pre-pandemic versations with other parents concerned about what indicate that it is certainly a compliment, not an insult. In examples of children who cannot see faces who learn masks might mean. Although she occasionally hears fact, less than 6% of ex-military children object to the term. to speak just fine. For example, in a home where a something from a stranger on the sidewalk about how I must admit, there were moments during my husband’s mother might often wear a face covering, or for chil- sad it must be for babies to see people wearing masks, 28 years of active-duty service when the acronym might as dren who are blind. she is herself not overly concerned. well have stood for our constant worries that our three kids “Kids are crazy resilient, and the brain is really built “She’s never known anything different,” she said. would be Bullied, Ridiculed, Abused and Taunted after each to learn language,” Norton said. “Most kids will prob- Her daughter is babbling and loves clapping and wav- of their multiple moves to new schools. Wracked with guilt, ably be pretty OK, but we’re not going to know for a ing, all normal signs, she said. She is reassured by we felt Blameworthy, Remorseful, Apologetic and downright while.” knowing that children are hard-wired to learn lan- Terrible. We had to remind ourselves that our children were Norton and her colleagues have been studying how guage. Brave, Resourceful, Amicable and Tolerant. Eventually, they the pandemic generally is affecting kids’ language “There’s been moments that, even for myself, I’ve made new Buddies, formed new Routines, found Acceptance development, and if that changes for children already just had to stop and think about how this could be and felt Triumphant. struggling with learning to talk or who come from potentially impacting my daughter and other chil- But kids will be kids, even the military ones, and ours families who have to manage COVID-19 more, like dren,” she said. “If I’m having that concern, I can milked our parental guilt for all it was worth. They Belly- essential workers or those supervising remote learn- imagine parents that know less about language devel- ached, Refuted, Accused and shed Tears. They said their ing. opment than I do, this is amplified for them.” new schools were full of Buffoons, Rednecks, Airheads and So far Norton suspects children who may be most To help children learn despite masks, some use Tramps; and claimed they needed Bonuses, Riches, Allow- affected are those learning two languages — which clear masks that show mouths. Others might opt to use ance and Toys to cope. The stress threatened to cause us adds an additional layer to learning — or with parents face shields. Balding, Reflux, Anxiety and Tension, requiring Botox, Ro- who are essential workers. For other children, the last For parents, it might be good to ensure some one-on- gaine, Antacids and Tequila, but somehow, we all survived. year might have meant more time at home with their one time, paying attention (in other words, put down No matter what the term “military brat” conjures in ones’ parents and more opportunities to converse with their the smartphone). If children are in day care or with a mind, I think we can all agree that military children are family. masked caregiver throughout the day, that time with a worthy of recognition. Another issue with masks is acoustics, Norton said. parent who can speak with them becomes more impor- So on April 30th, National Military Brats Day, I’ll been “It’s a little bit harder to hear speech through a tant. Emphasize that quality time. beaming with pride that I’m the mother of three children mask,” she said. So in general, people should remem- “As long as they’re getting other interactions with that are admittedly, completely and unapologetically, mil- ber to speak a little clearer, and a little louder. somebody who’s not wearing a mask, like at home, by itary brats.

Seeing mouths make words is part of how children and large they’re probably going to be fine,” Norton Read more at themeatandpotatoesoflife.com, and in Lisa’s book, The Meat and Potatoes of learn to speak, but it isn’t the only way; they also take said. Life: My True Lit Com. Email: [email protected] PAGE 34 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 WEEKEND: CROSSWORD AND COMICS NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

MERGER MANIA 12345 678910 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 BY DICK SHLAKMAN AND WILL NEDIGER / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ 221202 Dick Shlakman, who turns 82 next Sunday, is a retired lawyer and corporate executive from Plano, Texas. Will Nediger, 31, is a professional crossword constructor from London, Ontario. Dick saw Will’s offer of crossword mentorship on Facebook and 524232 reached out for his help. They’ve now made several puzzles together. ‘‘I come up with a theme idea that I think is absolutely perfect,’’ Dick says, ‘‘and Will shows me the error of my ways — then suggests how to take that idea and make it ideal.’’ This 92827262 is Dick’s third crossword for The Times and Will’s 37th. — W. S. 4333231303 ACROSS 46 Result of a merger 96 Warehouse 10 Iraqi city on the Tigris 1 Men are pigs (after between Kraft and 97 10 to 10, say 11 Kimono accessory Hershey’s? 5444342414049383736353 she’s through with 99 ____ reform, cause for 12 Natural talent them, anyway!) 51 Result of a merger the Marshall Project 13 ____ Young-White, 25150594847464 6 The ‘‘A’’ of James A. between Google and Planters? 100 Middling grade comedian/ Garfield 101 Pub choice correspondent for 7565554535 53 Like the wights on ‘‘The Daily Show’’ 11 Naysayers ‘‘Game of Thrones’’ 103 Shot across the bow? 2616069585 14 Lead-in to an Indiana 54 Best of the best 106 ____ Waldorf, the 20 Lower-cost option on ‘‘-ville’’ 56 Spelling ____ so-called ‘‘Queen B’’ 7666564636 a popular rideshare on ‘‘Gossip Girl’’ 15 ____ Ng, author app 57 What Santa checks of the 2017 best 17079686 twice 109 Leaves nothing to 21 Egg: Sp. the imagination seller ‘‘Little Fires 58 R-rated Everywhere’’ 114 Measured 9787776757473727 22 Frontiersman’s 59 Rulers’ staffs 16 Piehole headgear 116 ‘‘Been there, done 584838281808 61 Fire man? that’’ feeling 17 ‘‘Oops!’’ 23 Result of a 18 See 30-Across 63 On the ____ 118 Disney’s world 0998887868 merger between 64 Poet Lazarus 19 Part of a musical note Quaker Oats and 120 Result of a merger 66 Prefix with thermal 24 Held forth 5949392919 Greyhound? between Ralph 67 Bad sound for an Lauren and 28 ‘‘Two thumbs down’’ 25 Maintaining engine Starbucks? review 00199897969 equilibrium 68 Result of a merger 123 ‘‘Stop your 31 Answer to ‘‘Are you 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 26 Discourage between Hasbro and foolishness outside!’’ asleep?’’ that can’t Nikon? 124 Not on be true 27 Soft drink 711611511411311211111011901 72 Bird like the Canada 125 Chops up finely 33 Drift off to sleep concentrate, e.g. goose or arctic tern 126 Was uncomfortably 35 Ordinary 221121021911811 29 ‘‘Night on Bald 75 Lummox hot 36 ‘‘Eh, not really’’ Mountain’’ or 76 Cheese offered 127 Basil-based sauce 38 1981 hit Genesis 521421321 ‘‘Finlandia’’ tableside at Italian 128 ____ Allen, one of the album whose name restaurants, resembles a rhyme 821721621 30 With 18-Down, what informally founders of Vermont has four legs and scheme sprints? 77 Recipe amt. 40 Balls in the sky DOWN 80 Eagle constellation 42 Little sounds 60 Quintana ____ 74 Italian poet Cavalcanti 88 Member of the inn 109 Birkin stock? 32 Musician who was 1 ____-de-sac 81 Passive acquiescence 43 Muscular (Mexican state that’s who influenced crowd? 110 From scratch booed in 1965 for 2 Ditto, in scholarly Dante playing electric 84 Voice a view home to Cancún) 90 One of the 111 Quinceañera, e.g. journals 44 ‘‘Who’s there?’’ Canterbury pilgrims guitar 86 Firm decision maker? response 62 Mayhem 77 Procrastinator’s 3 Brexit vote, e.g. problem 92 One doing the lord’s 112 Man’s name that 87 Revolutionary 45 Nancy who served 65 Land governed by the spells a fruit 34 Letters before Gerald 4 Home to the Minoan 78 [Bo-o-o-oring!] work Guevara as the first female House of Grimaldi backward R. Ford and Ronald civilization 79 In essence 93 In which you might Reagan 89 Klum of ‘‘Project member of the 67 Obedience school do a deep dive 113 Passed-down stories Runway’’ 5 Shine British Parliament 81 Where heroes are command 95 Mistruth 115 ‘‘Stop stalling!’’ 35 Luau instrument, for 90 ‘‘My love,’’ in Madrid 6 ‘‘Now I get it!’’ 47 Come together made short 68 More hackneyed 98 JAMA contributors 117‘ ‘The slightest’’ or 91 Result of a merger 7 2021 Super Bowl 48 Like some thinking 82 Sass ‘‘the foggiest’’ thing champs 69 A head 102 Tool in a wood shop 37 Zoom between Procter 49 A.O.C., e.g. 83 Co-founder of the 119 Oscar-winning & Gamble and 8 Drink up during a 70 A head N.A.A.C.P. 104 Shred 39 Corner 50 Meets 105 ____ hole lyricist Washington Jacuzzi? timeout, say 71 Best-case scenarios 85 Word that, when 41 Second-longest 94 Result of a merger 52 Evening prayer spelled backward, 107 Battery part 121 Classic Pontiac 9 Tex who directed the 72 Clipper parts human bone, after between Hormel and first Bugs Bunny 55 Come together becomes its own 108 Language group 122 Phishing target, for the femur Instagram? cartoon 59 Raw material? 73 ‘‘You can’t fire me!’’ synonym related to Yupik short

GUNSTON STREET RESULTS FOR ABOVE PUZZLE

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

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T A H R E V A E B O V E U H X R E B U S R O T C E J B O M A R B A E C R I C Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 35 FACES

Arkansas sets aside day to honor Johnny Cash The world The Man in Black is about to get his own day in Arkansas. The Arkansas House on Tues- day gave final approval to a bill that would make Feb. 26 “Johnny Cash Day,” voting 92-0 to send the is a stage measure to Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who will sign it, according to his office. The state Senate approved ‘Romeo and Juliet’ movie the bill earlier this month. The day won’t be a legal holiday keeps its theatrical roots but instead will be a memorial day marked by an annual proclama- BY MARK KENNEDY tion from the governor. Associated Press It is the state’s latest effort to he cast appears at first chatting ami- honor Cash, who was born in ably as they enter a theater. They’re Kingsland, a tiny town about 60 in street clothes — hoodies, sneakers miles south of Little Rock. The Tand backpacks. They seem blissfully Legislature in 2019 voted to re- unaware that not all will survive the next hour place its two statues at the U.S. or so. Capitol with ones of the country So begins the National Theatre’s latest take NATIONAL THEATRE/AP music legend and of civil rights on “Romeo and Juliet,” a filmed production Jessie Buckley, left, and Josh O’Connor play star­crossed lovers in “Romeo & Juliet,” leader Daisy Bates. that adds cinematic touches to the tragic 16th premiering Friday online on PBS’ Great Performances. century Italian love story. Keaton to return as Starring Josh O’Connor and Jessie Buckley To get into character during the start-and- pletely charged every time you go into it and as the star-crossed lovers, the play was origi- stop nature of filmmaking, O’Connor and you always feel like you don’t know anything as Batman in ‘The Flash’ nally intended for a stage run in 2020 before Buckley created a secret playlist and shared well, which is always a good place to go into The man who played the leg- being adapted for the screen because of the AirPods. Before the famous balcony scene, the something.” endary caped crusader more than pandemic. Yet it keeps its theatrical roots. pair listened to Sigur Rós’ “Hoppipolla.” One thing the pair noticed was that not hav- 30 years ago is returning to form. The play opens backstage with the lovers “The staccato nature of filmmaking means ing to project the lines made them somehow Michael Keaton, 69, is set to re- flirting beside a prop cage and the knives are that we had to find different ways of finding the more direct and personal. Onscreen, Shakes- prise his Batman role in the up- wooden — until they become steel. As the play swell, finding the rhythm. And so I think music peare’s words are often whispered by the pair. coming “The Flash” movie, due continues, it opens up with costumes and set was quite helpful,” says O’Connor, who recent- “There were moments where Jessie and I out in November 2022. designs appearing effortlessly. ly won a Golden Globe for playing Prince Char- were able to be totally intimate with the words. The Academy Award-nominat- “It was going to be impossible and maybe not les in “The Crown.” And they take a whole new life,” said O’Con- ed actor will join Ben Affleck to re- that interesting to try and create cinematic re- The paths O’Connor and Buckley took to the nor. spectively portray two different alism because we can’t shoot outdoors and we play were quite different. He grew up going to “Josh is one of my best mates and I love him universe versions of Bruce only have one location really and it’s a stage,” the Royal Shakespeare Festival and did a few with all my heart, and the reason that I wanted Wayne/Batman in the upcoming said O’Connor. “So initially it was like, ‘Well, Shakespeare scenes in drama school, but had to do this is because he’s the only person I Andres Muschietti-helmed film. let’s not shy away from the fact that we are on a never tackled an entire play before. would want to do this with, because I know we Ezra Miller was previously an- stage. Let’s celebrate that.’” She was more attracted to musicals until tak- can jump off the edge of the cliff,” says Buck- nounced to reprise his role as Bar- The retelling is directed by Simon Godwin ing a four-week Shakespeare course that she ley. “We couldn’t replicate what’s come before ry Allen/The Flash from 2017’s and reconceived by writer Emily Burns for the says changed her career. She has since done a us, but when you have somebody who you ut- “Justice League.” screen. It was shot over 17 days in December at few of The Bard’s plays, including “The Tem- terly trust, it’s very easy to just be there with Keaton played the Dark Knight the National’s Lyttelton theater. It premieres pest.” them and let the language and let the relation- in Tim Burton’s trailblazing “Bat- Friday and can be streamed on the PBS Video “It’s the most muscular work out in the ship of Romeo and Juliet and our friendship do man” (1989) and in “Batman Re- app. world,” the Irish actor says. “You just feel com- the work.” turns” (1992), which spawned a new generation of big screen su- perhero films based on DC Com- ics. Agreement gives Disney access to Sony movie vault LeVar Burton will BY MEG JAMES Chuck Saftler, head of business guest host ‘Jeopardy!’ Los Angeles Times operations for ABC, Freeform, FX LeVar Burton’s fans are finally Walt Disney Co. and Sony Pic- Networks and other Disney net- getting their wish as the actor has tures Entertainment have an- works, said in a statement. been tapped to guest host “Jeopar- nounced an expansive content li- “This is a win for fans, who will dy!” before the game show ends censing agreement that will bring benefit from the ability to access its current season. hundreds of Sony movies, includ- the very best content from two of Sony Pictures Television, which ing “Jumanji” and “Spider-Man,” Hollywood’s most prolific studios produces the quiz show, an- to multiple Disney platforms, in- across a multitude of viewing plat- nounced Wednesday that Burton cluding Disney+ and Hulu. forms and experiences,” Saftler will be among the hosts filling in at The deal, announced Wednes- added. the program’s lectern before the day, underscores the voracious Output deals have long generat- end of the TV season. appetite for content by streaming ed hundreds of millions of dollars Other upcoming guest hosts services. a year in revenue for film studios. named include Fox sportscaster Disney, which spent $71.3 bil- SONY PICTURES/TNS Premium cable channels have re- Joe Buck, CNBC host David Faber lion to acquire the 20th Century Zendaya as MJ and Tom Holland as Peter Parker (aka Spider­Man) in lied on a steady stream of block- and “Good Morning America” co- Fox film and television studio two Marvel’s “Spider­Man: No Way Home.” Disney and Sony reached an buster Hollywood movies to keep anchors George Stephanopoulos years ago for its stockpile of pro- agreement granting Disney access to Sony’s catalog of movies. subscribers engaged. and Robin Roberts. gramming, has concluded that it “This groundbreaking agree- Burton, 64, had been touted on will need even more movies and initial pay-TV window. In addi- platform agnostic agreement ment reconfirms the unique and social media as potential succes- TV shows to be victorious in the tion, Disney will get rights to So- guarantees the team at Disney enduring value of our movies to sor to the late Alex Trebek, who streaming wars. The Sony deal al- ny’s vast library of films. Disney Media and Entertainment Distri- film lovers and the platforms and died last year. The TV show has so will help bolster Hulu’s slate of will have the rights to play the So- bution a tremendous amount of networks that serve them,” Keith been using guest hosts since the fi- movies. ny product on its various plat- flexibility and breadth of pro- Le Goy, Sony’s president of world- nal Trebek episodes aired in De- Under the deal, Disney will li- forms, including traditional net- gramming possibilities to lever- wide distribution and networks, cember and has not publicly set a cense Sony movies that are re- works ABC, Freeform, National age Sony’s rich slate of award- said in the statement. timetable for naming a permanent leased theatrically beginning next Geographic and the FX Networks, winning action and family films “We are thrilled to team up with replacement. year through 2026 — after those as well as its streaming services. across our direct-to-consumer Disney on delivering our titles to films finish their runs during their “This landmark multi-year, services and linear channels,” their viewers and subscribers.” From wire reports  PAGE 36 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Man bitten while trying to remove rattlesnake CORONA — A South- CA ern California man is recovering after he was bitten by a rattlesnake when he tried to pick up the poisonous reptile using bar- becue tongs, authorities said. The man spotted the snake Sat- urday evening near his home in the Sycamore Creek community of Corona and was worried about it coming into contact with chil- dren, according to a statement from Riverside County Animal Services. When he tried to remove the rat- tler using the tongs, the snake struck and bit him on the hand, Animal Services spokesman John Welsh said. The man was treated at a hospital and later released. Rattlesnake bites are painful and in rare cases can be fatal. Animal Services Officer Mike McGee removed the snake, which was later euthanized. Rancher gets prison term for fraud schemes TUCSON — An Arizona AZ rancher has been sen- tenced to nearly 3½ years in feder- al prison for his role in embezzle- ment and wire fraud schemes. Prosecutors said Donald Hugh KRISTOPHER RADDER, BRATTLEBORO (VT.) REFORMER/AP Nichols, 62, of Coolidge, received a 41-month prison term after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Good with the greens U.S. District Court in Tucson. Be- Elizabeth Wood, owner of New leaf CSA, in Dummerston, Vt., plants leafy greens on Tuesday. tween 2013 and 2017, prosecutors said, Nichols engaged in a scheme said. THE CENSUS being the “cause of the flu” and to steal cattle from the Marana A conveyor belt apparently car- threatened “at least four times” to Stockyards and Livestock Market, ried a burning substance from a The approximate number of fragments of nursery-raised coral shoot the family, court documents which hosts weekly livestock auc- silo to other parts of the facility, 60K federal officials and environmental groups have begun to said. tions for Arizona ranchers. said Baltimore City Fire Depart- plant at reefs located off the Florida Keys. The National Oceanic and Atmo- “Along with making vague As a cattle broker for third-par- ment spokeswoman Blair Adams. spheric Administration announced Tuesday that workers have started the threats about owning firearms ty buyers, Nichols also illegally Fire and smoke was coming three-year outplanting project at Eastern Dry Rocks Sanctuary Preservation and shooting the family, the sus- bid on his own cattle without the through the roof when firefighters Area near Key West. Distinct genetic strains of elkhorn and staghorn corals are pect stated she had a bow and ar- buyers’ knowledge or consent. arrived, and the silo collapsed af- being transplanted across more than 9 acres. The corals were grown in their row and would kill everyone,” respective nurseries over six to eight months. As a result of these fraud ter they entered the building, ac- documents said. Officers arrested schemes, Marana Stockyards lost cording to the department. Jameson for malicious harass- more than $1 million. All of the employees safely es- release said Forrest “intentionally Tuesday because of “anhydrous ment. caped from the building, and no veered her car off the roadway ammonia” being released as the She has been charged with one Police ticket man who injuries to firefighters were im- and partially into the yard to strike fire burned, KATU-TV reported. count of a hate crime. accidentally shot himself mediately reported, Adams said. the children.” Anhydrous ammonia is a colorless The 99-year-old refinery, which One teen was taken to the hospi- gas with a pungent, suffocating US sets aside habitat for LINCOLN — A Lincoln employs 510 full-time workers tal for treatment and Forrest’s car odor, according to the Centers for survival of rare songbird NE man who accidentally and is in the midst of replacing its had damage to the front that was Disease Control and Prevention. shot himself in the foot with a rifle massive, beloved neon rooftop consistent with hitting a person, No injuries were reported. ALBUQUERQUE — last week saw metaphorical salt “Domino Sugars” sign with an according to the release. Sgt. Lee NM U.S. wildlife manag- rubbed into the wound when po- LED replica, processes about 6.5 Darnell, a sheriff’s spokesman, Neighbor charged with ers have set aside vast areas lice ticketed him for the incident. million pounds of raw cane sugar a said the injuries appeared to be hate crime after threats across several states as habitat The shooting happened last Fri- day, The Baltimore Sun reported. minor. critical to the survival of a rare day night, when a 27-year-old man Deputies said when they PORT ORCHARD — songbird that migrates each year went to a Lincoln hospital after Sheriff: Woman purposely searched her car, they found mar- WA A Port Orchard wom- from Central and South America shooting himself in the foot with a drove into teens in yard ijuana, crack cocaine and a knife. an has been charged with a hate to breeding grounds in Mexico .22 caliber rifle, the Lincoln Jour- Forrest was charged with three crime after she allegedly harassed and the United States. nal Star reported. By Saturday GREENVILLE — A counts of assault with a deadly her neighbors and threatened to The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- night, police had cited the man for NC North Carolina woman weapon and a count of felony co- “kill everyone,” according to court vice announced the final habitat discharging a firearm and posses- was charged with driving her car caine possession. documents. designation for the western yel- sion of a firearm by a prohibited into a yard where three teenagers Kitsap County Superior Court low-billed cuckoo Tuesday. person, both misdemeanors. were playing basketball, injuring Creamery area evacuated documents say Cassandra Jame- It covers 467 square miles along one of them. amid fire, ammonia in air son yelled at her neighbors last hundreds of miles of rivers and Conveyor belt spreads A Pitt County Sheriff’s Office Friday while they were setting up streams in the western states. fire at sugar plant news release said deputies re- MCMINNVILLE — A for a baby shower in their apart- Most breeding in the U.S. oc- sponded Sunday to a report of a OR fire and related am- ment complex parking lot, The curs in Arizona and New Mexico, BALTIMORE — A child intentionally hit by a car in monia in the air at the Organic News Tribune reported. but the habitat designation also in- MD fire at the Domino Greenville. Valley Creamery in McMinnville Court documents say the vic- cludes areas in California, Colora- Sugar plant sent white smoke bil- The news release said that Dai- on Tuesday prompted an evacua- tims are Black and Pacific Islan- do, Utah, Texas and Idaho. lowing over the Inner Harbor in na Renee Forrest, 35, of Green- tion order for everyone within a der, but Jameson yelled that “they Baltimore on Tuesday, but no in- ville, had been driving around and half mile of the business. needed to go ‘back over the juries were immediately reported, threatening the three teens by McMinnville Police announced fence.’ ” a fire department spokeswoman waving a knife and cursing. The the evacuation at about 2:30 p.m. She also accused the family of From wire reports Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 37 PAGE 38 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 49 Beholds 21 Norwegian saint 1 Witch 50 TV chef Paula 22 Mirror fogger 4 Mark Harmon 51 Toe count 23 Dark blue TV series 25 Locale

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 8 Flair DOWN 26 Resident 12 — Claire, WI 1 Height of 27 Synthesizer 13 Franc fashion? pioneer replacement 2 Motorist’s org. 28 Diminutive suffix 14 Protuberance 3 Advice 30 Bygone jets 15 Anchor 4 Egg holders 33 Corduroy 17 Leak slowly 5 Adorable features 18 See socially 6 Lyricist Gershwin 34 Bribes 19 Prepped for 7 Tofu source 36 Synthetic playing, as 8 “Stop already!” fabric Non Sequitur a violin 9 Lake bird 37 Red planet 20 Shower bars? 10 Wood- 38 Curved molding 22 Unforeseen shaping tool 39 Unrivaled problem 11 Must have 40 Chantilly, e.g. 24 Forearm bone 16 Wine valley 42 Feeling down 25 Skip a night out 19 Diggs of “Private 43 Three, in Rome 29 Buddy Practice” 44 Service charge 30 Strainer 20 Wrestling style 45 Very long time 31 Camp bed Answer to Previous Puzzle 32 Linger too long Candorville 34 Highlander 35 Detail 36 Roulette bet 37 Aspic shapers 40 Reindeer herder 41 Awestruck 42 “Take care of yourself” 46 Russo of “The

Carpe Diem Intern” 47 Not pizzicato 48 Opposite of paleo- Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 39 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 54 Shoe width 22 Incendiary crime 1 Goblet feature 55 “Ocean’s Eleven” 24 Secret store 5 Scrooge’s cries actor Garcia 25 High school subj. 9 Zing 56 Present-day 26 Einstein’s

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Not difficult “carpe diem” birthplace 13 Seth’s son 27 Race segment 14 Egg (Pref.) DOWN 29 Can metal 15 Airline to Tel Aviv 1 Beholds 30 Rock’s Brian 16 Pismires 2 Towering 31 — Moines 17 Stock holder 3 Jacob’s twin 35 Pooch’s exercise area in a park 18 Pivot 4 1989 Daniel 36 Acquired 19 Ode title starter Day-Lewis film 39 Green gem 20 Repair 5 Actor Warren 21 Blubber 40 Theater award Non Sequitur 6 Part of A.D. 23 Glacial 41 Unconvincing 7 Empty talk 25 Sensual 43 “— Lang Syne” 8 Snake’s sound 28 Traveled the 45 Bread spread 9 Vatican VIP rapids 46 Rind 10 Squared 32 Musical staff 47 Big fair, for short 11 Frogs’ hangout symbols 49 TV schedule 20 1964 Audrey 33 “Alfie” star abbr. 34 “Nothing for Hepburn film Answer to Previous Puzzle me, thanks” Candorville 36 Khaki pants 37 Lennon’s lady 38 — Lingus 39 Shock 42 Leg, in slang 44 Unhurried gait 48 Lawyers’ org. 49 Loyal 50 “Roots” author

Carpe Diem Haley 51 Badly lit 52 Future tulip 53 Profound Beetle Bailey Bizarro PAGE 40 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Community responders can lighten officers’ load

BY DEBBIE RAMSEY sionals such as social workers, mental that take predators off the street. Special to The Washington Post health professionals, mediators and “cred- The CR model would be perfect in my EDITORIAL hen I served the Baltimore ible messengers” — people with strong lo- home city of Baltimore. There’s a percep- Terry Leonard, Editor Police Department, I per- cal ties, usually those who have overcome tion that Baltimore’s violence is beyond fix- [email protected] formed a lot of unexpected the same issues facing their clients. ing and that not enough people are doing jobs. A parent once called A recent report titled “The Community anything about it, but our residents care Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor W emergency services because the school Responder Model: How Cities Can Send deeply. They do not trust police to create [email protected] crossing guard did not show up to work, so I the Right Responder to Every 911 Call,” co- safer streets, and public resources are Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content filled in for the morning. Another time I authored by the Law Enforcement Action scant. [email protected] was an animal control officer, because a Partnership and the Center for American I’m the founder and executive director of Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation squirrel had found its way into a man’s Progress, makes the case for this new ap- Unified Efforts, a community nonprofit [email protected] basement. I also once acted as a utility proach. that provides children with peaceable solu- company representative when a woman Researchers analyzed 911 call data from tions to local problems. We train the next Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital was alarmed about her power being turned eight large cities, finding that the majority generation to handle serious neighborhood [email protected] off. And I can’t count the times I was sent to of emergency calls were low- or medium- issues like gang disputes, as well as every- manage people living on the street and was priority safety issues — those related to day matters like squirrels in basements BUREAU STAFF expected to fill the role of social worker. low-risk mental health, drugs and home- and missing crossing guards at schools. If I managed to perform most of these jobs lessness, and other quality-of-life and ad- Baltimore had a CR program, the young Europe/Mideast reasonably well, and the residents of my ministrative complaints, such as neighbor people served by Unified Efforts could go Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] city were grateful. But none of these sit- disputes and minor traffic accidents. Re- to school for social work, train as communi- +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 uations required a police response. Every searchers concluded that many of these ty responders and get meaningful employ- Pacific time I took one of these calls, I was “out of calls could be safely diverted from police to ment. They could work in the neighbor- Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief service,” meaning that the department people who were better suited to both pre- hoods where they live and respond swiftly [email protected] could not send me to investigate serious, vent and respond to crime. to those calls that do not require armed po- +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 violent crimes. The Law Enforcement Action Partner- lice. Washington What’s more, police are not better situat- ship and the Center for American Progress There is no single magic solution that Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief ed than anyone else to handle these calls. In estimate that community responders could will repair police relationships in our com- [email protected] fact, we’re often worse. Having an armed address 21% to 38% of police calls for ser- munities, and no single solution for reduc- (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News officer show up to nonviolent, non-urgent vice, while an additional 13% to 33% could ing crime. But I am confident in the com- [email protected] situations is bad practice because an offi- be handled behind the scenes and with munity responder model because the evi- cer’s presence alone may be enough to es- proper call screening. The CR model has dence shows that the appropriate respon- CIRCULATION calate a problem unnecessarily. And the great potential to ease tensions between po- ders for low-level crimes and noncriminal burden of this risk falls on some of our most lice and civilians, particularly in low-in- problems are not, in fact, police. The CR Mideast vulnerable neighbors and loved ones: Peo- come communities and communities of model creates a comprehensive health and Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] ple with untreated mental illnesses are 16 color that are over-policed for minor issues safety service network that police, public [email protected] times more likely to be killed during a po- and under-policed for serious crimes. health experts and community members DSN (314)583-9111 lice encounter than the average civilian. With more police resources available, of- can all get behind. Europe What we really need to respond effec- ficers could focus on building trust with Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager tively to each call are community respon- community members. And without the dis- Debbie Ramsey served for 12 years with the Baltimore Police [email protected] ders. traction of every noncriminal nuisance and Department, retiring as a detective. She is the founder and [email protected] executive director of Unified Efforts, an organization that +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Under the community responder (CR) quality-of-life issue in our precincts, we engages youth in conflict resolution, and a representative of the model, 911 operators direct behavioral would have the capacity to more thorough- Law Enforcement Action Partnership, a nonprofit group of Pacific police, prosecutors, judges and other law­enforcement officials health calls to a team of unarmed profes- ly investigate violence and make arrests working to improve the criminal justice system. Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 CONTACT US Putin’s strategy is all about himself, woefully lacking Washington tel: (+1)202.886.0003 BY CLARA FERREIRA MARQUES line.” Not surprisingly, there was no men- parents caring for a young child who’s sick. 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 Bloomberg Opinion tion of the domestic adversaries, even as al- Plus a one-off payment for families with Reader letters f we want things to stay as they most 1,800 people were arrested at demon- school-age children. [email protected] are, things will have to strations across Russia in support of jailed However the pledges were all so modest Additional contacts change.” That’s the opportu- opposition leader Alexei Navalny. that they can be covered by funds already stripes.com/contactus “I nistic Tancredi’s advice on how The significance of Putin’s address lies in available. to manage political turbulence in Giuseppe just how little substance there was. Valenti- Alitany of figures (5,000 new ambulances, OMBUDSMAN Tomasi di Lampedusa’s 1958 classic “The na Matviyenko, pro-Kremlin stalwart and 16,000 new school buses), exhortations that Ernie Gates Leopard.” speaker of the Federation Council, had decisions “must be made” and Putin’s dra- Vladimir Putin is trying to hang on by do- promised a message of the “new age.” It was matic shows of frustration with slow-mov- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow ing the exact opposite. nothing of the sort. ing officials couldn’t cover up a missed op- of news and information, reporting any attempts by the military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s The president’s state-of-the-nation Putin often projects the image of a benign portunity to lay out a comprehensive eco- independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns speech on Wednesday was much anticipat- patriarch, and this would have been a good nomic vision. Perhaps because there is and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman ed. Rumors swirled he would make dramat- time for some elder-statesman vision. While none. Hinted-at tax changes, for example, welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by ic moves like a ratcheting up of confronta- Russia’s economy weathered the pandemic won’t come close to fixing what is holding email at [email protected], or by phone at 202.886.0003. tion in Ukraine, an indication of feverish better than some, growth ahead looks ane- companies back from investing more heavi- times. mic, especially compared to developed ri- ly. As Vladimir Gelman, professor at the Eu- Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- Instead, what Russians got was an under- vals. Prices are rising and real incomes have ropean University at St. Petersburg, told me, days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and whelming pitch ahead of September’s par- shrunk. Fresh sanctions will bring more Russia is falling into a repression trap. A fo- Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals liamentary elections, with a Brezhnev-es- pain. The popularity of the main United Rus- cus on cracking down, without working to postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, que hour-plus of populist tropes, a litany of sia party has been fading. appease people’s demands, becomes a vi- APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the handouts and vague policy pronouncements It’s a bleak landscape ahead of legislative cious circle, requiring more repression. It’s Department of Defense for members of the military services overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are that said far more about the state of Putin’s elections in which the Kremlin needs a a strategy of sticks without carrots, he says, unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views Russia than any foreign-policy hectoring. strong majority to lay the foundations for the that’s unlikely to yield good results with an of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official This is a regime well aware of the pain of fall- 2024 presidential vote. urbanized and educated population. channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to ing living standards and flatlining growth, And yet, there was little evidence of a By jailing Navalny, arresting his support- remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in this publication does but it has no real plan to resolve either. grand spending strategy to get the economy ers and preparing to ban his movement, Pu- not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or There should be relief, of course, that moving again. There was help for indebted tin silences irritants. What he hasn’t dealt Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised shall be made available for there were no fireworks on Ukraine or Bela- regions and cash thrown at some pressing is- with is the underlying popular discontent purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical rus. Putin limited himself to some fist-shak- sues, particularly the country’s shrinking Navalny so ably taps. That requires real handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of ing directed at countries he said were gang- population: promises of benefits for single change. the purchaser, user or patron. ing up on Russia, implausible talk of foreign parents, an average monthly subsidy for © Stars and Stripes 2021 interference in Minsk and a warning to ene- needy mothers-to-be, free hot meals for pri- Bloomberg Opinion columnist Clara Ferreira Marques covers stripes.com mies considering crossing Moscow’s “red mary children and even full paid leave for commodities and environmental, social and governance issues. Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 41 SCOREBOARD/AUTO RACING

COLLEGE FOOTBALL TENNIS DEALS Saturday’s games Barcelona Open Wednesday’s transactions Wednesday BASEBALL SOUTH At Real Club de Tenis Barcelona Major League Baseball Prairie View (2­1) at Jackson St. (3­3) Barcelona, Spain American League Alabama A&M (3­0) at MVSU (0­3) Purse: Euro 1,565,480 BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Placed OF An­ SOUTHWEST Surface: Red clay thony Santander on the 10­day IL. Recalled Men’s Singles OF Ryan McKenna from alternate training Texas Southern (0­2) at Ark.­Pine Bluff Round of 32 site at Bowie (Double­A Northeast). (4­0) Albert Ramos­Vinolas, Spain, def. DETROIT TIGERS— Designated INF Rena­ NCAA FCS Playoffs Adrian Mannarino, France, 6­4, 6­4. to Nunez for assignment. Optioned RHP Andrey Rublev (3), Russia, def. Federico Joe Jimenez to alternate training site. Re­ First Round Gaio, Italy, 6­4, 6­3. called INF Zach Short from alternate train­ Saturday, April 24 Felix Auger­Aliassime (10), Canada, def. ing site and RHP Spencer Turnbull from Holy Cross (3­0) at South Dakota St. (5­1) Lorenzo Musetti, Italy, 4­6, 6­3, 6­0. the IL. Named OF Derek Hill (27th man). S. Illinois (5­3) at Weber St. (5­0) Stefanos Tsitsipas (2), Greece, def. HOUSTON ASTROS — Agreed to terms Sacred Heart (3­1) at Delaware (5­0) Jaume Munar, Spain, 6­0, 6­2. with C Martin Maldonado on a one­year Davidson (4­2) at Jacksonville St. (9­2) Alex de Minaur (14), Australia, def. Alex­ contract for 2022. VMI (6­1) at James Madison (5­0) ander Bublik, Kazakhstan, 7­6 (3), 6­2. MINNESOTA TWINS— Placed INF J.T. Rid­ Missouri St. (5­4) at North Dakota (4­1) Pablo Carreno Busta (6), Spain, def. Jor­ dle on the COVID­19 IL. Selected the con­ E. Washington (5­1) at North Dakota St. dan Thompson, Australia, 6­4, 6­0. tract of C Tomas Telis from taxi squad. Op­ (6­2) Bernabe Zapata Miralles, Spain, def. Fa­ tioned LHP Lewis Thorpe to alternate Monmouth (3­0) at Sam Houston (6­0) bio Fognini (9), Italy, 6­0, 4­4. training site. Quarterfinals Corentin Moutet, France, def. Daniel OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Optioned RHP May 1 and 2 Evans (16), Britain, 6­4, 5­7, 6­3. Jordan Weems to alternate training site. National League South Dakota St.­Holy Cross winner vs. Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Ilya Ivashka, Weber St.­S. Illinois winner Belarus, 3­6, 6­2, 6­4. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Recalled Delaware­Sacred Heart winner vs. Jack­ Kei Nishikori, Japan, def. Cristian Garin RHP Humberto Castellanos from alternate sonville St.­Davidson winner (13), Chile, 7­6 (5), 4­6, 6­1. training site. James Madison­VMI winner vs. North Diego Schwartzman (4), Argentina, def. CINCINNATI REDS — Recalled RHP Art R BRENT SMITH / AP Dakota­Missouri St. winner Frances Tiafoe, United States, 3­6, 7­5, 6­1. Warren from alternate training site. North Dakota St.­E. Washington winner Men’s Doubles MIAMI MARLINS— Placed C Jorge Alfaro The Indianapolis 500 will allow 135,000 spectators, or 40% of vs. Sam Houston­Monmouth winner Round of 16 on the 10­day IL. Selected the contract of C Semifinals Fabrice Martin and Jeremy Chardy, Sandy Leon from alternate training site. capacity, to attend “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” next month. Saturday, May 8 France, def. Adrian Mannarino and Benoit Optioned RHP Nick Neidert to alternate TBD Paire, France, 7­6 (1), 6­7 (4), 10­8. training site. Championship Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Signed INF/OF Sunday, May 16 (1), Colombia, def. Nicolas Mahut and Dee Strange­Gordon to a minor league Pierre­Hugues Herbert, France, 6­2, 6­4. contract and assigned him to alternate At Frisco, Texas training site. Semifinal winners Ivan Dodig, Croatia, and Jamie Murray, Britain, def. Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lo­ PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Optioned pez, Spain, 6­3, 6­1. RHP Ramon Rosso to alternate training Indy 500 allowing PRO SOCCER site. Placed INF Jean Segura on the 10­day Istanbul Cup IL. Recalled INF Scott Kingery and RHP MLS Spencer Howard from alternate training Wednesday site. EASTERN CONFERENCE At Garanti Koza Arena PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Claimed OF Istanbul Ka’ai Tom off waivers from Oakland. Re­ WLTPts GF GA Purse: $235,238 called INF Rodolfo Castro from alternate 135,000 spectators Surface: Red clay training site. Designated OF Anthony Al­ Montreal 1 0 0 3 4 2 Women’s Singles ford for assignment. Recalled RHP Miguel D.C. United 1 0 0 3 2 1 Round of 32 Yajure from alternate training site. BY JENNA FRYER SAN DIEGO PADRES — Recalled RHP Di­ “We’re ready to take the next step Chicago 0 0 1 1 2 2 Kaia Kanepi, Estonia, def. Zarina Diyas, Kazakhstan, 6­4, 6­4. nelson Lamet from the 10­day IL. Optioned Associated Press in bringing back the economy and New England 0 0 1 1 2 2 Round of 16 LHP Nick Ramirez to alternate training Cincinnati 0 0 1 1 2 2 Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine, def. Daria Ka­ site. The Indianapolis 500 is set to be a lot of that in this city and state is BASKETBALL Nashville 0 0 1 1 2 2 satkina (4), Russia, 6­3, 7­5. the largest sporting event in the driven by sports events which has Ana Konjuh, Croatia, def. Wang Qiang, National Basketball Association Columbus 0 0 1 1 0 0 China, 6­1, 6­4. NBA — Suspended Indiana’s F JaKarr world since the start of the pan- been shut down for so many Philadelphia 0 0 1 1 0 0 Sorana Cirstea, Romania, def. Anastasia Sampson one game without pay for head­ butting an opponent during an April 19 demic with 135,000 spectators months. March Madness was in- Orlando City 0 0 1 1 0 0 Potapova, Russia, 7­6 (6), 6­4. Katerina Siniakova, Czech Republic, def. game against San Antonio. Fined San An­ permitted to attend “The Greatest credibly successful, this is the Atlanta 0 0 1 1 0 0 Kristina Mladenovic, France, 6­4, 3­6, 6­4. tonio G Patty Mills $25,000 and F Rudy Gay Inter Miami CF 0 1 0 0 2 3 Women’s Doubles $20,000 for their actions in an on­court al­ Spectacle in Racing” next month. next step and it just so happens Round of 16 tercation during an April 19 game at Indi­ New York 0 1 0 0 1 2 this will probably be the biggest Paula Kania­Chodun, Poland, and Julia ana. Indianapolis Motor Speedway NYCFC 0 1 0 0 1 2 Wachaczyk, Germany, def. Renata Vora­ CLEVELAND CAVALIERS — Signed F said Wednesday it worked with sporting event of the year.” Toronto FC 0 1 0 0 2 4 cova, Czech Republic, and Lara Arruabar­ Mfiondu Kabengele to a 10­day contract. rena (3), Spain, 6­2, 6­2. INDIANA PACERS— Signed F Oshae Bris­ the Marion County Public Health The speedway will be open to WESTERN CONFERENCE Vera Zvonareva and Elena Vesnina, Rus­ sett to a rest­of­season contract. spectators every day cars are on sia, def. Zheng Saisai, China, and En Shuo MILWAUKEE BUCKS — Signed F Mamadi Department to determine that WLTPts GF GA Liang, Taiwan, 6­2, 5­7, 10­8. Diakite to a multi­year contract. Signed F 40% of venue capacity can attend the track beginning with the May Veronika Kudermetova, Russia, and El­ Justin Jackson to a two­way contract. Seattle 1 0 0 3 4 0 ise Mertens (1), Belgium, def. Pemra Oz­ Women’s National Basketball 15 road course event. The viewing Association the May 30 race on Memorial Day LAFC 1 0 0 3 2 0 gen and Cagla Buyukakcay, Turkey, 6­2, mounds in the infield will be 6­2. SEATTLE STORM— Signed F N’dea Jones weekend. The speedway is the LA Galaxy 1 0 0 3 3 2 Makoto Ninomiya and Nao Hibino (2), Ja­ to a rookie scale contract. closed, and general admission in- Sporting KC 1 0 0 3 2 1 pan, def. Jessy Rompies and Beatrice Gu­ NEW YORK LIBERTY— Signed G Jasmine largest sporting facility in the Bailey to a training camp contract. field tickets will not be made avail- Houston 1 0 0 3 2 1 mulya, Indonesia, 6­2, 6­2. world with more than 250,000 Dalila Jakupovic, Slovenia, and Yana Si­ FOOTBALL able. Vancouver 1 0 0 3 1 0 zikova, Russia, def. Anna Danilina, Ka­ National Football League grandstand seats and the ability to FC Dallas 0 0 1 1 0 0 zakhstan, and Kamilla Rakhimova, Russia, LOS ANGELES RAMS— Re­signed CB Da­ The infield’s raucous “Snake 6­3, 3­6, 10­6. rious Williams. host close to 400,000 on race day Colorado 0 0 1 1 0 0 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed RB throughout the entire property. Pit” will be closed and all the tra- Real Salt Lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 Porsche Grand Prix Wayne Gallman to a one­year contract. ditional concerts will not be held, San Jose 0 1 0 0 1 2 Signed DE Arden Key. The attendance figure was de- Wednesday SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Agreed to terms including on Carb Day and Leg- Portland 0 1 0 0 0 1 At Porsche Arena CB Pierre Desir on a one­year contract. termined after Indianapolis host- Austin FC 0 1 0 0 0 2 Stuttgart, Germany HOCKEY ends Day. There will be suite seat- Purse: Euro 456,073 ed the NCAA men’s basketball Minnesota 0 1 0 0 0 4 National Hockey League ing and the Pagoda will be open to Surface: Red clay COLORADO AVALANCHE — Reassigned tournament through March and Note: Three points for victory, one point Women’s Singles those with tickets, but the midway RW Martin Kaut, D Keaton Middleton, G into April with limited attendance. for tie. Round of 32 Adam Werner and LW Miikka Salomaki will be closed. Friday’s game Karolina Pliskova (6), Czech Republic, from Colorado (AHL) to taxi squad and G The NCAA allowed 8,000 fans at def. Tamara Korpatsch, Germany, 7­5, 3­6, Jayson Megna from taxi squad to Colora­ Grandstand seating will be so- Orlando City at Sporting Kansas City 6­3. do (AHL). Lucas Oil Stadium for the April 5 Saturday’s games Jelena Ostapenko, Latvia, def. Stefanie DETROIT RED WINGS— Reassigned G Ke­ cially distanced; fans will have an Voegele, Switzerland, 6­4, 7­5. men’s championship game. Cincinnati at New York City FC vin Boyle from Grand Rapids (AHL) loan to Angelique Kerber, Germany, def. Ekate­ taxi squad. Reassigned G Kaden Fulcher to option to return their tickets for an Montreal at Nashville rine Gorgodze, Georgia, 6­2, 6­2. The Alabama spring football Vancouver at Toronto FC Grand Rapids (AHL) from taxi squad. account credit. Marketa Vondrousova, Czech Republic, FLORIDA PANTHERS — Reassigned D game last weekend hosted 47,218 FC Dallas at San Jose def. Marie Bouzkova, Czech Republic, 6­1, Face coverings will be required Seattle at Los Angeles FC Alec Rauhauser from Syracuse (AHL) to 7­6 (6). Greenville (ECHL) and C Brad Morrison fans, nearly 10,000 more than a re- Real Salt Lake at Minnesota Round of 16 on track property and temper- Miami at Philadelphia from Indy (ECHL) to Syracuse (AHL). cent Texas Rangers baseball D.C. United at New England Anett Kontaveit, Estonia, def. Sofia Ke­ MONTREAL CANADIENS — Recalled G ature checks will be given at the Chicago at Atlanta nin (3), United States, 7­5, 6­4. Charlie Lindgren from Laval (AHL) loan to game; an Australian Rules cricket Ashleigh Barty (1), Australia, def. Laura taxi squad. entrances. IMS will also extend its Austin FC at Colorado match in Melbourne drew 51,723 Houston at Portland Siegemund, Germany, 6­0, 7­5. NEW JERSEY DEVILS— Assigned Cs Nate Petra Kvitova (7), Czech Republic, def. Schnarr and Brett Seney on loan to Bing­ vaccination clinics through the Sunday’s game Maria Sakkari, Greece, 6­3, 3­6, 6­3. hamton (AHL) from taxi squad. in March. end of May with the ability for New York at LA Galaxy Women’s Doubles NEW YORK RANGERS— Agreed to terms Roger Penske, in his second Round of 16 with F Karl Henriksson on an entry­level spectators to receive a vaccination Saturday, May 1 Bethanie Mattek­Sands and Desirae contract. year as owner of Indianapolis Mo- on speedway grounds throughout Chicago at New York Krawczyk (1), United States, def. Laura­ SAN JOSE SHARKS — Recalled D Jacob Sporting Kansas City at Real Salt Lake Ioana Paar, Romania, and Varvara Gra­ Middleton from loan to San Jose (AHL) tor Speedway, had hoped for full the month. Columbus at Montreal cheva, Russia, 7­6 (1), 6­3. .Designated LW Jayden Halbgewachs for attendance, but IndyCar and Los Angeles FC at Houston Zhang Shuai and Xu Yifan (2), China, def. assignment taxi squad Miles anticipated about 60% of Atlanta at New England Julia Middendorf and Noma Noha Akugue, SOCCER speedway officials are taking those in attendance will have been Cincinnati at Orlando City Germany, 7­6 (5), 6­4. Major League Soccer New York City FC at Philadelphia Raluca­Ioana Olaru, Romania, and Nadi­ SPORTING KC — Acquired $200,000 in pride in the upcoming milestone. vaccinated. IMS has vaccinated Austin FC at Minnesota ia Kichenok, Ukraine, def. Hayley Carter, general allocation money from Philadel­ “This event and this place Portland at FC Dallas United States, and Luisa Stefani (3), Brazil, phia in exchange for a 2021 international approximately 100,000 people D.C. United at San Jose 7­6 (6), 6­4. roster slot. means so much to everybody we since it began operating as a site. GOLF see every day and we hear from “Roger Penske and everyone every day, whether they are Hoo- associated with Penske Entertain- LA Open Dana Finkelstein 32­34—66 ­5 Jin Young Ko 31­36—67 ­4 siers or race fans from around the ment and the Indianapolis Motor Su Oh 33­33—66 ­5 Ally Ewing 36­31—67 ­4 LPGA Tour Carlota Ciganda 32­34—66 ­5 Jennifer Kupcho 32­36—68 ­3 world,” Mark Miles, president Speedway have been incredible Wednesday At Wilshire Country Club Austin Ernst 34­32—66 ­5 Angela Stanford 33­35—68 ­3 and CEO of Penske Entertain- partners with us throughout the Los Angeles, Calif. Nelly Korda 33­33—66 ­5 Hannah Green 33­35—68 ­3 ment Corp., told The Associated pandemic,” said Indiana Gov. Er- Purse: $1.5 million Alison Lee 35­32—67 ­4 Jeongeun Lee6 34­34—68 ­3 Yardage: 6,450; Par: 71 Nanna Koerstz Madsen 33­34—67 ­4 Maria Fassi 35­33—68 ­3 Press. ic Holcomb. “It is high time for First Round Sophia Popov 33­34—67 ­4 Marina Alex 35­33—68 ­3 “We feel a real responsibility to fans to return to the greatest mo- Jessica Korda 31­33—64 ­7 Muni He 33­34—67 ­4 Jodi Ewart Shadoff 34­34—68 ­3 Tiffany Chan 31­34—65 ­6 A Lim Kim 35­32—67 ­4 So Yeon Ryu 32­36—68 ­3 protect that legacy and to grow it tor speedway in the world with Moriya Jutanugarn 29­36—65 ­6 Sei Young Kim 31­36—67 ­4 Sung Hyun Park 34­34—68 ­3 and to have the race,” Miles said. this safety plan in place.” PAGE 42 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 SOCCER/NHL Discontent lingers over Super League

BY STEVE DOUGLAS Associated Press A pronouncement from Man- Barcelona still chester City manager Pep Guard- iola that the abandoned Super supports idea League was a “closed chapter” is proving way wide of the mark. BARCELONA, Spain — Barce- The ripples of discontent from lona president Joan Laporta the failed power-grab by En- maintained his support for the Su- gland’s so-called “Big Six” were per League on Thursday despite continuing to be felt on Thursday, the quick exit of 10 of the 12 when a group of Manchester Unit- founding clubs in the breakaway ed fans unhappy at the club’s in- competition. volvement in the scheme gained The Super League, which pro- access to its training ground. voked a backlash by other clubs, The protesters, reportedly fans and authorities around Eu- numbering about 20, carried ban- rope, was announced by a dozen ners with messages including top clubs in England, Spain and “Glazers out” — a reference to the Italy on Sunday, but it quickly col- Glazer family that owns United — lapsed and is now officially and “We decide when you play.” backed only by Barcelona and Eventually, they got to speak to Real Madrid. United manager Ole Gunnar “It is absolutely necessary,” La- DARREN CALABRESE / AP Solskjaer and members of his porta said on Catalan public tele- The Rouyn­Noranda Huskies’ William Cyr, center, celebrates with teammates after a win over the Halifax backroom staff. vision in his first public comments Mooseheads to win the Memorial Cup hockey championship on May 26, 2019 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The “Buildings were secure and the on the project. “The biggest clubs Memorial Cup championship for the Canadian Hockey League was canceled for a second consecutive year group has now left the site,” Unit- create the most financial re- because of the pandemic. The Ontario Hockey League on Tuesday abandoned its plans to hold a season, a ed said in a statement about an in- sources and we must have our move that complicates the evaluation of many players eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft. cident that took place at 9 a.m. lo- say in deciding how the earnings cal time at the Carrington practice are shared.” AROUND THE NHL complex, before the team trained. The six English clubs involved There were fan protests this in the competition pulled out week outside soccer grounds for Tuesday amid escalating back- matches featuring Liverpool, lash from their supporters and Chelsea, and Tottenham, three of warnings from the British govern- the other English teams who ment. A day later, Spanish club Dent in the pipeline signed up to join a breakaway Su- Atlético Madrid and the three Ital- per League also involving three ian teams in the project — Juven- clubs from Spain and another tus, AC Milan and Inter Milan — three from Italy. also opted out. Draft-eligible players don’t get to show talent The English teams all withdrew Despite being left nearly alone, late Tuesday — less than 48 hours Real Madrid president Florentino BY STEPHEN WHYNO ly full seasons and the Western in which more than 200 will be se- after the proposals were an- Pérez — the competition’s sup- Associated Press Hockey League and Quebec Major lected. nounced — following heavy pres- posed first chairman — said late few years from now, Junior Hockey League got back on “You’re going to have a year of sure from the British government Wednesday that the idea was not Brandt Clarke might be the ice. In Ontario, where OHL missed opportunity to view, to see and supporters. dead, but rather on standby. able to brag he took the Commissioner David Branch be- where they’re at and how they’ve Players and coaches haven’t hid The 12 elite clubs wanted to AAuston Matthews path lieves his league is the best in the progressed, and you’re going to their contempt for the Super boost their revenues by cutting to the NHL by playing in Europe world at producing professional make your evaluations based on a League, details of which were kept UEFA out of the equation and re- during his draft year. players, Canadian provincial re- year earlier,” Washington Capi- quiet by the clubs’ owners, and the placing the Champions League “He kind of went over voluntari- strictions forced many to go in an- tals GM Brian MacLellan said. manager of Arsenal — the sixth with the new tournament of 20 ly,” Clarke said. “I went over out of other direction. “We’ve been trying to do as many English team involved — said on teams. desperation.” Clarke, a 6-foot-1 defenseman things as we can video-wise, so Thursday disgruntled fans “sent — Associated Press Clarke and other 2021 draft-eli- expected to go in the top five in the there’s probably a sense of frustra- probably the strongest message gible prospects were forced to dif- July draft, played 26 games in Slo- tion — probably a sense of frustra- that has ever been sent in the foot- ferent paths this season when their vakia. Francesco Pinelli joined the tion on the players that they don’t ball world.” ity to communicate in a different leagues couldn’t stage a season be- Alps Hockey League in Central get to show where they’re at.” “This has given big lessons and way earlier, and pass on my mess- cause of the pandemic. Clarke was Europe. They and fellow projected it shows the importance of football age to the players,’ ” Arteta said. supposed to play for Barrie in the first-round pick Corson Ceule- Price is out in the world,” Arteta said. “That is all you can ask for.” Ontario Hockey League, which on mans will get to play in front of Goaltender Carey Price is prob- “And it shows that the soul of United co-owner Joel Glazer Tuesday abandoned plans to play scouts at the under-18 world cham- ably the Canadiens’ best bet to car- this sport belongs to the fans — and Liverpool owner John Henry this season, a move that plunged pionships this month in Texas, but ry them far in the playoffs. He is and that’s it. During this pandem- issued apologies on Wednesday, countless young players into un- that showcase won’t include many out for at least the next week be- ic, for a year, we have been trying when Man City chief executive certainty during a year that has put draft-eligible players. cause of concussion protocols af- to sustain this industry with no Ferran Soriano also sent a letter of a dent in hockey’s developmental “That’s just the cream of the ter a collision with Edmonton’s fans in the stadium. But when the apology to the club’s fans. pipeline. crop,” Columbus general manager Alex Chiasson on Monday night. fans have to come out and talk, Guardiola said he didn’t need to “There’s a lot of my friends in Jarmo Kekalainen said. “There’s Montreal will lean on Jake Allen they’ve done it really loud and speak directly to the City hierar- my age group that didn’t play this going to be some players that, had between the pipes to try to hold on clear.” chy even though he and his play- season, and, yeah, that sucks,” said they had the chance to show us this to fourth place in the North Divi- Arteta received a personal apol- ers went through a distracting Clarke, who is 18. “Some of them year what their development sion. ogy from the club’s American week of uncomfortable questions. have grown a lot as players and might be, they probably could ownership for the club’s part in “As a club, we accept and learn could have taken huge steps in have gotten into the top and now Game of the week the plan to form a largely closed and focus on the reason why we’re their draft years and whatnot. It’s people are going to be relying on First place in the East Division European competition. here,” Guardiola said after City hard to base your draft off a 16- their underage reports and knowl- will be at stake when the Washing- “They have the maximum re- beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Wednes- year-old’s season, and now that’s edge that you had before.” ton Capitals visit the New York Is- sponsibility to run the football day. what a lot of them are getting based Players know that. GMs and landers for games Thursday and club and what they said was, “It’s a chapter which is over, a off of.” scouting directors know it, too. Saturday on Long Island. They ‘Apologies for disturbing the closed chapter. They don’t need to Players in the U.S. college sys- And the U18s are just one chance to meet again in the District of Co- team, we did it without the capac- apologize, I know them.” tem and Europe got through most- see (some) players before a draft lumbia on Tuesday. Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 43 NHL League Scoreboard East Division keeping GP WLOT Pts GF GA Washington 46 29 13 4 62 163 141 N.Y. Islanders 46 29 13 4 62 133 106 Pittsburgh 46 29 14 3 61 159 132 protocols Boston 44 26 12 6 58 127 110 N.Y. Rangers 46 23 17 6 52 152 124 Philadelphia 45 20 18 7 47 128 162 New Jersey 45 14 25 6 34 115 157 in place Buffalo 46 12 27 7 31 111 156 Central Division BY STEPHEN WHYNO GP WLOT Pts GF GA Associated Press Carolina 45 30 10 5 65 146 108 The NHL on Wednesday con- Florida 47 30 12 5 65 152 126 firmed it has not guaranteed loos- Tampa Bay 46 30 14 2 62 153 121 ened virus protocols for players Nashville 48 25 21 2 52 130 137 who are vaccinated after Vegas Dallas 45 19 14 12 50 130 113 Chicago 47 22 20 5 49 134 148 goaltender Robin Lehner ripped Detroit 48 16 25 7 39 107 153 the league for what he said were un- Columbus 48 15 24 9 39 117 163 kept promises. West Division “Nobody from the league has GP WLOT Pts GF GA communicated to any player or club x-Vegas 46 33 11 2 68 155 102 that any of our COVID protocols Colorado 43 30 9 4 64 154 101 would be ‘relaxed’ for any player Minnesota 45 29 13 3 61 141 118 once he is vaccinated,” a league Arizona 47 20 22 5 45 124 150 St. Louis 43 19 18 6 44 124 135 spokesman said. SAM HODDE/AP San Jose 46 18 23 5 41 122 157 The NFL, NBA and Major Los Angeles 43 17 20 6 40 118 128 After winning four in a row at home to get within two points of the final playoff spot in the Central Division, League Baseball have set vaccina- Anaheim 47 14 26 7 35 104 151 the Stars will end the regular season playing nine of their last 11 games on the road. They will travel to five tion thresholds to relax some proto- North Division cities in that 20­day stretch. “We’ve known all along it was coming,” said coach Rick Bowness, above. cols, such as mask-wearing and pro- GP WLOT Pts GF GA hibition of outdoor dining, when a certain percentage of team person- Toronto 46 28 13 5 61 150 126 Winnipeg 45 27 15 3 57 144 120 nel are fully inoculated against CO- Edmonton 45 27 16 2 56 144 125 VID-19. Those leagues have all Montreal 44 20 15 9 49 130 126 Cup runner-up Stars have teams currently playing in the U.S., Calgary 45 19 23 3 41 118 133 where everyone 16 and older can Vancouver 39 18 18 3 39 109 125 Ottawa 46 16 26 4 36 126 166 get a vaccine. The NHL has seven Tuesday’s games teams in Canada, where eligibility N.Y. Islanders 6, N.Y. Rangers 1 —the nation only recently moved to Dallas 5, Detroit 2 long road back to playoffs Vancouver 6, Toronto 3 40 and older in some jurisdictions — Los Angeles 4, Anaheim 1 and availability is not nearly as ro- Boston 2, Buffalo 0 BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Those first four scheduled road Florida 5, Columbus 1 DID YOU KNOW? bust. Carolina 4, Tampa Bay 1 Associated Press games were instead postponed af- Pittsburgh 7, New Jersey 6 The NHL has only one player, To- Colorado at St. Louis, ppd DALLAS — The defending The Stars’ 61 minutes of overtime is ter 17 Dallas players tested posi- ronto's Joe Thornton, over age 40 Wednesday’s games Western Conference champion the most in the NHL this season, as tive in January for COVID-19, and playing in Canada, where 25% Chicago 5, Nashville 4, OT Dallas Stars have quite a road to are their 12 overtime losses. A 3-2 even though most were asympto- Minnesota 4, Arizona 1 of people have received one dose Vegas 5, San Jose 2 get back in the postseason. shootout victory over Detroit on matic, and the Stars opened at and 2.5% are fully vaccinated, ac- Montreal 4, Edmonton 3 After winning four in a row at Monday was only the third time all home a week after every other Thursday’s games cording to the Global Change Data home and now within two points of season, and first in more than a team had already started the sea- Boston at Buffalo month, where Dallas got a second Lab. In the U.S., roughly 40% have Carolina at Florida the final playoff spot in the Central son. Then four consecutive home Columbus at Tampa Bay point after finishing regulation tied. had one dose and 25% are fully vac- New Jersey at Pittsburgh Division, the Stars will end the reg- games in mid-February got put off Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers SOURCE: Associated Press cinated. Toronto at Winnipeg ular season playing nine of their because of extreme winter weath- Lehner said the league showed Washington at N.Y. Islanders last 11 games on the road. They will games mean a lot for us,” forward er in North Texas that made their Dallas at Detroit players the NBA's protocol plan and Colorado at St. Louis travel to five different cities in a 20- Jason Dickinson said. “I expect us arena unavailable because of a told them “(when) X amount of Ottawa at Vancouver day stretch. to keep rising and keep pushing.” power emergency. players leaders in this team or lead- Friday’s games “We’ve known all along it was The Stars likely wouldn’t be With all the schedule reshuf- Boston at Buffalo ers around the league takes this vac- Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers coming,” coach Rick Bowness scrambling for a playoff spot if fling, the Stars will play their last Nashville at Chicago cine, a new set of rules are going to Montreal at Calgary said. “The most important thing is they had taken advantage of all the seven games on the road after host- come out.” He said he had calls with Minnesota at Los Angeles step by step get back in the hunt. extra time they have had on the ice. ing division-leading Carolina next the league and NHL Players' Asso- Saturday’s games We’re back in the hunt, and now Their 61 minutes of overtime is the Monday and Tuesday, when there New Jersey at Pittsburgh ciation on Tuesday and found out Colorado at St. Louis we’ve got to manage it the best that most in the NHL, as are their 12 is a chance six-time All-Star for- Carolina at Florida nothing was changing. Dallas at Detroit we can.” overtime losses. A 3-2 shootout ward Tyler Seguin could play for “They told me yesterday they’re Montreal at Calgary Joe Pavelski, the 36-year-old victory over Detroit on Monday the first time since offseason hip Toronto at Winnipeg surveying all the teams to see who Washington at N.Y. Islanders center and leading scorer with 19 was only the third time all season, surgery. Minnesota at San Jose has taken the vaccine and who has Vegas at Anaheim goals and 42 points, said the Stars and first in more than a month, Dallas has one game left against not taken the vaccines and they’re Arizona at Los Angeles just have to keep playing good where Dallas got a second point af- the Predators, on May 1 in Nash- Ottawa at Vancouver not going to change the rules for us hockey and know that they aren’t ter finishing regulation tied. ville, and ends the regular season Sunday’s games as players until all the teams have a Boston at Pittsburgh going to have to play all of those Dallas is in the middle of playing with two games at Chicago. There fair, have the vaccines at the same New Jersey at Philadelphia games at once. the same team four times in a row are three games remaining at Buffalo at N.Y. Rangers time, so it’s not a competitive edge,” Columbus at Tampa Bay “We’ve got to stay focused on during a regular season for the Tampa Bay, which beat the Stars Lehner said during 10 minutes of Scoring leaders what we’re doing,” Pavelski said. first time in team history. The in a six-game Stanley Cup Final in unprompted comments on the sub- The Stars have earned points in Stars beat the Red Wings on back- the NHL’s bubble in Canada last ject. “They’re talking about compet- Through Wednesday a season-best eight games in a row to-back nights at home Monday summer before they became divi- itive edge instead of human lives. GP GAPTS (6-0-2). At 50 points, they are two and Tuesday, and play in Detroit sion foes in the pandemic-altered Competitive edge, human lives. Connor McDavid, EDM 44 24 50 74 points behind fourth-place Nash- on Thursday and Saturday. NHL setup. Dallas is 1-3-1 against We’re humans, too.” Leon Draisaitl, EDM 44 22 41 63 ville and one ahead of Chicago af- That unprecedented four-game the Lightning this season. Patrick Kane, CHI 46 15 42 57 The league has not publicly an- Mitchell Marner, TOR 46 14 41 55 ter the Blackhawks won 5-4 in span was part of the the Stars’ ini- “Away games are always tough- nounced any changes to its pan- Brad Marchand, BOS 42 24 31 55 overtime Wednesday night in the tial 56-game schedule, reduced er. We’ve just got to bring the grind demic protocols, which limit where Auston Matthews, TOR 42 33 22 55 second of three consecutive games again from the usual 82 games be- mentality,” defenseman Andrej players, coaches and staff can go. Nathan MacKinnon, COL 39 17 36 53 between those teams. Dallas has cause of the pandemic while play- Sekera said. “Our strengths, fore- Artemi Panarin, NYR 35 16 36 52 Lehner's comments concerned the Mark Stone, LV 44 17 35 52 three games in hand over the Pred- ing only division opponents. But check, play good defense and a pa- mental health of himself and fellow Mark Scheifele, WPG 45 17 35 52 ators, and two over Chicago. they were supposed to start the tient game. ... We’ll try to focus on players, a topic he has talked about Sidney Crosby, PIT 45 18 34 52 “We’re a team that likes to play season with four consecutive road that and bring our ‘A game’ every often in recent years. Mikko Rantanen, COL 43 26 26 52 meaningful hockey, so all these games, and finish it the same way. night.” PAGE 44 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 OLYMPICS Tokyo Games delay decision on fans until June

BY STEPHEN WADE A qualifying event from artistic Associated Press swimming in Tokyo that was first TOKYO — Japanese residents scheduled for earlier in the year, with tickets to the Tokyo Olympics and then pushed back to early May, may not know until weeks before will now be held outside of Japan in the games open if they’ll be allowed June, swimming governing body to attend. FINA said in a statement. Fans from abroad have already It had to be moved partially be- been barred, and on Wednesday, cause a FINA diving event is to take organizing committee president place in Tokyo on May 1-6 at the Seiko Hashimoto said a decision on new Olympic swimming venue. It venue capacity — or if there will be is to be held without fans, and will any fans at all, or just empty venues feature divers from abroad. — may not be made until June. She Olympic Minister Tamayo Ma- had previously promised that deci- rukawa last week said that all ath- sion for this month. letes might need to be tested daily “We are still studying the tim- during the Olympics. Japan’s Kyo- ing,” Hashimoto said at a news do news agency on Tuesday re- conference in Tokyo after she and ported that daily saliva tests for CEO Toshiro Muto finished an on- Olympic and Paralympic athletes line, closed-door briefing with the are being planned, quoting “offi- IOC executive board in Switzer- cials with knowledge of the plan- land. ning.” She confirmed that June “was an PHILIP FONG / AP Hashimoto confirmed that “in option. I guess we need a little more Seiko Hashimoto, president of Tokyo 2020, said on Wednesday that a decision on venue capacity or if anyprinciple, testing will be daily.” time to make a proper judgment.” fans will be allowed at all, may not be made unil June. Early plans had called for tests ev- Government minister Taro Ka- ery four days. no, who is in charge of the vaccine to said. “And in this context, Japa- be taken off the public streets on were likely to come quickly into This change is likely to appear in rollout in Japan, hinted last week nese citizens and residents have May 1-2 on Japan’s southern island force. the second edition of the “Play- that empty venues seemed likely as worries and concerns. I know that. of Okinawa. Japan has attributed more than book,” which is to be published by COVID-19 surges across Japan. ... For the safety and security of the The torch relay will feature a to- 9,600 deaths to COVID-19, good by the end of the month. These guides Hashimoto’s backpedaling is games, we must contain the spread tal of 10,000 runners crisscrossing global standards but poor by stan- are put out by the IOC and so far typical of the ever-changing plan- of the virus as soon as possible.” Japan until it arrives on July 23 at dards in Asia. have set out vague rules for 15,400 ning as virus cases rise in Japan Many of the worries now center the opening ceremony in Tokyo. “If the coronavirus infection Olympic and Paralympic athletes with Tokyo’s postponed Olympics around the torch relay. The relay began on March 25 in keeps getting worse, it’s no time to and tens of thousands of others — set to open in three months in the A leg of the relay on Wednesday northeastern Japan and, though it be holding the Olympics,” Kotaro judges, officials, media and broad- midst of a pandemic. was moved off the public streets in has run with few incidents, orga- Nagasaki, the governor of Yama- casters — when they enter Japan. Hashimoto acknowledged the Matsuyama City in the prefecture nizers have cautioned that it may nashi prefecture, said this week. A final edition of Playbook is to low public support in Japan for go- of Ehime. It was to take place in a need to be rerouted as conditions Yamanashi is located southwest be published in June. ing ahead with the Olympics, par- city park with “no spectators or change. of Tokyo and is the home of the fa- So far, Japanese athletes have ticularly since less than 1% of the stage performances,” an organiz- Osaka and Tokyo were expected mous Mount Fuji. not been vaccinated and officials population has been vaccinated. ing committee statement said. to come under new emergency or- Some Tokyo test events are also repeatedly say there is no plan to Polls repeatedly show 70-80% are This followed the torch being de- ders this week. Tokyo Governor being postponed or rescheduled. do so. There is sure to be strong opposed to going ahead with the toured last week in Osaka — Ja- Yuriko Koike has said measures Many that are going forward are public opposition to any plan to games. pan’s second largest metropolitan needed to be taken “as soon as pos- being held without athletes — so- push young athletes ahead of the “In local municipalities the sit- area — and run only in a city park. sible” to stem the spread. And called operational events — or with elderly, medical workers and other uations are rather dire,” Hashimo- Some legs of the relay will also Hashimoto acknowledged they only Japanese athletes. vulnerable communities. Athletes promised legal support if they protest

BY GRAHAM DUNBAR iconic salutes by American sprinters Tom- ed, protected and indeed promoted.” Associated Press mie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 There are three levels of disciplinary ac- GENEVA — Athletes who make political Mexico City Olympics still could be sent tion for athletes breaching Rule 50: from or social justice protests at the Tokyo home. the IOC, their sport’s governing body, and Olympics were promised legal support “Any athlete sanctioned at the Tokyo their national Olympic committee. Thursday by a global union and an activist Olympics will have the full backing of the However, the leaders of two of the big- group in Germany. World Players,” Schwab told The Associ- gest Olympic bodies — World Athletics The pledges came one day after the In- ated Press in a telephone interview from president Sebastian Coe and FIFA presi- ternational Olympic Committee confirmed Australia. dent Gianni Infantino — have publicly op- its long-standing ban on “demonstration or The independent group representing posed punishing their athletes for social political, religious or racial propaganda” German athletes pledged legal backing for justice statements. Coe gave his annual on the field of play, medal podiums or offi- its national team. award last December to Smith, Carlos and cial ceremonies. “Should German athletes decide to the other sprinter on the 200-meter podi- Raising a fist or kneeling for a national peacefully stand up for fundamental val- um in Mexico City, Peter Norman of Aus- anthem could lead to punishment from the ues such as fighting racism during the tralia. IOC. The Olympic body’s legal commission Olympic Games, they can rely on the legal The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Com- should clarify what kind of punishment be- support of Athleten Deutschland,” Jo- mittee inducted Smith and Carlos into its fore this year’s games, which open on July File /AP hannes Herber, the group’s chief execu- Hall of Fame in 2019. It pledged in Decem- 23. U.S. athletes Tommie Smith, center, and tive, said in a statement. ber not to take action against athletes pro- The IOC’s athletes’ commission cited John Carlos raise their gloved fists at the Both Schwab and Herber said minorities testing at their Olympic trials for Tokyo. support to uphold Rule 50 of the Olympic 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico would be protected from discrimination if “There is enormous confusion over re- Charter from more than two-thirds of City. Athletes who make political or social the IOC recognized the human rights of sponsibility to sanction,” Schwab said. about 3,500 replies from consulting athlete justice protests at the Tokyo Olympics athletes to express themselves. Slogans such as “Black Lives Matter” were promised legal support by groups. groups. The IOC erred by trying to regulate the will not be allowed on athlete apparel at “This is precisely the outcome we ex- understand its own history better than the place where a protest might take place in- Olympic venues, though the IOC on pected,” said Brendan Schwab, executive athletes.” stead of the statement’s content, Schwab Wednesday approved using the words director of the World Players Association While the IOC said cases would each be said, adding athletes’ freedom of expres- peace, respect, solidarity, inclusion and union. “The Olympic movement doesn’t judged on merits, athletes who follow the sion in Olympic venues “should be respect- equality on T-shirts. Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 45 NBA

Scoreboard

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division WLPct GB Philadelphia 39 19 .672 — Brooklyn 39 20 .661 ½ New York 33 27 .550 7 Boston 31 27 .534 8 Toronto 25 34 .424 14½ Southeast Division WLPct GB Atlanta 32 27 .542 — Miami 31 28 .525 1 Charlotte 28 29 .491 3 Washington 25 33 .431 6½ Orlando 18 40 .310 13½ Central Division WLPct GB Milwaukee 35 22 .614 — Indiana 27 31 .466 8½ Chicago 24 34 .414 11½ Cleveland 21 37 .362 14½ Detroit 18 41 .305 18 Western Conference

Southwest Division WLPct GB Dallas 31 26 .544 — Memphis 29 28 .509 2 San Antonio 28 29 .491 3 New Orleans 25 33 .431 6½ Houston 15 44 .254 17 Northwest Division MIKE CARLSON/AP WLPct GB The Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, left, is defended by the Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Harris during Toronto’s 114­103 victory on Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. Utah 44 15 .746 — Denver 38 20 .655 5½ Portland 32 26 .552 11½ Oklahoma City 20 39 .339 24 Minnesota 16 44 .267 28½ Pacific Division Play-in tourney keeping hope alive WLPct GB League has opened floodgates in terms of what it means to be in postseason race Phoenix 42 16 .724 — L.A. Clippers 42 19 .689 1½ BY TIM REYNOLDS teams in each conference are assured spots in L.A. Lakers 35 23 .603 7 Associated Press Golden State 29 30 .492 13½ the playoffs — and their biggest reward might Sacramento 24 35 .407 18½ If this season was like most others, Washing- be that they’ll all get at least five days to rest Wednesday's games ton, Chicago and Toronto would be pretty before having to play Game 1 of Round 1, which Toronto 114, Brooklyn 103 much out of the race by now. will be a most welcome break after this jam- Cleveland 121, Chicago 105 Indiana 122, Oklahoma City 116 The Wizards were 17-32 not that long ago packed regular season. Phoenix 116, Philadelphia 113 and have not spent one single day over .500 in For the eight play-in clubs, things stay hec- Washington 118, Golden State 114 Utah 112, Houston 89 the last three seasons. The Bulls just had a tic. New York 137, Atlanta 127, OT Miami 107, San Antonio 87 stretch where they lost 11 out of 14 games. The The season ends Sunday, May 16. On May 18, Dallas 127, Detroit 117 Raptors started 2-8 and recently had a nine- the play-ins begin — six games in all, every one Denver 106, Portland 105 L.A. Clippers 117, Memphis 105 game losing streak, their worst run in a decade. of them either sending the winner to the play- Sacramento 128, Minnesota 125 And yet, they’re all absolutely in the postsea- offs, the loser home for the summer, or both. Thursday's games son mix. The No. 7 and No. 8 seeds will get two chances New Orleans at Orlando Philadelphia at Milwaukee The NBA’s play-in tournament is coming, to win one game; the No. 9 and No. 10 seeds Phoenix at Boston Detroit at San Antonio meaning the races toward the bottom of the must go 2-0 or they won’t make the playoffs. Charlotte at Chicago Eastern and Western Conferences over the fi- It has already given teams like the Wizards L.A. Lakers at Dallas nal four weeks might be just as compelling as — a team that was wracked with virus-related Friday's games Boston at Brooklyn the ones at the top of the standings down the issues earlier this season and didn’t play for Miami at Atlanta stretch. two weeks while the roster was decimated — Cleveland at Charlotte L.A. Clippers at Houston Adding four more teams to the postseason plenty of newfound hope. Washington at Oklahoma City Denver at Golden State equation, as one would expect, opens the have- “I think if we can put a nice little run togeth- Memphis at Portland a-chance floodgates considerably. Again, in er, I think we can give ourselves a nice little NICK WASS/AP Saturday's games normal times, there would be nine teams right chance,” Wizards guard Bradley Beal said. Center Daniel Gafford dunks against the Toronto at New York Philadelphia at Milwaukee now with a realistic chance at securing one of And he freely admits that he’s already score- Golden State Warriors during the Wizards’ Detroit at Indiana the eight playoff spots in the East, and 10 teams board watching, just to see where the Wizards 118­114 win on Wednesday in Washington. Chicago at Miami San Antonio at New Orleans for the eight slots out West. With the play-in, as are in the standings on a moment-to-moment L.A. Lakers at Dallas Minnesota at Utah many as a half-dozen more teams can still say basis: “One-hundred percent,” Beal said. place the plan for a bigger play-in this season, Houston at Denver they’ve got a shot. Added Wizards coach Scott Brooks, refer- officially on a one-year basis though nobody Sunday's games Some people love the idea. ring to the platform where just about every will be surprised when it doesn’t go away next Boston at Charlotte Phoenix at Brooklyn “We’re trying to get in,” New Orleans coach NBA game gets shown: “League Pass is the season. Even teams that aren’t going to be in Memphis at Portland Stan Van Gundy said. greatest invention ever.” the play-in round — but might be awaiting the Cleveland at Washington Milwaukee at Atlanta Others don’t. At this time of year, he might be right. winners from it — seem intrigued by what will Indiana at Orlando Sacramento at Golden State “I don’t see the point,” Dallas’ Luka Doncic NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had been happen with those games. Calendar said last week. thinking about something like a play-in round “I love the excitement for the league,” Mil- But if the Mavericks are one of the play-in for a while, and a version of it came into play waukee general manager Jon Horst said. “I May 16 — End of regular season May 18­21 — Play­In Tournament teams — a very real possibility — then Doncic last season when Portland faced Memphis for love that Adam Silver and the league and the May 22 — July 22:2021 NBA Playoffs May 30 — Deadline for an early entry would need to see the point right away. Wheth- the No. 8 spot in the West playoffs. The Blazers ownership groups that are in place now are player to apply for this year’s Draft (11:59 er someone likes the idea or not, the notion of had to win one game, the Grizzlies would have progressive and they are willing to try differ- p.m. ET) June 21­27 — NBA Draft Combine needing to go through the play-in round to had to win two, and Portland took care of mat- ent things to generate revenue and generate in- June 22 — NBA Draft Lottery July 19 — Deadline for an early entry make the playoffs certainly beats the alterna- ters by winning the opening matchup to earn a terest for our game. I think it does just that. I player to withdraw from the NBA Draft (5 tive of not making the playoffs at all. first-round date with the Los Angeles Lakers. think they’re really exciting, compelling p.m. ET) July 29 — 2021 NBA Draft The premise couldn’t be simpler. The top six It didn’t take long for the league to put into games, compelling matchups.” PAGE 46 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 MLB Late errors Scoreboard American League East Division WLPct GB help Oakland Boston 12 7 .632 _ Tampa Bay 10 9 .526 2 Baltimore 8 10 .444 3½ Toronto 8 10 .444 3½ extend streak New York 6 11 .353 5 Central Division BY RICK EYMER WLPct GB Associated Press Kansas City 10 7 .588 _ OAKLAND, Calif. — Ramón Laureano Chicago 9 9 .500 1½ Cleveland 8 8 .500 1½ thought there was something in the air. He Detroit 7 11 .389 3½ smelled victory. Minnesota 6 11 .353 4 “It’s like the Bay Area wind. It just smells West Division like you’re going to win,” Laureano said WLPct GB Wednesday after the Oakland Athletics ex- Oakland 12 7 .632 _ tended their winning streak to 11 with a 10th- Seattle 11 7 .611 ½ inning rally fueled by two errors for a 13-12 vic- Los Angeles 9 7 .563 1½ tory over the Minnesota Twins. Texas 9 10 .474 3 Luis Arraez threw away Laureano’s groun- Houston 7 10 .412 4 der for Minnesota’s second error in the 10th in- TONY AVELAR/AP National League ning as two runs scored. Minnesota Twins third baseman Luis Arraez (2) runs off the field after a throwing error as A’s East Division “It’s just baseball and it’s hard to under- players celebrate after two runs scored during the 10th inning Wednesday in Oakland, Calif. WLPct GB stand,” Laureano said. “We were still loose and New York 7 6 .538 _ having fun, so we knew we would win.” raez, who had moved to third from second base Minnesota was swept in the three-game se- Philadelphia 9 9 .500 ½ Nelson Cruz had two home runs and four for the 10th, sailed his throw over first baseman ries, the first time the Twins were swept this Miami 8 9 .471 1 RBIs for the Twins, and Byron Buxton hit a Willians Astudillo as the tying and winning season. Atlanta 8 10 .444 1½ two-run homer against Lou Trivino for a 12-10 runs scored. “I wish we could be talking about game-sav- Washington 7 9 .438 1½ lead in the 10th. “Talk about a complete flip of the script,” A’s ing plays,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. Central Division Alex Colomé (1-2) got the first two outs in the manager Bob Melvin said. “It felt like the game “And Taylor Rogers really stepped up for us. WLPct GB bottom half with the automatic runner on sec- would end in some unorthodox way, like it was He was impressive.” Milwaukee 11 7 .611 _ ond, then walked Seth Brown and Elvis An- the whole game.” Donaldson had four hits, including a home Cincinnati 9 8 .529 1½ Chicago 8 9 .471 2½ drus, loading the bases. Oakland started the season 0-6, split its next run, and is hitting .556 (10-for-18) since coming Pittsburgh 8 10 .444 3 Mark Canha hit what should have been a two games, then went on the 11-game winning off the injured list. He’s reached in 18 of his last St. Louis 8 10 .444 3 game-ending grounder to second baseman streak, the longest in the major leagues since 31 plate appearances against his former club. West Division Travis Blankenhorn, who entered as a pinch the A’s won 11 in a row from May 16-27, 2019. Matt Chapman tied the score 10-10 with a WLPct GB runner for Josh Donaldson in the 10th, but No other team had lost its first six games and sacrifice fly in the ninth off Colomé, who blew a Los Angeles 14 4 .778 _ Blankenhorn allowed the ball to bounce off his had an 11-game winning streak later that sea- save for the third time. San Francisco 11 7 .611 3 glove for a run-scoring error. son, STATS said. Matt Olson homered twice and had three San Diego 10 10 .500 5 Laureano hit a one-hopper to Arraez for Deolis Guerra (1-0) got the final out of the RBIs for the A’s, who allowed more runs than Arizona 8 10 .444 6 what again should have been the final out. Ar- 10th. they had in seven previous games combined. Colorado 6 12 .333 8 Wednesday’s games Miami 3, Baltimore 0 Pittsburgh 3, Detroit 2, 1st game; Detroit 5, Pittsburgh 2, 2nd game Colorado 6, Houston 3 Gallo: Rangers outfielder has league-high 20 walks Texas 7, L.A. Angels 4 Oakland 13, Minnesota 12, 10 innings Atlanta 4, N.Y. Yankees 1 Kansas City 9, Tampa Bay 8 FROM PAGE 48 go deep to the point that he starts Toronto 6, Boston 3 pulling off pitches or chasing Chicago White Sox at Cleveland, ppd. Philadelphia 6, San Francisco 5 overall, with 127 of his 197 hits be- them. Washington 1, St. Louis 0 Milwaukee 4, San Diego 2 ing for extra bases. “Which is going to lead to less on Arizona 5, Cincinnati 4, 1st game; Arizo- na 8, Cincinnati 5, 10 innings, 2nd game His .455 on-base percentage base at the end, and maybe hit a Chicago Cubs 16, N.Y. Mets 4 this season is sixth in the majors few more homers. But saying that, Thursday’s games going into Friday’s game at the like, that’s not going to help us,” Pittsburgh at Detroit N.Y. Yankees at Cleveland Chicago White Sox, even while Woodward said. “When Joey gets Seattle at Boston hitting .222 (108th out of 178 qual- hot, they tend to come in bunches. L.A. Angels at Houston Arizona at Cincinnati ified batters) with a .278 slugging Obviously, he hits the ball in the N.Y. Mets at Chicago Cubs Miami at San Francisco percentage (146th). air, and off his barrel it doesn’t San Diego at L.A. Dodgers “If he’s still able to get on base at usually come back. So right now Friday’s games almost a 50% clip, that speaks vol- he’s staying patient.” Oakland (Irvin 1-2) at Baltimore (López 1-2) umes of what this guy is as a hitter When Gallo hit his 100th career Kansas City (Minor 1-1) at Detroit (Mize 1-1) right now,” Rangers manager homer in his 377th game on May 8, N.Y. Yankees (Montgomery 1-1) at Cle- Chris Woodward said. “He’s not 2019, he was the first MLB player veland (Allen 1-2) Seattle (Kikuchi 0-0) at Boston (Pérez even hitting homers and they’re ever to reach that mark with fewer 0-1) Toronto (Matz 3-0) at Tampa Bay (Glas- still walking him.” than 100 singles. That was in his now 2-0) L.A. Angels (Heaney 1-1) at Houston Opposing teams also employ injury-shortened All-Star season, (Greinke 2-1) drastic defensive shifts against when he hit .253 with 22 homers in Pittsburgh (Brubaker 2-0) at Minnesota (Happ 0-0) the left-handed slugger, who has 70 games. Texas (Dunning 1-0) at Chicago White Sox (TBD) gotten used to “people running During the pandemic-altered Milwaukee (Anderson 2-1) at Chicago around crazy” when he’s at the season last year, Gallo’s .181 bat- Cubs (Hendricks 0-2) Washington (Fedde 1-1) at N.Y. Mets plate. Tampa Bay used an align- ting average was the second-low- (deGrom 1-1) Arizona (Weaver 1-1) at Atlanta (Ynoa ment with five defenders in the est among 142 qualifiers. The right 0-1) ROGER STEINMAN/AP outfield, and Gallo beat that with a fielder hit 10 homers in 57 games Cincinnati (Gray 0-0) at St. Louis (Kim 0-0) bloop single up the middle. The Texas Rangers’ Joey Gallo watches a fly ball during the ninth and won a Gold Glove for the first Philadelphia (Velasquez 0-0) at Colora- “You kind of have to come up inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles in Arlington, Texas, on time. do (Márquez 1-1) April 16. Gallo has just one home run this season after homering in Miami (Alcantara 0-1) at San Francisco with a counter approach for it. I “I know I’m more than a home (Wood 1-0) five of his first 14 at­bats this spring. San Diego (Darvish 1-1) at L.A. Dodgers wasn’t going to be able to hit a dou- run hitter,” he said. “I can hit sin- (Kershaw 3-1) ble or a ball in the gap,” he said. ther kind of a singles, a walk or a “he will because he has a ton of gles, I can get on base. I can still do Calendar “So I had to hit the ball on the home run approach.” power.” Gallo homered in five of other things on the field besides July 11-13 — Amateur draft, Denver. July 13 — All-Star Game, Denver. ground. I had to hit bloopers, I had Woodward knows Gallo will his first 14 at-bats this spring. hit home runs and still help the July 25 — Hall of Fame induction, Coo- to work the count and try to walk, eventually have to hit more home- But Woodward doesn’t want team win. At the end of the day, perstown, N.Y. Aug. 12 — New York Yankees vs. Chicago or hit it over the fence. ... It was ei- rs, and the manager has full faith Gallo stressing out about trying to that’s really what matters.” White Sox at Dyersville, Iowa. Friday, April 23, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 47 NFL Memphis RB set for draft after hard call to miss 2020

BY TERESA M. WALKER Associated Press “It was really a Kenneth Gainwell had every in- tention of playing football with the tough decision to Memphis Tigers, working throughout fall practice. Six days do, so I just had before the season opener, the run- ning back changed his mind. to do what was The funeral for an uncle, the fourth member of his family to die best for the of COVID-19, made opting out of the 2020 season not just the best fam.” but the only decision for Gainwell. Kenneth Gainwell Not to protect his hopes of a profes- sional future, but to keep his family Memphis RB, on sitting out in 2020 LYNNE SLADKY / AP safe during the coronavirus pan- Virginia Tech defensive back Caleb Farley, right, was the first top prospect to opt out of the 2020 season demic. pus in 2018 and wound up redshirt- because of the pandemic, adding a new layer of uncertainty to the annual crapshoot that is the NFL Draft. “Just getting the chance to talk to ing after four carries for 91 yards. my family ... about COVID,” Gain- The reason? He was behind Dar- well said. “You know my family rell Henderson and Tony Pollard, passing away, so it was a tough, both now in the NFL. tough decision. I love football. So it NFL teams and scouts have his Opt-out decisions throw was really a tough decision to do, so pro-day performance and the 2019 I just had to do what was best for season to evaluate Gainwell. The 5- the fam.” foot-11, 201-pound Gainwell ran a After spending the past few 4.42 40-yard dash back at his old months studying and training for school. wrench into draft options his future, the running back from Gainwell put on a show in 2019 Yazoo City, Miss., said he hopes to with six straight 100-yard rushing be selected in the upcoming NFL games. Against Tulane, he ran for Some analysts think that taking a year off hurt top prospects’ draft potential draft despite a track record of only 104 yards and a touchdown while BY JOSH DUBOW teams will opt to take players who While players such as Sewell 18 games at Memphis. adding 203 yards and two more Associated Press played in 2020 over those who sat and Chase are still expected to be “That moment will be very, very TDs through the air for the first Caleb Farley was the first top out if the grades are similar but top 10 picks, others such as Miami special because it will show the such performance by a player in prospect to make the decision that most of those top players are still defensive end Gregory Rousseau, young guys back in the county it’s the Football Bowl Subdivision has added a whole new layer of un- expected to go off the board in the Washington pass rusher Joe possible,” Gainwell said. “You can since 1997. He finished with 1,419 certainty to the annual crapshoot top half of the first round. Tryon, Memphis running back do it. You can do as much as you yards and 13 touchdowns in 14 that is the NFL draft. Farley has another factor com- Kenneth Gainwell and Central can, but you know that you can games, helping Memphis to a 12-2 The talented Virginia Tech cor- plicating his situation after under- Florida cornerback Tay Gowan make it, you know so. It would be record and the Cotton Bowl. nerback decided back in July to going back surgery in March. He might have missed out on opportu- very important for me for the guys He also had 610 yards and three skip the 2020 season because of is expected to be ready for the nities to build on promising 2019 that’s back there.” TDs receiving to lead all FBS the coronavirus. Having lost his start of training camp and has no seasons that would have improved After deciding to opt out, Gain- freshmen with 2,069 all-purpose mother to cancer in 2018, Farley regrets on his decision, even after their draft stock. well went to work. He started yards. He joined former NFL run- was unwilling to put another loved being forced to skip his pro day Even several of the top prospec- training in Memphis, then went to ning back DeAngelo Williams and one at risk and felt it would be workouts because of the injury. ts who didn’t opt out of the entire Orlando in November. He worked Henderson as the only players in safer to skip the season no matter Longtime draft analyst Gil 2020 season have limited film with out and studied until just before school history to top 2,000 all-pur- the impact on his draft status. Brandt, who spent nearly three some such as Alabama receiver coming back to Memphis with pro pose yards in a season. Farley had plenty of players fol- decades with the Dallas Cowboys, Jaylen Waddle missing significant days replacing the NFL combine. Gainwell won the second Shaun low his lead, including several oth- likened the players sitting out time with injuries, South Carolina “It was kind of a difficult deci- Alexander Freshman of the Year ers set to be high draft picks next 2020 to those who missed seasons cornerback Jaycee Horn shutting sion, you know, leaving the team from the Football Writers Associ- week such as LSU receiver Ja- in the military during the Vietnam his season down early after coach that I loved dearly and just getting ation of America. Trevor Law- ’Marr Chase, Oregon tackle Penei War. Will Muschamp was fired and myself prepared and just being as rence won the inaugural award. Sewell, Northwestern tackle Brandt said those players rarely North Dakota State QB Trey safe and doing what I got to do to The pandemic prevented Alex- Rashawn Slater and Penn State li- came back at the same level, but Lance playing just one showcase prepare for myself,” Gainwell said. ander from giving Gainwell the nebacker Micah Parsons. the situation with Farley and the game in the fall before the Bisons Gainwell played only four award until March before Mem- Now it’s up to NFL teams to fig- others is far different since they had their full spring season in games in his first season on cam- phis’ pro day. ure out how much to weigh those were able to work out and spend FCS. decisions in their draft evalua- extra time studying film and That lack of game film could tions and how to project what kind working on technique that they lead to some difficult choices for of prospects they will be. believe will help them in the NFL. decision-makers such as Cincin- “We’re talking about top 10, top “That’s all I’ve been doing is nati’s Duke Tobin, who could be 15 players that you haven’t seen in breaking down offensive coordi- contemplating taking a player over a year,” ESPN draft analyst nators and learning from some of such as Chase or Sewell with the Todd McShay said. “It’s challeng- my mentors and guys in the NFL fifth pick despite not getting to see ing. It really is because you don’t who have been playing the posi- them play in 2020. know where they are physically. tion for a long time,” Farley said. “You’re projecting, it’s proba- There’s a difference between “Learning new techniques. I’ve bly a bigger projection than when working out and being in good truly grown and got better in my you studied a guy that’s played shape and then football shape. I fundamentals. I’m just excited to three years of college football,” think it’s going to play a big part get around a staff, a new defensive Tobin said. “That’s our job, to pro- into this year’s draft in terms of backs coach, a new defensive co- ject them into our league into our teams just wanting to know what ordinator so I know I can just be a system and scheme and into our ROGER STEINMAN /AP they see.” sponge and soak up everything division and what we do. It’s a year Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell opted out last season after McShay said he believes some they have to offer.” like no other.” piling up 2,069 all­purpose yards with 16 touchdowns in 2019. PAGE 48 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 23, 2021 Play-in push SPORTS Tournament keeps hope alive for fringe postseason teams ›› Page 45

MLB Go-go Gallo Rangers slugger getting on base without all of the extras

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Associated Press “I think it’s cool that I’m kind of doing the ARLINGTON, Texas — Joey Gallo is getting on complete opposite of what I’m known for.” base a lot for the Texas Rangers without go- Joey Gallo ing out of the park. Rangers slugger, who has reached base in every game for Texas That is quite a shift for the 6-foot-5 slug- this season despite only hitting one home run ger who homered in the only pitch he’s faced in an MLB All-Star Game and got to 100 career homers quicker than in the game where Joe Musgrove plunked him any player in American League his- while throwing the first no-hitter in San Diego Pa- tory, at a time when he had only 93 dres history. singles. “When I was younger, I thought it was really cool Gallo reached base in each of to hit 40 home runs. And then I remember every- his first 18 games this season, one’s just kind of like bashing me, saying I’m the his only homer being an im- worst 40 home run hitter,” said Gallo, 27. “And I pressive 450-foot drive to was like, all right, I guess it’s not that cool to hit 40 center in the opening series home runs. It’s something that I don’t really focus at Kansas City. His other 12 on anymore. But I think it’s cool that I’m kind of do- hits were all singles and he ing the complete opposite of what I’m known for.” had an MLB-high 20 walks. Gallo had 40 homers in each of his first two full He got on three other times big league seasons (2017-18), but he hit only .208 when hit by a pitch and was the only Texas base runner SEE GALLO ON PAGE 46

Top: Rangers right fielder Joey Gallo is safe with a stolen base ahead of the throw to San Diego Padres second baseman Jurickson Profar during a game earlier this month. Left: Gallo celebrates following his lone home run this season, a 450­ foot drive to center in Texas’ opening series at Kansas City.

PHOTOS BY SMILEY N. POOL/TNS, top, AND ORLIN WAGNER/AP, left

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